Wildfire — Restaurant in Schaumburg Township

EPIC save, Wildfire!

Short story (you can read my review on Shaw's if you care to search for it), my partner an I decided to go out for Easter, but we were just at Wildfire Oakbrook. We hadn't been to Shaw's Crab House in a few months and chose the Schaumberg location. She made reservations on Friday evening for 5 pm Easter Sunday. We arrive, get seated (in the bar area), and proceed to be ignored for 15 solid minutes. Empty table, empty water glasses, NOBODY serving us. It was bizarre as we had MANY servers and front-of-the-house employees walking past us as we sat on the main path to the kitchen. Nobody even looked at us.

It was so uncomfortable. Minutes are going by, we're getting angry. As a couple we start arguing about now where are we going to go? Would we even get in during Easter dinner at any nice restaurant. Ignored, hungry, arguing, and frustrated is NOT what you were looking forward to for Easter!

At the 15-minute mark, we took out our phones and started calling places. We all but dismissed Wildfire as it's ALWAYS busy. We took a chance and called. The person who answered said that they were no longer taking walk-ins but had high tops in the bar with full menu service and she could see that they still had 4 or 5 high tops open. Being 3 minutes away, we left Shaw's and immediately drove over to Wildfire.

Upon entering we were greeted warmly, "welcome in. How are you doing this evening?" I must have answered enthusiastically because the hostess looked interested in the story. I told her I was the one who just called and was told about the "no walk-ins, but open high top" option. I then told her the abbreviated Shaw's story. She spoke over her shoulder to the Manager on Duty (who heard the story) about accepting us as walk-ins. He immediately approved and sat us within minutes in the dining room! We're impressed and super thankful!

Menus handed to us, water delivered seconds later, server arrives 30 seconds after that and takes our cocktail order. My partner now grinning ear to ear! But wait, I can top that! The server sees her gluten free menu and asks if she'd like GF dinner rolls. ABSOLUTELY! Her dinner rolls arrive 4 minutes later, warm, and at just the right crispiness level (she likes a good crunch). We then proceed to "Jon Taffer" (look him up) Shaw's for a solid 10 minutes while feeling really good we're at Wildfire's, getting great service, and getting great food for the SECOND time that week!

But wait, I can top that! My sweet girl loves quality fish. Shaw's was chosen because it's has a great selection of fish...but only one dish on the menu noted as GF - walleye. Not her favorite. Our server at Wildfire, tells us that they can prepare most dishes GF but will still check with the chef to make sure. One thing a GF person loves - SELECTION! I can see the hearts in her eyes! The night had been saved in a way that I could not resist writing a review about!

But wait, I can top that! My girl is very petite, but eats a good portion when served to-die-for food. After the main dinner, when shown the dessert menu, she really wanted to indulge, but was feeling satisfied. The to go boxes arrive, when our server Jorge presents her to-go GF chocolate cake ON-THE-HOUSE! This is customer-forever magic!

Tell me, could you have asked for anything more epic of an evening save?! I mean the Michael Jordan of slam dunks! Shaw's sat us in the bar while Wildfire is setting the bar. That's the difference here.

As a parting gift from Shaw's, they later cancelled our reservation on open table. We obviously get notified via the app. One last sharp and insulting reminder of how our Easter dinner started, AND how it was saved. A story I've already repeated 10 times at work just today. "How was your Easter? Have I got a story for you!"

Lastly, I do want to give Wildfire Oakbrook HUGE props also. They are closer to home. Many thanks to that team (especially Margi) for too many fabulous dinners!

Wildfire's water brought us in, but everything else will keep...

First, I want to say that my family and I have dined at this Wildfire and other locations a few times and had good experiences. The food was great and service was top notch. I gave a five star review to the Oakbrook location because of how great everything was.

But I had a bad experience at this particular location about two weeks ago with a carryout order. The employee behind the carryout desk was more interested in talking to another employee and what I tipped her than going over my order to confirm everything was correct. The order was eight entrees with sides so it was a decent size order and I live a half hour from this Wildfire so I wanted to make sure I had everything. I did my best looking over everything with the receipt and what was written on the containers out in the parking lot in my car. I thought everything was there so I left and was about halfway home (15-plus minutes later) when I got a call from my brother who told me that Wildfire called him (because he placed the order) and they forgot to give me the salad my Mom ordered.

If it was any other person on any other day I'd probably say forget it but it was my Mom's salad and it was her birthday so I went back. Once I got back to Wildfire the same employee just handed me the bag without an explanation or apology. All she said was to have a good day.

By the time I got to the party the food was cold and was subar at best compared to my past experience. And on top of that they forgot the salad dressing and one of the sauces we asked for. We didn't even bother calling and wasting more time. This place has obviously dropped off and their employees don't care. After this experience, my family and I will never go there again or recommend...

We took the family (four people) to Wildfire for dinner. This is a great classic American restaurant. I believe this is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant. (Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has successfully destroyed most all of the family owned restaurants.) The only restaurants that are left in any significant numbers are the restaurants back by mega conglomerates. A very sad time for America.

In any event, Lettuce Entertain You is a great American Restaurant Company with a legiondary restaurant story.

Wildfire is a classic American steakhouse. The steaks are outstanding! When you order a steak medium rare, it comes to your table as medium rare. The food and steaks are outstanding. The atmosphere is outstanding. The waiter staff are knowledgeable and outstanding.

My only issue is the Democratic Party has been successful in almost completely destroying the restaurant industry. It's a bad time to operate a restaurant today. The cost of operating a restaurant today has sky rocketed. For a family of four the price for dinner cost us $280.00. We are almost at the point where the price does not justify the dinner. Most Americans have already been priced out of family dinners at restaurants. A sad state for America. But that is not the fault of Wildfire; it's the fault of our government politicians.

Wildfire is highly recommended. Let's hope we can get our country back to the point that restaurants are...