Merkle's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Was really hoping to like this place since it is an Iowa bar, and I'm a Hawkee. We stopped in while wandering around Wrigleyville during a Cubs game (so we were the only table there), and the food was great, but I had to go to the bar to get a waitress, our waitress forgot what drinks we had, botched the checks and it was just overall not great service. I'm sorry, it was the worst service I've had thus far living here in Chicago. I asked if she could split the check, and she said yes. She came over and asked made sure what we all had so she could split it by item.

She was struggling to keep it strait, so I asked if we should just split 7 ways (which we were okay doing) and she insisted to split it by item. She then put different items all all different checks, so every person's check was wrong. And when we put two receipts under to charge to one card, she charged a different card for those two receipts (so one of my friends paid over 40, and he had a 15 dollar meal). I honestly wish I never asked her to even try to split. Normally I like to ask just in case, but I really regret doing that here.

Honestly, the food is great. If you go there, just go when you're drunk enough that good service isn't an issue and you can pay with cash. I know it's a Wrigleyville bar, so I shouldn't expect amazing service, but seriously, if splinting the check is too hard tell us and we will deal with it....

I went to Merkle's last night for a friends birthday party. When I showed up with a group of friends, the doorman wouldn't allow us in because of my friends shoes, which we understood. Meanwhile, we are texting my friends that are inside, telling them we have to go to a different bar, while the doorman was letting in other people that did not fit the 'dress code' they were trying to enforce on us. I politely asked the doorman why they were allowed in, and his response was full of cuss words and said its his job to let people who he wants in. I proceeded to ask what his name was, and he responded with "my name is F--- Off!" I asked for his manager and he said that he won't get him because the bar is busy. I assume the manager was watching this, because one minute later he came outside. The manager Liam, was rude and very unprofessional and didn't care to help resolve the situation with his extremely rude employee that has no customer service. But as soon as I mentioned that a party of 8 that are inside are going to leave because we can't come in, then he switched his attitude and allowed us in.

We are finally allowed in, and the place is extremely dirty. As expected, the bartenders had horrible service, terrible beer selection, disgusting bathroom, etc. etc.

Do NOT go here, you will receive...

Beat this deal- Tuesday's are everything half off!! I always get the Black n Bleu burger- ground beef burger with bleu cheese and mushrooms, amazing!! Another great burger is the Cajun burger- has avocados and sliced pineapple. Bonus- comes in a pretzel bun!! For no additional cost!! Final bill for a burger $5- add a couple dollars for tip and you still come out the winner!!! During Bears season- all you can eat buffet for $11!! Awesome wait staff and incredibly good food!! Note that during Cubs home games, food and drink specials aren't offered, so check...