Floor to ceiling open windows beckon guests into Milk Money Brewing Company from the moment they walk by the restaurant on LaGrange road. Turquoise accents in the seating, black metal bars running across the ceiling and glass windows revealing enormous wooden beer barrels in the back of the restaurant all combine to create a trendy yet unique atmosphere. Milk Money Brewing Company, which opened this past winter, completely reinvisioned the space, changing all but one red and white distressed wall as a nod to Francesca’s which closed in 2018. 

As a high-schooler, I obviously was not able to partake in any of the beers that make this family friendly pub a must-try for adults. However, I still found the brewing equipment interesting and appreciated being able to witness the beer making process from the comfort of my table. As a teen, I was excited to try out a potential new go-to spot for my friends and I to enjoy. I visited the brewery on a Saturday afternoon, which was still fairly busy as guests were taking advantage of the sunny day. Currently, there is a limit of an hour and 15 minutes seating time for each table, which was plenty of time for me. 

Of course I had to try their MMB burger ($18), which our waitress said was getting positive feedback from the community. The burger was probably the most buttery burger I’ve ever had. The American cheese melted all over the soft angus beef, creating moist bites that practically dissolved in your mouth. While the sliced pickles and shredded lettuce added some nice texture, I would have appreciated a bit more crunchiness on top. The burger was served with steak fries, which were well salted and served with their homemade ketchup. The ketchup had an interesting tangy flavor and was less thick than the typical Heinz ketchup, which I prefer over the homemade option. 

I also tried the Fried Chicken and Waffles ($12), which created the ultimate sweet and salty combo. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy and well seasoned with subtle spices of cracked black pepper. Paired with the crunchy outside and fluffy inside sweetness of the waffle, this dish was heavy yet delicious with sugary syrup drizzled on top. For those who are less fond of sweeter flavors, the fried chicken can be ordered on its own to satisfy your savory cravings. 

The last thing I tried was Grandma’s Pizza by the Slice ($4), which was the only big disappointment of the day. As a fan of true Chicago thin crust and deep dish, this mediocre slice just did not compare. The crust was extremely doughy, which did not allow for a balanced cheese to sauce to crust ratio. The tomato sauce was slightly watery and did not have much flavor in my opinion. I would recommend trying one of the other menu options and leave the pizza to the many pizzerias in the area. 

Overall, I think Milk Money Brewing Company is a solid edition to LaGrange. It offered an experience that left me excited for summer and seeing people out in the community. While I was a bit nervous that the pub would not be family friendly, there were many kids eating in the restaurant, making it more suitable for those living in the suburbs. The staff was also very friendly and the level of service was excellent. Overall I would recommend eating at Milk Money Brewing Company just for the inviting atmosphere alone—the food and drinks of course are a great plus. 

Milk Money Brewing Company is located at 75 S. LaGrange Road, LaGrange, and is open from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 paws