I had the fish and chips today for lunch. Not bad for cod. Breading was really good. I don't usually order fish and chips when fish is cod but it was good. The fries were way to small. The special butter nut squash and red pepper soup was extremely good. read more

It was okay. The pictures were oversold and the drinks were "ehhh..." I don't think they had very experienced bartenders and they weren't very attentive even with the very minimal lunch crowd around read more

The breakfast sandwich? Awesome. The LT Three Way? So yummy. Mimosas? Yeah, pretty great. This place would totally get 5 stars... But they failed to achieve that lofty goal because they didn't have Bloody Mary mix on a Wednesday morning. Scotty searched high and low, was apologetic, and then cracked jokes. He's hilarious, by the way, and deserves a raise. Whoever failed to get the bar Bloody Mary mix, though... For a bar that's open in the morning... They should get their head examined, and a cut in pay until they figure it out. Update: Scotty, badass that he is, found some crushed tomatoes in the back, and poured off the juice. He then HANDMADE his own mix in front of us. Based on that, I have updated the review to five stars, but, I'm telling you, that guy deserves a 10. He rocks. read more

Art Mendoza (the owner) was rude to us. We work in the building, and there was no hostess to greet us so we decided to just go in and see where to sit ourselves. We usually sit at the bar. He comes around to us and tells us rudely we should have gone to the host. BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE AT THE TIME. How welcoming. And then instantaneously HE became the "host" behind the host desk and directed us to follow one of the staffers. What gives ! We have been coming to give you business and you are a total jerk. Besides the owner's service, everyone else who I have interacted here are fine human beings who treat people with respect. This was his last venture in Chicago----and hmm wonder why it closed down? This place is probably next. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20160608/BLOGS09/160609829/oak-chars-future-uncertain-amid-partner-dispute Here is a crazy snippet from their former restaurant: "Fearing the restaurant's insolvency, the Mendozas moved to close Oak & Char May 31, informing employees not to come in, disabling security cameras, Wi-Fi, point-of-sale systems and an external reservation system. Further, they locked BlitzLake partners out of the office, according to the counterclaim. On June 6, BlitzLake won a temporary restraining order against the Mendozas, forcing them to turn over keys, safe combinations, passwords and other data to keep the restaurant in operation." *****Follow Up: As we were leaving, there was a second interaction with Art Mendoza who was still oblivious to his previously poor behavior and instead of apologizing, he apologizes with an additional "but" and starts rambling afterwards so we just walk away and leave + I repeatedly say you should apologize with no buts ! This guy looks like he's in his 50s/60s but acts like an 8 year old. Apparently on LinkedIn, he has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant business----but after these 2 face to face interactions with him, there is 100% no reflection of that. This guy would not let up without having the last word after being a total jerk and a half assed apology. Terrible customer service and experience from the OWNER of this place. (What's strange is that everyone else who works there is not like this---and it's not our first time coming here & the company I work for uses their catering services !) After attending a number of James Beard events in the city, this is probably the last place that would be recommended if you're looking for a high caliber experience from the owner. Art Mendoza, you don't deserve this place. Be NICE to people who are planning to spend money at your establishment from the beginning. I'll be boycotting you and recommending others to boycott you as well. read more

5 stars for liquid lunch and daily alcohol special. Hard to find drink deals down here around the loop (I think I'm by the lopp/downtown haha). Can't beat them. Nice bartenders. Clean. Expected food prices to be more after looking at pics on Yelp. Great outdoor patio or sit at bar or spacious inside. Wish they had something like this in Dayton, OH. read more

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This bar is a good, after-work place. Food is good for bar food. Great atmosphere and design. Potato skins were surprisingly delicious, mmmm. Standard Chicago prices. Would recommend trying this place. However, the server seemed a bit frazzled and kept popping in to ask if we were "done", with an hour+ before their closing time. Maybe having a bad day? We've all been there, so it is no biggie. But all in all, I like this place for a drink and a bit, so try it out! read more

I have been here twice so far and the best way to describe both experiences is "good, not great". If you work in the building and do not want to venture out for lunch it's a good spot to stop. I had lunch there today with a coworker and while our entrees were good (fish and chips and a burger) the service was very slow. Once they dropped off our entrees no one ever returned and they weren't terribly busy. By the time we finished our lunch both of our drinks were empty as well as our waters. We had to flag our server down for our check. He was standing around with what I believe is the manager (or owner) at the check-in stand. Neither ever stopped by to refill our drinks or ask how everything was. While I will probably be back as I work in the building it's not high on the list to return to soon. read more

Love this place. I work in the building and stop in a few times a week for coffee, lunch, or half-priced whiskey on Wednesday. The people who work here are awesome too. Check it out. read more

Growing up in upstate New York, i know what eating chicken wings on a regular basis is like. These wings bring back a memory window into my childhood, and offer a safe haven of familiarity in a city that is new to me.... Learning about whiskey in order to connect with my old man is also something that mattered to me, to which this place has provided me value. THANKS Little Toasted to an awesome 1/2 off whiskey and wings on Wednesday, to which I review this place and give my recommendation. read more

I met up with an old coworker for lunch here, and we were able to get a seat outside so that her dog could hang out with us. They were really nice bringing her a water cup/bowl as well. We started out splitting an Avocado Toast and then I had the Hot Fried Chicken sandwich. It was all very good. I had afternoon coffee since it's Groundswell. This is a great option for those that want breakfast for lunch. I really like their outdoor eating area for the city. The prices were reasonable and the staff was great. read more

Little Toasted is a good spot for coffee, food, and drinks. I come here with coworkers a lot. Giving it a slightly lower reviewed because of inconsistency - some of the dishes (e.g. salads) are NOT good, while the chilaquiles are pretty great. I think the coffee is okay and they take ritual which is convenient and fast. read more

Food is good but the service gives you the impression that they really don't give a sh*t. We had a party of 9 and needed the cocktails on a separate check. A woman from our party asked about this twice and was told "it's too complicated" by the waiter and was brushed off rudely both times. When a man from our party enquired about the same thing the waiter agreed to accommodate the request. The waiter then gave our table to a waitress to close out the checks and didn't reference his agreement to separate the cocktail check. When it was incorrectly rung up she blamed me for giving her the wrong information. A nice afternoon among colleagues turned into a frustrating and insulting experience. There are plenty of good restaurants in Chicago with helpful waitstaff. I will be hard-pressed to bring another group back here. read more

Location: Beautiful, open, trendy looking spot. Stopped by because I'm such a fan of Slightly Toasted. As far as aesthetics go, Little Toasted definitely improves on the look of it's predecessor. This place is a bit out of my way, otherwise I'd be a regular just for the ambiance alone. Booze: The whiskey list, though smaller than it is at their other location "slightly toasted" was still good. There weren't as many rare, unfamiliar bourbons on the list, but there were still many nice whiskies to be had. Food: Hot fried chicken sandwich: closest to actual Nashville Fried chicken i've had since I was in Nashville. Wonderful spice that lingers after you've finished the sandwich. Brioche bun, while large, balances well with the abundantly spiced chicken. Collard greens on the sandwich were a nice touch, but their flavor was nullified by the wonderful chicken. I want them to just sell me chicken wings prepared this way. Side salad: wierd type of lettuce that restaurants use when trying to be fancy. Regular old romaine, spinach and iceberg would have been much nicer. I could have done without the side salad. Price: You're in downtown Chicago, at a whisky bar, eating fancy food at bar just off the river. You know what you're in for. Considering all that, the prices were reasonable. Conclusion Though I prefer "Slightly Toasted" for their whiskey selection, the kitchen at "Little Toasted" seems to be on point. I'll return for a drink and/or that awesome Nashville fried chicken. read more

I work in the building and go here at least 3 times a week for coffee and often food in the mornings. I always enjoy stopping by. The coffee is great, the food is tasty and the staff is super friendly and are all around nice people. I'm not much of a conversationalist, but it's nice to chat with them in the morning. Try the cold brew nitro coffee, it's a great way to drink coffee. You can taste the floral and fruity flavors of the bean without any of the harsh bitterness you might be used to from bad, over-roasted coffee. read more

I love coming here during lunch or after work to grab myself an avocado toast or a cappuccino. The staff is lovely and always ensures that I get my order in timely fashion. We've enjoyed many work events here and always receive great service. Thanks to the staff and everyone over at Little Toasted! read more

drinks food and service was great! loved the ambiance on the river front. super reasonable too being in the loop. only con- their cocktails were already mixed in batches so not able to adjust if you don't like the mix. read more

I came here with a work colleague for a business lunch. It was nice and quiet so we could get to work! The staff was very attentive and friendly. Our waiter helped us decide what to pick from the many options. I had the mushroom soup and a veggie burger. It was more than I could eat! I took half of the burger home. Its a nice and cozy lunch for wintertime. I'm not sure what its like at night. I've seen the bar area packed at 5pm. Its a nice addition to the loop. read more

We stopped by this week for the first time. It was a Monday, but there was a decent crowd nonetheless. We decided to sit at the bar. Their liquor display is impressive. I had the gin and chronic to drink. It was boozy, but not too sweet, which is how I like my cocktails. For a starter, we had the burrata. It was quite tasty and a good size portion. I wish there had been a couple more pieces of toast, but it wasn't detrimental. For main course, I had the fried chicken sandwich with dill fries. First of all, it's huge! I couldn't finish it, despite how tasty it was. I loved the fries. I could eat those every day. Service was decent. No complaints. Super cute setting. It would be a great place for an after work happy hour or lunch. read more

Little Toasted - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nice ambiance and good lunch options, but they need to get a better hostess. Went for happy hour this week and she was SO SALTY because we sat down outside without asking her permission (We hadn't stopped inside at the hostess stand because there wasn't anyone there and we thought it was unmanned). She made a huge deal out of it, approaching us and demanding to know who had let us sit there and "had we seen the hostess." When we explained there wasn't a hostess but we'd like to sit outside, she was very clipped in her demeanors and difficult about letting us have a table -- even though there were easily TEN open tables, if not more. She finally obliged and let us sit and, when we asked if we should go inside to let the hostess know, she revealed SHE WAS THE HOSTESS. It was super unprofessional and passive aggressive. We admittedly made a mistake, but she didn't have to so rude about it. read more

This place is adorable! It hasn't been open that long so go check it out! There's tons of seating and open space - perfect to grab a drink after work or with friends. It's also new enough that it isn't super crowded yet. The drinks are unique and the names are definitely fun. I was lucky enough to sample a variety of the drinks from the menu and each one tasted amazing. By the end I was definitely feeling the strength of the drinks as well! I also tried some of the toasts and little plates. These are great for sharing and munching on while you have a drink but don't expect any huge portions. My favorite toast was the nutella toast. I'm usually not a big fan of sweets and chocolate but this toast, literally tasted like a fererro rocher but in toast form - it can't get better than that! I would definitely come back with friends to get drinks and bites! read more

Legit cheese plate and good wine in a strange open space with weird bathrooms. Service was great, atmosphere was interesting. Kind of hard to find the entrance you enter around the gardens on either side of the building. read more

I'd note that I would probably give this place 3.5 stars if I could because the service can be very slow. I've waited 20 minutes before speaking to wait staff, and another 15 for a drink. I know Little Toasted (LT) has only been open for a few months, but I've been several times and this is a consistent issue. If you get here after 5pm, expect the place to be crowded. I often come with a large party and, fortunately, the manager is usually able to accommodate. Otherwise, I cheered when this spot opened because South Branch Tavern could not fill the after-work-drink need on its own. LT is gorgeous and I love the outdoor area, it is extremely large; I can't wait for spring. I am a big fan of LT's extensive and diverse beer and whiskey list. The Old Man Beer list is the best way to enjoy this place ($4 16oz Hamms compared to $8 craft). There's also 50% off Whiskey Wednesdays. Side note, the bathroom are huge! Great place to change into civilian attire. The food is generally good, but not all dishes are built the same. Their toasts are tasty; big fan of the french toast. My coworkers and I always order the Burrata when we come. The hot fried chicken sandwich is flavorful, and I am a fan of the LT burger. But the turkey sandwich and BALT sandwich were disappointing; basic ingredients that anyone could slap together. The chips that come on the side of sandwiches are satisfying. If you spring the $2 for the fries, expect basic frites. Always keep in mind that you are paying for the location. read more

I've stopped in for breakfast twice now and unfortunately was disappointed both times. I had the smoked ricotta toast and the hazelnut toast. - Smoked ricotta toast: at least an interesting idea, but the toast was not crispy and it was just "meh". - Chocolate & nutella toast: described on the menu as having "macerated summer berries and mint", but it was just Nutella and some whole berries sprinkled on, no mint, and definitely not worth $7. I've struck out on the toast twice, but maybe I'd have better luck with lunch. read more

Very friendly & knowledgable bar staff. Great cocktails (fair pricing), excellent whiskey selection, good selection of beers, unique environment. Best Old Fashioned I've had! read more

The service was AMAZING! They didnt have mimosas on the menu but took the time to create the perfect mimosa with freshly squeezed oranges. The food was SPECTACULAR! The flavors on every piece of food were percolating on my tongue. This shit is next level! read more

Little Toasted - Foodgasm!!!!!! - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good corporate-casual spot for coffee or a beer. It's in the ground floor of a large office building but has a modern vibe.

LOVE this place!! The main line coffee is great and they have the best buffalo chicken sandwich I've ever had. Highly recommend

We came here after our tourist experience at the Skydeck. We came here because of the location, the good reviews, and the fact that it was one of the few bars open before 3:00 PM on a Friday. We hoped to sit at the bar but there were not any open seats. We arrived at the host stand to which the "hostess" ignored us and walked away on a phone call. Another manager-type figure ended up seating us. Overall, our service was pretty terrible. I wish we could have moved to the bar because our waiter paid no attention to us after telling him we were not eating lunch. Of all the amazing bars and restaurants in Chicago, will not return. read more

Went here for drinks before catching a train one night and was pleasantly surprised. Solid old fashioned, good service and overall just nice venue. Definitely will be back over here in the near future. read more

My review is strictly based of of their breakfast sandwich. The LT Breakfast sandwich is just awesome. It is a biscuit, sharp cheddar and an fried over easy egg. They melt the cheddar on both sides of the biscuit and then delicately place the fried egg on top and serve it open faced. I'm totally addicted to this delight, it is like a beacon calling me from Union Station every morning. I'll have to try some other of their goodness, but for now I'm totally stuck on the breakfast sandwich. read more

I work in the Riverside Plaza building and have come here for drinks several times with no issues, but just had an extremely rude encounter with a man who appeared to be a manager or owner of this restaurant. About 90% of the tables inside were empty, and I sat in a chair at the very edge with my computer, having seen people do this before. A man walks over and snaps, "Excuse me ma'am, this seating is for Little Toasted. This is a restaurant." I told him I'm aware what a restaurant is, and if he'd like me to move, he can politely ask me to do so. Perhaps this has happened frequently and he was frustrated, but anyone who's worked in service industry knows there's a very simple, polite way to handle such an interaction without having an attitude and discouraging people from patronizing your business again in the future! read more

Great place for drinks after work. Tons of seating with a good location central to trains and affordable drinks. However, food and service are garbage. The "charcuterie plate" is literally triangle slices of deli cheese that came from a plastic package and the meat is a questionable uncooked bacon. The service is very slow and not attentive leaving you with a table full of dirty dishes and empty glasses before they come back to check on you. Granted I understand they just opened and probably have a few kinks to work out, but service in Chicago is a must with all the competition in the industry and food is what keeps people coming back. They will need to make some serious improvements if they want to stick around. read more

Easily I can name the LT burger as one of the BEST I've ever tasted (so much so, I've had one two days in a row). It is extremely juicy and flavorful- make sure to ask for some garlic aoili. Service is quick and friendly. In the summer, it's a great place to hang on the deck with a glass of frose. Fun, good food and relaxing. What more do you need? read more

Being on the first floor of a busy office building, Little Toasted is frequently busy in the early evening. They frequently host various company's parties. The barbecue wings are delicious, and the Old Fashioneds are almost always on point. I'd recommend coming on a Monday for half off Old Fashioneds, of Wednesdays for half off wings and whiskey. read more

I work in this building and frequent Little Toasted all the time. The staff and management are top notch, and food is perfect! Everything homemade! Also great selection of booze, amazing outside patio and friendliness all around. Definitely give this place a shot!! read more

So this is a trendy lobby bar/restaurant that advertises toasts (and drinks) but mostly serves sandwiches and salads (and drinks). It tends to fill up quickly during the weekday lunch rush, presumably with office workers eager to eat a quick lunch before heading into the bottom half of the day. The sandwiches we had- the chicken sandwich and the burger- were tasty (and ample in portions) though not particularly inventive or creative. But if you're looking for a cheerful spot for a quick meal, LT should be on the list. read more

Best happy hour at noon. 6 dollar old fashion. Clean bathroom, and a nice outdoor area. Bartender was friendly. Place was inviting. Had a really good time. Good daily specials. Wife and I both enjoyed. read more

A perfect little place for some food and spirits. Really good food and drink with a wonderful atmosphere and great service all within the building I work. A wonderful reprieve mid-day or after work. Thank you for all you do to make the "locals" feel welcome and looked after! read more

Before today they would have received 5 stars from me. Their service, food, and drinks are always amazing! Unfortunately today I got to experience the owner Art. He should really stay home and let his amazing staff run the place without him. My food is always great today it wasn't, I was very forgiving of it because they were very busy. I went to the counter and the young lady attending me called out for the owner to express that I wanted my salad fixed. From the moment she called on him I should of known it was going to go down hill from there he very rudely shouted back hold on. He makes it back to me and asks what do you want I tell him my cobb salad has five crumbles of cheese and barely any bacon. He looks at me and tells me that is because you need to toss it I explained that it was tossed and that is all that was in there I was basically given a box of lettuce he contradicts himself after saying it looked like that because it was not tossed then goes to say that is how it is made (my coworker gets this often and it looks nothing like what I got). His attitude gets nastier by the minute and he is basically scolding me like a child asking me what do I want him to do. Again the restaurant was packed so at this point I'm humiliated that he is speaking to me like this in front of other people. I just had to leave that situation I told him he did not need to help me and I just left. I called and spoke to a manager and was told I would get a refund to my ritual account where I order from and I haven't received a refund yet. It is very disappointing that his employees run such a great business for him keeping all of his guest happy and he doesn't work to the same standard. They lost a loyal customer I will no longer order my breakfast here every morning or come here for lunch meetings. read more

Pretty not a bad place to spend free time. Prices are a bit overpriced. Service is worth improving. As for food, I can say what could be better. Maybe I would go to this bar again. Large selection of alcoholic cocktails read more