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    TAO Chicago Restaurant

    3.6 (828 reviews)
    PriceyPan Asian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    TAO CHICAGO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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    Trendy
    Intimate
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    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - TAO Chicago Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    Yosef M.

    During the winter time, I finally got a chance to experience the oh so popular Tao brunch. I came with my girlfriend and her family and we had an amazing time. The food was excellent, and I would have to say my favorite item was the bao buns. The beef bao was both soft and tender while packing an endless amount of flavor in those tiny little bites. I also helped myself to the desert section at the end, and those chocolate covered strawberries were to die for lol.

    Lobster Wontons
    Kimberly T.

    Had an incredible night at TAO Chicago Restaurant. The atmosphere is stunning, with an upscale, energetic vibe that makes the entire experience feel like a special occasion. The massive décor and lively ambiance definitely live up to the hype. We started with a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned, both expertly crafted and the perfect way to kick off the evening. The Lobster Wontons were rich, crispy, and packed with flavor. The Crispy Lobster Roll was another standout, offering a great balance of texture and freshness. For the entrée, the Filet Mignon Stir Fry was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful with just the right amount of seasoning. 5/5. I would absolutely return for the Lobster Wontons, Filet Mignon Stir Fry, and another round of cocktails

    Spicy Tuna Roll
    Srinanda G.

    We got the fried chicken gyoza as an appetizer, and it was easily the best dish of the night. For our entrees, we ordered the shrimp tempura roll and the spicy tuna roll, and we enjoyed both. We definitely felt full by the end of the meal, which was surprising because it is usually hard to feel full off sushi. I have been to the NYC location before, and I will say I enjoyed my meal at the Chicago location significantly more. In terms of drinks, the cocktails were well made. However, the shots were pretty watered down, which was disappointing. It's definitely an aesthetic spot. However, the biggest downside is the service. We were a relatively large party but were on time for our reservation, and we still had to wait over a half hour before we were even seated. Service throughout the night took an extremely long time, and we were starving before we even saw any signs of food.

    Lobster Pad Thai
    Cathy H.

    Second stop for restaurant week, TAO!!! I've been waiting to try the infamous Tao. Known for their Las Vegas/LA restaurant/club, I was super excited when they opened in Chicago. Upon entry, you are blown away by the decor with the grand staircase leading down into the main dining area overseen by the giant Buddhist goddess. It's so dope. Their chill bar area is a MUST for happy hour! Upon arrival, our table was not ready just yet, so my daughter and I chilled by the bar and ordered charred edamame and their martini flight. I ordered the edamame because of the seasonings HOWEVER WHYYY did I order this appetizer knowing I don't like anything char broiled!!???!?? My daughter and I opted for the restaurant week menu, starting with the spicy tuna on crispy rice and she got the chicken satay. Both were MID! My crispy rice was super chewy like stale and I prefer my peanut sauce with my satay a bit spicy ( just my personal preference). For our entrees, I got the lobster pad Thai and my daughter got the wagyu beef. I didn't enjoy the pad Thai initially . It tastes like the flavors didn't blend so I waited until the next day to try. It was a bit better but still a no unfortunately. My daughter's wagyu beef was tender, perfectly cooked. The flavor was ok. By the time dessert came around, we were full. Dessert to go is better anyway. I opted for the matcha crème brûlée but our waiter said it doesn't travel well so I got the banana pudding and my daughter ordered something chocolatey. Would I return to Tao? For happy hour, yes. And I'll try another appetizer but for dinner service, no thank you.

    Cashew Chicken
    Puneet S.

    I did not have high expectations because the first time I came I don't remember the food being good. We came a restaurant week and the portion sizes were great. We ordered the veggie eggroll and spicy tuna tartare for appetizer. That girl was thick and crispy and had a good taste with the good texture on the outside. The spicy tuna tartare had an amazing spicy crispy rice and the tuna of high-quality on top and it paired well with the eel sauce. Next, we ordered Pat Thai and cashew chicken. The pad thigh was not too sweet and came with a lot of vegetables inside such as tofu and mushroom and a lot of veggies and tasted really great and not too saucy. The cashew chicken was phenomenal with a nice coating on the outside and a little bit of stickiness in the sauce with cashews and pepper sprinkled throughout. We also ordered the cauliflower side dish, which was great, but just a little bit too saucy. If it was a little bit more crisp, it would happen more enjoyed. For dessert, we tried the banana pudding, mousse cake, and Matcha crème brûlée. The crème brûlée stood out the most with the most unique taste, and Matcha flavored blending, which worked really well. If you are not a much a lover, after trying this, you will be. The service was phenomenal and our drinks were constantly refilled, and the manager even came by to check on us. The ambience is outstanding and this is way better than I thought it would be.

    Shay R.

    I've been wanting to visit Tao and finally stopped by. I came for a night club performance but stopped by the restaurant area for a bite to eat. I ended up sitting at the bar area which had ample seats. The bartender I interacted with was friendly enough. He was patient with my party but seemed very distracted. Unfortunately Tao is what you would expect it to be. It's about who you know in order to get optimal service. The group next to me seemed to know a few employees which stopped by multiple times throughout the night to do shots with them. It was very awkward because the person gave so much attention to the group that my party only had one drink and opted to not get another drink. The bartender finally asked if we wanted a second drink by the time we were ready to close out the tab. The prices for the drinks and food are what you expect for the area. I got a basic salmon and avocado roll for 22+ dollars. Any other sushi spot I'd laugh at them but when in Rome you order the over priced rolls. The roll was extremely fresh and delicious but not worth making this a regular spot. Tao is a place you need to pull out your finest of clothes. It's beautiful inside and massive. It's definitely a place you need to make a reservation unless you luck out and score a seat at the bar. I'm happy I got to visit once but this past experience soured my desire to want to visit again.

    Hot Bar
    Jacqueline O.

    We tried the AYCE brunch at Tao on a Sunday morning. I guess we had booked the first reservation slot of the day because doors did not open until a little after our reservation time and we (plus a few other parties) had to wait outside on the sidewalk. Staff were great when they came around but it would've been nice if they were more attentive on drink refills. They were very nice, though! Especially the staff on the brunch bar. The setup was a little tight and hard to navigate, especially combined with the low lighting. Add in a plate full of food and some tables/stations separated by the grand staircase, it was a little precarious. The food was really good but I would've liked more prime entree options - there were two options on the carving station. It's dim sum so it's a given, but all other options were very carb-heavy and you're served by a staff member so they control the ratios, say if you were getting a noodle fish with meat in it. We also had it noted that we were visiting for our anniversary. We got a brief congratulations when we were seated but nothing additional. I know that's not required but I probably would choose another restaurant (for multiple factors) if you were visiting for a special occasion. All in all, there WAS a nice variety but I think there are much better elevated brunch buffets in the neighborhood and at similar pricepoints

    Postickers
    Rhea T.

    I can't talk about Tao without bringing up the ambiance. There is plenty of room for seating & the setting is very intimate. This is the perfect spot for a date or happy hour. I was able to try a mini martini flight and the potstickers which were super good. I plan to go to the nightclub at some point.

    Lana T.

    Came here for the AYCE Brunch and it was good such a variety of Asian food and sushi. Really loved the sushi which is tucked away in the corner. There was such a variety of food from pork belly to bao and dim sum. Also some Vietnamese food. I would say their canh chua or hot and sour soup was alright. Needed more flavor but really liked how the bean sprouts were on the side. The Banh mi was a little too hard and some of the food like sushi were sitting out for a little long. I would say having oyster unlimited which a great. We got about 5 oysters and it had such a variety of topping. The star of the show was the dessert table in the back. It was so good! So many options to choose from so save your stomach for a platter of desserts. The ambiance inside was great! Similar music to the club which I have been to and it's separate from the restaurant. The waiters were attentive in filling up our waters and clearing away our plates. Definitely would come back here soon.

    Crystal Z.

    Ambiance - modern, upscale, great for dates & large groups Service - love that they have complimentary coat check, staff was also attentive Food - came here for the Sunday brunch & the selection was amazing, loveeeee that they have roasted pork belly, wide variety of sushi & they even had a raw oyster section

    Kari O.

    Came here for an early dinner and started with a Casa De Clase. It was a double tequila drink in a cool mezcal blue cup with fresh flowers. Delicious and not too sweet! Then we moved onto the tuna tartare crispy rice, the lamb Toriyaki skewers and the checking gyoza. All were cooked to perfection and were actually hot! At every place I go to I order 3 sake sashimi, which these came out in a beautiful presentation over ice and a light. We rounded at our entrées with pepper filet mignon and sweet Thai shrimp With a side of the Hing King Noodles. All the dishes had a generous portion of meat and well seasoned veggies. As someone who's an Asian food connoisseur, they nailed it. It was definitely pricey, but the ambience was worth it! Would go back! .

    Pilar G.

    I'm absolutely obsessed with the happy hour at TAO!!! It's kind of an unexpected place for happy hour, but I think it is one of the best selections, atmospheres, and price points in the city for hh. Also, the happy hour runs from 5-8pm so much more generous hours than other places. The signature cocktails are $10. Definitely get the lychee martini!! Also, they have a tiny tini flight of three mini martinis for $15. Such a fun idea. The food here is also so good. Some of my favorite things are the tuna crispy rice, the tuna sashimi pizza with caviar, and the chili guacamole. Many of the items are only $7 and substantial portions. Service and atmosphere are always a 10/10 here.

    Inside
    Peter D.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner experience at Tao Chicago. From the vibes to the food to the great service, I have no complaints. I went to their dinner service for my sister's birthday. Everything felt very special - the quality of food was 10/10, and the servers made sure everyone was having a good time. I cannot pick one single dish that stood out from the rest. Furthermore, I thought this was a great venue for friends to come together and enjoy each other's presence. Shout out to Clarissa for making this visit extra special! She does a wonderful job every time I come by here :) *will add a separate review for the club level

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    Page 1 of 21

    TAO Chicago Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - TAO Chicago Restaurant

    Is eating at the bar permitted?

    Yes

    Hello, what are the best dishes on the menu?

    My team and I tried a few different dishes and honestly they were all great

    Valet parking or street/garage parking?

    Street parking is steep here - $9 for 2 hours but still cheaper than valet which is $25 for 3 hours.

    Can I bring my 16 year old here?

    To the restaurant you can. But not the club part of Tao

    Is there valet parking?

    Yes!

    Do they separate the checks for large parties?

    I think it depends on how large the party is. For normal size parties yes.

    Any gluten free options?

    Yes! They have gluten free noodles, pad thai, vegetable fried rice, edamame, and miso soup!

    How old you have to be to dine in there?

    I don't believe there is a minimum age requirement for dining but I also don't believe it is family friendly from having been there. If children is not the concern, I believe it is appropriate for anyone over 18. Definitely a pricy menu.

    How old do you have to be to get into the night club?

    21 years old

    Guys how did anyone get a reservation. Just searched online for as far out as they would let me and they didn't have anything within 2 hrs of 5:00 or 9:00 - on a MONDAY?

    I know someone who works there that helped me with this! They open the books 30 days in advance to the day. You can call their reservation line 30 days from the day you want and they will book for you: 224-888-0388… 

    Do you need to make a reservation for the nightclub or can you just walk in?

    You can walk in, but may have to wait in line first.

    Is there a cover charge for the nightclub?

    No for woman regular night $25 for guy. Special event $50

    Fitted dark jeans and button down with closed shoes acceptable?

    Yes. I saw people with t shirts on. You'll be fine

    If you make a reservation for dinner does that get you into the nightclub as well? Or do you have to make 2 separate reservations?

    Yes. You have to make both.

    What is the cover charge?

    $20

    View All 16 Questions

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    Bigsuda

    4.3
    (71 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    We walked in late on a Saturday afternoon and seated right away. The vibe is super cute. I really…read morelike the decor in there. We got the soup dumplings, the fried eggplant, and the shrimp fried rice to share because we were having dinner in a couple hours so we didn't want to fill up and it was the perfect amount of food and actually super tasty. Highly recommend!

    Came here with a friend for dinner. I loved the atmosphere. It was dark and moody and would be a…read moregreat place for a date night. I found the food to be more family style where you get a few things and share them. The items dont really come as a main with a side but the portions are big so sharing and getting plenty of what you like is not an issue. My friend and I started with a bottle of Soju. It was a little smaller than expected. For the price I thought it would be one of the bigger Soju bottles but it was still fine to share. We got the pork and kurobuta soup dumplings and they were very good. The broth was warm and flavorful without being burn your mouth hot. We then shared the elote mandoo, jeera pork ribs and rosemary guobaorou. Both of our favorites ended up being the rosemary guobaorou. The sauce was amazing and the pork was frieded lightly with a crispy batter. Everything else was good as well. The ribs were really meaty and fell of the bone. The elote mandoo was the only thing I didnt love. You only got 3 small pieces and I thought it tasted more like cheese than corn. Like a Mac and cheese dumplings. The service was good. They did come by a lot to see if we wanted to order more things which became a little excessive at the end. We could have had 2 less drop by. Definitely a great spot to check out for dinner in the Wicker Park area.

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    Sunda New Asian - River North

    Sunda New Asian - River North

    4.0
    (3.5k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We made a reservation at Sunda to celebrate my husband's birthday with friends before flying out to…read moreMexico, and it was a must-visit for me because I've eaten here twice before and still dream about the Wagyu Crispy Rice. The evening started off wonderfully. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the food absolutely delivered. The Wagyu Crispy Rice remains a 10/10 and is worth ordering every single time. We also shared the fried chicken and pork belly bao buns, which my husband and our friends couldn't stop talking about. Everyone loved their meals, and we left completely stuffed. Unfortunately, one interaction put a damper on an otherwise great dinner. My husband has had a white fish allergy for 32 years. He can safely eat certain fish like tuna, salmon, and trout, so he usually has limited sushi options but still enjoys it. He ordered what appeared to be a safe roll, but after the first bite realized it contained masago. We asked what type of fish their masago comes from, and the server confirmed it was from a white fish. Thankfully, he noticed immediately and didn't have a reaction. The server did offer to have the roll remade, which we appreciated. However, before doing so, she repeatedly told us that she and the chef "think all fish are white," implying that his allergy didn't really make sense. Hearing that several times felt dismissive of a very real allergy he's managed his entire life. Food allergies aren't something anyone should have to defend while dining out. To end the meal, they kindly brought out The Ridiculous dessert and the coconut cheesecake for my husband's birthday, and both were delicious. However, the moment was a bit overshadowed when the server mentioned, "We normally don't give these as birthday desserts, but because of what happened, we did." While I'm sure it wasn't intended that way, it came across as passive-aggressive rather than hospitable. Overall, the food was outstanding and absolutely lives up to Sunda's reputation. I'd happily return for the Wagyu Crispy Rice and everything else we tried. My only criticism is that a little more sensitivity and understanding around food allergies--and a bit more tact in how situations are communicated--would have made an excellent dining experience truly exceptional.

    By far, the strangest food service I've had in a long time. Our table of 4 was seated promptly…read moreafter showing up a bit early to our reservation. The restaurant wasn't busy at 7pm on Sunday. We ordered a few drinks, a few different dishes, and an entry from the kids' menu. We quickly received our drinks, which were delicious and exciting. A balanced drink containing tamarind? Come on! We then got our first dish, the Wagyu crispy rice. Amazing. Delicious. Then our sushi came out. Also great! Then Adobe fried rice with pork belly. Super satisfying! But then... a total stall. We hadn't yet received our edamame or our chicken entree. Our server asked if we wanted the check. At that point, our food had time to sit and no one was hungry. So our server asked if we were ready for the check. Sure. Our check arrived at the same time our chicken dish showed up. And still no edamame, which was an appetizer. We were also given another table's bill, which was totally different than ours and showed a credit for something and a zero balance. It was fixed, and we ended up paying our $50ish per person with the only adjustment being that we didn't pay for the edamame we never received. Obvious disconnect between the kitchen and service. But the food we did receive was exceptional. Drinks were novel and playful. But forgetting food and a weird service pace really diminished the overall elegance of Sunda. I feel like we drastically overpaid for the dining experience. We are on a family vacation, so instead of memories of a great meal we instead have a story of that messed up service and the weirdness that surrounded.

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    Duck Duck Goat

    Duck Duck Goat

    4.1
    (2.2k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    This was my favorite stop at my visit to Chicago earlier this month! Duck Duck Goat checks all the…read moreboxes from gorgeous interior and sultry ambiance offering different looks for each room, to mouth-watering dishes and stunning cocktails. We had the Dan Dan Slap Noodles, Crab Rangoon and Xiao Long Bao that had us wishing we came hungrier to try more dishes. The chef offers a new, fun twist to Chinese favorites; the pineapple and mascarpone-almond filling in the Crab Rangoon was excellent! Our wonderful server recommended the Dan Dan Slap Noodles, it being his favorite dish, and it did not disappoint! The Chai'd and True cocktail had me rethinking my opinions on bourbon it was so delightful. Come hungry!

    I really wanted to love Duck Duck Goat as it was recommended by a friend. The atmosphere was great…read moreand the drinks were good. A few dishes, like the Duck Fried Rice, Pork Belly, and Beef Noodle Soup, were actually pretty solid. But the rest of the night was just so frustrating that I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The Jiaozi were the first big letdown. The menu said they were beef short rib and bone marrow, but they didn't taste like that at all. The filling was just super mushy and the flavor was just weird. The manager and the food runner were nice when we mentioned it, but our actual server was a disaster. When we tried the Goat Noodles, all we could taste was cumin. It was so overwhelming that it covered up everything else. We couldn't even tell if there was actually any goat shoulder in there. When we told our waiter, she couldn't care less. She got totally defensive, wouldn't even listen to us, and just said, "Oh, I told you when you ordered that the dish is cumin forward" and walked away. It got worse when the bill came. She was holding on to the payment machine so hard and almost yanked it right out of my friend's hand. She was staring at it to see what we were tipping. It was so awkward and incredibly rude. No thank you, no nothing. She just grabbed it and left. The place has potential, but they really need to fix the food and retrain the staff. A cool vibe doesn't make up for bad food and awful service.

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    Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.
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    Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.
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    Sunda New Asian - Fulton Market

    Sunda New Asian - Fulton Market

    4.1
    (111 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Beautiful ambiance, great and efficient staff from beginning to end…read more Ordered lumpia, pork buns, and loving heart maki roll, (Ask for wasabi does not come w sushi), everything was so good! Entree was Szechuan Chicken, only complaint was no knife or serving utensils. We are def going back!

    I needed a last minute reservation on a Sunday evening to meet a friend who was visiting for a…read moreconvention. Surprisingly most restaurants were booked on this Sunday evening, but then again it is summer in Chicago. I've always been a big Sunda River North fan so thought it would be fun to check out her little sis in Fulton Market. I was driving in from the burb so appreciated the valet parking right out front. They weren't very busy on this Sunday. Our waitress and the rest of the staff were super friendly. They were out of a few things such as brown rice, which was no biggie, but they were super apologetic...even brought edname to our table to apologize for us having to eat white rice (which i prefer anyway). I began my meal with a lovely glass of sauvignon blanc. My friend and I split a few menu items: * Crispy rice: one of my favorites from the original sunda. Good, but not quite as good as I remember * yellowtail crudo: refreshing and healthy * Miso cod: winner of the meal Overall, it was a good meal, but I left wondering if Sunda wasn't quite as good as it used to be or if my taste has changed overtime. There's so many amazing restaurants in this area that i'm not sure I would go back, but if you want solid asian food in a cool vibe this works.

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    Three Dots and A Dash

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1
    (4.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a…read morereservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

    I can't understand what the fuss is all about here. I couldn't wait to leave…read more This place represents itself as a tiki bar but is the most half-hearted attempt I have ever seen. I was excited for the experience having heard how busy it gets, blah blah. These positive reviewers need to seek out other tiki bars. After you negotiate the alley entrance and go down dangerously dark stairs, you are met with crazy boring decor. I kept thinking there had to be more right? The whole point of a tiki bar is to strike a mood, but hanging a very few polynesian masks on the wall, putting up a grass facade over the bar and dressing the servers in vaguely polynesian outfits is sad. I've seen private tiki bars at people's homes that are more exciting. Add to this a comparably boring music selection played far too loud over boomy lo-fi speakers and you'll wonder what's going on here. So what about the food and drink? Completely uninspired for anyone who's had more than a mai tai before in their life. About a dozen extremely common drink choices is all you get!! No specials, that's it. When I asked if this was the whole cocktail menu, the server said it was but they have a full bar so you can get anything you want. Well, I could get that service at just about any bar in the world, so big deal. Maybe it would be better if you sat at the bar and chatted up the bartender. One could also go taste their rum selections and other cocktails in the Bamboo Room, but I hate that kind of elitist nonsense. That's never been what tiki bars were about. The drinks we sampled were okay at best. Even the namesake 3 Dots and A Dash cocktail was lackluster and used cheap cherries for the dots instead of classic Luxardos. (If you know, you know) The appetizers were okay, but way overpriced. 5 tiny spring rolls for $18. Come on guys, enough already. I'd rather go to the bar at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney than return here. This place is a hard pass.

    Photos
    Interior Entrance
    Interior Entrance
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    Tiki gift shop.

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    Tiki gift shop.
    moto imōto

    moto imōto

    3.9
    (175 reviews)
    35.2 mi

    Delicious and value packed lunch spot! Beautiful dining…read morespace that is both casual and elevated at the same time. We went for lunch and the value for the bento box, at only $16, was to die for! The food was so fresh and there was so much of it we got basically another meal out of it! Highly recommend!

    Always love this place, but have room for improvement…read more There is limited street parking, but close parking garages on either side, but can be challenging at times. Love the decor, but it can get busy and a little noisy. Servers are nice, but at times get a little lost, as you might sit for a bit when you need something. Room for improvement. Occasionally sticky tables or wet chairs. Been twice where we needed things rewiped. Room for improvement. Food is always good and very fresh. Depending on what you order, can be a little higher priced, but still fair. Good value, Reservations are through Rezy and they have ePerks if you signup through their web store ($10 signup bonus + birthday rewards). May take a few days for email to arrive after processing. Absolutely one of our favorite places. This trip, ordered Spider and Rainbow Rolls, with my wife ordering Kung Pao Chicken Noodles. Our friends had the Mongolian Beef (one of favorites) and various other sushi rolls. Try the Pork Lo Mein which comes with shrimp or maybe a Sake flight. See you next time!

    Photos
    Bar view
    Bar view
    Bento Lunch Box Special
    Bento Lunch Box Special
    Bar area with tv

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    Bar area with tv

    TAO Chicago Restaurant - panasian - Updated July 2026

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