This is my third time at Gretel and the food was even better than I remembered it! We came around…read more5pm on a Sunday and there was only about a 10 minute wait. They sat us downstairs. I had only sat upstairs at the bar and outside, so I was happy we were able to see the downstairs. It's very intimate down there with only a few tables, while the upstairs is a lot more of a lively bar atmosphere. Service was good and fast. They are known for their burger but I am not a huge burger fan. Their other food is amazing though! Even my boyfriend who loves burgers agreed that the chicken sandwich was one of the best and maybe even better than the burger. Definitely get the mac & cheese, chicken sandwich, and french onion soup. The french onion soup was super cheesy and the mac & cheese was so creamy and perfect. Typically I don't like bacon in mac & cheese, but I love that they don't overdo it here where it overpowers the entire dish. It was only some tiny pieces of bacon just for the flavor.

Came for the burger, but stayed for the drinks. Maybe I chose a bad night, but I thought the burger…read morewas disappointing based on its hype and Gretel's reputation. Hands down, the saltiest burger I ever had in Chicago. At least, they were generous with the fries. Laidback vibes and cool space, I would come back to try the other cocktails on the menu with friends.

First of all, the moment you walk in, you're welcomed right away. The customer service is…read moreimpeccable--they make you feel important from the second you arrive, and you're taken care of immediately. The atmosphere is fantastic, with great music, great beer, and the opportunity to sample any beer before ordering your adult beverage. Last, but definitely not least, is what they're famous for: the spicy chicken sandwich. It is absolutely amazing, and you have to order it with the fries. The fries are so good that they're worth the trip on their own! It's a small place, so I'd recommend getting there early to beat the crowd. One word of caution: go easy on the hot sauce. It's seriously spicy!

Lucy's was doing a BOGO on fries, mac & cheese, and shakes on Uber Eats, so we decided to try it,…read moregood decision overall. The classic Prohibition burger was a solid 9/10. I loved that the pickles and onions were diced so you could taste them in every bite. The cheese was *very* melted though, basically liquid, which was a little strange. I personally prefer when it's a bit thicker and there's a little more of it. My niece got the buffalo fried chicken sandwich and they did not skimp, it was basically a whole chicken thigh. She wasn't a big fan of the blue cheese, but otherwise liked it. For the sides, I'm from the South so the mac & cheese was a little underwhelming for me, but the fries were good and the strawberry shake was a solid dessert. We ordered delivery so I can't speak to the vibes, but I'd definitely try it in person sometime.

Asian-owned fried chicken in the middle of the neighborhood...respect…read more The first thing you notice about Mimi's at 3748 W. Division St. is that it's clearly well-known in the community. This walk-up, hole-in-the-wall spot feels like a true neighborhood gem, and it stands out because of the food and the energy it brings to the block. Mimi, the owner, is often there taking orders herself, which adds a personal touch you don't always get. The menu is huge and full of comfort food staples, wings, chicken thighs, legs, French toast, eggs, beef over rice, shrimp, gyros, and more. It really feels like a mix of classic "hood staples" done in a very intentional way. My first experience was actually at a block party when I saw people in the neighborhood with trays of food from Mimi's. I had to track it down after that, and I've been back three times since. The food is solid, and they also offer catering for larger events (which I could easily see working for something like a Super Bowl gathering). A couple of things to note: this is a busy walk-up spot, so it's best to call ahead if possible. If they don't answer, you may just need to stop in and wait, my longest wait has been around 30 minutes. Also, it's a good idea to double-check your order before leaving, as small things can occasionally get missed. Overall, Mimi's is a staple on West Division. The food is consistent, the menu is extensive, and the community clearly supports it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Great vibe, wonderful service, delicious food. Had the beef spare rib. After sharing it, guess who…read morereturn with their friend to get it!?!?! Yes. Delicious.

Homemade style chicken & wild rice soup & buffalo chicken salad are SO yummy! I haven't dined…read moreinside so can't say anything about the ambiance or staff but my takeout has always been really good!

Baked ziti pasta + cream of chicken w rice soup = comforting combo…read more 12 pc wings (Belmont Cragin garlic buffalo + Korean sweet & spicy) = MUST Cajun salmon bowl = surprisingly sooo good 3.5/5 Pasta was creamy & filling but the chicken wasn't my fav. Soup was cozy, wings were cool (korean flavor was the table fav) and the salmon bowl had a nice char + fresh vibe. Portions were biggg so come hungry fr. Check out the full review on Instagram: @ratedbyaleena_

Went here for their daily happy hour which includes weekends, 4-6pm. Was happy with our drinks, the…read moreespresso martini was a highlight loved the little toasted marshmallow. Fries were also delicious and the 1$ oysters were a good deal, not the best oysters but for a dollar I was happy. Burger was also good. Staff were very nice and attentive. The host was sweet and sat us right was and our server was amazing. Constantly checking on us and was so friendly. Very cute vibe on the inside, nicely decorated a lot of seating. Honestly a little pricey but the happy hour made it worth it.

Been meaning to try this HH for a while! This place is attached to hotel Lincoln so it essentially…read moreserves as the hotel bar and restaurant. It was good! The inside feels kind of like Gemini with open windows, modern fixtures etc. The service was good overall, and they fixed a drink when I didn't like it. The happy hours is definitely worth it to get the burger and fries. Both were decently sized and worth the $15 price. The burger had a lot of toppings, including a sauce and pickled onions and a very good amount of pickles. The Caesar salad honestly was not good, tasted very artificial and I probably would only try their sandwiches or appetizers if I went back. The truffle fries didn't have a strong truffle flavor, but I like the shoe string shape and they come with ketchup and mayo. But overall, a cute place, an easy walk in and a good patio!

So, my name is Mr Pretense and I was looking for a place to wet my whistle. Preferably someplace…read morethat has good nosh and gin based drinks. This place hit the spot.

Came here to try their burger but also got a cocktail and a charcuterie board. I love the victorian…read morestyle inside. It felt very cozy and intimate. Their cocktails are gin-focused, and the two that we got were really tasty. The service was friendly and quick. For drinks, we ordered the Jester and Zigzag. The jester was refreshing and tasted a lot like celery. The zigzag was clarified and my favorite out of the two. For our charcuterie board, they have you choose a minimum of three (cheese or meat) for $8 each, then everything else on the board is complimentary. It came with bread, pickles, grapes, jam, mustard, and nuts. We chose the red rock (a blue cheddar cheese) and purple haze (soft goat cheese), plus the wagyu pastrami (I liked this a lot). The burger was alright to me. The fries were really good. I would come back just for the drinks because they were delicious!

Great quick stop for quality food. They have fish, burgers, sloppy joes and French fries that are…read moregreat. The condiments are right in front of you as they prepare the food so you can get right in the middle of what goes on your sandwich. The slim restaurant does not have a lot of space in it and the parking is on the side of dangerous but I love this place and eat at it often!

This was a big bowl of not very good. It's within walking distance of our apartment. Since we're…read moremoving this week to a new leased condo, I thought we should try it. First surprise was seeing it's an order at the counter place. I got a very average cheeseburger. Donna got a perch sandwich- breaded and deep fried. She's concerned that it may cause some tummy problems because it tasted fishier than fresh fish should taste. Last problem: fries from a bag! My bad picking this one. Sorry, no pictures.

I had the pleasure to dine at Penumbra on a Thursday evening. We were celebrating a graduation and…read morethe staff were very welcoming when we arrived. I was visiting from out of town and was not familiar with the parking around the area. I asked one of the staff members and immediately they reassured me that the side street would raking was totally fine to park just so long as it wasn't the front of the building where you have to pay. The food started with a complementary potato soup which was flavorful and lovely. We got a round of drinks and one of our party didn't care for her drink and it was replaced no question. We had the flat iron steak, the chicken, and the salmon and each entree was wonderful. The proteins were all very tender and juicy. I was also very pleased with the salad that came first which was lightly dressed and very seasonal. We finished our dining experience with a slice of cheesecake. It was a nice cap to the end of a wonderful meal. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion - I would love to come back and try some of the other items on their menu.

**Hidden gem!!!**…read more Penumbra is SUPER sexy and low-key elite. This is one of those spots that will make you look like a total restaurant pro if you take someone there or recommend it. The ambiance is intimate, romantic, and just feels exclusive without trying too hard. I took my girl there for her birthday and she absolutely loved it -- which is always the real test. We had the ribeye and the Rotini Bianco, and both were excellent. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful. The Rotini Bianco was rich, creamy, and done just right. Every dish felt intentional and well executed. Don't hesitate to book. If you're trying to impress or celebrate something special, this is the move.

ugh pls go back to regular service…read more.. i actually love the idea of being able to pay your bill with a QR code. i'll tolerate an online menu. but for the love of god, please let me speak to a human to order food. otherwise it's easier to just not leave my house and order door dash. (also from a fellow diner - american cheese slice on a taco? do better.)

Love all the veggie options! We ordered the taco party which came with a hard shell taco, miller…read morelife, and a whiskey shot for $11! Great vibes on the patio--gets a little busy on the weekends so make sure you arrive early to secure your spot. It's self-service (you order from your phone) so eliminates the customer-waiter dynamic, but food and drinks were tasty. Would come back on a nice summer eve!

It was a pleasure to finally have a meal at Giant - a restaurant whose reputation definitely…read morepreceded itself. My suggestion? Come with a decent group or a big appetite and order a ridiculous amount of food to share lol. The food I can't stop dreaming about? The jalapeño biscuit, the baked clam, the tagliatelle, the ONION RINGS. I've gotta come back here before the year ends!

Tried 7 different dishes and was impressed by practically all of them, which is rare - every dish…read morewas beautifully thought out and crafted, with distinct flavor profiles and textures. My favorite bites were the baked clams and fatty beef. The flavors were complex and well-rounded. The cocktails were great and fairly priced at ~$16 as well. Service was friendly, but -1 star as we were seated 20-25 minutes after our reservation time (9:30PM). Overall, would highly recommend for tourists and locals alike!