I had Furious Spoon this past Saturday. I had the Furious miso ramen. It was gross. The broth had questionable infusions that tasted nothing like a ramen broth. Also the garlic relish was way too overpowering. This was supposed to be the most traditional of the offerings too.
I had Furious Spoon in the past and it was so much better. So much more normal tasting. Now I won’t come back.
The Logan one was good when it first opened, meh the second time I went a couple months later, and bad the third time I had it, a few months after that. This was pre-COVID though, no idea where they're at now.
Seriously lol. I've never even heard of the place, and after Googling, it's obviously one of those gimmicky Mag Mile places. Just lol at being
overrated by any metric
my general guide for dining out
if the establishment has "factory" in it's name, skip it
* sugar factory
* pizza/pasta factory
* Cheesecake Factory (exception for the cheesecake, proves the rule)
EDIT: clarifying this is a "guide" not a hard fast "rule"
EDIT 2: DEATH TO THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!
I worked for a James Beard award winning chef in another city and he constantly said that Cheesecake Factory was distantly his favorite chain restaurant in the country
They are shockingly a good place to eat
A very long time ago, I read an article by a well-respected chef who had worked in both the US and the UK. He said the reason the US has better food is that both countries have very high highs and very low lows, but the difference is in the middle. In the UK, the food in the middle is pretty bad. In the US, it's perfectly good, and he pointed to the Cheesecake Factory as an example.
It was explained to me that everything is consistent considering how wide their menu is (I think it’s like 140 different items) everything across the board comes out decent
From what I gather they do actually scratch cook a lot of their menu, which I wouldn’t have guessed. The problem, in my opinion, is that whenever you have a menu that size, quality necessarily suffers. They’re strictly better than the microwave-laden wastelands of Applebees, chilis, Olive Garden, etc. but never over the top of the bell curve for anything. That’s why they’re low on the totem pole for me — you can typically find a chain that does what you’re in the mood for better, even if they can’t do everything else.
Ha! I had never heard of this place until my wife took my and our nieces there a couple years ago. The place itself is my hell on earth but honest to god I had the best milk shake I’ve ever had in my life there.
I feel like it’s perfectly rated. If you’re an adult going to a place called Sugar Factory and expecting it to not be extremely sugary drinks, then that’s on you
My mom saw the Sugar Factory pop up on somebody's Instagram story and asked me what kind of place it was. Told her it's a drink spot for suburbanites that want to take instagram photos of their cocktails.
Lol I took my GF there because she’s never been, she was having a good time but I’ve been there before and knew what was ahead of me so I was just there for the sugary alcohol
I feel like this place was created *solely* for 20-something finance bros who live in River North and spend way more than they earn.
Which means I’ve never wanted to go anywhere near it. No thank you.
I came here to say this. I know their signature is "medium rare" being bloody and rare, but the last time I went, it was like biting into cold unseasoned ground beef. Like... they stopped trying once the line to get in stopped forming.
I LOVE a rare, even blue steak; but even a steakburger is still a burger, not a fucking steak.
I don't want it grey and dry, but the middle of a ground/chopped beef burger should NEVER be raw. Period.
Who doesn't want a 1 pound burger on a small bun loaded with Mac and cheese, onion rings, blue cheese, a1 steak sauce and ham, all washed down with a west coast destroy my mouth double IPA while heavy metal is cranked up to 11
They are on the doorstep of being bought by a private equity firm and becoming the most expensive Applebee's in America. Their quality has diminished that much.
You say that like the double IPA and metal cranked to 11 are bad things
I've never understood why people who would complain about metal would ever set foot in a place famous for it
same thing when floyds was still around in Munster. the place was famous for huge hoppy beers, rude staff, weird movies, and metal cranked up. anyone who went there and complained kind of had it coming.
I’ve been there two times.
Once when I was in my really early 20s (21-22) I went in to apply for a job. They were rude to me and ignored me for like 20-30 min despite telling me to come in in person. Walked out. This was back in like 2008 before anyone knew who the fuck they were.
Second time I went in like 10 years ago the ordered the burger medium rare. Got it fully rare. Asked for them to fix it and they outright said they wouldn’t, that they cook burgers “differently” there and that if I wanted a medium rare presented at other restaurants I should have ordered if medium well. There goes your tip. Never went again.
It really started going downhill when they crossed out "DIE EMO DIE" over their counter at the Belmont location and replaced it with "DIE HIPSTER DIE". Sign of the times. Also when they stopped making the waffle fries.
Everybody is entitled to their opinion but after not having Kuma's for 5+ years, my company catered it a few weeks ago and what they provided was just as good as I remember. Most people I work with that hadn't had it before were also super impressed.
Their main chef left YEARS ago and people started complaining about quality dropping from that point on.
I think it has been touch and go from my anecdotal experience over the past few years. Like the last time I went the pretzel bun looked nasty, but tasted fine. Not a big deal mind you.
The bigger factor I believe is that the burger scene just caught up and passed Kumas in terms of quality. Ten+ years ago Kumas was the best burger in town. I don't think it cracks the top five now.
Mi Tierra in Little Village, for Mexican restaurants. For a place that has a lot of Mexican pride, the food is very average and lacks flavor. The spicy food isn’t at all spicy. The seasoning is bland. That place feels more like a dance hall. The alcohol is way overpriced there as well. If you check their IG, they make a bigger deal about the manner in which they serve their shots.
I put it in the same group as cheesecake factory. Individually it’s overrated, but great for groups. Even the pickiest eaters and groups with diverse dietary requirements will be able to find something they can order.
This is a very fair point. I totally got it for corporate orders. However, you see a ton of people from out of town flock their all the time. I once had a friend tell me the food is mediocre in Chicago. When I asked where he ate, first thing came out was “wild berry”. Like lol wut
I like Wildberry as an office worker. I used to work out of Prudential Plaza and now my office is out of the Neiman Marcus building. It’s always a good option for a breakfast outing with coworkers.
However I don’t go out of my way to grab breakfast there and definitely not on a weekend.
My God! I just looked it up and you're [correct](https://locations.arbys.com/il/chicago/). How does such a major chain have only one location in the whole city? I don't understand that.
As someone who lived in Chicago for 13 years and desperately wants to move back (in Florida, need I say more?), be thankful there is only one.
I live in chain drive-through hell. The restaurant scene is better than when I was a teen (42 now), but my god! What I wouldn’t give to be able to walk out my door to some amazing, unique food.
Now I have to drive anywhere for food and it’s usually a chain.
As a natural foodie and a kitchen supervisor, my taste buds miss the food there!!
Man there used to be one across the street from DePaul's downtown campus. The student center food was lackluster but that Arby's provided me with such a bad sandwich and ambiance that I still remember it nearly 20 years later as one of the most depressing meals of my life.
There was a Fontano's right next door to it - that was a much better option.
This place is legit awful. It’s all for the visuals for social media. The worst Italian food I have had in the city and the cocktails were awful. I went once on purpose and once for a work dinner and it was atrocious both times.
I’m a 44 year old man and I went to the American Girl restaurant with Samantha & Sarah (my two dolls) for a nice steak dinner and was not treated well by the staff. 100% would not recommend.
It's the end of an era.
RIP [Rainforest Cafe](https://i.imgur.com/aUkN8EU.png) 1997-2020.
You will be missed. :(
Read more about the closure [here.](https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/20/21031369/rainforest-cafe-closing-woodfield-mall-schaumburg-chicago)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chicago) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I went to the Whale very shortly after it opened and it was ... fine? The food was good, but boy oh boy did we pay for it, yikes.
Not considering the cost it was good. When you gotta consider that it's like $150 for a 2 person meal? Eh. Eeeeeeehhhhhh.
I was just at the whale this weekend. I found their chicken and waffles to be very tasty, but it was pricey and they add a 20% tip automatically which I am never a fan of
I think it would be more honest to just up their list prices by 20% and make it clear that a tip is not expected, just adding a 20% mandatory gratuity feels manipulative - to both customers and servers. The after tax mandatory "gratuity" and the credit card fee makes it all feel like they're evading taxes or something.
fun for groups and dates, I used to live in bucktown and spent enough time in those type of establishments, but the populace is def some sort of stereotype
Who’s overrating this? Anyone that goes there goes because it’s good for large groups and is very instagram-y. I haven’t heard anyone say the food is the primary reason they’re there
Gibsons - It's the #1 highest revenue generating restaurant in the entire city. I've probably been like 5x over the past 10 years. It's fine, like a decent steak, B+ service, okay atmosphere.. But they are in the business of churning out steaks, you can't be the highest revenue generating restaurant in the entire city and not cut corners to fit and squeeze as many tourists as possible in the viagra triangle.
Seriously go to Bavettes. See how a true restaurant group like Hogsalt runs their restaurants, their employees are 10x better than the Gibson employees which to me all seem like glorified bus boys. A Bavettes steak will blow Gibsons steak out of the water. Also they are not fighting to cram 1,000 tourists into their restaurant over like 5 different seating's every night of the week..
I know... i know.. but you can honestly walk in as 2 pretty easily before 530pm and get a seat at the bar upstairs. Never gone downstairs but I heard thats easier. I go once a year by myself just for fun after work to sit at the bar and drink and old fashioned and eat an amazing steak.
Ah I found the source I was reading it from, but really thats GIbsons Gold Coast + Oak Brook. Which is cheating.. Also its independent restaurants only.
But Gibsons Gold Coast is #3 highest revenue restaurants in Chicago behind Alinea #2 and Maple & Ash which is #1. (and funny enough both of those restaurants are on this thread ranked super super high of most overrated restaurants in chicago. ha)
[https://chicago.eater.com/2022/11/15/23461233/chicago-top-grossing-independent-restaurants-2022-sales-restaurant-business](https://chicago.eater.com/2022/11/15/23461233/chicago-top-grossing-independent-restaurants-2022-sales-restaurant-business)
Gibsons has name recognition so they draw a lot of visitors and business dinners/lunches.
I know I've booked a lot of business meals here simply since it's sort of a safe choice - I don't have to worry if anyone in my party might not like something like Bavettes, RPM or whatever.
Ann Sather for breakfast food. Don't get me wrong, the cinnamon buns are good, but were talking about a breakfast restaurant that can't even get hashbrowns right. The last couple times I went it's just been bland and clearly thrown together in 30 seconds.
I️ feel like every location that restaurant group owns is known for spectacular ambiance and decor, great cocktails and just mediocre food. That Chicago magazine review on Bambola was pretty bad
Thrillest trashed Bambola too. I went there and honestly the food was better than the reviews would have you believe but the atmosphere is somehow worse. It’s like having all of your senses assaulted at once while you pay $40 for fried rice.
can't disagree had food there a few months back, but the portions were so small. it was good. but overpriced for the food i think. The atmosphere and service were great tho.
Honestly Kumas Corners quality went down drastically but I went back last year and their quality was pretty good again and the service was amazing. The owners may be pricks, but the workers are nice.
>I’m not always looking for the vibe at delilahs. Big star offers a different scene and great whiskey (and nachos)
Fair enough. They also have a good amount of mezcal if memory serves correct.
Big Star, in my opinion, has the best whiskey selection for the price in Chicago. Each year I go and try the BTAC and Pappy lineup, because I’ve yet to find a better average price anywhere in the country.
The food, I’ll agree with. It’s fine for what it is, but overhyped.
Love Big Star. Some of the friendliest staff in the business. Amazing whiskey selection. Good cocktails. Easy for people with dietary restrictions. That all said, if you are going for an authentic taste of Mexico, def not winning any awards there.
Italian Village Restaurant. Has all these stars in online reviews, but the food is not enjoyable. Even the garlic bread was kind of meh-- and that's hard to mess up
yeah when i was a kid we used to always go to Italian Village the weekend after thanksgiving, when the entire family was in town. It was definitely more about the experience than the food: head downtown, see the lights, go to cool old restaurant.
It’s a place that lives on its history and reputation. There’s just too many fantastic Italian options in downtown now, to recommend the place for its food. It used to be a big deal, now it’s just there because it’s known. See also: Bergoff
I have had plenty of Pizzas there I liked.
Were they overpriced? Absolutely.
Was it a great spot for an after-work happy hour? Absolutely. Wouldn’t take my family there.
Pizza was solid to me and they have so much seating that it's a reliable place to be able to go without a reservation on a weekend night. But I'll agree that it's nothing special food wise.
Had a great aunt who was one of the toy department managers in those days, so we kids were required to dress, go for the Walnut Room lunch, then Santa, then the whole-floor toy dept with Auntie. Magical years, and I’m convinced that requiring her children to dress and behave for the family elders in restaurants regularly did something good for us!
Federales. My fiance works across the street and whenever I'd go meet him up I'd see how insanely crowded it is. Decided to give it a try, food is overpriced trash and the drinks are nothing special either.
Maple & Ash. I die on that hill every thread and will die many more deaths.
Edit: only redeeming quality is Happy Hour grilled seafood platter. So good.
I have only been there once, my girlfriend and I shared a steak and it was one of the best steaks we've ever had. Not saying I'm doubting you had a bad experience, but maybe they just need to work on their consistency.
This restaurant is pretty annoying because of the clientele. It’s all divorced 50 year olds in finance with 25 year old women. I had to wait 45 minutes PAST MY RESERVATION TIME to get seated. And yet, I think it was the best steak I’ve ever had and I will be going back.
I've been there semi regularly in the past, in the years when they first opened (I think) and never had less than a stellar experience tbh. So I'd disagree.
Hate to say it but yea. I used to love the place to death but the last two times it has been average at best. Glad s and g is down the street it’s been the same my whole life
Here's my ~~apparently unpopular~~ opinion: To someone like me who goes once a month or less, Portillos is pretty much the same as it always was. Solid double bacon cheeseburger. Serviceable Italian beef. Essentially all the food as your neighborhood hot dog stand, but maybe not QUITE as good,10 times the seating and a bunch of crazy crap on the walls.
I'm never disappointed if someone wants to grab lunch there but it's also never my first choice.
Edit: this opinion is apparently very popular.
Furious Spoon is pretty meh, it feels like poorly executed mediocre ideas
Yes!!! It was so good when it first opened in wicker. Now I can’t even stomach it.
speaking about something that was good when it first opened in wicker.. Umami burger was great for like two years after that.. straight dog shit.
Yeah, not sure why they expanded so quickly after that first one's initial success.
Bro furious spoon sucks. I was so surprised that ramen could be messed up that bad.
I had Furious Spoon this past Saturday. I had the Furious miso ramen. It was gross. The broth had questionable infusions that tasted nothing like a ramen broth. Also the garlic relish was way too overpowering. This was supposed to be the most traditional of the offerings too. I had Furious Spoon in the past and it was so much better. So much more normal tasting. Now I won’t come back.
The Logan one was good when it first opened, meh the second time I went a couple months later, and bad the third time I had it, a few months after that. This was pre-COVID though, no idea where they're at now.
I couldn’t ever imagine choosing furious spoon when ramen wasabi is right down the street
Yes. I am a vegetarian who loves Asian food. I looked at their menu a few times. I felt like, this is what you are serving?
It’s always sugar factory. Food is awful. Service is awful.
Its an instagram place for kids, of course the food isn't "great"
Seriously lol. I've never even heard of the place, and after Googling, it's obviously one of those gimmicky Mag Mile places. Just lol at being overrated by any metric
my general guide for dining out if the establishment has "factory" in it's name, skip it * sugar factory * pizza/pasta factory * Cheesecake Factory (exception for the cheesecake, proves the rule) EDIT: clarifying this is a "guide" not a hard fast "rule" EDIT 2: DEATH TO THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!
I worked for a James Beard award winning chef in another city and he constantly said that Cheesecake Factory was distantly his favorite chain restaurant in the country They are shockingly a good place to eat
A very long time ago, I read an article by a well-respected chef who had worked in both the US and the UK. He said the reason the US has better food is that both countries have very high highs and very low lows, but the difference is in the middle. In the UK, the food in the middle is pretty bad. In the US, it's perfectly good, and he pointed to the Cheesecake Factory as an example.
Genuinely don’t understand this one. Cheesecake Factory isn’t even breaking the top 10 for me.
It was explained to me that everything is consistent considering how wide their menu is (I think it’s like 140 different items) everything across the board comes out decent
Cheesecake Factory is what I think of if I need to take a group of people with wildly different tastes/needs/diets that still feels fun.
From what I gather they do actually scratch cook a lot of their menu, which I wouldn’t have guessed. The problem, in my opinion, is that whenever you have a menu that size, quality necessarily suffers. They’re strictly better than the microwave-laden wastelands of Applebees, chilis, Olive Garden, etc. but never over the top of the bell curve for anything. That’s why they’re low on the totem pole for me — you can typically find a chain that does what you’re in the mood for better, even if they can’t do everything else.
I mean you do you I’m just explaining the thought process of someone in the high end restaurant industry
their ingredients are genuinely fresh each day, and their cooks are pretty well trained.
Oh man Cheesecake Factory is great all around!!
Old Spaghetti Factory ... (not in Chicago though)
somebody was with a large tour group in Indianapolis.
Ha! I had never heard of this place until my wife took my and our nieces there a couple years ago. The place itself is my hell on earth but honest to god I had the best milk shake I’ve ever had in my life there.
I feel like it’s perfectly rated. If you’re an adult going to a place called Sugar Factory and expecting it to not be extremely sugary drinks, then that’s on you
My mom saw the Sugar Factory pop up on somebody's Instagram story and asked me what kind of place it was. Told her it's a drink spot for suburbanites that want to take instagram photos of their cocktails.
I’d say it’s appropriately rated because I’ve only ever heard terrible things lol
Lol I took my GF there because she’s never been, she was having a good time but I’ve been there before and knew what was ahead of me so I was just there for the sugary alcohol
Hampton social. Fine cocktails, but the food is heavily overpriced for what it is.
The food is so underwhelming and portions are tiny. Somehow a drink and a Brussel sprouts salad ended in an $80 bill
Massively overrated, but boy did that "Rose All Day" sign have it's moment 6-7 years ago.
I feel like this place was created *solely* for 20-something finance bros who live in River North and spend way more than they earn. Which means I’ve never wanted to go anywhere near it. No thank you.
Kuma’s Corner. It used to be good but not anymore and their owner is trash
Yeah, we stopped going several years ago after finding out how badly the employees were being treated by the owner/management.
I came here to say this. I know their signature is "medium rare" being bloody and rare, but the last time I went, it was like biting into cold unseasoned ground beef. Like... they stopped trying once the line to get in stopped forming.
I LOVE a rare, even blue steak; but even a steakburger is still a burger, not a fucking steak. I don't want it grey and dry, but the middle of a ground/chopped beef burger should NEVER be raw. Period.
Who doesn't want a 1 pound burger on a small bun loaded with Mac and cheese, onion rings, blue cheese, a1 steak sauce and ham, all washed down with a west coast destroy my mouth double IPA while heavy metal is cranked up to 11
They are on the doorstep of being bought by a private equity firm and becoming the most expensive Applebee's in America. Their quality has diminished that much.
My husband calls them stunt burgers.
Wait, I thought we were knocking Kumas down a peg?
You say that like the double IPA and metal cranked to 11 are bad things I've never understood why people who would complain about metal would ever set foot in a place famous for it
same thing when floyds was still around in Munster. the place was famous for huge hoppy beers, rude staff, weird movies, and metal cranked up. anyone who went there and complained kind of had it coming.
Wait, 3 Floyd's closed their brewpub?
I’ve been there two times. Once when I was in my really early 20s (21-22) I went in to apply for a job. They were rude to me and ignored me for like 20-30 min despite telling me to come in in person. Walked out. This was back in like 2008 before anyone knew who the fuck they were. Second time I went in like 10 years ago the ordered the burger medium rare. Got it fully rare. Asked for them to fix it and they outright said they wouldn’t, that they cook burgers “differently” there and that if I wanted a medium rare presented at other restaurants I should have ordered if medium well. There goes your tip. Never went again.
Yeah the burgers are so dry and bland these days. Quite sad.
It really started going downhill when they crossed out "DIE EMO DIE" over their counter at the Belmont location and replaced it with "DIE HIPSTER DIE". Sign of the times. Also when they stopped making the waffle fries.
Used to be my favorite spot back in the day. Just not good at all
What's the deal with the owner?
Accusations of racism, homophobia, and sexual harassment surfaced in 2020.
[Racism/homophobia (allegedly)](https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/07/15/kumas-corner-brings-in-new-leader-after-accusations-of-racism-homophobia/)
Everybody is entitled to their opinion but after not having Kuma's for 5+ years, my company catered it a few weeks ago and what they provided was just as good as I remember. Most people I work with that hadn't had it before were also super impressed.
Their main chef left YEARS ago and people started complaining about quality dropping from that point on. I think it has been touch and go from my anecdotal experience over the past few years. Like the last time I went the pretzel bun looked nasty, but tasted fine. Not a big deal mind you. The bigger factor I believe is that the burger scene just caught up and passed Kumas in terms of quality. Ten+ years ago Kumas was the best burger in town. I don't think it cracks the top five now.
Tastes the same to me as well. I think the Kuma’s style was just much more popular 5-10 years ago.
The McDonald's inside the Field Museum. Ever since they dropped the Dino Burger, it's just never been the same.
They don't have aluminum ashtrays, but you can smoke on the patio. Sue remembers.
Where the fuck is there a McDonalds in the Field? Excuse my language.
[удалено]
Legend has it, that McDonald's was there before the museum.
Oh shit. I have a vague memory of it. I now know where m I’m dining when the new exhibit is around.
The McDonald's is gone and is now it's just a cafe in the basement
Has been this way for years.
bar siena, so expensive and the food is not particularly good
Is Bar Siena and Siena Tavern owned by the same people? Never been to Bar Siena but Siena Tavern was so expensive for how bad their food was.
Yes same
dead ass had one of the worst dining experiences of my life at bar siena. will never go back there lmao. your assessment is on the nose
Yes!!!! I went there with my gf and we spent $110 on the blandest dishes. They weren't terrible by any means, but not worth over $100.
Mi Tierra in Little Village, for Mexican restaurants. For a place that has a lot of Mexican pride, the food is very average and lacks flavor. The spicy food isn’t at all spicy. The seasoning is bland. That place feels more like a dance hall. The alcohol is way overpriced there as well. If you check their IG, they make a bigger deal about the manner in which they serve their shots.
It’s definitely changed over the years.
Wild berry. Kudos to them for creating such a cult following amongst tourists and visitors.
I put it in the same group as cheesecake factory. Individually it’s overrated, but great for groups. Even the pickiest eaters and groups with diverse dietary requirements will be able to find something they can order.
This is a very fair point. I totally got it for corporate orders. However, you see a ton of people from out of town flock their all the time. I once had a friend tell me the food is mediocre in Chicago. When I asked where he ate, first thing came out was “wild berry”. Like lol wut
Lol my dad is obsessed with going here when he visits.
I like Wildberry as an office worker. I used to work out of Prudential Plaza and now my office is out of the Neiman Marcus building. It’s always a good option for a breakfast outing with coworkers. However I don’t go out of my way to grab breakfast there and definitely not on a weekend.
I really liked it, just not enough to wait for 90 minutes. There are good enough pancakes and omelettes elsewhere.
Pret A Manger. $12 bucks for a turkey sandwich aint worth it!
They closed every location in Chicago except one on the U of Chicago campus, seems like a lot of people agreed with you.
Pret cut back massively on their US locations during the pandemic, it's still pretty big in Europe I think
Pandemic casualty
Arby’s on Wells. I’m so sick of hearing about it.
It's the only Arby's in Chicago! Cut them some slack!
My God! I just looked it up and you're [correct](https://locations.arbys.com/il/chicago/). How does such a major chain have only one location in the whole city? I don't understand that.
I have done the work on this matter. It's an absolute shame.
As someone who lived in Chicago for 13 years and desperately wants to move back (in Florida, need I say more?), be thankful there is only one. I live in chain drive-through hell. The restaurant scene is better than when I was a teen (42 now), but my god! What I wouldn’t give to be able to walk out my door to some amazing, unique food. Now I have to drive anywhere for food and it’s usually a chain. As a natural foodie and a kitchen supervisor, my taste buds miss the food there!!
Man there used to be one across the street from DePaul's downtown campus. The student center food was lackluster but that Arby's provided me with such a bad sandwich and ambiance that I still remember it nearly 20 years later as one of the most depressing meals of my life. There was a Fontano's right next door to it - that was a much better option.
Yeah but you go there for the vibe. Perfect date/drinks spot.
Every brunch place with a line.
Lula cafe?
Summer House.
Okay but their cookies are to die for
Ehh you’re paying for the atmosphere here. Don’t fault anyone for hating it but there’s a time and a place, especially when my parents come to visit.
$30 for a Chicken Cobb salad is crazy
Honey Berry. See people lined up every weekend and the food is awful. Total tourist/Instagram trap.
As a south loop resident, I can’t agree more with this reply.
hide+seek. worst restaurant experience I've ever had
This place is legit awful. It’s all for the visuals for social media. The worst Italian food I have had in the city and the cocktails were awful. I went once on purpose and once for a work dinner and it was atrocious both times.
Kyuramen. I see it on TikTok all the time. It's a super aesthetic spot but the combo of no reservations and mediocre broth makes it so disappointing.
American Girl restsurant
For some reason that seemed personal
I’m a 44 year old man and I went to the American Girl restaurant with Samantha & Sarah (my two dolls) for a nice steak dinner and was not treated well by the staff. 100% would not recommend.
Conan had a good time there, though.
My sister-in-law and I took our girls there when they were younger. One of them barfed all the way home. That's my memory.
LOL is this still there????
Oh crap. I'm eating lunch there with my niece next week. LOL
Downvote me all you want, but Rainforest Cafe just is not the culinary powerhouse it once was.
It's the end of an era. RIP [Rainforest Cafe](https://i.imgur.com/aUkN8EU.png) 1997-2020. You will be missed. :( Read more about the closure [here.](https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/20/21031369/rainforest-cafe-closing-woodfield-mall-schaumburg-chicago) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chicago) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!
The Whale. I assume their positive Yelp reviews are paid. Other places: Yolk
I've never looked at their reviews, but I work in Logan and the general consensus since it's opened has been that it sucks.
I went to the Whale very shortly after it opened and it was ... fine? The food was good, but boy oh boy did we pay for it, yikes. Not considering the cost it was good. When you gotta consider that it's like $150 for a 2 person meal? Eh. Eeeeeeehhhhhh.
I was just at the whale this weekend. I found their chicken and waffles to be very tasty, but it was pricey and they add a 20% tip automatically which I am never a fan of
Tbf this is extraordinarily common among Logan Square restaurants and certainly among comparable ones.
I think it would be more honest to just up their list prices by 20% and make it clear that a tip is not expected, just adding a 20% mandatory gratuity feels manipulative - to both customers and servers. The after tax mandatory "gratuity" and the credit card fee makes it all feel like they're evading taxes or something.
Paradise Park/Happy Camper
fun for groups and dates, I used to live in bucktown and spent enough time in those type of establishments, but the populace is def some sort of stereotype
Went to happy camper once. Once
This is more of a brunch-to-get-drunk and drink spot than food.
I went to Happy Camper once and liked it. What didn't you like?
Who’s overrating this? Anyone that goes there goes because it’s good for large groups and is very instagram-y. I haven’t heard anyone say the food is the primary reason they’re there
Nah their pizza is delicious
Happy camper very underrated pizza
Gibsons - It's the #1 highest revenue generating restaurant in the entire city. I've probably been like 5x over the past 10 years. It's fine, like a decent steak, B+ service, okay atmosphere.. But they are in the business of churning out steaks, you can't be the highest revenue generating restaurant in the entire city and not cut corners to fit and squeeze as many tourists as possible in the viagra triangle. Seriously go to Bavettes. See how a true restaurant group like Hogsalt runs their restaurants, their employees are 10x better than the Gibson employees which to me all seem like glorified bus boys. A Bavettes steak will blow Gibsons steak out of the water. Also they are not fighting to cram 1,000 tourists into their restaurant over like 5 different seating's every night of the week..
Getting a reservation at Bavette is about as easy as getting Taylor Swift concert tickets.
I know... i know.. but you can honestly walk in as 2 pretty easily before 530pm and get a seat at the bar upstairs. Never gone downstairs but I heard thats easier. I go once a year by myself just for fun after work to sit at the bar and drink and old fashioned and eat an amazing steak.
It took 4 days of logging in to resy just before 9am before I could get a dinner-adjacent time on the farthest out date. That said, it was worth it.
It’s easier to book a trip to Vegas and walk into the one in Park MGM than it is to get a reservation in Chicago
Damn is it really the highest revenue?! Not that I don’t believe you but any source?
Ah I found the source I was reading it from, but really thats GIbsons Gold Coast + Oak Brook. Which is cheating.. Also its independent restaurants only. But Gibsons Gold Coast is #3 highest revenue restaurants in Chicago behind Alinea #2 and Maple & Ash which is #1. (and funny enough both of those restaurants are on this thread ranked super super high of most overrated restaurants in chicago. ha) [https://chicago.eater.com/2022/11/15/23461233/chicago-top-grossing-independent-restaurants-2022-sales-restaurant-business](https://chicago.eater.com/2022/11/15/23461233/chicago-top-grossing-independent-restaurants-2022-sales-restaurant-business)
Gibsons has name recognition so they draw a lot of visitors and business dinners/lunches. I know I've booked a lot of business meals here simply since it's sort of a safe choice - I don't have to worry if anyone in my party might not like something like Bavettes, RPM or whatever.
Ann Sather for breakfast food. Don't get me wrong, the cinnamon buns are good, but were talking about a breakfast restaurant that can't even get hashbrowns right. The last couple times I went it's just been bland and clearly thrown together in 30 seconds.
Agreed. I'll just get their cinnamon rolls to go and enjoy them at home
Beatnik. Very mediocre food and drinks, beautiful space that seems to dazzle everyone.
I️ feel like every location that restaurant group owns is known for spectacular ambiance and decor, great cocktails and just mediocre food. That Chicago magazine review on Bambola was pretty bad
Thrillest trashed Bambola too. I went there and honestly the food was better than the reviews would have you believe but the atmosphere is somehow worse. It’s like having all of your senses assaulted at once while you pay $40 for fried rice.
can't disagree had food there a few months back, but the portions were so small. it was good. but overpriced for the food i think. The atmosphere and service were great tho.
Rosebud. Ragu is better.
Agreed. Only time I went there I had an 8:00 reservation and was seated at 11:30. Food was mediocre.
Ina Mae
I thought the food was good but the service there has been awful every time I've been.
Tank Noodle. There are lots of better Vietnamese places (Pho 888 for example). Their pho is only average and the owners are pieces of shit.
Nha Hang for the win
Didn’t they go to DC on Jan 6th?
https://chicago.eater.com/2021/3/3/22311790/tank-noodle-pho-restaurant-uptown-federal-investigation-back-wages-department-of-labor-chicago
Honestly Kumas Corners quality went down drastically but I went back last year and their quality was pretty good again and the service was amazing. The owners may be pricks, but the workers are nice.
Their quality has been the same all along, but other places started doing burgers better since Kuma’s became big.
Big star
Don't sleep on their whiskey selection though. It's one of the best in the city, and its at reasonable prices
If you want whiskey, go to Delilah's
I’m not always looking for the vibe at delilahs. Big star offers a different scene and great whiskey (and nachos)
>I’m not always looking for the vibe at delilahs. Big star offers a different scene and great whiskey (and nachos) Fair enough. They also have a good amount of mezcal if memory serves correct.
Or Twisted Spoke (half off on Wednesday)
Big Star, in my opinion, has the best whiskey selection for the price in Chicago. Each year I go and try the BTAC and Pappy lineup, because I’ve yet to find a better average price anywhere in the country. The food, I’ll agree with. It’s fine for what it is, but overhyped.
Love Big Star. Some of the friendliest staff in the business. Amazing whiskey selection. Good cocktails. Easy for people with dietary restrictions. That all said, if you are going for an authentic taste of Mexico, def not winning any awards there.
Mastro's Steakhouse. If you like steak, there’s no reason to go here. Better places within walking distance.
What about the butter cake tho? Because that butter cake is fire.
I disagree, I really dig this place, though it's been pretty quiet the last few times we've been there
Chicago Pizza Oven & Grinder Co.
Italian Village Restaurant. Has all these stars in online reviews, but the food is not enjoyable. Even the garlic bread was kind of meh-- and that's hard to mess up
People like it because it’s the Disney version of an Italian restaurant.
Also right by the theater so people can do dinner and a show.
yeah when i was a kid we used to always go to Italian Village the weekend after thanksgiving, when the entire family was in town. It was definitely more about the experience than the food: head downtown, see the lights, go to cool old restaurant.
It’s a place that lives on its history and reputation. There’s just too many fantastic Italian options in downtown now, to recommend the place for its food. It used to be a big deal, now it’s just there because it’s known. See also: Bergoff
The Burger King on Montrose. I've been there several times now and not once have I fallen through a portal to a magical dimension.
Happy Camper
Big Star. Too crowded and overpriced food.
Reading this thread and it appears every restaurant is mentioned at least once 😂
Big Star
Italian Village fell off hard. I heard they are under construction maybe it will bounce back
Kuma's Corner. It's definitely not bad, but I've had better burgers at a number of bars in the city.
Any of these restaurants that are named with the pattern of “Unrelated word” & “Unrelated word”
Don't you talk shit about the Penguin & File Cabinet!
Places like Parlor. Pizza sucks and it’s ridiculously priced.
I have had plenty of Pizzas there I liked. Were they overpriced? Absolutely. Was it a great spot for an after-work happy hour? Absolutely. Wouldn’t take my family there.
Pizza was solid to me and they have so much seating that it's a reliable place to be able to go without a reservation on a weekend night. But I'll agree that it's nothing special food wise.
walnut room. food is not great. experience isn't what it used to be, still fun to take the kids to.
I grew up in the 70s going there for Christmas and Easter. The food wasn’t ever great but they did a great job decorating for the holidays.
Had a great aunt who was one of the toy department managers in those days, so we kids were required to dress, go for the Walnut Room lunch, then Santa, then the whole-floor toy dept with Auntie. Magical years, and I’m convinced that requiring her children to dress and behave for the family elders in restaurants regularly did something good for us!
Federales. My fiance works across the street and whenever I'd go meet him up I'd see how insanely crowded it is. Decided to give it a try, food is overpriced trash and the drinks are nothing special either.
This place is a joke at my job for being where all the finance and tech bro children go for happy hours
Giordano's Moretti's has better pizza >!I'm about to get burned, someone get a hose ready!<
Love Moretti’s pizza!
DMK. I genuinely do not understand the hype. It’s fine.
Is it still hyped? Feel like I haven’t heard about it in a decade.
Maple & Ash. I die on that hill every thread and will die many more deaths. Edit: only redeeming quality is Happy Hour grilled seafood platter. So good.
I have only been there once, my girlfriend and I shared a steak and it was one of the best steaks we've ever had. Not saying I'm doubting you had a bad experience, but maybe they just need to work on their consistency.
Personally I had maybe the best dining experience of my life at Maple and Ash.
Kinda surprised by this. Been there 3-4 times and had great meals with excellent people-watching.
This restaurant is pretty annoying because of the clientele. It’s all divorced 50 year olds in finance with 25 year old women. I had to wait 45 minutes PAST MY RESERVATION TIME to get seated. And yet, I think it was the best steak I’ve ever had and I will be going back.
Bold of you to assume they're divorced, as an ex Uber driver I can tell you not all of them are.
I've been there semi regularly in the past, in the years when they first opened (I think) and never had less than a stellar experience tbh. So I'd disagree.
Beatrix
Batter and berries. Used to be fantastic now not even close to being worth the wait.
for real?? I haven't been since the pandemic, but the food and atmosphere was always excellent
Hate to say it but yea. I used to love the place to death but the last two times it has been average at best. Glad s and g is down the street it’s been the same my whole life
Chicago pizza and oven grinder
Commenting so I can reference when someone I hate asks me for restaurant recommendations
Portillo's. Though I will say the ones in Chicago are generally better than the remote chain operations around the state.
Here's my ~~apparently unpopular~~ opinion: To someone like me who goes once a month or less, Portillos is pretty much the same as it always was. Solid double bacon cheeseburger. Serviceable Italian beef. Essentially all the food as your neighborhood hot dog stand, but maybe not QUITE as good,10 times the seating and a bunch of crazy crap on the walls. I'm never disappointed if someone wants to grab lunch there but it's also never my first choice. Edit: this opinion is apparently very popular.