To be honest, all of my reviews are based on whether a restaurant does what it should do given its price point. It's decor. And it's place in the market. More importantly, does it offer the kind of service, ambience, and experience that would make you want more? I would say 151 kitchen and bar in Elmhurst does meet those expectations. On a recent work night celebration with colleagues, we ended up here for a nice dinner. Beautifully outfitted, the service was spot on, and the food was for the most part really good. Key points for me for the honey and ricotta with bread - absolutely excellent! I ordered the Atlantic salmon, which came on a bed of tiny potatoes and broccolini absolutely what was expected, the flavors were indicative of light seasoning, and I can truly say I loved it. Needless to say, the food was fantastic. You can see the photo of my entrée below? It looks very inviting right? And indeed it was. One of my colleagues was kind enough to let me take a picture of his chicken bowl - which is below as well - and he pronounced it as pretty good. Coming from him that is high praise, indeed! The tomato bisque soup I had as an app? Pretty delicious - the only concern I would indicate was that it was just a tad too sweet, but otherwise it was served at the perfect temperature, and really hit the spot. Nicely done! So - will I bring hubby here? Yes, I think so. Definitely a worthwhile place for him to try for sure - and I will make plans to bring him here soon. read more

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First, let me start by saying 151 kitchen had a great vibe and lots of staff. Friendly and overall decent. My challenge is and why I'm giving two stars is that their food is priced on a higher side with mediocre quality. They serve lamb loins, but listed as chops. I ordered lunch all the time and I've never had two mediocre loin. I asked our great waitress of how thick were the chops and where they double boned. She led me to a manager who said you get plenty of food and dodged my question. He simply should've said we don't serve chops. I spent almost $500 for six of us. I think they're a better spot to spend your money for that amount. I did reach out via phone call and email as suggested with no return calls or email. I don't plan to go back for a high priced meal plus a 3% surcharge. read more

What an absolutely awesome restaurant this is. Their cocktails are amazing, their smashed potatoes are like... boiled, smashed, fried and sauced with something handmade in heaven. And every meal I've ever tried here has been excellent. Come for brunch, a girls night, Sunday lunch or honestly, any reason you can think of to get here! read more

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We were seated at the booth on a Tuesday night. The ambiance was cozy with a lot of wood accents and warm lighting. I liked the accents of green throughout the restaurant. I would describe it as modern, rustic. We ordered two drinks, brussel sprouts, the gnocchi, and the steak. In total, the bill was about $160. 5/5 My husband got a beer, and I got the apple cider mule. Generally, we really enjoyed our drinks! 4/5 - The brussel sprouts were nicely baked/broiled, but I felt that they could use some extra salt/seasoning. The sriracha mayo was the saving grace of the dish. Overall, decent texture. 3/5 - The steak was well cooked according to my request. The potatoes were well cooked, but I felt they could use a little bit more salt. The chimichurri sauce lacked a little depth. I didn't feel it had a of of flavor. 4/5 - the gnocchi with pesto and shrimp was a better entree. It had a flavorful sauce with consistently decent bites throughout the full meal. Ironically, the shrimp was a little salty though. Overall, while the food wasn't memorable, the service and drinks were well worth the visit. read more

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Loved 151 Kitchen & Bar! The fact that they are Farm to table locally gives them bonus points! This spot checks all the boxes: great food, attentive service, and a cozy, modern ambiance that's perfect for brunch, date night, dinner with friends. Stopped in on a Saturday night, and we kicked things off with the Caesar salad. Solid, but nothing out of the ordinary. Things took a delicious turn with the Wagyu burger (ordered medium). Juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Highly recommend-we paired it with the regular fries and their creamy garlic aioli on the side. (Pro tip: They also offer wedge and truffle fries if you're feeling fancy.) Their mac 'n cheese -- the perfect level of creamy without being too heavy. Definitely a must-try side. We chose to sit outside, and the soft glow from the street lights created such a charming vibe. While I didn't get to explore the interior much, it looked equally inviting with a chic, trendy energy. Now let's talk cocktails, specifically the espresso martini. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur, I'd rate it a solid 4 out of 5. I prefer mine a bit bolder, but it was still smooth and well balanced. Their cocktail list had some playful options, so I'm already planning a return visit to try more. Having Lobster fest right now--definitely going back for the lobster pappardelle pasta! Bonus: They're located diagonally across from the Umbrella Sky Project which is a fun, photo worthy installation that's worth checking out before or after your meal. read more

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Omg this place was so cute! There's plenty of outdoor seating and the inside has that cozy, slightly moody vibe (plus great A/C to beat these hot Chicago heat). The staff is really kind and accommodating which made this experience even better. I have a lot of food allergies, and they made me feel welcomed and not at all like a burden. I ordered the grilled octopus (normally served with potato purée), and they swapped in broccolini for me, which was chef's kiss . The octopus was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. My friend got the chicken power bowl and said it was filling, healthy, and super tasty. Plus the portion sizes are great too. Will absolutely be back! read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - chicken power bowl - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

We went here to celebrate my friend's 40th birthday because it was a halfway point for all of our friends to meet up. We were happy that we found this place because we didn't know it existed and they have a really cute downtown area that we walked around afterwards. We ordered a few of their specialty drinks, along with a bottle of wine, and the drinks were really good. We ordered a few dishes to share for the table, so we could taste everything and get a little bit of a feel of what kind of food they had to offer at this restaurant . Service was good we had a waiter that was a little confused with some of the menu choices, but other than that, everything was really good. We said that we would come back again because it was a really good spot for us to meet up. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Gnocchi and a potato dish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

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This restaurant had been on my Yelp list to try for a while. I finally was in the area when they were open. I happened to come in during their happy hour - score! (Certain weekdays from 4 to 6 pm). They had cocktails for $10 (originally $14 to 16). The two that I tried were delicious. For an appetizer, we went with the whipped ricotta. It was so good! It was served with some honey on the side. I ordered the farmhouse salad after seeing it in previous reviews. It was tasty and huge! I ended up taking half to go. The server was hustling. He was also the bartender and host! We parked in the Walgreens lot and then walked over. Limited street parking out front. read more

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I finally had the chance to try 151 kitchen for brunch. The service was very slow; we felt like we were forgotten. I ordered the steak + egg + potatoes and a caramel latte. The latte was lukewarm, too sweet, and too milked down. My hanger steak was burnt black on the outside, rare and cold on the inside. The potatoes hard carried this dish - they were well cooked, crispy, and the sauce was soooo good. I was shocked and greatly disappointed by the quality of the food. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

My husband and I took our son here for his birthday. We've been at 151 for dinner, but never for brunch. Making a reservation is easy. I talked to Kate at the restaurant and she said that they would definitely do something to recognize the birthday and that they did! Our server was Shelley, and she was friendly and engaging. She came to the table and wished my son a happy birthday right off the bat. My son and I ordered cocktails, a Bellini for me and a bloody Mary for him and my husband had a virgin bloody Mary. Kate delivered our cocktails and took the time to snap a few pictures of us. The three of us shared the fig and goat cheese toast to start with. Four slices of grilled bread topped with arugula, fig jam, goat cheese, poached pears, and walnuts. All those flavors together was perfection. So good! My husband ordered the omelette and I ordered the BLTE sandwich as our mains. Both were good, but nothing that wowed us. The huge wow was the brie French toast that my son ordered. Brioche bread with brie, berry compote and maple syrup. So decadent delicious! At the end of the meal, Shelley brought a piece of decadent chocolate cake with a candle for my son, along with a birthday card signed by all the staff, including the chef. They really went out of their way to make this birthday special. I would definitely recommend 151 for brunch and dinner. The food is fantastic, the cocktails are sublime and the service is great. read more

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My husband and i went here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner, we had a 730pm reservation and we were aware of the 90min limit. At the 60min mark, all I had left was my drink to finish. The hostess told the manager, this table has to go as she walked by our table, the table next to us had been there longer and they weren't told anything. As we were leaving my husband spoke with her and she said "we aren't rushing anyone". No, you clearly lied because you were rushing us. It's rude to rush customers especially when we were already made aware of the 90min limit. Food, drinks, and our waiter otherwise were great. Hostess and the manager that told us "we are flipping tables" hinting to us that we need to go soon, you two were not so great, you two have terrible customer service. read more

My wife and I have dined here a few times, and we had great meals there. So, choosing to dine there on Valentine's Day was an easy choice. I can appreciate the 90 minute limit since they were fully booked. The food was great. Our server was great. But the hostess and floor manager were very rude. About an hour after we were seated, we had just finished our dessert, and my wife was finishing the last sips of her cocktail. That was when I heard the hostess say "This table's gotta go" while doing a sweep of the room (she was definitely referring to us). Then, the floor manager approached and told us they needed to flip our table. I would not have had a problem with that IF they had also had addressed the table next to us, who had been there longer than we had. I felt that was incredibly rude on their part, considering we had been there only an hour. We weren't planning on sitting much longer, but to be rushed out like that was disrespectful. read more

Our server appeared to be high as a kite, but I suppose it could have been some sort of affliction, in which case my apologies. In any event, he finally showed up about 15 minutes after we were seated to take drink and app orders and that was all we saw of him. Eventually I had to flag someone else down to take our order and the manager showed up to do that for us. The busboy/food runner was very good. Our server never stopped by again and at some point I had to flag down someone else to get our check. The bao buns were great but my halibut was slammed (overcooked). The tuna app was also very good but the kitchen was very, very slow getting food out. read more

Everything from the service to the food to the ambiance were perfection. The drinks are the best in town. The burger is the best in town. The fig and brie appetizer is like having dessert first and we crave it. It was the first time we had the seabass and oh my word - it was divine! We'll be back every week and for New Years Eve - a family tradition read more

Food was so delicious. The saffron sea bass was delightful. The ingredients were fresh and the cooking was so good. Service was very friendly and accommodating. Decor was really pretty and it felt tasteful. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Saffron sea bass - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

Beware if you have a shellfish allergy! My wife and I came here for dinner on November 13, 2024. That night, she had a horrific reaction to her meal - the kind of thing that only happens to her if she inadvertently consumes shellfish. Since we shared our meal and I did not experience the same effect, it must have been cross-contamination. Although the ambiance of 151 is nice and the server was pleasant, the food itself was a misfire. We split the Grilled Hanger Steak ($36) and the Cajun Chicken Sandwich ($18). Although we ordered the steak medium, it was excessively dry. The crispy potatoes were too greasy for my taste (it's possible they were prepared in the same oil as another table's seafood dish, which may account for the allergic reaction). I preferred the sandwich, but it, too, was overcooked and dry. A sub-mediocre meal is one thing, but carelessness in the kitchen is something else. Nothing we ordered included shellfish, but I spent the night caring for my wife as she was doubled over in pain. 151 is not worth your dollar. Consider Modern Plate down the street for a superior dinner experience. read more

Full disclosure, I'm not a regular Elmhurst diner, but 151 Kitchen has been a go-to place to catch-up with my local friend. The menu is always enticing, and well balanced (love that they have a nice emphasis on salads and veg sides), and everything we've had has been pretty perfectly executed. The service during brunch/lunch has been attentive and accommodating. We tend to get to gabbing and need the extra time, and the servers have always been friendly, patient, and have even split shared dishes for us to make it easier to partake. (We like to try as many things as reasonably possible!) I haven't dined inside, more of an al fresco gal when the weather is right, but the ambiance does look fairly stylish and like a nice vibe for date night. read more

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Came here recently, staff was nice. Food was good but order was wrong and also one dish came out cold. Wouldn't recommend cocktails and the bartender seemed a bit lost. read more

With creative cocktails, elevated menu items, and an attentive and amiable staff, 151 is a gem in the charming village of Elmhurst. Everyone seems at home here. Couples on a date night. Groups of friends. Solo diners. If work or personal travel brings you to the area, hop an uber and enjoy a relaxing evening. read more

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Love this spot. It has a great menu. The cocktails were equally good. There is lots of outdoor seating. Service was great. read more

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A superb experience in all ways with fantastic service and delicious food. The farm to table focus is on target for quality and freshness. The food was well prepared and deserves a 5 Star rating. Our waitress Natalie was excellent and represented the restaurant very well! We'll be back!!! read more

Super cute spot in downtown Elmhurst. The service and the vibes here were great!! We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Our server was phenomenal, as was all the staff that evening. We sat inside, but they have a nice outdoor patio area as well. Some of us got the pasta dishes, one got this shrimp power bowl. All of it was yummy! Drinks were also great, they offer different sizes for some of the wine (glass, carafe, bottle). I would definitely recommend this place for a date night or a girls night out. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - SHORT RIB PAPPARDELLE - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

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Good food, high prices in a cute town setting. Just the makings for yet another trendy "farm to table" concept, although 151 Kitchen | Bar does execute this quite well. On a nice summer evening, I enjoyed grabbing a bite to eat with some colleagues here, and the overall experience was very positive. The seasonality of the restaurant can first be seen on the menus. They seem to update the menus to take advantage of the ingredients that are in season. To start off the meal, we ordered a couple of appetizers. The baked brie was decent, it was wrapped in phyllo dough and served with sourdough bread. The sweetness of the honey and the figs balanced with the cheese. We also ordered the crispy pork belly. The star of this dish was actually the corn puree and the succotash. You could really tell these items were farm fresh, they were delicious. The pork belly was cooked decent, though, I've had pork belly more juicy and tender before. For my entree, I got the prime hangar steak, cooked medium rare. The steak itself was absolute perfection, it was cooked perfectly, tender, juicy, and the chimichurri gave it some freshness. It was served with crispy potatoes which were piled high on my plate. The portions on the dish were very big, a giant plate of meat and potatoes. The potatoes were fantastic as well and had good texture, in contrast with the ultra tender steak. I however would sacrifice a fraction of the potatoes and add a green, it would help balance the overall dish. I also got to try the shrimp and grits, and this was a dish I think 151 missed on. It was served with a red sauce that almost reminded me of a vodka sauce. It didn't feel like a Southern shrimp and grits. It felt more Italian, shrimp and polenta perhaps? I was not a huge fan of that dish! Given that this is a farm to table establishment, the prices are on the higher end. I will say that the portions are very fair for the price. The service here was very good, many different people came to check up on us and make sure we were having a good experience. I would definitely recommend 151 Kitchen | Bar for a nice meal, and as one that you would come to on a special occasion. The freshness and quality of the ingredients will surely make the experience delightful. read more

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Happen to pop by on a Friday night (adults and kids). The ambiance and is so cool. Had an awesome cocktail, kids menu and food options were so good- especially the Mac and cheese. Food allergies and dietary restrictions managed beautifully. Burger, bao buns, onion soup, ahi tuna tostadas and salmon delish! Our server Shelly was great! read more

Restaurant is warm and inviting. Decorated nicely for the holidays. Server was attentive. Seasonal cocktails were fun to choose from. Chicken sandwiches were delicious and fig and goat cheese toast starter was yummy. Nice place in downtown elmhurst. Reservations available and free parking garage around the corner. read more

have yet to have a dish that's below delicious. from apps to entrees, these guys are on it!

Everything was very good except my steak. In their defense, it was only a strip steak and you get what you pay for. Everything else was fantastic including our servers. Highly recommended. read more

Would I go back there? Most likely no. Went there for a party. The appetizers were good and had a wide enough variety but when it comes to dinner staples like meat and potatoes... that's when they fall flat. The hanger steak was abysmal and wasn't seasoned ( had no flavor). The chimichurri was so dry and flavorless it didn't add to the steak at all. Med rare was beyond chewy. The potatoes also were flavorless and were so saturated in oil and grease... I love to eat and hate to waste food. But the hanger steak was so bad I only had 2 bites and ended up leaving it at the restaurant because it wasn't worth taking home as leftovers. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

I'm stunned at how amazing and balanced this meal was. Everything was portioned perfect as we both shared our meal. Forgetting it was restaurant week, we walked in with no reservation around 7:30pm. Hostess seated us right away, we got lucky bc it was packed. Very cool vibe in the restaurant with modern decor. It was buzzing. I need to research the chef bc the food was excellent and the training of the staff similar to a Michelin star restaurant we've ate in. What we ordered: Cocktails: (avg $14 specialty) (2) cocktails - Midnight Run (strong!) and Perfect Pairing (yummy) - we finished both Food: (avg $17-32) Ricotta Honey Toast Beet Salad Short rib pappardelle Please see pics as words cannot describe. I want to call out our waitress, she made the experience so great with her recommendations. She was so nice and helpful checking in on us and knew her stuff. I can say she was bonus to making this an amazing food & service experience. We'll be back and bring more friends. This spot is a gem, I don't know how we didn't come eat here sooner. Love read more

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I really like the decor of this restaurant. This is a great place to have a peaceful lunch or dinner. My first order was placed online to go. I was a little disappointed because they were 10 minutes late on the estimated time and I have very limited time during lunch to pick up food, eat it, and get back to work. They also seemed slow so I wasn't sure why they were running behind. Plus this was a splurge. I had the sweet corn risotto with chicken. It was pretty good but I think I would enjoy it more in the restaurant. I think I'll try a different dish next time. My husband had a grain bowl. It's mainly salad instead of grains though. He still enjoyed it but thought it should be renamed to avoid confusion on the main ingredient. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

Wow - this place was a total surprise! We have friends who recently moved to Elmhurst, and they mentioned that they keep coming back to this place - nothing else compares! So on Friday we gave it a shot and it did not disappoint. First, it was super easy to get a reservation, even just a few days before. Then, the service was exceptional. Super friendly, casual and knowledgeable. Our server even had celiacs which made me feel even more comfortable to order gluten-free from her. She helped recommend substitutions that could make the salmon gluten free and dang it was delicious. My husband loved the hanger steak as well. At first, it felt like an odd ratio of steak to potatoes (see pic), but he ended up being full and satisfied with everything on his plate. Lastly, our friend tried the shrimp and grits. She said the flavor was great, but the dish felt a bit too rich for her - maybe too much sauce? Either way, everyone really enjoyed this gem and we will be back! read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Shrimp and Grits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

We came here this evening for family dinner and I must say that I enjoyed absolutely everything we had. It was actually difficult choosing my meal because everything sounded good. Starters: Ricotta & Honey and Pear & Apple Toast. I wished the pears where sliced onto the toast, but that's a minor thing. Both dishes were great! Entrees: I have the Roasted Squash & Gnocchi. My family had the Black Bean Burger & Cripsy Potatoes and Southern Style Chicken Sandwich & Fries. The cripsy potatoes were divine. I'll be returning for brunch to have them with some eggs and such. My gnocchi was so decadent. Dessert: We all shared the Triple Layer Chocolate Cake and the Carrot Cake. Although they sounded rich, neither was overly sweet. Both were a perfect end to a perfect meal. I WILL return!!!! read more

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I ordered a caesar salad with blackened salmon for $24 and it was pretty much tasteless. It looked like paprika was used to blacken the salmon very slightly, but it was definitely in need of salt and pepper. The overall salad was lacking in flavor. There was no shaved parm cheese which would have helped to add saltiness, and there seemed to be some super fine-grated hard boiled egg which probably was not needed. The croutons tasted like they were out of a bag from the Jewel around the corner, barely had flavor and were super hard. There were no S&P shakers available, and I felt wierd asking. The waitress was nice and brought my dog a bowl of water. However, when I got the bill, there was a Sustainability Fee and a 3.5% credit card fee! The waitress kindly removed the Sustainability Fee. I ordered one specialty drink, which was only half full, and one glass of wine, which was probably the best part of the meal. read more

My husband the airline chicken for $29 and it looked like a kids meal portion. I had the macro bowl which was tasteless. So disappointed in the food for the price we paid. read more

Delicious food and drinks! Staff was also pleasant and it's a great place for outdoor dining as well. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Pork belly - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

We had a beet salad and I think a tuna tostada. Both were good service was great beautiful atmosphere and right across from the theater. I was surprised that the Chicago suburb is just as expensive in San Francisco read more

Stopped for a snack with the wife yesterday. Restaurant has a cool vibe. Bar area was nice. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. It's a farm to table concept. Good selection of beers on tap. We split the beet salad and chicken sandwich. Beet salad was good, but beets could use some salt. There were also some orange slices in it that I thought through off the flavor of the salad. Chicken sandwich was one of the best I've had in ages. Biggest downer was as we were leaving, the bartender spilt a full beer on my wife and I. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Beet Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

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A friend and I wanted to catch up and meet somewhere in the middle (Elmhurst) and ended up at 151 Kitchen. Upon entering, we noticed the restaurant was quite dark and not very welcoming. My friend ordered the Farmhouse Salad; seasonal greens, cucumber, strawberries, burrata, shaved almonds, tossed with a strawberry basil vinaigrette. She said it was good, but not outstanding in flavor or appearance. The serving was also on the smaller side. I ordered the Chicken Grain Bowl; brown rice and quinoa as a case for kale, shaved carrot, dried cranberries, avocado, sunflower seeds, pistachio pesto and charred lemon vinaigrette. I was honestly underwhelmed by my meal; it had many elements but overall seemed to lack flavor.Our server was fine, explaining their menu but he lacked friendliness and warmth. He did check up on us a few times, so I will give him points for that. The salad was $15 and the bowl was $20, and for the moderate prices we expected more from our food, especially as they are a farm to table establishment. 151 Kitchen and Bar left more to be desired. read more

151 Kitchen | Bar - Farmhouse Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Elmhurst, Illinois

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Always great service, and the steak and potatoes never miss. The steak is super tender and melts in your mouth, and the potatoes are perfectly crispy with a buttery flavor. Just really solid every time. read more

My wife and I visited Elmhurst for the Umbrella Exhibit and stopped for a bite to eat late in the day. The downtown has a lovely strip with a ton of restaurants and outdoor seating. We chose 151 Kitchen | Bar because it looked nice and we got parking right out front. The name peaks your interest and is a little misleading. We thought they would have more upscale bar type food. However, the menu was light with options and very posh. They had a bunch of servers standing around, two bartenders looking extremely bored, and two hostesses who just stood around staring blankly at the doors. However, not one of them offered us water when we sat down. I had to shake down a hostess on her way back from the restroom to ask for water. Btw, we sat for about twenty minutes before I did that. Finally a server showed up and we placed both our drink and food orders with him as we had no idea if we'd get ignored again. This server was johnny-on-the-spot with drinks, refills, and food. My wife got the beet salad. It was huge and plentiful and as she stated, "probably the best beet salad she's ever had". And I got the cajun chicken sandwich but removed the cheese, aioli, and other fixins. The sandwich came on toasted and buttered sourdough bread. It was delicious! I'm glad I removed the fixins from the sandwich as it would have been overkilled with flavors battling one another for flavor dominance. The fries were good too. Check the menu before you go because there aren't a lot of options if you're not a big veggie eater (like me), but definitely go try their cajon chicken sandwich as it's worth the visit. read more