Enrique was an amazing server. Food was a 12 out of 10 Jalapeño corn bread was sinfully amazing, glazed chicken was to die for, Brussels sprouts were sooooooo good perfectly seasoned, everything was top tier read more

The food here is outstanding. My wife and I tried deviled eggs, lobster bisque, Cullerton salad, half branzino, fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and the sticky date cake, along with a couple of cocktails. Only the branzino slightly missed the mark. It could have been filleted a little more carefully (I found several small bones) and it was slightly overcooked. But it wasn't bad by any means, and all the other dishes were perfect with the cornbread being a huge standout. It was moist, sweet, and came in a huge portion. (It could've easily served 4.) The restaurant itself is beautiful. Had I not known the history of the building, I never would've guessed that it was previously a dog daycare. I will note that we were unfortunately seated at a table that had a significant wobble. The service was both leisurely and disjointed. We were seated for 15 minutes before a server arrived. Food took an hour to arrive after ordering, and there was no thought given to proper pacing (our entrees arrived almost immediately after our starters). There were three different servers tending to our table, but tracking down any of them was a challenge, and they rarely checked in on us of their own accord. All told, our 4-course meal took 2.5 hours. Despite the downsides, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner, and we will be back. If you visit, just make sure not to have any urgent plans after dinner. read more

I've been to The Southern twice. The first time was in Fall of 2025 and the most recent time was Mother's Day weekend (yesterday). During my Fall 2025 visit, it was my husband and I that had a Saturday night dinner here. We ordered the deviled eggs for an app, I got the barrel aged maple fried chicken and their pecan old fashioned cocktail. The deviled eggs were good. The pecan old fashioned had too much of a bite to it and wasn't that good. The barrel aged maple fried chicken looked so promising from the pictures I saw online, but something felt missing from the flavor itself. The service was ok during this visit, but not that memorable. Visiting any restaurant on Mother's Day is risky due to how busy things can be, so my initial expectations for our visit were pretty low to be honest. We had a four person dinner reservation and were sat down about 20 mins after our reservation. We were initially sat at a high top, but it wasn't the most comfortable and a team member graciously moved us to a more traditional table, which we appreciated. That was the most thoughtful service action of the whole dining experience. It was busy and service was slow, as to be expected. Our server came over to take our drink and app orders. The apps and drinks came out at a normal speed after ordering, but our main dishes took about 1 hr 15 mins to come out after we ordered. The server stopped by two times to apologize, but I found it odd that she didn't ask if we wanted more drinks or anything else while we waited since two of us had empty cups for awhile. I'm used to restaurant staff taking initiative and making sure guests have everything they need, even if the kitchen is running behind. My husband finally did ask to see the drink menu and ordered another drink. We ordered chicken, deviled eggs, the crab cake, Mac and cheese, greens, salmon, brussel sprouts, the branzino, mashed potatoes. The branzino was ok, but the fish itself didn't taste overly fresh. My husband liked the Mac and cheese, but I prefer Mac and cheeses that have thicker sauces and this one was thin under the baked cheese top. If you don't have a preference or prefer thinner sauces, then you would like this one. The brussel sprouts were overcooked and we asked them to remove it from our bill. I didn't try the garlic mashed potatoes, but I heard they were bland and not garlicy. They told us earlier in the evening that they would bring out complimentary dessert, but even those took 15-20 mins to come out after we finished dinner and we were ready to go after being inside the restaurant for almost 3 hours by this point. We ended up packing most of them up. The space is pretty, but the food and service didn't align with the prices during either visit. It is a restaurant where I feel like I am paying for the ambiance/flashiness and expected to eat mediocre food. For much better similiar food (but less flashy ambiance), I highly recommend Virtue in Hyde Park. read more

Southern Chicago - Branzino - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went during brunch service and it was not packed. Several staff were walking around and even a floor manager. Despite this it took over 15minutes for water upon seating. 30 minutes to get our drinks. 60 minutes to get part of our order. 80 minutes to be told one of the items we wanted wasn't available. We invited a friend new to the neighborhood after having a good experience with dinner at the bar and we were apologizing on behalf the restaurant which apparently thought this was fine. Food tasted good but temperature inconsistent. Food did not arrive timely or at all. I would only go here to eat at the bar when you don't have plans or expectations on service quality. read more

I was taken to Southern Chicago today, April 23 for a birthday celebration. I must admit. I was impressed by the ambience and the greeting we received from the moment we entered. We were waited on by Fatima, who was not only beautiful outside, but inside as well. She was very professional, attentive, but not intrusive of our time at the restaurant. Everyone was very polite, pleasant, professional, and willing to make sure that our evening was enjoyable. As I stated, I went there for a birthday celebration and toward the end of our visit there the manager came over to wish me a happy birthday and thanked me for coming to Southern Chicago to celebrate. This will definitely not be the last time I visit there. The food was delicious and I've never received crabcakes that were hot, in heat, when they arrived at the table. Everything was a 10 from the entry to the exit of the restaurant. read more

This place is my new favorite restaurant!! My love brought me here for my birthday dinner for the first time (March 2026). I think I may have heard about this place on social media, but it was not on my radar - well my goodness they blew me away. The ambiance is truly elegant and feels good, warm! I'm big on the vibe of a place; and there are places that overdo it trying to create a vibe. This establishment oozes "cool kids". It's not uptight or elitist, it's just cool! We were greeted at the door and had the outside and inside door opened for us. We were then greeted by the host who found our reservation and quickly led us to our table. The bar is beautifully done. The chandelier lighting and indoor greenery brings a warmth to the space. And the playlist was sooo cool! The music sets the tone! They were playing a mix of 90s r&b soulful cuts at a reasonable noise level!!! (I need to stress this point, this establishment knows how to set the volume of the background music so that it is exactly that- in the background. No one should be losing their voice screaming across the table.) Now let's get to the food! We ordered calamari and the fried green tomatoes for appetizers. Three slices of these deliciously seasoned and perfectly prepared tomatoes that were crispy outside and warm inside was exactly the right amount to start off the goodness. My partner said the calamari were slightly over fried. Our main dishes were both chicken dishes; I had one with a honey glaze on it and my partner had a dish with a creamy sauce on it. We also ordered the greens with turkey and Parmesan mashed potatoes. Oh my goodness- we sampled the sides first and we almost couldn't move on to the entrees! Everything was absolutely amazing; the flavors were full of love and intention, and every bite provoked an entire "moment of bliss!" Highly recommend this beautiful establishment! I will definitely be back! read more

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Man, this is difficult to write because I was so excited to try Southern Chicago! We went in, we didn't have a reservation. They were booked but they had some high top seats near the bar. We sat there. It was HH but we were told you can o my do HH at the bar. Oh bummer but we understood. We ordered some drinks and apps. The drinks were good. We got the oysters and fried green tomatoes. Food wasn't heat hot, but we were like ehhh ok. Then we ordered sliders, salmon dinner and lobster Mac and cheese. Sliders were ok. Salmon ok. Mac and cheese came way late. Wasn't heat hot. At this point I started feeling weird. Turning stomach. I went to the restroom and the first stall had an offensive foul smell like back logged sewage. That made my stomach worse:( I went ahead and used the restroom but I felt sick. Got back to the table and my friends said I didn't look well so we just sat. After 10 minutes I had to vomit. I had to use a bag at our table and it was terrible. No staff or management came to help, assist or anything. It took forever to find assistance so we could clean up. I honestly felt I had food poisoning from the oysters. As soon as I ate them I started feeling sick. It was a bummer that I wasn't shown any compassion or assistance from any of the staff. No acknowledgment at all. It's tough because I was SO EXCITED to have dinner here. read more

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We came here as a part of the restaurant week 2026. My husband and I previously had a reservation set but decided to head in early for happy hour. At the bar, we were able to get happy hour prices associated with discounted cocktail drinks and appetizers. The drinks were well made at the bar and really no complaints as to the strength and tastiness of the drinks. After wrapping up our happy hour experience, we were promptly seated in the dining area. For the restaurant week, we chose to do the steak and fries. I got the deviled eggs and we also got the cake dessert. Overall, it was an OK experience. I'm not sure that restaurant week deal we saved us that much money, but it was a well-rounded experience. The appetizers were smaller than normal and still priced at $15. Could have gotten them at HH for much cheaper. I did like the atmosphere for the restaurant. Everyone was looking good feeling good. Our server was really nice and we enjoyed her. I will say be careful when tipping. As a 20% tip is already added to your bill. I ended up giving another 20% on accident when closing out at the bar. read more

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Very cute experience. Very upscale and classy vibe! Went to brunch on Sunday the service was quick, the food was tasty and I enjoyed my experience. I ordered chicken and waffles. read more

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This was my second visit to Southern Chicago, and it continues to be a hit. I visited with a friend, and we sat at the bar. I ordered the lobster bisque and fried green tomatoes as starters. For my main entrée, I had the 2026 Restaurant Week chicken pasta. My friend ordered the calamari and the au gratin potatoes. Everything was delicious , including the dessert. The only drawbacks were the parking and the slow service. Be sure to bring your patience, as you will likely wait. I was hoping that sitting at the bar this time would make the service smoother, but it did not. The delay seemed to be more with the kitchen rather than the wait staff. During our visit, they were out of a few menu items. I wanted to order the cornbread and the burger, but both were unavailable. Lastly, they accept the InKind app, which makes it worth it in my opinion. You get generous portions and great food, but the service can be a tough call. read more

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I finally made it to Southern Chicago on Christmas Day and overall it was a great experience. We had reservations right around opening, which I am very glad we did because the place filled up fast. Our waitress started us off with a thorough rundown of the menu and gave great feedback when we had questions. The drinks were excellent. Sadly I cannot remember the names, but they were definitely a highlight. The food kept coming and everyone in our group enjoyed their meals. As service picked up midway through, things did slow down a bit. There were a few moments where food runners mixed up tables, and it happened more than once. Still, nothing that completely took away from the experience. The decor was stunning, very cozy with live music that added to the vibe. Dessert sealed the deal for me. The key lime pie was absolutely delicious. We used the InKind app to pay and received a welcome gift through the website linked to the app, which was a nice savings after spending so much money. Bonus points for valet parking being available. It was a plus it was very close to my home as well. read more

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Celebrating Mother's Day weekend at the restaurant with a 3 pm reservation. We arrived at 3 and the hostess said there would be a wait. At 345pm we're getting a little annoyed because several tables are open. My daughters approached the hostess about being seated and the hostess stated " look around, can't you see, there no seats available ". That didn't sit well with our group, we were expecting an apology and a statement to the effect " you'll be seated next. We were seated at 352pm. We talked to the manager who was apologetic and offered free drinks (excellent people skills). So, are appetizers were calamari and shrimp, and fried green tomatoes. The calamari were small, very small and it came with four med sized shrimp. The fried tomatoes weren't cooked to order but had a good flavor and tasty aioli. Our entrees included a seafood pasta, steak Frits with fries, wagyu burger and lastly a strip steak ( med) with garlic mashed potatoes. The steak was prepared rare and sent back, the pasta was very good with plenty of seafood ( shrimp scallops) , wagyu burger was excellent. Steak frites were decent, tender, good flavor. Our server was good and the manager removed the steak from the final bill. Overall the restaurant was good with some flaws, which includes but not limited to wait times, staffing issues, staff attitudes, cooking items to order. read more

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Unfortunately they are lacking in several areas. This was the 2nd visit, 8 months after opening and its a no. It took 30mins for our waitress to come and introduce herself and then she wasnt prepared to take our orders. I ordered the ribeye, medium. It came out well done. $71 entree ruined. Smh it was 4 of us. The brought every entree out separately and slowly. 2 ppl had major issues. 1 was wrapped to go and the other was never brought out. Yet 3hrs later we got a $500 bill. Smh! This is crazy. Its alot of negatives I can discuss about the visit here, but browse thru the reviews. They're all the same. Unfortunately, I will not be returning. read more

Stopped in for happy hour, 4 - 5:30p, if you can see Rich he took good care of us. Pro tip get there early, the seats at the bar fill up fast. It was a good time the music was vibe, 90's Rnb/hip hop. The mussels are a must, based in a white wine sauce - very flavorful. Overall all we had a good time and we will definitely be back soon! read more

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I had the pleasure of having brunch here this weekend, and it was AMAZING! To start, the valet attendant is great and parked my car, so I didnt have to keep circling around these Chicago streets! $17 for valet is a great deal! I met up with my girls, and we were fortunate to have an amazing served named Dannon! He was friendly and attentive!! Now for the drinks, I had one of the signature cockktails called the heiress. Reminded me of a lemon drop, it was delicious! It was made with grey goose, st germain, grapefruit bitters, peach royale and lemon. It was so good, we had two rounds!!! Get it, you wont be disappointed! On to the food. We tried an assortment of dishes, but the shrimp and grits was delicious and I can't wait to order it again!! The crisped green tomatos were yummy too! The restaurant has a lovely decor and a nice selection of music was playing. We had a great time and we were told they have a happy hour during the week. We are looking forward to experiencing that too!!! read more

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Southern Chicago was our second restaurant for Restaurant Week 2026. Located at 2000 S Wabash Ave., it is a beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous ambience. As I entered the restaurant, I was greeted by a lovely gentleman who welcomed me in and held both doors open for me. The Doctor, The Queen and I came here to check out the Restaurant Week 2026 menu. Despite the reviews that were not glowing, we decided to check out this establishment ourselves based on the menu. Our server was very enthusiastic, pretty much going through through both menus. I wasn't sure if he was going to read each one verbatim or not. He did make a point of saying if you were hungry, not to order off the Restaurant Week 2026 menu as the portions were going to be smaller (and they were). But The Queen and I did order anyway, with The Doctor ordering off the regular menu. I started with the Crispy Greens tomatoes (gulf crabmeat, creole remoulade), but got an order of the Mini Filet Sliders (Filet Medallions, Red Onion Jam, Blue Cheese), Shrimp & Caviar Deviled Eggs (cucumber slaw, chives, lemon) and The Queen and I split an order of Oyster Rockefeller (east coast oyster, spinach, garlic cream sauce, garlic bread crumbs). For the deviled eggs, the menu stated that there would be a cucumber slaw but there wasn't any unless they were counting the green stuff on the plate. The deviled eggs were of a regular size, not large, which was fine as I viewed them as an amuse-bouche (not in the traditional sense since this was not a complimentary bite served before our meal. These were very good, the filling was creamy, the shrimp had a very good flavor to them, but the drawback for me was the fact that the shrimp still had their tails on them. So before I could enjoy them, I had to take the tail off and put it back on the egg to that one bite wonder. The Oyster Rockefeller was wonderful! Most places will serve six oysters to an order, but Southern Chicago did four. I was so fine with this because they were of a tremendous size! Overall the flavor profile was very well balanced between the garlic, spinach and cream sauce...I would definitely get this again. The Mini Filet Sliders were another hit. Great flavor profile: the meat was cooked to perfection and the melding of the red onion Jam and blue cheese was on point. This is another dish I would come back for. For dinner I got the Steak Frites (skirt steak, maitre d' butter) and The Doctor/Queen got the Southern Salmon (parm-crusted mashed potatoes, Cajun cream sauce). The steak was cooked well but the fries were not very warm. The Doctor got Southern Salmon, but the dish he got was The Queen's portion, which was smaller than the regular entrée off the menu. He said the fish and mash potatoes were very good, but on the cool side. The entrée size dish did not come out right away for The Queen. She ended up sitting there and me and The Doctor let her eat from our plates. The entrée finally showed up about 10 minutes later. When The Queen's entrée came out, I did try it and the fish and potatoes were delish. We also ordered some cornbread, but it never arrived, but we were also not charged for it, so no harm no foul. Dessert Sticky Date Cake, which was recommended by our server as the best one to get because it was the chef's favorite. Well a dessert appear before our eyes, but it was the regular size. Our server immediately rushed over to let us know that the kitchen made a mistake and did not prepare the Restaurant Week portion and that me and The Queen had to share....NOPE! For the food, based on taste, was a four start experience. The service was not on point and that is is the reason for the three stars. There were times when our server would stop at the table next to us, but then go pass our table. It was difficult to wave him down and it seemed like he was working both sides of the room. The issue with the timing of the food coming out lukewarm, getting refills on drinks, the requirement to split a dessert because the regular size was brought out instead, all leads to a not great time. Add to that an automatic 18% gratuity also didn't make me very happy. I have no problem tipping and do it well, but 18% for not so great service, not feeling that. Very unfortunate as the food has the potential to be very good. That service issue needs to be addressed read more

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I really enjoyed the atmosphere. They set the tone for luxury by having the chandeliers displaying in almost what seems to be ballroom like. The food was absolutely amazing. I've never had jalapeño cornbread and couldn't get enough of it. The drinks were strong but I didn't care for the drinks that much. I really enjoyed the salmon and the pasta. I'd definitely return. The owner was very humble and courteous! This is a must stop ! read more

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I had such a nice experience at this Southern restaurant in Chicago near 20th and Wabash. From the moment I walked in, the service was warm and welcoming. The host, Reese, was very pleasant and made a great first impression. Our server, Messler I may be pronouncing his name wrong was nice as well, though I would have loved a little more detail about the menu items since we ordered appetizers. We tried the baked macaroni and cheese, asparagus, crab cake, Cullerton salad, shrimp and calamari, and dessert. My favorite was definitely the Cullerton salad it was so delicious. The macaroni and cheese was my least favorite, not because it was bad, but because it just wasn't what I expected. The atmosphere was amazing, the music was nice, and the drinks were delicious. My son loved his Old Fashioned, and I really enjoyed my Paper Plane. I also appreciated the general manager, Mandy, stopping by to check on us. When I mentioned the shrimp and calamari portion seemed a little short, she offered us a fresh batch, and it came out really good. Eddie was also great with clearing the table and keeping our waters refilled. Overall, the food, service, drinks, and atmosphere made it a great experience. This is a nice spot for a date night or a good night out, and I'll definitely be back. read more

I recently dined at a newish upscale soul food spot in Chicago and had a great experience, though there are a few things to consider. The decor is as nice as you'd expect and our server John couldn't have been better. Definitely ask for him. Cocktails: I tried a signature margarita-like cocktail with habanero, which was refreshing but a bit too spicy for my taste. If you're sensitive to heat, avoid it. ($18) Appetizers: The fried green tomatoes with crab meat were fantastic.... crispy and flavorful! One of the best I've ever had. The cornbread was surprisingly cake-like, slightly sweet, and had the best honey butter pairing. ($12) Main Courses: I opted for a custom meal with crab cakes, asparagus, and collard greens with turkey. The crab cakes were decent, though not outstanding, and the asparagus was softer than I prefer. However, the collard greens were flavorful and the turkey added a nice touch. There's also a collard green with no meat option. The average entree, pasta or fish is around $40. A "half" branzino was $37 without a side. The steaks are closer to $60+. Traditional sides can be shared and are in the $12-$20 range. Desserts: We had the peach cobbler (deconstructed with brown butter ice cream) and key lime pie. Both were tasty, though the cobbler might not be for those who prefer more filling than crust. The pie had good flavor but wasn't entirely key lime or "true key lime". Portion sizes were generous. Parking: Valet parking is available for $17, making it a convenient option in a busy area. Overall: The restaurant offers a fresh take on soul food in an upscale setting, with excellent service. It's a great choice for a special night or a casual meal with a twist. Gratuity: Also, it's worth noting that 18% gratuity is added, but when you pay with a card, it prompts you to select the full 15%, 20% or 25% option instead of listing the option to give an "additional" tip. Point being, pay ATTENTION! We spent about $150 a person w/ gratuity. read more

Southern Chicago - Crab cakes, Oysters Rockefeller and Collard Greens w/ turkey - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've seen mixed reviews online and wanted to give the place a try myself. I personally wouldn't go back. The food is mediocre. Most of it came out room temperature and it didn't have much flavor to it. I ordered a sprite and it can in a bottle, it was not crisp and it also wasn't free refills. The service was okay, and the restaurant itself was dimly lit. This could be nice for a date night if the food tasted better. read more

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Excellent addition to the South Loop's restaurant starved area! So worth the wait to enjoy outstanding upscale, southern food like the scrumptious blackened chicken pasta in a delicate cream sauce with a side of smooth tasty collard greens with turkey bits. My friends enjoyed the fresh oysters and delectable crabcakes, perfectly prepared medium rare steak frites. All enjoyed fresh colorful cocktails. Our fabulous waitress, Jessica, recommended a perfectly well balanced white wine. She was professional, friendly, poised, and attentive. We were honored to meet and chat with co-owner Troy who is the exemplary southern gentleman if I must say! He delighted us with a complementary cornbread, which, and I am not kidding, the best cornbread I've ever had - more like a dessert lol He shared that they plan to add outdoor seating soon, which is music to my ears! We need more of those for sure. Last but not least the restaurant ambience is beyond classy, intimate and jovial. Plenty of table seating, spacious bar, and nice clean bathrooms! We ladies really appreciate that. Planning our next meal there already! Valet or street meter parking available. read more

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Lovvvvvved that a new, black owned restaurant was coming to the neighborhood - South Loop! We needed this! Myself and my Fiancé have visited twice! We have not been disappointed once! He loved the Cajun pasta, I loved the Maple Chicken and Branzino! Both delicious and full of flavor (NOT salt)!! The Crab Cakes and Garlic Prawns, Delicious! Date cake, amazing and so moist! Loved it. The cocktails are boozy and fresh! These are real cocktails! My favorite is the Smoking Magnolia. His is the Savannah Nights! Kelsey, our waiter, both visits, made the best recommendations, always well informed and pleasant! At this point, just request her ;-) The ambiance is beautiful! It's spacious and that mirror is stunning on the way to the restrooms, amazing "Photo Op!" We will Return! read more

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Had reservations on a Friday, had a small wait but nothing crazy. Found street parking right in front of the restaurant so that was perfect. The atmosphere was nice, the place was filled with people. The service could've been better but the food and drinks were great!! I would return. read more

Southern Chicago - Pictured is steak frites, Rockefeller oysters, and salmon. Everything was good. - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service was good but initially slow. Appetizers not so great. Oyster Rockefeller was scorched tasting& green tomatoes lacking flavor& too thin. Music was too overpowering & drowning out table conversation. Da ambience was nice. read more

We went here for my husband 50th everything was great food and place my writing Diana is awesome read more

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A nice steakhouse conveniently located near McCormick Place. Beautiful interior and wonderful service. Our party of five was seated on time. The menu is akin to a traditional steakhouse, and our waiter did a nice job walking us through which entrees came with a 'little extra' and where we might want to add shareable dishes. Nothing earth shattering. The restaurant was very lively on a Friday evening - lots of birthday celebrations and sparklers and the music was a touch loud. I was there for a business dinner and it wasn't the best atmosphere for that, but I would definitely enjoy dining with friends. Just a little hard to converse, but that's no fault of the restaurant. I love being around people having a good time, and everyone was! My food was a touch salty, but there's something on the menu for everyone - our party had salads, calamari, salmon, steak frites, pasta, and chicken. read more

The ambiance was charming. Classy dining area and bar area. The noise level was good as I could carry on a normal conversation with my companion The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I visited at the height of the dinner rush and it was amply staffed The food was southern cooking. The green fired tomatoes. Devils eggs and sweet potatoes were outstanding read more

The food was very good, the service was pleasant, our server was James. It was my first time there and I plan to go back. The drinks were good too but I forgot to snap a picture. read more

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My friends and I were very excited to try this new establishment and were heavily disappointed. We had a reservation at 8:30pm, arrived at 8:20 and upon checking in was told by the hostess "it will be a minute" before we were seated. After checking in several times with the hostess we weren't seated until 9:03pm. As you will continue to read below, we didn't end up leaving the restaurant until 11:30pm. Prior to us being seated, we did keep noticing there were several tables that were empty but we figured they were short staffed or maybe those seats were being held hence why we couldn't be seated sooner. To our surprise, we were seated at a table that had been empty the entire time we were waiting to be seated. Once seated, it took over 30 minutes for our table to receive water and had to ask several times for the water. We did give a lot of grace to our waiter as he stated it was his first night working there. We placed our order with the waiter, which then took 30 minutes for the appetizer to come out. It took another 30 minutes for one entree of 3 that were ordered to come out. The salmon was overcooked. The Brussels sprouts were over cooked and cold and the Mac n cheese was subpar. We were told the baked chicken entree which was entree #2 would be another 12 minutes. At this point we requested to speak with the Manager to express our concerns with how the evening had been. We were told by the manager that basically the blame was with the kitchen staff. She offered us a free round of drinks but we were starving and couldn't care less about drinks since we had been in the restaurant over 2 hours at this point. The manager removed the Brussel sprouts from the bill and offered us another side which we selected the collard greens. The greens were very salty but ended up being the only thing I ate the entire night. The third entree we ordered was the steak frites, medium. It came out completely well done . When the baked chicken finally came out it was undercooked and pink in the middle. We told our waiter that we wanted to speak with a manager again because at this point it was now going on 11pm and we'd been there since 8:20 pm. The waiter stated he would let the manager know we wanted to speak with her but she was busy doing a lot of damage control. As we were waiting for the manager to come, the kitchen had already turned off all the lights, and then they began to dim the lights in the dining room. Another waiter came past our table, and literally looked one of our guest in the eye, and blew out the candle on the table. To our surprise we found out the restaurant closed at 10pm yet it was still half full with very dissatisfied customers. We ended up paying for our drinks, salmon, Mac n cheese and the automatic 18% gratuity. I would expect this kind of service when a restaurant first opens but not at the 4 month mark with being open. We did not end up leaving this restaurant until 11:30 pm. It seems they need to close for a bit to regroup, hire all new staff and come back more organized. An establishment should not state they are a fine dining restaurant and charge fine dining prices but deliver terrible service and food that is not consistent in quality. I do wish them the best as I love the fact that the south Loop is getting more restaurants, but as large as the city is, there are plenty of other restaurants to choose from that would deliver a true fine dining experience and would have had much skills with service recovery. read more

Southern Chicago - Steak Frites - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Although a lovely experience. Upon arriving home my bestie and I learned that our bags were switched. I like that they use eco friendly boxes but they should have more sizes the food looked like scraps thrown inside. They also packed up a bowl of empty mussels shells. Clearly visible that they were eaten but I guess since we didn't get a spoon or separate bowl to identify that we were finished they assumed they weren't eaten. I'm sure this can't be a norm but thought I'd mention it for they can be more careful and consider various packing sizes for take home. read more

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I ate the fried chicken with maple glaze and the kale ceasar salad and an Easy Living non alcoholic drink. The restaurant was stunning. It was cozy, elegant and beautifully decorated. The staff were attentive and friendly. When an issue needed to be corrected, it was handled perfectly. My chicken was good, GOOD! My salad was just ok. I think largely shaved Parmesan would've elevated it or visible anchovies would've made it feel like something I couldn't make at home. My friend loved her salmon, spinach and mashed potatoes. My drink was so, so GOOD! If I could change anything it would be the volume and selection of the music. When I think of fine dining I think (and have experienced) softly played music where people could still enjoy a conversation. And jazz or any instrumental music would've been a nice addition to the rotation. I would definitely go again. Fatima and Corey were THE BEST! read more

Antionette S. Let start by saying, this place is beautiful! The service, ambiance, and food were fire!!!! Highly recommend 10/10 Please make sure to dress up. It's very elegant. I went for brunch but didn't know it and the menu only had a few selections, but I wasn't having it. That's not what I came for, I came for the dinner, so they made some exceptions for me being that I came from out of town. But that Cajun Salmon was fire!! I couldn't even be mad. I really enjoyed myself. Please make your reservations because this place filled up fast. read more

I know I'm giving a 3/5 rating, but this is generally, good spot; I just know of better spots to go to for Southern food. For starters, the restaurant itself looks quite nice, but the seating at the bar is really uncomfortable if you have wide hips or a larger-than-average derriere, as the seats have a tight curve around them (i.e. they're more circular than oval in shape). We opted to sit at the bar because that's where happy hour is offered, which is standard at many restaurants. Our server/bartender Monique, was an absolute sweetheart; the other staff that tended to the bar were sociable enough. The food was good; the only real knock I have was that the Maple Fried Chicken was lukewarm, and the Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens were a bit salty when delivered - that saltiness died down when heated up the next day. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back but if I do, I won't be sitting at the bar, and I'll try other offerings. read more

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Food was great. Faves were the filet sliders, salmon, and maple glaze chicken. We did not like the fried green tomatoes due to this batter, too thin tomatoes for the batter, and not enough crab. Service was impeccable Ambience was astounding. The place is beautiful. read more

First impression visiting this restaurant with a friend for a late night meal - this is a really beautiful establishment. Like seriously I felt really regal dining in here lol. Decor aside, I really enjoyed my time at Southern Chicago. Our server was really nice and personable. One thing that stood out is that the service was pretty quick, which was surprising to me given that it was relatively busy at the time that I went so I would've been OK with waiting, but I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't have to wait long for my items. Since we were dining for a late snack and not super hungry, we opted to order a few appetizers and split a couple sides together. We ordered the shrimp and caviar deviled eggs, I think the deviled eggs were pickled because they were pink in color although I didn't notice any distinct flavor. The deviled eggs were OK, not necessarily bad but it's also not something that I would probably rush to order again. We also ordered the crabcakes, which are really good. For the sides we ordered the cornbread, smoked greens with turkey, and the sweet potatoes. All three were really good, however, I wished that we got a few more sweet potato medallions, considering the price of the sides. I also want to say that cornbread was simply amazing and truthfully, it's humongous. I wasn't expecting the size of- I was really expecting a small skillet so that was a pleasant surprise and something that I would likely order each and every time that I come. Lastly the drinks are also very good as always I ordered they take on an old-fashioned, which was really nice. Overall, I had such a good time here and will certainly look forward to visiting again in the future. It's nice to have a really beautiful place right in the south loop. read more

Southern Chicago - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dined at the Southern on a Saturday Afternoon. I had been anxiously awaiting it's opening, and the opportunity to snag a reservation. I saw that the reviews suggested a bit of a rocky opening but still had to give it a chance. The interior is absolutely beautiful and presents an awesome ambiance for just about any festive, elevated event. We were greeted in the waiting area and while the hostess was not rue, the greeting was not warm and inviting as I would have expected for a venue and restaurant of this magnitude. The menu had a nice variety of modern twists on soul and comfort food, with options to suite all dining preferences. Our Waitperson, Rich, had a lively, eccentric personality and a dry and witty sense of humor. We appreciated the recommendations that he made regarding his favorite items and his level of attentiveness. Our table had that lobster and the branzino, lobster mac, sweet potato souffle, collard greens, cornbread skillet and fried green tomatoes as a starter. My favorites were the branzino and the jalapeno cornbread. We had a couple of cocktails, whose names I can't recall, but well-presented and flavorful. Glad to have the Southern as a neighborhood spot that I look forward to returning to. read more

It's been a long time since I dined and didn't feel like there was a post pandemic effect. This place was amazing. Everyone greeted our party with a smile; from the valet, security, host, bartenders and waitress. We had 3 active children... with lots of energy. And, the waitress handled our party like a pro. Lol The ambiance was absolutely gorgeous. We moved tables a few times, making sure everyone was comfortable. Management was great, truly appreciated the move to the private room. The food was delicious. I think we succeeded in ordering at least half the menu. The party before us took that last lobster. We'll try it the next time. OMG, the steak was like butter ... tender and seasoned. The lamb chops were great. The maple glaze chicken was great. The salmon was great. There was a smoked baked chicken, taste like it was taken right off the grill at a family barbecue. Mac and Cheese, potatoes, biscuits, cornbread with honey butter. They didn't miss a beat. It was good service, great food, great conversation with the people I love. I thank God for the opportunity of having such a wonderful heavenly birthday for my husband. The chef came out to greet us... just couldn't say anything but great things about my experience. I will definitely be returning. Thank you Southern Chicago for such a spectacular experience. read more

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April 18, 1965 .....Food was very good.... My only opinion not a complaint. The crab meat on top of the fried green tomatoes. It's so unnecessary.... It does not enhance the taste of the delicious fried tomatoes. I had the salmon that's a full entree, it comes with sautéed spinach and very creamy mash potatoes. Id give it a10/10. My husband had the maple grazed fried chicken with the sweet potatoes and collard greens with turkey meat. Absolutely 10/10. So glad we didn't make our decision on others reviews. Please help support this restaurant. I have no skin in the game. Just would like the owners to win! Definitely will return.... Thanks for my 61st birthday dinner! Service was a 9/10...and ambiance was a 9/10. read more

All Pomp No Circumstance Positives The decor is beautiful, particularly the tile by the front entrance. I was intentionally excited to support a Black-owned business. Negatives This was, unfortunately, the worst dinning experience I have ever had. We had a reservation for six people at 7:00 PM and were not seated until 7:56 PM, despite our table being ready at least 10 minutes earlier. After being seated, we waited 30 minutes before a server took our order and another 10-15 minutes before receiving water. Drinks took an additional 40 minutes, during which time bartenders were visibly standing idle. After raising concerns, we received explanations but no meaningful attempt at resolution until we explicitly asked, at which point we were provided one complimentary round of drinks we did not ask for arrived. By 9:00 PM, we still had not received our entrees, so we requested a manager. The manager arrived shortly before the food came. Our friends' steaks were served lukewarm, plates covered in blood (meaning they had been sitting a while), and cooked well done, despite being ordered medium and medium rare. The menu listed Filet Medallions; however, both the manager and owner later confirmed that there was a printing error and that the steak being served was flank steak, not filet. This information was never disclosed to us prior to ordering and was only acknowledged after we complained, meaning we were not informed that the menu item was misrepresented at the time of purchase. The manager offered to refire the steaks and stated they would be out shortly. Twenty minutes later, one steak returned raw. The manager again offered no meaningful resolution, aside from complimentary biscuits which had earlier been stated as sold out. Approximately 25 minutes later, the owner approached us and stated he had overheard we were unhappy. He offered explanations but no accountability. I calmly explained that mistakes happen in business, but the response matters. We should not have had to request complimentary items or a discount; those should have been offered proactively. He stated he would apply a percentage discount. Which we assumed would be at least 40% off. While waiting for dessert, around 9:40 PM, a forgotten side dish arrived at the table, further highlighting the lack of organization. We had brought our own 8-inch cake, which the restaurant's website states is permitted with a cutting fee. The cake was visible on the table the entire evening and we let her know we wanted to have the cake in addition to the to the dessert we ordered. Despite this, No one offered to cut the cake, provide plates, or utensils. When we followed up about the cake which was still sitting on our table, our server stated she thought we were cutting it ourselves, which is unreasonable in a fine-dining setting, especially without being provided knives or plates. She then said they would charge us a fee if they cut it, which we expected but felt unfair given all we had experienced. She then offered to cut it for free, but by that point we requested the check, it was almost 10pm. The check reflected only a 10% discount, with an 18% automatic gratuity still applied, despite the extensive service failures. Given the circumstances, we expected at minimum that gratuity would be removed. My wife and I calmly approached the owner and stated, "We hate to do this to a Black-owned business, but this experience is unacceptable." His response was, "That's the best we can do. Y'all still ate." When we explained that we ate only because it had been over two hours and we were starving, he became hostile, stating, "Get out. I'll get wild with you in my restaurant." He then raised his voice, used obscenities, and demanded we "pay and get out." We left the restaurant. Our friends remained behind and later reported that the doors were locked and they were not allowed to leave until payment was made. They told us they were called "broke," told "I know your type," and intimidated until they paid the bill. What began as poor service escalated into verbal threats, intimidation, and behavior that was deeply alarming and unprofessional. We are longtime supporters of Black-owned businesses and are serial entrepreneurs ourselves. We regularly patronize and recommend businesses such as Virtue, Soul Food Lounge, and Daisy's Po' Boys. Despite this experience, I sincerely hope this business succeeds. However, due to the severity of this incident, we will never return and feel compelled to report it for the safety of others. (The times in this review our to the best of my knowledge and memory) read more

There's something so special about walking into a space that feels intentional from the moment you step through the door -- and Southern delivers that effortlessly. The ambiance is stunning -- warm lighting, beautiful interior design, and a vibe that perfectly blends fine dining sophistication with Southern soul. Even during a packed happy hour, the staff was friendly, attentive, and on point -- every seat was filled, but the service never missed a beat. Pro tip: get there early because happy hour runs from 4:00-5:30 PM, and the crowd definitely knows what's up. The menu is thoughtfully curated with options that make it hard to choose, but I went with the Hugo Spritz, Wagyu sliders, and jalapeño cornbread with honey butter -- all amazing. The flavors, presentation, and energy made the experience feel elevated yet inviting. It's so refreshing to see a Black-owned fine dining restaurant setting the bar this high. I can't wait to come back and experience the full dinner menu next time! read more

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