El G-Fe

603

442

826

6 years ago

This place definitely lived up to the Facebook craze it created! They originally exploded due to their amazing food videos, which included the birria tacos and everyone responded! Lol So yes, if you go on the weekend, there will be a wait. A long one. I waited about an hour and a half on a Friday to get a seat outside. The lot is medium sized but jam packed so street parking might be your best bet. You put your name and number on the list and then sit and wait in the car until they call you. If you go during the week, early in the day, you should be able to bypass the crazy wait. The food was worth all of the wait. I got the birria tacos and king crab legs. They weren't too spicy and the platter was ENORMOUS! It can easily feed 3 people! The tacos were super flavorful, too. I was also able to order smoothies/slushees that are delicious on there own but can also be used as a base to mix with a drink. The service was quick as well and I was surprised given the fact that the place was so packed. This place is definitely worth the wait and worth checking out! read more

El G-Fe - King crab legs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Michelle M.

0

15

26

4 years ago

Cocktel de Camaron (didn't ask for pulpo) Went on a Thursday Ambience was okay. Like that there is a lot of options on menu other than Mariscos. Love BYOB and out door patio. Crab legs with butter sauce are good. Felt like waitress was a little rude and got a nasty piece of pulpo in my shrimp cocktail. Otherwise it's okay. read more

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Shemin L.

11

98

119

3 years ago

Great queso birria taco combo (comes with consomme & 4 tacos) and good horchata. They also give ceviche when you dine in and its really good. They have BYOB which is nice and the staff is really friendly and helpful. I can't give it 5 stars only because of how inconvenient the parking lot is since the entrance and exit is the same side. once you get to the end of the lot its hard to even make a 3-point turn to leave. The patio is really pretty though and nice no matter the time of year because it is shielded read more

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DaChon A.

Elite 25

4

82

185

5 years ago

Every time I have driven past this place the parking lot is full and people are waiting to get into for a meal. Well my day arrived and as usual I tried a number of dishes, 4 to be exact. My sister and I enjoyed the experience. Let me say the service is EXCELLENT. Food came fast, hot and ready. No I didn't eat everything, neither of us did. Good price points. The food was good but nothing we had IMO was like, "WOW, I can't wait to have that again!" It is good food. That was it. The experience was delightful. The people were kind, pleasant and efficient. I think I liked that more than the food. Maybe one day I might want to return but if I don't I am pretty sure I won't miss anything. They provide a nice ceviche when you sit down. We ordered their Tacos Birria with Beef Stew, 1.5 lbs of King Crab with potatoes and corn, Some type of Shrimp Cauldron Stew, and Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. If you like Crab or Shrimp then this is your place. It's BYOB, and there may be a Mariachi Band working tables. read more

El G-Fe - MANGO SMOOTHIE - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - 1.5 lbs King Crab - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Some sort of Shrimp Cauldron - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Spicy Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Tacos Birria - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Strawberry Smoothie - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dakyla T.

0

1

3 years ago

The food was great & flavorful , it came out super quick. We had the chicken and the beef Birria tacos & the frozen strawberry lemonades. Our total was around $50. Everything tasted soo good, we got full & still had some to take home. The customer service was great, our server was really friendly even though we came in an hour before they closed. There was even live music it was cute & fun! I highly recommend. read more

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Alzetta H.

339

225

1031

5 years ago

I've been wanting to try this place for a while now. I didn't love it. The complimentary fish ceviche they serve upon entering was good and a nice departure from chips and salsa. Hubby ordered the carne asada and said it was bland. My daughter ordered the chicken quesabirria tacos. It came with 4. At 18 she doesn't express a lot but she was eating the inside of her second taco with a fork and didn't eat the last two. I order everything the red snapper. It wasn't terrible but that snapper didn't come close to any seasoning AT ALL. . The marketing and the service for this place were both impressive. read more

El G-Fe - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Red snapper - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Table ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Chicken quesabirria - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Carne asada - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Calamari - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jordan D.

216

291

1094

6 years ago

Starting off the parking lot is extremely tight, if you're in a truck best to probably find street parking. It's first come first serve and a 18% gratitude for a group of 5, however the seafood is great. We had the crab plater jumbo $83.00 with added shrimp and muscles $26.00 the house sauce makes the meal. It's BYOB so I had the frozen Virgin strawberry Margarita and added my own alcohol, the margarita on its own is a little flavorless. I also tried the Birria tacos, again lacking a litter flavor, seems like they could have let the beef cook a little long within the broth. If you're ever in the area come for the seafood, skip everything else. read more

El G-Fe - Birria tacos - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Virgin Margaritas - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Crab plater (Jumbo) with added shrimp and muscles - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Alysha H.

39

126

175

6 years ago

We visited for the main event, birria tacos. Otherwise known as tacoqueso de birria y condone combo. It was pretty spectacular. We also ordered snow crab legs which we're also very good. We were seated outside. The restaurant is taking COVID precautions including wearing masks. I can't wait to revisit. read more

El G-Fe - Snow crab legs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Tilapia ceviche and salsa verde (hot) - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cristina R.

44

143

566

6 years ago

Giving it a 3 only because out of all the staff only 1 would wear her mask correctly. If they would have been wearing correctly this would have been a 5 star review. All the others including my server wore mask only covering mouth. That was very disappointing because if I risk Going out to eat these days it's because I am thinking the business is taking precautions to not contaminate food or customers with possible COVID. As for the food, we went specifically to eat the birria and outdoor seating. THAT did not disappoint. I probably will not be back u til after more normalcy so I'm not worried about my health. read more

El G-Fe - Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - thatched umbrellas over tables and chairs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Birria - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nikyta N.

3

94

34

3 years ago

Went here in two different days and enjoyed myself both times. Staff was very friendly. Bathrooms were clean. Food was good but lacked flavor. There was a hair in our giants drink and staff was quick to resolve the issue. Parking is limited so get here while you can. read more

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Jon O.

0

46

32

6 years ago

Wow! I have been in and out of Chicago for years but just stumbled upon this fantastic place. We will be back for sure. Ordered tacos and seafood soup. Portions are big and the taste amazing. read more

El G-Fe - Outdoor seating! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jasmine M.

16

68

64

3 years ago

The food was awesome! The best part was the margarita tower. The chicken birria was so damn juicy flavorful and good. I didn't want the taste to end. Lol read more

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Brandy W.

7

19

10

4 years ago

For some odd reason... this visit suck. The waitress paid us NO MIND. Our tacos were cold. Barely checked in on. Adriana was just terrible... probably won't be back for a while. The manager did correct the issue.. which was fine but still terrible. read more

El G-Fe - Cold... - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Christine Y.

Elite 18

13

278

496

5 years ago

I come here for the chicken barrio tacos and that only! I love them from here! I keep saying I'm gonna try something else but I never do. It's byob so that's a plus for people that enjoy a drink with their meals. They must be known for their "wet" tacos because as I look around at all the tables it seems 98% has them. The table ceviche is delicious and different that your normal salsa, it adds a nice set up for ya palate. read more

El G-Fe - Chicken "wet" tacos - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Omar F.

0

1

0

3 years ago

They came to our table twice while we were eating to say we had 45 min left and we were still eating and it wasnt fair cause they didn't kick other people Out. read more

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Malisha W.

12

53

75

6 years ago

Came here to see what the hype was about with their Birria Tacos and I can honestly say I was very disappointment. It looks good, however, is very bland and lack flavor. The meat is "good" per se, however literally has no taste. The sauce as well. You're just dipping in bland broth. DISAPPOINTED read more

El G-Fe - Birria Combo - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Daniel F.

Elite 25

1134

164

247

6 years ago

Came on a Sunday and there was definitely a regular wait time of around 30-45 minutes. That said it was worth the wait and our food was delicious. Their birria is a must and any seafood plate is fresh. We really enjoyed the live music that would go table to table performing. I'd recommend coming early if you're going on the weekend read more

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Niccaela D.

126

11

8

3 years ago

Horrible food I got food poisoning from the seafood .... Avoid the seafood its half a** read more

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Jackie M.

10

30

675

6 years ago

First and last time, the price on the regular charola of chapuzón went up $5 from when they first opened about 4 months ago, there was hardly any oysters and some shrimp had the tail on. The 4 empanadas are almost $10 and they're bite size. The flavor is good, but won't be returning because of the portion size on both that I mentioned above. I also ordered 2 tostadas mixtas and those were good. read more

El G-Fe - the outside of a restaurant at night - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Chapuzón regular - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Bite size empanadas - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Tostada Mixta - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jemel V.

43

7

6

5 years ago

It was a great dining and drinking experience... I wasn't aware that it was BYOB..needless to say it was a great time read more

El G-Fe - a sign on a brick wall - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Eileen P.

0

39

1

4 years ago

Their food and service was way better pre-pandemic. Like everywhere else they raised their prices significantly. It's BYOB. Beware they will offer you a bucket with ice to keep your goods cold but they won't tell you up front that it will be a $5 charge until you see it on your bill when you're ready to order pay. Shady shady. read more

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Araceli C.

2

706

9904

5 years ago

is byob large menu we celebrate one of my girlfriends here.was pretty good we order empanadas de camaron guacamole mojarra and cucaracha style shrimp combination langostinos for my self the spicy salsa kind bland I expected really spicy otherwise food was good service ok kind litle slow I ask for more salsa they forget so I have to go in front and ask my server for more salsa see you soon again read more

El G-Fe - the entrance to el - g - fe chicago - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - $129 empanadas, guac, pina colada - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lauryn J.

Elite 25

2

33

74

6 years ago

The food was great and the outside dining is very cozy. There are two heat sources for cold days. Customer service was wonderful and the food was served quickly. read more

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Alexis A.

108

4

1

6 years ago

We came here for the birria tacos and were not disappointed. The tacos were hot and we were given generous portions of meat on the tacos. I also ordered a frozen strawberry lemonade and guacamole; both huge servings for a fair price. The staff in the restaurant were working hard to make sure that that everyone seated received their food in a timely manner and kept things sanitized. As mentioned in almost every other review, the wait was over an hour for a table for 2, but it is Sunday and to be expected. We will definitely be returning. read more

El G-Fe - Strawberry lemonade. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Carson C.

391

6

0

4 years ago

Carne asada is great. Saw a review that said it was bland but that's not true... or maybe I just like things without a lot of sauce or spice on it already. read more

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Bert R.

27

8

13

6 years ago

Great food and very friendly people. During this pandemic they're offering delivery. Their cucarachas dish has a very unique flavor but it's finger licking delicious. Overall I recommend this place, pricing is decent. read more

El G-Fe - Aguachiles verdes! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Camarones cucarachas! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Reina W.

117

157

78

6 years ago

All factors considered, we were able to BYOB, but I really wanted a mojito with my fish tacos that were super delicious, however, they didnt have any kind of alcohol available. The food was fresh and delicious overall. We weren't able to eat inside the building, but they had a cute outdoor patio and the service was great. I'm really surprised to see they otherwise get so few starts or recommendations Would eat here again if I returned to Chicago in the future! read more

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Lorenzo V.

38

3

4

5 years ago

Service people where great and atmosphere is nice, however the birria tacos where lacking in effort and didn't hold up to the "best" birria in chicago. The tortillas where still kind of plain. Meat was lacking a little flavor. For having high expectations, I was disappointed. read more

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Sandra A.

28

2

0

6 years ago

Great service & food! They are doing outside seating, it is heated and not bad for fall weather. I've seen them diligently clean tables & enforce masks rules. I absolutely love their birria tacos, a must try if you go. They do need to up their game with the hot sauce though. Not spicy enough for my liking! FYI-This place is BYOB. read more

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Elizabeth C.

71

7

17

5 years ago

Great food, fun atmosphere. I love that they have a heated back deck, and it's BYOB. We had the birria tacos, fish ceviche, and mixed seafood cocktail. The birria tacos and fish ceviche were great, the seafood in the cocktail was a bit drowned in the sauce. read more

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LaBree E.

0

78

13

4 years ago

The Red Snapper with the Diablo sauce is everything just to start. Everything on the menu is Five stars.

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Anna L.

131

16

15

6 years ago

Me and my sister ordered the crab legs and Birria tacos and shared. Everything was delicious and the portion sizes were more than enough! Will definitely be returning. read more

El G-Fe - Crab legs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sallieanne Y.

1

6

6 years ago

I really enjoyed this place and planned on coming back here again. I went with my girlfriends for nice lunch. Best part was BYOB. The food was delicious, and steaming hot! The waitress was knowledgeable of menu and very nice. The price is reasonable. I paid average $25 for platter. One thing you should know, They do not do separate checks or multiple debit cards. Bathroom was clean. Outside seating with nice breeze. Everything looks great on the menu! read more

El G-Fe - Chicken and shrimp platter - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Building - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

El G-Fe - Steak and shrimp platter - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Adriana F.

0

1

0

4 years ago

May 10th día de las madres My friends and I went to eat to El G Fe restaurant it was our first time trying this place 3 of them ordered a molcajeteada each and the other 4 ordered shrimp every one of us different style so I ordered camarones a la diabla extra hot everything looked good even tho it wasn't a good portion of shrimp there portion is small and the prices are very high and the restaurant was humid and it was 92 degrees outside but that's not why I'm giving 0 stars is because when I tried my first shrimp there was a bad taste on the shrimp not on the salsa it was the shrimps I ate like 4 shrimps aaauugghh I regretted those shrimps were bad bad I told my friends to try one of the shrimps and ooh yes she said right a way that the shrimps were bad so I left the plate on a side and ate a little bit of the salad and rice. Never going back to the place again. read more

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Brian B.

0

4

8

5 years ago

Taco shells weren't even crispy just full of grease,cheese wasn't even melted food was garbage. I've been sick to my stomach ever since I ate here today. I will not be returning. read more

El G-Fe - Taco shells weren't even crispy just full of grease,cheese wasn't even melted food was garbage. - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shani P.

0

23

25

6 years ago

I decided to make a review about the way the manager aggressively kicked us out this evening. The manager on duty tonight kicked us off of their patio as if we did something wrong. We were sitting patiently at our table waiting for our bill to come out so that we could pay and leave, when the manager stormed over and asked us to HURRY up and LEAVE his establishment. I turned around and said that we were waiting to pay, and was there a problem? Did we do something wrong? He then storms off and says "okay pay and LEAVE", as if our BLACK presence bothered him and he could not take it anymore. I should also add that there was one other table still sitting on the patio along with us (Mexican couple). As we waited on the bill, We also waited to see if he would ask the table across from us to leave, he never did. when the bill finally arrived, I said "Sir, are you going to kick them Out as well... he said NO! I can't help but to think this was a race thing... we WILL NOT be back, and we WILL continue to spread awareness of what happen to us this evening. read more

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Oscar S.

138

622

492

6 years ago

So glad I decided to stop in.I dont live too far from here yet was not familiar with this establisment.They were recommended to me by a foodie friend of mine.Thank goodness for foodie friends.Its great to have a big foodie network.Makes Yelping soooooo much better.I came in to try the latest craze in Mexican dining.My visit was all about the QUESABIRRIA.And Im very glad that I picked this spot to try my first Chicago quesabirria.I was not disappointed at all and look forward to returning.The place has a really nice outdoor patio with plenty of seating.The tables all have like a Island type umbrella.Its such a nice touch.They also have music going on.Even though I came in for the quesabirria I could not stop looking at all the DELICIOUS LOOKING seafood dishes that kept passing me up!!! I DEFINITELY MUST RETURN!!! What an awesome find!!! And get this......THEY ARE BYOB!!!! Could it get any better?? Thumbs up!! read more

El G-Fe - Birria Quesadillas - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Esema I.

0

6

10

6 years ago

Great service and food!!! Extremely nice staff and took all necessary precautions for covid! Definitely recommend read more

El G-Fe - Mangonada - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amanda M.

0

3

2

6 years ago

I've been wanting these birria tacos for weeks and they were flavorless, seasonless, and very much bland! I barely tasted any cheese. I don't know if they had an off day but even the consommé was bland. Straight beef broth with a lil onion and cilantro! I'm so disappointed I could cry! read more

El G-Fe - Consommé - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ledora T.

38

183

142

6 years ago

Birria tacos are so meaty and flavorful. The consome was flavorful! The bacon wrapped shrimp were delightful. Idk about the service because we ordered to go but the food was great! read more

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More info about El G-Fe

4253 W 47th St
Chicago, IL 60632
Archer Heights
Directions
(773) 565-4669
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.elg-fe.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El G-Fe open?

El G-Fe opens at 1:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.El G-Fe opens at 12:00 PM on Sunday.

What time does El G-Fe close?

El G-Fe is closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El G-Fe closes at 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu ClosedFri-Sat 1:00 PM - 9:00 PMSun 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does El G-Fe serve alcohol?

Yes, El G-Fe serves alcohol.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El G-Fe have outdoor seating?

Yes, El G-Fe has outdoor seating options.

Does El G-Fe have parking?

Yes, El G-Fe has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does El G-Fe have free WiFi?

Yes, El G-Fe has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

El G-Fe Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
3 Reviews

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Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment we walked in, the staff was…read morewarm, attentive, and made us feel welcome. The restaurant has a beautiful classic steakhouse atmosphere. Dimly lit, elegant, and full of old school charm. The food was outstanding. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked and incredibly tender, the truffle mac and cheese was rich and indulgent, the short rib stroganoff was packed with flavor in every bite and don't forget the crème brûlée. Between the exceptional service, the inviting ambiance, and the amazing food, this was one of the best dining experiences we've had in Chicago. I would absolutely recommend Bavette's and can't wait to come back. Enjoy!

$400+ dinner for two, including drinks. Nothing special,…read morelike we hoped. Pretty much standard steakhouse fare ... maybe a little less tasty than some of the other top-ranked steakhouses I've been to. I'd put it on par with Smith & Wollensky or Capital Grille, which is to say better than average and overpriced. To start off, the wicked stepsister hosts, who look about 20 years old, at the front seem to take joy in making you wait, even if you have a reservation and laugh in your face when you ask to sit in a certain area. There is nothing cool about dealing with a 20 year old on a power trip when paying almost half a grand for dinner for two. The real hero of this establishment should be their lighting designer ... I would venture to say that the dimly-lit yet perfect feeling vibe of the restaurant is what sets it apart. If not for the design of the restaurant, it would be just another steakhouse. The waiters are as pretentious as the hostesses. You know you you walk into a Restoration Hardware store and someone making minimum wage gives you, 'mansion attitude'? That's everyone we encountered at Bacette's ... insufferable snobs. We started out with cocktails, which were well made. Nowhere were the prices but expect a cocktail to set you back $25. The steaks are around $80 - $120. We both had the bone-in filet mignon, which was $89 at the time of the review. I guess it's supposedly a rare cut of meat ... although when I asked our butcher about it being rare, he chuckled and said, 'whatever sells steaks, I guess'. The filet was good ... again, nothing amazing ... on par with a chain like Capital Grille. I ordered mine medium rare and it came medium and a bit under seasoned. Each steak comes with a side of Bearnaise sauce, which honestly was the best part of the meal. Rarely would I consider ruining a $89 steak by dipping it in sauce ... but it kind of needed the extra kick. We got asparagus and the truffle Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was better than the steak, however, we were expecting the normal overflowing sides, which are usually too much for two people to finish. The Mac and cheese was pretty small and we felt like it was more like a single side ... especially given that the filet (minus the bone) was probably around 8 ounces. Asparagus was just your average asparagus. We had the chocolate pie and ice cream for dessert. The chocolate cake was almost like an entire slice of cake frosting with a scoop of dense whipped cream on top. Way too sweet and we barely ate half amongst the both of us. The ice cream was nothing special. We didn't realize you could not have a reservation and sit at the bar. Honestly, we were placed downstairs at a table ... and felt like we were sitting in a basement. It was not as nice as the upper restaurant and they refused to move us when we asked them if we could sit upstairs in the better part. She gleefully said it would be a two hour wait to change tables. If we knew we could have just snagged an empty bar seat upstairs, we'd have done that because it's better than the basement. Although, we saw some near arguments as people rushed in to get a bar stool in front of people who were waiting a long time. And, it's a little awkward to eat with vultures standing behind you waiting to jump into your seat, I'd imagine. So maybe make sure that you request to be seated upstairs and see if the mean girls hostess will accommodate the request. Overall, Chicago has so many good steakhouses, the fact that this one ranked so highly mystifies me. I've been to several better than this which were not even ranked. The atmosphere is cool ... everything else is average ... except for the attitudes which are below average.

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Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Short Review: A staple in Chicago in the middle of the…read moreViagra Triangle neighborhood. Friendly staff and patrons. Easy to make friends at the bar. Food is outstanding. Long Review: Met a friend for dinner while in Chicago and he said Gibson's was a must. We went on a Thursday night and the place was absolutely packed. Barely any walking room when you entered the bar / check-in area. We ordered drinks in the bar while waiting for our table and it was a scene - a good one. Very vibrant and really friendly people all around. Piano bar vibes with the live playing at your request. Bartenders are attentive and try to get to everyone quickly. Just to give you a sense of how friendly this place is, I accidentally knocked over my glass of wine while reaching for the bill. Caught it though...phew. But not before I spilled it all over the back of the woman sitting next to me, the man to the right of me, and of course all over myself! Within two seconds, a waitress came over with napkins to help clean up the mess, the guy sitting next to me got on the floor and wiped it all up, and the woman whom I spilled the drink all over was like "Don't even worry about! At least you caught the wine glass!" Wow! I was stunned at how cool everyone was, and it set the tone for the evening. We finally got our table and split the Gipson's ribeye, lobster, sweet potato and brussel sprouts. Seriously one of the best steakhouse meals I've ever had. The waitress was so friendly and very knowledgeable about the food. She was perfect. Folks, I highly recommend this place. Tell 'em the girl who caught the glass sent you!

I so wanted to like this place more!…read more The positive: the location is awesome in the heart of shopping and it has amazing history that's fun the look at. They also had a wonderful person working in the men's bathroom and he was a gem. Our daughter spilled a bit on her shirt and one of the servers had a Tide pen. The negative: for a restaurant where you going to spend over $100 a person, we had to ask twice for water refills, in fact one time we asked the manager and he had to track down our servers. The seating is just ok, it's pretty loud as your on top of each other really. The steak was above average but not great. They seems to char the outside see pictures and it was fairly bland, got the filet. Salad was drowned with dressing and had virtually nothing other than 2 average cheap grape tomatoes. The sides were just ok. I wanted to be blown away as Chicago is "known" for their steaks, the waiter even said they had their own rating. Meh... After eating twice in Vegas this month and getting wagyu I guess I'm spoiled. Go once to get the experience.

Carrot Cake & Chocolate Mousse Pie

Upstairs Bar

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Bookbinders soup

Butcher & The Bear

Yes, this place hits all the marks very well: service is astounding, food was amazing, ambiance was…read morereally fun (i.e., dark, romantic, lounge-like). I took my wife here for her birthday. She absolutely fell in love with the place and said she was having a great birthday. She wasn't planting seeds, I swear, but our server, ever the professional, said he'd take care of us. And he did, punctuating our dinner with a wonderful dessert with a birthday candle. Speaking of candles, the focaccia appetizer came out with a lit candle that melts a tasty, buttery dipping sauce. I had work done at the dentist earlier, so I had a hard time eating. Every bite was painful, but I heated up our leftovers and fell in love with my rigatoni with vodka sauce all over again. Yum. The only drawback is the prices. We're not rich, but we love a great experience. We understand that an experience like that comes with a price, so we'll be back as much as we can.

First off, what you're getting for your money just doesn't gel…read more I dont mind paying an exuberant amount for food if the food matches the price but sadly it doesn't here.... The good: Salad was amazing with bits of nicely cooked pork belly mixed in and the salad dressing is to die for Focaccia bread was very good but nothing special but the bone tarrow butter was fantastic and carried this bread. Brussel sprouts were flavorful but greasy and overcooked... Beef cheek ragu noodle dish was heavy yet tasty.. Rib eye steak done medium rare was fatty and very very chewy so this was a complete fail, but seasoned very well...extra 10 bucks for some dipping sauce for the steak but worth getting to elevate the steak...Definitely don't do any steak under medium here... Lemon sorbet was the true winner of the night...Delicious without being too tart..... Overall like I said, not worth the $250 price tag before tip...._

Beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and potatoes

Mac n Cheese

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Penumbra

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

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Quesadilla

Perilla korean steakhouse

Locally owned & operated

Takes reservations

We had no intention of eating here, it just happened by accident because we found two seats at the…read morebar and wanted a drink. Perilla is a tastefully decorated restaurant, both loungey and rich, but still makes you feel like the joint is all for you. You know, 5 star service is such a lost art, it makes you forget how much you miss it when all of a sudden it happens to be right in front of you. Ricardo, our bartender, what a gem. Forget about the perfectly made drinks that were served to us. Ricardo made us feel right at home with his kind disposition and friendly demeanor. But it doesn't just stop at Ricardo. Everyone was absolutely fantastic. We could have been served 7-11 sushi at this point and I still would have left 5 stars. Food time. The kimchi pork dumplings were an absolute flavor bomb and that parmesan broth gave the dumplings a little extra kick that took it to the next level. Plus, I love when the dumpling wrapper has a little chew to it and isn't this soft mush that dissolves in your mouth. The beef fat frites were a nice treat as well. They were not extra or over the top in anyway. But you can tell when something is done well and correctly, just like these fries were. The Premium Steakhouse Set, in my opinion, is all two people need to enjoy this very special experience. All the accompanying condiments were exceptional on their own and could have functioned as their own course. The Japchae glass noodles were a stunner. The real sleeper was the chopped lettuce greens tossed in their chili vinaigrette. Could have eaten 20 bowls of those lettuce greens. Sadly, I forgot the name of our server who cooked and cut our meat for us. She really added to the experience. She expertly prepared our food while maintaining a fun and pleasant conversation with us. The meat itself, my goodness, tender, smoky, quality-forward, and perfect served with the condiments. What a spectacular meal and overall experience.

Finally decided to give Perilla a try (not a fan of Asian-fusion type food usually) and it was…read morebetter than expected! We went during happy hour, selection of food and drink items were good and the price is right too! We ordered a bunch stuff to try: * Raw oysters - good, nothing to rave about * Argentinian shrimp - the shrimp were small and looked kinda depressing, flavor was decent though * Bossam - this was probably the lowlight for me, traditional bossam is pork belly, it is just not the same without the fat, pork collar does not cut it! * Short rib skewer- flavorful, cooked just right, delicious * Garlic chive pancake - this was my favorite, full of scallions, nice crunch on the sides and soft in the middle * Chilled soda noodle and kimchi - not traditional cold noodles, but it was tasty * Crudo - it was a TINY piece, certainly not worth the price even though it tasted fine, this was not a happy menu item * Basque cheesecake - wanted the Perilla sundae but was sold out, so settled for the cheesecake, it was just fine Staff were all very friendly and helpful. It was a nice experience overall. For happy hour, I would come back!

Custom built-in table side grilling

Whipped Bone Marrow Set

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Maple & Ash

Our servers name Jamie and we just wanted to thank him, he made our experience so special and we…read morefelt so seen and valued as customers. You can tell he truly loves his job, plus the atmosphere and team work together smoothly. The food was presented with love, the sauce on the steak was stunning, everything was excellent and we left so satisfied. We'd like to take a moment for the shrimp scampi because wow. Perfectly cooked shrimp in a sea of magical butter sauce. We hope to be back soon. Thank you for a magical evening. Shout out to the magical moment with the personalized menu and individual birthday cake!! Honestly we'd like to give you the galaxy but we only have five stars :)

Spent more than my car payment, left underwhelmed…read more The dining room is so dark, our table passed around a phone flashlight to read the menu. So did other patrons. That's not ambience, that's a liability. The seafood "tower" is a plate. A good plate -- tastiest thing we ate -- but when the menu says tower, you expect something vertical. The mac and cheese, however, is genuinely outstanding. It alone justified getting dressed up. The steaks did not. One overcooked, one undercooked. At a steakhouse. At $300 a person, give or take. Then the bill arrived with a 3.5% "Emp. Benefits" surcharge -- unannounced, undisclosed, not on the menu, or website. Server said it was a 'credit card processing fee'. At this price point, padding the bill with a hidden fee and dressing it up as charity isn't charming. It's deceptive. Just price your food honestly. Come for the mac and cheese and order the double seafood plate, if you can afford it. Bring a flashlight. Read your bill carefully. Shorts and hoodies are OK, web-site's "dress chic" requirement is a joke.

Bone Marrow app with dinner... When you can't have just one :-P

Made it Maple and Ash!

Roasted Asparagus

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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

The service by Mary was AMAZING in the lounge as I used to live in Chicago and visited friends at…read moreone my favorite restaurants. The bar staff, happy hour and atmosphere were great for us to be able to catchup. Thanks for everything!

I still think about the bread. Especially the pretzel one. Simply superb bread. Burger was good too.read more

The dining room

Creamed Corn

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Beef Tenderloin Slider

La Grande Boucherie

Best happy hour specials!…read more Can't beat $1 oysters on Mondays. They pay a lot of attention to detail. Service was amazing. Staff are very knowledgeable about the drinks they serve.

We booked a table for 8 to celebrate an 80th birthday. The service was fine as was the ambiance,…read morebut we found the food to be mediocre and overpriced. We ordered the $195.00 seafood tower, only to find that it barely included any seafood, 1/2 of a lobster, 4 shrimp and about a dozen oysters. I understand that Chicago is not a coastal city, but to not even include an entire lobster for a tower that cost $195.00?! Yikes! The drinks are also very expensive, and we found the steaks to be tough and dry. The Niçoise salad was awful, and not at all what we expected. It was drowning in dressing and the combination of anchovies and tuna did not work. It was also quite obvious that the tuna was not seared properly. I did think the roast chicken was good, and the fries were by far the best part of the meal. We went to several fine restaurants over the past few days to celebrate a milestone birthday, and La Grande Boucherie was the absolute worst in terms of value and quality of food. They were also the only establishment that didn't give the celebrant a small desert with a candle to mark the occasion. Just disappointing all around.

La Grande Boucherie Chicago

Inside during Christmas

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La Grande Boucherie Chicago

The Dearborn

Absolutely incredible from start to finish! Every dish was outstanding. The burger was perfectly…read morecooked--juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The handmade gnocchi was phenomenal, with a delicious smoky flavor that made it unforgettable. The croquettes were unbelievably mouthwatering and absolutely delicious, and the burrata was simply to die for. On top of the amazing food, the restaurant had great music, a wonderful atmosphere, and a staff that was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly. This was an exceptional dining experience, and I can't wait to come back. Highly recommend!

My partner booked a table so we could unwind and enjoy a nice dinner before heading to a Broadway…read moreshow. We arrived early and spotted an open bar table, so we grabbed it. Perfect timing because it gave us a great view of a FIFA match while we informed the hotess and settle in. We ordered the hamachi collars, the Midwest salad, and the Amish curry chicken. We forgot to snap a picture of the hamachi collars, but they were a huge, delicious portion. The sauce leaned a bit sweet, but thankfully it wasn't poured directly over the fish. The standout dish was definitely the Amish curry chicken. It smelled incredible and tasted even better. Kudos to the managers for making the whole experience genuinely pleasant

$12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

New Spring Menu

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Spring desserts

Sophia Steak - Chicago

4.3

(120 reviews)

8.1 mi

Ive been here many times, and plan to go this evening. I've never had a bad meal, everything always…read morecomes out perfect. The service is always great as well. I suggest requesting Nina she's great. The overall Ambiance and experience is lux, beautiful as many other reviews have stated. I live around the corner so it's hard to not stop in for a bite to eat at the bar when I don't feel like cooking.

We were in Chicago to celebrate our anniversary. I chose Sophia's for dinner as they had awesome…read morereviews for service and menu items. The restaurant is beautiful and romantic. The staff are welcoming and accommodating. Our waiter, Kaya, was knowledgable of the menu and made great wine suggestions. My husband had the 10 oz flat iron steak and I had the jumbo sea scallops, with sides of creamed spinach and white cheddar gratin. Everything was beautifully plated and delicious!! We really loved the unique special touch of the personalized menus to wish us a happy anniversary! Would highly recommend this restaurant for the ambiance, service and top notch cuisine!!

Bathroom hallway upstairs

Whipped potatoes and spinach

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Apres Ski Display

Quartino Ristorante

Great service. Amazing food. It does come out at different…read moretimes. You can also order half plates to share! The gnocchi was amazing. The lasagna was a showstopper.

We had a long travel day due to weather so I ordered ahead. So grateful an authentic place was…read morestill open for food orders at 10pm near our hotel. I ordered a mushroom pizza and the cheese was so good plus the funghi and crust. We ate there again the following night after a Cubs game. The bartender graciously took our order. We had the lemon kale salad, gnocchi and lasagna. The couple next to us had a to go order but they also were too hungry! Delicioso! Buon Appetito! Highly recommend. In the bar area we sat; mostly high tops there. A little more casual than the restaurant. But being a late night location, I'm sure if you are clothed and not drunk, they'll serve you.

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

Bathroom

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Coppa alla banana

The Purple Pig

A thousand percent YES Worth the wait…read more Worth the cost. Service, ambience and food delicious. Can't wait to come back and try more Whatever wine I had was SO good and so bad I can't remember the name because I want to go back to order it again

The first bite in Chicago... and what a delicious welcome!…read more My culinary adventure began at The Purple Pig, a Mediterranean spot in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. A James Beard Award-winning restaurant and Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree. The star of the meal? The divinely delicious Spanish Octopus. Cooked to perfection, so meaty and tender. And paired with marbled potatoes, sambuca, chimichurri, and Spanish chorizo. Every bite was beautifully balanced and flavorful. This octopus dish will be remembered. Service at the bar was attentive. And the restaurant was nice.

Inside

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Green Street Smoked Meats

(4.35) ~ Very Good Overall Food & Service. Note: The sign says 1/2 lb., but you can mix & match…read moreusing 1/4 lbs. DRINKS: ** Water (tap) = (5) Excellent! Must be filtered;) ** Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel (draft) = (5) Excellent! FOOD: ** Gumbo Greens (see photo) = (4.5) Very Good! ** Spicy Pickles = (4.5) Very Good! ** Smokehouse Burger = (4.25) Very tasty ** Cornbread = (4.25) Very good ** Brisket = (4.25) Very tasty ** Banana Pudding = (4.25) Very good ** Pastrami = (4.15) Very good

Attached to Sawada Coffee, I was surprised to see a BBQ joint located inside! As lunch time started…read moreapproaching, I noticed more and more people standing in line for Green Street. This prompted me to go check out what was on the menu. When I was greeted by someone to order, it seemed like they were a bit impatient or a bit annoyed that I was between two entrees. I understand that businesses get busy, but it is always important to treat everyone with respect! That being said, I ordered the brisket sandwich and it was great! The potato salad as a side was the perfect pair. Portion sizes were great and overall a good experience! I would go again to try some of the other options.