Mini Review: The Wellington of Arlington

October 14, 12:37 PMChicago Restaurant ExaminerLaura Hansen

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Last weekend I went with my family to celebrate my parents 51st wedding anniversary. It was a low key affair (vs the big blow out 50th party last year).  We decided to go to the Wellington.  The Wellington has been in Arlington Heights for as long as I can remember.  It could be that we started to go there when I was in grammar school for gosh sakes.

It could be at least 10 years since I had been there.  We would always for some family birthday or celebration. As a result, we could count on the server coming out with something that had a lit candle in it.

Nothing has changed. It is exactly the same place it was years ago. In fact, much of the wait staff have been there for more than 20 years. I sat in the chair and thought to myself: “many have sat in this chair before me and rounded out the bottom.”

Here’s the gift of the Wellington (and the seniors certainly love it). The meal is all inclusive for a reasonable price.  Every entree will include soup, salad, potato, and dessert.

The wait staff does not use trays to carry out the food, but carts on wheels.  Using carts brings me back to other senior filled restaurants who also serve that way.  If the restaurant has enough room between tables – why not use carts? It’s easier on the back and probably prone to having less accidents. 

I had the prime rib (as I always do).  It’s very good. I think they season the rib liberally and serve it as is – meaning if there is fat, they won’t trim it.  They also pride themselves in their twice baked potato – again not bad.  The salad with blue cheese dressing – not bad. There is a touch where they serve the plate cold, it does a little magic to the salad.

The menu is so 1950’s retro and tries to please many. Appetizers include saganaki, baked clams maison, oysters rockefeller or crabcakes.

Entrees run the gamut from steak au poivre to veal oscar to frogs legs provencale.  And, here’s a place you can get pepper steak, wiener schnitzel or dover sole almondine.  Sole is very hard to find these days. They also serve sautéed baby calf liver – remember that? So, the Germans, Greeks, carnivores’ and seafood lovers are happy.

There is a sense of comfort about this food.  We grew up with infrequent visits here to celebrate something so it became special. We were going out to dinner at the Wellington wow!  My father used to meet his old buddies at the bar – the buzz was that the Wellington poured a good drink.  No skimping.

Our dinner was completed with that complimentary dessert – a multiple choice selection of ice creams.   I picked the chocolate sunday. Low and behold, it was served in one of those chilled metal bowls (again my memory of childhood is triggered by the cold bowl).  I had to work and dig underneath to find that chocolate sauce; I finally did discover a little satisfying pocket.

So, if you ever went to the Wellington growing up – or feel a nostalgia for the type of restaurant it is, swing on by.  They don’t make em like this anymore.

The Wellington of Arltington
2121 S Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 439-6610