The Bluegrass Story

Bluegrass was founded by Jim Lederer, a restaurant industry veteran with nearly four decades of experience. His career began in 1984 with Stouffer’s Restaurant Corporation, where he soon developed a partnership with Chicago restaurant legend Don Roth. Jim went on to spend nine years as General Manager of Don Roth’s in Wheeling.

He later joined Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, leading the kitchen at Bub City, before partnering with Chef David Teichman to open Crawdaddy Bayou in Wheeling. Following the restaurant’s successful first year, Jim spent several years consulting and traveling throughout the food and beverage industry while staying involved in the local community.

That community involvement helped lay the groundwork for Bluegrass. Through the Wheeling Prospect Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, Jim established the Restaurant Row Hospitality Group. He began developing a restaurant concept built around a straightforward idea: exceptional food and service at a casual, approachable price.

In 2004, Chef David Teichman joined Bluegrass as its original chef and partner, helping bring that vision to life.

A Part of the Highland Park Community

Since opening, Bluegrass has become a longtime neighborhood restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois. Jim has served on the city’s Design Review Commission and, alongside Mayor Belsky, helped launch the Taste of Highland Park in 2005.

Over the years, Bluegrass has also supported local schools, youth programs and numerous community organizations. Being part of Highland Park has always meant more than serving great food; it’s about building relationships and bringing people together.

Good Food, Great Drinks and a Lot of Fun

Bluegrass continues to evolve while staying true to its original vision. Alongside its Southern and Cajun-inspired food and American favorites, the restaurant has built a reputation for bringing people together through special events and memorable dining experiences.

Wine and beer dinners, shrimp, crawfish and lobster boils, barbecue and smoking events, and celebrations such as Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and Oktoberfest offer guests new reasons to visit throughout the year.

The menu, wine list and craft beer selection continue to evolve, reflecting a commitment to fresh, approachable food, great drinks and a lot of fun.

That’s what Bluegrass is all about: a locally owned Highland Park restaurant where good food, good drinks and good company come together.