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Review: Paramount Room
Monday night I met up with Gapers Block Editor/Publisher Andrew Huff after he'd reported that Hop Haus was opening a new location in Rogers Park, in the old Amphora/Gateway space at 7545 N. Clark. We were literally the first two customers in the place. This gave us some time to be able to speak to some of the Leona's corporate folk about their plans for the space and expectations as residents become aware that they're open.
It's been a while since either Huff or i had been to Hop Haus's River North location, so we were only slightly taken aback to see wild game mini burgers. Huff was the first to point out that the wild game burgers used to be the same size as Hop Haus's other gourmet offerings. Leona's corporate chef Ramiro Nunez told us that the decision had two purposes: sliders are popular, and the cost of wild game is expensive. By offering wild game minis, they're able to maximize profit margin with the meat.
I actually preferred the minis to Hop Haus's 1/2-pound gourmet offerings. The latter has too much in the way of toppings getting in the way of the flavor of the meat. The mini, not so much. I was able to actually taste my wild boar burger; Huff ordered lamb but was equally impressed. Moreover, Hop Haus's minis are like tweener sliders, falling somewhere in size between the offerings at Minnie's and a standard Top Notch beefburger. Hop Haus also offers their minis with ostrich or kangaroo. The deal of the menu is to order any three for $13.95.
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Did you two split the $14? Or get your own?
Are the three mini burgers enough for two people?
We each ordered a standard 1/2-pound burger and one mini. A single mini runs $4.95, but don't be shocked. at the price, when compared to the portion size It's the size of, say, a standard fast food burger. Compared to Hop Haus's standard burgers, it's a mini.
Thanks for the info. Sounds good.
I'm hitting this place up soon!
The food is OK, nothing mind blowing. A little pricey for lunch although the burger portions are generous. The homemade coleslaw is some of the best i've had. Too bad they got rid of the full size exotic burgers, though. My main gripe is service; its really hit or miss and sometimes the waits for food are inexplicably long.
i too was counting on a full-sized buffalo burger when i went, but was pleasantly surprised by my passel of minis. gotta agree on the spotty service, even though our waiter was super nice.. i think his shift ended during our stay.
Is the service better than the River North location? Every time I've been there, it's been awful. One time I was there, one of the waitresses quit mid-shift.
The one time it turned into an 1 1/2 hour ordeal,. and it wasnt like we had a pot roast in the oven. On a weekday when I've gotta get back to the office in a reasonable timeframe, this kind of thing is a deal breaker, and judging from the comments here and elsewhere my experiences arent isolated. Bad service always perplexes me, and all the times I've been there the places is usually next to empty. Just poor management I think
I have gone many times to the River North location. The service is definitely hit or miss, more often on the miss side. I do like the place too as I like the burgers and their beer selection is pretty good.
I agree that the service was a little slow a few months ago, but I recently met the new manager, and the service is now fantastic. The food and beer can't be beat.