Empire Burgers + Brew
About This Spot
Empire Burgers + Brew greets you with the easygoing hum of a community gathering spot where the clink of glasses and casual conversations create a warm, inviting rhythm. Nestled in a bustling corner of Lombard, this American restaurant and bar exudes a down-to-earth vibe with just enough energy to feel lively without overwhelming. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in comfortably, whether you’re grabbing a bite after work, catching a game, or enjoying a relaxed evening with friends.
Inside, the mood strikes a balance between spirited and familiar. There’s a steady flow of patrons that lends a friendly buzz, while the rooftop dining area transforms into a breezy retreat come summer, revealing a spot to savor both food and community in equal measure. The pace is unhurried, encouraging lingering over your meal or conversation, yet always humming with a sense of shared enjoyment.
The menu feels thoughtfully rooted in classic American flavors but refreshed with creative touches that invite exploration. Each dish strikes a satisfying balance of comfort and cleverness—whether it's a burger layered with pimento cheese or a plate of loaded tots with a lively drizzle of habanero ranch. House-made chips bathed in bleu cheese and buffalo sauce offer a playful start, and the inventive spin on appetizers, like the angus beef and pimento cheese spring rolls, hints at the care behind the kitchen’s offerings.
Drinks play their part in rounding out the experience. The selection of beers taps local favorites and approachable classics, while cocktails like a bright, spirited margarita or a bold Bloody Mary add a personal touch to your evening. It’s clear that here, food and drink come together not just to fill the table but to spark moments—the kind that make returning part of an easy routine.
Whether you’re paired up on a date or gathered with a group, Empire Burgers + Brew invites you to settle in and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food in a space made for connection. The attentive but unobtrusive service complements the experience perfectly, grounding the atmosphere so the focus stays where it belongs: on genuine, relaxed enjoyment.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Live music
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Rooftop seating
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Serves local specialty
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Sport
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Late-night food
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Private dining room
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Quick bite
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Spirits
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Vegan options
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Gender-neutral toilets
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Trendy
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Locals
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Good for kids
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Has changing table(s)
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 01:00 AM | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 01:00 AM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 01:00 AM | |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 01:00 AM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 02:00 AM | |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 02:00 AM | |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
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Vince B 29 Dec 2025
Very nice atmosphere. Mostly burgers on the menu. Good spot to catch a game. Service was very nice. Nice selection of burgers, great selection of beers. They also have a rooftop bar/dining area. Great summer spot
dirtyneedles77 26 Dec 2025
We had our company Christmas party there about a week ago. Our server was excellent; he kept everybody topped off in the food warm. I was only drinking water, but everybody there who was consuming cocktails said that they were excellent. The burger was good, the chicken we had was chicken. Not bad by any means, but it's chicken breast. That's rarely great. How to move on to the thing that I have been obsessing about: the Buffalo and blue cheese chips. That has to be one of the absolute best appetizers I have ever had in my life. That was so good. The chips were freshly cooked, or they faked it very well. I love kettle chips, when you put their blue cheese sauce on top of it with the Buffalo it was so perfect. Cheers.
Yogirlci 18 Dec 2025
I really enjoyed going on a date here. The food is so good, and I really enjoyed the options of liquor and beer. I ended up having a Cadillac 1800 añejo margarita, and my partner had on tap lager beer. The drunk chips appetizer was very tasty, and the blue cheese wasn't too much. The burgers were AMAZING; I really enjoyed the GOAT burger even though they didn't cook it medium rare. Service was great too, even late in the night. I would go back again!
Steven Usedom 10 Dec 2025
Went on a Saturday night with a small group. Appetizers were the perfect size for sharing between 5 people. The food was very good, everyone had a different sandwich and everyone was happy with their choice. Special nod to the burger cigar appetizer, it was quite tasty. The service was attentive, but just okay. The music was loud and made conversation difficult. Update: 2/8/25 - visited again. The service was excellent, our waitress, Emily, was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. The food was delicious
Jonathan Mueller 15 Nov 2025
Great experience! Autumn was a fantastic server, paid enough attention to us but did not bother us. One of the best burgers I have had in a long time... so flavorful, juicy, and properly prepared! Thanks!
Sea Monster (Xtina) 26 Oct 2025
Good burgers. I ordered the GOAT and it was delicious. Unlike other places that use paltry amounts of crumbled goat cheese, they actually put it on thick across the patty. The fries are your average potato fries, but they're not the star of the show. Love love love that they have more than one non-alcoholic drink option, especially non-beer ones.
Alicia M. 14 Oct 2025
Empire is a nice looking restaurant and has a nice vibe! The upstairs area was unfortunately full but it looks very inviting up there. I’ll start by saying that I had the best ginger ale ever here! We had a party of 6 and most folks got burgers and enjoyed them. I ordered the Yardbird (fried chicken sandwich) and it was good! There were 2 pieces of chicken on it, so they give you plenty. The fries were probably also the best fries I’ve ever had. Another guest had the Crispy Fish Tacos and they were good and filling! I definitely recommend and wouldn’t hesitate to eat here the next time I’m in the area.