A lovely little goodbye dinner for my upcoming study abroad to Paris. The soup (soup de jour - corn chowder with truffle oil) was surprisingly the star of the show. The cheese platter starter was wonderful and quite cheap for the amount of cheese. Myself and my party were disappointed by the entrees. My coq au vin lacked much flavor. My distaste for most desserts was overcome by the almond cake! However the best part was the ambience and lovely staff. A beautiful little way spot that I would come back to simply for the decor! read more

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I was really looking forward to this place. The food was mediocre and the service was terrible. The worst part of my experience was that the staff couldn't stop bitching and complaining about the customers as I was in the ladies room. The things they said ruined my night and I didn't want to continue eating knowing what I just heard come out of their mouths. read more

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Delicious food, great wine selection, reasonable prices, and on top of that they have large portions... there is not much else you can ask for in a restaurant. Chez Joel Bistro checked all the boxes for me. They have a nice classy but fun atmosphere with classic French dishes. We ordered the escargot, mussels, pate to start. Each dish was very flavorful, especially the mussels they were some of the best I've had. For the main course, I ordered the filet mignon which was perfectly cooked and served with mashed potatoes and veggies. For dessert, we had the apple pie and creme brûlée. The prices are really great and the quality is top notch. I am definitely looking to be a regular here. read more

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Chez Joel is one of my favorite French restaurants in Chicago. As a North side resident I have often neglected it as a matter of proximity, but as we've lost a few French restaurants to COVID and whatnot, and the importance of outer dining increases, Chez Joel's prominence in my rotation, and Chicago's French scene in general, has increased. (Of course, over the 15 years I've been visiting its always been simply lovely.) The menu is classic French bistro fare, flawlessly executed. For appetizers I recommend frog legs (if available) and escargot. For entrees, the duo of duck is simply a must order, but if beef is your bag the steak frites will not let you down. Specials can also be superb, from halibut to rabbit, and should not be dismissed. You can't go wrong with desserts but profiteroles and the moelleaux merit particular recommendations to the chocolate lovers among us. Finally, they have a excellent, concise, well-priced wine list, overwhelmingly French, of course. The cocktails are well-made, and service is relaxed but attentive. It all makes for a relaxed, elegant evening out. Oh (and I am burying the lede here), Chez Joez just might have the best patio in the city. East of the building, its always cool, with plenty of shade trees to dissipate random rays of sun. A tall brick wall mutes traffic from Taylor Street. Lights strung across branches indulge romantic thoughts. In fact, weather and availability permitting, there really is no reason to sit inside at Chez Joel, and we never have! If you've read this far let's keep that between us, shall we? read more

My new favorite restaurant in Chicago! Came here to celebrate, and the vibes, atmosphere and food were perfect.. We ordered the Brie appetizer and it was delicious - perfect way to start the meal. The filet mignon were one of the best ones we've tried in the city, and the creme brûlée for dessert was perfectly sweet. The outdoor dining area was really nice, appreciated the heaters set out for everyone and service was good. Recommend this place for solid French food! Portions weren't too small . read more

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A gem. The atmosphere was quiet and intimate. The service attentive but not overbearing. The food wonderful. Prices reasonable. We look forward to our next visit! read more

Delicious food! Steak frites is always perfectly seasoned and cooked well. The broth for the mussels was well balanced and highly recommend the chocolate molten cake. The service is always so friendly and attentive. We met the sweetest UIC student. read more

We went for New Year's Eve and had a prefixe 3 course meal. The food was all amazing and the service was fantastic! The chocolate cake was fluffy and moist, and the scallops with risotto were so flavorful. While waiting for our meal, we were also served bread with butter and a tapenade spread. Great place for a date night or upscale meal at a local restaurant. read more

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Last week I was in Chicago for a business trip and having lived there in the past I wanted to try some of the best French spots I had not eaten at before. I used Michelin Guide and chose Chez Joel based on their recommendation. The restaurant has a perfect corner location, it looks shabby, but it misses that touch that you'd feel it is a cute little cozy French Bistro. There is an awkward entrance, with two doors that open inward, towards each other, trapping the doorman in the middle. that led us to the host, which judging by what he was wearing, you'd think he was filling in for a last minute call-in. The cramped table arrangement and the delayed service were the only features of a true French restaurant I found in Chez Joel Our server Allison, was sweet, polite and kind. I ordered a French 75, which I could barely finish, they had used cheap chemical sour topped by lukewarm prosecco, my cocktail was warm. I ordered the octopus, endive salad and the liver pate. But before that, I was served with complimentary bread, which was terrible even for an average Chicago Italian restaurant. this was when I started getting concerned. Endive salad was okay, liver pate was below average and the octopus was the worst I ever had for sure. It was chewy and tasted very fishy, obviously not fresh. fearing a food poisoning, I didn't have more than 2 bites of it. In a final effort to save the Apéritif, I ordered soup du jour (butternut squash) , which was highly rated in the reviews. The overly uniformed texture and the taste were reminding of those instant soup mixes. I ordered rib eye steak, medium rare for the main course and a bottle of chateau la fleur Peyrabon Pauillac from Bordeaux. The steak was well-done and I had to return it. The 2nd one was at least medium. but in both cases they did not use a premium cut, regardless of the temperature. I skipped dessert. I asked my server what her favorite item on the menu was, she said "Fromage de Brie Chaud"; I think that says it all. read more

Have been coming here for a long time and celebrating major events with family and friends here. Wanted to share chez Joel with a very dear couple and celebrate our friends birthday. Made reservations for 4 people at 5 two weeks before. A week later my husband realized that we needed to come at 6. I called Tuesday before and front of house indicated this will be a problem because it affect next group. We could only be there an hour and a half. I thought that's ok because they are usually very efficient. Day of one of our friends was sick so it was 3 but we got there on time . It was weird because servers did not get there until 15 minutes later? I don't think front of house ever told them that we only had an hour 1/2 to eat. Our server was amazing as was the food. But everything was a lot more leisurely given our time limit. We finally finished and were ready to order dessert but it was obvious front of house was upset we were still there. The whole experience went down hill from there. They brought a birthday ice cream for our friend but front of house wanted us out. We paid and left but I wish he had ensured that rest of team knew of our time limit so that things moved quicker and we would not have looked like we overstayed our time limit. The experience was so bad it is so sad to say we will never be back. Please if this ever happens for anyone else again please make sure the team understands the time limit and moves things along quicker read more

Food was as great as I remembered from years ago. Chocolate soufflé was heavenly and redeemed the dampened mood due to the cold service we received from the waitress. Not sure what was the issue but our waitress appeared slightly upset and inattentive 90% of the night. I might still go back but would def remember to avoid that lady. read more

One of the best French cuisine I have ever had. Authentic and flavourful Love the lamb shank, its so well cooked, soft and earthy. For course, filled my sweet tooth with a bowl of Creme Brulee, a must try in all French restaurants read more

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My nephew wanted to go to a French restaurant for the first time for both of us for Chicago restaurant week. To start, the server neglected to mention anything about the Restaurant Week promotions. Fine. We started with warm french bread served with butter and an olive tapenade. My nephew ordered escargot which was an interesting and tasty option -- tender snails in six tiny bowls of garlic butter & herbed breadcrumbs. The entrees were where my meal was a bit hit or miss. The grilled and pan-seared Cornish Hen in a sweet gravy and teriyaki sauce arrived topped with portobello mushrooms, baby carrots and a side of garlic & a hint of sweet mashed potatoes. While the sauce was savory and strongly seasoned, the chicken itself was very dry, which pushed me toward the potatoes which were creamy and garlicky and a bit....sweet (?). And why was this $40 during Restaurant Week? I also had cream of mushroom soup which was delicious. My nephew ordered the ravioli but the waiter (Omar...very good waiter) suggested the steak. My nephew said it was seasoned well & cooked appropriately to temperature and he enjoyed it. The dessert was Profiterole which is ice cream, bread dough and chocolate which, outside of the ice cream, we did not enjoy. read more

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Exceptional food! Small and intimate setting. Great for any romantic get together! We found this gem while visiting! We will be back again! read more

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Delicious food start to finish, excellent service, lovely ambiance. Highly recommend!

The outdoors is a beautiful ambience. Food was amazing we tried steak and seafood. Service was good. Highly recommended for date night read more

Chez Joel Bistro - Bouillabaisse Marseillaise - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First chilly day of the year - we had reservations outside, but they had tons of heat lamps so it was fine. The patio is beautiful with chandeliers and candles. The food was amazing - I had coq au vin. There were two servers on the patio - I don't think our server had done much fine dining. There were a couple different issues - it was kind of awkward because she didn't refill our wine glasses. We finally went to refill our own and the other server on the patio stepped in. He kept our glasses full the best he could, but he had his own tables. Not a big deal, I just don't think our server really realized she was supposed to pour the wine. The second server helped us with a few other things as well so I don't think it's fair to say the service was bad - I think the second sever jumping in is a sign of a good service culture in general. Just our particular server I don't think really understood that at a fine dining restaurant a server is supposed to be more than an order taker. Prices were extremely reasonable. Highly, highly recommend this place. read more

My friend & I are were very disappointed in the service at CJB-Jose specifically. He attended absolutely to everyone around us-either male/female couples or groups of men. The wait staff & other servers were very good & seemed to see the issue & try to cover for him. Food -escargot-adequate not great. Clams special-clams were chewy & sauce boring. My friend had scallops which were good-presented nicely. I had the the duck-the breast needed to be sliced thinly-the vegetables around the duck-good-not outstanding. My friend had the lemon tart also just adequate. Will not be back nor would I recommend. read more

Quaint cozy French bistro. Nice atmosphere, quiet. Lovely service. Started with pate and calamari, calamari serving was very small but nicely cooked and spiced. Pate was generous and served with tasty mustards and other garnishes. Ordered the cranberry duck special as my entrée, it was phenomenal. Duck was cooked perfectly and the portion was large. Ordered the risotto for the table, did not think it had seafood, was not too impressed. Apple tart for dessert was perfect. read more

Really good French onion soup.

Solid neighborhood French bistro. Food was delicious and reasonably priced. We didn't have a reservation on an early Friday night but they were able to seat us immediately. The small dining room rapidly filled up. Service was very good as well. I really enjoyed my duck dish but hubby's ribeye was a bit chewier than expected. We ended with a nice light creme brûlée. Enjoyable experience overall. read more

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Food - All food was very salty .Escargot - all I tasted was oil and garlic No other flavor. - The snail itself was super small and no flavor at all.The Steak was well done instead of medium and again very salty. The cheese soup - Very salty.Service was good and ambience nice. Consider serving 2 snails instead of one as I feel that I paid for garlic oil instead of a well made Escargot dish. read more

Came here for Valentine's day .they we're only offering a set menu with Consists of options from the land and sea. I got the scallop risotto which was really Yummy. The duck was done nicely being medium rare.appetiizer co sister of seared tuna tartare. The dessert was chocolate mousse and ice cream.. we were given rose upon departure.the whole place was decorated beautifully and full of couples. read more

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Fantastic meal with excellent service. We've wanted to come here for a few years and it didn't disappoint!

We had a great first experience here several months ago, but not sure what happened, and this second meal last week was horrible. It sucked. Felt like I was in a factory and they just wanted to get me out of there. Perfunctory service, no personality. I had the duck which was rubbery and dry. And my friend had the rabbit and it was overcooked. The creme brûlée also did not set and it was soupy. Table next to us had a terrible experience as well. They've been going for 15 years and I hear them say they won't be going back. Neither will we. read more

OMG I love it here! Definitely a very memorable meal. The street on which this restaurant is situated is a huge contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, a perfect place for an after dinner stroll. Came on a Sunday night, no need for reservation, and was immediately seated. This is an absolutely charming and romantic spot to go on a date. They have a small garden area in the back of the restaurant for outdoor dining. Service was impeccable and personable. Decor was everything you'd expect in a small French bistro: cozy yet elegant. Food was outstanding. The French baguette was warm and freshly baked, came with olive oil and butter, it was so good I died and went to French bread heaven!! But I had to somehow manage to pace myself. I tried escargots for the first time and they nailed it with the herbs and olive oil. Everything we got for the main course (duck, lamb, risotto) was excellently prepared and presented. For dessert, we had a hard time deciding between chocolate lava cake and the almond gateaux, but ended up trying something new and going with the latter, since it was a family recipe. Needless to say, the dessert was beautifully plated, not too sweet and the perfect size to end a spectacular meal. read more

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4 solid stars! Came here on a Sunday afternoon for restaurant week and to celebrate my gf's bday. As soon as we were walking in, the doors were being opened by the host/gm(?). Ambiance- small but not cramped, each table had a fresh red rose and the center chandelier was lovely! Ideal for romantic dates :) Bread- warm and chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside, just the way I like it! They also give you a nice basket of them (which you will want bc the tapenade sauce that comes with is delicious!!) Apps- we got the french soup and escargot. I'd say only 3 stars for both: the french soup was kind of watery (not the rich brown broth I am more accustomed to) and I wished the escargot had a thicker, more buttery sauce. However, the escargot themselves were not rubbery or overdone! Entrees- We both got the steak frites and they were very tasty! The meat was tender and well seasoned, and the frites were super crispy and plentiful. Dessert- creme brulee tasted fine, pretty average. Chocolate mousse was also good and was a large portion as well. Service- here is where it really shined! From beginning to end, the host/gm, our server and the busboy were attentive and super accommodating! The courses arrived in a timely fashion, our drinks were always full and they even brought out a round of sparkling pink champagne at the end for my gf's bday! Both doors were opened again for us as we left- what a nice gesture! Definitely 5 stars! Will be back! read more

Chez Joel Bistro - Steak frites. Very tender and well seasoned piece of meat! - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great service and amazing French food, very comparable to eating in France. The outdoor area is very romantic and picturesque. Menu items and wine list is very reasonable in pricing. Highly recommend the escargot and the filet. Filet not pictured... tonight I tried the NY strip steak and frites. It was delicious too, I just typically prefer a filet or bone-in ribeye. Restaurant week menu was even better pricing than normal. Definitely a hidden gem in little Italy. read more

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The outdoor patio was beautiful. They have a gorgeous tree that shades the majority of the patio. Food was delicious, particularly the Brie appetizer. Portion sizes were generous. Staff was friendly and wore masks. read more

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We really loved this place. No dish disappointed. First time there but will keep it on list for this hood.

Chez Joel Bistro takes the 2015 Chicago Restaurant Week seriously. For $33 per person and three courses, I couldn't have asked for more. My first course was the escargots a la bourguignon. There were six pieces of plump French snails drenched in a garlic butter, pernod, and herbed crumbs sauce. It was a tasty delicacy that cannot be skipped. As for second course, I went with the filet of salmon grilled in chive lemon beurre blanc, sauteed vegetables, and potato nouvelle. The buttery sauce was light and I was especially pleased with the fish roe which gave the entree a very good finishing touch. The potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflowers were also good complements. Last but not least, there must always be room for dessert in which I chose the creme brulee. Beneath the seared caramel was a very milky and soft custard. It was done just right! Valet is available and reservations are recommended. It is a very intimate environment perfect for girls' night out and date nights. I will definitely return for the regular menu! read more

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Second time at this restaurant. Not our waitress, a different woman was so rude, telling us we had to leave our table cuz we had a time limit, which it didn't even say when we made the reservation but she was saying this and we hadn't even gotten our dinners, we were waiting so long. And it wasn't just one time it was multiple times she came to bitch at us! Just us! No one else. And people were sitting longer than us, getting served their meals when we ordered and still sitting and drinking. It was for my birthday, we had multiple drinks and dessert. It was so off putting and embarrassing. We didn't complain or make remarks or nuthin until the 3rd time she came to us and we were like we haven't even been served our meal. And our server was so nice and apologized for this lady. We tipped her well but I would never go back cuz it was so icky. read more

You know when sometimes you don't remember what you exactly ordered, but leave happy and wanting to come back soon. That is Chez Joel. Service was great, too! read more

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Lovely ambience and delicious food. But the dining experience would have been only a 2 star due the rude busboy.. We got the last 9pm reservation and the restaurant closes at 10pm. We were aware and we tried to eat faster than usual. First, while my boyfriend was biting his last piece of bread and dipped it into the escargot sauce, the busboy came up and asked if we were done, which I understood cause It's near closing time. Then while we were eating our entrees, and obviosuly were not done with it, the busboy came up to us again and said "Are you done? Do you want it to-go?" I was confused why he'd think that and I responded no then he said "We close at 10pm" in quite a rude tone. I looked at the clock and it was exactly 10pm. I get it if he's telling us to hurry up but to ask if we want our food to go while we are still working on it? Very disrespectful. read more

The salads were fresh and delicious! The sparking water was crisp. The service was good. I had the Coq au Vin Chicken and it was dry. When chicken is dry it means it was not made day of or it's been heated too many times. Not sure I would order chicken here again. read more

We just celebrated our anniversary here. Went outside my comfort zone and ordered their special- quail. Wow!! It was incredible. I have never been disappointed here. Everything is top notch, professional and amazing. Shout out to Ursula and Maggie, who make every night there very special!!' read more

Food was good but under seasoned. Service was top notch. I honestly don't remember what I ordered. So yeah.

The food is good. The service can be hit-and-miss, and the people can be mysterious there. I think it's more a French-Mediterranean food, and the Duck is delicious there. read more

We came here to celebrate after getting married this summer, and it was absolutely perfect. The patio is beautiful--I wish I had taken a picture! But there is a tree that hangs low and provides great shade for the patio. If it's a nice day, I recommend being on the patio. The food was delicious. Everything we ordered was cooked perfectly, and the meats were all incredibly juicy and tender. We ordered the warm brie and calamari as appetizers. For entrees we ordered the duck breast, ribeye and frites, lamb shank, and filet mignon rossini (duck foie gras on top of filet mignon). Everyone was very happy with their meal, and we're all looking forward to coming back to try different dishes. The staff did great with covid restrictions, and we felt very safe during our meal. All of the staff wore masks, and the tables with spread apart. We had early dinner reservations, so we were there before the patio filled up. But we appreciated the extra precautions the restaurant took to keep us safe. Overall, I definitely would recommend Chez Joel for a nice meal. The food was so good that we'd order pick-up was well, although the ambiance is worth visiting the restaurant for. read more

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After 7 months in the US as a French, finally got to taste the original flavors of my country again.. Souris d'agneau is just magnificent, the snails were very tasty as well The patio is really cute to eat, even under COVID read more

Chez Joel Bistro - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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