Village Crossing — Local services in Niles Township

Village Crossing wears the mien of a sports tavern, if that phrase makes any sense, splitting the difference between independence and name-brand knock-off.

The short version of this review is that the place is, if nothing else, pretty generic. Whatever else I say fits into that basic premise.

The food is good, but not special. It pops in some token "exotic" touches and flairs, but its nothing you haven't seen so many times that chain competitors offer basically the same thing in the freezer case at a supermarket.

The porch is kinda nice, though they were piping an alternating balance of the best and worst music from the 90s and 00s at such a blast that even the most distant table was kinda just washed away in volume. The place doesn't seem to say "pulsing club vibe" but no one told whoever had the remote (I didn't see any DJ).

The interior is bland and lacks the charming corporate warehouse-bought kitchen of a Bennigans, Chilli's, TGI, etc. Feels kinda suburban startup. The chic is reminiscent of brunch spots where families and older folks go on weekends, which is at odds with the giant TVs shouting a combination of varied sports and right-wing political essays (you couldn't make out the details of either at that volume, which was a plus for us, at least). This is not a place for company and conversation, but its also not really conducive to its own attempt to be a sports bar. It's just very loud in general.

The service was excellent. Your mileage will always vary, but our server was kind, attentive, informative, and fun. Left her a big tip, she was a little too cool for the place, but cool enough not to have a chip on her shoulder about it.

The price was fine. No sticker shock comparing quality to cost. I just shrugged. I genuinely can't remember what we ordered. I remember thinking it was fine. It could be better. The worst thing I can say is that this was all judged on an empty stomach, which is the easiest time for food to impress me (and I imagine anyone). Optimal conditions got a "meh."

There is a sense the spot wants regulars, to be a town center of culture and friendships and tradition. But the Crossing lacks soul, identity, or any special charm. There's a lot of work to be done before it can tread that path, and I'm left wondering what stops it from trying: insufficient income, or...

Village Crossing is at the crossroads between Niles and Skokie, and simultaneously at the junction between convenient and nightmarish.

The store selection is varied, with standout gems like Gourmet Pita and Dear Frank's nestled in between big box stores starved for business. All of the smaller shops seem to be suffering this starvation more so than the big retailers who have corporate interests willing to foot the bill for what one can be sure are ever skyrocketing lease prices. A premium paid to be on the vaunted Touhy avenue to ultimately no benefit.

Several stores have been choked out already, quirky shops like U-Spy and Disc Replay, and even the UPS location that was here. Let behind are empty stores and fewer reasons to be anywhere near a Best Buy.

Defying all logic, there seems to perpetually be a furniture outlet on the verge of foreclosure in the back lot.

The lot is unnavigable at best, funneling traffic into nightmarish, grizzly, contorted lanes dotted with pointless stop signs and suicidal pedestrians.

Recent additions include a Tilted Kilt that no one wanted and Another Sub Shop. There's also a Tilly's for some reason. No one knows what happens in Tuesday Morning. And the Radio Shack disappeared before the bankrupt chain could even run a clearance sale.

An AMC happens to be hidden somewhere in this monstrosity, bouying and validating all of the attached stores through a somewhat parasitic relationship.

There's a decent Red Robin here, and a relatively nice Barnes and Noble. The Half Price Books is worth visiting but...

I find this mall convenient. For ME it's easily accessed by non-Rush Hour affected streets. For others this place could be a PITA. Doesn't have the greatest stores, but you can pretty much do it ALL here; electronics and techy stuff that are a necessity, get your pet care needs, pick up cosmetics that aren't drugstore variety, you forgot your megabucks gym shoes - grab a cheap pair at one of those shoe franchises, arts & crafts/DIY supplies available, oh look - pick up the groceries you forgot when actually food shopping - across the mall (for all I know that's a mall of a different name), a pasta restaurant next door ... what? no time to cook now, so order carry-out from one restaurant on this side w/pick-up door and a few other types of businesses. If you get things done earlier than expected, phone someone to meet you at the multiplex- one of them HAS to be showing a film everyone agrees may be worth it. At this side of Village Crossing you have more choices for eating. When it's time to truly get home but you're not sure where you parked or if the car's been jacked, hey- run to the nice Skokie PD, they don't mind - they're a block away at one point. Maybe you find the car, but it's got a flat- there's a tire place in close proximity of all this MADNESS. I'd have saved much time had I just stated what you...