The Timbers Charhouse in Highland Park has the high-ceiling, northern-pine woodsy look of a hunting lodge. But don’t be deceived. Even though the menu touts hickory-smoked baby back and beef ribs, mesquite-grilled chicken and New York strip steaks, the restaurant specializes in fish.
On a recent visit, 11 of chef Paul Harrington’s dozen specials listed on the back of the menu were fish or seafood. Specials ranged from pan-broiled tilapia with fresh herbs to mesquite-grilled swordfish served on leeks, apples and walnuts.
“Salmon and snapper are our biggest sellers,” said general manager Rob Mater, pointing to his dinner menu of about 35 entrees.
Credit the sea fare to Greg Jones, who started as chef at the restaurant in 1985, about a year after it opened as part of the Claim Company chain (Errant Enterprises, Northbrook).
Jones, who has since moved on to become executive chef and most recently corporate chef, oversees Timbers and Errant’s five other offspring: three Chicago area Claim Company restaurants, Woody’s Roadhouse in Northbrook and Zarrosta Grill in Oakbrook.
“I came here from Shaw’s (Crab House), so of course my background was in fish,” said Jones, who is a former sous chef at the Lettuce Entertain You seafood restaurant.
Lately, he has been leaning toward lean, or at least low cholesterol.
“We’ve switched to olive oil from butter, and we use vegetable oil instead of peanut oil. And I’m thinking about substituting grilled tuna sandwich for the tuna salad,” Jones said.
But if customers have other dietary concerns or just want a dish on the menu prepared the way another one is described, Mater said they’ll be happy to oblige.
Lunch items range from a $4.95 cheeseburger to a $9.95 blackened duck salad. Dinner, which includes choice of side dishes and salad or soup, is generally priced between the $7.95 charburger and the $18.95 Ahi tuna.
Cost cutters can forget the salad and save $2. Or they can go before 6 p.m. and save $5 with an early bird special that applies to most dishes. A $5 or less children’s menu caters to kids 12 and under.
Timbers Charhouse, 295 Skokie Hwy., Highland Park, is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Dinner is 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Phone 708-831-1400. Reservations are suggested.
