Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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! read more

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Very first time visiting Yardbird's while visiting Chicago since it was on our to- try list. We didn't have a reservation but were able to be sat immediately. We were greeted by the host in which I believe to be the manager. He was pleasant and welcome. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself is aesthetically appealing and it gives an upscale vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat and didn't have to wait too long for the waitress. She was nice and assisted up accordingly! I ordered the bottle of champagne for mimosas with pineapple and orange juice and was pleasantly surprised by the $35 price since we're used to paying twice that back home. The food came out pretty quick and was hot and ready to eat. All of our food was good well and we all enjoyed our dishes. My only takeaway would be if guests ordered bottled water and/or champagne, the waitress should poor them into the glasses for you. From my experience, this is something that I thought was a norm. Overall, great place to eat! read more

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Huge disappointment compared to the Miami location. We came here for lunch and while the deviled eggs and skillet cornbread appetizers were great, the mains and service were a disaster. We both ordered the 1/2 fried chicken (he ordered the chicken and waffles and I ordered the Llewellyn fried chicken), specifically requesting all dark meat. Round 1: The chicken arrived as all white meat. We sent it back. Round 2: My boyfriend's plate was corrected, but mine came out with two thighs and two wings. Ready to eat at this point, I just sent the wings back. Round 3: They finally brought out the correct drumsticks. The excuse given by our waiter was that someone in the kitchen couldn't read English, causing a language barrier. I'll leave it to others to decide how they feel about that as an excuse. But what I will say is that a language barrier in the kitchen is a management problem, not a customer problem, and it should never result in a guest sending their plate back twice. While mistakes happen, the food itself was a letdown once we finally ate. My boyfriend's cheddar waffle was completely uncooked and raw in the center, and both the waffle and his fried chicken thighs had a strange, off-taste to them. What really ruined the experience, though, was the lack of management. The manager was actively walking around the dining room the entire time but never once stopped by our table to apologize for the multiple mix-ups or the raw food. For the price point, the service and quality control here need serious work. I'll stick to the Miami location. read more

Yardbird - Jalapeno and bacon jam deviled eggs - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food at Yardbird was very good but a lot of the items are very overpriced. $15 for a tiny side of mac n cheese is ridiculous. It wouldn't even feed 3 children. The ambiance of the place was great. It is a very cool and modern looking restaurant. The staff was friendly but our server seemed to be having a bad night. She never smiled and seemed to be in a bad mood. We felt rushed. read more

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This is my second time at Yardbird but the first time was in Washington DC. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The Chicago location while very beautiful with the two floors and great ambiance didn't deliver the food quality from what I had in Washington.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food while still good wasn't as juicy and flavourful and didn't impress me as much. Portion size was more than fair. Service was okay but wasn't super friendly. read more

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It was my first time coming here. Considering it was after noon on a Thursday; I was expecting it to be super busy. I was happy it wasn't b/c we didn't have a reservation. We got seated right away. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was clean, the service was exceptional, and the food was delicious.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered the hot honey grilled wings and fries with a blueberry bourbon lemonade, which was very good. Love the location and next time I'm in town, I will be back. I totally recommended. read more

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This wasn't our original plan but glad we came here for dinner. Service was great! Rory was our waitress and she was nice at recommending items, and checking on us every throughout the night without rushing us! The shrimp jambalaya pasta was so good and flavorful. The lemon drops were a fav of course too.. For apps we got the Texas Twinkie and the Popcorn shrimp. Let's say all of the food was good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice restaurant/ bar to go to with friends for good food and drinks and vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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This place had great customer service and excellent food! It is elevated Southern cuisine in my opinion. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself is beautiful; grateful for after work, dinners, drinks with friends or celebrations.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I really appreciate the customer service; Bible was kind and checked on us. They gave us suggestions and help us modify anything we want. They have a great cocktail selection as well as wines. I do think they have a winery inside the restaurant but I have to double check that. If you want some Southern home style food, come here. read more

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Returned for a birthday celebration. The service and food remain outstanding. The biscuits remain the GOAT. we tried the deviled eggs. towering presentation. Classy! Lots of creamy yolky treat. Definitely opt for the bacon jam. The little gem salad is huge. A total meal. The key lime pie is creamy with just a hint of tartness. The cocktails were excellent and creative. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We're all surprised by the lack of a crowd.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Early dinner reservations. Seated immediately. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Chill vibe, great decor, low lighting for more intimate dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Servers and staff were all friendly. Food was yummy expect the dirty rice. I'm from Louisiana/Texas so my version of dirty rice was far off from what Yardbird considers. It wasn't for me but I suggest you try it. read more

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Totally underwhelming experience! I had passed by this place a few times and it looked upscale and online the photos looked great. I booked a Sunday brunch with a friend to celebrate an occasion and as soon as we got seated, it seemed we were invisible to the waitress and not once did she give eye contact or crack a smile. A robot may as well have been there! The place wasn't even too busy, she just gave the "didn't really want to be there" attitude. The one thing we wanted to try based on my friend looking ahead at the menu was not even available until after 3pm, strike 1. We shared the fried green tomatoes with pork belly ($18) to start then moved onto the famous chicken and waffles ($42). The presentation of the food was lackluster, and a bucket of KFC is more flavorful than what we had and was only 4 pieces of dry chicken and flavorless waffles, strike 2. I asked for hot sauce which helped but overall it was a massive disappointment and for water refills I kept having to walk to the bar to get it, strike 3. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The sad part is, the ambience is quite nice and it had real potential to be a nice experience but we both said it was not a place we would care to eat again.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It was so unimpressive I forgot to take any photos. If management cares to reach out, I'd be happy to share more. read more

Overall, Yardbird is beautiful and spacious, located in the heart of River North. Staff is attentive, tables were appropriately spaced out so you couldn't hear other tables talking, and the menu appealed to all ages. We appreciated that they had a kids menu and several vegetarian items on the main menu, and would highly recommend the biscuits, fried chicken, and creme brûlée waffles. Reason for 4 stars vs 5: - no booster or high chair for our 2 year old (but not entirely surprised given the ambiance) - pricy! Food is good, but definitely more expensive than we expected read more

Yardbird - Crème brûlée waffles - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The drinks are weak & The wait staff is not responsive. The manager is very accommodating, the food is good and the portions are generous. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is casual and refreshing[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. read more

Started with the bottomless mimosas and then I ordered the shrimp n grits 10/10 and the creme brulee waffles 10/10 our server Anna was amazing and sweet it's always a treat coming to yardbird read more

I love this place ! I have to go atleast once a month for brunch ( sometimes more than once ) . You can'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 read more

**This is a review for their takeout only** Really wanted to try Yardbird but I didn't want to go alone (bf is not a fan of American fried chicken) so I got my Country Cobb Protein Bowl with boneless fried chicken to-go. The protein bowl was tasty but the fried chicken was really mediocre. It was crispy but I just tasted the powdery breading and it really didn't have any other flavor to it, sadly. I walked ,like, 3 blocks (that's a lot for a couch potato, btw) to pick this meal up so you can imagine how bummed I was. :( I don't know if I'll come back for their fried chicken entree now (even though that Whole Bird looks amazing)! read more

Yardbird - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

[[HIGHLIGHT]]While the ambience is good, the food could not live up to the expectations.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I took my daughter along with me, her choice of restaurant. We ordered the chicken waffle and fries along with okra chips. The chicken was dry and the waffles soggy. I will say my daughter did like the chicken but that's all. She's been here before and was surprised at the low quality compared to her other times. This was my first trip here and I am never going back again. read more

Yardbird - Chicken tenders - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stumbled upon Yardbird by chance--it was close to our hotel and kept catching our eye, even though it wasn't originally on our radar. Honestly, those unplanned stops often turn out to be the best, and this one definitely was. We popped in for a late lunch knowing we had a late dinner ahead, and it was the perfect in-between meal. The space is adorable--a mix of industrial charm and Southern warmth, with a big, open layout that feels both stylish and welcoming. It wasn't too packed for a Saturday (maybe thanks to Beyoncé being in town?), but I can totally see this place getting lively, especially at night. It has that fun, energetic vibe that would appeal to a younger crowd. Now, the food. WOW. The menu was packed with tempting options--it was honestly hard to choose. We ended up sharing a bunch of dishes: The skillet (so hearty and flavorful) The mac & cheese (creamy, cheesy perfection) The street corn (a must-order) The deviled eggs (legit amazing) And a steak-style sandwich that came with au jus--can't remember the name, but it was so good. And then... the pineapple cup cocktail. HOLY. FREAKING. MOLY. Best drink of the year, hands down. I could've sipped that like juice (dangerously good). But the real MVP? Our server--Ty (I think?). Hands down the best service we had all weekend, maybe even all year. He was so natural, friendly, and genuinely great at what he does. No forced energy, just real, attentive, and on point. If he's not training other servers, he should be. Pro tip: Know what time you're going--they switch menus at a certain point in the day, so plan accordingly. Highly recommend Yardbird. Whether it's a casual lunch or a fun night out, this place delivers. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is beautiful with high ceilings and an open kitchen.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat at the bar, and the staff were friendly and attentive. A couple of TVs for the Bulls game. The food is always great. Tonight we had the gem Ceasar, more than enough to share. The pickled grapes are very different, but add a nice acidic note. We had the rotisserie chicken (have had the fried chicken before, which is always wonderful). It came with dirty rice, nice and spicy, and blackened green beans. Chicken was moist and so much flavor. Definitely worth a visit! read more

I came in for Happy Hour (3-6pm), thinking I scored with a reservation--only to find it's only honored at the bar. Thankfully, I had a small party so it wasn't a big deal, but good to know. The HH apps looked promising but didn't deliver. The Disco Fries had solid burnt ends, but the heat made the fries soggy. The BBQ Chicken Satay was forgettable--just two dry skewers. The regular menu, though, brought the heat: the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp was easily my favorite--crispy, flavorful, and made for sharing and the off-menu Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich seriously brings the heat. I wasn't sure I could eat it at first but devoured it. Yardbird's cocktail game is strong too. We probably had 10-12 drinks total, some of the standout drinks were: Bless Your Heart, Smoke on the Water, and Hotter Than Blazes--all smooth and dangerously sippable. Shoutout to the bartender who matched my pace all evening. DO's * Do grab a bar seat for HH deals--reservations won't help you. * Do get the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp--crispy, zesty, shareable. * Do try multiple cocktails--Yardbird's cocktail menu runs deep. * Do take a walk around the restaurant, they have a 2nd level too! DON'Ts * Don't bank on HH apps--they're more hype than bite. * Don't expect crisp Disco Fries.. they were soggy by the second bite. * Don't skip the regular menu--that's where the flavor is at. read more

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Great lunch spot! Be prepared the sodas are in bottles, which is great but not if you were looking to slam some Diet Coke :) Wedge salad was tasty and not too much dressing. read more

Stopped here for a late lunch on Saturday. Their menu changes on the weekend from a brunch menu until 3, then an all-day menu at 3 - would all-day be all day? Anyway -- Waiter was Ty - young guy and very attentive. He took our orders and was very friendly, checking on us several times and just a very nice person to deal with. We started with the skillet cornbread and deviled eggs. The eggs were good, solid flavor and good execution of the items. The cornbread was a knockout. Created with bacon and jalapeno as well as cheese, served with a scoop of butter on top. Easily one of the best items we had during our trip. For my meal, I ordered the burger - which was served with thiccc bacon and egg. I swapped out the fries for the mac and cheese. Very good - somewhat hard to eat and not look like a slob but - so good. Overall - a great meal and service. read more

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The food at Yard Bird was absolutely incredible! Every bite was packed with flavor. I was on a trip in Chicago when I visited the restaurant. When I got home, I looked up the nearest location from me only to realize it's 600 miles away. I actually paused for a moment, seriously considering the trip! I love, love, loved everything about this restaurant, the atmosphere, the presentation, and especially the food. The only downside was that our server came across a bit snotty, but thankfully, the amazing food more than made up for it. read more

Yardbird lured us in with good happy hour deals and whiskey tasting experiences. We booked a whiskey tasting as apart of our dinner. However, we downtown early so stopped in for some Happy Hour appetizers and a cocktail. First impression is that this is a sleek restaurant with sexy feel. The bar is forward facing and big part of the aesthetics. Atmosphere is 5 of 5 stars. We sat at the bar and enjoyed happy hour. For Happy Hour we did the Bacon Popcorn, Wings (2), and Fries Pickles/Okra. We were appetizers while we sipped our cocktails. For drinks, I had a spicy Margarita and my husband had the old fashion. We enjoyed our cocktail service. Happy Hour is 5 of 5 stars. For dinner, we sat upstairs and it was quieter to our delight. The downstairs is vibrant and lively which is great but on this occasion wanted a different vibe. The second floor boosted a view of the street and then also a nice view of private dining room area. For food we got the biscuits, fried chicken and bbq platter. The biscuits were so darn good. Would order again and again. The fried chicken was good, nothing special about the mash potatoes. The bbq platter was good also, enjoyed all the meats. Food was 4 out of 5 stars. Overall we enjoyed our dinner experience. We had a lovely conversation with the manger, Emily that evening. We learned a lot about this establishment and also about their other locations. Emily was good about educating us on the offerings at this restaurant. Look forward to coming back for brunch. Overall, a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would say that pricing on some entrees were high. We didn't leave full but we were satisfied. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was great, ambiance great, fairly empty for a Sunday afternoon.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My family had mixed reviews on the food. I had chicken and waffles. It was amazing. No complaints. My husband had steak and eggs, decent. Not a large portion but still good. My son ordered cheesy grits. I hate to rate grits because everyone likes them served different. My family was not a fan. Though they were tasty to me. The biscuits were not so great. read more

First timer and will definitely be back! We came across Yardbird when walking around the area and wanted a light lunch. There were sooo many good brunch items we decided to share the chicken biscuits (2), hash browns, and salad. If you are a ranch and salad dressing fan then definitely ask to try the ranch-dill dressing that comes with the hash browns. The Caesar dressing is tasty as well. Brunch portions are shareable so order a few items and share family style. read more

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Big fan of this place. Came here for brunch with buddies on a Saturday morning. It was not busy at all and the service was very attentive. Never saw the bottom of my water glass and the server provided great recommendations. My meal was the short rib huevos; quite good and I had leftovers. We had cinnamon rolls for the table which were SOLID. washed it all down with a cocktail called All Things Flannel which was excellent. Damage was roughly $60 a person which wasn't bad. I'd definitely go back. read more

Yardbird - All Things Flannel - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was a bug in my water and gnats continued to fly around us. The servers were nice in trying to handle it. The shrimp appetizer was delicious. The Mac n cheese and green beans were both horrible. The pasta was also a fail because it was sweet for some reason. Pricey and bland. The only saving grace was the good service. read more

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Nice location - we parked in the garage in the same building and it was perfect. Cute inside with cool levels. Our server, Bertin, was kind. He let us order from the restaurant week menu even though they weren't serving this during weekends. The collard greens were amazing! The chicken n waffles were good and generously portioned. The short ribs were sooo good. I wish I had ordered that. I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very average. Some shrimp had tail shell and some didn't. The grits were super thick and textured. I wouldn't recommend it. The cavatelli, though, was awful and basically inedible from my view. It was so tough and gooey - not good at all. I want to return and bring my son to have the chicken and waffles, one of his favorite dishes and theirs was tasty. read more

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I went for an early Chicago Restaurant week dinner. My server Megan was pleasant, friendly and attentive. I had the deviled eggs with roe (1st time trying roe) that were pretty good. The shrimp & grits was also tasty though I would've like my grits a tad bit creamier. The side of corn with the crema was delicious but could've used a little more seasoning (for my liking). The key lime pie and fried Oreo duo was a nice finisher. As a dessert person, the key lime pie tasted better than average and the raspberry sauce was a nice addition. While the fried Oreo concept is great, the Oreo itself was pretty soggy and I'm not sure if that's the norm. Overall, for mg 2nd visit, I enjoyed it and will be back for a 3rd. read more

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Ok...I have been here twice within a month. I had to go back to see if it was a fluke and it wasn't. I want to go back to try other items! The first time I went I had the chicken and waffles. I must say the chicken was seasoned perfectly, the waffles were delicious and fluffy and the side of watermelon made it refreshing. You have to get a side of the honey hot sauce. I need a bottle for home. I went back and had the chicken biscuit sliders. It came with a side of pickles, pickled okra and pickled onions. I don't even like pickled onions and I ate them. The hash browns were a little on the hard side but so flavorful. Lastly, I ordered cinnamon rolls to go and ate on them for three days! It was a large serving. The servers were great and this place is very classy. Its location on the corner is perfect! read more

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Yardbird is delicious. The decor is wonderful. Would be great for a celebration. If you're looking to wow a date, try and score the table on 2nd floor overlooking the bar! The prices are high, but it's river north. I think the food was delicious and large portions so you could always split a main if you're unhappy with the cost. Leni was our server and she was lovely, punctual and fantastic! I got the blackberry lemonade- delicious but my husband got the yardbird old fashion. Just WOW! I got the wedge lettuce salad with dressing on the side- very good! We also shared the crème brulee waffles and cornbread. All delicious!! I will be back! read more

Yardbird - Iceberg Wedge Salad - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yardbird was exactly what I hoped for and expected. A well rounded, reasonably priced, full service Southern comfort chicken restaurant. Ambiance wise, Yardbird excelled. A based multi story restaurant with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. The bathrooms even feature full, padded changing tables for youngsters which I have not seen before. Yardbird probably would be best for a nice family dinner or business event, but perhaps a bit too lax for a fancy date. Service was good, though a bit slow. A big pet peeve of mine is when it takes so long to get a second beverage, I am done with my meal, and that nearly happened here (I just stopped eating to slow it down). The drinks were really good, and I was a bit surprised. The cocktail I had was boozy and the array of beers, wines, and spirits was vast. The food was generally awesome. Of course the chicken was the star--a crispy amazing skin with a succulent and juicy meat. The sides were a bit hit or miss. The deviled eggs thought were good (and yes they are dill forward) but the fried okra was just okay. The biscuits were pretty good though I have had better. All in, if you come for the chicken and maybe have one side (the cornbread looked good too), you will not be disappointed. Price wise, Yardbird is just a tick above a Yard House, which I think is reasonable for the higher quality. All in, I feel Yardbird is a great place that mixes its main ingredients of ambiance, drinks, and comfort food well. Ambiance: 4.5/5 Service: 3.5/5 Drinks: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Consistency: N/A read more

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I've been to different Yardbird locations, but this was the best. The staff was friendly and welcoming. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We liked the decor and ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was delicious, and the portion sizes were large enough to share. read more

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This place is so good! We came here for the happy hour and they have so many great choices on their happy hour menu. Our server Ty was the sweetest and so attentive. The restaurant itself is so gorgeous and truly such a great place to eat and drink. The staff was very kind and gave us some treats to celebrate my friend's special occasion. And the food itself was fire! Definitely coming back to try more food. read more

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Last year, we visited Yardbird for drinks and had always planned to return to try their food. We finally got the chance recently, and it was well worth the wait. The restaurant is beautifully designed, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The service was excellent. We ordered the lemon rosemary rotisserie, a biscuit, apple cobbler and the Gimme Some Sugar cocktail. Everything was fantastic. read more

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I had such a great first experience at Yardbird! I've heard of the restaurant before, but came across a Sunday reservation last minute when a friend and I decided we wanted brunch. The restaurant is located right next to the Shops at North Bridge garage which makes parking pretty easy. The restaurant itself is huge and includes a private dining area and whiskey tasting room on the second floor (elevator included!). I wouldn't have known I could order their infamous chicken and waffles gluten-free if it weren't for the woman sitting next to me. The dish was absolutely delicious, crispy, and enough to split for two (unless you're starving). Cocktail wise, I ordered the "passionate about tequila" and swapped for mezcal. It was light, fresh, and a bit sweet. They also have a whiskey tasting room on the second floor if that's your thing. I will be returning! read more

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The decor and ambience is upscale, but unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired. We started with a watermelon splash, blackberry bourbon lemonade and crab cakes. The drinks were just okay and the crabs cakes were the size of a half dollar. I was served on a plate so large I thought they forgot some crab cakes. The flavor was good, yet fleeting, because it was literally two bites. My husband enjoyed his braised beef short rib, but it was very small. My chicken and waffles were substantial, but the waffles were doughy in the middle and the chicken too salty. The flavors, while decent, didn't justify the exorbitant price tag. If you're someone who eats for sustenance rather than spectacle, prepare to leave hungry--and lighter in the wallet. The service was attentive but I expected more for the price. Yardbird is great if you're looking for an aesthetic, but if you want a satisfying meal, look elsewhere. read more

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Good, but no reason to be back. I'd love to give a 3.5 if that were possible! This is a VERY cute space. Service was okay- relatively slow, but not glaringly so. Food was also solid but nothing overly exciting- I had the chicken biscuits and while tasty the chicken breading was mostly soggy which was a huge bummer. Again- this is a solid, even relatively good spot, but when compared with the amazing food scene here in Chicago I just can't give a 4 star. read more

Yardbird - Crispy Chicken Biscuits - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here for some great hh deals. The place has a lovely upscale ambiance and is quite big - but it did fill up a bit on the first floor. There's a cool little room with a table that overlooks the dining room and can be requested as well. We sat at the bar though to take advantage of happy hour. I tried the margarita and loved it with a little spice requested. I also tried the passion tequila drink (not on happy hour) that I liked. They were unfortunately out of the buffalo wings, so we tried the satays which were nothing special - honestly skip this. The Texas twinkie was tasty and interesting and filling. The disco fries were more like poutine so not that great in my opinion. We also got the wedge salad, which was a nice big tasty portion. The Nashville hot chicken was good and a big portion as well, but would have been nice with some sides instead of just chicken and toast for that price. Overall though nice experience for happy hour and quick service. read more

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