Sea cucumbers, the camels of the ocean, have the fantastic ability to survive for up to half a year without water. Wet your own whistle with today’s Groupon: for $10, you get $25 worth of pizza, drinks, and casual fare at either Riverview Tavern or the Robey Pizza Company next door. The Roscoe Village watering hole and adjacent pizza joint both feature an extensive selection of beers on tap and sociable savories, as well as dignified décor.
From cracker-crisp wood-fired pizzas to fresh, made-to-order salads, Robey's features a full menu of scrumptious fare. Nosh crunchy slivers of tomato and pepper pizza with goat cheese and mozzarella ($8.95), or strive for five flavors with the spinach-, red-and-yellow-pepper-, artichoke- and red-onion-packed Veggie Supreme Pizza ($10.95). Sandwiches are also wood fired and served with your choice of chips. Try a turkey and spinach ($6.95) with swiss, spinach, and provolone, or a three-cheese melt featuring provolone, swiss, and cheddar with sliced tomatoes. View the complete menu here.
For traditional pub grub, post up around the mahogany bar next door at Riverview. Scan jukebox selections while perusing the menu. With green leathers, rich woods, and brass accents, the neighborhood bar is ideal for taking your grandfather for a game of chess or arranging blind dates with spies. Heaping layers of chili nachos ($5.95) or a half-pound burger served on a toasted bun ($7.95) comfort frazzled appetites. The menu also features salads from Cobb to cran-apple, sandwiches, and fried finger-food favorites. A large room with airy windows encourages random dancey tendencies, and a weekend brunch served until 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday appeases both late and early risers.
Reviews
Time Out Chicago and Centerstage Chicago both dig the Riverview Tavern:
- Stick to the basics at this neighborhood watering hole, and you'll be rewarded…Pizzas come from the adjoining Robey Pizza Company, where the cracker-like crust and spicy sausage on the eponymous pie make an addictive meal. – Time Out Chicago
- The dark wood, brass and green leather decor give the pub a stately feel, but the overall vibe feels kicked-back and friendly. The bar has plenty of beers on tap, an impressive selection of liquors and an extensive food menu, with items like salads and burgers. – Christy Bonstell, Centerstage
Yelpers give both the Riverview Tavern and the Robey Pizza Company 3.5 stars. Citysearchers give 3.5 to the Riverview and three to Robey:
- First time in a long time going to Roscoe Village but I'm glad I met my friend at the Riverview for the Cubs game. The Cubs lost (go figure!) but the bartenders and waitresses there kept us laughing. – chijess70, Citysearch
- Good, wood-fired pizzas and lots of good pie selections. Better than your average pizza joint eat-in atmosphere. – Ryan S., Yelp
Groupon Says
Business Rivals
Today's Groupon can be used at two different eateries, which are, strangely enough, within shouting distance of each other. This proximity is shocking because most Chicago businesses are separated by miles of golden wheat fields patrolled by trained attack terriers and helmeted guards working in tandem to assure that the precious trade secrets of one business are not stolen by another. By necessity, businesses must operate in total secrecy, with their prices, hours of operation, and precise location constantly shifting to confuse rival businessiers.
Businesses rarely cooperate. And their proprietors never speak, except at quarterly Regional Trading Convocations, where traditional hooded cloaks conceal everyone's identities. If you must visit more than one business per day, do not mention it to either store owner, or you will be accused of corporate espionage and thrown in the store's oubliette.
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