Chowdown Showdown Best Bar Challenge
The McHenry County Patch.com editors are asking readers to let us know which bar they think is the best in the county.
With Super Bowl Sunday bearing down on us, we want to hear from you on what you think is the best bar in McHenry County.
Maybe this establishment has the best drink specials or happy hour or the most and biggest TVs for watching whatever game strikes your fancy or a friendly atmosphere that reminds you of the Cheers bar and "everyone knows your name."
Maybe it has the most and best beers on tap or a fantastic wine selection or creative cocktail for sipping in its cozy space.
We want to hear from you on where you go to unwind with friends. In this week's Chowdown Showdown, we are looking for the best bar in McHenry County.
Let us know your favorite spot by commenting below.
We are posting this week's Chowdown a day early — we typically post the weekly Chowdown on Sunday — as a way for readers to give other readers ideas for a place to watch the Super Bowl.
We will take votes through 5 p.m. Tuesday. From there, we will select finalists to square off in finalist's Showdown. Voting will start Wednesday morning for the finalists' Showdown and continue through noon on Friday. The weekly champion will be announced in an article on the McHenry County Patch.com sites Saturday morning.
This is all about participation so we hope you will chime in and check back.
So, without further ado, let’s get the voting started. Patch readers, tell us by commenting below, what is the BEST bar in McHenry County?
Dana
9:17 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Firebar.....by FAR...is the best bar.
Tim
11:44 am on Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Thirsty Whale at Algonquin Commons is great for watching sports and having a beer. It is especially good when Hawks and Bulls play at the same time since they have an abundance of screens around the bar.
Bill D
1:59 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tracks in Cary, best food,best employees!!!
Vicky
7:51 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Twisted Moose in McHenry, good food, drink specials, live bands and lots of tv's to watcn the game or shoot a game of pool!
Steve
9:13 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Really? I went there a couple times and the food was on the expensive side. When I went on sat to see Rural Route One this one blonde lady with a lip job and a martini was staring me down and kind of creeped me out so I left early. Half Time and Snuggery have better atmosphere.
Nicole
1:50 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The pizza there was AMAZING a little over a year ago but it was Mulligans then...everything must have changed, they must've fired the cook because when I went back a couple of weeks ago everything was different and the pizza was BAD!! LoL Steve I saw that lady also... Kind of creepy!!
doneitright
3:29 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hmm, i just read an article in the NWHerald.. isn't Victoria "Vicky" the name of the owner.. anywho.. have to agree NOT good. blah better places to spend my time with better food too
Vicky
4:58 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I know how this sounds, but I am not the owner. Just a coincidence we have the same name. Whenever I go there, it's a good time and good crowd. Better then Tracks. Unless you are a regular at Tracks, expect to get the cold shoulder treatment.
Denise
1:56 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
lol Steve I saw her too! I think she was a little drunk, she looked pissed off. The bartenders are ok, but I'd rather hang with a different crowd of people. I've never been to Snuggery but Half Time and Gamblers were good. More people there too...
Mary Smith
10:34 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tracks in Cary! Where everyone knows your name and you know everyone's name in the bar!
Stephanie
7:27 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Gonna go with The Tracks in Cary- great people and great drinks!!
Jim
7:38 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Cottage in Crystal Lake.
B Wilson
8:46 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tracks in Cary. Best food and prices.
relston
9:23 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Liquid Blue in Woodstock!
Laura
10:25 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tracks in Cary for sure.
Jackie G
10:29 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tracks in Cary!
Ron
10:48 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Best Food, Largest Portions, Friendliest knows everyone Owner! And Great employees!
Laura
10:00 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
Ron which bar? Lol
Lisa
11:40 am on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tracks, in Cary!
sara
1:59 pm on Sunday, February 5, 2012
Tracks in Cary loved it for years! -
Detroit's daughter
Eric S
3:29 pm on Sunday, February 5, 2012
The tracks in Cary, IL. Great food. Great Prices, next to the train station.
Gary Bonick
10:30 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
The Cottage in Crystal Lake.
Nikki
11:08 am on Monday, February 6, 2012
Williams Street Tap in Crystal Lake
TC
2:41 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen
Karen Suchy Doyle
3:26 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
The Cottage........best pizza and great service staff!!!
Jemma
10:03 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Awesome place
Benny C
3:45 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Most certainly Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen... Best beers on tap, and the food is AMAZING!!! (I wish I could type "amazing" larger on here!)
James Venters
3:57 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen is number one! Best beer and drink selection, great nightlife, vast array of music and musicians, incredible staff, crazy local food, not expensive, great regulars, cool private events and parties....all rolled into one hella house of awesome! Cheers!
Allison Waters
4:12 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Dukes! Awesome food, awesome beer!
Kylie Mills
5:24 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Dukes!!!!! Amazing beer! Awesome food! Wonderful staff!
Sarah
7:27 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Duke's Alehouse.....by far the best. Great food and the most incredible beer selection you can find. Come on, you really can't even compare to anywhere else.
Jemma
10:02 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
The cottage in crystal lake!!!! Best food and great service
T Senger
7:21 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Tracks in Cary for sure! Great food nice atmosphere and friendly staff. TS
Bill S
7:25 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tracks in Cary
Michael Bivona
8:52 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Three votes for Duke's and one for the Cottage from the CL Facebook page.
Brian
5:10 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tracks! Tracks! The best by far!!
Lynn
2:09 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
HANDS DOWN........The Tracks Bar & Grill in Cary..Best Food, Best Employees!!