Eat, drink, cheer: Countryside Saloon caters to patrons eager to do all three

While many bars seem to be constantly working to reinvent themselves and adapt to changing trends, Countryside Saloon has remained a Des Plaines institution for 21 years by maintaining a loyal neighborhood customer base. A simple formula of good cooking, friendly service and regular food and drink deals have made it a home for sports fans of all ages.

Motif: The small bar has a nondescript white exterior and continues the no-frills décor inside. At the center is a square wooden bar, with small tables lining the perimeter. With 18 flat-screen TVs lining the walls, space for other decorations is at a premium. As a result, the owners have gotten creative, hanging jerseys from the sloped ceiling and thin pictures of stadiums along the rafters. Bleacher seats hanging from the ceiling provide a lighthearted sporty touch. One wall is devoted to those who want to prove their skills with darts, a bowling game and other electronic games. The bar shows all major sports packages and gets especially busy in the summer when a beer garden opens up for extra space.

Crowd: A casual hangout for locals, Countryside draws in drinkers from 21 to 80, though it skews mostly toward 30 and up. The spot is busy almost every night, with a mix of big groups coming in to watch games and local workers sharing a few drinks at the bar. Casual garb is the norm, and you'll see lots of people in jeans and sports team T-shirts or jerseys. The bar has amassed a loyal following of regulars who spend games raucously cheering and love joking with the bartenders during commercial breaks.

Service: Even when the bar is hopping, servers are attentive, friendly and happy to toss out recommendations and inform guests of the night's specials. Our water glasses were always topped off, food came out quickly and our server seemed genuinely enthusiastic about her favorite dishes on the menu.

Liquid consumption: Beer is the drink of choice, with 30 varieties available by the bottle or on draft such as Leinenkugel Honey Weiss and Blue Moon. Daily drink specials include $7.95 Miller and Coors pitchers Thursdays, $2.75 MGD and Miller Lite pints Sundays and $4 Jager shots Fridays.

Food: The menu of homemade dishes is one of the biggest draws at Countryside Saloon. Most customers order more than just drinks, whether it's the after-work crowd grabbing a snack, families coming in for dinner or Bears fans fueling up with the $10 personal pizza and half-pitcher of beer deal. Pizza is one of the most popular dishes, and our pepperoni pie was covered with meat on top of well-melted cheese and a crispy crust. Burgers are another surefire pick, with a half-pound of juicy meat served on a perfectly toasted bun with toppings including sweet grilled onions. For a side, pick their signature cottage fries, which are like crispy, thick-cut potato chips. While you wait for your food, snack on a bowl of free popcorn, popped fresh in a corner machine that fills half of the dining room with its tantalizing smell.

Parking: There's plenty of free parking in a lot along the sides and front of the bar.

Overall: A neighborhood bar worth making a trip to, Countryside Saloon omits the hype of bigger sports bars to focus on offering a quality experience whether you're coming to eat, drink or cheer.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Countryside Saloon</p> <p class="News">2501 Ballard Road, Des Plaines, (847) 827-5577, <a href="http://www.countrysidesaloon.com" target="new">www.countrysidesaloon.com</a></p> <p class="News"><b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday</p>