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    The VIG Chicago

    4.1 (961 reviews)
    Open • 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    The VIG Chicago Photos

    Business Info

    THE VIG CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Loud
    Happy hour specials

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    chicken burger, mac n cheese
    Varun S.

    After hearing great reviews from my cousin, I finally tried this place for a late-night dinner and it definitely lived up to the hype! The chicken burger was juicy and flavorful, the mac & cheese was rich and delicious, and the pickles were surprisingly addictive. A fun surprise: on Friday nights, the restaurant transforms into a dance floor after midnight, making it a great spot for both food and nightlife. Definitely worth checking out!

    Anna J.

    Never been more happy to have an impromptu happy hour here! We came here to meet some friends that are locals and it was great timing on a Friday because we got there right before happy hour. We all ordered some drinks to start and I went with their twist on an aperol sprtiz (I don't remember the name.....) but its one of their specials that has aperol! And it was delish!!!! After that we got a bunch of bites to eat including some of the happy hour bites. We got the board which had a bunch of different dips of which each was great but have to admit the pimento cheese was my fave! Of course we had to get the parmesan fries and we decided to share the mac and cheese as well. Delicious bites! Our waitress was super great and checked in on us so we ordered a second drink an espresso martini! It was good, not the best I had so stick to the other drinks on the menu! Overall lovely place to stop in for a happy hour. Lots of TVs if you want to catch the game and they open the windows during nice weather. 10/10 if you are in the area!

    Everett L.

    Came for the steak left wit the burger. The steak was amazing. The fries were tasty. Ambiance is on point. Service was great!

    Sweet potato fries
    Aaron G.

    Randomly walked past and decided to stop in. It was a happy hour special running so I was able to try quite a few things for a decent price. The oysters were really good and the chicken sandwich was huge. Deviled eggs were ok but tasty.

    Espresso martinis
    Leland L.

    Updating my review! One of the best espresso martinis in the city. I tried my friends frozen one and was jealous I didn't get that. Love the burgers here as well, they have a good deal for happy hour. Regular prices are a little steep, but it's a good option for a cocktail vibe in old town!

    Dorothy S.

    Stopped in for a quick happy hour w some friends. Our server was great, quick, checked on us often, helpful. It was busy and vivacious inside. The outside patio was also poppin bc the weather was nice. The food was solid, we shared the tuna tacos, lobster deviled eggs (amazing), we got 3 dips: pimento, artichoke and spinach, and Brie. We also got extra cucumbers for our gluten free friend. This is a great spot for happy hour! Parking is rough everywhere on wells so plan ahead!

    Paloma
    Kenna G.

    Can always count on The Vig for a good cocktail or food! Solid spot with a variety of offerings on their menu. Nice patio for summer. Kind attentive servers.

    Froze
    Joneice B.

    Vig is always a treat. They are consistent with their quality across different locations. The first VIG that I ever visited was in Phoenix. Felt nostalgic to come to this location in Old Town Chicago. I have been here for brunch and happy hour. Food quality was good. Drink prices and service was on par. We were lucky that they still had the Frose on tap. That drink is delicious. We also like the quality of the Cheeseburger and Fries. The aioli that comes with the French fries is so satisfying to dip your potatoes in. Don't sleep on their late Happy Hour as they don't end until 7pm.

    Old Fashioned
    Andre A.

    Came in for happy hour after a long day of work. Had an old fashioned that was perfect. Service was great and also enjoyed a burger.

    Diann U.

    Long overdue review for The VIG in Old Town, Chicago! I stopped by during Lollapalooza 2025 and wanted to try their spreads--and wow, they were so good. Let's just say I got totally carb-wasted after lol. The restaurant has such good vibes, the staff is friendly, and the service is fast, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a great snack / meal in the city. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in Chicago!

    Gabriel H.

    I've been wanting to try this joint for SO long. WORTH the wait!! The entire idea behind The Vig and the concept behind the name Chadrick the experience all that much more. I'm not a salad guy, but the Homer Greek was fantastic! The Moroccan Turkey burger had multiple flavor profiles - A MUST! We sat at the bar, the bartender knew his bourbons and suggested a momentous choice for me. Upscale, moody speakeasy style ambiance - my favorite. Thank you Vig team, this experience was awesome.

    Chimichurri steak - medium rare
    Ellison N.

    This was my first time at The Vig after living in the neighborhood for many years and I enjoyed it! We came with a large group (11 people) and our server (Serena I believe?) was absolutely fantastic. She gave great recommendations and was very attentive without being overbearing. I ordered the chimichurri steak cooked medium rare and really enjoyed it. The steak was well cooked and the chimichurri was fresh and not overpowering. The potatoes that came on the side were surprisingly very good as well. My cousin ordered the steak and fries which she enjoyed but her medium rare steak definitely bordered on the rarer side. I have a gluten allergy and the menu was well marked and easy to understand. There is not a gluten free bun offered but you can get some of the sandwich options without bread. The table ordered the parmesan fries and meatball as appetizers, both of which were enjoyed by all. I liked that the fries came with both a chipotle mayo and garlic aioli. I decided not to drink this evening but the cocktail list looked appealing and the sip of sangria I had was very good! My only other complaint is that the restaurant can get very noisy which wouldn't be an issue at all with smaller parties but with a group of our size it did sometimes feel like we had to shout to hear each other. Glad to have finally tried this place and will considering coming back in the future for a happy hour!

    Espresso Martini (made with Mile High vodka!)
    Anna N.

    My mom's in town so we stopped for happy hour drinks and apps here and loved it. I was especially excited to see they had some drinks made with vodka from the Denver distillery I used to work at (the server even went back and checked for me!) Here's what we ordered: - Lobster Deviled Eggs - Espresso Martini - Chandon Rose - Frose (vodka drink with a pretty hibiscus flower) The eggs were super flavor packed, although its funny there were only 3 (where did the last half of the second egg go..) The Frose was refreshing, sweet, and spirit-forward. The espresso martini was as straightforward as it gets and delicious. All good notes from mom on the rose (: Service was friendly and personable. Overall vibes were great. I recommend the outside patio - it's super cute and Old Town is a fun neighborhood to sip in.

    The food pretty good

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    3 years ago

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    Samantha N.

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    9 months ago

    Sydney is the best!!!! Made great drinks and is so nice. gin and soda with lemon and will definitely come back

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    8 months ago

    Sydney made a great old fashioned and took care of us while the 49ners were getting their ass kicked. Sucks to be them

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    2 years ago

    Awesome spot with amazing chicken and Mac n cheese. I would highly recommend it. They have a great menu and spot is always on point.

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    Page 4 of 25

    The VIG Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The VIG Chicago

    Hello Vig! Do you have an all you can eat buffet on saturdays and offer cocktail flights? I wanted to bring my mom for her birthday soon. Thank you.

    Hi Elevetta - thanks so much for reaching out! We do not offer any buffet or flight options. During brunch, we offer our full brunch menu and dinner menu for a la carte dining. Thanks!

    Are there any sur-charges to be aware of? I read a review that mentioned something in regard to using a credit card!

    Hi Michael - we have a 2.5% credit card processing fee, which is removed with any cash payments.… 

    What is the difference b/w the mimosa kit & the mimosa tower for brunch ? Which is a better deal?

    Hi Cindi - thank you so much for reaching out! The Mimosa Kit includes (1) bottle of champagne + 3 juices, while the small tower is (2) bottles of champagne + OJ and the large is (3) bottles of champagne + OJ.… 

    Is there space for a private party?

    Hi Cheryl - thanks for reaching out! The VIG does not offer any fully private spaces, but it does have a semi-private space. If you'd like any additional information, please email me at Sam@LH.team -- thank you! -Samantha, Events Coordinator

    How late is the kitchen open?

    Hi! Our kitchen is open until 11p nightly. Thanks!

    What is the current policy given the updated mask guidelines (August 2021)? Are patrons required to be seated at a table for the entirety of their stay, or are people allowed to come without being seated a table the whole time?

    Hi Sam - our policy reflects the mandate; guests are to wear masks when not actively eating/drinking. We do not have any requirements to remain seated. Thanks!

    Is food available all the time or does the kitchen close early?

    Hi Amanda - our kitchen closes nightly at 11p, thanks!

    How many people are mad at a table and do you take reservations?

    Hi Liya - following current COVID mitigations, the largest table we seat is for 6 guests. Please make a reservation by finding us on the Resy app or visiting our website www.TheVIGchicago.com… 

    Do they feature UFC fights, particularly ones that are PPV?

    Hi. No we do not. Sorry.

    Does the VIG have the NFL Sunday Ticket?

    Hi Jeffrey. Yes we do. We look forward to serving you

    Is there live music here?

    Usually on Thursdays and then you'll see a DJ on the weekends during prime time brunch.

    Is this VIG associated with the VIGs in Phoenix?

    Nope.

    What are the happy hour specials ? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

    Hi Ann. Thanks so much for reaching out. We do not have any Happy Hour Specials as all of our product is special! (I know cheesy right?) We serve a great product with great service and consistent value. Please stop in and see us and you will not… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Step off the streets of Chicago into a beautifully dimly lit fondue experience is so cozy inside…read morewith the music of a live Spanish guitar that really create a private magical experience. All the premier dinners come with salad, cheese, fondue, and the chocolate fondue - You are just choosing what protein you would like. The Prince Geja combination has a little bit of everything. However, we most liked the seafood which includes lobster and the scallops were to die for! Also the beef also cooks well. Favorite dipping sauce included the pimento mayo, chimichurri, and garlic butter. The cheese fondue is quite rich and the bread is quite filling so maybe get as much cheese as you can on each piece of bread. The chocolate fondue, I think is actually the best course as the Belgium chocolate melts so well and has a decadent but not overly sweet flavor. It pairs well with all that is provided for dipping, which includes poundcake, rice Krispies, strawberries. They also have some liquor that they light on fire at first so you can roast the marshmallows. It is such a well thought out experience. Service flows very well from two waiters who take your order set up your fondue pots for each course, but be prepared to spend at least 2 hours on this experience. Check out the Groupon but also I read a review that they just tack on the extra $50 so it's not really too much of a savings. Not sure if this is true.

    Had a fantastic evening at this classic spot!…read more Food was super tasty and fresh! The seafood was probably my favorite! The full dinner with chocolate and cheese was perfect! Also appreciated that they were accommodating for the vegetarian in our party. Everything except the cheese course can be made vegan friendly as well. The service was top notch! Appreciated that they called me ahead of time to confirm our reservation and ask about food allergies. All the staff was incredibly helpful and attentive. They were quick to refill items and answer any questions we had. The location is classic fondue restaurant, cozy and romantic. However, also perfect for catching up with a friend. I love the history in this place and really enjoyed the mood lighting. Pricing was fantastic for the quality of service, food, and drinks! Look forward to many happy returns!

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    Back Again - Gemini Pt 2, but this time for brunch!…read more I enjoyed my first dinner experience here so much last week that we had to come right back to try their weekend brunch. From the start, the hostesses were inviting and lovely. The restaurant is very pretty, warmly blending a modern style with a touch of classic French bistro elegance. I'm mostly so impressed with how versatile the restaurant actually can be, shifting seamlessly from an elegant, upscale dinner setting with its beautiful U-shaped marble bar to a bright, whimsical, and enchantingly airy brunch setting. The fully opened bifold windows are adjacent to the pergola-topped patio, letting a glorious, cascading breeze drift through the space to create a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and a lively weekend energy. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered: Super Green Vegetable Salad: The kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, and peas were crisp and fresh. We loved this so much during our first dinner visit last week that we had to order it again for brunch! Spectacular! Nova Lox Platter: The wild salmon topped with diced red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg crumble, served with an everything bagel and a side of chive cream cheese, was excellent. French Onion Frittata: The rich gruyère and caramelized onions were wonderful. If you're a French onion soup lover like me, this is a can't-miss!! Definitely will be reordered and often. Fantastic! Daily Omelette: Ordered from the special menu, featuring black truffle salsa, mascarpone, and Calabrian chile honey. It was absolutely phenomenal, perfectly cooked, and the flavor combination was incredible. Our server, Sarah, was excellent and made the experience even better - we even share the same name! The management team was also incredibly warm and attentive, stopping by our table to welcome us back. Returning twice in one week says it all. This restaurant has made it into my regular rotation and is hands down one of my new favorites!

    Over all this place was okay, and when I say okay it was mediocre…read more How ever I would like to point out that the staff and I repeat the staff was very friendly not to mention very welcoming. I came here with three others and we all ordered different things from the brunch menu along with a few drinks. The atmosphere here is open, modern, and pretty eye catching, we all heard a few negative comments about brunch here and rather than just taking words of advice we came anyways. To be honest we should've went elsewhere, the only thing about the food that actually seemed to have any flavor was the fries and even they were a little salty like my wallet when we left LOL The Jumbo (not so much) Lump Crab Benedict at $25 was honestly boring lacking any flavor also it didn't even come with potatoes I ended up sharing my Lincoln Park Turkey Club that was good but even it was pretty basic at $21, the Burger at $21 literally looked like something off the kids menu the bun was bigger than the patty LOL and the Blackened Chicken Caesar at $19 was more like an appetizer size and the chicken at least it was juicy not dry. Other reviews about brunch here seem to be about the same and honestly I think it's funny they don't even try to elevate their food when so many say about the same things. I think the only reason why people come to this place is 1. It's located in Lincoln Park and 2. that makes it a trendy spot to eat. So why bother fixing anything when it's just trendy and flavorless Their brunch is mediocre but apparently dinner is where it's at. However after the experience with brunch I'm not even sure I would even go back. Come here for the staff eat at your own expense maybe your food will have flavor or not but honestly do what you want and keep it trendy

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    Gemini - Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

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    Esme

    Esme

    4.0(154 reviews)
    0.9 mi•Lincoln Park
    •$$$$
    Fine dining
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    My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

    This review is for Restaurant Week!…read more I really like Esmes vibe overall. It's chic and minimalist. I love that the tables are widely spaced out so you don't feel like you're on top of another party. I loved the bowls everything was served in, and the silverware was unique. And the service was great. I appreciate when they left everyone finish before they clear the table. While I thought all the food was good, I think it overwhelming fell flat flavor wise. I don't think anything blew me away like I was expecting which was disappointing. We had the caviar supplement, which they accidentally gave us two of (amazing), which was good but also didn't blow me away. I wasn't the biggest fan of the flavors of the soup but that's probably a personal problem. The sturgeon and wagyu were alright. I wish I left being amazed but I left thinking I wouldn't come back, not even for RW again. I think my favorite bite of the night was the sticky date cake. I think it was the most flavorful but it wasn't the best dessert I've ever had. It lacked SOMETHING but I couldn't tell you what.

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    4.3(348 reviews)
    0.5 mi•Near North Side
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    Perfect Perfect

    The VIG Chicago - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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