From the huge TV to jumbo burgers, Snuggery does nothing small

The first Snuggery opened in Chicago in 1970, shutting its doors in 1991. Now the concept is making a comeback. New versions of the bar opened in Chicago in October and McHenry in January, and another one is planned to land in Schaumburg before St. Patrick's Day.

Motif: A 100-inch projector screen, billed as the biggest TV in McHenry, hangs above the bar and the space is filled with 30 more HDTVs. Booths have their own sets so you can watch any game you want. You'll also be able to catch all the UFC fights. The bar only plays songs with music videos, with a few sets always showing classics like “Take On Me” by A-Ha. After 9 p.m., they plan to also connect the sets to Xboxes, allowing patrons to compete for cash prizes by playing games. Tuesdays are trivia nights, and competitive sorts can try their skills any time with a game of electronic darts. A 300-seat patio will open when the weather gets nicer. The Snuggery also includes a guesthouse, which is open for private parties or spillover seating on busy nights.

Service: Our server was very friendly and good about making drink recommendations. She checked back regularly to take orders and make sure we were enjoying everything. Each server has a card with their photo and a list of interests, and regulars can collect them all to win prizes.

Crowd: The spot was packed when we got there at 7 p.m., with a wide age range that included 20-somethings at the bar and groups of people in their 60s. The crowd gets younger as the night goes on. Dress is very casual. When the music gets going, women like to dance on the bars, tables and stage.

Liquid consumption: The selection of low-cost drinks includes $1.50 PBR drafts, $3 Captain Morgan cocktails and $4 glasses of wine. The priciest specialty cocktail on the menu is still only $5, making it easy to try a few. The mango mojito was a solid choice with such a big infusion of mango nectar it needed to be stirred up to distribute the fruity taste. The blueberry-flavored Cubby Blue was light and refreshing.

Food: The kitchen at the Snuggery's McHenry location is very small, so they only serve the best items from the Chicago menu. None of the items cost more than $10, an unbelievable value considering the quality and quantity you get would be hard to replicate even if you were cooking at home. For $4.99 you can enjoy a 10-ounce cheeseburger with a side of crispy fresh-cut fries. Specialty burgers are just a buck or two more. We went with a version topped with hot sauce, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayonnaise and slices of jalapeño peppers. It was far from hot, but added a really pleasant kick on top of the seasoned, medium-rare meat. The $6.99 pot roast, made from the owner's mother's recipe, was excellent. The large dish featured a rich gravy over tender beef, red skin potatoes, mushrooms and perfectly cooked baby carrots that were sweet, but still had a bit of crunch. On the starters side, the nachos were phenomenal. A bargain at $4.99, the dish features a massive pile of chips layered with refried beans and melted Colby Jack cheese topped with generous amounts of diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce and jalapeño slices. It's way too big for two people ordering entrees to finish, but the leftovers were delicious.

If you're truly hungry you can take a shot at The Gambler. For $14.99 you get a 4-pound burger and a pound of fries. Sirens blare when one is ordered to let the rest of the bar know someone is stepping up to the challenge. Manage to finish the plate in a half-hour and you'll get your name added to the wall, though only one person has succeeded so far.

Sounds: DJs spin starting around 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Bands play Wednesdays, with the current schedule featuring a mix of classic rock and '80s, Bob Marley and Kings of Leon cover bands.

Parking: There's a large free lot across the street and free valet parking. There are also 60 boat slips that will be open when the ice melts.

Overall: Even if you don't have a Snuggery near you yet, the bar's excellent food and great prices make it well worth going out of your way to visit.

The Snuggery

The Snuggery

801 N. River Road, McHenry, (815) 578-9600, snuggerymchenry.com

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday