Timothy O'Toole's taps into suburban bar scene

More and more, the suburbs are getting their own versions of bars with familiar Chicago names - like John Barleycorn, Mullen's and Hugo's Frog Bar.

Add Timothy O'Toole's new Gurnee pub to that list.

Motif: Located extremely close to the entrance of Six Flags Great America, Timothy O'Toole's is a modern-day pub in one of the busier parts of Gurnee. The interior is broken up into two distinct sections, a sit-down dining area and the bar. The large, wooden bar itself is the centerpiece of the latter room with seats all around. Near the bar are more seating areas. Hanging above the bar are many flat screen televisions displaying various sporting events. The green and yellow walls are covered with beer paraphernalia. On one is a large mirror that displays all of the alcohol choices. Behind the bar are two Golden Tee machines.

Crowd: The crowd at Timothy O'Toole's, as at most pubs, will vary depending on the time. During the day, expect to see plenty of families in the dining area. The bar area draws those who want a beer or the chance to watch some sports.

Service: The service at Timothy O'Toole's was extremely friendly and prompt. The bartender chatted with me about Bell's beer for a bit. When a customer asked if he could change the channel to the White Sox game, the bartender gladly obliged. I also swear that it took less than 10 minutes for my food to come out. Can't complain about that.

Food: As is the case with most of my pub visits, I went with a Reuben for my meal. Timothy O'Toole's Reuben is up there with some of the best I have had while traversing suburban pubs. The sandwich contained the right amount of corned beef and sauerkraut, and I am beginning to think that sauerkraut is the key. I once had a Reuben that replaced the sauerkraut with onions and it was just awful and depressing. Other items on Timothy O'Toole's menu include: burgers, French dip, turkey club, buffalo chicken wrap, fish and chips, meatloaf, New York strip steak, wings (which they say they're famous for), appetizers, salads and soups.

Also worth noting, Timothy O'Toole's has a special $20 burger called the Big Timmy Challenge. The burger contains two half-pound burger patties, four kinds of cheese, bacon, onion straws, barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato and red onion and is served with fries and onion rings. If you finish this beast of a burger, you win a T-shirt and the admiration of friends and restaurant-goers alike.

Liquid consumption: Looking to have a drink? Review the large mirror behind the bar. On it, you can see a list of all the whiskeys and scotches that Timothy O'Toole's has. As far as beer goes, the bar has Guinness (of course), Delirium, Bell's Oberon, Magic Hat #9, Sam Adams, Smithwick's and Timothy O'Toole's Amber Ale, which tasted curiously familiar.

Sounds: The sounds I overheard at Timothy O'Toole's mainly came from the various conversations throughout the room. On Tuesdays, guests can sign up for karaoke from 9 p.m. to midnight. There will also be live music on Saturdays from 9 to midnight.

Parking: Timothy O'Toole's has its own parking lot which it shares with a few businesses, so finding a spot should not be a chore.

Overall: Timothy O'Toole's is an extremely nice new pub and a great addition for Gurnee. I could see this place being a fantastic destination for people to relax at after a long day in the sun at Six Flags. Note that I said after Six Flags, and not before. I would not recommend alcohol before dizzying roller coasters, but that's your call.

Timothy O'Toole's

5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee

(847) 249-0800, timothyotooles.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday