Mystery Diner in McHenry: Swing by to savor country club’s Metalwood Grille

The 99-year-old McHenry Country Club is a private golf club along the banks of the Fox River in McHenry. It has opened its restaurant – The Metalwood Grille – to the public, so we decided to give it a go for lunch.

The restaurant gets its name from the legendary Metal Wood, a golf innovation pioneered by McHenry Country Club member Gary Adams, a McHenry resident. The first metal wood club was envisioned and used to drive a golf ball farther than a wood-headed driver. Adams was also the founder of TaylorMade Golf, Founders Club and McHenry Metals.

The Metalwood Grille has a welcoming atmosphere, with the requisite golf memorabilia, photos and paintings on the wall, and a golf tournament playing on the televisions throughout the dining room. While many country club dining rooms overlook a putting green or the course’s first tee, Metalwood Grille has a nice view of the Fox River, where boaters float leisurely by. It is a relaxing scene.

The menu offers the usual items for the 19th hole, yet has a few surprises that go beyond the typical pub and grub fare. It features appetizers such as Peel & Eat Shrimp ($16 for 1 pound) and a Charcuterie Board ($14), as well as unique sandwiches, including The Beefeater ($15). And entrees venture into Filet Mignon with Port Wine Demi-Glaze ($29) and Prime Rib ($22 for 12 ounces, or $28 for 16 ounces).

This being lunch, our group of three went with the Metalwood Chopped Salad ($16), a Reuben ($12) and the “Grown Up” Grilled Cheese ($10). The sandwiches were accompanied by a mound of crunchy french fries

One of us started with a cup of Clam Chowder ($3.50). The broth was flavorful and not too dense, with a light touch of potato and clam.

The Chopped Salad mingled mixed greens, chicken breast, tomatoes, bacon, pasta and bleu cheese crumbles, and was served with a sweet red wine vinaigrette and grilled garlic bread. This was a big salad with plenty of fresh ingredients; we brought half of it home. The chicken was tasty and truly made the salad a top choice.

The Grilled Cheese included cheddar, American and herbed Metal Wood cheese along with tomato and bacon served on grilled sourdough bread. This was a unique sandwich, with a powerful taste emboldened by the herbed Metal Wood cheese. It, too, was a lot for one sitting.

The Reuben was traditional, with homemade corned beef piled high with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, served on grilled, marble rye bread. The corned beef was sliced thin and was tender and lean, the best way when eaten in sandwich form. This Reuben was a satisfying, comfort food meal.

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy The Metalwood Grille. It’s well worth a visit to savor the food and the pleasing surroundings.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Metalwood Grille

WHERE: 820 N. John St., McHenry

PHONE: 815-385-1072

INFORMATION: metalwoodgrille.com