I'm not sure why there aren't more Hawaiian restaurants around Chicagoland because I find Hawaiian…read morecuisine to be delicious. Even if we don't consider its rarity, Da Local Boy is a winner in every category. The prices are very fair for the enormous portion sizes, the decor is fun and appropriate, the service is friendly, and food is phenomenal both in flavors and textures. The only possible criticisms are that the space is a bit small for how popular this spot gets, and the parking in the area can be a bit limited around popular meal times. The food here shines, making it worth a special trip -- both again for the rarity but also the quality. For me, the poke nachos are a must order item, just the perfect mix of large chunks of tuna with super crispy wontons, fresh avocado, and a good helping of sauce. Amongst friends, we've agreed that this is a must order item. The huli huli chicken is also unreal in flavor and texture. Besides being marinated and sauced well, the chicken is melt in your mouth tender while simultaneously having a delicious crisp skin. Think brick chicken, but with more flavor and a much better price. The rice and macaroni salad that accompany this are also well done -- and feel more like a core part of the meal rather than an afterthought. The grilled pork is pretty good as well, though I kind of wish it wasn't sliced as thin, as certain pieces felt a bit dry. The spam musubi with a light touch of furikake also provided a flavorful, fun dish to accompany the other delicious items I tried. Overall, delicious and consistently surprises me with the quality of the execution and bold flavor combinations. This is on my top places to visit in the area and has never disappointed.

Chicago has amazing and authentic food but finding a good/authentic plate lunch and poke has been…read morehard until now. Felt like I was grabbing lunch at a place in HI. The vibe is also awesome with a great reggae playlist and welcoming staff. Literally every single bite was so good but my favorites had to be the short ribs, chicken katsu, and poke. These mac salad was a little sweet but it definitely worked well especially with the heavier mains of the plate. Poke was really fresh btw and def had my eye on the poke nachos so gotta go back! Def a must try for anyone craving real Hawaiian food in Chicago!

Stopped by for a late lunch with my wife yesterday and we really enjoyed the place…read more An awesome little cafe for pastries or a light breakfast/lunch in downtown HP. I had a Caesar salad, my wife has the French onion soup and a grilled cheese and all items were solid. Also had the Chocolate chip cookies which were awesome. They have a ton of pastries that I look forward to trying down the line as well. Would definitely recommend.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for The Little French Guy yet, because it's truly one of…read moremy favorite spots to visit whenever I'm in the area. They even expanded to allow for more seating -- and honestly, it makes perfect sense because the food is that good. Everything here is amazing. Literally everything. The pastries are perfection, the French toast is unforgettable, the salads are fresh and flavorful, and the quiches are some of the best I've ever had. You can't go wrong no matter what you order. They are quick and efficient. I love this place, and I love coming back every chance I get. A must‑visit.

Happened upon it looking for a good breakfast spot nearby to make it our new go to. We found it at…read moreSandy's! The food is so delicious. Simple, classic, and so good. Good portions too. Have tried breakfasts and lunches. The French toast and the tuna sandwich are favorites. But you can't go wrong with anything you pick. You're always asked if you want more coffee too. What makes this place special is the camaraderie. Darcy, the owner, is warm and can be lovingly teasing with her regulars. She is the exact personality you want in a diner. The patrons are just as welcoming and fun. You don't have to socialize but it feels so inviting even to listen and watch. I can't get enough of this place. I am also thrilled to learn they'll open a second location soon. Darcy and her employees deserve all the success. Sandy's: Thanks for filling up our bellies with food and laughter!

We stopped at Sandy's for breakfast wanting that classic diner experience, and it was absolutely…read moreperfect. There are just a few tables out front, a cozy diner counter, and some tables in the back--it has that small-town charm that makes you feel right at home. We had a party of seven, and they made sure to seat us all together without a problem. The restaurant was super clean, the food was delicious, and the prices were very fair. What really stood out, though, was the service. Our waitress was so kind and attentive, checking on us several times to make sure we had everything we needed. When she found out my son had just graduated, she said she would have given him a discount--but since he had already snuck off to the counter to pay, she gave him a coffee cup instead. That thoughtful gesture meant so much to us and really showed how much they care about their guests. I'll be recommending Sandy's to everyone I know. It's the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again.

Best fried chicken around! Great atmosphere and homemade cuisines. Must try!…read moreOwners are top chefs from former LF place, food is awesome!

We've eaten at Jay Lovell's many times throughout the years, and I'm starting to get concerned that…read morethere are very few people in the restaurant. I do see people picking up orders but our last two visits there were only one or two other tables. I had the fish and chips (a special). There were four very large pieces of breaded fish on a pillow of fresh cut fries with a delicious sauce (homemade tartar?). Needless to say I could not eat it all. My companion had (the usual) turkey burger, which is one of their favorites. This is good food, freshly prepared, don't know why nobody is here.

Recently hosted a bridal shower at Miramar and it was wonderful! Working with Felipe was such a…read morepleasure. The back room was a great ambiance, with plenty of room for our party of 15 people. They have a variety of spaces and menu packages to choose from, and work with you to ensure you have the event you want. The food and drink all came quickly and people were raving about what they ordered. I split the steak frites with blue cheese and a special pasta dish. Both were outstanding & I'd order them again and again. The creme brulee was a fan favorite for dessert. I'd definitely host another event at Miramar - they make it smooth and comfortable!

Added later: really disappointed that neither we nor any others who have had substandard full…read morepriced meals here have heard from the owner. Buyer beware. We have wanted to try Miramar for a long time based on reputation and reviews, so we booked it for our 30th wedding anniversary dinner. TL/DR, food was only ok, service was attentive, but overall experience was disappointing. Selected "anniversary" on the Open Table reservation...and added in the notes that it was our 30th. Nonetheless, nobody said a word about either when we were greeted or seated. Sigh. When we ordered two glasses of champagne, the server asked if we were celebrating. Yes, we were...and were surprised nobody knew... Our meal was fine but only fine. Had the mushroom soup and endive salad, both specials, both pretty good (and the salad big enough to share). She ordered the salmon, I had the lamb shank (both on the menu). I like my food hot...and I am as a result confident that I have never written this before...the food came really hot. TOO hot. Inediblly hot. Both dishes, and especially the lamb. Once it cooled down enough to be edible, the lamb shank and basil whipped potatoes and vegetables were good (dried out a little from the heat?); the salmon was only ok and a little fishy tasting. Her glass of Pinot Grigio was quite nice; mine of Bordeaux was delicious, but served surprisingly warm for a restaurant/glass at this price point -- I'd have expected them to have a proper wine refrigerator. Then, finally... We asked about, and then decided not to have a dessert. The server was kind to bring us a well intentioned delivery of two glasses of prosecco (which we didn't drink --- had already had a champagne and a glass of wine) and asked if we'd like that dessert after all to have with it. We said "sure." They then charged us for the dessert... For the record, our server was kind and attentive and professional, and the rest of the team were equally so. But, in summary, for a pretty aggressive price point, this was a disappointing experience on a night we hoped would be special. Perhaps we're victims of a holiday weekend meal...we're hoping ours isn't a typical experience.

Such a great local spot! Food was delish and service was excellent. Outdoor seating will be setup…read morein a week or so. A new go to spot for us!

We stopped in at Pixca on a Friday night for dinner. When we arrived many tables were open but when…read morewe asked for a table for two the host paused like he wasn't sure he could fit us in. He did find a table and during the course of our meal there were non-stop arrivals with a few heading straight to the small bar so I'm thinking perhaps it has a strong flow of regular customers. The service was efficient and the dining room has a cozy bistro feel to it. The menu is seasonal. Nothing was calling out to me so I went with the burger and fries. Both were good. Overall we are glad we gave Pixca a try. Before we go again we'll make a reservation and check the menu to see what the current options are.

Visited yesterday for lunch and found the experience to be good, but not great. The things that I…read morethink left room for improvement was a sandwich having jalapeños after requesting none when it was ordered. Also, I felt like the margarita was served in a small glass with mostly ice, and not enough actual margarita. Lastly, I ordered enchiladas with mole sauce and chorizo. I felt like I could barely taste the chorizo and I wish the mole had a stronger flavor. On the plus side, the complimentary chips and salsa were good, as was the nacho appetizer and margarita. Most of the folks in the party enjoyed their meals.

I wasn't really impressed. The food was alright; edible. But it was waaaaayyy overpriced and wasn't…read moreworth it. I got the Isaac's mom's favorite enchiladas or whatever it was called and it was alright, but it was buried under sour cream, tomatoes, and sliced onions. It wasn't a small entree, but the extra junk on top makes it look twice as big. More disappointing is that the woman gave me a full sized guacamole when I ordered a side. That is a price difference of $10!! I assumed it was just large since it came out with the meal (as a side would), not before as an appetizer. It went largely uneaten because it was ordered for my toddler, who pretty reliably will eat guacamole even if she refuses other things--and which is why I ordered a side. All told this made my bill like $60 for an adult and a toddler, and... never again. Won't be back.

Com'n man, Walker Bros. Original Pancake House -- omelets aren't supposed to come with egg shells…read more Nothing kills breakfast faster than crunching into something that shouldn't be there. You guys are better than that, tighten it up.

Walker Bros is a great spot for a weekend breakfast/brunch. We stopped before an afternoon activity…read moreand were wowed by the stained glass, vaulted ceilings, and all wooden booths. We waiting in their amusement style queue for about 10 minutes before sitting down. Once we did we were greeted promptly upon arrival and were served water and ordered our food. The strawberry waffles were crunchy on the outside but we're soft in the middle and got softer as the syrup melted inside. They were the perfect sweet spot. The combo was a savory breakfast beyond compare with fresh browns, scrambled eggs, and melty cheddar cheese. The eggs benedict had flavorful sauce and ham which were notable and the eggs were left without the water flavor that some poached eggs tend to have. Overall, we would definitely recommend spending your time and money getting some delicious grub at Walker Bros :)

Amazing service and authentic italian food! Ambiance is perfect for a date night too!read more

This is a fabulous restaurant! I had a great cocktail and wine here in addition to a lovely entree…read moreand affogato. However, the apps stole the show! That focaccia is MAGICAL. The calamari here is also among the best I have ever had. It's a bustling, tight, and busy atmosphere, but the food is comforting and delicious.

Driving from Chicago to Minneapolis I made an impromptu stop at a random roaster and so glad it was…read moreTala! The shop itself is adorable with tons of natural light, brick walls, some plants, the works. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The baked goods looked great but I didn't get any. Music is a bit loud but that's to be expected; I was still able to get some work done with headphones. The espresso itself was fantastic. Really smooth and flavorful. Plus they do it right and serve with sparkling water and a small nib of extra dark chocolate. If I lived in the are this would 100% be my go-to working cafe and I recommend stopping in if you get the chance.

Super super good…read more Miel is better hot I think. Still good iced. Orange you glad - espresso with milk and cream and orange juice. Holy cow! So good! Cold brew with a little bourbon vanilla - nice. Chocolate muffin was alright. Blueberry donut was delicious.