The Licking Chicago

2.7 (161 reviews)

ModerateSouthern, Seafood

Updated over 3 months ago

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The Licking Chicago - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - The Licking Chicago - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - The side of the location - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Licking Chicago - The front of the location - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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THE LICKING CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise

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Erika W.

I don't know if this can really be considered seafood rice. There was 1 overcooked crab claw on top of the rice and 3 shrimp in the rice. The rice itself is tasty, but it's definitely lacking on the seafood.

Rozalynn B.

I've been to 2 of the Miami locations several times so I'm familiar with their food. The location here is new to Chicago and I've heard bad things. But I always check places out for myself! We arrived to a full parking lot on Tuesday at about 2pm. So we used Madison street parking instead of the tight lots. There are 2 sides to the facility, take out & dine in. Take out is in the front & dine in is in the back. When we walked in we were advised there's a 15min wait. Once seated we had a really nice waitress, unfortunately, I can't remember her name. We ordered baked & fried chicken dinners. Got green beans, yams, & mac. They don't have greens everyday of the week! Which is unfortunate because they never have them in Miami either! *** ROLLS EYES*** These must be some bomb ass greens! Geesh THE FOOD IS PREPARED TO ORDER THIS IS NOT A FAST FOOD MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT!!!! GET THAT THRU YOUR HEAD PPL! THIS AIN'T MAC ARTHUR'S! GO DOWN THERE IF YOU'RE HURRIED. It took about 20/25 mins for our food to come out. Everything was fresh/good! I'll definitely be back for the seafood next time.

Chanel H.

The food is bomb, but service is not so great. Only one person working so can't blame her for the slowness. Definitely need more employees

Lauren D.

Our server was very nice and overall the food is pretty good. Not sure how it is usually, but it took quite a while for our orders to be taken. There was only one server. Luckily my friends and I weren't on a time frame, if we were, our entire day would have been thrown off. It took a long time to get the check as well. The music and TVs were incredibly loud, but when we asked the staff If they'd turn them down they were really sweet and accommodating. All of the sides were delicious. I ordered the chicken wing dinner with plain chicken wings and they were good but really salty. Overall, food was really good. Service was almost perfect. Just took way too long for us to be helped and I think that affected the experience a bit.

Never does it take 20min + to get change back , never got our drinks (they charged us our drinks when she said she was going to take it off never did ) , food was stale (fries) , pasta was like it was sitting around . Ended up going home with a stomachache something was wrong with the pasta . As a server I wouldn't have left a tip from how awful was the service . Cashed us out and never came back . Horrible horrible avoid at all cost and go to the one in Florida !!! Close this location down

Aryanna D.

At first I was skeptical reading the reviews .. but the food was actually decent I wouldn't pay $50 again but it would be more worth $25... The Mac and cheese wasn't good

Lacey K.

If you're looking for the worse service and longest wait, this is the place, but the food was amazing... the employees were cool, but very frustrated. I get it, it's new, was pop'n and very very busy. We went here and waited for over an hour to get seated, then it was over an hour to get our appetizer... they looked out and gave us free lemon pepper wings (fire), with our chicken rolls (fire). Then about 30-ish mins later we got our food. While all that was happening, the table across from us had been waiting for who knows how long. All I know is that they were in there before my bf and I. They got the check before they got their food. The music helped and kept us chill! With all that being said, Enjoy... everything we ate was on point and fire, definitely worth the wait if you had to drive to get there. We didn't get a chance to get a pic of our meal.

Tiffany P.

Really rude staff. They acted clueless to my DoorDash order, like they didn't know how the computer worked or have any knowledge of online orders. I realized after a bit it was an act as they were playing dumb, because they didn't want to do anything. The staff was more focused on getting back to the back room to play on their phones. There were three young staff members, and only one of them looked up from their phone the entire time to help me and other customers. One item I ordered was the Conch appetizer, and at the restaurant, the girl at the counter said that they do not have that menu item. Even though, it is listed on the paper carry out menu and clearly listed on the light up menu behind the counter! I couldn't believe they didn't have this item, as it seems to be THEE main thing that customers gave positive feedback for. The restaurant would not issue me a refund for this, saying they didn't know how to. I left about 10-12 mins later with my shrimp meal. Here's the review on the Food itself: * Macaroni & cheese- this is the Stouffer's Mac & Cheese that you make from the frozen trays. If you've never had it, I'm sorry your childhood was deprived, bc it is pretty good. But, I expect better and different from a restaurant especially when they're charging so much. * Veggie Fried Rice- again this is a prepared food. I can't quite identify it, if it's from a Zatarain's or possibly Rice a Ronni, but I have def had it before and it's NOT "made" in the restaurant. It is also NOT fried rice in any sense, and as far as vegetables from 'Vegetable Fried Rice', these are the little green and red specs that come from the boxed rice * Fried Shrimp- this is the only saving grace of the whole restaurant experience and entire food order. The shrimp were GIANT and fresh. I could tell these weren't frozen shrimp. The breading on them was perfect, and the shrimp were juicy and crisp. They weren't chewy and didn't have a weird texture; they were good! If it weren't for the shrimp, my mood would have risen to the level of anger instead of just extreme frustration with The Licking. * Mystery Drink- Tho pricey, I actually did like the mystery drink! It tasted like a popsicle. I think they take lemonade and put a squirt or two of slushie flavoring into it. I would recommend it, but kind of on the fence if I'd get it another time because they're $4.29 (plus tax) a piece! Being in a food desert tho, honestly it's one of the better options in the area. * Overall- size of the box was small, and even after eating everything bc I was so hungry at the time, I still had hunger pains in my stomach. Disappointing! And I'm. Or a very big person either. I'm sure a 200 lb man would be 200 times more disappointed. Rarely do I have such bad experiences at places. Again, I was surprised just how rude the staff was, ignoring me for several minutes and then immediately talking with an attitude once I was finally approached. It was if I was the biggest annoyance to them, like rolling eyes why are you bothering me at work! Be careful with what prices you pay- see my Tip that details this. Differs bw diff apps and paper menu, up to $12 different. Combined with the disappointing food, and over $20 I spent, don't waste your time & money Yelpers!!

Tavi J.

I would say it's more like 3.5 stars. There's two different parts to this spot. On the left side entrance is the to go orders and the right side entrance is for dining in. My expectations were a bit higher than they should of been because this is DJ Khaled restaurant and he seems like he would know food. At this location theirs no alcohol being served yet. We went with the mystery drink and it's pretty much a mixture of different types of really sweet koolaid. The yams were a disappointment and tasted like they were straight from the can. The highlights would be the Mac and cheese and the shrimp Alfredo. I thought the shrimp tasted very well seasoned. I don't live close by so probably won't be making the trek back anytime soon, but I can see this as being a go to spot if I lived in the area.

Cynthia M.

Ok..so, when you visit there are 2 different areas for the restaurant. Take-out: On the main street Dine-In: Follow the inside wall of the strip mall to door (Suite A). A bit confusing but there is a sit down area. There are 9 sitting areas. 7 booths - which seat up to 4 2 booths - which seat 2 For visitors and tourists running low on battery power. Each booth has charging stations EXCEPT the 2-seater booths (possibly they will get temporary charging stations at those). FOOD: Okay...I was craving chicken wings and shrimp. They have a chicken wing and fries meal ($9) and I ordered a side of shrimp ($4). My friend ordered the baked chicken dinner ($12??). He enjoyed the meal, it was too much for him to finish. Me on the other hand, the chicken wings were over cooked so.. they were tiny. The shrimp was perfectly seasoned and fried, I wanted more than 5...greedy me. The fries..eh..they were ok. In fairness, I wasn't hungry for french fries..cole slaw would have been better...not so heavy...but its not a side option they have. We took the bus out to this location...which was an experience. This place is located in a poor neighborhood and they have a security guard watching this tiny strip mall. Not very many cars can fit in the lot!! Be forewarned if you drive to this location. We went on a Saturday and traffic was busy hardly any parking because of the church around the corner. Best to call in your order for To - Go. The mystery drink was very sweet (like I enjoy it). Not a great drink for a diabetic or child...they will be hyped up all day. I'm glad we walked after our meal. Transportation: Public transportation is only a block away. Very convenient. Restrooms: Clean Staff: Polite, professional, courteous and they understand you have to wait a while and they try their best to accommodate. We waited 10 mins for our food. So the wait is Not long. (kudos). Our staff person checked on us several times to make sure we had everything. The big bosses were in the house, they introduced themselves and took our suggestions. A welcome restaurant to that area. I hope other working class/mom & pop entrepreneurs will move into the area and have higher class establishments move in (great lighting, security, nice decor, clean, professional staff, etc.). DJ Khaled and his investors did good with this. It's showing what you can do even if you don't put in tons of money but HIRE RIGHT. Hire folks who want to LEVEL UP, BRING UP OTHERS and at the end of the day KNOW THEY BROUGHT a light to the tunnel.. it's looking brighter in that area.

Danielle L.

It is not worth the hype or wait. The service is trash. Someone waited for an hour, was told food was not ready. They said cancel the order and two minutes later the food popped out. Not worth $20. The mystery drink is lemonade mixed with food coloring & it Taste like food coloring. I believe this location is going down hill. I would never eat here again , I wouldn't even feed this to my dog. So I guess I'll just drive to atl for roc south. Because this is not that. Would not recommend even if you were homeless. First impressions are everything and yeah it's not it for me.

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Nilda G.

4 years ago

I have only ordered the chicken Alfredo but I really like it because it's kind of Cajun style. It's not your regular Italian style Alfredo they actually put onions, green bell peppers and red bell peppers and a season very well. I really enjoyed it and that's what I keep ordering. It's my go to for a Cajun style chicken Alfredo and it's seasoned very well. read more

The Licking Chicago - This is their chicken Alfredo it is seasoned very well, it has green and red bell peppers as well as onions. - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ashley M.

5 years ago

Service was traaasshhh! Had a huge piece of hair in my damn macaroni and the manager went back and forth with me talking about it says NO REFUNDS on the walls and receipts. Couldn't find one sign that shows that and doesn't say it on the receipt. Go to the Miami location. read more

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Nelly B.

149

244

7 years ago

I was very excited to come & check this place out and I was very let down. The best part to my meal was my beverage and the music. Our food took forever to come out.... everything took forever to come out ( food & drinks ) and when we got our food it was very lacking. The $30 lobster Alfredo was def not worth the price- it was all just thrown together. Overall it was a no for me read more

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Rick J.

7 years ago

Food was amazing I had the steak Alfredo to go with the mystery drink. Raven took my order it was fast and food was hot read more

The Licking Chicago - I made it disappear - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - Steak Alfredo - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mya S.

6 years ago

I had the chicken dinner. 5 (whole) pieces of wings, with yams and mac&cheese. They didn't have the wing sauce I wanted to try (fingalickin). Everything was good though. The only other thing I can say is that the wings were very much so on the smaller side. For $12 I guess, but the wings could be bigger. I also has the mystery drink and it was cool too. read more

The Licking Chicago - Yams, mac&cheese, hot wings - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Melvin H.

4 years ago

Food was great and on time for the game lol so if u look For a nice place on a Sunday read more

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Shakira P.

7 years ago

I came in as soon as they open thinking i beat the crowd... still had to wait 40 min for the food. I ordered the conch dinner which comes with 2 sides i got Mac & cheese and pigeon peas & rice. The conch came out looking like little clam strips which were fried too hard. The Mac & cheese was bland and dry. The pigeon pea and rice was tasty. I also ordered grilled snapper which was good. The seafood rice was bland to me as well. The watermelon lemonade was good just a little too sweet. Parking lot is small i recommend parking on the street. Overall feel of the restaurant is kool... spacious and not too small. read more

The Licking Chicago - The licking - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Simone D.

3 years ago

Food is horrible. I ordered today Sunday Uber delivery. The chicken Quesadillas was dried out taste old, Fries definitely not fresh. Please do not sale junk to customers. I will be calling main corporate office. read more

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Leah W.

4 years ago

Food is gooood! I had the fried shrimp with fries.ordered through grub hub arrived hot!!!! There's a good seasoning on the shrimp and fries. Very good!! read more

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Mekhi F.

5 years ago

Waited two hours for two pastas and the chicken was not cooked all they way in my chicken alfredo. Two hours to undercook chicken? Imma stick to the licking in miami. Might as well close down read more

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Dasia R.

302

6 years ago

Expensive and timely, but the food is good! I got the lobster bites with fried shrimp & fries and it took an hour and some change for it to come out, the fries were not the warmest but the lobster butter were good. Should be served with a sauce though, luckily I had ranch in the fridge. read more

The Licking Chicago - Fried Lobster Bites & Fries - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Adrianna C.

Elite 23

160

6 years ago

I had the Chicken wing dinner w/lemon pepper wings with sides of Mac n cheese and candied yams. The wait was a bit long, upwards of 30 minutes, but it was so worth it because the food was delicious. Plan on ordering from here again! read more

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Shaquita H.

4 years ago

DJ Khaled would be proud with the Presentation and Taste. When you get the chance try the chicken Croissant Sandwich! read more

The Licking Chicago - Fried Chicken Tenders dinner with Mac Cheese and Candied Yams with fingalicking sauce on top - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Diva D.

140

7 years ago

Good soul food. I had the wing meal. The Mac n cheese and yams are perfect and full of flavor. Friendly staff! Only downfall is no beer/alcohol. But either way, I'll be back next month. read more

The Licking Chicago - Wing dinner w/ Mac n cheese and candies yams - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Toni H.

5 years ago

I have never eaten their food before but from what I was told their food and drinks are pretty good. When I also do door dash a lot of the customers I get orders food from them as well. read more

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Cassie P.

7 years ago

I will never eat here again!!! They get 2 stars because my mystery drink was pretty good. Kinda border line diabetes. The food was pretty horrible. My grilled shrimp only had 5 pieces. The candied yams looked and tasted like rubber. The Waitress took forever and added her own tip on my tab. It Took 1 hour to get the check. Took another 20 minutes for her to process payment. As I'm typing this, 2 customers just left because the table was dirty and the server took too long to return to table. There's only like 3 tables in here.... don't think I will return. Server was incompetent.... they need to do better :/ read more

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Paige P.

5 years ago

Had a great experience at The Licking ! Thanks for everything Karen! She was very polite and made sure we were taking care of my friends and I. Oh did I say all while handling 4 TABLES all by herself! YOU GO SIS! Love it!! read more

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Kink D.

4 years ago

I would never recommend anyone to eat in this place me and a friend were eating and this place yesterday and a mouse ran past my feet and the nets are really bad also and I will be calling the city of Chicago because they need to shut this place down it's ridiculous read more

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Melanie B.

Elite 25

581

179

113

7 years ago

Really enjoyed this place. Came it was a 30-minute wait, but they called when the table was ready. Had the fried lobster tail, Mac and cheese, collard greens, and seafood rice. Everything was delicious! The lobster was fried nicely and dipping sauce was awesome. The mystery drink was read more

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B E A U T Y F.

5 years ago

This spot is a rip off price wise; I order a shrimp meal with two side which were fries, and corns I received 6 shrimp, and Handful of fries with a regular size mystery drink . This order cost $20.93 read more

The Licking Chicago - Shrimp meal $20.93 - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cosette M.

7 years ago

I don't have one negative thing to say about my experience here today. I ordered shrimp Alfredo, my husband ordered steak Alfredo, and we shared a wing appetizer. The food was fresh and tasty. The mystery drink was delicious. Prices were very affordable. Establishment is clean. Good r&b music playing. The waitress was friendly and professional. I most def will be back! read more

The Licking Chicago - Mystery drink (large) - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - Shrimp Alfredo - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ruby G.

Elite 25

234

7 years ago

We went here on a Wednesday, around 6pm, no lines and the place was almost empty. There's two sections to this place, one for dine in and one for take out. The second door is for dine in. We ordered the friend conch, fried lobster, chicken and red velvet waffles, and the mystery drink. Portions are small. Everything were delicious and well-made. Come early because they run out of some items like conch and collared greens. You have to pay for water, at least it was only $2 for fiji water. Service was attentive. Good music, of course. Parking lot was small. I wish they open another branch up north. read more

The Licking Chicago - mystery drink is a must - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - fried conch $10 delish - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - fried chicken and red velvet waffles, $13 a must - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - fried lobster, $30, dont get the mac n cheese fries is really good - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nia P.

4 years ago

Stop asking if we want to dine in and you have people smoking weed outside your business. Like one door clearly states "dine in" and one says "carry out." Staff is rude and picks when to charge you for extras like sauces! Really?? $3 for sauce even though you're out of the sauce that comes with my order. DJ Khaled needs to send some new staff. read more

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Tonya W.

6 years ago

Everything Was Great, From the Young Girl who took our order to the food!!! Keep up the good work

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ariee c.

3 years ago

placed and order in store took them 40mins to and HOUR to give me my food and all I had was a chicken tender dinner and chicken wing dinner. Watch everybody who order after me get their food before me and the man behind the counter showed no customer service. He told me he's not in the kitchen so it's not his fault read more

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Shaunta E.

100

7 years ago

Ok. So I waited a bit before visiting this place. I arrive at about 6:30. We wanted 7 mins for a table for four. Once seated the waitress promptly took our order. I was weird that they only had bottle Fiji water, but hey no complaints. Now on to food. The fried lobster tail was bomb. I feel like they could have a few more side options but I got the sweet potatoes and greens, both were good. The kids had the chicken and waffles and ate every bit. The food was good all in all. Our waitress was even better. She was nice and pleasant and attentive. She even chased us down after leaving bc my boyfriend had left his card. 5 stars just for that. I definitely will be back. read more

The Licking Chicago - Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - Fried Lobster Dinner - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Madie R.

5 years ago

The food is good but it's never hot when I pick up always got to heat it up back at home the wings and shrimp are so good and the Mac n cheese and yams . Greens are garbage taste like they come from a can. Oh yeah and they take forever so call ahead of time and place your order. And double check your stuff because they mess up a lot read more

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Jaylin G.

5 years ago

Karen was amazing . The place was clean & the music was great. The food was soo good. I would definitely recommend for a group of friends! You can bring yo own bottles. read more

The Licking Chicago - Fried Shrimp Dinner - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - Steak & Shrimp Dinner - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - BYOB - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Anthony P.

5 years ago

If you're in the Chicago area check out this restaurant.Fresh food that's great and reasonably priced.Remember to be patient freshness takes time. read more

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Curtis W.

5 years ago

First off let me start off with it's a very clean place and has a beautiful atmosphere. I ordered the chicken wings sampler and a mystery drink; and I must say that food was so delicious. I'm mad at myself for not ordering more food. I will be visiting aging very soon. Just great food, if your in the area or just visiting the city please stop by and support. read more

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Ashley O.

Elite 21

144

6 years ago

First of all, somehow the licking is super hard to find. I know exactly where it's at and drove by threee times before I found it. For pickup, go through the door on the side of the building. It's almost completely blacked out and has no sign on it, but I promise you're in the right place. I got chicken Alfredo and the chicken rolls for pickup. The chicken rolls were essentially chicken fried rice in an egg roll wrap. I expected more, but they were still very good. The chicken Alfredo had perfect flavor and the chicken was cooked beautifully. I will say, the pasta was a bit on the dry side. If you like your alfredo wet and creamy this isn't the one for you. I did love the onions and green bell peppers in the sauce though. It made it feel very authentic and homemade. I would also highly recommend getting yourself a lil mystery drink while you're there. I can't help but get one every time I'm in the area they're so yummy! read more

The Licking Chicago - Chicken Rolls - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Licking Chicago - Chicken Alfredo - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mel B.

6 years ago

This place sucks!!! When it 1st opened up I thought it had potential but I have since reevaluated this establishment & the CUSTOMER SERVICE is NONEXISTENT!!! Black People go somewhere else & spend your hard earned Money where you will be treated with respect & where they truly appreciate your BUSINESS!!! read more

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Korrigan B.

210

6 years ago

First off, we ordered through DoorDash, so we can't speak towards the service. We wanted to support black owned restaurants on Juneteenth and found this place. Got the fried lobster meal, chicken n waffles, mystery drink, and the seafood rice. Fried lobster was pretty good, fries were ok (but that's to be expected with delivery), mac n cheese was pretty good. My fiancée loved her chicken n waffles (and she's picky with fried chicken). But let's be honest, what got me to write this review was the mystery drink and LITERALLY THE BEST SEAFOOD RICE IVE EVER HAD. The mystery drink is just fantastic. Think tropical lemonade. And this rice! Holy shirt this rice! They give you a decent crab claw right on top and the rice is PERFECTLY seasoned. I'm a mild medium kind of spicy person and it was exactly where I like my spicy food. I legit cried a little because it was so yummy and it was sad to finish it until next time. read more

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Gabriella S.

5 years ago

We came in, we were greeted three minutes after arriving & sat down to never have a server come to the table to offer drinks or anything. We decided to leave & eat elsewhere. I decided to travel back up a month later to try it out, I had the fried lobster, mac, greens, & yams & the lobster was the best thing out of the entree, not overcooked, it was well seasoned, the greens were good, the mac could use more seasoning. read more

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Lori M.

6 years ago

Why is there imitation crab meat in the seafood rice?? The rice was a mixture of Sunday and It was Tuesday! The chicken sauce was a hit, but the chicken was a miss. I should of told them to fry my chicken hard because it would have been hot! I wish I could of tasted the greens, but the hostess informed me when my food arrived at the table their wasn't any greens available. The fried shrimp were ok considering they were cooked in chicken grease. I should of known this place was a fraud because the sign said, "No refunds or exchanges once order was prepared!" On a good note, the Mac and Cheese and the Mystery Lemonade was amazing! If Chef Ramsay was to visit this location y'all would be doomed!!!!! read more

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Asia P.

6 years ago

Ordered the grilled fish & shrimp dinner w/gr beans & broccoli OMG!! The fish was tilapia and cooked perfectly. The shrimp was seasoned and juicy. The veggies were cooked to perfection and just enough seasoning & not overwhelming. I was so full afterwards! Daughter had red velvet waffles & wings. Very tasty and did not need any additional flavoring (syrup). Son had fried shrimp dinner with Mac & cheese & green beans. I guess it was good because he didn't say a word while he was eating . All in all we will definitely order again!! Food was DELICIOUS! read more

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Zoria J.

6 years ago

I fell in love with this spot if you want Atlanta Vibes this the spot for you. Good food and drinks with bumping music. Don't recommend if you bougie and don't like loud rap music‍ read more

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Cherish T.

5 years ago

Fucking suck, waitress were nice but horrible management, chicken in Alfredo was still raw, management family was there eating food was served to them before people who Arrived before them. Wouldn't recommend. If you want good food Come to Detroit! read more

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Anthony S.

6 years ago

Bad customer service. You call to complain about your order, their excuse you have to come in and order your food that you already ordered. When I got there they don't see your name in the system. "Damn joke" I don't care if you have decent food. I want to support our businesses. We have to do better. Disgruntled customer. If you can't get the order right. Get out of the business. I had to leave my home due to their lack of fulfilling the order. read more

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KIsha T.

141

6 years ago

I got the chicken rolls and the were horrible. The food is not good and the staff aren't friendly I would not recommend this place to anyone read more

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5045 W Madison
Chicago, IL 60644
Austin
Directions
(773) 413-7666
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.thelicking.com

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Hours

What time does The Licking Chicago open?

The Licking Chicago opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The Licking Chicago opens at 12:00 PM on Sunday.

What time does The Licking Chicago close?

The Licking Chicago closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.The Licking Chicago closes at 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMSun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Licking Chicago take Bitcoin?

No, The Licking Chicago does not take Bitcoin.

Does The Licking Chicago take credit cards?

Yes, The Licking Chicago takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Licking Chicago have catering options?

Yes, The Licking Chicago does have catering options.

Does The Licking Chicago have a drive thru?

No, The Licking Chicago does not have a drive thru.

Does The Licking Chicago have a happy hour?

No, The Licking Chicago does not have a happy hour.

Does The Licking Chicago serve alcohol?

No, The Licking Chicago does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does The Licking Chicago allow dogs?

No, The Licking Chicago does not allow dogs.

Does The Licking Chicago have TVs?

Yes, The Licking Chicago has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Licking Chicago have bike parking?

No, The Licking Chicago does not have bike parking.

Does The Licking Chicago have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Licking Chicago has outdoor seating options.

Does The Licking Chicago have parking?

Yes, The Licking Chicago has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Licking Chicago wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Licking Chicago is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Licking Chicago have free WiFi?

Yes, The Licking Chicago has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Soulfood Miami Style

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - The Licking Chicago

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Luella's Southern Kitchen

Had a craving for chicken and waffles this morning and found this place and it took me back to home…read moresouthern cooking delicious

Went in for Juneteenth and it was a great idea!! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the waffles…read morewere delicious. I promise myself next time I come back I HAVE TO TRY Something else on the menu the chicken & waffles is so good I just can't help myself. We went in as right when they open.. so it was quiet and our food came out quickly. But lines started forming shortly after. They were booked for the whole day with reservations- so glad we made them! The service was excellent. The owner came to our table to check in on us- it made a big difference.

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Went to Virtue for the first time 2 weeks ago. Our son had gone with his girlfriend in the fall and…read morefound the food to be terribly salty, but he wanted to give it another try. Service was very slow, but the place was busy so we understood. Kitchen was extremely slow. Again we understood. Our food was very good. After watching desserts pass by our table all night we flagged down our waiter to order. We were told that we'd have to leave without dessert or coffee because our 90 minutes was almost up. We told him that most of that 90 minutes was spent waiting to order and waiting for our food. He spoke to his manager who confirmed that we'd have to leave. Terrible business model. With so many restaurant choices in Chicago, we won't be returning.

Enjoyed visiting Virtue. A friend told us they had a great meal when they went so it's been on my…read morelist since then. I was able to find street parking about a block away which was great!! I like the look of the restaurant starting off with drinks I really liked the bizzy Izzy it had bourbon, sherry, pineapple and lemon. The other drink was beautiful and had nice flavor too but I think maybe all the egg white foam was a bit much for me after a few sips. I love the combination of flavors in it rum pomegranate and lime. For a starter we had the honey butter cornbread it was delicious light and buttery with a perfect amount of sweetness. The green tomatoes with shrimp was delicious as well I only wish it was bigger it had a nice cornmeal coating on the tomatoes and a tasty light herby sauce on the shrimp great pairing!! The Mac and cheese had a nice thick crust and the inside was a super gooey saucy Mac and cheese. I enjoyed it my mom thought the crust was a bit too thick. I also really liked the blackened catfish it had a very light delicate soft texture. The seasoning was light as well but it works because it tastes so clean and it forms with an its own sauce and rice that reminded me of a risotto and barbecued carrots. I kinda wish I would have gotten the collard greens I heard they were good but was already getting full. I'd definitely go back and enjoyed the meal!! It was nice to share dishes to try more of the menu

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4.3

(213 reviews)

13.2 mi

The ambiance is chill but upscale and classy. Black and gold everything and local art work invite…read moreyou into the space. The hostess was insightful and inviting, like eating at someone's house who loves you. Outside of all of that the Mediterranean lamb was phenomenal. As someone who has eaten lamb in the Middle East this was delightful, with the rice and flavorful kale it's a wonderful bite full. Large serving sizes...and that grilled pound cake lawd

The restaurant is small and quaint with about 8-9 tables, I would highly suggest reservations. We…read morewere greeted and sat promptly, infused water was bought to the table and within 3-4 minutes the server arrived. While we waited music was being played so its hard to have a conversation. Music is pretty loud in this small space. We decided on the 3 entrees for 69.00 with a glass of wine. We chose the pepper steak, smothered chicken, orange chicken, catfish and spaghetti, and the bbq catfish. Overall the food was ok., The bbq fish was a little to fishy and the smothered chicken was heavily salted. The star of our 6 dishes was the fried piece of catfish. The food came out quickly but nothing was piping hot. The server was OK as well, he did exactly what we expect of a server nothing more nothing less. I will say next time I would take the drive to the West side location, to me the food choices are better as well as the service.

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Yardbird Table & Bar

I love this place ! I have to go atleast once a month for brunch ( sometimes more than once ) . You…read morecan't go wrong with any of the food. You (need) to get brunch cocktails. The hostess and the wait staff ( sweethearts ). Just go .. trust me

Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. The…read moreatmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service. Our server, Miguel, was phenomenal. She was attentive, fast, and gave us some spot-on recommendations. Per her advice, we ordered the deviled eggs with jalapeño, hands down the highlight of the table. The deviled eggs with paired with that subtle jalapeño kick was absolutely perfect. For the mains, the chicken and waffles were good, carrying that solid comfort food flavor you expect. The waffles were a bit soft for my taste. To drink, the sidecar was mixed perfectly, well-balanced, crisp, and hit the exact right note. Giving it 4 stars only because while the mains were good, the starters and the outstanding service from Miguel were what truly stole the show. I'll definitely be back to hang out at the bar again nest time I am in town!

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Soul Prime

3.8

(169 reviews)

6.0 mi

I want to start by saying this restaurant is SO GOOD! The service was good, and I really liked the…read morebar tender. I sat at the bar. The restaurant is decorated beautifully. It's very clean and modern. The food was amazing. I started off with a peach lemonade/tea drink that was very good. I cannot remember the name, but it was spirit free. Next, I got the collard green dip. This is a must try when you go. Its so cheesy and delicious. It was perfectly seasoned. For my entre, I got the smother pork chops. OMG I did not expect that food to be so good. IDK what they seasoned that gravy with, but it was fire. The porkchops were delicious, and I loved the seasoned rice that it came with. My only complaint was that the kitchen moved very slowly on the night that I went. It took forever for my food to come out; however, I will say the taste of the food made up for the how long it took to come out.

I was very excited to come to this restaurant. I made a reservation for a earlier time but was…read moreunaware that they offered happy hour. Front of the house staff was very nice and kind and I was seated right away. However once we ordered the wait time was so bad that my cousin had finished her appetizer and we waited an additional 30 minutes for my collard green dip which was very good by the way. Everything was served one at a time with long wait times in between. By the time I received my entree I was full. I took a few bites of the Chicken and Fish and everything else I took home. Literally as soon as happy hour was over everyone around us started receiving their food very fast. The food was ok a little salty (batter from the chicken, fish and tomatoes). In addition your staff Karen was not so kind and very forgetful of what we asked for. I know she seemed overwhelmed for the area that she had. Our sentiments were shared with the manager but that was it. The owner came by to check in but she just breezed by. I'm not sure that told her of our complaint but as fast as she went by asking was everything ok I dont feel like she would have been open to what we had to say. Overall it was ok, A few suggestions...and yes I would return because maybe today was an off day and everyone deserves a chance to get it right, During Happy Hour everyone should get the same level of service, and if a different menu is offered it should be offered to everyone upon arrival. Nothing is perfect and we understand that and gave grace by waiting and being patient. But these are some easy fixes and I look forward to seeing that on my next visit!

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Dawn AM Eatery

I've been here a few times, and they never disappoint!…read more The ambiance is so bright and inviting. I love how the place is decorated. The bar is full, and they make great drinks as well. The servers are great and attentive. The food does not disappoint! I love the pot roast and jalapeño cheddar grits. That is sooooo good you cannot go wrong ordering that. I've also had the fried catfish on top of the jalapeño cheddar grits, and it was delicious as well! The French toast is very good as well. I tried the fried chicken for the first time during my last visit, and it was impressed. Overall, this is a nice establishment with good food options. They serve breakfast all day, so you don't have to go at a certain time of day to try it. I recommend booking a reservation during the weekends because they can get pretty busy. Parking on the streets is limited, but there is a parking garage around the corner that allows visitors to park on the top floor. Go check them out for some delicious food and drinks!

Overall, the place was nice and had a good atmosphere. When we were first seated, our table was…read moredirty, but the staff came over and cleaned it right away, which I appreciated. I ordered the chicken with two sides. Everything could have used a lot more seasoning. It had potential, but the flavors were pretty mild. Overall, it was a decent experience, but there's definitely room for improvement when it comes to the food.

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The Soul Food Lounge

I would say I enjoyed myself here. I got the truffle lobster mac. It was great, I really liked the…read moresauce and the odd noodles they used. I was very disappointed in the taste of the center piece lobster, though. My date got something else. I don't know how, but this place made Brussels sprouts taste good for a bit. Service was great. I like to be left alone for the most part, and they did just that. My waiter would pop in and out at the perfect moment. I would give the ambiance a 9/10. I loved the hints gold and the dark teal(?) wallpaper

Went to Soul Food Lounge for a birthday dinner. The space is pretty small and every seat was taken,…read moreso there is really nowhere to wait if you do not have reservations. Definitely book ahead. We all ordered the Grand Tasting, which lets you try three entrees plus a beverage. It was so much food but everything was delicious. I had the short rib, fried chicken, and catfish, each with different sides. The only thing I did not really care for was the dressing. They also had live entertainment, which made the vibe even better. Customer service was just okay, but I would still recommend it. I definitely want to try their other location since I have heard the menu is different.

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Roost Chicken & Biscuits

If anyone says this is bad they are just wrong. Some of the best biscuits I've had in a while and…read morethe chicken is cooked to perfection going back everyday til I get all of their sandwiches. I loved the staff and so much natural lighting just an awesome vibe. Highly recommend!!!!!!

This used to be one of the best chicken spots in Chicago, but now it's barely comparable to your…read moreaverage wing stop. They ditched the delicious recipe, they ditched the actually pieces of chicken, with the slice of toast, and instead give you some basic wings with sauces that do absolutely nothing for your taste buds. The Nashville hot dry rub is terrible, zero flavor. The biscuit has no actual flavor. The service is worse than a McDonald's. You'll hear an ongoing beeping alarm as you try to dine in, that they say is from a bad drink machine? And not sure how they wash their hands with no soap in the washroom. Price used to properly reflect what you were getting here, but no longer the case. Sad to see.

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Cleo's Southern Cuisine

Catfish is the best since my dad passed away. Mac and cheese taste like home,green beans on point…read moredelicious all around worth the wait

This was honestly some of the BEST food I've ever had. Period. My sister and I pulled up here…read morebefore heading to a concert & we dang near were in a sleep coma after lol I got the Shanikky & the crab was soooo fresh, the catfish was perfectly cooked & seasoned & the chicken the same. I had the pineapple sweet potatoes & Mac & cheese for sides & yummmmm. The cornbread was also very good! It's not really a dine in restaurant although you can sit inside & eat. It was chill. The service was cool, they were working hard but still friendly. It's a little pricey but the amount of food makes up for it. I had enough to eat the next day & share lol.

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Wishbone is still serving up great eats and drinks! We…read morestopped by for weekday brunch and had a fantastic experience. The restaurant is bright, airy, and welcoming, and the staff is just as warm. Our server was wonderful--she had a great personality and gave us awesome recommendations when we asked for advice on the menu. As for the food, everything arrived hot and perfectly seasoned, and the mimosas were delicious and hit the spot. Wishbone is definitely worth checking out!

This place is AMAZING!!! Tasty as breakfast. I've had in a very very long time. I had something…read morevery simple, but I have to say it was the best sautéed spinach I've ever had in my life and the grits were cooked to perfection.!!! I will definitely be back!!

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My new favorite restaurant! the food is DELICIOUS and the staff was incredible. I don't give…read morereviews much but just loved it here so I had to :)

This place had a line that went out of the door during the multiple times I've crossed the…read moreMagnificent Mile bridge in Chicago. Made last minute reservations for brunch next day after the infamous architecture tour. It was quiet as we've put in an early morning. All the more better to savor all intricate dishes from start to finish. Like the name, The Purple Pig, their specialty is pork dishes so majority of our orders were this. Daily special of the bone marrow bacon jam toast - glazed, slippery off the bone, savory and sweet. Always love a good bone marrow dish to get the sweetness off it. This was so good that there were bits of the marrow and jam left stuck to the bone, I took a piece of the toast and scooped the bone dry. Nothing left for anyone to attack this. Non pork dishes were the Mushroom 3 ways and Spanish octopus. Mushroom dish was savory with all the coated sauces elevating this. Spanish octopus was kicked lightly and easily can bite in to enjoy the tender and charred portions. But the award went to my main course - the braised pork shoulder with saffron, apricots and Swiss chard. Aside from the rippable pork meat when dining on it, the sauces fused together on this dish elevated it and had everyone coming back for more. I needed an official Chicago culinary experience and found it at The Purple Pig without a doubt.

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Green Street Smoked Meats

This place was so good that I came back the very next evening for dinner again…read more On my first visit, I ordered the pulled pork with mac and cheese, cornbread, and sweet tea. Every single part of the meal was outstanding. The pulled pork was delicious on its own, but I also loved the sweet barbecue sauce. The cornbread was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had!! It was moist, flavorful, and served with absolutely incredible butter. The mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and one of the best I've ever had as well. Even the sweet tea was perfect: actually sweet without being overpowering or having that bitter, earthy aftertaste that some sweet teas have. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I came back the next night and tried the brisket. It was sooooo good too. It was tender, smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. At that point I knew the first meal wasn't a fluke. It's not inexpensive, but the portions are generous, and I felt the quality more than justified the price. I was there by myself because I'm traveling for work and actually enjoyed the communal tables. They made the atmosphere feel welcoming and a little less lonely than sitting by myself. The staff was excellent, too. The gentleman with the glasses at the meat counter was friendly, funny, and made the experience even more enjoyable. He even threw in a complimentary rib, which was such a nice surprise and a great example of the hospitality here. One thing to know before you go: the line can get long, but don't let that scare you away, it moves efficiently, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. Green Street Smoked Meats lived up to every bit of the hype. Between two visits, I tried the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, sweet tea, and a rib, and every single thing was excellent. This will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in Chicago.

3.5/5 stars. It's definitely a little pricey and didn't quite live up to the Texas BBQ I've had. It…read morecomes with two slices of bread and pickled onions on the side. Got 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 lb pork ribs, 1/2 lb pulled pork, broccoli salad, elote style corn, and baked beans for $87 + tip. The Prime Sliced Brisket (7/10) was super tender and practically fell apart, but I wished the bark had a harder crust and a bit more flavor. The Pork Ribs (6.5/10) were somewhere between tender and chewy, so I'd probably skip them. The Pulled Pork (6.5/10) was slightly sweet but tasted pretty standard. All of the meats could've used a little more seasoning, and I wish they came out hotter. The spicy BBQ sauce and golden sauce were both delicious though. The Elote Style Corn (8/10) was my favorite side. Super creamy with plenty of parmesan. The Broccoli Salad (7/10) had great crunch from the pumpkin seeds and sweetness from the raisins, though I wish the seeds were toasted. The Baked Beans (6.5/10) had pork belly and onions mixed in, but otherwise tasted like a solid, classic baked bean. The vibes felt like a true Texas BBQ joint. You line up, order at the counter, watch them slice the meat in front of you, then grab a table cafeteria-style. The industrial space and dim lighting fit the atmosphere well. 7/10. Service was great. The guy slicing the meat asked how my day was, and staff were constantly walking around clearing tables. 8/10.

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Line to order + Menu

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Photo from the bar

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

37 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Latisha G.

7 years ago

The food taste very flavorful and would have received an A+++ if it was hot an on time and all ready at the same time but it was not and then the ordasiity to bring my bill for food Inhad not received tho SMGDH the location very congested cars double parked I literally had to go on the curb to get my car out and reverse 8times as they don't know who car is who and where the people at as if they serving drugs I. The parking lot DO BETTER YOUR ONTO SOMETHING BUT THE LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT TEAM IS NOT IT Service terrible waitress was on point tho read more

Shapree M.

4 years ago

I ordered a dark meat baked chicken dinner and instead of giving me something extra or even canceling my order they just put in white meat! I absolutely HATE white meat! I am FURIOUS! This was my first time ordering from this restaurant AND my absolute last! When I called them to tell them the manager didn't even want to get on the phone with me and basically told me to LIE to DoorDash! I am beyond frustrated and now feel like my dinner is ruined! These ppl don't gaf about their customers so think twice before getting this food. read more

Victory H.

7 years ago

It doesn't matter if the restaurant just opened and there are a few opportunities for improvement... THE FOOD IS GOOD!!! Everything else will be smoothed out. All the people that said that they waited or had a bad experience failed to mention that they were apologized to and given free food and drinks. This restaurant will be a nationwide food chain 100 percent guaranteed. I really enjoyed it. read more

You Can A.

1 year ago

https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2025/07/25/restaurant-owner-found-with-guns-accused-of-strangling-and-punching-woman-until-she-was-unconscious-near-mundelein/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLxfrNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHngPOjBgcFCy4xhUyZW2rpAG5e3_7XSdQ61_PXVmi1lQXXGfR1Hq4GqvDS1M_aem_nLTtMYRuLfnkF3IYtivnkg OWNER ARRESTED FOR BEATING AND STRANGLING A WOMAN!! read more

Ashley L.

6 years ago

THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS, like finger licking DELICIOUSService PHENOMENAL, good music good vibe, clean and did I mention the FOOD!! I had Turkey wings greens Mac and cheese yams, outstanding soul food!!! Also make sure you get the mystery drink, keep up the good work The Licking and manager Coffee read more

Alyssa F.

5 years ago

Hello this is my first coming to Chicago and me and my group of girls came to eat at the licking the energy and vibe and customer service was great I will be back to eat there again and the food was awesome nice and hot and ready to eat I'll give the resturant a good place to eat read more

Indiah W.

5 years ago

Karen was such an amazing server, host etc! She does everything! The food was hot and amazing!! Omg the lemonade! We are from Milwaukee, WI and I will Make it my mission she visit The Licking every time I come to Chicago!! read more

Torrance U.

6 years ago

I ordered the Steak and Shrimp dinner. EVERYTHING was AMAZING. The steak was perfect(WELL DONE) and the shrimp taste like they were fresh from the ocean! The service was also AMAZING. I'll definitely be back soon @GEEKSQ read more

Julian M.

7 years ago

Another one. I went to get some wings there, I finished one, I kept saying "I want.. another one." Even wanted to tell the staff there "I appreciate you" and "We the best". 10/10 would go here again and soon. read more

Natalie W.

6 years ago

The food was delicious Management and staff are great,We took our sister there for her Birthday and they treated us extremely well..l would go back,and if you need a nice party room check them out.. read more

Tionna L.

5 years ago

I think for $40 it was worth it and I will come back again. The drinks are amazing and my order was took within a few minutes of me being seated and the food came out hot and fresh!!! read more

Crystal J.

4 years ago

This place was absolutely amazing. The food was perfect the cucumber lemonade is the best drink I've had and the server was nice and friendly. If I could give it more stars I would. read more

Samantha A.

5 years ago

Place has a good soul good with a Caribbean twist, which bring a great taste to the mouth! Our server Karen was great and on point with the drinks and servings! Thank you read more

Jaqunia J.

5 years ago

The Food was great and service was even better. Food was fresh and tastee. Owner and staff was amazing and very welcoming. I would be back soon. read more

Terrance W.

6 years ago

Horrible Service food was cold workers were rude. Ordered my food online got there at the time stated for my order and still waited for 45mins read more

Lenny W.

6 years ago

Hands down...One of the best restaurant I've ever experienced!!! The food was amazing and the vibe felt like we were at a lounge.

Kiara M.

5 years ago

I loved the experience, vibe was dope! food was good asf! & our waitress K has very well manners . Definitely will be back!

Niah L.

189

471

5 years ago

Super disappointed due to my family & I not liking ANY of our food. For how much they charged, totally not worth it.

Gequintha N.

6 years ago

Great food and the service is even better I would recommend a friend to recommend a friend definitely will be back

Yolanda B.

5 years ago

The food is very tasty. I was impressed. Will for sure come again for the food. The service was also decent.

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The Licking Chicago - southern - Updated August 2026

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This place is a true gem. I didn't even know that were here the pass 11 years, if you're looking…read morefor that good soul food this is the spot. The service is excellent and the staff are super welcoming. Can't go wrong here.

Found this place on TikTok and had to check it out. As a Chicago native and a turkey lover, the…read more'turkey knuckles' were a must-try since they were new to me. I went all out and ordered the smothered beef tips, turkey wings, turkey knuckles, and banana pudding. The beef tips and wings came as full meals with two sides each. Definitely a spot for anyone who loves hearty comfort food.

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I decided to do takeout here on a Sunday night for dinner. We placed our order online and did…read morepicked it up with no issues. The lady at the counter was very welcoming and joyful. The food was good, but a little bit on the expensive side. We ordered three one entree plates. They came with two sides and a muffin. My wife and son both ordered their fried chicken entree with Mac & cheese and yams, and I ordered their smothered pork chops with yams and collard greens. The fried chicken was good, Mac and cheese was ok, collard greens weren't the greatest. The yams were delicious and the smothered pork chops definitely hit the spot. The food overall was seasoned well, not under seasoned and most importantly not over seasoned. The gravy was really good and the pork chops were cooked perfectly. We also ordered their banana pudding. This one was just ok. Not sure if I'd order it again. We wanted peach cobbler but they were out. Next time we'll order that if it's available. My entire family enjoyed their meal and we will definitely be returning.

Came here on a Sunday for a nice lunch - I chose to dine out. Upon entering I was greeted by a…read moreyoung lady at the bar. I grabbed a menu and she was able to take my order. I chosen the $21.99 meal which is one entree, 3 sides and a dessert. Not bad, right? I waited about 5 minutes before my meal was packaged and handed to me. Should've taken that as a sign. Especially for soul food. Chicken and gravy - decent. The gravy was thick and tasty. Not salty thank the heavens. My issue with the entree was that you could tell the chicken had been sitting in the gravy too long. The crispiness was gone. Corn muffin was basic and small. Nothing special or out of the ordinary. The yams were an absolute no. Definitely canned yams made with no love. same for the collards. The Mac and cheese was alright but it reminds of of the Mac and cheese they serve as the kids table. Overall, for $24.39, the meal fell flat. The peace cobbler held together real well. While I enjoyed popping my head in, I will not be back.

Macarthur's Restaurant

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As usual I'm satisfied with the meal I chose. Baked chicken dark, sweet potatoes and cabbage with…read morea peach cobbler for dessert

Came here for an early Father's Day dinner. This was my first visit. After looking at the website…read moreI knew what I wanted. We arrived and the parking lot was full but I squeezed into a street spot. The line was too the door but they were moving pretty fast. The decor is outdated but that's not what you come for. Loved the history reflected with the photos of customers including former President Obama, current Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson. The photos of Jesse Jackson before and after his health deteriorated shows the legacy of this community bedrock. There's also a spot to donate books. This place has changed so have realistic expectations. It is cafeteria style (to go) but you can sit down and eat from your styrofoam container. First the online menu was wrong. We were told that they don't have fish on Sundays. Honestly if I knew that beforehand I wouldn't have gone that day. I decided to get fried chicken, greens and dressing with a side of mac and cheese. The chicken was dry, the greens were a lil salty and the dressing was dry but tasty. I wish i had gotten the gravy on the side. The macaroni and cheese was yummy. My guy got the short ribs, greens and string beans. Like the greens the short ribs were a lil salty. The ribs were cooked to perfection. The meat fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. Overall, I would say try it for yourself. If you like things on the salty side this might be ideal. The meals come with a muffin. It was sweet and so soft that it fell apart in your hands. Please note that individual sides are $3.04 with tax which isn't too bad. You also only get one muffin nit two like the website says. I plan to return on a fish day but it probably won't be soon. I'm optimistic that they will make some changes and update the website.

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3.7

(7 reviews)

Great service and delicious fried chicken. My only issue with is place is consistency. Sometime the…read morechicken is seasoned well and fried to perfection. Other times the chicken wings are so SMALL and the portion of the fries are small also. The good news it's typical good

This is the MOST inconsistent restaurant I have ever been to. It was exciting to have a restaurant…read moreon the Westside of Chicago that was clean and pleasant. The first few times I went the food was good, the salads had generous portions, the wings were seasoned well, the fish amazing and the steak egg rolls yum. Then the quality went down and the chicken wasn't fresh it was yellow. Just recently I was pleasantly surprised that ALL my food was delicious, my only complaint is the fries. Please look at the size and serving amount they need to be cussed out. I am a grown woman and I want a full size fry not these cut up crumbs. So disappointing

The Perfect Jerk

3.7

(79 reviews)

MAAAAN LOOK! Them people in there were so nice, they gave me a complimentary freaky drink for the…read morelong wait (like 35 min). The food... went CRAZY!! I had to give 5 stars because that catfish was cooked to perfection AND not fishy (not fresh). The restaurant had a real welcoming ambiance, made you wanna stay a lil while. They got a whole bomb! I'm goin back very soon! s/o to Kim I believe her name was.

PLEASE stop seasoning with MSG PLEASE stop charring, it's a…read morehealth risk My food was not good, $30+

Docks Fish

3.3

(21 reviews)

I grew up on the south side and remember going to the Docks on 87th and the Dan Ryan a few times as…read morea shorty over twenty years ago. I have been meaning to take a jaunt down the Nostalgic road and try this new(ish) Docks. I ordered a Fishwich with cheese which was huge,and very enjoyable. The fish was breaded and fried nicely with a decent seasoning too. Tartar sauce, lettuce and bread were all good and that matters too. Nothing like a restaurant to have some off-tasting toppings to ruin an otherwise great piece of fish. What I really appreciate is that the sandwich is cooked-to-order. Which means after driving home, feeding the dog,, grabbing something to drink, and finding something to watch on tv, my sandwich was still hot when I finally unwrapped and ate it. Take that filet-o-fish!

OMG I didn't think Dock's still existed. I ordered the fish wish meal since I hadn't had it since…read morethe 90s. The food was excellent and VERY hot. Everything about it was great and we were greeted as soon as we stepped into the restaurant. Excellent customer service. The fries were hot and fresh and so was the okra. I appreciated the look and feel of this restaurant. I'll probably make another trip here before I head back home to Minnesota.

Lickle Jamaica Restaurant

3.3

(123 reviews)

•$$

food always a hit. service always decent. it's a lil hole in the wall so the ambiance gon be what…read moreit is. the ONLY beef I got w/ them is (why I didn't give 5 stars) they: close too early, always outta SOMETHING, and the yams be kinda weird. Other than that the food gon always bus' know dat!

Totally a shame, this restaurant is serving old dried up chicken with no taste of jerk, the red…read morebeans and rice are mashed up and extremely salty, the chicken is dry and shredded. The people that runs this hole in the wall crap are young and look dirty with long dreads, stay away from this restaurant, it's not jerk chicken.

Whale Fish & Chicken

3.0

(12 reviews)

•$

Late night this restaurant and convenient. Food may be recooked but early morning that's not bad…read more Most of the time they get you in and out.

I would give no stars if possible, They charged me for cheese, even though its advertised, also…read morecharged my husband for coleslaw and for bread and its listed AL L dinners comes with it, and we bought 2 cakes they only charged us for 1 yes, but we requested 2 and then they added bogus charges. Also look at their staff NO one is wearing masks..

Soule

3.7

(649 reviews)

•$$

Street parking. May have to wait as it doesn't appear to be a table time once you are finished with…read moreyour meal. I observed people leaving table groups and more people coming to the table to join the group. This experience was definitely better than my first time at their original location. My catfish and grits were delicious. Those grits were perfect as they were creamy and thicker. The catfish cooked perfectly and great size filets. The fried green tomatoes were a hit. Not overly breaded and a great flavor. The drinks were also good which had never changed. I believe it may have been a day where happy hour was the whole day so it appeared that the table drinks weren't being considered in a timely fashion compared to bar orders. I think I waited about an hour for my second drink. The waiter was kind, apologetic, and continued to check in along the way. He even showed us when he placed the order so we wouldn't think he was lying. The peach cobbler was also good but very sweet and peach heavy. I like peach cobbler but prefer the crust and just a little peach juice. There was a live DJ which played really good music. Definitely a vibe place with good options.

Dining at Soule Chicago is more than a meal--it's an experience. Beautiful ambiance, soulful…read moreflavors, and a space that invites you to slow down and enjoy every bite. Soule Chicago really got it right--great energy, amazing staff, and soul food that delivers every time.

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The Licking Chicago - southern - Updated August 2026

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