Two more awesome visits, discovered their awesome Sazerac, Burnt Ends & Cheddar Grits app, Szechuan Spicy Calamari, Bluegrass Salad, and the Shrimp and Grits with Andouille. All wonderful, and my colleague enjoyed the French Onion Soup and Jambalaya. All the staff was great and Joel remembered me! read more

I brought my family here on a Friday night (yes, you should make reservations), and we all had a great time! The staff was very friendly; they made us feel right at home. Service was also great! I ordered the Beyond Burger with "sautéed jalapeno, onion, mushroom, corn, and a light shmear of stone-ground mustard". It tasted great, and the portion size was plentiful. The menu also offered other vegan options such as the Vegetable Jambalaya (which I didn't order because it's super spicy), and the Asian Vegetable Noodle Bowl (with tofu). I would like to come back to try the bowl for sure! The decor is interesting; it made me feel like I was in the 1980s... somewhere out of town. The low ceiling was the only thing I wasn't a fan of since it made me feel a little claustrophobic. All in all, it was a great experience! read more

Bluegrass - Beyond Burger - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

Quite possibly the best southern cuisine in the Midwest. They also have a great selection of spirts, wine and local brews. My favorite time to go to Bluegrass is around Mardi Gras. They go all out from decorations to beads to custom drinks and food items. Where else can you get a shot of gumbo! The staff is very friendly and they have a fun vibe. I highly recommend making a reservation because they do fill up fast. read more

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Such a fun experience! Excellent server who explained everything beautifully. Wine selection limited but everyone found a drink they liked. Gumbo shooters are yummy and a nice small taste. Grouper was outstanding! Others in the party had shrimp and grits with andouille, and bbq platters. Inventive baked beans with brittle, and amazing potato wedges as sides. We split a trio of desserts. Raves all around. Casual boppy ambiance, loud but fun! read more

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Made a reservation before a show at Ravinia for three of us. Service was wonderful and everything we ordered was delicious. It's a cozy little spot and they were busy the whole time we were there. They knew we were going to the show so they got us in and out as quickly as we needed without rushing us. Would love to go back again! read more

Bluegrass - Shrimp & Grits - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Highland Park, Illinois

What an absolute dining pleasure. Friendly, welcoming staff and phenomenal meals and drinks. Highly recommend the Orange Sesame Chicken and Crawfish Étouffée. Ongoing Mardi Gras celebration was extremely festive. Have the Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned and/or Bluegrass Martini. You won't be disappointed. Finished our meal with Icebox Pie and Key Lime Pie. Wonderful ambience to top things off. Extremely enjoyable and we're already looking forward to our next visit. read more

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We chose Bluegrass because we celebrated our 10th anniversary here and really enjoyed it, so why not celebrate our 25th anniversary at the same place? The story: We made a reservation in advance for 5:30pm, which was confirmed twice. We arrive a few minutes early and are seated right away. There are a few tables already seated and a couple at the bar. Pretty quiet. Lovely server named Jazmine takes our order and we're off to a good start. Jazmine delivers the drinks, our appetizer, and the bad news - the kitchen has "sold out" of the Tuesday Trio special (chicken, ribs, brisket) that my husband ordered 10 minutes ago because there is no more chicken. It's 5:30pm on a Tuesday and they've sold out of chicken. What?!? We need to know more and inquire. Apparently, the restaurant allows certain patrons to reserve the chicken special ahead of time and come in whenever they damn well please to receive their prize birds. Reluctantly, my husband reorders some other bbq plate that he wasn't excited about and we spent the rest of our meal watching customers come in and be served their Tuesday Trios with CHICKEN! Our server was great and clearly embarrassed that our order couldn't be fulfilled because the birds were reserved by regulars who are in the know about covert chicken deals. The FOH manager literally checked in on every table, specifically asking about the delicious chicken, and avoided us like the plague. We could have been annoyed, but the whole situation was so ridiculous that we could not stop laughing. The food is decent at Bluegrass. Solidly good, but no longer great like it used to be. The restaurant decor is super dated and has gotten a bit icky after 20 years in business. And truly, we just can't support your covert chicken reservation policy. Jazmine deserves 5 stars and we tipped her accordingly, but Bluegrass is a not a place we will ever dine again. read more

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Born and raised in South Louisiana, bluegrass feels like home. Every dish is a perfect representation of the southern cousine I was raised on. I look forward to my next meal at Bluegrass! read more

Stopped in here for dinner on a Tuesday night and the place was busy! We only had to wait 15 minutes for a table, and the service was quite quick! The restaurant had a cute, fun bar area that you can sit at as well. They start you off with some warm bread and this amazing butter. We ordered the Mushroom Broil for an appetizer, which I thought was so tasty. The Gruyère cheese mixed with the mushrooms was so good. For dinner, my husband got the shrimp jambalaya and I got the crawfish etouffee. I had never had etouffee before, but as a crawfish lover I knew I had to try it, and I was not disappointed. It was so good! We can't wait to return to try more menus off their large menu! read more

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I'm updating my review to a 4. The owner reached out to explain the different styles of making jambalaya & that he would be speaking with the chef on my suggestions. Also, two others in my group enjoyed their dish, so I'll round up my rating. read more

Wonderful night and great food! Went on Fat Tuesday and of course it was crowded and there was a wait, but the owner and staff were very accomodating. Been there many times and will go back! read more

Service was superb, atmosphere fantastic and the food was well, ALOT and DAM GOOD Come and visit you won't be disappointed read more

I work in the area and we're always looking for options. A friend mentioned Bluegrass a while back & I'm glad I finally made it. It is BUSY. So make a reservation in advance. The staff was friendly & helped us navigate the menu. Fun (loud at times) atmosphere. We started with the crab cake which was delicious with a hint of spice. I had the shrimp & grits - Yum! Perfectly seasoned & super creamy. My friend had the salmon - she enjoyed hers as well. She doesn't like dill, so they brought her a taste first, and then because she didn't like it, they swapped it with a regular lemon butter sauce. A lot of places don't provide this level of service anymore, so we were impressed. Will definitely return to try more of their menu - it all looks fabulous read more

Visiting a friend in Highland Park, she made a reservation at this restaruant. The emphasis was on southern style slow cooked meats. I had a mixed platter of smooked brisket, smoked pork and ribs. Our friend had a jambalaya and my wife had shrimp and grits. Nice service at this smallish restaurant with good service. read more

We've been going to Bluegrass for years. The food is great, the staff are true pros - friendly, professional, caring. We have several family members with celiac disease and a few other restrictions, and this scratch kitchen has done right by us every time, so everyone is comfortable. They also have great cocktails, especially the Bluegrass Martini. It is small, so reservations are recommended for busier times like weekends. read more

This was our first time here. Everything was fantastic. First of all we loved the outside patio. We started with the sample size of gumbo. It's brilliant that they provide the size for tasting. I ordered the jambalaya and ribs combo. The jambalaya was great! And I love the ribs. Also they were NOT fall off the bone which is the way ribs should be cooked. My husband had the ribs and he loved them. The service was excellent! And we finished our dinner off with small sundaes. Also love the size choices. I would totally recommend this restaurant and we will definitely be back to try the pulled pork. read more

Always wonderful! Food and service top drawer. We love this restaurant and always have. From lunch to special occasions Bluegrass never disappoints! read more

The drinks were absolutely excellent! So much so we had to get an extra. We started off with the half slab rib appetizer and really liked it a lot! Though we wished they were a bit more meaty, however it was plenty and the bbq sauce was something to come back for. For our entree there was more flavor needed. They were each bland and we felt a touch or two undercooked. The service was above average! The ambiance is real laid back and feels like an old time basement. read more

Food always excellent and-consistent Service great We've been going there for many years B Siegel read more

While the food was completely satisfying, the service was also great. I tried the combo ribs and jambalaya plate i was thrilled with the authentic kansas city style bbq'd ribs as well as the jambalaya. The roasted potatoes were also among the best tasting that I can remember. I would definitely go back to and would recommend Bluegrass! read more

Always a great experience. Food is excellent, service is great. I can't remember less than a great meal.

This is an excellent restaurant I'd love to revisit over and over! It's 4 stars, not 5, now because the service is bordering on frustrating. That isn't to say it's anything but polite, but it is anything but timely. This restaurant has been around for awhile; they should be aware that the outdoor seating section's most remote part, with a lovely pergola shading it, is still part of the restaurant and should be visited for check ins. It took 20-25 minutes just for someone to come take our drink orders. Even in a huge restaurant (footprint wise), this would be pushing it. We had moments where my friend, who was facing more of the restaurant, would try to politely flag down our waiter (or anyone), but they would all walk right past us without any acknowledgement. We were not difficult customers in the slightest, not requesting anything odd, and giving nothing less than thank you's and smiles. 0:) Even so, the food continues to be impressive. Their menu gets different refreshes and additions, which is very cool (and a contrast with their dated interior). The jambalaya is worth ordering, whether you choose seafood or (for lack of a better term) regular. The gumbo is on the thinner side but NOT bland in any way. My friend liked her rosemary chicken sandwich. You can't go wrong with the menu, and there are many options, but not so many that it's Cheesecake Factory levels of "where are they keeping all of these seldom-used ingredients?" I just wish the service could be less frustrating, but that is something that I'm sure can change for the better! read more

We returned for dinner and it was only a 4 year gap this time.  So this was our 3rd visit in 14 years.  Not much has changed - it's still a busy, upbeat, and bustling place, same decor, same delicious food, but prices naturally up with inflation.  This time wife and I had: - small Rémoulade salad, $9.95 - a soft shell crab appetizer, $17.95 - Louisiana blackened grouper, $35.95 - 1/2 slab rib with jambalaya combo, $29.95 The latter dish was mine, and in 3 visits over the 14 years, I have ordered that same dish all 3 times because all I remember is that it's good and I liked it.  I knocked the rating back to a 4 mainly because with the current prices, the values have slipped a bit despite inflation. Joni is still the long time (20+ years) receptionist here and she told me that Jim, the same GM from 2018, is still there also, but he wasn't present today.  I asked Joni to tell Jim I was sorry to miss him and that I'll be back in a few years to update his GM photo, lol. read more

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I've been coming here way longer than my kids have been alive, and that's a pretty longstanding restaurantship (friendship, but with your fave dining establishment). I've brought atleast 8 different friends or relatives from different walks of life here, and that's how you know you're really a fan of a place. I love Bluegrass so much for so many reasons but here are more than a few: 1) easy reservations on OpenTable or by calling! 2) the cozy environment (Flintstones-like mirror decor at the front and on the perimeter walls) and intimate dining area with booths and tables 3) that cinnamon honey butter that comes with the bread! Can't find it anywhere else. 4) the Bluegrass martini! I've had it over the last decade (as evidenced by my Yelp photos), and its color and glass have evolved over the years, but still my fave drink to order here. Flavorful with the frozen bluebs and gets the party started. 5) huge menu spanning signature bbq like ribs and pulled pork, but also extensive seafood options like tilapia and walleye. Sandwiches and salads too. 6) the variety of dessert offerings. Key lime pie is a hit with my husband, so he usually gets that, and I toggle between the bread pudding and ice box pie. LOVE that they offer taster sizes so you don't have to feel like too much of a fatty ordering dessert after a delicious entree and adult bevvy. 7) those extra touches like how they split the cheeseburger entree for my 2 kids, include complimentary dessert, and a choice of a prize from the treasure box up front. See you sooner rather than later, Bluegrass! read more

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Not impressed.. after waiting despite reservations we were finally seated in a cramped corner table which was fairly loud and difficult to hear our friends. Server was pleasant but this place is dated and needs refreshing. Took 15 minutes to get our beers..... why? Bread we were offered came 20 minutes later.... Orders taken but then when our food arrived, we witnessed the Food Auction - who's got the jambalaya? who's got the ribs? Who's got the chicken.... Very customer indifferent! My jambalaya was a big portion of dirty rice....... A few kernels, pea sized, of chicken and sausage. The sauce was more like Brown Gravy than creole and lacked oomph. Definitely disappointing. The ribs were well received and enjoyed while the Special Fried Chicken certainly was special, especially small, that is! The flavor was smoky vs. fried but what little was served was enjoyed. Sides of potatoes were also just average. There is a big following of regular patrons who seem to enjoy the special attention they receive. No dinging them for that, though. Would I return? No, probably not with so many other options around. read more

Food, service, prices where outstanding. At no time did we have to request bread, water, refills. Our waiter even anticipated our needs. The Bananas Foster is unmatched in Chicago. Downside? Parking can be challenging for some drivers. Not enjoying a meal at Bluegrass at least once is a lifetime mistake. read more

as an independent restaurant, the quality of food and service is truly top notch we drive 3.5 hours to visit family and friends, and this is hands down our to go to place for the utmost of impeccable service and truly a culinary food experience. This is a restaurant that takes such pride in the food they serve and ensures its patrons are treated with the utmost of care. Hands down the best restaurant in the area, take the time, experience this nothing less than exemplary restaurant a true gem to Highland Park! read more

Food, service, and ambience - all 10/10! My boyfriend and I were visiting friends and they are regulars here. They knew we liked southern food and said the menu is so extensive, and they were so right! I had such a hard time choosing what I wanted because everything sounded so good. I got the crawfish etouffee, hard to come by at restaurants! So good! Reminder me of the many trips to Nola! My boyfriend got the bbq sampler, so much food and he loved it all! The corn beef was so tender! Would highly recommend going and checking them out! The owners were so friendly and let my daughter get a little gift from a treasure chest! I feel like you could go there every day for months and still not sampled the entire menu! read more

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Just walking in you can smell you're in a great place. Food and service are outstanding, as you can read in other reviews here, and the owner, chef, hostess and server all went way out of their way on a very busy night to deliver a special request that meant so much to my wife on her birthday. Delicious and authentic. First visit, customers forever. Thank you Jim and everyone else who was involved. read more

Great neighborhood gem. The food never disappoints, service is great. Kids love the treasure chest. Outdoor seating is nice when it is warm.

Best most consistent place on the North Shore of Chicago. Could it be because the owners are working there every night? Soft shell crabs are world class and the bananas foster for dessert--none better..6 stars if there was such a thing read more

Everything was excellent! From the waiter who accommodated are very large group with ease to the food. Thanks for providing us with separate checks. 2 of us had the Pork Platter. The Pulled Pork was delicious. Also, the Corn Pudding. I didn't like that the pork was put atop the garlic bread-made it soggy. Some of the best Barbecue Sauce. You should bottle it and sell it. I would buy it! The perfect ending to a great meal was your 2 bite desserts with Chantilly Cream. I never order dessert but this was perfect portion for me. Others enjoyed their Grouper and Salmon. Will definitely return. read more

Absolutely love the food. Always delicious, great service and friendly. One of my favorites

Bluegrass in Highland Park was a letdown from start to finish. The food was mediocre at best--not terrible, but nothing memorable - but the service was on another level... in the worst way. Our waiter Curtis F was curt and unhelpful from the moment we sat down. He walked over with drinks, spilling their "signature" drink on his tray as he approached. Instead of simply handing it to the person it was for, he leaned over the table and managed to spill more of it onto one of our friend's dresses. No apology, no offer to help--just business as usual, apparently. Later, when we asked if he could take a quick picture of us, he flat-out said "No." At some point the hostess came out to refill our water and we asked her and she was nice, like most and took a photo for us. Between the bland food and the attitude, this was one of the least hospitable dining experiences I've had in Highland Park. read more

I've been here so many moons ago and can't believe I never reviewed Bluegrass! I loved it then and I still love it now. I still get confused on how to get into the parking lot which to me is hilarious, but dinner was fabulous. Not much has changed and the food is just as great. I couldn't remember what I had that I really loved the last few years so I asked our delightful waiter for some suggestions, and he was spot on with the blackened Grouper with risotto that was scrumptious. The beer and wine selection is extensive , but dessert is always the best. I love the bananas foster ice cream the best so you'll have to give it a try. read more

What a fun night! The food was all delicious. We tried the calamari taser, the brisket taster, and split a bowl of gumbo. The calamari had fried onions in there as well which was delicious. The gumbo was so good and splitting it was a good portion size. The shrimp and grits was so good. The grits were cheesy and smoky and the shrimp was perfectly seasoned. I loved the creme brûlée. It was smooth, sweet (but not overly so), and the perfect crackle. The bananas foster was good, but I feel like I'd have preferred something else probably next time. Either way, a nice dining experience and I'd love to come back. read more

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Owners are great. Staff is great. Food is top notch. Our favorite restaurant by far. Make your reservations early or you may not get in. This place is always full. People recognize a gem when they see it. This place is the best. read more

Excellent greet at host stand , delicious food . Started with French onion soup . Was excellent not over salty the bread was a bit chewy with melted Swiss. Ordered fettuccini Alfredo came with a small Caesar salad. Then came the fettuccine Alfredo was delicious creamy with a little hint of garlic and finally shreds of Parmesan cheese in a sprinkling of parsley read more

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So happy to have tried Bluegrass recently. I enjoyed it so much that I have made reservations to celebrate my birthday soon there. My wife and I ordered some calamari as an appetizer. It was very good and served in a most unusual way - in a large martini glass! I ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Grilled Andouille Sausage, as well as a hurricane. Both were great, especially the pork belly candy atop the cheddar grits. So good! My wife ordered the BBQ Corned Beef Brisket Sandwich which was amazing. So tender and flavorful. We finished off the meal with some bananas foster and the brownie sundae. Both were just delicious. I am very much looking forward to returning soon. read more

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With friends last night we took a chance and stopped in. No reservation. It was packed. We hung at the bar. They seated us around 45 minutes later. The menu is big and has so many appealing options we had a hard time deciding what to get. I ordered a seafood combo. It was very good. Truly everything was so nice. The ambience was festive as it is just before Mardi Gras, the service was attentive and well-timed, and the food was very good. It's a great locally-owned restaurant in the neighborhood. So glad we gave it a try!! read more