The Village Tavern

The Village Tavern opened in 1847 as the Zimmer Tavern and Wagon Shop, built by Long Grove's German settlers at the crossroads of Old McHenry Road and today's Robert Parker Coffin Road, where travelers could have horses shod and drink ale and whiskey straight from the barrel. It is billed as the oldest tavern/restaurant in continuous operation in Illinois and received Long Grove's first liquor license after the village incorporated in 1956. The dining room seats over 125 beneath hand-hewn oak beams, with a large brick fireplace, an 1890s grandfather clock, and a 35-foot mahogany bar salvaged from Chicago's original McCormick Place. The Ullrich family ran it for 62 years before selling in 2023 to the Jarvis family, who retained staff including a server who has worked there since 1976.

Its 35-foot mahogany bar came from Chicago's original McCormick Place, surviving the 1967 fire that destroyed the convention center.

What to order: Friday fish fry, broasted chicken, and half-pound burgers ground fresh at Dorfler's Meat Market in Long Grove.