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    Chef Art Smith's Reunion

    4.0 (291 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Business Info

    CHEF ART SMITH'S REUNION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jerrica C.

    Some of the best appetizers I've ever eaten. Honestly, I didn't think this place would have been anything special and was pleasantly surprised. Fried calamari was light and crispy. The hush puppies were the star of the show with pepper jelly and pimento cheese dipping (yes, you heard that right). Fried green tomatoes had a delectable chipotle sauce that had me scraping my plate. Margarita pitchers were well worth the money. I would visit here again!

    Brussels & Kale Salad
    Alexandra G.

    The food was SO good! Decided to pop in for lunch while walking around Navy Pier instead of researching other, maybe less touristy places to go. I'm glad I did. I had the Brussels and kale salad with fried chicken and my partner had the half salad half entree lunch special. Great portions. The staff were friendly, and I loved how the place was decorated. Would definitely recommend.

    Cozy atmosphere
    Jingle M.

    Chef Art Smith's love of sharing and togetherness is what made him the success he is today - currently, Chef Art is the Executive Chef and Co-owner of six restaurants and two non-profits. He has received the culinary profession's highest awards and has cooked for some of the world's most famous celebrities. In 1997, Smith became the personal, day-to-day chef to Oprah Winfrey, a position that lasted ten years. He also had the pleasure of serving for Florida Governors Bob Graham and Jeb Bush, Romero Britto, film stars Ali Landry and Eduardo Verástegui among many others. What a great menu! Caesar was our most accommodating server who helped us order enough food! So we shared Catfish Entrée with corn grits and collard greens and Fried Chicken Entree with Mac n cheese instead of mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and Church Lady Deviled Eggs, all delicious! This was an exceptional restaurant on Navy Pier, followed by Much Ado About Nothing in the Shakespeare theater! Awesome night!

    Crispy Chicken Sliders Braised Southern Greens Brown Butter Old Fashioned
    Amanda S.

    Typically, when I visit Navy pier, it's to watch the fireworks or something very specific. But very rarely do I stop to dine unless it is at the Offshore rooftop. However, this time my wife and I decided to be a little adventurous, and we stopped at this restaurant as it was near the front entrance. I appreciated the southern fare and decor, so I figured I would be delighted by the food. And boy was I right! The chicken sliders were so amazing; the chicken was well flavored, the skin had the right amount of crisp...overall it was just really good. The greens were also another favorite. They had a spicy but vinegar taste; and I typically do not like vinegar overpowering the greens, but it was just enough balance. And lastly, the brown buttered old-fashioned is highly recommended. I really liked how the bartender made the cocktail, especially since he was a bit young and I was skeptical. Kudos to him and kudos to Chef Art Smith.

    Elayna D.

    Amazing is all I can say! I ordered the famous fried chicken and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was suggested by my waiter. He said it was better than the mashed potatoes and his favorite. Well dog gone it, I can't speak to the mashed potatoes but that Mac and cheese did not come from a blue box . It came out piping hot, perfect crust, gooey cheese and delicious. The fried chicken was hot and crispy, seasoned all the way even the meat. The biscuits...listen, just get the biscuits and be in hog heaven with all the food on the table! Goat cheese biscuits with goat cheese squeezed in there .. man oh man. Now here is a warning. There is an up charge for white meat and the mac and cheese so do what you wish with that information. Located at the Navy Pier ( old bubba gump location) it's at the beginning of the pier or the end of the pier if you're walking from the hotel like I did. Go try this place out!

    BLT
    Mika C.

    Aliza has been amazing!!!! The service was impeccable especially for how big and last minute of our group. I enjoyed eating outside with the nice weather. I tried the lobster shrimp roll but I really liked the shrimp and grits off my friend's plate. So delicious.

    Calamari
    April R.

    Ambiance was good - I like the wooden touches in the decor. Service was great - our server was excited to share his own favorites as well as make recommendations Food - I had the shrimp & grits and it wasn't one of the better ones I've had. The calamari was good especially with the fried lemon slice. They have big servings. One of my friends got the chicken tenders and it is more than enough for 2 people to share.

    Goat Cheese Biscuits and Chef Art's Puppies
    John M.

    There is a lot of "corporate" stuff at the Navy Pier, and this was nice, it felt unique. And it is! Casual southern vibes upon entering. The staff was friendly! The white sangria was basic, and I would not recommend it. It needed some different fresh fruit other than just orange slices. It was basically watered down white wine. On the other hand, all of the food that we ate was GREAT. Except for the whipped mashed potatoes, but whatever, that was just a side. The Chef Art's Puppies were great! Fried to perfection, and I loved the sauce and pimento peppers that came with it. The Goat Cheese Biscuits were also soo good. Highly recommend those. They were very rich, but in the best way. The fried chicken was fried well, had a nice crisp to it. Although my partner said he wanted it "more crispy" but I thought it was perfect. The homemade hot sauce was yummy-- but again, my partner didn't love it. The potatoes tasted like instant potatoes. (Not Pictured) but the fish tacos were a hard pass. Fried pieces of fish, that were overcooked, so, dry, and pretty tasteless. Overall, I would recommend this place if you're looking for some good southern food on the Navy Pier. I would come back here for the chicken and biscuits, but would pass on the fish tacos, sangria and the lobster roll (saw it at another person's table, didn't look impressive).

    Indoor seating
    Xenia M.

    I really wanted to love this place...but it fell short in a few areas for me. I'll start with the good, the restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious and has a lovely touch of southern charm. The service here is also exceptional! I will say the food was cooked well -- catfish fried crispy, mac and cheese nice and brown on top, drinks strong! But, the food wasn't seasoned at all. The catfish, grits, and Mac and cheese had absolutely no flavor or seasoning. The collard greens and hush puppies were seasoned well -- these were actually my favorite! Idk if the kitchen had an off day when I went, but this made it hard for us to fully enjoy our meal.

    fireworks from the back
    Diana K.

    Loved the energy here! Great mix of fun comfort food, indoor and patio seating, and a separate outdoor bar with fireworks views. Plus the interior design is really cute and is East Coast Beach Core. Highly recommend the alcoholic slushies - the espresso martini one was . The Brussels sprouts also hit the spot, especially with a little Valentino hot sauce. Definitely a must-visit while on the pier.

    David C.

    May 17, 2025 I chose this place because i wanted dine at a restaurant closed to the Chicago Shakespeare theatre. After reviewing the website, pictures and reviews; I decided that this was one. Besides; it was my birthday and wanted to have a great experience. I wasn't disappointed!! Food, ambiance, customer service; they were great. I definitely come back. The food was off the chain.. May 26, 2025 I loved it here so much that I came back again on Memorial Day with my mother. I was impressed with the way the staff treated my mother. I was happy and satisfied because my mother enjoyed herself. The seating, customer service, food and more.

    The plasticware
    Riley C.

    Why not serve a meal on paper plates if using plasticware? Not the first time there, but the least favorable. We sat in the patio that has to be ordered at the bar, but we were not told that when we were seated. Simple enough. Ordered and was given two packages of plastic ware. Upon leaving we noticed people were eating brunch with plasticware. Kind feels like a skimp on the experience. Also the exceptional hummingbird cake and hummingbird sundae were a bit of a challenge to eat with plasticware that was bending while trying to get a bite. There was a musician playing which was pleasant and a comfortable patio. In a change of events the men's restroom was clean, but the women's toilet was not. The women's restroom was out of paper towels, the hand dryer was broken and a pile of toilet paper was in the corner of the stall.

    Ken C.

    Reunion in Chicago is located in Navy Pier and it's owned by Chef Art Smith, celebrity chef most known for his work with Oprah. I've had food from "Homecoming", his restaurant in Walt Disney World, and I really enjoyed that place. If you search my reviews, I gave Smith's "Homecoming" a five star review. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for his Chicago restaurant. Chef Smith is known for Southern Cooking, particularly his fried chicken. For this reason, ordered his Fried Chicken ($28), served with mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, I left unimpressed. Ordered a soft drink and the coke was flat. The fried chicken definitely was seasoned, but I didn't get much other than salt. I don't know if it was a freshness issue as I came in the late afternoon, but, despite getting dark meat, it still came off as a little dry. Though I can normally kill a half chicken meal, I didn't eat more than 2 pieces out of 4. As for the mashed potatoes - they were very runny. Hopefully that was because of higher butter content. The thing is that, I did agree to the suggestion to have some gravy with the potatoes. Texturally, the giblets in the gravy were the only thing that wasn't completely pureed. I wasn't feeling it. I'm debating whether I'll eat the rest or whether I'll toss it. Main reason it's two stars and not one is because service was accommodating.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Chef Art Smith's Reunion Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chef Art Smith's Reunion

    What's the likelihood of being able to get a table without a reservation?

    Go for lunch on a weekday and you should be good! We walked right in on a Thursday for lunch.

    How convenient is parking? Is valet available?

    You have to check with Navy Pier. The restaurant is on the pier so it does not have its own parking. However, it is located at the very front of the pier so it would be easy to drop someone off and go park if valet service is not available.

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    Luella's Southern Kitchen - Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles

    Luella's Southern Kitchen

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    6.7 miIrving Park
    $$

    This place is small and quaint with so much charm. I absolutely loved walking in and hearing…read moreold-school music playing on a record player -- it felt like my daddy's music and instantly gave me a wave of nostalgia. The service was great. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and more than happy to answer any questions we had about the menu. And the food? EVERYTHING we ordered was amazing. The pancakes were fluffy with just the right amount of crisp around the edges. The chicken and waffles were perfectly crunchy and packed with flavor. Such a cozy spot with great vibes and even better food. I'll definitely be back!

    This is a place where you order in front and sit down and wait to get your food. I felt a little…read morerushed to make a choice due to other customers and decided on the breakfast sandwich. My brother got the shrimp and grits. I will say it felt like the service was a bit slow and we waited a bit for our food and even our drinks. Some people around us ordered the chicken and waffles which looked so good, it kind of overpowered what I was actually eating. It wasn't until I got home and ate my leftovers that I realized the breakfast sandwich was delicious. The egg was fluffy and the jam was yummy! My brother also enjoyed his food. We shared a side of Mac and cheese which I also thought was good. I would definitely return to try other things.

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    The sign of start of something great

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    Virtue Restaurant - Collards & Smoked Turkey

    Virtue Restaurant

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    6.4 miHyde Park
    $$$

    Every time I come here it's always the same, amazing food and amazing service. For it to be late,…read morethey were packed! I had a 930 reservation, and they closed at 10. Service was great as usual. They were very attentive. The ambiance is beautiful and inviting. I ordered the short rib which was amazing as always! I also got the cornbread and Mac n cheese. Loved both as usual lol. My friend ordered the ny strip, and it was delicious too! That was my first time trying it, and it was seasoned so well! I was very impressed by it because I don't hear people talk about the steak often when they go there. For dessert, I got the carrot cake which was good as well. Overall I enjoyed my experience, and I'll continue returning.

    5 stars, easily! Virtue is upscale establishment offering attentive service, high quality food, and…read morebold flavors. My friends and I visited on a Friday night and it was buzzing and lively! I highly recommend a reservation because it is THAT good so it will be packed! We were seated at the time of our reservation and greeted by the pleasant wait staff. Our server was able to offer us various highlights and recommendations! The food was ABSOLUTELY amazing! Bold in flavor, shareable portions, and filling! Checked every box, hit every spot! Everything we ate was amazing from the Biscuits, to the Short Rib, Chicken, Fish n Grits all the way to the Vanilla ice cream! No notes. I HIGHLY recommend and will certainly be back!

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    The SoulFood Lounge - Mexican BBQ Brisket Esquite

    The SoulFood Lounge

    4.3(211 reviews)
    13.6 miMorgan Park

    The ambiance is chill but upscale and classy. Black and gold everything and local art work invite…read moreyou into the space. The hostess was insightful and inviting, like eating at someone's house who loves you. Outside of all of that the Mediterranean lamb was phenomenal. As someone who has eaten lamb in the Middle East this was delightful, with the rice and flavorful kale it's a wonderful bite full. Large serving sizes...and that grilled pound cake lawd

    The restaurant is small and quaint with about 8-9 tables, I would highly suggest reservations. We…read morewere greeted and sat promptly, infused water was bought to the table and within 3-4 minutes the server arrived. While we waited music was being played so its hard to have a conversation. Music is pretty loud in this small space. We decided on the 3 entrees for 69.00 with a glass of wine. We chose the pepper steak, smothered chicken, orange chicken, catfish and spaghetti, and the bbq catfish. Overall the food was ok., The bbq fish was a little to fishy and the smothered chicken was heavily salted. The star of our 6 dishes was the fried piece of catfish. The food came out quickly but nothing was piping hot. The server was OK as well, he did exactly what we expect of a server nothing more nothing less. I will say next time I would take the drive to the West side location, to me the food choices are better as well as the service.

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    The SoulFood Lounge - Interior

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    The SoulFood Lounge - Grilled Pound Cake

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    The SoulFood Lounge - New Orleans Gumbo Yakamein - Cajun fried perch, seafood savory gravy.  Very good

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    Dawn AM Eatery - Greens, potatoes and fried chicken

    Dawn AM Eatery

    4.1(254 reviews)
    6.9 miHyde Park
    $$

    I've been here a few times, and they never disappoint!…read more The ambiance is so bright and inviting. I love how the place is decorated. The bar is full, and they make great drinks as well. The servers are great and attentive. The food does not disappoint! I love the pot roast and jalapeño cheddar grits. That is sooooo good you cannot go wrong ordering that. I've also had the fried catfish on top of the jalapeño cheddar grits, and it was delicious as well! The French toast is very good as well. I tried the fried chicken for the first time during my last visit, and it was impressed. Overall, this is a nice establishment with good food options. They serve breakfast all day, so you don't have to go at a certain time of day to try it. I recommend booking a reservation during the weekends because they can get pretty busy. Parking on the streets is limited, but there is a parking garage around the corner that allows visitors to park on the top floor. Go check them out for some delicious food and drinks!

    This is a beautiful spot! Eclectic vibe and beautiful decor. Took my girlfriend here for her…read morebirthday on a Thursday evening. The run down: Warm reception at the check-in Friendly server All day breakfast : brunch options Unique cocktail selections Delicious vegan options Delicious shrimp & grits Service was a lil slow, but okay ( got my app before my cocktail) Street parking available 10/10, I would recommend

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    Dawn AM Eatery - Delicious and fun!

    Delicious and fun!

    Dawn AM Eatery - Pot Roast & Grits

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    The Soul Food Lounge - Catfish Estufee(if that's how you spell it)

    The Soul Food Lounge

    4.6(441 reviews)
    6.1 miLawndale
    $$$

    Went to Soul Food Lounge for a birthday dinner. The space is pretty small and every seat was taken,…read moreso there is really nowhere to wait if you do not have reservations. Definitely book ahead. We all ordered the Grand Tasting, which lets you try three entrees plus a beverage. It was so much food but everything was delicious. I had the short rib, fried chicken, and catfish, each with different sides. The only thing I did not really care for was the dressing. They also had live entertainment, which made the vibe even better. Customer service was just okay, but I would still recommend it. I definitely want to try their other location since I have heard the menu is different.

    I recently visited Soul Food Lounge on Chicago's West Side and overall had a good experience…read more The restaurant itself is pretty small, and the layout feels a little awkward when you first walk in since you're looking directly into the kitchen. The ambiance wasn't quite what I expected, but the service and food made up for it. I ordered the Caribbean stuffed turkey leg, which came with pasta, spinach, a couple of jumbo shrimp, and a turkey drumstick. The dish was flavorful and satisfying overall. My only criticisms were that the spinach was chopped so finely that it was hard to really taste it, and the turkey drumstick seemed smaller than expected. I was hoping for a meatier drumstick, but most of the meat was concentrated toward the bottom of the bone. For dessert, I had a slice of carrot cake, and it was excellent. I would have loved for it to be served warm, but it was still moist, flavorful, and a great way to end the meal. I also tried the fried pound cake, and unfortunately, it was a miss for me. It didn't taste like pound cake, and honestly, it wasn't a very good cake in general. It's not something I would order again. One thing I noticed is that the menu doesn't appear to offer appetizers or salads, which might be something to consider if you're looking for more variety before your main course. Overall, I enjoyed my visit. While there were a few things that could be improved, the stuffed turkey and carrot cake were enjoyable, and I'd be willing to come back and try something else on the menu.

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    The Soul Food Lounge - Leftovers. Oh yeah

    Leftovers. Oh yeah

    The Soul Food Lounge - Sweet Sriracha Southern Fried Steak: Asian assorted vegetables, basil rice

    Sweet Sriracha Southern Fried Steak: Asian assorted vegetables, basil rice

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    Roost Chicken & Biscuits - SUNRISE Chicken Biscuit

    Roost Chicken & Biscuits

    4.0(436 reviews)
    1.9 miRiver West, West Loop, Near West Side, West Town
    $$

    This used to be one of the best chicken spots in Chicago, but now it's barely comparable to your…read moreaverage wing stop. They ditched the delicious recipe, they ditched the actually pieces of chicken, with the slice of toast, and instead give you some basic wings with sauces that do absolutely nothing for your taste buds. The Nashville hot dry rub is terrible, zero flavor. The biscuit has no actual flavor. The service is worse than a McDonald's. You'll hear an ongoing beeping alarm as you try to dine in, that they say is from a bad drink machine? And not sure how they wash their hands with no soap in the washroom. Price used to properly reflect what you were getting here, but no longer the case. Sad to see.

    I got a delivery order from this restaurant on a Tuesday night…read more I got the spicy chicken tenders, they were spicy but not as spicy as they are labeled. It's a smoky heat, and they are in a dry rub. The chicken is well cooked, although there were a few tendons I had to eat around. I also got the fries and a chicken Caesar salad wrap. The wrap was dry, lacked Caesar dressing, but had all the right components. You can add a side of sauce and you should. It may be better if not delivered. I also got the kids chicken tender meal, it comes with three small chicken tenders, fries, and a biscuit. They looked crispy, and good. I would probably eat there if I were to revisit.

    Photos
    Roost Chicken & Biscuits
    Roost Chicken & Biscuits - Roost new PEACH COBBLER recipe sadly does not measure up to the old peach cobble recipe!

    Roost new PEACH COBBLER recipe sadly does not measure up to the old peach cobble recipe!

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    Cleo's Southern Cuisine - The Float & Fly

    Cleo's Southern Cuisine

    4.1(232 reviews)
    5.1 miGrand Boulevard
    $$

    Let me start off by thanking Cleo's for actually being open due business hours. It's very…read moredisappointing when actually traveling long distance to an establishment and they not being open. I've traveled a time or two to a couple of spots in Chicago to support; only to be welcomed to a closed sign. So, Cleo's THANK YOU for blessing me with your service and love for food. It made my birthday, day trip that much better. Now, where do I start. Well, I called to make sure that they were open. I wanted to place my order via phone, but was instructed to place it via their website. The website was easy to navigate and updated. The time given for pickup was pretty much exact. I may even say that it was ready 5-10 minutes before. Parking can be a bit of a challenge. However, depending on when you go, there's a small lot across the street where you can park. Also, you can dine inside, however, depending on how busy, you may or may not have a spot. I lucked up and was able to dine in. Which made my experience better because I was able to take my food out, examine and get comfortable. All food is made to order. That is a huge plus!!!! Food was packaged right and sealed tight. I tried the Float & Fly which consisted of 3 pcs of catfish fillets and 3 fried chicken wings. I tried the green beans, Mac n cheese and pineapple candied sweet potatoes and pineapple cheesecake for a treat. Oh, let me not forget the Purple Rain drink. The catfish & wings were well seasoned and fried to perfection. If I had to choose between the two, wings for the WIN!!! The greens beans had a bit of a kick to them. So much that I followed up with some Mac and sweet potatoes. Ha! The Mac was cheesy and kinda creamy. Great texture. The sweet potatoes were different with the pineapples. The pineapples gave a little twist, but still delivering your childhood memory of sweet potatoes that grandma used to make. Desserts are limited; cheesecake or brownie. The cheesecake was my least favorite thing. I either want peach cobbler or cheesecake; not them being married. Ha! I was happy and pleased with how clean the inside was and how organized it was as well. I like an open kitchen concept. I'll definitely be returning when in Chicago. My advice is to place your order online. Keith Lee approved and so do I!

    With all the hype about their food, I'm sorry but I was severely disappointed in this place. I…read moreplaced an order for the catfish dinner, Mac and cheese with crab meet, and chicken wings. The order came to over $65 with tip. Impression: Three chicken wings only for $8. The size of the wings was good. Real meaty but came off as baked versus fried. No crunch to them and didn't taste any spices. Also, had to pick off some feather stems. Catfish dinner came with four pieces, cornbread muffin and green beans as sides. The muffin was soft and moist. However, layering a bunch of butter on top and calling is 24K muffin is a great marketing ploy. Reminded me of a cupcake. The green beans were ok. The catfish again had no crunch. They were also on the thin side. Could mistake it as tilapia if not for the taste. Mac and cheese with crap meat was star. For $20 you get a good size bowl. Real cheesy and noodle were done right. You also get a generous portion of crab meat onto top. Overall, I might a one and done customer.

    Photos
    Cleo's Southern Cuisine
    Cleo's Southern Cuisine - The Sizzling Swamp

    The Sizzling Swamp

    Cleo's Southern Cuisine - Mississippi Sunshine

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    Wishbone - Chicken Andouille Hash

    Wishbone

    3.9(1.1k reviews)
    1.7 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    Absolutely loved brunch here. The food was excellent, it made the 20 minute freezing walk from the…read morehotel worth it. I order the southern fried catfish with cheese grits and home fries, plus a side of Cajun white wine & cream sauce. My date ordered the crab cakes with collard greens and home fries. We also added on a buttermilk pancake to share. Everything was so good! The catfish was perfectly crispy and well seasoned. I also really enjoyed the home fries. Overall 5/5. Can't wait to return the next time I'm in town.

    Absolutely a must visit in Chicago for Cajun flavors!…read more We booked a reservation for a Friday breakfast. I recommend booking a reservation because although it was pretty empty when we got there it was full with a wait by the time we left. We came in & we were promptly seated. There's a counter for takeout orders and both indoor and outdoor seating. It's a wide open space where there's tables and seating along the wall. For drinks we ordered the uncles breakfast and the hurricane. Absolutely recommend the uncles breakfast it was amazing! For food we ordered the spicy shrimp & grits, chicken andouille hash, and southern fried catfish. Everything was absolutely amazing! Great flavor & portion size and came out fast. Only critique would be too much onion in chicken andouille hash. The service was great! From the host seating to our waitress to those bringing us the food everyone was friendly, fast, and efficient. The combo of tasty food, good portion size, and great staff in a time when a lot of restaurants are struggling with one of the 3 makes this place a gem. We'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Wishbone - Interior

    Interior

    Wishbone - Cajun Shrimp and Grits

    Cajun Shrimp and Grits

    Wishbone - Hurricane

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    Hurricane

    Chef Art Smith's Reunion - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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