Nestled secretively along the Fox River near St. Charles, amid a heavily wooded area, stands a reputed former hangout of Al Capone. Approaching the uniquely gabled building, it`s not at all hard to imagine that you are entering a 1920s speakeasy. In fact you are, and very little has changed.
Entering, you see a Tommy gun and a pair of cement shoes, remnants of the business practices of that era.
Trendy restaurants, built in days, seemingly of glass, brass and mauve, stretch to create a feeling. At the Hideaway Lodge, history sets the tone.
Owner Bill Brooks shakes his head vehemently: ”The place looked like this 15 years ago when we bought it, it looks like this now, and it will look like this in 15 more years.” Brooks won`t even pave the parking lot because it might change the feeling.
Built in 1917, the Hideaway operated as a speakeasy and later, in the
`30s as Reitmater`s Beer Garden.
A wall of lace-curtained windows, which was once a screened porch, invites diners to gaze out at the Fox River. Pine milled siding on the walls create the impression of a Wisconsin resort.
”Claudia does most of the work,” Brooks says of his wife, who helped develop the business. ”At first we lived on the third floor and I had a computer job in Chicago. Putting in over a hundred hours a week was not unusual.” Now the business thrives.
”I don`t consider myself a restaurant person,” Brooks says, but surprise overcomes his expression, ”But what else am I?”
The Hideaway is a meat and potatoes place. Beef entrees are priced between $11 and $16. Seafood entrees range between $10 and $14. Lobster
($20) and crablegs ($24) are also available. ”We concentrate on great food and good prices,” says Brooks.
Friday and Saturday evenings, a Dixieland jazz band plays upstairs in the speakeasy, and on Sunday, patrons join in an old fashioned sing-along.
Bill Brooks cautions, ”Always call for directions if you`ve never been here before.” The Hideaway is difficult to find. Long ago, there was probably a good reason for this.
Hideaway Lodge, 35W337, Riverside Dr., Valley View, is open 5-10:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-12 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. 741-1244.
