An update: I took my elderly mother here who is not always the easiest at restaurants. But everyone from manager to server to runners knew exactly what she needed. She had the salmon and it was excellent. First restaurant that's asked how we'd like the salmon - medium or well done. We chose well done and it was perfectly succulent. My mom loved the food so much that despite usually having a poor appetite, she finished a biscuit smothered in jam, half the huge piece of salmon, and split the ice cream with me. She loved all of it. A note on the bathrooms : in the women's room, the stall to the right is handicapped and has a baby changing table although I don't think it's labeled. read more

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I came to this spot with pretty low expectations--honestly, Chicago has let me down on food more times than I can count. But my family and I decided to give it a shot anyway. Coming from Texas, fried chicken has to be on point, no exceptions. Let me just say... this place surprised me in the best way. Our server, Leslie, was fantastic and had great recommendations right from the start. We kicked things off with: * Deviled eggs -- absolutely incredible, especially with that crispy ham on top. I can't say enough good things about them. Order these. * Biscuits -- buttery, flaky perfection. Paired with the butter and jam, they were dangerous. * Hush puppies -- I usually don't even like hush puppies, but these were next-level. Super crispy, not your typical cornbread taste, and the pepper jam took them to another dimension. I was shocked how much I loved them. For mains: * My wife and I split the fried chicken with mashed potatoes. The chicken was solid--juicy and tasty--but I'll be honest, I wanted it a little crispier and more heavily seasoned. Still very good overall. * My mom and goddaughter got the chicken sandwiches, and they were so juicy the juice literally shot out and got all over my daughter's clothes. That's how you know it's real. * My daughter ordered the shrimp and lobster roll on Texas toast. I stole a bite and it straight-up melted in my mouth. The seafood was perfectly seasoned, and the crispy bread was the ideal vehicle. We also did the hot chocolate flight (the alcoholic-infused one ). Every single one was delicious, but the Baileys version? Unreal. Highly recommend. Service was top-tier--Leslie took such good care of us. Heads up: they automatically add 20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more, but our service was so good we happily tipped on top of that. If you're from the South (especially Texas) and you've been struggling to find food in Chicago that actually hits right--this is the spot. Phenomenal experience from start to finish. We'll definitely be back. read more

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This review is a little late because I visited the restaurant in March 2025. I am a huge fan of Art Smith and was super excited to try his restaurant. I ordered the wings, biscuits, and mac and cheese. I also had a spicy margarita. Every thing was delicious. I would have loved to try the hummingbird bird cake but I had given up sweets for lent. The server was helpful and attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant. The portion sizes are huge and great for sharing. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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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. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Brussels & Kale Salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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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. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Crispy Chicken Sliders Braised Southern Greens Brown Butter Old Fashioned - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Calamari - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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). read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - fireworks from the back - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A co-worker and I popped in here for dinner one evening. There was no waiting and the weather was gorgeous, so we opted to sit outside. That meant we had an amazing view of the pick up and drop off area for Navy Pier (snark). We got to see many Uber and Lyft drivers dropping off and picking up riders. There were several busses that also drove by. The menu is generally southern inspired dishes, good comfort food. The server was attentive without being overbearing. She took care of us and answered all of our questions. It was a great meal, but I'll sit inside next time. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The shrimp and grits had an EXCESSIVE amount of tomato sauce. I'm actually mad to have not been warned about all that tomato sauce. There should be an option to choose no sauce, lite sauce or heavy. read more

Chef Art Smith has a heart for Chicago. I have enjoyed watching his growth from working with Oprah, to shows on the Food Network Channel to Table 52; one of his first Chicago restaurants. With his southern style of cooking , fried chicken, biscuits and hummingbird cake is a menu staple. After finding out that he was back in Chicago as Reunion, I was excited to try what he was offering. Beautiful space nestled inside of Navy Pier. Hummingbird cupcakes, oh my. Today's order was to-go. Chicken sandwiches with mac and cheese. I was told that I could wait for my order at the bar. I ordered a spicy margarita and it was perfectly delicious. I'll have to go back to see if the chicken and biscuits is as good as I remember from years ago. This will be a sit down meal, so I'll have to carve out some time. read more

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We went for early dinner and were seated right away. Service was excellent and food came quickly. Crispy calamari - this was okay. There were more fried pickles than actual calamari. Chef Art's Fried Chicken - chicken was cooked very well. Crispy skin and moist chicken. But there really wasn't very much flavor. Maybe that's the style or people like to add hot sauce but eating it plain shows there isn't much flavor. read more

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We came here for a birthday celebration and had a yummy meal! We shared the Centennial Sampler (great variety!), Goat Cheese Buttermilk Drop Biscuits, and Scallops - all delicious. I especially loved the biscuits and deviled eggs. The kids' meals (chicken tenders and fish sticks) were a hit too. The only downsides were the slowish service and the numerous flies while eating outside. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - The Centennial Sampler, presented beautifully - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Reunion is located at the front of Navy Pier. If you drive, you can park in the paid parking garage. If not, you can reach it by walking, taking a car service, or using a water taxi. This place has a true island vibe, making you feel like you're on vacation. I was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere that I didn't have enough time to order food due to being on a tight schedule. We sat at the bar, and I ordered a hummingbird cocktail, which was delicious. I can't wait to try the rest of the drinks and the food. The service was outstanding, so if you're in the area, I highly recommend giving them a try. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This restaurant on Navy Pier offers a lovely mix of casual and formal dining, with delicious food that arrived quickly. For outdoor service, food and drink orders are placed directly at the bar, which is a convenient setup. When we arrived, the place was nearly empty. We asked to be seated in one of the outdoor pods, but were abruptly told, without any courtesy that they were for reservations only. The response felt unnecessarily rude. We then requested a shaded table, but were met again with attitude and vague instructions on where we were expected to sit. What made it more frustrating was that, during our entire visit, only one party ended up sitting in the pods. It would have made more sense to keep a couple available for walk-ins, especially when the space isn't busy. A little flexibility and customer care could go a long way in improving the experience for those already choosing to dine there. read more

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Server was nice and attentive, we had a big group and he did awesome. Food was good, apps were my favorite! read more

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This restaurant has been a mixed bag. I do recommend sitting outdoors if you go. The patio is a nice place to people watch and sometimes there's live music. I've been here twice now, and while the service is friendly, we've had a few issues. On one visit, the frozen drink machine was down, which was a bummer because the piña colada is really good when it's available. We also got a dirty glass with lipstick on it, which wasn't a great start. They were super apologetic and replaced it, though. That said, the food is really good. The church lady deviled eggs ($13) are thick, creamy, and something I have to order whenever I go. The crunch of bacon on top is a nice touch. They're known for their fried chicken, and the chicken sandwich was really good, though I wish they offered a non-spicy option since both the original and hot versions come with hot sauce in some form on top. The original fried chicken sandwich ($17) comes with hot sauce mayo, lettuce, tomato, and bread and butter pickles and your choice of fries, Parmesan chips, or salad. The fries are well seasoned too. The pimento cheese grits ($7) are cheesy, creamy, and rich, a definite comfort food. I added them on as a side and didn't regret it. The shrimp and grits ($26) were also really good, with big, well-cooked shrimp and a flavorful, spicy kick. Despite the issues, I'd still come back for the food and hope that they just had a bad day. read more

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Visited on a Saturday evening with no reservation. I got the three course meal which was very delish! The deviled eggs were amazing. The chicken was okay but I wish I had a bigger portion. The skin basically slid off of the meat though which kinda sucked. The hummingbird cake was amazing! Ethan is a great server! This place is very expensive especially for just one person. Cool experience trying Chef arts food, but I wouldn't not eat here again. Definitely worth a try considering it's right on the pier! read more

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No flavor, waitress spilled our pitcher of beverage while pouring didnt replace it. Not good customer service. Food wasnt to die for it was just okay. Cook the chicken longer so its hot when brung to table. Wouldn't go back a second time. read more

It's nice that this restaurant has an outside bar so you can easily access the drinks if you're walking along the pier. I liked that they had different choices of alcoholic slushy beverages. Pina colada was great with the balance of sweetness and alcohol. read more

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We visited Reunion with a large group (15+) and were treated fantastic the entire night. It was a slow night, in the fall, so the Pier wasn't too busy. The ambience is Southern, casual, modern, and comfortable and the staff were wonderful. The star of the show, though, is the food. It's decadent, tasty, imaginative, and wonderful all around. The fried chicken is famous for a reason (good luck finishing it!) read more

I have eaten at a number of Art Smith spots and always want to really like the food but I am never wowed. It's not bad but it's never quite as good as I expect. Obviously the fried chicken is good but it's not the best I have had. Shrimp and Grits leave me longing for better. Chicken and dumplings would be better in a crust. Etc...now I am not a food critic, just a chick from the Midwest but it wouldn't be my first choice. I wouldn't say no way if my group wanted to go but I wouldn't be excited. I have eaten in, ordered carryout and delivery and it doesn't matter which it just leaves me feeling ok. So don't be discouraged about going just set the appropriate expectations. read more

First of all, Mel/Melissa was our server and she was outstanding! Super friendly, she quickly took care of us, and everything was simply perfect and brought out nicely timed and without being rushed but with a steady pace to stay on track for our show. We were there for a pre Chicago Shakespeare Theater show on a Tuesday night and loved it. The restaurant is beautiful, and nicely laid out especially for having an older family member along for access to good seating and nearby spotless restrooms that were easy for an older person with light mobility issues to manage. The martinis were top notch and icy, the calamari appetizer that they make there - fresh with their own buttermilk seasoned breading - was amazing (I haven't had anything like that in a LONG time). Fish tacos were just spicy enough and the steak that I ordered (cooked to medium rare) was an unusual thing for me to choose as I have not eaten a steak in decades, but somehow it was calling to me. It was divine and perfectly paired with fingerling potatoes and a second gin martini to go with it was a lovely pre-theater dining experience! Thank you Mel! read more

I went here with my daughter for a quick drink and we ended up staying for over two hours. Our bartender Quinn was so fun and personable we didn't want to leave! We never waited for a drink and her food recommendations were 10/10. The fried chicken was amazing but the mashed potatoes were unbelievably great. We will be back to hang with Quinn- listen to live music and enjoy the location ! read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a fall lunch at Reunion with a friend after we decided to enjoy some unseasonably nice weather at Navy Pier. The choose-two lunch special seemed like a great way to try things, and we added a side as well. We enjoyed the baked crust of the Mac and Cheese side, which was rich and delicious; no notes. The 1960 Salad we were pleased to see came with a hefty amount of romaine (which from the menu description did not seem to be a given). The fried chicken and mashed potatoes portion was generous for the lunch pricing, and we enjoyed it, but it could've used something--maybe more salt...hot sauce perhaps? Despite being a kale salad person, I really found this one far too sweet and lacking in acid. It definitely didn't provide the flavor contrast I would've hoped for given the rich pairings. The Shrimp and Grits was also a disappointment, as it was mostly sauce & grits, not much shrimp, and it generally needed spicing (salt and otherwise); it tasted fairly bland on the whole. Our server was a bit scattered, and had trouble answering some questions about the menu; she was slow to check-in/refill water, and we had to request silverware. Taking all of that into account, I would put this at about 3.5 stars. I've had great food by Chef Art Smith before, but not sure Reunion (at least during lunch) is firing up to those standards. read more

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Early dinner reservations with a friend. Visiting Navy Pier for the 2024 Hot Chocolate Chicago Expo. Seated promptly for our 5pm reservation. Greeted almost immediately by a welcoming server who remained attentive during our meal. Meals included: Skirt steak w/ roasted fingerling potatoes and chimmichuri and the Famous fried chicken with whipped mash potatoes and house-made hot sauce A side of three cheese Mac & cheese with (aged cheddar, white cheddar havarti) rounded the meal off. I enjoyed the skirt steak, well done and the fingerling potatoes were excellent! All the flavors came together to make for a great dining experience. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Meals - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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we had family in town and so a trip to navy pier on the water taxi was a must! lunch at reunion was a surprise - that really shouldn't have been. i know reunion has been a staple in this town forever, but i was hesitant about food on the pier. even though it was crowded weekend (pride) we got a table outside without too long of a wait. the deviled eggs were a crowd pleaser, and the fried chicken was as delicious as always! the perfect weather and busy pier made our table outside a lot of fun. i would totally go back! read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - church lady Deviled Eggs - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a nice place to go for a show at the Shakespeare Theater because you get a 20% discount. The food is upscale bar food and offers a nice selection to have a broad appeal. I had the lobster and shrimp roll which was ok. My wife had the fish tacos which were so so because the fish was a deep fried fish stick. The best part of dinner was the Mac and cheese! I'd go just for that! This restaurant probably fits in at Navy Pier because Art's Blue Door restaurant in our neighborhood is very different. read more

I am a fan of Art Smith from the Food Network shows over the years so I was excited to try Reunion. The decor of the place is great - a little Paula Dean vibe with a modern touch, details were really perfect. They also had live music around noon on a Saturday which is always nice. Mel was our waitress and she was really friendly and attentive. We tried the beer flight - love the little chicken board it came out on. Unfortunately, one of the glasses was dirty (looked like dishwash stains) and some of that came off in the beer - super unappetizing, but Mel apologized and replaced it right away. The food was good. The biscuits and gravy were tasty. The chicken and waffles were good - the mix of the hot sauce with the syrup was a good kick. The fried chicken flavor was delish, but bone in chicken with waffles is much more difficult to enjoy due to the work of getting meat off the bone to get a bite with waffle. Overall, I would recommend trying this place if you like southern food with a little kick! read more

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Would classify as a fancy southern theme Applebees. Got just a fried chicken sandwich which was fine. Went for lunch so just got soda. Had okay beers on tap. Sadly what expect from celebrity chef place in a tourist area like navy pier. If weather nice do have large outdoor seating area. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Sign - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The steak was tough and definitely way too rare (asked for med rare) and it had zero flavor/seasoning - not even salt and pepper. From the greeting the server was definitely not friendly and obviously didn't want to be at work, dropped off the food and didn't return except to drop the bill. The fried chicken was not even average - not crisp and significantly lacking flavor as well. The mashed potatoes & chicken sandwich were decent. Overall a disappointment quality wasn't worth the price! read more

My mom and I recently went to Chicago and this was the first restaurant we went to upon arrival on 6/14/2024 and let me just tell you, the food was smack your momma (but also please don't) good! This would have been a five star review, however service was slowwww and it took forever for someone to greet us, otherwise this place was the move. Great location, good outdoor space and great food. We ordered and we recommend: the fried catfish meal which came with hush puppies and corn grits and collard greens, in addition to that we got a salmon Caesar salad - we shared it all. The food was perfect, no notes! The catfish was perfectly cooked, flavorful, crunchy exterior and a soft and perfectly textured interior, the grits were surprisingly good, lick the bowl good, I am not sure I knew hush puppies were bomb, but they were little balls of awesomeness. Also, someone's grandma was in the back making the greens, they were so delicious and just the right amount of tartness. Let us not sleep on the Caesar salad, the dressing was yummy, the salmon was plentiful, the croutons were crunchy and well seasoned, all in all just perfect! Get off my review and check this spot out! Said with kindness! read more