Parkers' Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Downers Grove

TLDR: Friendly service, food ready on time, but 2 out of 3 meals were prepared incorrectly.

Parker's has always been our "Special Treat" restaurant. My mom decided to treat us with a take-home dinner for our anniversary this year. I called in to place an order the day before just to make sure everything was noted just so. Originally my mom just wanted the Lobster Bisque. Later she had called them up to add the Grilled Salmon dinner.

This was our order:

Mom: Lobster Bisque Grilled Faroe Island Salmon (no corn, add roasted potatoes and asparagus)

Me: Lobster Bisque Beef Carpaccio Australian Lamb Chops – Medium Rare No Swiss Chard substitute well-cooked asparagus

Key Lime Pie Whipped Cream on side

Husband: Clam Chowder - Bacon and Parsley on side Australian Lamb Chops – Medium Rare

Raspberry Cheesecake Whipped Cream on side

I called my mom to explain that the Salmon came with Corn and Swiss Chard. She told me that she had informed them that she did not want the corn or chard but to give her roasted potatoes and asparagus. According to my mom she even told them that she wanted the asparagus well done. My mom has a corn sensitivity, and she has issues eating chard.

I spoke to the manager who took my order, and I was assured that everything would be as ordered. I asked if my mom’s add-on salmon would be ready as well, and I was told that it would be.

When I got there to pick up the order, the front of the house staff was so friendly and kind. They even included a Happy Anniversary card that was signed by the staff. The order was ready exactly when promised and bagged and waiting. I opened up the bags to make sure everything was there, and they even helped me carry things out to the car.

We brought my mom her food and came home to eat our dinner.

I was very happy with the starters. The Lobster Bisque was amazing, the Clam Chowder so rich and unique. I loved the Beef Carpaccio. I thought the of the garnishes were tasty and unique and there was a plentiful amount.

We also really loved our desserts. I got the Key Lime Pie and my husband got the Cheesecake and they were so delicious – even the country cream and sauce were phenomenal.

It was when we got to the entrée portions that things went downhill.

My lamb lollipops were well done (see pictures 5 and 6). This wasn’t just slightly over medium rare, but almost grey. They were tough and chewy and not the magical dinner I was expecting. Also, the potatoes (5 small golden) were so overcooked that the inside was like a pablum/mash.

My mom said that her salmon was overcooked. She makes salmon all the time, so she knows how it should be prepared.

My mom also told me that all she got with her Salmon was the corn. She swears that she had very specifically asked for the asparagus and potatoes. The female manager I spoke with was very understanding and said she was taking notes to discuss with her manager. She said that one of the two of them would call me back the next day. I explained that my mom had requested a price adjustment for what they messed up. The female manager said she reviewed the notes and that nowhere did anyone have any record of substitutions of sides for my mom. I don’t know what happened there, but I KNOW that my mom would not have been okay with corn and chard.

The day after no one had contacted me, so I called back and spoke to the same female manager. She said her manager was talking to the chef and would contact me in a little bit. At this point no one has called. So my mom paid $258 plus a $30 tip for an almost inedible meal for me, and an incorrect order for her.

I am not trying to get a refund for the whole meal, just for my lamb chop entrée and my mom’s salmon. I would settle for them making another set of complimentary meals for us and getting everything right.

I am not going to hold out any hope of them contacting me at this point, and I am not saying I wouldn’t eat there again – I really do love Parker’s. I am just saying this time, they let...

My family has been going to Parkers since its inception. We have lived in the Downers Grove area for 60 years. It was always a treat for us to go for a casual dinner, occasions and celebrations. In fact, we held my parents 60th anniversary party at Parkers. The food has always been excellent, the service fabulous. My father is 91 now and it's difficult for him to get out of the house, but we insisted to take him out to his favourite restaurant, Parkers. Well, to my utter disappointment I was shocked by the terrible service and attitude given to us. My father’s speech can sometimes be shaky because of his age, but this server, who I might add was a young white woman, had trouble understanding at times and was very rude and impatient with him. She did not have an ounce of understanding for an elderly man who has been frequenting that restaurant probably before she was born. She was classless and had an attitude. I don't know if it had to do with the fact that we are of Indian descent, but I got the feeling there was some racism involved by everyone there. This has never happened before at Parkers or any other restaurant I might add. My husband is an avid wine collector... his knowledge of wine and food is beyond a 28 year old waitresses knowledge and probably more then the entire staff at Parkers. She knew nothing. After the meal and the dessert we asked for the check. My husband and I live overseas and therefore carry premium credit cards. He gave his American Express card and it got declined. He gave his other cards and they were all declined. Parkers doesn't even have a machine that can process an international card and then take a pin that we have to manually put in. We are dealing with an old school establishment that only probably caters to white people living in the area. Because of the declines they started thinking we were scamming them and came for a free meal. They became obnoxious and rude. Well, we alway carry cash so we proceeded to pay the bill in cash. The attitude by Parkers was horrendous and down right offensive. Humiliating!! Those days are gone when it was a restaurant of class and grace. When the staff was courteous and lovely. It felt like home back in the day. But no, not now. We felt like we were strangers. It was cold and heartless. No warmth. No love. Bye bye Parkers... never shall we set foot in your restaurant again. And anyone who may be elderly and brown... please beware. I still gave them two stars for the food and unfortunately, didn’t get the name of the server because we were so angry and upset and rushed out of there. Overall a very very...

Great little restaurant hidden along a busy road. Parker is surprisingly a vary large restaurant with a peripheral outdoor seating area. The bar area is unique and has a few TV's with a piano and live band playing which is a nice way to start off your night.

We dined for my birthday and were delighted to find that our waiter was patient, courteous, very informative, and an absolute gem.

The table starts with a variety of fresh baked breads and HUMMUS which was very unique and perfect.

For starters we ordered the halibut wontons which were some of the best fish tacos that I have ever had and I would be willing to make a future trip just for these wonderful snacks. The fish was perfectly cooked and nicely blackened with a pico de gallo topping and a creamy spicy avocado relish underneath. A MUST TRY!

The lobster bisque was served with a small piece of lobster ravioli in the center. I was a bit disappointed as the bisque was not up to par with other places considering Parker's prides themselves on their seafood. My ravioli may have been hand made but a bit chewy and unappealing. The downside was that there was only lobster in the ravioli and no meaty feel to the rest of the soup.

I ordered the white fish with a few adjustments which included jalepenos and a blackened/paprika finish. The fish was cooked to perfection on top of a cedar wood block. Extremely appetizing and fresh!. The side came with a buttery spinach which I was pleased with but I am a big fan of fresh vegetables and a side of mashed potatoes which were a bit bland but edible.

My wife ordered the sea scallops which were not up to par with other places in the chicagoland area. The scallops were definitely fresh but slightly over cooked and a bit chewy.

Server brought us a desert on the house which was a Oreo custard in a jar and a solid way to end the night!!!

Drinks: this place has an extensive and appealing wine menu but the specialty drinks were nothing special and the drinks are fairly overpriced in my honest opinion.

TIP: check in on yelp for 10% off your bill!!!!

I will be back to try out happy hour and...