****This review is for you if you love the details and the full run down of the menu *** Okay brunch besties, let me spill the mimosa on this adorbs little gem of a spot that served up a whole vibe and a whole lotta deliciousness! First things first--can we talk about the vibe?! The staff was so sweet, and I was lowkey obsessed with their aprons. Like, where can I buy one?! They really set the tone--cute, cozy, and casually classy. Service was as warm as the cinnamon roll (more on that in a sec ). Sippity sip! The pineapple mimosa was an absolute brunch MVP. The balance? Chef's kiss. Not too juicy, not too bubbly--it let that champagne shine through like the star she is. Now for the food (get ready to drool): The cinnamon roll came out warm and cozy like a morning hug. The frosting was dreamy, though I wished it gave a little more love to the whole roll (spread the sweetness, ya know?). Shrimp & grits? YES PLEASE. The shrimp were plump little flavor bombs, and the grits? Creamy heaven with the kind of texture that says "I know what I'm doing." And they were purple have you had purple grits before? I haven't lol Chicken & waffles brought the crunch and the comfort. That waffle? Light, flaky, and had a hint of vanilla that made me swoon. The chicken was piping hot (like, fresh out the fryer hot), and the skin was a flavor party! The white meat was juicy and I am not a white meat girly but was totally delish. Avocado toast had me feeling like a wellness queen . The avo was fresh and luscious, and those chili flakes on top? A spicy little wink. And last but ABSOLUTELY not least... The STAR TO ME- THE PANCAKES. OMG. Fluffy. Buttery. Blueberry-studded bliss. The texture was dreamy, and the whipped butter was just the right kind of sweet--like a cozy cloud. 10/10 would order again and again. Total brunch icon status! I thought about theses pancakes all day! This place is officially on my brunch with the girls list! Cute vibes, great service, and a menu that hits allll the right notes. Grab your brunch crew and GO!!!! read more

Etc - Chicken and Waffles - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We had been recommended this spot by a fellow foodie, so we were really looking forward to trying out the food. We came in on a Sunday and upon walking in you definitely get a high end feel. That's kinda where the "vibes" ended. We were sat and the waiter explained that 4 of the 7 entrees were unavailable. If they hadn't had entree that we wanted we probably would have left. We started with the biscuits and fried green tomatoes. The biscuits were good but didnt hold up and way too crumbly. I'm also not a huge fan of pimento cheese. The fried green tomatoes dish was solid. For entrees we ordered the oxtail, which we had come for and a pasta dish. The pasta was good. I enjoyed the crisp on the oxtail meat and the purple grits were unique. Overall the experience was fine. We were disappointed that so many items were out of stock early on a Sunday evening. The prices were also up there. I would have gladly paid these prices at Virtue, but this was not that. I'm not sure if it's the location or tariffs that are requiring such a high overhead, but I think having this spot in either Bronzeville or North Lawndale could really do wonders for them. read more

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I really had high hopes for Etc. I heard they did a great happy hour. I have to confess that I was completely underwhelmed. First of all, I got there at the beginning of happy hour and they did not have some of the happy hour items on the menu. Rather silly, since happy hour had just begun. Since I couldn't get the items I want on the happy hour, I ordered off the menu. My fish was well cooked but grossly overpriced. It was my own fault, I suppose. I got the special and it was listed as market price. $80! it ended up being the most expensive thing on the menu, but I didn't know how much it cost until I got the check. Again, I should've just asked. I just didn't anticipate that it would be more money than absolutely everything else on the menu. In addition to that, I had explained that I had an onion intolerance, and I was told that it had been dealt with, but I still felt sick after the meal. And I was pretty much ignored in the of the bartender paying attention to some more rowdy parties. I was alone so I guess I wasn't worthy of as much attention. Also, this bar immediately adds 20% gratuity. I'm a generous tipper and will give 20% and much more if service is great. However, I like that to be my choice. Just not sure I would ever go here again. It was disappointing. read more

We just left from our Valentines dinner. There was a prefix menu tonight that we were unaware of until we sat down. Let me start with the good. The service was impeccable! Our server, Precious was so sweet and very accommodating! No complaints about service whatsoever. The ambiance and vibe of the restaurant is top tier- perfect for date night for sure! Now the food... I was able to try the caviar deviled eggs thanks to our wonderful server putting in a special request for this pregnant mama.. they were very very good! I thoroughly enjoyed them! The crab cakes were also absolutely delicious and both my husband and I enjoyed them greatly! The sauce it comes with has a nice Smokey flavor that just set the crab cakes off. Loved them! The main courses were very underwhelming. It's not what we had in mind to order to begin with but the fact that mostly everything was under seasoned, undercooked, or over seasoned was very disappointing. The steak had no flavor and I do not believe they are actually dry aged for 45 days. This was a steak that you drown in A1... I will not order that again The scallop and shrimp risotto would've been great but the risotto was slightly undercooked and not seasoned enough... the scallops were delicious! With a nice char but slightly oversalted. The shrimp were huge and perfectly seasoned but needed to come out of the skillet a few seconds earlier. Neither of us finished our main courses- it just wasn't that good. Will we be back? Sooner or later yea because I really want to try the catfish dip and Green tomatoes and the service and vibe of the place was really great... but it's not a top priority of mine. Everyone sitting next to us had the same exact sentiments and we all felt bamboozled that we had no idea that there was a special menu tonight and regular items were unavailable. Hopefully the food is better next time we visit. read more

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Partner and I went here for a date night and got the catfish dip, mushroom tartare, caviar deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, and I got the suya chicken and he got the oxtail and grits. Everything was delicious!!! The catfish dip with the fried spiced crackers was the standout, but we agreed everything we ate was flavorful, well cooked, and fairly portioned. The reviews here are way more mixed than what we encountered, I would definitely recommend this place and we are for sure going to return. The only picture I took was of the fried cherry pie we got for dessert, which was also great! read more

Etc - Fried cherry pie - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent venue perfect score will be back again biscuits and gravy. One of a kind we enjoyed everything this place should be here for a long time. Continue with good success and flavorful food. read more

Etc - Mother's Day brunch. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My family and I visited etc. and it was an exceptional experience. The food was absolutely delicious. The oxtails were tender & seasoned perfectly. The black eye pea hummus & Mississippi cat fish dip was mouthwatering. The steak and salmon were amazing. Everything was delicious the appetizers, our meal , desserts & drinks. Service was excellent, the ambience was intimate and inviting . P.S. don't forget the biscuits 10/10 read more

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First off, major props to Micaiah, who was a fantastic server--warm, attentive, and really made the evening better despite what seemed like a slightly understaffed night. The food had its ups and downs. The chicken skins with beef tartare and the crackers served with the catfish dip were both extremely salty, which overwhelmed the more subtle flavors of the tartare and the dip. Those dishes in particular could benefit from a refresh--maybe a bit of citrus, fresh herbs, or other brightness to balance things out. The Brussels sprouts salad had potential but also needed a touch more: citrus, herbs, and a bit of pepper could've taken it up a notch. On the positive side, the lamb dish was excellent--really unique and flavorful--and all of the cocktails we tried were well-executed and enjoyable. I want to be really intentional in saying this: I wish more diners gave new restaurants a little grace. Too often, people walk in expecting the polish of a spot that's been open for years--or the magic of a chain bringing in a pre-assembled all-star team. But ETC is doing the real work of building something from scratch. It's early days, and it's unfair to judge them like they've already hit their stride. I'd love to see platforms like OpenTable weigh reviews differently in a restaurant's first few weeks. First impressions matter, but so does context--and this place deserves a chance to grow into its full potential. All that said, I'll absolutely be back. I'm excited to see where the restaurant goes as it matures, and I'm looking forward to what's ahead. read more

I visited ETC. for dinner with friends. The décor is lovely, and we were seated promptly with great service from our wait staff. Still, most of us felt disappointed with our dishes. Given the price point, we were hoping for a better dining experience. read more

The service was soooo bad. The food as not good. The best thing about this place is the ambience and the live music. They should consider hiring a consultant because as a foodie I go out to eat all the time and never had service this bad in my life. read more

Tried this new spot for NYE dinner (did the prix fix with the wine pairing) as I've just done some traveling in the South and had a craving for the kind of nourishing food I had there. Will definitely be back to order off the regular menu. Forgot to snap the first course of crab-stuffed deviled eggs but it was divine. I never though of the texture of the crab. Second course was a catfish bisque. A little on the thick side for a bisque but the favors were really strong. Main course: I ordered the cajun stuffed lobster with dirty rice and spinach and my partner had the Southern Spiced duck breast. The lobster was good but the duck breast was really special -- I'd do that over the lobster next time. Desserts were 10/10 -- I had the Budino (chocolate custard) and my partner had the Key Lime PIe. I'd do the Key Lime Pie next time as the torched Meringue and graham crust were great, texture and color wise. They're still tightening up their operations as I think they just opened a couple of weeks ago, but based on how friendly and invested their staff was, and the obvious care and quality put into the food and plating, I think this place has a real strong future. I know Loop restaurants are very hit or miss and this one is in an odd location so I hope they do well. read more

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We had high hopes for this place after all the positive publicity. Unfortunately, we left extremely disappointed. The core issue? Value. At this price point, execution should be flawless. It wasn't. We were a party of four. We split a few appetizers and a dessert, and each had our own entrée. Right from the start, things went downhill: the special bourbon my friend wanted for his old fashioned was unavailable. So was the cacio e pepe--which, for any vegetarians in your group, means you're basically out of luck. The only remaining options were a Brussels sprouts salad and a couple of side dishes. Among the appetizers, the deviled eggs were the standout. Absolutely delicious!!! But the biscuits with pimento cheese were just okay; the biscuits tasted like they'd been sitting around for a while. We were promised four fried green tomatoes, but only got three, so I can't really weigh in on those either. For mains, my chicken dish with jollof rice was decent but unremarkable. The others in my party who ordered lamb and salmon enjoyed their dishes a bit more. But none of us were wowed. Cocktail-wise, the mezcal drink was solid, but the espresso martini with mezcal was a miss. Dessert was a letdown! Skip the chocolate cake. There's an automatic 20% gratuity included, which our server definitely earned. He was attentive, professional, and apologetic. But we voiced our disappointment because, frankly, $500 for a dinner that felt so uninspired is just not acceptable. The food did not live up to the price. There's a serious disconnect between the experience they're offering and what they're charging. This place is tucked away with little evening foot traffic, which means the food needs to be unforgettable. Sadly, it was forgettable at best. We won't be back. I honestly felt like we were robbed! read more

Service was great the waitress was the sweetest however the menu was very limited and even with such a small menu they didn't have the items that we wanted. We automatically assumed that the food would me delicious with so few items NOPE the food was not good at all. I have never seen such a thing. My husband eats anything but refused to finish after the first bite he was so disappointed . Very intimate small space too small for the DJ booth. The taste Didn't match the price at all. Disappointed for sure. read more

Ahh! This used to be Terra e Mare, remember that! I had the Devil Eggs. The staff and service are wonderful. read more

Etc - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Been to this place multiple times, and everything is delicious. Love that there are so many vegetarian options that appeal to everyone. Personally my favorites were the mushroom tartare and the cajun pasta. read more

My boyfriend and I went early February 2025. The food for the most part is good. We LOVED the catfish dip appetizer. The half chicken I got was just a little overcooked/dry. My boyfriend didn't like how the oxtails and grits were plated especially because the amount of oxtail was very slim (sorry I don't have a picture of that). They did forget or take forever to get us our drinks because they came to the table with the food after a reminder was given to the server. The espresso martini was good though. The chef did give us complementary deviled eggs for the inconvenience. What I didn't like is that when we got our coats back from coat check, they were FREEZING cold; I would have kept my coat on the back of my chair if I would have known that. read more

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Etc is excellent - good, service, and ambiance was great! We ordered the black eyed pea hummus and butter crackers (amazing!) along with the fried green tomatoes (breading was a bit heavy, but good overall with the burrata cheese), and the deviled eggs (delicious bite; well balanced, and sophisticated!) For dinner, we had the Hoppin' John (This is a must try!) , with smoked turkey meat, and the cook on the rice was perfect The oxtails and grits (delicious , and beautiful presentation with the heirloom grits - they are purplish!) and the whole fish, which was a red snapper (Fish was amazing - succulent , fresh, and melted in your mouth) For dessert, we tried the banana pudding; it was different , but good! Overall, definitely will go back - there's more things to try on the menu, and looking forward to brunch when it starts! read more

A very cool, relatively new restaurant in the Loop that you'll want to try out. The theme is Southern cuisine, with a contemporary edge. The space is modern but warm, with original art work adorning the walls, and high ceilings with modern fixtures. Tables for two are nicely separated throughout the restaurant, so it feels intimate, even in the large space. We had reservations and were ushered straight to our table by the convivial host. Our server came quickly and introduced us to the menu and speciality drink menu. They were very friendly and enthusiastic (maybe a tad too enthusiastic), and were quite knowledgeable. etc has only been open for about two months, but they were clearly prepared and on their game. My partner had a margarita and I tried a speciality drink--a Cognac Manhattan. Tasty! I also liked the low rocks glass it was served in and the unique single ice cube (which had etc stamped on it). We then started with catfish dip with fried saltines--big portion, but it was mostly filler of potato and flour. It tasted fine, but I think a smaller portion and with a higher percentage of catfish would have been more satisfying. For the main course, I chose the Lamb T-Bone and my partner had the Hoppin' John. The lamb was wonderfully prepared, with delicious whipped potatoes and asparagus (which, alas, was a bit over-cooked). The Hoppin' John is a plate of smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, okra, on a bed of Carolina rice. I got a taste and it was very good--the smoke was excellent! We each had a glass of wine with dinner--there's a solid selection of wines by the bottle and glass. For dessert, we split a Key Lime pie, which was quite good. I'm very picky about Key Lime pie, and this one measured up. Light, good but not over-powering taste of lime, a thin and sweet crust. It was also a good portion, one slice more than satisfying for two. Overall, this is a good restaurant and (for Chicago) quite reasonable prices. FYI, 20% gratuity is INCLUDED in the bill. I appreciated that, but would like to have been told that when we got the introductions. We will definitely be back to try out more of the menu, sit at the sleek bar, and just vibe with the eclectic Chicago crowd! read more

This is such a creative play on classic southern food. From the deviled eggs to the apple pie; this menu has been well curated. The ambiance is high glamour while still managing to be accessible. The cocktails are also quite creative and feature layers of flavor! Etc is just what that area needs. read more

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I was highly disappointed. Took my husband here for his b day dinner. It was 4 degrees outside. The restaurant had just opened..it was cold inside. I had to eat in my fur coat. There was a table of 8 there also...all in their coats. As other parties arrived... a lot of people were ordering Tea to warm up. We ordered a old fashion and sub par strawberry lemon drop. It wasn't even filled to the top. I should have known what to expect then. We started off with a devil egg. The waitress asked how many? We were perplexed because we are used to it being at least 3. We were even more shocked to find that 1/2 of an egg was $5. We ordered 1 egg for $10 ( total rip off) I had the Ceasars salad..the salad leaves tasted like they had been a dehydration machine..not crisp and no moisture ( the dressing was good). Next up..spinach artichoke dip with pita chips..It was actually good. Next was the red snapper. It was the boniest snapper I had ever eaten. It was not good at all..tasted like it had been pulled straight out of Lake Michigan and plated....the potatoes were good that came with however, if I wanted just potatoes..I could have gone to McDonalds. We also ordered the oxtails and grits...ALL bones...no meat. So disappointed!! The collards were good .The corn bread was an expensive skillet of jiffy. The bill was astronomical for the food that lacked everything! I wanted so much to give this place a good review...the vibe was sexy and cold. The decor was pretty. They asked what the occasion was..I said b day and that's what they said...Happy Birthday. Not that we could have stomached any complimentary dessert. This restaurant is going to have to do better..if it going to stay around. Street parking was good because no one else was out on this frigid day ($21) I will never return. I wish them the best though. read more

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With a creative and adventurous chef, Etc. provides interesting plates with bold flavors. Our table tried a variety of options. We started with the deviled eggs and splurged with adding caviar that created a complimentary flavor profile along with the hint of truffle oil. We added fried green tomato and burrata plate which was delicious. We had the WTH which is a refreshing cocktail. The table also tried the shrimp ceviche which was topped with a crisp curry cream. For our entrees, we enjoyed the oxtail and grits which was phenomenal. Get it! We also had the chicken with jollof rice which was a great dish. The rice brought in spices with the right notes. All in all- you need to go. read more

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I stopped in for a drink before a train ride and I loved my time at Etc! The bartender and host were super nice and prompt. I only had a cocktail but the food ordered by my neighbors at the bar looked amazing. And of course my drink was excellent! Very cute, charming place that I will be sure to visit when I'm in the area. read more

We went for brunch . The chicken and waffles were terrible. The chicken looked refried or warmed up and the waffle was cold. The food overall did not seem fresh and the staff was not very warm or friendly. read more

Service started off good but as time went on they were rushing us. And as soon as we signed the check they told us they needed the table even though it was not busy. There was a hair in our fried green tomatoes and they tried to give us ice cream instead of comping the tomatoes. The manager never once came over and we could see the waiter talking to the manager who was clearly upset when we asked for it to be taken off. The ambiance was nice and the drinks were good. But the food overall was just okay. The oxtails were mush and the brussel sprouts for my friend's chicken dish were old. Very poor. read more

Three stars for the ambiance and drinks 10/10. Food 4/10. Maybe we ordered the wrong things but per our server the most popular were oxtails and turkey dish. The turkey dish was inedible mushy, lacked seasoning no meat in it so I sent that back and the oxtails were flavorful but the grits were not good. I don't mind spending on a good dinner but the ratio of food/quality to the price was 20 dollars off per meal. The deviled eggs just had truffle oil on them for five dollars a piece also super tiny and the catfish dip also lacked seasoning to me. Mac and cheese was my dinner for the night which I also wasn't wowed by. I thought the servers were nice but thought I would see more diversity in the staff for a black owned restaurant. The head chef was there and sent a lot of items to people he knew to the table right next to us but never stopped by our table to say hi or check in on us after sending meal back. There would be no reason for me to return here also, there is an automatic 20 percent gratuity to all checks fyi. read more

Etc - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food here was really good. If you are a fan of Virtue then you will enjoy this place. For 2 people there was an hour and forty-five minute time limit so I would be aware of that. I tried several things on the menu and have no negative comments. The staff was also very friendly and knowledgeable about the food menu. The vibe is quiet and chill. The lighting is low with most of the light coming from the lamps on the tables. read more

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I came here for a networking event and was looking forward to trying this restaurant as it had been on my list plus it was Black-owned. To my surprise, I had a horrible experience. Upon arriving, there was no one to greet me so I proceeded to find some of my friends who were seated at the bar. The bar was lined with stools for only half of the bar and they were spaced out making it impossible for me to sit. As a woman with heels on I wanted to sit down so I grabbed an empty chair all the way at the end of bar and moved it to the opposite end of the bar where my friends were seated. My friends and I ordered drinks and continued enjoying the event, until I was approached by the Assistant General Manager, Zach. He leaned over to me from behind the bar and asked if I moved a chair. I said "yes, because it was empty and my friends were sitting at the other end". He then said to me "I'm going to need to come take that chair from you and move it back to where it originally was placed". In my mind, I was thinking he was joking especially with this being a professional networking event. However, moments later, he aggressively told me to get up and snatched the chair from underneath me. I was in complete shock that as a customer at a professional networking event and a woman who came to patronize the restaurant would be treated in this manner. After this incident, I would NEVER come here again and will recommend no one to host an event at this establishment. This type of behavior is completely unacceptable and disgusting. read more

Incredible food - in particular the biscuits, duck ravioli and deviled eggs - drinks and service.

A friend and I were looking for a new place to eat in the city and landed on this one because the online menu looked appealing and contained items we hadn't had anywhere else. When we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the hostess with a "We've been expecting you!" The interior of the restaurant is dark but there is a giant mural in the center that is so eye catching, that anything other sort of decorating would ruin the vibe. The wait staff was efficient, very friendly and attentive. The drinks - excellent! And the food......oh my goodness the food. There really aren't words to convey how good it was. We had the Mississippi Catfish appetizer - delicious. I had the CAB Filet and my friend had the Lamb T-Bone. I generally have leftovers, but I ate everything on my plate and wished I had been at home so I could lick the plate. The presentation of the food was just as amazing as the taste. My friend's meal was equally as delicious and went so far as to even clean the bones of his lamb. This meal was significantly better than many other meals we've had in the city at two or three times the price....and with MUCH better service. We can't wait to go back! read more

The food here is delicious. The service is great. The vibe is beautiful. This is a restaurant where you go to have a sit down conversation because the food takes a while to come out and that is by design. read more

This restaurant served uncooked salmon. They ran out of so many things on the menu. The oxtails are minced oxtail meat and there was one waitress serving the entire restaurant. Not very nice and food was horrible. read more

We had a great time. The food was amazing. Service was great and we will be back! Thank you Chef Lamar for sharing g your culinary talents! read more

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Me and my girls walked in with no reservation. The place was packed but the owner asked us to be patient and eventually found a table for us. The food and service were amazing - definitely worth the wait! read more

Really good food. The oxtail and deviled eggs are a must. Definitely would recommend!

Delicious! We loved the oxtail and grits- great texture and richness. The cacio and pepe was also amazing- a lot of flavor. Listen, Man was a great mezcal cocktail with good smoky flavor. read more

We really enjoyed our time at Etc. The drinks were definitely the star of the show for us but the food was just as good! We ordered the corn-a-copia (twice lol) and also a gin mule based cocktail (we let the bartender get creative and have fun with it). The beef tartare was tasty but the biscuits were amazing. They were absolutely perfect! And the jam and pimento cheese were the perfect touch. For entrees we got the oxtail and purple grits (tbh we thought they could have included more oxtail). The grits were yummy and definitely more than enough. We also got the lamb t-bone which was good. We were celebrating so we didn't stop there. For dessert we ordered the upside down apple dish and that was good too. The caramelized sugar on top was cool. Overall a great experience. The staff were great. The food was yummy. The vibes were good. We will be back. Can't wait to see this place when it warms up! read more

Went there after a movie around 4:30p, Was seated quickly. Waiter I think name Aaron was sooo great. The impossible burger was impossibly delicious, along with the fries. Also had a glass of Cabernet that was great. The restaurant very clean & inviting. Loved my visit, Back again soon. read more

One of the best new restaurants in Chicago. Great ambiance, chill music and the food is amazing. Zack at the bar makes some great drinks. Best mixologist I've ever seen. read more

all I can say is that I'll be coming back here and would recommend this place without a doubt. everything we ordered tasted absolutely stellar. from the UNFORGETTABLE fried green tomatoes to my incredible spiced chicken. read more