Andersonville has so many good restaurants to choose from, and Big Jones stands strong, providing a unique and delicious dining experience. We were greeted warmly with lunch reservations at noon on Friday. The place was empty (and there are plenty of tables), but it soon started to fill up. We got a nice space by the window -- the waiter suggested the sweet potato biscuits to start, and I'm so glad he did. Those are amazing -- tender, warm, with flavored butter, and incredible flavor. Whatever you do, don't skip those. We then had the fried green tomatoes - perfectly breaded and seasoned with a nice crunch. I decided on their fried chicken (it is their specialty) and chose dark meat with grits as the side. Great crunch and juicy, flavorful chicken with wonderfully creamy grits. A nice lunch portion. I hope to come back soon and try the rest. read more

Big Jones - Lunch fried chicken (dark meat) with grits. - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Big Jones came recommended to me as a great spot for soul food, so I couldn't resist the chance to stop in while in the area! I arrived around 5pm on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. The interior was super cute, and I could definitely see this being a great brunch spot to visit with friends. The staff were welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. As a hushpuppy lover, I had to start off with an order of these. I appreciated that they were freshly fried and piping hot, but I felt that they were a tiny bit burned. The pimiento aioli was tasty but not my favorite pairing. For the main event, I opted for the blackened salmon salad. The lemon basil vinaigrette was delicious and perfectly complemented the juicy tomatoes and crunchy corn. The salmon was cooked very well, but I really wished there had been more seasoning. The experience itself was solid, but I don't know that I would order those items again. Their fried chicken and brunch menus look delicious so I would return to give those a try! read more

Big Jones - Blackened Salmon Salad - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came to Big Jones excited to try a place I'd been looking forward to for a long time, and I left humiliated. I have Crohn's disease and swallowing difficulty, so bones are a real safety issue for me, not a preference. I politely asked if I could order the chicken tenders from the kids menu and pay full adult price for their adult chicken dish , and I asked the server for help finding something on the menu I could safely eat without bones. The server made a face at my request, like I was a burden for asking. When I explained that I don't do well with bones and just needed help finding a safe option, I got the same reaction again. No effort to help, no kindness, just a look that made me feel ashamed for asking a simple question about what I could eat. It got worse from there. The chef was openly rude to the server for even bringing my question back to the kitchen. So on top of being made to feel like a problem, I had to watch my request create tension between the staff. The restaurant has a kids menu with the exact item that would have worked for me, and they still wouldn't let me order it, even at full adult price. A simple "no, but let me help you find something that works" would have been completely fine. Instead it was eye rolls and ego. Asking for a safe meal should never feel this humiliating. If you have Crohn's, swallowing difficulty, or any dietary restriction, know that grace was in short supply here. A good kitchen finds a way to feed you. Big Jones made me feel like the problem. read more

I came here to treat myself to a solo lunch during restaurant week 2026 and I had the best experience! I forgot the name of my server but bless his heart, he deserves a raise!!!! He was the kindest soul - he always checked on me and made sure I was taken care of. The vibes inside transported me to New Orleans with its Southern charm and hospitality. They had some decor up for Mardi Gras too. I was able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee while sitting by the window. Gumbo ya-ya (course 1): FIRE. I feel like I've never had a real good serving of gumbo in my life and this really felt so comforting to me. Warmed my soul real good. Add a little bit of their house-made hot sauces to elevate the dish! Fried chicken (course 2): As if the meal couldn't get any better after the gumbo - this fried chicken blew me away! And the portion was huge, especially for restaurant week. The chicken is so crispy. The sweet potato puree elevates this dish so much, creating a sweet n savory bite every time. I would order this again x100. Calas (course 3): To end the meal, I got the Calas - which are similar to beignets. 2 calas came on top of a hazelnut sauce. No comment - just get them and you won't regret it. read more

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This place has randomly been on my list for a few years because I love southern food and there is barely any in Chicago. I chose it for supper club because it's open on Mondays lol and I'm really glad I did because it ended up being great. They were sadly out of the biscuits so I will need to come back for brunch one day and try those. But we got the cornbread, the mac & cheese, the crabcakes, the fried green tomatoes, the fried chicken, and the strawberry shortcake. The cornbread was wildly good and every time a new order came out of the kitchen we could smell it. I loved the garlic mac & cheese, and the fried chicken was super flavorful (Definitely similar to fried chicken that I tried in Savannah, Georgia). The desserts and part of the menu rotates seasonally so we got to try the seasonal strawberry shortcake, which was excellent. Everything was just super fresh. Our waiter brought us shots after the meal, which was very kind. Really the only complaint I have is that at times the kitchen was a bit slow but since it's an open kitchen, you could see that there were only two chefs and everything came out piping hot. I think it's an underrated place in Chicago and I would definitely come back- Especially for brunch! They were also playing Adele radio the whole time which really kept us going lol read more

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One of my favorite places in neighborhood hands down. Been coming here for years for different occasions. Best Bloody Mary, shrimp & grits! Very original and tasty summer drinks like Rhubarb Mojito. Love southern decor. And service is always very knowledgeable & attentive. Will be back soon! read more

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Tried this place because they advertise as Southern inspired. We had the chicken and the cornbread, both were very good, although prices were higher than expected. I'm not sure the theme they are aiming for, the bar area was very refined and slick and the front dining space had more country meadow vibes. Our waiter was straight to the point and knew the menu to a T. Not sure if they were having HVAC issues, but it was uncomfortably warm inside, they do have outdoor seating available, and the kitchen area is like an aquarium as you can see all the chefs doing their thing. read more

Finally got to try Big Jones! Andersonville is on of my favorite neighborhoods, so I'm always excited to try a new spot here. A friend and I came by Sunday afternoon for a late brunch. It was busy but they were able to seat us at the bar right away. We both ordered spicy bloody marys to start, and this was probably the most interesting bloody mary I've ever had! What looked like grated cheese was actually ginger. And a lot of it! It wasn't my favorite because it was impossible to take a sip of the drink without getting a mouthful of ginger. I wouldn't order this again unfortunately! What I WOULD order again is the #BeatBobbyFlay biscuit sandwich. So good!! A huge buttermilk biscuit is slathered with sweet cream butter and stacked with Creole hot sausage, Swiss cheese, spicy apple chutney, and an egg. We got it with a side of hashbrowns which were perfectly crispy. This was big enough for a friend and I to share. We also got the popovers and beignets - probably didn't need both of these. I would go with the beignets! Our server/bartender was super kind and personable. I want to come back and try the dinner menu! read more

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Service was very bad it took 25 minutes to be asked drinks and food and then 20 minutes until we got the drinks. Took an additional 25 minutes for food. We were sat outside in the back and it was swarmed with wasps and butterflies. They kept attacking the food. The waiter also didn't know the menu when we ordered. They also could not make an egg white omelette which should be a very simple task. Despite being in Andersonville there is an immense lack of non meat menu options and I couldn't recommend this restaurant any less to vegetarians. If you're vegan don't even try it. The food was good but the wait spoiled our appetite. I would not recommend coming to this place unless it really and I mean really catches your eye. Service: 2/5 Accommodation: 1/5 Food: 4/5 Ambiance: 2/5 read more

I've visited Big Jones three times now, and Lucas is one of the biggest reason I keep coming back. During my first and third visits, his service was absolutely phenomenal: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely positive. Every single recommendation he made was 100% spot-on, particularly the gumbo, fried chicken, and catfish. He truly elevates the entire dining experience with his skill and warmth. My second visit was unfortunately a bit subpar with a different server whose name I didn't catch, and the host with the long hair didn't make me feel very welcome either. Definitely made a poor experience with a group of Friends I've brought with. However, Lucas's stellar hospitality during my other visits completely made up for it. If I could, I'd definitely be requesting Lucas every time I stop by! read more

TL; DR: Breakfast is tasty; Get the skillet cornbread for the table Great place to go if you're craving Southern cuisine. The skillet cornbread is a great item to share with the table (between 2-4 people). It is pretty delicious since they bake it in bacon fat. Yum! The #BeatBobbyFlay Biscuit Sandwich is also a great item and has a twist to it since they add spicy apple chutney to it. It is a pretty large sandwich, so I had to cut mine up to eat it. The creamy cheese grits on the side we veryyy cheesy and creamy. Service was nice and let us take our time there. I would go back read more

Some of the best southern food in Chicago is in Andersonville at Big Jones. Highlights: jalapeño cornbread crawfish étouffée crispy duck two ways Skip the dessert tho - it was a bit more dough than flavor. Personable service with great recommendations. Only note is some of the tables are close together, so it's not the most private dining experience. read more

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Everything we had was so delicious and the service was top notch. Such a great neighborhood gem of a restaurant. It was busy when we went, make sure to grab a reservation. I highly recommend the salad with chicken - the cornbread croutons are to die for and the mac and cheese is deliciously decadent! read more

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Went on a Sunday for brunch so it was pretty packed but we managed to snag a spot at the bar without a wait. The service was great. I thought my shrimp and grits were on the soupy side but that can be a matter of preference. I forgot what the name of our appetizer was (pictured) but it was just ok. I was curious how they have a Vandermil cider on their menu! I'd go back to try dinner. read more

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Big Jones in Chicago is such a gem for Southern comfort food done right We started with what I'm pretty sure was their bread and pickle plate -- and wow. The assortment of warm, golden biscuits and cornbread was perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. Paired with house-made pickles, chow-chow, and spreads, it was the kind of starter you keep reaching for even when you tell yourself to save room. The balance of tangy, sweet, and savory really set the tone for the meal. For mains, the braised beef (served over creamy grits) was rich, tender, and deeply flavorful. The grits were smooth and buttery, soaking up all that savory sauce beautifully. On the side, the simple butter lettuce salad added a fresh, light contrast that helped cut through the richness. Everything felt comforting but still thoughtfully prepared. And of course -- dessert. The slice of cake topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream was moist and indulgent without being overly sweet. The beignets dusted in powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate were warm, pillowy, and absolutely irresistible. Messy in the best way. Overall, Big Jones delivers classic Southern flavors with care and authenticity. Cozy atmosphere, comforting dishes, and a menu that makes you want to come back to try more. Definitely a spot worth revisiting. read more

Big Jones - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We stopped here on a whim and were so happy we did. The staff are so friendly and attentive - truly a pleasure. The food was unique and super yummy!! Loved the sauce on the omelette. Fruit pancakes were to die for!! Highly recommend! read more

This place did not disappoint. Sat outside, great size tables and chairs. This was my first time here. Lucas was awesome. He was so patient as I went back and forth with what to order. He provided great recommendations and made sure to inform us on what our wait time may be based on our order. The food was delicious!! I'm definitely going back! read more

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came here for brunch with my family a couple weekends ago. it was very crowded on a saturday afternoon and rightfully so! our server was very friendly and did a great job. the highlight of our meal was definitely the cornbread, we all agreed that it was the best cornbread we had ever had. it's served piping hot with a nob of sugary butter on top. it was delicious and soft. the bacon was also delicious, thick cut and smokey. i got the shrimp and grits and it was also really yummy, the mushroom lover in me was more than satisfied with the shiitake mushroom! the grits were pure creamy goodness. i'm glad we got to come to this place, a part of the city i'm also typically not in. it's a great brunch spot! read more

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Great service! Very good gluten free options. I had the catfish and grits. OMG the coffee!!!! That for me was the best part. I am not even a huge coffee drinker, but I loved theirs. I cant wait to go back and try something else. The inside was beautiful and the staff was awesome. read more

Big Jones - Inside - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was my first time. My friends have been here one of their favorite restaurants in the city. We came here on Thursday night, we were the first customers here. The weather was nice but we decided to stay inside. The restaurant reminds me of the restaurants that I see on TV. Are server name Cary was friendly and he was our bartender too. My friend had the Big Jones Aperol Spritz. I had the Black Raspberry Mojito. For starters I had the Savanah Crab Cakes made with/lump blue crab cakes, creamed shoepeg corn, maque choux, local cherry tomatoes, okra, and roasted pepper relish. The sweet potato biscuits were so good with the jalapeno honey butter. My friends had Gumbo Yaya and Skillet Cornbread. The food looks good. I have to try it when I come back. For the entree me and my friend had the same dish: Crispy Catfish a la Big Jones with grits, sea island red peas, and tasso ham beurre monte. My other friend had the Fried Chicken (Half) with red beans and rice, sweet potato puree, and sweet chili sauce. The fried chicken looks good. Of course I had leftovers to take home. We didn't get dessert next time for sure. The place wasn't too crowded, probably busy on the weekends. Can't wait to go back and try the fried chicken read more

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This place is amazing - tasty food, amazing vibes, and it's a queer business!! I loved the grits and the crab cake together. Also cannot believe that fried chicken is gluten free! And to top it off -- Lucas made this experience OUT OF THIS WORLD! He went so above and beyond to make sure we were having a great time, and even ran to the Walgreens to pick up Lactaid. 10/10 read more

Loveee coming here! The gluten free options are abundant and soooo good! Our server, Lucas, was THE BEST! They ran to the store to get me lactaid! He was so sweet, patient, and funny! read more

As a Tennessee girl feeling homesick for southern food, this restaurant was a godsend. Because cornmeal is used, much of the menu is gluten free. The cornbread was tender, soft, and rich, cooked in bacon fat and topped with sweet sorghum butter. I appreciate that Big Jones is connected with small farms and heritage foodways. The fried chicken was an epic hit, incredibly crunchy batter and juicy insides. I liked the picalilli topping the red beans. It's a fusion of multiple regional Southern cuisines so don't expect pure Louisiana creole- but it's delightful nonetheless. Ambience and decor were lovely and homey. Come sit a spell! read more

Big Jones - Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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TL;DR - Big Jones is a place that [almost] does not miss. Bring friends, and order whatever catches your eye, k guarantee it will be delicious. The whole experience including but not limited to the vibe and service is similarly fantastic. This is me talking though... and you know I don't write one-paragraph reviews. Buckle up, buttercup! So, you know that scene from My Cousin Vinny? The one where Joe Pesci is cross-examining a witness, and they have the following exchange: Pesci: "Instant Grits?" Witness: "No self-respecting southerner uses instant grits. I take pride in my grits." I understood, but only halfway. I'd had instant oats, porridge, rice, and potatoes. The instant wasn't great, per se, but it might work in a pinch. I assumed instant grits were sacrilegious, but didn't fully appreciate why. I do now - and can appreciate why it is imperative boiling water takes the full 20 minutes to soak into a grit. Twice among my visits (because it was so delectable) I'd ordered the Shrimp & Grits, and grits were also part of their Thanksgiving Special. I had no idea grits could be so amazingly creamy and savory! I can now confidently say: when it comes to grits, accept no substitutes! In terms of the actual Shrimp & Grits dish, the sauce was delicious enough to be eaten like soup, the shrimp and proteins were cooked ideally and in perfect amounts, with the veggie garnishes being tasteful. I also had the pleasure of trying the Gumbo Ya Ya. This dish too is perfection. This is a harmony of a smoky and slightly spicy broth with proteins and veggies. A very hearty gumbo (I know not to call it soup) that hits just the right spot, especially on cold days. The Fritters were excellent! They were hot and fresh, balanced in terms of breading to the filling, and these more earthy notes were well balanced by the savory sauce and the veggies for freshness. The Pork Duet was also a well-executed dish. The pork loin pieces were flavorful, and while they weren't quite melt-in-your-mouth, this is to be expected of most cuts of pork. What was melty was the pork belly, however, the piece of it was notably small. The barbecued baked bean puree and rutabaga hash were terrific at rounding out the plate, with the hash giving fresh notes, and the bean puree (it is 10x better than it sounds) giving some starchy notes. My only complaint is the portion size seemed small, especially for a main priced at $26. In terms of the drinks, these are fantastic! The drink menu does rotate, so a favorite may not be available year round. This was the case with the Chameleon - a unique layered cocktail that changes flavors slightly as one works their way through it. The service is up to the caliber of this restaurant and better. It is friendly, professional, and food comes out fast! Finally, there is the vibe: the restaurant is clean, and has decor that says "upscale" and "New Orleans" at the same time. Thus, other than a smaller than expected main, and the turkey at Thanksgiving needing a pinch of salt (very much a matter of taste), I don't have anything negative to say about Big Jones. While they are not the cheapest place around, they are still a respectable value, and an awesome place for the occasional treat (or more than occasional, depending on how deep your pockets are). read more

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3.5 stars. Food was great and the people that work here are super friendly. The reason for the low score is because the service was terribly slow. We waited about 20 min for a cup of coffee and other 45 for our food. I've eaten here in the past and the service was much better. Maybe they had a bad day? I hope it was just that and not a regular occurrence. read more

Came here to meet some friends for dinner. Yall I was not prepared for the flava explosions that I was about to experience. The fried green tomatoes were excellent, the gumbo yaya tho...flava rave in my mouth! And then the fried chicken omg, how do they make that crust gluten free, yet so crispy and flavorful?!!! My friend is gluten free so this was perfect. The beans and sweet potatoes that were under the chicken was divine too, amazing flavors. Their house made hot sauces are really good too, not too spicy, but full flavor. The one odd thing was that they told me they ran out of sprite so they "made" me one, which was pretty much like juice, soda, and sugar lol gotta appreciate the creativity! Easy parking all up and down Clark. Service was great, the interior is cute and cozy. I need to come back here for brunch one day! If you're looking for flavor, Big Jones is your spot. read more

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Really nice vibe. Our host and server were very nice and welcoming. Parking is limited on the street. Went for happy hour which was good but a bit limited. Got the skillet cornbread and fried chicken. Lived the chicken but the cornbread wasn't my fave I prefer see over savory for my cornbread. For dessert we got the bread pudding. I really wanted to love it but I didn't really enjoy it. Overall a good spot in the neighborhood read more

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Zach was our server today and boy does he need to be sent back to finishing school as he has the worst service and poor attitude and looked like an unmade bed like he needed a shower and his clothes were half untucked and completely sloppy like you did not want him touching your food and grabbing our glasses for refills which we had to ask for three different times by the rim of the glass with what looked like very dirty hands. I've been too big Jones many times as I bring clients there that and love their food being a southern guy myself. But that attitude and his sass is not gonna fly and the restaurant should do something about him as to not lose any customers as every restaurants margins are razor than and they depend on returning guests and you already have a 3.7 on Yelp that does not load well which looking at the reviews, it comes from Service issues as like I said the food is wonderful, but I can spend my money at many other locations that provide excellent service read more

Food delicious, fresh made and worth the wait!! It was busy, so be patient with service and food. Order starters and enjoy the ambiance! Look around at the decor and read through the menu. Food on point!! Happy we made it here- for sure make reservations!! read more

My husband and i had such a lovely evening the staff were so engaging the atmosphere was warm and cozy, we started at Calo's New Year's Eve and of course, we thought we would definitely be able to sit at the bar to ring in the New Year... One seat left so we went to Big Jones...it was magical the music was lively the bartender(Harel) was so pleasant and what a talented bartender! This place does not disappoint! It was packed by the time we left And the food is amazing, can't wait to try their brunch! read more

So great to be able to have gluten free fried chicken! They only serve gf fried chicken. Huge portion and the sweet potato puree and rice was so tasty. Skillet cornbread (also gf) was light and flavorful. So great to have many gf options as a family with celiac. read more

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Wonderful atmosphere. Great friendly service in the bar. I had the crawfish boudin croquettes, and the shrimp and grits. Both dishes were very flavorful, and very nicely plated. The shrimp and grits were maybe the best I've ever had, and I eat a LOT of Cajun food. Particularly, the grits were a larger size granule than usual, but the flavor was perfect. I am a big fan of quality hot sauces. Not about heat, but about flavor. I will always ask for hot sauce, and I almost always will use it to liven up my dish. In this case I absolutely did not want to alter the shrimp and grits flavor from how it came. I did NOT sauce it up. read more

We had a great meal at Big Jones, but the overall experience was not as great. We were seated at a bar that faced the kitchen and was right next to the entrance. Staff were constantly brushing by us in the extremely tight space. They really shouldn't use that space for seating. The tables were also tightly packed. It's not enjoyable to be on top of your fellow diners. read more

The chicken tasted great but there was a major problem: it was not gluten free as advertised. Celiac spouse was glutened. In addition, the burgers we ordered well done were medium rare and covered in sauce and cheese when we'd requested them plain. UPDATE: Paul, from the restaurant apologized and refunded the meal. He also reassured me that everything my spouse ate was supposed to be gluten free, that it had been eaten by thousands of celiac customers before and that they would investigate the cross contamination and retrain their staff. So, we're reassured and will give the restaurant another chance when we're next in town. read more

Had a lovely time at Big Jones. The host Aisha was absolutely FANTASTIC! She was VERY attentive to our food needs and wants! She intuitively ordered food items for us without us knowing that she did anf ordered the perfect dishes to satisfy our hunger, and we were hungry foodies! We loved that she took care of use so professionally. She was friendly, humorous, patient and kind. It was a total delight to have her as our server. It's rate to encounter someone in her line of work that is sincere at wanting to satisfy her customers. I salute you Aisha and thank you for making our dinner experience a total delight! Oh, did I mention that the food is totally delish? It is! We tried several dishes and they were all goooooood! Get the catfish or the fried chicken! Both are REAL GOOD! read more

Fantastic staff! Great energy! Even a vegetarian option for the southern pre fixe brunch! I highly recommend this restaurant!

Wonderful service, great ambiance, and delicious food. I had the biscuit with butter and jam, fried green tomatoes, and the shrimp and grits. I look forward to going back! read more

Big Jones Captures Such A Warm And Cozy Dining Experience! It Is The Perfect Spot For Comfort Food, Especially On A Cold Winter Day. The Sweet Potato Biscuits With Roasted Jalapeño Honey Butter Left A Lasting Impression, DELICIOUS! We Had The Pimiento Cheeseburger And Seasoned Frites Alongside The Simple Southern Breakfast Did Not Disappoint. I Cannot Forget The Big Jones Blend Coffee It Was So Good! I Will Definitely Be Back, Highly Recommend!! read more

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A mixed bag. The service was not good. The food was distinctive. It is a very popular restaurant. It was full, and noisy, and a place where people want to be seen. You get the feel as if you should be ecstatic just to be able to eat here. The demeanor is that strong. Although there were plenty of staff, it took some time to clear the tables and seat people. I did not know if that was a ploy, or if they really were short on clean up staff. The menu's ask you to only stay for 45 minutes, but in reality the restaurant staff dictated how long we will be there. The service was slow, and spotty. I got the feeling that some tables were regulars and they received a bit more attention. We did not have a follow up after the food came, had to request a refill on a drink twice. When we finished we kept on waiting till we had to go to the bar to request our check. Our waitress just kept on disappearing for extended periods. The food was distinctive. I had the Beat Bobby Flay biscuit (from 2017?) and it had a really good taste. No matter how hard they push it on their social media, they are not the best restaurant in Chicago. I think they have potential if they push a little harder they could be a destination stop. We will not be going back to Big Jones. It just was missing the mark. read more

Breakfast sandwich lives rent free in my head- as does the special Apple cider donut they had! Amazing service and great food. read more

Big Jones - Southern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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