Had a bother great night here, kitchen was a little backed up, no problem, we weren't in a hurry and they even gave us a round of drinks. For the record I am *not* gluten free, and I don't ever seek out gluten free food, but never have any objections when my fiance or delimiter want to go here because the food is that good. I like the staff, the owner and the story too. We'll be back again soon ;) read more

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I have visited Chesa's several times with my family, and unfortunately this most recent experience was extremely disappointing. Because it was Easter Sunday, we had a larger group than usual (10 people). We were greeted by the staff and seated promptly. I immediately informed our server that I planned to use a Groupon I had purchased previously, and she said that would be fine. Shortly afterward, a manager came over and told us that we could not use the Groupon because our party was larger than five people. She stated this was a policy, but that restriction was not listed anywhere on the Groupon. I went back to review the terms to make sure I had not missed anything, and there was no mention of a party-size limitation. I explained this to the manager and also pointed out that I had recently visited with a party of six and someone in our group was allowed to use the same Groupon without issue. Her response was that it was a new policy. I asked if they could honor the Groupon since the change had not been communicated or updated, but she refused. We asked to speak with Chesa directly, but the manager declined, saying they were too busy--even though the restaurant appeared to be nearly empty at the time. We have overlooked previous issues, including rude service and long wait times, because the food has always been very good. However, after repeatedly giving this restaurant chances and experiencing the same level of poor customer service, we will not be returning. If policies change, they should be clearly communicated and updated wherever customers are expected to see them--especially when customers have already purchased an offer based on the original terms. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came back and this time with a different group of friends! My brunch entree was delicious per usual. Our server was new and you could tell so nothing much to say there but the bartender behind the bar was everything! She was so nice and made sure she treated me to a birthday drink which I really appreciated. She sat down and spoke with us for a bit like we were friends lol I forgot her name unfortunately! I took off a star because my friends and I ordered a french toast to share (pictured) and it was NOT good. We sent it back and they said we'd have to pay 50% and we said nah and to let us get something else. I forget what we got as I don't have a photo but those weren't any better from what I remember. So now I know to stay away from their sweets and stick to savory food here. read more

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Our date night began here and it was a pleasant experience! We meet the owner she was very accommodating! I dont eat shellfish and it was on a lamp chop dish I wanted. The owner agreed to remove and adjust the price. My hubby asked to replace a side as well and make vegan version and they obliged I love the vibe and R&B music playing. My lambchop's were chef ! read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's gluten free and I like that. I'm lactose intolerant as well and their wasn't too many options that were both gf and DF. They did try to accommodate though so I give some credit there. It's pricey for you get. For that reason, I'm out. I left complaining. My catfish skillet, although tasty, was served in a black plastic bowl. Pro: 1. the decor. It's much nicer than I thought would be. Definitely lots of intentional in setting up a nice scene to dine. 2. Delicious southern/soul food options that's gluten free. Cons 1. too pricey. My skillet was $30!! 2. This is subjective but our server was not good. Several issues there 3. They include an automatic 20% gratuity and the end which is fine but it would have been nice to told that ahead of time to keep from over tipping basically tipping 40% on top of the expensive bill. That's sneaky and not a good practice. Overall, it's fine. The food is good. The vibe is right. Our service and the bill stuff at the end left a bad taste in our mouth. read more

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CheSa's is great! Truly wonderful service. Food is so good-do not miss the purple grits! Bright clean dining area. Parking lot.

Love this spot! It is dedicated gluten free which makes eating out with my husband so much easier. The food is just as good (or better) than most Cajun places. The drinks are great too! read more

Absolutely fabulous food! The shrimp sliders were so unique and flavorful and the cornbread was delicious - just a few highlights. The service was outstanding and Courtney was so accommodating. A must for anyone especially gluten- free diners. read more

Went again today, tried the shrimp tacos which comes with three plump shrimp (5 stars), the purple grits with short rib of pot roast which had flavor that will knock your socks off (5 stars), seafood and chicken jambalaya and catfish (5 stars), and the fried green tomatoes were seasoned perfectly and fried to perfection (5 stars) As before, the customer service was rock star for sure, and the presentation of each dish was phenomenal. They are consistently good, and yes, I will probably be back next week or soon after. I still need to try brunch! read more

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Stopped by to grab dinner for two from CheSa's and was not disappointed! We popped in on a Thursday night around 6pm. While we had a reservation, we were the only one's in the restaurant for the bulk of the night. It was a week night, I would assume on the weekend they are a bit more busy. The service was extremely attentive, and personal and the owner even came to check in on our table and chat with us for a little which was nice! I absolutely love that the menu was 100 percent gluten free. If you have a gluten insensitivity or allergy THIS PLACE IS FOR YOU! Though it was gluten free, they did not fall short on the classic souther dishes with that classic bold, flavorful southern taste. We ordered an array of things and we were impressed with every bite! For food we ordered: Crawfish Corn bread: Awesome flavor with a fair amount of crawfish. It was a bit 'thick' or 'cakey' my assumption is because of the gluten free flour used. Still very tasty. Fried Catfish and Jambalaya: The fish was seasoned and battered well and fried to perfection leaving a good crunch! The jambalaya had a bold flavor/taste and left us scraping the plate. Creole Ravioli: The saucy and peppers left bold flavor and a mild spice, and the cheese filled ravioli still has me scratching my head how it was vegan. It had an authentic pasta taste and was filled with creamy cheese. We also had a chocolate bread pudding cake, I no longer see on the menu. Again, I was so amazed at how tasty this cake was and that it was 100 percent gluten free. It was balances with strawberries and a cream and extremely tasty. I highly recommend CheSa's especially for those who are gluten free but still want authentic and tasty cuisine! read more

We were in Chicago for a special occasion and a member of our party can't eat gluten. We were lucky enough to find Chesa's, which is 100% gluten free. Let me tell you!!!! This place is a gem! The restaurant is intimate and inviting. The decor is trendy but not over the top. Our waitress, Kristen was super friendly and helpful. She answered all our questions and offered suggestions on what to order. I had the peach cobbler cocktail to whet my whistle and it was delicious!! I ordered the peach cobbler waffle and the shrimp and grits. The waffles were yummy, but the shrimp and grits were the star of the show! First of all, the grits are purple! So whimsical and equally delicious. I could have filled up on those alone. And the shrimp?? The shrimp was chef's kiss!! If we ever come back to Chicago, Chesa's will definitely be a stop on the itinerary! read more

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My first experience was yesterday for my daughter's birthday. I will start with we were late for our reservation and when we arrived, the bistro was empty. The atmosphere was cute and clean. The service was quick and the servers were polite. The drinks we had were good but the food...not so much. I ordered "jumbo" lump crab balls with eggs, house potatoes and shrimp. I also ordered a waffle. My food was cold when brought to the table. The "jumbo" crab balls were the size of pre packaged meatballs, lacked flavor and were dry. I received three medium shrimp and the potatoes were rubbery as if they had been microwaved a few times. My waffle was deep fried, I could taste the oil in it. There was little to no flavor in anything we tried. One of the other members of my party ordered the purple grits that somehow came out green. We were a party of 6 and 5 of us were disappointed with our meals. I don't know if "gluten free" means certain things taste different or lack flavor but this wasn't the move, especially when you are hungry. I see the bistro has great reviews from others so I will give them another try. Maybe I came on an off day. read more

Wasn't quite sure what to expect from CheSa's as this was my first time hearing of it and trying it. Glad to report they did not disappoint! Ample free parking in the lot. Good service, great bartender, delicious food and beautiful decor and ambiance. I tried out their dinner menu but would definitely return for brunch. Cheers to the chef/owner! read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Short ribs and purple grits - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was excellent. I had catfish brunch meal. Prices a bit higher than most but it was worth it. The service was excellent. The uniforms they wore advertised the establishment. Nice read more

1st the parking was easy and plentiful which was convenient on a cold Friday night. 2. The restaurant is cozy well lit with soft good music playing in the background. 3. The decor was sexy and the theme was really nice. Last but not least the FOOD, the cajun wing are the BEST IVE HAD. 10/10 would recommend. The lamb chop omg is all I can say. I will definitely be back even tho our server was a lil weird it was a good experience. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Cajun wings - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great service Wonderful gluten free menu. I had the chicken and beignet waffles which was very good. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Chicken and beignet waffles - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was a true gem! Everything was absolutely delicious! 2 members of my party have Celiac disease so finding a place that has a 100% gluten free menu was amazing! Staff were friendly and informative. I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

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Went her for brunch for the second time and was not disappointed. I tried the lamb chops and Jr Brunch. Everything was delicious. I really loved the vibe. There was also a DJ on site. The food is always amazing and I love their drink menu. The service is good and the staff are super friendly. Can't wait to go back to try more of the brunch items. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - JR Brunch - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My rating is based solely on the food. Brianna was our waitress and she was nice. No complaints in regards to service. I will say it was her 2nd day and she couldn't recommend any items to us. An owner/manager should never place people on the floor that is not able to speak on the food that's being served. The place is very small. I'm glad we went as soon as they opened because it wasn't crowded. We had fried green tomatoes, collard green oysters, seafood gumbo, fried lobster tail, and the short rib with garlic mashes. The fried green tomatoes were good. Personally, we preferred if they placed the sauce on the side and not directly on them. I will say the collard greens on top of the oysters were cooked well but I was not impressed by the combination. The seafood gumbo DID NOT taste like gumbo. It tasted and looked more like rice and gravy with shrimp. It was not flavorful at all. The fried lobster tail was over cooked. It was very tough to eat. The short rib comes with grits so I had to pay extra to get a different side because there's no substitutions. The short rib actually tasted like unseasoned roast beef. I needed steak sauce to eat it which they do not have. Needless to say I threw the leftovers out. The highlight for me were the garlic mash potatoes. To pay 200+(2ppl) for below average food is ridiculous. I should've took a picture of how much food was left on our plates prior to leaving. read more

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Decent local establishment. Very nice redo of former bakery. The Alligator banquets fit in with the cuisine. The all gluten free menu leans to Louisiana / Cajun with lots seafood. The landlubber and vegetarians also have options. Most items are made to order, so be patient. Drinks are good, but took a long time too. This place may be a little rich for Avondale. read more

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Stopped in for an early dinner the other night and was impressed. Large variety and a great happy hour. Sat at the bar and was greeted and served by a friendly staff member who made a solid old fashioned. Spent two years on the gulf coast and fell in love with creole cuisine and this spot is authentic and delicious. Had the etoufee with shrimp and crawfish and fried shrimp sliders made with a homemade guacamole. Clean well lit dining room and was almost full before I left. Will definitely be back soon. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Mini shrimp slider - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kind of a nicer than expected place located in the strip mall near the Jewel. The plus side is that there's a parking lot in the city! Stopped by here for happy hour special drinks. The bartender was generous on the pours. They pride themselves on being a gluten free restaurant. We got an order of fried chicken and donuts and fries. The chicken was super crispy and big portion for the two of us to split. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Chicken and donuts. Fries. - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had a wonderful three course meal. One of us used the restaurant week menu. The other ordered off the regular menu. The dessert was to die for. The modified French 75 (cognac not gin) was better than the original. Will return to dine again! read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Truffle Mac with short ribs - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my first and last visit to Chesa's, Bistro, the ambiance was ok, good music volume, and good service. The food is definitely over priced. Here's the Report Card on the food: Lamb Chops and Shrimp:C_The Lamb Chops were ok, too lean and not tender enough. The flavor itself was ok. The shrimp is good and well prepared. BRUSSEL Sprouts:C_They were well prepared, minimal flavor Sausage and Cheese Hush Puppies: C_Good Flavor, minimal sausage which was course and dry. Crab Cake Balls and Shrimp: C_Very Minimal Crab Meat and the Shrimp were on the edge of being over cooked. Fried Green Tomatoes:D_Some of the slices were cut too thick, minimal flavor and minimal coating. Alligator Dip:F_Minimal Alligator, over seasoned. The Cloud:B, very good cocktail. read more

My friends and I walked in, great music coming from the speakers. The restaurant and bar was looking really classy with their black and gold. We came with a party of about a dozen people, Service was great and the food was delicious. I'll be taking my daughter here sometime soon read more

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This place was recommended from another GF friend and I can't can't say enough about it! It most definitely did not disappoint!!! Soo delicious! We ordered lemon pepper salmon with mashed potatoes, the chicken and waffle! (Just had to do it)! We also ordered the catfish jambalaya! As a Gluten free girl for 26yrs I will be back and I'm bring my friends! The service was so on point! I had lots of questions and she answered them all. read more

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Came in for Black Restaurant Week and I throughly enjoyed myself. Maybe they read the reviews but they did better. It was Fat Tuesday so they had a special of $7 hurricanes, live music and kings cake. Our server was very attentive and apologized if any delay. Reservation was 7, we ordered around 7:30 and food was out by 8. They are a small staff from my point of view so we were patient and staff were friendly and apologetic. The short rib and red grits was delicious! Short rib was so tender and flavorful! Wow so happy thinking about it. The shrimp tacos were great too. I prefer smaller shrimp and that's what were in the tacos and they were cooked well. Kings cake was a great way to end the meal and celebrate Mardi Gras ! read more

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Food was exceptional: Scheduled a sister dinner for tonight not realizing it was the start of restaurant week. We decided to partake in the event and we were not disappointed. Every food item that was brought out was rich in flavor and fresh from the stove. My favorite was the shrimp & chicken andouille grits; these grits were outstanding, I haven't had such delicious grits since I was last in New Orleans. The fried catfish had a wonderful crunch and paired well with the Louisiana hot sauce. Needless to say, food did not disappoint, and drinks were great! Regarding service, we were checked in on frequently and by several of the staff, including Chef Chesa, which speaks volumes for this establishment. The bartender even came to ensure that we were enjoying our beverages, which I appreciated since most establishments don't do that. Ambiance: restaurant was clean, offered dim lighting, and some nice R&B and soulful music playing in the background. I'll definitely be visiting this establishment again, and intend to bring guests with me. Thanks for seeing our souls tonight! read more

It is situated on a strip mall, so harder to find from the street. Good news is there is plenty of parking. On a Sunday morning, there is loud music in the background and boisterous laughter from another large table. Decoration leans to fast casual. Their menu is very distinctive in that all the items are gluten-free. I've seen a few restaurants with 1 or 2 gluten-free items besides salads, but this is dedication to have a complete gluten-free menu. Portions are big as you can see from the lamb chops. The catfish hash seems to be very popular as I saw quite a few other tables order it. I ordered the fried chicken benedict. It used buttered soft toast instead of English muffin. There was a lot of sauce plus a green relish mixed in. I unfortunately was not fond of the relish, but it was too hard to separate out. The hash is not crispy as you expect of hash browns or skillets. This hash is more like boiled potatoes till very soft then stirred in sauce. There was a green color string in my water glass and the server did not notice as she was pouring the water. Then the wait staff did not proactively return to bring us back the water bottle or refilled our water glasses during the meal. They need more staff, at least during the peak hours for better service. read more

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I saw this restaurant listed during Chicago Restaurant Week. That was a busy week, so I made a note to try at a later date. I did and glad of it. The old-fashioned cocktail was just like I mixed at home. There was no slacking in the pour, but not heavy-handed to the point that the cocktail tasted medicinal. I ordered cheddar jalapeño cornbread topped with crab. That was just frigging delicious. I am not a fan of sweet cornbread, but I loved the cornbread here. The tortellini with shrimp was a flavor blast. Full bloom in taste and a nice portion without being too much such that some had to be packed in a takeaway container. The evening was light, unlike what I think they get on weekends. Service was very good since there was no scrambling to tend to a full restaurant. Food is slow coming from the kitchen. I have a feeling everything is cooked to order. Nothing sits under heat lamps or gets microwaved. I'm okay with that and will keep it in mind when I return. I'm definitely going back. read more

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530 reservations for 3 seated right away left at 830pm not a great thing for me even though I wasn't in a rush and I'm a person of convenience. Total stars 3.5 review on customer service. Glad the food was fresh but what a wait. Customer service was good. Ambiance cool. Smaller restaurant but the food did not disappoint. Restaurant week also.... I was disappointed that my appetizer came to the table 1 hour after ordering. Appetizer Ordered (not restaurant week): Collard green oysters tasty... nice size and cheesy...second set was a bit more spicy loved the kick! Pick 1st...sweet n sour cauliflower had a nice kick and was yummy My bestie ordered... gumbo (banging) fire! I actually ordered an order to go but the waiter failed to oblige me... I would order again.... the roux perfect heat and balance. My other bestie ordered jalapeno cornbread and crawfish... nice heat with the crawfish a pinch too sweet for me otherwise kinda yummy Second course (main dish) I ordered snapper as did my bestie... we both expected a fried piece of snapper bigger than what we got but a nice portion honestly. The fish was cooked nicely seemed slightly battered and not too flavorful. The red beans and rice was cooked well and tasty the gravy on the plate was alright as well complimentary.. but I would have preferred a fried snapper with fresh garlic and onions and everything else. My other friend ordered the oxtails risotto... I tried them extremely tender perfectly braised and the reduction sauce perfect. The risotto cooked perfectly. I would definitely order. (Fyi they are already de-boned) The desserts... the banana foster ... disappoints it was like banana foster ice cream scoop with whipped cream. Totally disappointed as I wanted traditional banana foster... double miss! The wild card desert which was a chocolate fudge mouse almost genache like cake was extremely rich needed wine to compliment. The beignets were chewy its was peachy and slightly above ok!!! Not peach cobbler at all....as described. Drinks were mediocre... better off getting a shot or doing what we did and going to a bar afterward. Definitely has potential and excellent food. An awareness and attentiveness of the patrons by our server could improve some as we waited a very long time for some things that I could or would have passed on. I would definitely want to try it again but I'm already fearful of the wait. I would place an order ahead of time because the food is worth it!!!! Clean bathrooms fyi. Parking is in a mini mall so lots of parking. read more

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The food and service was amazing. Met the owner herself. So nice. I ordered the fried catfish and jambalaya really good and the wings are also good as well read more

Yall lowkey nearly ruined my bf and I's valentine- for "fine dining" this is the WORST experience i ever had. The food itself was okay and bit salty but the worst of all was the service. Our server couldnt have a care in the WORLD. He broughg us our check and had us pay before bringing us our desert and kept trying to grab our entre plates before we were done. And we waited over an hour for each course. The ambiance was okay. but for "fine dining" w the cost of fine dining was ridiculous read more

I would highly "not recommend" this place. My friend and I waited an hour and 10 minutes for our food and left after seeing everyone else get food but us. We drove 45 minutes to try this place out. Our lady waiter who was also the bartender just didn't care or give a shit about customers. First she made us wait 20 minutes to get seated. The restaurant was not even busy. Never even got us water after we requested hit. After an hour, when I asked the order status she said... "the kitchen was backed up" while other guests who came 1/2 hour after us got their food. Not one apology for the delay, just an "attitude" is all we got. My honest recommendation... Save your $$ and visit a restaurant that cares about its customers. Before typing this review I read some other customer reviews... had I read them before I wouldnt have visited this place. read more

I was disappointed with the overall experience. The service was lacking, as the waitstaff were inattentive to my needs. I even had to ask for silverware and napkins. Additionally, there was a considerable delay in receiving my order, and when the food arrived, the lamb chops were overcooked and the shrimp and grits were cold. I expected better quality and faster service since they were operating under a curated/abbreviated menu for Mother's Day but unfortunately the whole experience was unsatisfactory. read more

CheSa's is awesome, we went there for brunch and tried several items on their menu like the crab cakes, salmon cakes, chicken and waffles, and poached eggs on smoked salmon and english muffin. Everything tasted great, I would even go so far to say that their waffles were the best I have tried in the US!! AND the best of all is, that everything is gluten free!! If you have a gluten sensitivity, this is the place to go! The owner of the restaurant was there as well and she was super friendly and accommodating. All in all, great ambiance, great service, and even better food! We will be back! read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Chicken and waffles - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I hate be that but but I'm hoping they'll improve & become even more successful. The grits in my shrimp & grits dish were lukewarm & were evocative of instant grits. The scrambled eggs were some of the worst I've ever had. They were made with mozzarella type shredded cheese & tasted like powdered & flavors eggs. To put it into perspective my daughter has never seasoned food in a restaurant but today was the first time in 8 years. My wife's biscuits were ok but nothing could make this meal salvageable. One positive worth mentioning is I got a complimentary glass of champagne read more

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Literally, the best food I have ever eaten. As someone with a severe gluten intolerance, eating at a restaurant is always a game of risk, so it was so nice to find this dedicated gluten-free option. My two friends who went with me were not gluten-free and also were really impressed with the food. It is not just good gluten-free food, it is amazing food, that happens to also be gluten-free. I wish I had better photos, but I was too excited about eating it. I ordered the fried chicken and waffle beignets. The beignets were crispy on the outside, slightly chewy in the middle, and light and airy. It was heaven in my mouth. The chicken was well seasoned and evenly crispy. We also ordered the lobster balls which were flavorful and tender. We made a review on Open Table, and I had to call twice to make changes to the reservation because of travel changes, and they were helpful and accommodating. I am already looking for an excuse to go back to Chicago just so I can go here. It is also a Black-owned and woman-owned business, which is an extra bonus. Highly recommend, if you get a chance to go here, don't miss it! read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Waffle beignet, gluten-free - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First visit was made after amazing advertisement on social media. I was very excited to find a casual and trendy restaurant on the Northside. We were 2 of a total of 6 guests. Though we're immediately greeting there was a little delay with taking our drinks and receiving them. Again we were 2 of 6 guests. Our appetizer was the char-grilled oysters which were very delicious and reasonably priced for a half-dozen. For entrees we ordered the catfish and jambalaya and the crispy salmon with garlic mashed potatoes. Though after waiting over 30 minutes for the entrees the salmon dish was superb! I'd rate it a 5! The Fried catfish was overcooked and as crunchy as a pork rind. The flavor was good but it should be improved. We will return for drinks and other items in the future. We hope everything improves during our next visit. read more

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Went to Chesa's as a guest for a birthday brunch. The ambiance was nice. Good music, with a calm atmosphere. It's clear that attention was paid to the experience from the dishes the food was served in to the drink presentation. The cocktail menu was extensive and they were able to transform a cocktail to a mocktail for this no drinker. The food portions were ample so bring your appetite. The waffles are reminiscent of funnel cake so your sweet tooth will be appeased. read more

CheSa’s Bistro & Bar - Virgin Raspberry Mojito - Gluten-Free Near Me - Chicago, Illinois