My girls and I recently visit Brûlée Chicago for brunch. Beverages: I started with one of their gin cocktails that had lemon and bergamot in it. It was not too sweet, but very refreshing. My girls RAVED over the Apple Mimosas, so I had to try one of those, too. You wouldn't normally have/ask for an apple-mosa, but it was quite tasty. Food: I enjoyed the Avocado Croast (croast because it came on a croissant) topped smoked salmon and eggs over medium, and the Smoked Gouda Grits. Kudos to the chef for preparing a perfect egg over medium - the yolk was runny, but the whites were lightly cooked with slightly browned edges. Delish! And do not even get me started on the grits! Creamy and cheesy - the perfect pairing with my meal. Other entrees on the table: * Brûlée French Toast: my girl said it doesn't need any syrup and can be eaten as is! She was also happy that she only got a half order so she could enjoy something else as well. * The Virgil Special with 3 Wings: I tasted the greens and sweet potatoes, and they both tasted like I was in a Southern kitchen with someone's Grandma - good down home/homecooked food. * 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese: Most places who do a 5-cheese mac make it ooey-gooey or super thick. That was not the case at Brûlée. Their mac and cheese was baked to perfection. It has a nice, browed crust, the noodles had a nice chew, and the 5 cheese weren't overpowering the dish. It didn't have the overly cheesy taste. Our server was friendly and even let us sit and chat with each other for a little after our time limit expired. The décor of the simple is simple yet elegant. Clean lines and modern touches contribution to the overall aesthetics of the establishment. They even have valet which is a plus in that area. There are so many more items on the menu that I want to try, so I MUST return! #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad read more

See all

Love at first bite! The moment I bit into the well seasoned grits and catfish I was hooked. Perfectly cooked. The wait staff service was great. Very Attentive and pleasant. The vibe was family friendly yet cozy for a breakfast date or brunch. I will definitely be back. Street paid parking is available. read more

Brulee - Catfish and Grits with Honey Butter Biscuit - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

When I saw Brulee opening I was pretty excited as I felt the south loop/near southside lacks in good, non-chain places. Came by on a recent Saturday with a friend and had a good overall experience. Staff is quite attentive and always looking to give you water, refill coffee and take care of you in any way they can. We had a server by the name of Ivory who was fantastic! She very nice and just good people! My friend ordered the very delicious Virgil Special. This dish includes 3 wings with hot honey sauce (can substitute with catfish), candied yams and braised collard greens. I thought this would be too heavy for 9:30am but she said it wasnt. We shared the very delicious Brulee french toast..best I've had in quite awhile! Vanilla bean soaked brioche, vanilla cream, caramel and honey butter made it all work...so good. The only blemish was the chicken & biscuits that came heavily recommended. Very big portion of 2 and it looked like it would be very good as I looked at other plates around the restaurant. Topped off with hot honey sauce, I was so excited to bite into this lovely meal. Once I did, it lacked flavor, like there wasn't any seasoning at all. Its a chicken breast so already pretty dry and goes down rough. I finished one and took the other home and doused in honey and habenero sauce later that evening. Decor is nice and the place has a vibe. I would definitely return as I here the shrimp and grits are very good! Check out Brulee when you get the chance. read more

See all

I never give reviews, and if I do it's never five stars (I'm hard to please). Best French toast of my life.

I sat at the bar and was given excellent service. I ordered something that's not suppose to be on the menu but the chef made it for me fresh. I wouldn't order the mocktail again only because of the price. Everything I ate was pretty tasty, except the macaroni and yams. I think the price for the portion size of mac was small. The yams tasted better than they looked 6.5/10. The fried chicken had a hot honey sauce that was AMAZING. I would definitely go back and try more things. The menu is reasonably priced. The ambiance of the restaurant is bright and the music is just the right volume to where you can still talk to those sitting around you. I was a little skeptical because it's a new restaurant but I will be back. read more

See all

I went to brunch this weekend and was very pleased with Brulee. The ambiance, service, and food were all great. We started with the avocado toast which was so fresh with the arugula and the flavor was outstanding. I forgot to add the smoke salmon but will make sure I do next time. Next we had the catfish and grits. The catfish was fried perfectly and the crawfish cream sauce on the grits really set it off. And last but not least we had the French toast which was lovely. The bread was not too thick and it was savory without being overwhelming. The service was also great. Our server and every staff person there were very welcoming. Overall great experienced and I can't wait to come back! read more

Brulee - Catfish and grits, avocado toast, and French toast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First time at Brûlée and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere is friendly and warm. We are from the south and these were the best grits we have ever had. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. The pancakes were light and fluffy. Noel was our waiter and was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. Will definitely be back read more

Brulee - Shrimp and grits, pancakes and best breakfast potatoes in town - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a great spot! Our service actually started on the phone when they kindly let us push our reservation out 30 minutes because of traffic. Once we got there, we were greeted and seated with a nice shout-out for our anniversary. The vibe here is amazing--very exciting yet classy and fine. The food was seasoned to perfection across the board. The only tiny letdown was that my waffle wasn't hot when it hit the table. Even so, we loved it and will definitely be returning to explore the menu further! read more

Brulee - Creme Brulee French Toast Strawberry Shortcake French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Bloody Mary, which was not good, cost as much as the meal. 40 mins for our drinks. No sense of urgency in wait staff. Table says 90 mins max limit and it took almost that amount of time just to get the food. read more

Upon our arrival, we asked whether valet service was available and were told that it was. However, after waiting for some time, no valet attendant appeared, so we ended up parking in a different garage. While this was not a major issue, it was not the experience we were initially led to expect. Once seated, we were not greeted in a particularly welcoming manner. Our server, Cam B, seemed overwhelmed and frustrated. I completely understand that this is a very popular restaurant and can become extremely busy, but every guest should still feel acknowledged and valued. When our food arrived, there were several issues with the order. I had requested catfish and grits with the catfish fried well done, but my meal was brought out before my friend's and the fish was not prepared as requested. I informed the staff and asked for it to be fried harder. My plate was then taken away, but there was no communication regarding when it would return. During that time, my friend's meal arrived with her side of bacon. I had also ordered crème brûlée French toast with strawberries only. Instead, I received a strawberry French toast dish that was not what I ordered. We eventually had to stop a chef who was passing through the dining area to ask if someone could assist us with correcting the order. Throughout this process, my original catfish and grits remained missing, and no one provided an update or estimated wait time. I had to ask my server multiple times about my meal. Because we had already been waiting so long, my friend and I began sharing her food, which had become cold because she had originally waited for my meal to arrive before eating. When my catfish was finally brought back out, it arrived well after we had already started eating and, unfortunately, it was still not prepared as requested. The fish remained soft despite my request for it to be fried well done. Overall, the experience was disappointing due to the lack of communication, incorrect food orders, and inconsistent service. I understand that busy restaurants face challenges, but I believe better communication and attention to guest requests would have made a significant difference. read more

I looked forward to trying Brûlée for weeks, which makes this review especially disappointing to write--particularly on Freedom Day, when I would much rather be celebrating and supporting a Black-owned business. I regularly dine throughout the South Loop and Hyde Park and make a point to support the Black-owned restaurants, in the area. Until today, I have never received such unprofessional and disappointing service at a restaurant in my neighborhood. Upon arriving, and parking in a city-metered parking spot, a guy attempted to tell us not to park there because the spot was reserved for valet. There were no valet signs, cones, or any indication that the 'green arrow' pointing toward the available space was reserved for valet. Even after explaining that we paid the meter and that we were going to dine in the restaurant, he continued to try to discourage us from parking. The service never improved from there. The drinks were surprisingly weak, and one of the glasses we were served was chipped--something that should never happen at any restaurant. The overall service left us feeling overlooked, which hit the ultimate low when the waitstaff directed our meal to the table next to us. To add insult to injury, the hostess feigned to address the issue but never approached or apologized for the confusion, even after we paid for our "weak" drinks. The situation was not handled in a way that inspires confidence this establishment.  What saddens me most is that I genuinely wanted this restaurant to become part of my regular rotation. Instead of leaving excited to return and recommend it to others, I left with utter disappointed. A single dining experience can determine whether someone becomes a loyal customer or an advocate for a business, and unfortunately, this one did the opposite. I sincerely hope the restaurant improves its customer service and operational standards. There appeared to be many young people working hard, and I hope they are given the training and leadership they need to succeed. I want to see Black-owned businesses thrive, but that success must be built on consistently delivering quality food, safe service, professionalism, and hospitality. read more

Love the decor of the place. It's very spacious with a beautiful bar. Only problem I can say I really had was it was a bit cold in the building. I went on 2 separate occasions because I wanted to try so much. I went right when they opened but I recommend reservations for large groups or anytime after 10 on the weekend. I sat at the bar both times and Darrion was the bartender/waiter. He was very pleasant and made great recommendations. I had the brisket grilled cheese with gumbo but they don't do substitutions so I took the tomato soup it comes with home. The brisket was mouth watering with great flavor and the gumbo was the taste I've been looking for within Chicago! What caught me by surprised was the tomato soup which was more like a bisque. I recommend the soup. The Virgil special comes with 3 wings, collard greens, and Sweet potatoes. Let's just say I left nothing on the plate! My friend ordered their catfish and it was too salty to both of us. But overall I will be back. read more

See all

I ordered the chicken and waffles, and unfortunately both were disappointing--the waffles were dry, and the chicken lacked seasoning and wasn't crispy. My husband had the shrimp and grits and the seafood gumbo, which were very good. Service, however, was poor. Our waiter was slow, and we repeatedly had to flag him down for basic attention. When I made the reservation online, it asked whether we were celebrating anything. We noted that it was our 35th wedding anniversary, yet neither our waiter nor any staff acknowledged it. I'm not sure why that question is asked if it isn't going to be recognized. Overall, we will not be returning. read more

10 out of 10 RECOMMEND!!!! The catfish and grits, the lobster and waffles and turkey club...and the SERVICE!!!??? DARIUS!!!! I mean this place is PHENOMENAL!!! read more

Brulee - Sweet potato waffles and fried lobster!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great service. Great food. Great vibe. Highly recommend We had reservations at VU Rooftop. Had a disappointing experience there. So left and walked down the street to Brulee. So happy we did!!! read more

The food is so good!!! I've had the chicken and waffles and the shrimp and grits. The decor is so cute. The drinks are strong to me. I do like the goddess and it's cute for Instagram pics. I've had a reservation both times, there is a 90 minute limit. The actual seating space is tight. read more

Waited hours to be served from drink to entree. Good music and server was pretty cool but wait time and food quality could have been better. read more

Brulee - French Toast Burnt - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall, the food was good, but the service was really pretty bad. I feel like the staff seemed irritated by our presence. We were constantly waiting. We just weren't taken care of. They also seemed very rude and short with us. There were four of us there for a weekend brunch and we honestly just felt uncomfortable because of how rude the staff was. The ambience was nice. It's pretty on the inside, but really, the white staff and front door staff ruined the experience. read more

Absolutely terrible service. We waited over an hour for one person to get their food, while everyone else already got theirs, and had to repeatedly remind our server that we still hadn't received it. Every time we asked, we were met with attitude instead of any actual help or apology. One of our food items was completely forgotten about, and after waiting that long, we asked them to just take it off the bill. We also had to ask multiple times for the bill before finally getting it. The lack of urgency, communication, and basic customer service was ridiculous. read more

Cute place. Nice menu. Bad experience. When I walked in the person kept asking for my phone number had to say no three times and explained I don't live here. she sat me in the middle in a low seat in between two high tops (?) with plate return stuff at head level on one of the high tops, despite there being several empty two seats by the window. Why?? I walked out read more

Sitting here now as i wouldn't send my enemy here. The sheer lack of professionalism and janky management in this establishment is reason enough to never come. Squeezing tables in between tables, separating parties, asking people to get up after they've been serviced so you can squeeze another lawn chair and table in between the real seating is atrocious. Half of our party is sitting in the bathroom hallway after the manager asked part of our large party to get up so they can sit another party with a reservation after ours. No one has answers. Everyone is looking awkward read more

See all

Not impressed. Came here to celebrate my son's graduation because the food looked great and it was a special day. We ordered two grilled cheese bbq brisket w tomato soup, catfish and grits and a burger with fries. The grilled cheese bbq brisket came out first - it was good but there was NO cheese on either sandwich. Brisket only. 20 minutes later after we'd finished the sandwiches the catfish and burger came out. Not a word or a care by any staff that we basically didn't eat together. Fries were terrible. Burger & catfish were both mid. When we went to pay the server didn't mention they add 20% tip to the check automatically regardless of party size - luckily we noticed in advance otherwise would have paid double the tip. Would not return. They provided poor service, sub-par food for high prices and don't really care to do better. And the tipping incident was sketchy! read more

Brûlée in the South Loop is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere sets the tone--stylish, welcoming, and perfect whether you're out for brunch or a relaxed meal. The service was excellent--attentive, friendly, and genuinely focused on making sure everything was just right without feeling overbearing. And the food definitely delivered. The chicken and waffles were outstanding--flavorful chicken paired perfectly with a soft, fluffy waffle. It's one of those dishes you keep thinking about after you leave. Overall, a great experience all around. Highly recommend if you're in the area and looking for great food, great service, and a great vibe. read more

This is such a cute black owned restaurant. It feels clean and luxurious. Street was easy, and we found parking near the door and across the street. They also have valet parking at the front door. The food is tasty, and they're popular, so I recommend making reservations via their website. Our table was ready for us as soon as we checked in for our reservation. The drinks were served promptly, and our waiter Noel was patience, attentive, and fun spirited. The crème brûlée French toast and the fried chicken wings were our favorite. The fried lobster was seasoned well, but note: the sweet potato waffle just has a hint of sweet potato, so if you're expecting a heavy sweet potato taste (or an orange-ish color). I definitely recommend trying this restaurant. read more

Brulee - 5 Cheese Mac (asked to take it to go) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came during restaurant week so it was kinda of crowed but they were still moving to get you seated. Now let's talk about my server you could tell from the moment she came to our table she was already over it but she tried to play it off and still take our orders. She could have done a better job at bring out the water and the lemon for a table of 8. The food was good but the only down side is they didn't bring it out in order meaning appetizers first then meal we had to keep reminding the waitress of the food she not good but everything else was amazing read more

See all

My wife and I are usually very critical especially with restaurants. From the moment we walked in the atmosphere was great. The staff was very welcoming all smiles seating was fast. Our server Noel was great. Food was fabulous. After we finished eating we went to the bar. JP was a true mixologist. First time having an old fashioned (smoked) WOW! Honestly I was expecting not to like it. It was fabulous. Next he made a whiskey mule 3rd was the whiskey sour (with whipped egg whites). In all I give a 10/10. Can't wait to go back for live jazz Sunday. read more

Brulee - Whiskey sour (w/egg whites) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Can I say from beginning to end I was truly serviced in this place. I was actually greeted when I walked in and when I left out. Our server was on point. He was professional and everyone was working hard. I saw no one ignoring customers joking around nor on cell phones as I see in so many establishments. I had a minor issue that my server apologized for which was actually the kitchen mistake but he rectified the issue right away with a smile. I loved all my food! I had also ordered the veggie omelette with potatoes. Those smothered potatoes was the bomb. Forgot to snap a pic though, however See pics of the other food. Definitely coming back. I wish I remembered my waiter, the guy who cleared the table and the beautiful hostess names so I could give them a personal shout out. Next time... read more

See all

Highly recommend the food as it is delicious but the drinks were not good or strong enough for $20 and they do need to iron out kinks on the waiting period even though the staff was kind and respectful there still was a long wait period other than that I would recommend this place for brunch just maybe during the week when it's not as packed. read more

See all

Good food, good atmosphere, good vibe, plenty of street parking, all made for a nice lunch experience. I will definitely be back. And our waiter, Darrius was the best! read more

Food was great, seating and service was on point. The decor in the place was extremely relaxing read more

See all

Strongly recommend making a reservation as it is getting busier and busier and we love this for them! The ambiance is cute, vibrant, and simple. It's the standard ambiance of some of the south side Black owned locations. The extra bonus is their "waiting" area. You won't have to stand and linger near the door waiting to be seated or wait for your party. There is a comfortable sitting area available. Let's get to why you are reading my review... the food! In one word: FLAVORFUL. Parking: metered read more

See all

I came for brunch and she did not disappoint. Brulee is soulful, upscale, clean and sheek. I love that all the servers are dressed in black and just have that old southern hospitality. We sat down and ordered the French toast, shrimp and grits, water, coffees. Our server was a bit odd--seemed a bit off with being attentive but we made the best out of it. Drinks should come before food, including coffee. Ah well. The food was great! Shrimp and grits was rich, decadent and flavorful. French toast was so rich, and very sweet but delightful. Although I think we got a half order and for sure paid for a full order to split. Please note that they charge a 15 percent gratuity on the bill. While it's nothing, servers should tell people instead of not saying anything and having customers give more thinking it's not included. We didn't have time to even look at our bill before our server shoved the pay tab at us to pay. My motto is 20 percent so it wasn't a big deal but still. I didn't like that. Also one tip is to make sure food comes hot on the table. It was just warm. I'd still come back. read more

Hey! This used to be Crab Bucket, remember that! This is from a well known private Chef Imani Roberts. I had the Five Cheese Mac & Cheese. The staff and service are bruleeriffic. read more

See all

Brûlée restaurant is a wonderful experience! The interior design is unique with a creative decor which reflects a beautiful ambiance. The owners are Chicago's own and they are inviting and very personable. The menu is concise and includes great brunch options. The shrimp and grits reflect a taste from the Big Easy and the chicken is read more

See all

Decided to give this place a chance because it was so close to our hotel. It was amazing! Good ambiance and friendly staff, with amazing food. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits. It was the perfect start to a long work day. read more

Brulee - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I came on a Saturday around 1:30 pm on a solo brunch mission. Brulee popped up on yelp when I was searching for a Black owned restaurant. I arrived and put my name on a waitlist. The place was packed and I was determined to see why and hopefully enjoy some good food. The waitstaff were polite, professional, and friendly. It feels like a family owned restaurant. I waited about 10 minutes and I was seated at the bar. That was much quicker than I anticipated considering the crowd. I may have been icky considering I was solo. I sat at the bar and placed my order. My food arrived fresh, hot, and looked amazing within 10-15 minutes. There was a guy sitting next to me who appeared to either be a regular or the owner. He made a comment about the catfish suggesting he's heard great things. I asked if he'd tried it or was a frequent customer and he responded no lol which I thought was strange. The catfish was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The omelette was fresh and not overcooked. The food and service were great! At the end of my visit as I was tabbing out the guy next to me ask how was everything and I told him it was excellent. At this point I had a feeling he was the owner of one of the owners so I asked and he just smoked and said thank you. He introduced himself and told me to come back. I'm taking my sister there tomorrow for brunch! read more

Brulee - Catfish, veggie omelette, and potatoes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Listen, the food wasn't bad. I got the sense this is a new establishment, and they just need to iron out operations. Went for breakfast, and our coffee took at least 15+ minutes to be brought to the table. The order was also mixed up with the vanilla syrup in the wrong drink. They also brought out the main entrees in different times, so some of us had to wait until we all had our food, which made for an awkward experience. Also forgot to bring the side salad. read more

Nice experience, we made reservations so we were seated quickly. It is tight seating if you have winter coats, but it's a very laid back environment. Food was served quickly and hot, my Mom thoroughly enjoyed her meal. Will return. read more

See all

Walked into brûlée on Michigan Ave in the south loop. The atmosphere was great for an early Sunday morning. Couple tv by the bar and good amount of bears fans anticipating the game. Seated very quickly and scanned the menu. All the choices looked amazing. Landed up on the chicken and waffles and side of French toast. I must say fantastic, the flavor on the chicken was delicious and the French toast was so good wish it was a full order. I cannot wait to go back and try everything else on the menu. The perfect breakfast/brunch spot in the south loop! read more

Brulee - Side of French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Came for the TikTok hype... should've checked the reviews instead!!! Let's start with the positives: the entrance is cute, the vibe is there, and the drinks did what they needed to do. Now let's talk about everything else. The grits came out warm. Not hot. Not steaming. Warm. And before you think it was just me multiple people at my table had the same issue. Sent it back... and somehow it STILL came back warm. At that point, what are we doing?? For a bill pushing $300, why am I begging for hot food? And the craziest part? No real apology, no urgency, just vibes. If I say my food is cold, that should matter. Now the sides... baby. The yams were burnt, hard, and giving "bottom of the pan that should've been thrown out." The greens? Tasted like Glory Greens out the can. Respectfully, I can stay home for that. I shouldn't have to send food back multiple times. Most restaurants get it right the first time especially at this price point. This place is definitely built for aesthetics and TikTok, but the kitchen is not keeping up at all. Cute for pictures, disappointing on the plate. Save your money or just go for drinks. I won't be back. Normally I take pictures but not this time. I had to eat else where. Because this didn't do it and it was my birthday brunch so that was a flop. 1 star was only for ambiance and I couldn't choose less.... read more