I ordered a pick up order and they were all around great! The service was warm and attentive - I also greatly appreciated that I was asked to wash my hands upon arrival. It made me feel extra safe and that they are taking sanitation seriously. The bathroom was sparkling clean btw. The order was made right on time and they were super on point. We ordered a ton of stuff and it was all delicious. The gumbo was DROOL AMAZING. The shrimp po' boys were nomnomnom. The mac and cheese and yam sides were soooo great too. I will definitely be back - plus I learned they so catering too so I will keep them in mind for future lunch catering when we're allowed to be back in the offices again. read more

I love it! The buffet isn't the same type you find like most all you can eat places. You can choose from a dozen or so meats, sides and fixings that are generously put on your plate by a server. It's home cooked southern and soul comfort food and it's wonderful. Highly recommended. read more

Amazing restuarant. Great service with excellent food. We had five in our party and were seated within 5-7 mins. The buffet was great with hot biscuits and cornbread serviced to the table. Would definitely recommend to family and visit again when we are in town! read more

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A neighborhood restaurant. Good place for breakfast. They also offer a "senior" breakfast menu at a lower price. It's a popular place for police and firefighters. There is a buffet offering also that usually serves soul food selections. read more

Pearl's has really good soul food. I have had the beef ribs, meatloaf, chicken, etc., and it has always been good. They also give nice portions so you can absolutely get two meals out of it. They also have excellent desserts. The pound cakes are a standout . However, my favorite thing about Pearl's is the customer service. They are friendly, prompt and they always offer great service, can't beat that. read more

Kick as down home food!!!! The owner puts in every effort to ensure his customers are happy.

I come to Pearl's place solely for the biscuits. Not only do you get fresh baked biscuits as an option with your breakfast but each table gets complimentary biscuits/rolls depending on the time of day. My first batch was extremely hard and almost inedible. I let the server know and she went and got me fresh biscuits to replace the older ones. I've ordered just about everything on the menu and have diner in and had both the breakfast and dinner buffet. The prices in my opinion are reasonable and since the expansion there is much more room than when I first started dining here. The dinner options are fairly pricey and on a previous visit have spent $30+ for beef short ribs with an extra side and peach cobbler. The eggs I had this day was perfect my only complaint was that they'd forgotten my eggs and had only given me 1 instead of 3. I didn't want meat this particular morning so I got the potatoes,eggs, and biscuits. The food is worth the price. It's one of Bronzeville's little gems. The servers do there best with what's given. My problem is ALWAYS the restroom, it should be cleaned more frequently considering how tiny it is and how many patrons frequent the establishment on a daily basis. This last visit I noticed there was a fan/generator type contraption in the restroom on the floor neat the sink which I thought was hazardous and quite dangerous. It also smelled terrible. They also should STOP serving their patrons tap water or either opt for a filter because you can taste the difference and it's gross. read more

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My sister asked me to make a pan of Mac and cheese at the last minute and I just didn't feel like cooking. I ordered a pan from Pearl's and everyone loved it! Very cheesy and delicious. Service was great in spite of short notice! read more

I looked all over the city for a restaurant that could accommodate a large party of 20 at the last minute and Pearl's place not only accommodated us but provided top notch service. Our server Kadedra took care of us and our request with the biggest smile on her face. Half of our party was from New Orleans and they thought the food was amazing and enjoyed the family atmosphere. If you have a large party Pearls Place is where you want to go. read more

Pearl's has been updated to a magnificent venue which matches the great food and fantastic service I've ALWAYS experienced when I've ventured through. Today, I'm enjoying the new breakfast buffet which for me I included an omelet with Jerk turkey, parker house sausage, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and bell peppers, French toast casserole, grits, country potatoes, and freshly baked biscuits. I hate to single out any of these items for fear of marginalizing any of the delicIous items on menu; with that, get in here and enjoy some of the best food around, you'll not be disappointed!!!!! read more

Why sending costumers to wash their hands before they walk you to your table....!?!? And the food is mediocre ..greesy I found it ... That will be the last time for me ... read more

Worse Chitlins I have ever tasted anywhere. Served in a bowl full of Chitlin Juice and the thinnest Chitlins I have ever seen anywhere. Both parents from South Georgia, so I know what they suppose to taste and look like. The worse was the smell, not suppose to smell when cooked. I should have received a full refund after speaking with the Manager instead of $13. He stated that's their style, I stated and the smell is too. Never again, what else they doing back there in the Kitchen? They can't screw up breakfast, I don't think. read more

Issa No for me dawg‍. I haven't even eaten here. I am in the middle of calling to SIMPLY ask if they serve mimosas. First time I called, the lady immediately puts me on hold.. for a long time. I hang up and call back, and she didn't answer. I hang up and call again and she answers and hangs right up. I just called a FOURTH time and the lady put me on hold immediately AGAIN. And it's been 5:20 that I've been holding. All I want to ask is if they have mimosas. But because minimum wage Mary wants to be rude, I will never know and they just lost a potential customer . I'm typically not one of these people but I'm HANGRY at this point. UPDATE: I called a 5th time (even though I know I'm not going at this point, I want to get on this ladies nerves just like she is mine). She finally answers with a huff and puff and I asked her if they serve mimosas and she said "no but you could BYOB". I just hung up. Whoever in management sees this review, This person makes your place look bad! read more

I highly recommend this place the breakfast Is off the chain the biscuits outstanding ole school just like granny. Make to order omelets o"boy slap your mama service is excellent price upscale but well worth it 10 stars. read more

Pros: The restaurant is spacious and does well with big groups. The server provided great customer service and explained that we could order from the buffet or from the table. He was responsive and kind. The food was very good for some dishes and average for others. I enjoyed the blackened catfish, but the greens didn't have much flavor. Cons: The pricing was on the higher end for the environment, food and service. If you order food from the server it is really slow. There were only two of us and we waited about 30 minutes to get our food. We were given cornbread and biscuits while we waited, but 30 minutes from kitchen to table was way too long. Bathroom cleanliness was below average. They need to have someone checking on the cleanliness of the bathrooms every hour. It was a complete mess in the ladies room. Also, the kitchen trash cans and cleaning supplies were visible from the front of the restaurant and it put a damper on the environment from the guest experience. read more

Customer service is great. Food is good but not great. Ambience I'd friendly and inviting. Will definitely be back. read more

Pearl's Place - Chicken and waffles at Pearls. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food and a nice waiter. Ordered the buffet and was pleasantly surprised. The greens were well seasoned and the green beans too. The Mac and cheese was good and creamy. We can from Los Angeles and the bartender recommended it. She was right food was good read more

Pearl's Place - Smothered pork chops greens and green beans Mac and cheese. Cornbread dressing - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Still ridiculous that with raised prices and coming out of a pandemic that they can't figure out how to take my money. They shut off online hours in the last hour and won't take call ins. Nobody has time to drive in and waste time waiting. I took my money for the overpriced $28 meal I was about to buy and spent it somewhere else. Do better. read more

The chiterlin is completely bland but I gave this place 4 stars for its diversity and corn bread is well-done. Obviously the manager was very kind and approachable even when there wasn't any small empty table for me and there're a lot of different people eating here. So I guess they don't have their own unique flavor? Try their corn bread, it's really soft and you could even smell the corn unlike most of fake powder corn bread. read more

I'd heard a ton of mixed reviews surrounding this restaurant and I must say, the food and the service is stellar! Traditional soul food flavors are reliable, and our server was extremely thorough. I totally recommend on a Sunday, post church. read more

Pearl's Place - Buffet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had my first visit and it was a very pleasant dining experience. I want to try the breakfast since I've heard so much about it.

Unbelievably great food! And the servers are exceptional! Manner-able light hearted and personable! Did the buffet and the food was excellent!! Will absolutely be back! read more

So, my almost 90 year old father and 86 year old mother selflessly served the Chicago Black community for decades. They're now ill and 3/4 kids are in California. We wanted to ease the burden of cooking for Thanksgiving, order food, pay for it, and have a friend pick it up and drop it to my folks. My sister called yesterday and the person on the phone said to place the order today and pick it up today. Sister called, asked multiple times if the person was sure, and was assured that it was perfectly fine. Sister called back 2x to confirm and got the same answer. This morning, not long after opening, my sister called to place the order. TODAY, she's told that they're not taking orders and too bad. Finally the owner gets on the phone and tells her that if she knows anything about Pearls, things change and oh well. Hangs up the phone. The owner has now left a retired Judge and a 50 year educator and Teacher's Union Rep high and dry while we have to scramble, very last second, to find Thanksgiving food for them. There was no good explanation, no offer to help, no apology, no 'let's fix this'. Just a hang up. We cover a deep swath in Chicago and will spread the word about this treatment. When Thanksgiving is gone, and things get tight around there, I hope the owner remembers that he treated people poorly and karma's a b*tch. We'll definitely make sure that our friends and family never patronize this crappy establishment again. May even call the Alderman. read more

Dined in at Pearl's Place for brunch! The wait was not bad at all for a Sunday! Especially since the temperature was amazing! we walked a block, then sat down and reviewed the menu so we would know exactly what we wanted as soon as we sat down! Upon our re-entry post text, our table was ready, we were greeted pleasantly by staff who requested we wash our hands before being seated. Kadijah was our server and she was great! She advised us of the BYOB sanction lol and so I immediately left the facility to obtain champagne for mimosas, duh! Anyhow, the cranberry juice and the OJ from Pearl's complimented the champagne well! BUT, I digress.... lol a little mix-up on the food and explanations, but it was corrected promptly, so no issue requiring further explanation. The food was good! I enjoyed my pancakes, grits, eggs, and bacon. I sampled the croquet but decided to save it for my afternoon snack! So hopefully it is amazing! I took a quick peep at the Buffett options and they were dope and only 23.99 I think to partake... the only reasons I didn't was that I didn't wear my buffet clothes AND my friends weren't partaking! Thus I thought that would be rude of me to expose them to the GREAT food in ABUNDANCE they could've been afforded! Shoutout to Jermaine who stepped in to help with water fills because I don't always drink responsibly lol but when I do, I drink one water to every 2.5 mimosas lol because it's the responsible thing to do!! Only two complaints, but of them, only ONE is of concern! The music abruptly STOPPED during a great Toni Braxton song! Ummmm please fix, STAT! after bringing this issue to Khadijah's attention, lol good music resumed at our favorite part of the song! YAAAASSSSSS! Of concern though is the amount of dust in the vent directly next to our table.... which is definitely an easy fix also! Weelllll, friends, I leave you with this DO NOT SLEEP ON THE FOOD, SERVICE, and COVID-19 PREVENTION MEASURES at this place!! Thank me later! Thanks Khadijah, Jermaine, the owner, and all who labor to make this a good operation, for wearing your masks appropriately, having clean uniforms, and providing favorable customer service!! I will be back with my buffet clothes on AND friends who understand that calories do NOT exist on Sundays! DUHHHHH! read more

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The lady at the front told me I need to wash my hands to pick up take out food. I told her I just washed my hands with my own 90% alcohol in my car but I'll take my business else where since you calling me a lie. They insisted I wash my hands in their bathroom like I'm working for them but they need to clean up all that clutter behind the buffet bar and wash their hands every time they pick up the phone. The nerve of people. I came once 6 mos anyway but I won't be back for sure. You just lost one. read more

Best breakfast I've had in a long time. Potatoes are great. Biscuits are great. Food got delivered hot and fresh. I took the picture AFTER I had already ate half the food, big portion sizes. We ordered on UberEats but the restaurant gave us contact info for future ordering through them. read more

Pearl's Place - A.M. Breakfast One Egg Meal - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I ordered breakfast for 2 this morning (Delivery). Omg! A trained 10 year old that had been closely watching their parents could have made better pancakes (bad)! The sausage links were over cooked (hard). The biscuits aren't famous at all...who told that lie? Pop Eyes biscuits could run rings around your biscuits... SMH! Total: $35.01 tax & bs service fee ubereats or grub hub is charging these days, I'm kicking my own ass and learning a valuable lesson... "take my lazy ass to the grocery store and cook". read more

Today was my first time going back to Pearls Place post Covid. My niece and I went to the Soul food buffet. Make sure you bring your appetite. We ate the following foods: Mac & cheese (very cheesy), collard greens(seasoned, not very soft) dressing w/gravy & cranberry sauce, spinach, cabbage, yams, string beans cooked in potatoes, black eye peas, Greek chicken (spicy) baked chicken, rib tips , smothered pork chops and raspberry tea. Everything was seasoned (not salty) to perfection and tasted delicious! Thumbs up to the cooks (chefs). The service was awesome. When we arrived after 12:30, the lady behind the counter was very polite and said we had a 15 minute wait to be seated. It was more like five. We were escorted to our table and shortly after we met our waitress. She was really nice and answered questions about their beverage variety and buffet. All while we were eating and talking, the waitress always came to the table to see how we were doing if everything was ok, very attentive. We liked that! keep it up! The ambience or atmosphere was very pleasant. People were conversing and seemed to be enjoying themselves and their food. The tables and area where we were sitting was clean, and neat and it looked that way in the entire restaurant. However, we didn't know it until time to leave and my drink spilled that one of the table leg was lopsided. Nothing that can't be fixed! Overall, the soul food buffet and service was excellent and I really enjoyed my dining experience there. I was so pleased with everything that I gave the cooks (chefs) a big tip and the waitress as well. Today, I recommend eating at Pearl's Place and I hope they continue to have great service and excellent food every day. Check it out the next time you're in Chicago. I know we'll be back!! read more

Dear God, whatever you do, do NOT get the all you can eat buffet. They charged nearly $40 each person and they give you a big ol plate when you go up. The food at the buffet wasn't even halfway decent, the stuffing was horrendous, the cream corn was probably the best. I don't see not one person eating more than 2 plate maximum. Myself, Mr. Fatso last stand couldn't even finish the one and we were stoned, cause the food was that bad. But the guy sure sold us over the phone, I will give em that. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a better experience than we did. Good customer service though, felt like we were trapped inside a tyler perry madea movie. read more

Not the BeST Soul food but the ONLY in the Southside area very close to Downtown. Service is great but no one actually "listens" to what u are requesting unfortunately, I ordered baked chicken "dark" over rice with gravy. What I received was baked chicken "whole" rice on the side with a dime size worth of gravy. The chicken tasted stale sort of like it was stored in the back of someone's fridge. The collards are pretty generic and similar to most "soulfood" places. The mac and cheese however, is on point and surprised me. Definitely homemade, thoughtful and beats the competitors that put mayonnaise in their mac n cheese (yuck). Overall, maybe the buffet is best way to go at this place but I am not sure. Over the past 5 years that I've lived here from the South this was my second time visiting. I will most definitely cook this type of food from home as usual moving forward. I don't think it's the fault of the restaurant I mean it's sometimes impossible to be authentic and mass produced at the same time. Reasons why I always suggest places like this to cut back house and hammer out the good ish a few hours a day...if it's good people with come and double income vs being open Seven days a week all day with subpar. ***The place is very clean and the customer service is accommodating. read more

I truly loved the food that I ate at Pearl's Place! Truly, the plate I had was like Thanksgiving all over again! The baked chicken and roasted turkey was tender and soft with great seasoning! The dressing was on point along with the greens and yams! I highly recommend them to all who will be visiting Chicago. read more

Pearl's Place - Delicious food from there Buffet line! Thanksgiving Feast in the Spring - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went there on a Tuesday afternoon ordered pork chops And they were like leather I could not cook the with a knife nor could I chewed them the Mac and cheese was really good but at $17 for meal I should have been able to eat more than Mac and cheese From now on I will save my Self from pearls And although the lady manager claims she gave me a credit for the tough pork chops it did not reflect my credit card Bill nor the receipt read more

Oh bring on the beans, greens, tomatoes, mogs and hogs. Lol. So I finally made my way to Pearls. If you're on Southside of Chicago and have a desire to eat soul food, look no further. Pearls is a old school, unbutton your pants spot. I had the buffet. It was alright, the fried chicken made to order omelet was my favorite. If I go back I'll order off the menu and skip the buffet. Anyhoo get your Sunday Morning eat on. read more

Pearl's Place - Soul Food Buffet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When I first walked into Pearl's Place I was a little under whelmed I looked around and said to myself this is going to be a very disappointing experience. Well, I'm happy to say I was wrong dead wrong!!! The waiter and I hate I can't remember his name was great! He explained the menu and the buffet options with a smile on his face the entire time. He also was very attentive without hovering! That was a major plus!!! When you get to your table they bring you a free homemade cornbread and yeast bread with a side of butter! It was three of us and the two servings they gave us was more than enough! Now, the food OMG it was so good and flavorful!!! I went for the lunch but after hearing about the breakfast buffet I can't wait to go back!!! I have gone to other Soul Food Restaurants and leave thinking I could have just stayed home and cooked myself but this place although I could have stayed home and cooked myself; I was glad I didn't because they were the real deal. The sweet potatoes, the chicken, the collard greens and the Mac n' Cheese. I swear I can taste it now, but I digress! They also have a little salad bar and plenty more meats like turkey meatloaf, pork, turkey, and of a host of other veggies! Their buffet is a little different then other places; you do not touch the plates or the food!! You tell them what you want and they serve you! I have to say at first I was like umm I think I know how to get my own food but when the waiter explained it was for health and safety reasons for the customers it did make me conjure up thoughts and times of people not washing their hands, sneezing, etc. at the traditional buffets that made a lot of sense. You can go up as many times as you like but make sure when you are feeling stuffed don't head back up if you don't think you will finish your plate because they do have in writing that they can charge you for wasted food and/or have an extra charge if you want to bring your leftover homes. The buffet also includes all you can drink but it is only one dessert per each buffet ordered!!! The prices of the buffet varies depending on if you go for breakfast, lunch, a weekday or weekend!!! When I find out the correct amounts I will update my review! They also have a regular menu but the buffet is the best value! read more

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Soul Food staple in the community. Mom and I went to get some veggies I didn't feel like cooking Pleasant atmosphere, service was great and food came out hot and yummy. I do think the prices are a bit high but overall great! The salmon croquettes didn't do it for me. No seasoning at all. I will support this place always. And it looks like they are opening up a bar soon sign me up!! read more

Pearl's Place - Veggie plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Breakfast Buffett All you can eat eggs any way I want it?! Yes, please! The selections was decent. The food was delicious. Best grits I've ever had. Service was good. The music... to die for. A little bit of Michael Jackson, Boys II Men and Whitney Houston. Whaaat? It was awesome. read more

Always good food. Ain't had nothing bad so far. Loving the Pearl's omelette, with turkey sausage.

I went with a friend to their New Year's Day Buffet after reading everyone's positive reviews. Sadly, everything that we ate at the buffet was either over seasoned, salty, or sweet. Perhaps the food from the buffet is different then when you order from the menu? Polite and exceptional service from our waitress and buffet staff. read more

Pearl's Place - Buffet: soggy jambalaya, salty greens and Mac & Cheese, dry fried chicken and dressing. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is such a gem. Always warm and fresh and clean and I love the appreciation to feed people great food. Southside staple! read more

Started my Sunday morning off in great spirit until I walked into Pearl's Place restaurant. The white male in the front has a VERY aggressive tone (VERY RUDE & FAKE SMILE). The food from the buffet was AWESOME SAUCE. The waitstaff would be the only reason I come back overheard them talking on how they were treated by management very bad to treat your staff like CRAP when they hold the place together (WITHOUT THEM YOU CAN'T DO IT)The drinks were filled before I could look up & ask for more. The prices are reasonable can't knock that. Customer service is the KEY to succeeding in any business LEARN FROM THIS REVIEW word of mouth is everything read more