My friends and I had such a wonderful girls night at Chef Art Smith's Reunion! We went on a Sunday around 8:00 PM, and it was the perfect time to visit. The restaurant had a great atmosphere. It was busy enough to feel lively but not so crowded that we felt rushed or overwhelmed. From the moment we walked in, everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly. Our server, Bronagh, truly made the experience even better. She was so kind, attentive, and personable throughout the entire evening. She checked on us often, made great recommendations, and always had a smile on her face. She provided some of the best service we've had in a long time. We started with the Pink Pony Club and the Moonlit Cocktail Flight, and both were fantastic. The cocktails were creative, refreshing, and beautifully presented. For dinner, we ordered the Brussels and kale salad, mashed potatoes, chicken sandwich, mac and cheese, buffalo wings, and the Centennial Sampler to share. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The mac and cheese was rich and creamy, the buffalo wings had the perfect amount of spice, the chicken sandwich was crispy and delicious, and the Centennial Sampler was a great way to try several of the restaurant's specialties. Even the mashed potatoes and salad stood out because they were so well prepared. The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere all exceeded our expectations. Everyone we interacted with was genuinely friendly, which made the entire evening feel even more special. I would absolutely recommend Chef Art Smith's Reunion for a girls night, family dinner, or any special occasion. We can't wait to come back. Five stars all around! read more

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I don't know if I have been spoiled by Disney World or other Art Smith establishments, but this location screams way more tourist trap than the rest (and I like Navy Pier). I was solo, but made a reservation to sit at the bar just in case. I showed up 10 minutes early and was just told to "sit wherever" in a pretty empty place. I found a seat at the bar and was ignored for about 10 minutes by the Irish Bartenders that were too busy chatting with each other than helping guests. It was a little surprising to see so many bartenders from Ireland with super heavy brogues at a Chicago tourism restaurant styled to the American South. When one of them gave me a menu, I knew pretty much what I wanted from the beginning. He seemed uncomfortable with the menu and didn't know it. I am also very surprised that biscuits don't come with the chicken like they do at Homecommin in Disney Springs. I ordered the fried chicken plate which came in less than 5 minutes. That seems....fast. Too fast. Anyway, the chicken was good enough, but I had to flag a bartender down once again for utensils to eat the mashed potatoes. The biscuits came out and were good, but it took longer to make the biscuits than the fried chicken and mashed potatoes? I ended with a Disney Springs favorite, the Hummingbird cake. It is $3 more expensive at Reunion and half the size. Not a great way to end the meal. I was excited to come to this place because its called Reunion because after Art Smith opened Homecommin in Florida, he decided to come back to Chicago due to the politics (and I don't think his kids liked the move). I was expecting this to be better than Homecommin and it was much worse. The bar is pretty low at Navy Pier so I guess its probably the best food, but its still very disappointing. read more

The place is decorated nicely but the booth walls could use a good scrubbing. My silverware had leftover food on it, our waitress switched out the silverware but never acknowledged why it was being switched out. As we were leaving we noticed food from other diners under the table. The food we ordered was good, I loved my chicken and potatoes, the pimento grits had so much flavor. The waffle was good as well and very fluffy on the inside, we ordered fries which arrived hot and fresh. The greens mixed with kale were prepared well. The mac and cheese was baked and was pretty good. . We also had beignets, they were good but could have been cooked 2-3 minutes longer, they were just a touch doughnut in the middle. Service was just OK, nothing memorable. I'm glad we tried this spot, but probably won't make the trek down to Navy Pier to eat here. read more

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My friends loved their food- the fried chicken, Deviled eggs etc. I was not able to eat because everything had meat or animal products in it. To be expected given its Art. Ambiance outside was decent- they had a live musician. The server was okay- we had to flag someone else down a few times. Restroom could have used a scrub down. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A pleasant surprise on the Navy Pier dining landscape. I was aware of a couple of the new openings (Offshore and Offshore Rooftop) as well as tried-and-true staples (Harry Caray's, Margaritaville), but somehow Reunion was not on my Radar. On my approach to the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, I was immediately drawn in by the well-kept patio, including string lights and seating areas. I was able to nab a seat indoors at the bar for a pre-show drink before Fault. The ambiance is vibrant and imparts a feeling of Southern hospitality. Yes- that is a rooster mural painted on the back wall of the restaurant. Joe, the bartender/server, was welcoming and answered my questions about the menu, crafting me a smoked Manhattan garnished with an orange peel and cherry. Joe got to talking about his journey back to Chicago and background in marine biology, as he was preparing to join the Shedd Aquarium. Service was seamless even with a gathering outside that needed tending. As I was paying the check, I was able to sign up for a neighborhood reward/loyalty program based on zip code. Admittedly, the Pier is not always my first choice for dining/drinking, but I have a feeling Reunion will change that, especially during the warmer months. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - First approach: patio - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beautiful day on Navy Pier. Chef Art's caught our attention. We decided to give it a try. Really nice drink menu, especially the flight choices. They dis not disappoint! I ordered the fried chicken sandwich. It was very delicious! General Manager Ashley and Assistant Manager Daryl stopped by our table separately and made us feel extremely welcome. I definitely recommend Chef Art's! read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Fly me to the moon! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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An update: I took my elderly mother here who is not always the easiest at restaurants. But everyone from manager to server to runners knew exactly what she needed. She had the salmon and it was excellent. First restaurant that's asked how we'd like the salmon - medium or well done. We chose well done and it was perfectly succulent. My mom loved the food so much that despite usually having a poor appetite, she finished a biscuit smothered in jam, half the huge piece of salmon, and split the ice cream with me. She loved all of it. A note on the bathrooms : in the women's room, the stall to the right is handicapped and has a baby changing table although I don't think it's labeled. read more

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I am a lover of Art Smith restaurants everywhere so I was excited to realize there was one in Chicago, and that I could add it to our agenda on my 40th birthday trip with friends. The visit was pretty much everything but fabulous. Our waiter (at no fault of his own) was an Irish student here on a Summer working visit. Great kid with intentions to do well. The problem is that he hadn't even been in America for a week and he is out on the floor and expected to serve on his own. He didn't know what Dr. Pepper was. He didn't understand when we tried ordering a side of something. He didn't come back to take our food order til a while after we were eating our apps. I don't fault him though, there should be better training rather than throwing him to the wolves. I tried waving over a seasoned waitress for help, and she kind of just made excuses for him and didn't do anything to help our "issues." The food was good, but NOT Art Smith quality. I felt bad I had my friends so excited for this visit, and ultimately let down that I chose it as my birthday dinner. The crab cake appetizer was like warm, and overly mushy. Our sandwiches were just ok. The sodas we did get (2 out of 4 that were requested) were poured into classes from cans and were completely flat. The whole visit was so disappointing that I didn't think to take photos of the food. read more

Came for lunch with my family - great and friendly service, calm but fun interior, excellent food! I always kind of side-eyed this place for being at Navy Pier but honestly I was impressed. I would love to come back to try more on the brunch menu and maybe get a spot on the patio. read more

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Food was AMAZING 10/10, I had the fried chicken and it was so juicy. Service was decent our waitress was nice. The location is very clever being right on navy pier and having indoor and outdoor seating + bar. 9/10 do recommend! read more

This review is a little late because I visited the restaurant in March 2025. I am a huge fan of Art Smith and was super excited to try his restaurant. I ordered the wings, biscuits, and mac and cheese. I also had a spicy margarita. Every thing was delicious. I would have loved to try the hummingbird bird cake but I had given up sweets for lent. The server was helpful and attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant. The portion sizes are huge and great for sharing. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Some of the best appetizers I've ever eaten. Honestly, I didn't think this place would have been anything special and was pleasantly surprised. Fried calamari was light and crispy. The hush puppies were the star of the show with pepper jelly and pimento cheese dipping (yes, you heard that right). Fried green tomatoes had a delectable chipotle sauce that had me scraping my plate. Margarita pitchers were well worth the money. I would visit here again! read more

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Chef Art Smith's love of sharing and togetherness is what made him the success he is today - currently, Chef Art is the Executive Chef and Co-owner of six restaurants and two non-profits. He has received the culinary profession's highest awards and has cooked for some of the world's most famous celebrities. In 1997, Smith became the personal, day-to-day chef to Oprah Winfrey, a position that lasted ten years. He also had the pleasure of serving for Florida Governors Bob Graham and Jeb Bush, Romero Britto, film stars Ali Landry and Eduardo Verástegui among many others. What a great menu! Caesar was our most accommodating server who helped us order enough food! So we shared Catfish Entrée with corn grits and collard greens and Fried Chicken Entree with Mac n cheese instead of mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes and Church Lady Deviled Eggs, all delicious! This was an exceptional restaurant on Navy Pier, followed by Much Ado About Nothing in the Shakespeare theater! Awesome night! read more

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Typically, when I visit Navy pier, it's to watch the fireworks or something very specific. But very rarely do I stop to dine unless it is at the Offshore rooftop. However, this time my wife and I decided to be a little adventurous, and we stopped at this restaurant as it was near the front entrance. I appreciated the southern fare and decor, so I figured I would be delighted by the food. And boy was I right! The chicken sliders were so amazing; the chicken was well flavored, the skin had the right amount of crisp...overall it was just really good. The greens were also another favorite. They had a spicy but vinegar taste; and I typically do not like vinegar overpowering the greens, but it was just enough balance. And lastly, the brown buttered old-fashioned is highly recommended. I really liked how the bartender made the cocktail, especially since he was a bit young and I was skeptical. Kudos to him and kudos to Chef Art Smith. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Crispy Chicken Sliders Braised Southern Greens Brown Butter Old Fashioned - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I recently dined at Arthur Smith Reunion with a few friends of mine. I had no idea about this place and you will not have to worry about be dining there again. This was not the a place for southern comfort food. While at Chicago's Navy Pier, we had reservations to dine at this location. Our party was about 16 people. However, for one individual to spend $115.00 for dinner was outrageous. My meal consisted of an appetizer (fried green tomatoes), a cocktail (Long Island iced tea), catfish dinner (fish, greens and mashed potatoes, they offered grits but I requested a substitute), dessert lemon hemp seed cake. Appetizer: 4 green tomatoes, they were flavorful, not the best - $18. Cocktail: top shelf Long Island iced tea which was not good, you should not taste the alcohol in this drink, I didn't request it to be returned which I should have. Always, didn't know that requesting a drink with dinner would create a 'bar service fee' - $23 plus bar service fee. Catfish dinner: 2 nice size pieces of catfish, collard greens and mashed potatoes. The fish was over salted, the greens were sweet, not sure who eats sweet greens but it's not a southern taste, others may eat grits with their greens but I do not. And as far as sweet collard greens, that's a definite no no! The hush puppies were just as sweet as the greens which were okay but didn't go well with the meal. The best part of the meal were the mashed potatoes -$30 Dessert: lemon hemp seed cake was the best part of the meal, perhaps the only thing I would be the only thing I would come back for, but not that serious. $13. I would never suggest this place if you are looking for southern comfort food, this is NOT the place to go. No one in our party enjoyed their meal. No photos were taken. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion was delightful! It wasn't terribly busy so we were able to pick a nice shady table outside to enjoy in the beautiful weather. The service was very fast and the food was even faster! The portion sizes were generous and very good. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Goat Cheese Buttermilk Drop Biscuits - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing is all I can say! I ordered the famous fried chicken and Mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was suggested by my waiter. He said it was better than the mashed potatoes and his favorite. Well dog gone it, I can't speak to the mashed potatoes but that Mac and cheese did not come from a blue box . It came out piping hot, perfect crust, gooey cheese and delicious. The fried chicken was hot and crispy, seasoned all the way even the meat. The biscuits...listen, just get the biscuits and be in hog heaven with all the food on the table! Goat cheese biscuits with goat cheese squeezed in there .. man oh man. Now here is a warning. There is an up charge for white meat and the mac and cheese so do what you wish with that information. Located at the Navy Pier ( old bubba gump location) it's at the beginning of the pier or the end of the pier if you're walking from the hotel like I did. Go try this place out! read more

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Aliza has been amazing!!!! The service was impeccable especially for how big and last minute of our group. I enjoyed eating outside with the nice weather. I tried the lobster shrimp roll but I really liked the shrimp and grits off my friend's plate. So delicious. read more

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Ambiance was good - I like the wooden touches in the decor. Service was great - our server was excited to share his own favorites as well as make recommendations Food - I had the shrimp & grits and it wasn't one of the better ones I've had. The calamari was good especially with the fried lemon slice. They have big servings. One of my friends got the chicken tenders and it is more than enough for 2 people to share. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Calamari - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was SO good! Decided to pop in for lunch while walking around Navy Pier instead of researching other, maybe less touristy places to go. I'm glad I did. I had the Brussels and kale salad with fried chicken and my partner had the half salad half entree lunch special. Great portions. The staff were friendly, and I loved how the place was decorated. Would definitely recommend. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - Brussels & Kale Salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There is a lot of "corporate" stuff at the Navy Pier, and this was nice, it felt unique. And it is! Casual southern vibes upon entering. The staff was friendly! The white sangria was basic, and I would not recommend it. It needed some different fresh fruit other than just orange slices. It was basically watered down white wine. On the other hand, all of the food that we ate was GREAT. Except for the whipped mashed potatoes, but whatever, that was just a side. The Chef Art's Puppies were great! Fried to perfection, and I loved the sauce and pimento peppers that came with it. The Goat Cheese Biscuits were also soo good. Highly recommend those. They were very rich, but in the best way. The fried chicken was fried well, had a nice crisp to it. Although my partner said he wanted it "more crispy" but I thought it was perfect. The homemade hot sauce was yummy-- but again, my partner didn't love it. The potatoes tasted like instant potatoes. (Not Pictured) but the fish tacos were a hard pass. Fried pieces of fish, that were overcooked, so, dry, and pretty tasteless. Overall, I would recommend this place if you're looking for some good southern food on the Navy Pier. I would come back here for the chicken and biscuits, but would pass on the fish tacos, sangria and the lobster roll (saw it at another person's table, didn't look impressive). read more

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I came to this spot with pretty low expectations--honestly, Chicago has let me down on food more times than I can count. But my family and I decided to give it a shot anyway. Coming from Texas, fried chicken has to be on point, no exceptions. Let me just say... this place surprised me in the best way. Our server, Leslie, was fantastic and had great recommendations right from the start. We kicked things off with: * Deviled eggs -- absolutely incredible, especially with that crispy ham on top. I can't say enough good things about them. Order these. * Biscuits -- buttery, flaky perfection. Paired with the butter and jam, they were dangerous. * Hush puppies -- I usually don't even like hush puppies, but these were next-level. Super crispy, not your typical cornbread taste, and the pepper jam took them to another dimension. I was shocked how much I loved them. For mains: * My wife and I split the fried chicken with mashed potatoes. The chicken was solid--juicy and tasty--but I'll be honest, I wanted it a little crispier and more heavily seasoned. Still very good overall. * My mom and goddaughter got the chicken sandwiches, and they were so juicy the juice literally shot out and got all over my daughter's clothes. That's how you know it's real. * My daughter ordered the shrimp and lobster roll on Texas toast. I stole a bite and it straight-up melted in my mouth. The seafood was perfectly seasoned, and the crispy bread was the ideal vehicle. We also did the hot chocolate flight (the alcoholic-infused one ). Every single one was delicious, but the Baileys version? Unreal. Highly recommend. Service was top-tier--Leslie took such good care of us. Heads up: they automatically add 20% gratuity for parties of 6 or more, but our service was so good we happily tipped on top of that. If you're from the South (especially Texas) and you've been struggling to find food in Chicago that actually hits right--this is the spot. Phenomenal experience from start to finish. We'll definitely be back. read more

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I really wanted to love this place...but it fell short in a few areas for me. I'll start with the good, the restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious and has a lovely touch of southern charm. The service here is also exceptional! I will say the food was cooked well -- catfish fried crispy, mac and cheese nice and brown on top, drinks strong! But, the food wasn't seasoned at all. The catfish, grits, and Mac and cheese had absolutely no flavor or seasoning. The collard greens and hush puppies were seasoned well -- these were actually my favorite! Idk if the kitchen had an off day when I went, but this made it hard for us to fully enjoy our meal. read more

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Loved the energy here! Great mix of fun comfort food, indoor and patio seating, and a separate outdoor bar with fireworks views. Plus the interior design is really cute and is East Coast Beach Core. Highly recommend the alcoholic slushies - the espresso martini one was . The Brussels sprouts also hit the spot, especially with a little Valentino hot sauce. Definitely a must-visit while on the pier. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - fireworks from the back - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A co-worker and I popped in here for dinner one evening. There was no waiting and the weather was gorgeous, so we opted to sit outside. That meant we had an amazing view of the pick up and drop off area for Navy Pier (snark). We got to see many Uber and Lyft drivers dropping off and picking up riders. There were several busses that also drove by. The menu is generally southern inspired dishes, good comfort food. The server was attentive without being overbearing. She took care of us and answered all of our questions. It was a great meal, but I'll sit inside next time. read more

May 17, 2025 I chose this place because i wanted dine at a restaurant closed to the Chicago Shakespeare theatre. After reviewing the website, pictures and reviews; I decided that this was one. Besides; it was my birthday and wanted to have a great experience. I wasn't disappointed!! Food, ambiance, customer service; they were great. I definitely come back. The food was off the chain.. May 26, 2025 I loved it here so much that I came back again on Memorial Day with my mother. I was impressed with the way the staff treated my mother. I was happy and satisfied because my mother enjoyed herself. The seating, customer service, food and more. read more

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Why not serve a meal on paper plates if using plasticware? Not the first time there, but the least favorable. We sat in the patio that has to be ordered at the bar, but we were not told that when we were seated. Simple enough. Ordered and was given two packages of plastic ware. Upon leaving we noticed people were eating brunch with plasticware. Kind feels like a skimp on the experience. Also the exceptional hummingbird cake and hummingbird sundae were a bit of a challenge to eat with plasticware that was bending while trying to get a bite. There was a musician playing which was pleasant and a comfortable patio. In a change of events the men's restroom was clean, but the women's toilet was not. The women's restroom was out of paper towels, the hand dryer was broken and a pile of toilet paper was in the corner of the stall. read more

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Probably closer to a 4 1/2 because you can't see the harbor very well but great experience overall. Live music, excellent service and the food really was impeccable. I really enjoyed the lobster roll and my wife felt the Brussel sprouts and kale salad with the fried chicken was fantastic, nice way to enjoy a little bit of southern comfort food without being as heavy with the salad. Everything was very fresh and the tastes were spot on. Lobster roll was not very large, but probably perfect for lunch. read more

Reunion in Chicago is located in Navy Pier and it's owned by Chef Art Smith, celebrity chef most known for his work with Oprah. I've had food from "Homecoming", his restaurant in Walt Disney World, and I really enjoyed that place. If you search my reviews, I gave Smith's "Homecoming" a five star review. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for his Chicago restaurant. Chef Smith is known for Southern Cooking, particularly his fried chicken. For this reason, ordered his Fried Chicken ($28), served with mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, I left unimpressed. Ordered a soft drink and the coke was flat. The fried chicken definitely was seasoned, but I didn't get much other than salt. I don't know if it was a freshness issue as I came in the late afternoon, but, despite getting dark meat, it still came off as a little dry. Though I can normally kill a half chicken meal, I didn't eat more than 2 pieces out of 4. As for the mashed potatoes - they were very runny. Hopefully that was because of higher butter content. The thing is that, I did agree to the suggestion to have some gravy with the potatoes. Texturally, the giblets in the gravy were the only thing that wasn't completely pureed. I wasn't feeling it. I'm debating whether I'll eat the rest or whether I'll toss it. Main reason it's two stars and not one is because service was accommodating. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chef Art Smith has a heart for Chicago. I have enjoyed watching his growth from working with Oprah, to shows on the Food Network Channel to Table 52; one of his first Chicago restaurants. With his southern style of cooking , fried chicken, biscuits and hummingbird cake is a menu staple. After finding out that he was back in Chicago as Reunion, I was excited to try what he was offering. Beautiful space nestled inside of Navy Pier. Hummingbird cupcakes, oh my. Today's order was to-go. Chicken sandwiches with mac and cheese. I was told that I could wait for my order at the bar. I ordered a spicy margarita and it was perfectly delicious. I'll have to go back to see if the chicken and biscuits is as good as I remember from years ago. This will be a sit down meal, so I'll have to carve out some time. read more

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We went for early dinner and were seated right away. Service was excellent and food came quickly. Crispy calamari - this was okay. There were more fried pickles than actual calamari. Chef Art's Fried Chicken - chicken was cooked very well. Crispy skin and moist chicken. But there really wasn't very much flavor. Maybe that's the style or people like to add hot sauce but eating it plain shows there isn't much flavor. read more

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We came here for a birthday celebration and had a yummy meal! We shared the Centennial Sampler (great variety!), Goat Cheese Buttermilk Drop Biscuits, and Scallops - all delicious. I especially loved the biscuits and deviled eggs. The kids' meals (chicken tenders and fish sticks) were a hit too. The only downsides were the slowish service and the numerous flies while eating outside. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - The Centennial Sampler, presented beautifully - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Reunion is located at the front of Navy Pier. If you drive, you can park in the paid parking garage. If not, you can reach it by walking, taking a car service, or using a water taxi. This place has a true island vibe, making you feel like you're on vacation. I was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere that I didn't have enough time to order food due to being on a tight schedule. We sat at the bar, and I ordered a hummingbird cocktail, which was delicious. I can't wait to try the rest of the drinks and the food. The service was outstanding, so if you're in the area, I highly recommend giving them a try. read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This restaurant on Navy Pier offers a lovely mix of casual and formal dining, with delicious food that arrived quickly. For outdoor service, food and drink orders are placed directly at the bar, which is a convenient setup. When we arrived, the place was nearly empty. We asked to be seated in one of the outdoor pods, but were abruptly told, without any courtesy that they were for reservations only. The response felt unnecessarily rude. We then requested a shaded table, but were met again with attitude and vague instructions on where we were expected to sit. What made it more frustrating was that, during our entire visit, only one party ended up sitting in the pods. It would have made more sense to keep a couple available for walk-ins, especially when the space isn't busy. A little flexibility and customer care could go a long way in improving the experience for those already choosing to dine there. read more

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Server was nice and attentive, we had a big group and he did awesome. Food was good, apps were my favorite! read more

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This restaurant has been a mixed bag. I do recommend sitting outdoors if you go. The patio is a nice place to people watch and sometimes there's live music. I've been here twice now, and while the service is friendly, we've had a few issues. On one visit, the frozen drink machine was down, which was a bummer because the piña colada is really good when it's available. We also got a dirty glass with lipstick on it, which wasn't a great start. They were super apologetic and replaced it, though. That said, the food is really good. The church lady deviled eggs ($13) are thick, creamy, and something I have to order whenever I go. The crunch of bacon on top is a nice touch. They're known for their fried chicken, and the chicken sandwich was really good, though I wish they offered a non-spicy option since both the original and hot versions come with hot sauce in some form on top. The original fried chicken sandwich ($17) comes with hot sauce mayo, lettuce, tomato, and bread and butter pickles and your choice of fries, Parmesan chips, or salad. The fries are well seasoned too. The pimento cheese grits ($7) are cheesy, creamy, and rich, a definite comfort food. I added them on as a side and didn't regret it. The shrimp and grits ($26) were also really good, with big, well-cooked shrimp and a flavorful, spicy kick. Despite the issues, I'd still come back for the food and hope that they just had a bad day. read more

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It's nice that this restaurant has an outside bar so you can easily access the drinks if you're walking along the pier. I liked that they had different choices of alcoholic slushy beverages. Pina colada was great with the balance of sweetness and alcohol. read more

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We visited Reunion with a large group (15+) and were treated fantastic the entire night. It was a slow night, in the fall, so the Pier wasn't too busy. The ambience is Southern, casual, modern, and comfortable and the staff were wonderful. The star of the show, though, is the food. It's decadent, tasty, imaginative, and wonderful all around. The fried chicken is famous for a reason (good luck finishing it!) read more

I went here with my daughter for a quick drink and we ended up staying for over two hours. Our bartender Quinn was so fun and personable we didn't want to leave! We never waited for a drink and her food recommendations were 10/10. The fried chicken was amazing but the mashed potatoes were unbelievably great. We will be back to hang with Quinn- listen to live music and enjoy the location ! read more

Chef Art Smith's Reunion - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a fall lunch at Reunion with a friend after we decided to enjoy some unseasonably nice weather at Navy Pier. The choose-two lunch special seemed like a great way to try things, and we added a side as well. We enjoyed the baked crust of the Mac and Cheese side, which was rich and delicious; no notes. The 1960 Salad we were pleased to see came with a hefty amount of romaine (which from the menu description did not seem to be a given). The fried chicken and mashed potatoes portion was generous for the lunch pricing, and we enjoyed it, but it could've used something--maybe more salt...hot sauce perhaps? Despite being a kale salad person, I really found this one far too sweet and lacking in acid. It definitely didn't provide the flavor contrast I would've hoped for given the rich pairings. The Shrimp and Grits was also a disappointment, as it was mostly sauce & grits, not much shrimp, and it generally needed spicing (salt and otherwise); it tasted fairly bland on the whole. Our server was a bit scattered, and had trouble answering some questions about the menu; she was slow to check-in/refill water, and we had to request silverware. Taking all of that into account, I would put this at about 3.5 stars. I've had great food by Chef Art Smith before, but not sure Reunion (at least during lunch) is firing up to those standards. read more

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