I forgot how much I loved a good Hugo's meal. Hugo's was always one of my favorites downtown so when my husband suggested we eat at the Des Plaines Hugos before seeing Billy Ocean at the Rivers Casino I was game. When I first walked in I thought it was a very small restaurant, but it's actually way bigger than it looks and they walked us thru a few different rooms before getting to our table in the back private room. We had the room to ourselves for the first 30 min of our meal, which was lovely. The service was beyond incredible. Fernando was our server who went above and beyond the entire meal. And Jason (i believe the manager) stopped by to chat and shared fun tidbits about the concert...as well as gave us detailed directions of how to find the venue within the casino. The food did not disappoint either. We started off with some oysters and the chilled vinegar sauce served with it was amazing. I got shrimp cocktail as my main meal, which may have been the best shrimp cocktail I've had in awhile. I often eat shrimp cocktail from Costco at home as a good protein snack, but it's going to be tough to eat their shrimp after a taste of Hugo's. My husband was very happy with his steak, but was nice enough to share some bites with me and I can see why he was thrilled. Seasoned and cooked to perfection. They said dessert was on the house in honor of my husband's bday. He's a huge carrot cake fan and they brought out a slice of carrot cake that could feed 15 people. We had a bit and they even stored the leftovers for us until after the concert so we could take it home to our cake loving children. Both my husband and I agreed this was one of the better meals we've had in a long time and wondered why we've stayed away from Hugo's for so long! read more

See all

Every single thing was delicious!! Food was amazing! Above and beyond service. I was very surprised the quality actually since it was in a casino. That did not matter at all! Fine dining at its best!! read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Blueberry cheesecake... it was sooo good! - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

What an amazing experience!!! We were treated like royalty from the moment we stepped in until we walked out. Food was phenomenal especially the calamari which was sweet with heat. So good. Hubby had the porter house steak and I had the sea bass. So fluffy and delicious. We also had the asparagus which was crunchy and perfectly cooked. Dessert was blueberry cheesecake. The crust was to die for. Our server was so attentive and kind and was so thrilled with our generous tip but he totally deserved it and more. This place is great for special occasions. Check them out. There were parties of 5 plus and lots of couples. They have something for everyone with their Gibson's steaks. Check them out. read more

I was at the casino and decided to stop in to Hugo's. I grabbed a key lime pie from the bar to go and ate it when I got home the packaging was impressive and the pie itself was absolutely incredible. Still one of the best places to get desserts in Chicago. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - KEY LIME PIE - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

Decided to hold a small client lunch at Hugo's and it did not disappoint. The service was prompt and professional. Ambiance was quiet (and they accommodated a quiet table given one was requested). Food was really good. First time trying frog legs and they were like the most tender chicken wings I've ever had. Definitely recommend giving Hugo's a try if you are in the area. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - HUGO'S SAUTEED FROG LEGS (GF) - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

We have dinner at Hugo's quite often, ordering Burgers or the White Fish, which are excellent. This visit, I decided to try the Sesame Crusted Tuna salad with Wasabi Vinegarette. This salad got me upset, because I could have been enjoying this dish before this visit. All the ingredients is fresh, the Tuna seared perfectly and the Wasabi Vinegarette was the perfect amount of heat. There is also Ginger in the offering, so it is a very tasty creation. The dish is humongous and could be shared, but I really enjoyed it so much, I finished it myself. I've never been excited about a salad before, but this is now my go to meal at Hugo's! read more

Came here with my leadership after a series of meetings -- some of the best martini's ive ever had. Frank, our server, knew the menu inside out and had a great pace about him - never felt rushed. Got the Red snapper and fish stew -- absolutely delightful. Clean, fresh, refined taste. Would recommend without hesitation. Side note, biggest desserts ive ever seen. Literally makes you laugh. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

Had New Years Eve dinner here! We were a party of 6 and sat at a nice round table . Great energy! Service was attentive. Loved our meals. Reservations were easily made on open table! Can't wait to return! read more

Food was good..steak and brocolini. Service was fair, server more interested in talking with regulars than serving. This location is in a casino. It was walkable from hotel. Typical steakhouse interior, dark woods etc. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Porterhouse and brocolini - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

An old friend took me to Hugo's Frog Bar as I was heading back home, and we shared an outstanding dining experience from end to end! We each ordered steaks with sides, and shared everything family style. Our waiter took amazingly good care of us - he was knowledgeable, friendly, and very personable. The house-manager checked-in on us md-way through the meal, which enhanced to overall experience. Our steaks were perfectly seasoned and cooked to our exact specification (medium-rare). The side were excellent and the portion sizes were more than generous. I'm going to make a point of returning the next time I'm in the area! read more

See all

Great food menu, pricing and food quality is top notch! Service and atmosphere are also amazing.

On Memorial Day while traveling through Chicago, we felt like a fine dinner! When you are in Chicago, one of the top food items that come to my mind is steak! Chicago is known for steakhouses! And we have frequent many of the top steakhouses in Chicago over the years! Unfortunately on Memorial Day, many of them were closed! We were happy to find that Hugo Frog was open! Although the location did not ring a bell to me..::I have been to the one in Naperville many times but one by the airport?! Where was this? And when I made a reservation I was told to bring my license?! Well, this one is located within the casino near O'Hara airport thus you need your license ! Once you enter the security guards can direct you to the restaurant near the escalator. Once in the restaurant, you feel far removed from the casino. Except for the customers who might of rolled out of the casino thus dressed causally as there does not seem to be a dress code. Besides that, the ambience is typical of a steak restaurant. As you enter there is a big long bar and high tables. Past the host desk, you enter the sit down restaurant which is removed from the noise of the casino. The service was excellent! Timing was perfect! What you expect from a high end restaurant. And it was a pleasure to meet the manager Jason Gavin! Thanks for discussing the history of Hugo and Gibson! The food was perfect too! Our steak was cooked perfectly! The Caesar salad had the right amount of dressing and flavor! Bookbinder soup is always a treat too: especially being in the Midwest! Our Martinis were spot on too! As you can tell we enjoy our fine steak experiences, we will back for another pleasant dinner! read more

See all

Disappointing experience. Food was just ok. I had the scallops which came with a cannellini bean salad, an interesting choice. It was just beans from a can with chopped celery and carrots that were so under cooked they were crunchy like raw vegetables. The scallops were over cooked and chewy, so the dish asa whole left me disappointed. The server was very friendly, but she forgot my drink and my meal was half done by the time I reminder her. It wasn't terrible, but I definitely won't be back. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar & Chop House inside Rivers Casino is a great choice whether you're stopping in for lunch or settling in for a nice dinner. The steaks are consistently excellent, juicy, flavorful, and cooked exactly how you want them. The seafood is just as strong, making it easy to mix and match depending on your mood. The whole atmosphere feels like a throwback to the classic old Chicago steakhouses, which gives the meal a sense of tradition and occasion. Portions here are generous, especially the sides and desserts, so plan on sharing. Service has always been professional and attentive without being overbearing, which really makes the dining experience enjoyable. If I had one suggestion, it would be to expand the wine list. While the current selection is good, I'd love to see more Italian and Spanish wines back on the menu. A few Barolo and Brunello options, plus some well-chosen Tempranillos, would be incredible pairings with the steaks. Even so, this remains one of my favorite spots when I want a great meal in Des Plaines. read more

Everything was excellent here!! We arrived early for our reservation, sat at the bar for 30-40 mins, the bartender was awesome!! They give you true pour for your money!! Then we got sat and Rosie was our server and she was even more awesome!! She's fun and very upbeat, and also very attentive without being overbearing. The food came out, I had the 10oz filet and their amazing sweet potato with brown sugar bourbon butter!! Absolutely amazing!! The atmosphere here is great as well, everyone at our table had a great time and it looked like everyone around us were enjoying themselves as well. read more

Always spectacular service and great food. The calamari appetizer is the best I have ever had!

Best Dover sole ever !!! Amazing restaurant. Juicy rib eye and the best mashed potatoes !! read more

See all

We went to Hugo's to pick up some gift cards for holiday gifts. We decided to eat while we were there. We always have good experiences at Hugo's in Rivers Casino. This was no exception. We have had Jeff as our server twice. He is the best. He makes great recommendations and is very friendly, but not pushy. We had the crab cake dinner (subbed Brussels sprouts instead of fries) and the filet sliders (with fries). Jeff knew instantly that the fry load was going to be too much. He said he would suggest subbing a veggie for one of them, as one side of fries would serve both. I hadn't eaten all day and was feeling particularly piggish, so I said no thanks. I then decided he was likely right and switched one of them to Brussels sprouts. He was spot on. Everything was delicious (as usual). We paid our bill and went to get our gift cards. We were rung up by the manager (I didn't get his name). He was SO nice. We talked about all the different Gibson's restaurant and he gave us a recommendation for one that we hadn't visited yet. I look forward to checking it out. I love casino's and this was the best part of our visit, which is saying a lot. We don't live that far away, but rarely make it out there anymore. I am super glad that it was such a great visit. Thank you Hugo's!!! read more

Located inside the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, IL (very close to O'Hare), this location of Hugo's Frog Bar combines the food expected from a high-end steakhouse (especially when associated with Gibson's steakhouse) with the ambiance of a busy casino. Two things to note in procedure because of their location inside a casino: everyone dining must be 21 and over and there is no formal dress code. This makes sense to keep the clientele of adult age. Our group was dressed in neat casual and we fit right in. Our aunts are both regulars at their casino, so invited my family for a steak dinner on a Thursday night, using their accumulated points to get comped. We parked at the big surface lot south of the building, whereas the pro move would have been to park in the indoor multi-floor garage connected. We had reservations for the 5 of us for 6:30, and were seated at a round table in the middle of the dining room, so a lot of foot traffic all around us. Once seated, ice water was given, a complementary bread basket with rich butter came, and then menus individually distributed. The menu had a ton of stuff I wanted to try, and for me the least appealing were the steaks. They are Gibson's prime grade steaks, so were really good quality meat. My wife and daughter both ordered the 13 oz NY strip ($67 each) medium, and it was well prepared and served plain. It didn't really distinguish itself from the many really good steaks we've had. One aunt got the Heritage Berkshire Pork Chop with Roasted Peppers ($35.75), which was a hit around the table. She asked for it well-done, but the grill-master kept it juicy while removing any pink. The other aunt got the 18 oz Van Wells Family Lamb Chops ($82) medium, and for me was the best meat at the table...had a lot of fun knawing around the ribs. Two shareable sides were chosen; hash browns ($11), grilled asparagus ($14.50)...both were good. The hash brown dish was different from what I've had at other steakhouses: the diced potatoes had been fried so every side was crispy; it didn't have any part that was creamy or pillowy. As for me, I knew that I would get samples of everyone's dish, so went with a variety of side dishes. - oysters on the half shell ($4.50 each): two varieties, got 3 of each, shared. Served with a cocktail/horseradish, and a mignonette made of flavored crushed ice with vinegar. Really good...could have easily crushed a dozen or more of these. - Hugo's sauteed frog legs ($16.25). dozen frog legs, really well prepared. Tastes like tiny chicken wings without the skin. - jumbo lump crab cake ($26) - comes with spicy mayo. It was OK. - bookbinder's (small bowl for $5.5) - a seafood soup with tomato broth and turtle meat. I enjoyed with others dipping the complementary bread into it. - Loaded wedge ($15) - got to a get a wedge salad at a steakhouse. This version was excellent, with a large amount of blue cheese. The iceberg lettuce chunk's leaves had been carefully separated, while still maintaining it's shape and coolness. A really good version. For drinks, we all had ice water. My wife also got a cocktail: Pear Blossom ($17), and one of the aunts got a cup of coffee ($4.50) after the meal (she was disappointed since it wasn't hot and was a bit bitter). We all shared the massive Turtle Pie ($25.25), a giant slice of a vanilla ice cream pie, covered in everything that makes an ice cream pie very good: nuts (macadamia), caramel, chocolate sauce, fudge sauce. It reminded me a lot of the Hula PIe served by Hawaiian restaurants. And it's not called a turtle pie because of the pecans used as nuts (which resemble turtles), but rather the entire pie looking like a turtle shell. It came to the table as one giant slice, and our waiter Jeffery, carved it into individual slices for us. We all ate our fill, and half of the pie still remained...it is the biggest dessert I've ever seen. So by count, i tried seven types of meats tonight (turtle, frog, crab, oysters, beef, pork, lamb). Definitely a record for me, even when i went for a buffet. Service was professional, with a tag team of our waiter and assistant waiter making sure dirty dishes were cleared as soon as we finished, water glasses were kept refilled, and fresh ground white pepper for dishes that require it. Jeffery offered to do the little things, like take a group picture for us, carve up a dessert, and box up our leftovers. Our aunt paid for the meal, with almost all of it being comped (tip being extra). read more

See all

We came for the frog legs, which are great, so I can't rate how well they do a steak. I wish this location had the frog legs as a dinner option instead of just as an appetizer. Also got the loaded wedge salad chopped, although It was sparse on bacon (hardly any) and dressing (way underdressed, had to ask for more). I could so without paying $15 for that next time. The mussels were decent and the baked potato was shareable. The bread service was average, some warm bread would be great. Service was very attentive. Good dinner option if you are in the casino. read more

See all

The menu has something for everyone and it is all delicious! Service is consistently professional, and pleasant. We had a big party (table for 12) in the back room and the wait staff was on top of everything. The Pear Blossom Martini is delicious, and remember to save room for dessert! Turtle Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and the Crème brulee are a must. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Medallions - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

We went to Hugo's last night at Rivers Casino. We made reservations and were seated quickly. There was a bit of confusion with the servers but they did seem to get it sorted out. Drinks were solid pours and the steaks were good. The bone in rib eye was Ok thanks. But meat was a bit tough. Crawfish Mac and cheese was creamy and rich. The restaurant could afford to remove a couple of tables as it was very crowded and the servers kept bumping in between the chairs as there is no real aisle. For a Tuesday night the restaurant was full and loud. Lots of energy though. Finishing up, we ordered 2 desserts and it would have been recommended for the server to tell us how big the portions are as 1 would have been plenty for the whole table. read more

I was annoyed to find out that Gibson's near O'Hare had a kitchen that closed at 10pm on a Friday even though the hours listed the restaurant open until midnight. Not knowing that they were sister restaurants, I called Hugo's to see about their kitchen availability and they quoted 11:30pm. I got there at 10:30pm. To my surprise, it was a restaurant in a casino (Rivers?). The menu was remarkably similar to Gibson's down to the menu item names. Ordered the Lake Superior whitefish since their vegetarian options were limited to sides, and the dish looked and tasted exactly the same as Gibson. Same cost too. Flaky white fish, could be tilapia I don't know, but I doubt it was a species from Lake Superior. read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Beef carpaccio - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

So disappointed! We've been coming to Hugo's for years and have always loved our experience. No longer will we be coming for our frog legs and prime beef sandwich. The show started with cold, hard bread. Hugo's has always served their bread warm - what gives? Then came the frog legs. Well....what used to be the star of the show came practically raw and covered in slime (oh...and now there's only 5). Finally the prime beef sandwich, which was so tough (and dry), I almost choked on more than one occasion. Service was okay, but still not in the same ballpark as it has been on previous visits. Lastly, the prices have gone up by at least 50%....for significantly lower quality food and service! read more

SO many wonderful things about Hugo's which we were able to experience with family yet again recently. From the awesome folks at the desk who greet you as if into their home, to Jason the doting manager, to the outstanding service from James and Cele, we couldn't be happier or feel more pampered. The food is delicious as well and we can't wait to visit again. If you haven't been to Hugo's, stop in~ you'll wonder why you waited so long to enjoy the finest steak house around. read more

The service is impeccable. The good is magnanimous!!! We were celebrating my husband's birthday and we were not dissatisfied. The trail carrot cake dessert was exquisite. I recommend to celebrate here! read more

Hugo's is a chain but it certainly doesn't feel like it. This is located inside the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. When you walk in just grab a table. The staff are always super attentive and will get you menus and water quickly. I've had a number of things over many trips so I'll detail a few of my favorites. The salads. The Steak Peppercorn, the Blue Cheese Wedge, and the Caesar are all good. I skip the appetizer here now and we share a salad. The bread they bring is a variety and also very good. Don't eat too much though, the food portions are huge. Appetizers I've tried - the Calamari, the Frog Legs, and the Crab Cakes. All good. Soups I recommend the Bookbinder. A+ Sandwiches for sure 100% without a doubt the Cheeseburger. It's probably the best I've had in the whole area. A++ Steaks have not had one yet, but they are pricey, so I'm waiting until I have a killer Casino night to try one. My guess is they will be top notch, because one thing they definitely do right here is the temps. If you order it medium, it comes out medium. Fish I had the Whitefish and although it was good I think the way to go here is beef. Service is always good. Get a Pear Martini it's absolutely fantastic, one of the best cocktails I've ever had! Really enjoy this place, kudos to the whole staff. Well done Hugo's! read more

See all

My friend and I came here because we were unable to get a reservation at another well-known restaurant in the area and the reviews here looked good. Our waiter, Sal, was very good, very attentive and knowledgeable and helpful. Because we're not very big eaters, my friend and I split a 14 ounce filet mignon, cooked on the rare side of medium rare with a light peppercorn coating. The steak was tender and delicious, and we had baked potato a half order of broccolini (at Sal's suggestion because it's so large) and brussels sprouts with bacon, as our sides. A manager came by to check on us which is always a nice touch, and all in all it was a very nice evening with delicious food and a great atmosphere. read more

See all

Literally my go to place for great food. It may be a bit expensive, but the quality definitely reflects the price. We go for majority of my family celebrations and are never disappointed. Julian is an amazing server and always makes you feel high priority. As do many of the other waitstaff. It sometimes gets a bit noisy depending on the time you go, but it is never unbearable and still easy to communicate with your party. I will always recommend for a consistently delicious, perfectly cooked, and filling meal. read more

See all

-Service was incredibly fast, welcoming, easy to talk to -Food was good, cooked to how we requested for the beef -calamari sweet, spicy, but a bit soggy and soft so it lacked the usual crunch from the fry -beef paired well with the buttery buns -fries needed more seasoning, but texture was on point -salad wasabi vinaigrette ascended the vegetables Overall nice to splurge after winning in the casino, but too big for my usual budget. read more

See all

We came here for a special occasion lunch. Three of us had the following and we shared it all family style. It was a delectable lunch with some leftovers, and particularly so on the massive carrot cake dessert lol: - crab avocado appetizer, $35 - loaded wedge salad, $14.25 - shrimp dejonghe, $28.25 - whitefish, $26.75 - 26 oz porterhouse, $81.00 - sauteed spinach, $13.25 - carrot cake, $21.25 I also had an Old Fashioned ($17) and it was both delicious and potent. The prices are on the high side here, but that might be expected with their casino location. The whitefish and carrot cake are quite good values though for the price. We got the porterhouse medium, and it was pink on the inside, but charred on the outside. They use an 1800F grill so the charring is typical here apparently, and you can see it also from my and others' steak photos. I enjoyed the steak though as well as every dish for that matter. The crab avocado was the most over-priced dish, but also a most refreshing appetizer. The complimentary bread was fresh but cold and not warm. Rosie was our friendly and knowledgeable server and a 12 year veteran here, the same age as the casino. She was the first server ever to give me a proactive photo tip and had me position my Old Fashioned by the Hugo's Frog Bar name on the menu, and encouraged me to take the drink photo that way. She's also a photographer and also took a couple photos for us and I really appreciated her! The restaurant has a deceptively large capacity and a cozy bar, but we were amongst the first diners at about 11:30am on a Friday. I enjoyed the popular hits music and also the calm noise level here unlike the crazy loud Hugo's Frog Bar in Naperville, though Rosie did confirm it can get loud here as well when crowded. I also learned or maybe re-learned that Hugo's is operated by the Gibson Restaurant Group for what that's worth. Overall, a nice choice for a special occasion and with easy parking, but just on the pricey side. read more

See all

Had a great time there , food was good our sever was fantastic , I would go there again just because of him , the food was on point as to be expected and the portions good. Wish they had separate entrance only thing rather than having to go through the casino and have them ask for ID read more

This is located inside the Rivers casino. Knowing this is the same restaurant chain as Gibson's hoping it would be great. We started with the crab cake app. Delicious and best I've ever had. Thick full of crab meat snd a tangy spicy sauce. We then had the wedge salad. Too much blue cheese but great and fresh. Next I ordered the Chilean sea bass and my husband the 14 oz filet, double stuffed potato and Brussels sprouts. Way too much food. We ordered way too much food. All was very tasty. Beware there was a hefty food and beverage tax. The waiter also charged us to refills on our iced tea that we didn't ask for. Not cool. I felt very by nickeled and dimed after spending $200.Also better bring a parka, it was so cold hard to enjoy the meal. read more

See all

It's got an interesting location, but the food is definitely worth it. On the pricier side, but you cant miss going here for a special event. Very classy and because the casino only allows guests 21 and over you experience a more quiet environment. Dim lightning creates a beautiful ambiance. Some must try's: -Sweet Chili Fried Calamari - THE BEST Calamari Ive ever had! A nice kick of spice (not too much) and some sweetness with a perfect fry. -Turtle Pie - It's insanely huge but everything about it is amazing! - New York Strip Steak - can always expect this cut to be delicious - Sides - Mashed Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, and Mushrooms read more

Excellent food along with great service makes this a must go place while in Rosemont.

Perfect for a date night. Exquisite food. Superb service and wonderful ambience. Make sure to order the frog legs! read more

Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House - Steakhouses Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

See all

It was freezing cold, noisy, rushed, overpriced and the food is mediocre at best. I won't be returning

Fun place with good vibe, almost like being in Chicago, almost. I prefer the Chicago location but this was fun because it was smack dab in the casino. Steaks were as expected: delicious! Service was good too. For a Friday night the place was pretty packed. Had a great dinner and gambled a little and won back a little of my dinner in penny slots! 2 bucks in, $100 back! Whoohoo! read more

See all

A friend and I had a busy driving day on some business, and I felt like having a nice steak dinner. My friend recommended Hugo's because it was close by to where we met up in the morning. I really wasn't thinking of reviewing here, and by the time it dawned on me, we had already dug into our meals, so I neglected to take photos. I still decided to review this restaurant anyway, for two reasons. One is: I'm not a big gambler, and this place is not near my home, so who knows when or if I'll be here again. Secondly, this was an excellent dining experience and I really want to acknowledge this place, despite no photos. Both of us had the small filet and split the proverbial large sides of mashed potatoes , and mushrooms. My filet was perfectly cooked to the medium rare that I requested. The mashed potatoes and mushrooms were both excellent. The delicious sauce/gravy was served in a side bowl, so we could add to the potatoes. And then there's the mushrooms. Now I've had mushroom sides at plenty of nice steakhouses, and I'm usually underwhelmed, For some reason, these were fantastic. They didn't have that vinegary taste that other places have. Whatever method they choose to prepare these is pure gold. Two last points to add. I know it's not good to fill up on bread, but their bread here was so fresh and amazing, especially the raisin bread, that we destroyed it, and they brought out more. Last but not least, the service was amazing. Although I seldom mention names, I feel the need to acknowledge Jeff, our server. He was knowledgeable and so professional. He's obviously been at this for many years. It's nice to feel taken good care of, especially when you are spending a good deal of money for a nice meal like this. Between him and his staff, our water glasses were refilled constantly, and we wanted for nothing. This is a very nice, cozy restaurant! read more

I had high expectations. The frog legs seemed a tad underdone. The crabmeat salad seems overpriced. The charred broccolini would have been perfect except for the dry chili flakes sprinkled on top. Frankly, it would be perfect without it. Oysters were good. My friends ateak salad looked amazing. Crème brûlée was humongous and hit the mark. read more

See all