Beers and high noons! Very cold. Adequate place to get your drink on in downtown Chicago. It's kind of Like walking into a 1978 living room. Bookshelves, booths, and a nice bar area. Pool table in a hidden room that uses a bookshelf for a doorway. Bartenders were pleasant but not talkative. I'd definitely come back. read more

See all

Cardozo's is probably the best dive bar in the Loop. The entrance is unassuming as you walk downstairs next door to a church. Once inside, you order at the bar. They've got pretty cheap food and drinks. On Wednesday, it's $10 for a beer, a burger, and fries. Aesthetically, it's a mix between super divey and old school because legal textbooks line the walls. I doubt anyone has ever read any of them, but it adds to the vibe. I do note that like everything in the Loop they close kinda early at 8 pm, but honestly that's perfect because I usually have to go to work the next day anyways. read more

Great little basement pub & grub, server Kayla is beyond lovely, helpful and fun. Amazing chicken noodle soup, too.. read more

CUSTOMER SERVICE REVIEW ONLY - It pains me to do this review. I used to come here decades ago when I used to work nearby and it was a good place to come to. On 3/22/24, my friend and I came here to eat lunch. Came down the stairs (I really needed an elevator as I had hurt my knee but I took my time coming down). There were several people at the bar and some at tables. I only saw one staff person which was Kayla at the bar. We waited for someone to tend to us, no one came by so I got up and went to the bar where Kayla gave us menus and apologized and told us she would be right with us. Kayla was so busy that she never came to take our order. After waiting too long, we got up, left and went to Roanoke. Please note: Kayla was super sweet. I don't fault her, I fault the establishment. I felt sorry for her as she is trying to tend the bar customers AND the seated table customers which I feel is a bit too much. She needs help and more waitstaff should be hired. They lost our business as a result unfortunately. read more

Wednesday $10 bucks burger/fries/beer...Literally cheapest real lunch in the loop...Awesome vibe and friendly staff...This will be a Wednesday staple from now on. read more

Bars in the Loop are usually pretty expensive. Cardozo's Pub is among the more affordable ones. It has cheap drinks and some pretty okay food as well. Gets busy with people coming after work coming for the happy hour. This is the kind of place where it's not as busy weekends because of this. A place like this is becoming increasingly rarer around here. It's been here a pretty long time and it probably hadn't changed a lot. The bar is located in the basement of a building which makes it feel more like home in a way. Because it was happy hour it was time for some drinks. It had $5 wells so we got some whiskey. As for the food, not bad. There's casual fare like burgers and simple Italian like spaghetti. Kind of light on vegetarian choices. They did have one thing. It was $8 for a House Salad, and while it was basic, it was fresh. This would be okay for a light lunch. Happy that places like this are still around. It has a pretty nice selection of beers including crafts, on tap and many more in bottles and cans. The food is pretty good actually for a bar and has fried and healthy options. read more

Cardozo's Pub - House Salad And Well Whiskey - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Rip-off, they added 23% to the bill automatically. The food is mediocre at best. I recommend happy hour at One North or Stocks and Blondes.

Very solid. Glad friend and I made decision to meet here for work lunch; the Yelp pictures and reviews are dated. Menu was refreshed and service was great. I'll be back. read more

Cardozo's Pub - Latest menu - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped by for a quick beer after a doctor's appointment. Interesting place and really enjoyed it. You walk downstairs to a basic tavern like place. It was a Thursday after work crowd and the place was hopping. No wait staff but two hard working bartenders taking care of everyone. Good beer selection and beer and wine specials. If I'm in the area again, I'll be back. I think they serve food but didn't see anyone eating. Quick tip, go to the bar stations to order. read more

good bar experience. drinks were good, service was fast, and the vibes were chill and friendly! We didn't get food read more

Cardozo's Pub - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cheap, sleepy, divey basement bar in the loop. Cold beer and hot bar food. Carpet and pool! read more

Cardozo's Pub - a tray of food and a glass of beer - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was decent but they engage in deceptive pricing practices. 20 percent automatic gratuity plus a service charge made our tab absurd for what we got. I won't be back. read more

It's a dump. They add 20% automatically without notice then ask for more when paying the tab, not to mention a 4% add on for the "restaurant staff". $22 for two high life's, unreal. read more

Ordered a Bud Light and since this was a one and done, closed out immediately. The bill was $9.23 incl. taxes AND 20% gratuity automatically applied. Gratuity automatically applied on ONE beer? OK... Besides that, the vibe, the bartender (Kayla) and the music were cool though. So yeah, I won't be back but go ahead and try it out. read more

Food is delicious, service was fast and friendly, the ambiance is very Prague and inviting. The bartender Kayla took care of everything I needed and was a great conversation starter! read more

I have been here twice for food and drinks after work with work people . Service isn't good. By that I mean that the server I had most recently was just not nice. She basically threw drinks at us and angrily asked if we were ready to order. But she got us the food and drinks and did so efficiently. I can deal with mean if the service is otherwise okay. It reminded me of going to a bar/pub in New England. You might get beat up on a little, but you get your drinks and food. The food is adequate bar fare. I had an okay chicken Caesar salad with a little too much dressing. The best part is the $4.50 bottles. For that I will be back and deal with the mean server. We ended up tipping her well. read more

See all

Kayla is a top tier bartender and makes great drinks for affordable prices in the Loop! -- She really knows how to handle a busy crowd.

Kayla is the song bird of our generation. If you took Tom Cruise from Cocktail and a crackhead it makes the perfect bartender. She works fast and makes great drinks. 10/10 would come again. read more

New menu since they've opened up again, and everything has been delicious Lots of specials throughout the week out and tasty food for a good price in the Loop -- will definitely swing by again. read more

Cardozo's Pub - Cardozo's burger - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Haven't been in years. It used to be great for afternoon lunches during work days. The shrimp de John's and veal parm were always great!

The waitress that was working on 10/23/19 at 11:15 is extremely rude. She actually told us she did not want to serve us because we had a group of 6 and she was the only waitress working. She tossed the food in the middle of the table. Was rude the entire visit. My order was burnt. My co-worker got the wrong order. The manager said he is too busy to talk to us. read more

Cardozo's Pub - Burnt Reuben - Italian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here with a neighbor and wanted to order the Turkey Club Sandwich but was informed that it is "only available during lunchtime!!!??" What????? Bummer! So we got a pint of Guinness instead.... read more

See all

Standard issue pub, and surprisingly expensive for how non-stylish and basic it is. I was surprised at what a large tab we ran up. Apparently the bartenders don't know that time honored tradition of slinging a free drink for every oh, 4 or 5 purchased. I thought that was sort of weird. It smells kind of weird too. The drinks are small. The food is average. You don't notice it at street level, as it's just a door with stairs behind. Come to think of it, this place is not that great. I doubt I'd go back, given the plethora of joints to hang out at in this area. read more

I first spotted this hidden dive bar walking around the Loop. The fact that it was tucked away and wasn't loudly advertising itself appealed to me. I came here on a Monday night with a coworker to have drinks and catch up. As we descended into the pub it felt like we entered another dimension. My coworker described it as eerily reminiscent of the Minnesotan small town bars he used to hang around in, which contrasts very sharply with the surrounding environment. You aren't coming here for fantastic service, the ambience, or the food. I would just come here to sit at a bar to grab a semi-low priced-drink (for the loop) with friends. I would definitely come here again. read more

I just happened upon this blast from the past. It seriously could have been the Regal Begal. Now, I hope that doesn't discourage you for going and checking it out for yourself. I found that incredibly charming. The server was exactly who you would expect to be working here. I only had a couple beers so I can't speak to the food, but as far as ambiance goes, this place doesn't have any or has it all as long as you are the type to appreciate a vintage gem of a dive bar in the middle of the hustle and bustle. read more

Dropped by for lunch today, to use up my $20 Groupon. Sometimes, I find deals on Groupon and I'm introduced to places that I eventually visit regularly. Cardozo's Pub is not that place. The fish and chips special was my first mistake. The chips were actually pretty good and Cardozo's certainly gives you plenty of them. But the fish was pretty bland. Even the tartar sauce on the side was pretty bland. Because I showed up alone, I ordered a second entree to help use up the $20. I got a turkey club to go...and I should have walked away when I was told that they were out of all sliced bread (I'm not kidding--no wheat, no white, no rye). The options were a French loaf, or a hamburger bun. Laughing, I went with the loaf; I just finished the sandwich and it was pretty bad. Yes, it had turkey, lettuce, bacon, mayo...but, the turkey was bad, the bread wasn't great, and even with the mayo, it was all pretty dry. Not only was my meal poor, but Cardozo's doesn't serve dessert. I have a major sweet tooth, and this is America, so I don't know how you don't serve dessert at a sit-down restaurant in this country. I won't be back! read more

We often frequented this place for at least 20 years. New management after the pandemic has sent this place to hell. 5 people at the bar. 2 people eating at a table. Bartender comes and takes our drink and food order at 1:25. A woman walks in and begins training behind the bar with the bartender. Two women walk in waiting to be seated and no one seats them so they sit down. They wait 5-10 mins and leave. It is now 2pm and still no food. I go to the bar and check with the bartender on our lunch. She walks away to kitchen walks back and says with a nasty look on her face."what do you want to order?" I said we gave you our order 30 mins ago. She shrugs her shoulders and says you see I am training someone!!! UNBELIEVABLE as I over hear her telling new hire 20% tips is automatic on all bills. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COST. I would give them a minus star rating if I could. read more

A friend and I stopped into Cardozo's for a drink one day after work and it was an average experience. The bar is located in the basement of some building and it certainly feels like it. The ceiling is low, the lighting is low, and the prices are semi-low (for the Loop). However, it fill the bill for what we were looking for: a quiet place to grab a beer and catch up. There really are not many frills here but they have a full bar and several different kinds of beers on tap. It really is just a basic bar. But it's clean, seems to be well taken care of, and the bartender was not rude or uppity, so we had a fine time. If this is what you're looking for then you'll be right at home here. Personally, I'd return in the future for another round. read more

It was my first time here today, and I'll definitely be coming back! Kayla the bartender was super sweet and attentive. The prices where very reasonable: I got the blossom breeze cocktail and it was on sale for $4! I also had a basket of fried and they were fresh and came out fast. The bar is really spacious and the patrons where a lot of fun! I'm excited to come back soon!! read more

I felt like I was a closet drinker when I came here last week. It's dark with no windows and creepy older men are hitting on the girls at the bar. I didn't order any food but the drinks were fine. Service could have been nicer. We were looking for our waitress the entire time and kind of rude when we asked her to explain the charges. I got over charged for my beer too. Since when does $5 glass of Stella equal $11 on a check? read more

Amazing bartender, Kayla always takes good care of our group. Food is also delish, the Cardozos burger always hits the spot!

Ther perfect place to hide away during a lunch hour - good food, drinks are priced reasonably and the bartender always gives us a good laugh. read more

It's entertaining to read the few reviews of a place that's been there for decades before anyone even thought of something like Yelp. I first happened upon Cardozo's around 1984 or 1985. I was in law school and clerking and it remained a go to lunch place for nearly thirty years. It's named for j. Cardozo who penned opinions all students read in school. Thirty years ago it was a haunt for attorneys and bankers and businessmen. Burgers and pastas and most importantly drinks. The owner was George and the back room was where people would hold court and dispense wisdom. Many days you'd go down for lunch and half the guys were done for the day - they never went back to the office. Glad to see they survived and reopened. Today, the back room is filled by a pool table. George is long gone. The loop is still relatively empty - but slowly bouncing back. It's a younger crowd - I guess no younger than I was 35 years ago. The drinks are bottled beer instead of mixed drinks. The menu is smaller but still has some of the same items. Pasta carbonara. Burgers. Patty melt. Chicken club. Chicken parm. The food was very good. Good minestrone and salad. So, some is the same. It's cleaner. The decor isn't changed. The music is better. Happy it's still there. To paraphrase Tennyson: though much is taken much abides read more

Cardozo's is blocks from my office and some colleagues go there for a boozy lunch when their boss is out of town. I went a few weeks ago at 5pm on a Friday with some different colleagues for a beer after work and we bellied up to the bar where there were 5 open seats. The bartender behind the counter didn't look to pleased that we had sat down but she took our orders regardless. We opted for domestic, happy hour quality beers. Blue Moons, Coors Light, that sort of thing. I got a 312 and the first taste told me everything I needed to know about this place. The beer was flat and I wouldn't be surprised if it was 6 months old. I heard similar gripes from some of my colleagues. We learned our lesson after the first round and switched to bottles for round 2. There's not much to see behind the bar other than two tiny televisions mounted on either side of the 30 foot long bar, one of which was tuned in to Jeopardy. At the end of the bar sat some older gentlemen, the oldest of which held the remote in his hands. Perhaps he was Mr. Cardozo and to be honest I didn't want to find out. The whole time he kept looking at us, looking back at the TV, then he'd take a swig of his drink. The bartender was friendly with these men leading me to believe they were either the owners or some locals who've been patrons for years. Either way, they had disapproving judgment written across their foreheads. I don't mind people watching but I don't like being glared at by staff and patrons alike. Overall, Cardozo's isn't bad. It's just not good. In a city with a bar or two on every block you can certainly do better any night of the week. The quality of the beer is sub par especially for a city as crazy about craft beer as Chicago is. The good thing is its close to the train and we didn't have to wait for a table. We tried Monks, Stocks and Blondes, and Randolph Tavern before coming to Cardozo's and all were packed. Probably won't come back. Judging by other reviews others have had similar experiences. read more

Came here on a whim last week after work for a couple drinks. They were very busy and yet the bartender did an excellent job of still making time to serve us and give recommendations. Great customer service. I can't speak for the food because I didn't get any, but the drinks were good. Keep in mind 20% gratuity is added the bill, which was okay with me because it was well deserved. read more

I would like to say the head bartender is rude but over worked. We were ignored for a while before we even got helped. She is not accomidating towards my disabilities and she was told I was disabled. She cusses at employees and customers in front of everyone. Definitely, not how I would run my business. Definitely, not Ada compliant and discriminates against someone who told them they were disabled even when I did nothing to deserve the negative treatment. Hands down don't go there unless u know them already and they like you, cause if she is in a bad mood and you disagree with her she will definitely lash out at you. I already tried to speak to the owner but head bartender definitely said they weren't available and there was only an email of which she never gave me to complain. Please be weary of going here. read more

Just checked this place out randomly this past week for lunch. Didn't have much of an expectation, but was blown away! The burger special was amazing. The burger was simple, but delicious! One of the best burgers I've had. The fries were on point! It came with a beer, but I don't drink so the hostess let me replace it with a diet coke! My wife got one of the pasta dishes and it was incredibly delicious as well. The peas with the sauce and the pancetta was out of this world. It was also a large portion and I ate the rest of my wife's meal for dinner. I would definitely recommend and I'll be coming back!! read more

Good tuna melts, friendly service, and I haven't ever had to wait for a table! It's dimly lit, but a basement bar should be. The atmosphere is cool, partly because it's really 70's/early 80's. I can't call it retro, it's probably mostly unchanged over the past few decades. Were this place a mile or two north it would be swimming in hipsters. Thankfully, it isn't. read more

You know that part in the Wedding Singer when Adam Sandler is all depressed, yet still singing at the wedding? Well, after my visit to Cardozo's on a rainy Friday happy hour, my version rings like this: "I drink in my grandpaaaaa's baaaaaasemeeeent..." Cuz that's where I felt like I was. You walk down the stairs where there are paneled wood walls and sleeping older men. (Just one tucked away in the corner, sorry buddy, I busted you.) So, my grandpa likes to take a nap in his easy chair in the basement. He has a bar down there. The only thing missing was my grandpa's lava lamp (from the 60s, yo!) So yeah, I felt like I was drinking in my grandpa's basement. The beer is cheap ($2.50 Miller Lites on special....love it!) and the service is no-nonsense. Can't complain, after we decided to vacate Stocks and Blondes due to crowding issues, we got seats and cold drinks very quickly here. Hooray for grandpa-style, after-work drinking! read more

After avoiding this place for a long time because basement bars seem creepy, I visited with some coworkers. And I discovered that Cardoza's is pretty awesome. There is a really diverse group here. Obviously, officey types there for after-work drinks. But I think there were some illicit affairs going on around us (in a basement bar in the loop! NO WAY!). Old(er) men sitting at the bar. And at the booth behind us, there was this middle aged lady in a Minnie Mouse sweatshirt that must have been from 1985. Adults in old clothing featuring Disney characters always fascinate me. Overall, she wasn't out of place; the bar had a very 1985 feel, or what I'd imagine is a "bar in 1985" feel (I was 5 then, and I know I was taken to a few bars -- yes, I grew up borderline white trash -- but I don't remember their ambience very well). It's kind of like if Fast Times at Ridgemont High was about a bunch of 20somethings who worked in a generic office -- this would be their after-work spot. So there's a certain sense of recent nostalgia that I find appealing Don't expect an amazing beverage menu (the beer selection was kind of sparse). And the food menu seemed to rely heavily on the fryer (frier?). However, we had a really good time. read more