Empire Burgers + Brew — Restaurant in Lombard

Empire Burgers: Lombard's Hidden Gem

Walking into Empire Burgers in Lombard feels like discovering a secret you want to share with everyone. From the moment you step through the door, you're enveloped in an atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance between casual comfort and thoughtful design. The warm lighting, comfortable seating, and subtle burger-themed decor create an inviting space that works equally well for quick lunches, family dinners, or casual meet-ups with friends.

The service at Empire Burgers elevates the entire experience. The staff are attentive without hovering, knowledgeable about the menu, and genuinely seem to enjoy working there. This enthusiasm is contagious and adds significantly to the overall dining experience. Whether answering questions about ingredients or offering suggestions from the menu, the team's commitment to customer satisfaction is evident.

But the true star of Empire Burgers is, unsurprisingly, the food. Each burger is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. The patties are perfectly cooked with that ideal balance of juiciness and char. Their signature Empire Burger with its special sauce will have you plotting your next visit before you've finished your meal. The hand-cut fries are consistently crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, and the milkshakes are so thick and creamy they're practically a meal on their own.

A special mention must go to Jay Draghi, the Director of Operations. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of Empire Burgers. From the consistently high-quality ingredients to the well-trained staff, Jay's leadership has created a dining experience that stands head and shoulders above other burger joints in the area.

Whether you're a Lombard local or just passing through, Empire Burgers deserves a spot on your must-visit list. It's the kind of place that reminds you why a well-crafted burger can be one of life's simple yet profound...

Disappointing Experience

We have visited the Naperville location multiple times and always had a positive experience, so we decided to try the Lombard location while we were in the area. Our group consisted of about 15 people, and we visited on a very slow night—there were only 1 or 2 other tables occupied.

Initially, the service was decent, but as the night went on, it became increasingly frustrating. A key part of good service is attentiveness—anticipating when guests might need water, offering the check at the appropriate time, and ensuring a smooth dining experience. Unfortunately, our server fell short in these areas.

Despite informing our waitress from the start about how the checks should be split, we still had to repeat our orders multiple times. When we requested the check, it took over 30 minutes to receive it because the server kept asking what we had ordered—something we had already clarified. We also asked for takeout boxes but ended up retrieving them ourselves after waiting too long.

By the time we were finally ready to leave, it had been 45 minutes since we initially requested the checks, and our patience was running thin. When the manager eventually got involved, we already handed over our payment, only to be told later by the manager we hadn’t paid—despite the staff already having our cards. Once again, our orders had to be repeated.

Given that the restaurant was nearly empty, the level of disorganization was unacceptable. If service is this slow on a quiet night, I can only imagine how chaotic it must be when the restaurant is busy. Unfortunately, this experience left us very disappointed, and we’re unlikely to return to...

We went there (Lombard location)for lunch with a friend on Saturday April 12th to try it out for the first time. We were seated at a booth and sat there for like 20 min and no one came to the table despite other tables being seated after us and being served water and drinks. I went to the front desk to ask why no one had come to our table yet. The women at the front desk all acted surprised and said they were sorry and would send someone right over. A server came over and said she would take our drink order and we also had to ask for fresh water glasses that were on the table already because one was all water spotted, and 2 of them still had lip prints on them from the previous person. We also had to ask for a fresh appetizer plate that was already on the table because it had some yellow encrusted food on it from a previous guest. A second server then came by and said that she was now our server because she did not know she had another table. The place was not busy so how is it you don't know you have a table. Based on the 20 min wait, the dirty glasses, and dirty plate, plus the total miscommunication between the front desk and staff, we decided to leave. We did leave a gratuity for the server who basically did nothing. We are not ones to make negative reviews, but we will not be...