Today, I decided to give Chef Daddy's a try because I was in the mood for greens and catfish. Honestly, if Brown's Soul Food had been open, I probably would've just headed there -- and I would've missed out. I'm actually glad they were closed today, because Chef Daddy's really delivered on flavor and hospitality. I live in the Oak Park area and have passed this spot countless times over the years, but it wasn't until I started seeing glowing reviews all over social media that I finally decided to stop in. The place is small and quaint, with just a few tables for dining in. As soon as I walked in, I was warmly greeted by one of the owners. After taking another guest's order, she came over and took mine. I ordered the catfish dinner with double mac and cheese and a side of greens with smoked turkey. While waiting, the owner came out to tidy up the dining area and asked how I heard about them. I told her about the recent social media buzz. A few minutes later, she brought out a couple of samples -- a piece of smoked turkey butt (delicious) and a bean and okra concoction (also really good). That personal touch made the experience even better. Once my order was ready, I headed home to dig in. Let's start with the greens and cornbread -- both were on point. The greens were well-seasoned, tender but not mushy, with a nice little bite and not overly greasy. The cornbread was semi-sweet, moist, and made with white cornmeal -- a perfect match for the greens. Then came the catfish -- and let me tell you, it was real catfish, not swai or some mystery fish like some places try to pass off. The portion was generous, with a great balance between the fish and the sides. It was cooked and seasoned to perfection -- honestly better than Brown's, which to me just tastes like fried MSG. Now, for the mac and cheese -- this was the only miss for me. It had a sweet note, possibly from sugar and nutmeg, which isn't my style when it comes to mac. I know some people like it that way, but I prefer a more savory, cheesy version. Overall, I'll definitely be back -- especially for the catfish, greens, and that tasty bean/okra dish. Next time, I just might try the barbecued turkey butt. read more

Found this place on TikTok and had to check it out. As a Chicago native and a turkey lover, the 'turkey knuckles' were a must-try since they were new to me. I went all out and ordered the smothered beef tips, turkey wings, turkey knuckles, and banana pudding. The beef tips and wings came as full meals with two sides each. Definitely a spot for anyone who loves hearty comfort food. read more

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This place is a true gem. I didn't even know that were here the pass 11 years, if you're looking for that good soul food this is the spot. The service is excellent and the staff are super welcoming. Can't go wrong here. read more

The first time I had food from here I ordered delivery. It came quickly and was hot upon arrival. I had the fried pork chops with macaroni and cheese and green beans and a slice of caramel cake. Everything was so delicious. The pork chops were well seasoned, the mac and cheese had just the right amount of cheese and the green beans tasted like how my grandma made them with white potatoes. The caramel cake was also good. The frosting was not too sweet and the cake was not dry. The cornbread was tasty as well and I am not a big cornbread fan but it was good. On a different occasion instead of delivery I went to the restaurant and placed an order for carryout. It's a small but cozy restaurant. It was a Sunday so they has turkey wings and dressing. I ordered that with mac and cheese and greens as my sides and of course a slice of caramel cake. I received my food rather quickly and the cashier was very nice. The turkey wing was so tender it fell off the bone. I enjoyed the dressing as well. (It wasn't "sweet dressing" like some places make. )The greens were a mix of collards and cabbage and they were seasoned perfectly to my liking . This dinner was delicious. I will be back to try other items on the menu. read more

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Spaghetti added please one chitterling dinner with coleslaw,cornbread macaroni and sweet potatoes

After a friend had talked up this restaurant, I decided to check it out while on my way home from the suburbs. It's a small joint with a few tables, most taken by customers that were ordering takeaway. I ordered catfish with candied sweet potatoes and collards-cabbage mix. The catfish hit the spot. The collards-cabbage mix was nicely seasoned without going overboard. The sweet potatoes ẃere not bad, but there was an aftertaste that I couldn't pinpoint. Big ups for the savory cornbread. May make another pass-through at a later date. Will sample something else from the menu. read more

Chef Daddy's - Catfish, Sweet Potatoes, Collards-Cabbage - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The family and I love the friendly loving faces of chef daddy's always warm & welcoming environment The Food is excellent!!!! We have tried everything on the menu! l definitely give it a 10 out of 10 would recommend!! read more

Chef Daddy's - Home of CHITTERLINGS - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I really wanted to like this place, but was disappointed. The Pros: Greens were good, pop was cheap and ice cold, flavor of bbq beef short ribs had potential. Prices were ok. The Cons: the catfish was inedible because it was cooked to a crisp! It was more like a chip than a piece of catfish. They should never cook this, or get meatier pieces and slash the cook time. The shortribs were tough and should have been placed in the pressure cooker or oven until tender. That is an expensive piece of meat, and it should be cooked until tender. The flavors were ok. Lastly, the Carmel cake is a no for me. It actually tasted like cornbread with caramel on it (nothing like angelicas). That's cool if you like that kind of thing. Most of the staff wore masks, but one had his all the down and was talking while making a plate. read more

Chef Daddy's - Catfish meal - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Chef Daddy's don't never miss! I just came here to say that. but they want me to do 85 characters didn't know I needed 85 characters to say Chef Daddy's got a whole bomb! read more

Just ordered through door dash. The food was ok, not great. I ordered the chicken (dark) dinner with greens and Mac and cheese. I don't like cabbage so the greens were a no for me. I liked the Mac and cheese and would rate it higher, but the juices from the greens spilled all in the container and ended up soaking the Mac. It was so soggy. I also got the banana pudding cake, which I like the flavor of, but it's frozen in some places? Maybe it would have been better if I ordered in person. read more

Food is simply delicious, they may run out of portions but it's worth what ever else they can whip up in place of what side or main dish they ran out off. read more

We were wanting some good soul food and stop in for lunch. The baked and smothered chicken was incredible. The greens were some of the best I've ever had! Creamy Mac and cheese and great spaghetti. We will be back. read more

Chef Daddy's - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I live down the street from the place and have been meaning to go for years! Finally did and I will DEFINATELY be back. All of the food was excellent! My fiancé got the oxtails and they were so tender and flavorful. I got the baked chicken - yummmmmm. And my fiancé's cousin got the rib tips. I didn't get a chance to try them but from his empty plate, I think he loved them. As for the sides - the Mac and cheese was pretty damn good. I'm pretty picky about this dish in restaurants, especially now that everyone has it on their menu. But this one was cheesy and reminded me of home cooking. The greens are mixed with cabbage - loved that! Cousin got the greens beans and he scarfed them up. And the surprise winner of the night... the candied yams! My fiancé and I are both not usually into these but I wanted to try a lot of different side dishes so I ordered it. Wow. Just wow. We loved them! The perfect amount of sweetness. Melted in my mouth! Get them. Like I said, we will be back very soon. Highly recommend if you want some good soul food to comfort your belly! read more

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The food was really good I ordered the catfish dinner. My husband ordered the chitterlings dinner and killed it! Lol The portions were good and my food was still warm when I got it. The cornbread was great too and the koolaid. Some juice spilled in the bag but overall no complaints. Definitely will order from here again! read more

Chef Daddy's - I couldn't finish it but this was the catfish dinner everything was tasty - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So I didn't eat enough to make a full judgment about this restaurant but I will say this, those chitterlings are too high for the amount given. I went there for the turkey and dressing I heard about but they had no dressing cause one of the ovens were down. There was no Mac and cheese. I don't know who that prissy little smart mouth Hispanic woman was at the register but she was very rude in the way she talked to customers and her attitude. She wasn't the only one. I bought the chitterlings separately but I tasted them when I got home and I don't see what the hype is about. If you ask me they are bland and not worth the $50 bucks I paid for them. Don't worry it won't happen again. Everyone we talked with said the Mac and cheese was worth the wait maybe I'll see later I don't know. I thought we would be able to eat there but the place was very small. I don't know about returning there cause I really didn't care for the vibe. I would have to think about it read more

Chef Daddy's - Chitterlings - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had a taste for chitterlings. Love them. Picked up the order, came out very quick. Came straight home(5 minutes away) the only thing hot were the yams. The Mac and cheese was really dry and weirdly enough burnt in the middle. I was so disappointed in the chitterlings. They were thick and there was barely any in the box. My total came to $33.08 and this is what I got. read more

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Some of the better soul food offerings in Chicago, located in the westside neighborhood. This place has been vetted by my grandma (so you know it's good). This is a great spot to go when you're craving a home cooked meal sans the cooking at home part. The catfish dinner is my personal go-to and it comes with two sides and a piece of cornbread. You really can't go wrong with any of them as you have your pick of greens, string beans, candied yams, mash potatoes, great northerns etc. Sunday dinner just got a whole lot easier read more

Chef Daddy's - Catfish dinner - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

OMGoodness!!!! What a delight!!! Now we know where to find chitterlins!! It is the best, oh so good kind of soul food!! Great service too!! Definitely will be back again and again! So happy we found you Chef Daddy!!! read more

somebody should have told me that this place had fell off. I do an order online just now small order mothered pork chops, macaroni and cheese and greens. I go pick it up and I already know what to expect when I get there because I've been there before. the display of the food that's at the counter is dry and looks old. I was a little disappointed about that but ain't nobody's perfect. But that prompted me to look at my pick up order. I looked at the pick up order and it looked just like the food that was on display and sad to say it taste nasty as it looked. like somebody had chewed it up and spit it out(the gravy and the macaroni and cheese) also the smothered pork chops was oily as hell. The taste matched the look. I started to eat it anyway so I can get at least half of my moneys worth, and I could not do it. safe to say, I took one for the team today on this one read more

I was craving bbq and found this place to be highly reviewed. I went on a Thursday as they were about to close so they didn't have some items on their menu. They recommended the rib tip dinner. I ordered two of them to enjoy with my husband at home. The dinners come with corn bread and two sides. We got green beans, potato salad, corn and candies yams. And a slice of caramel cake. They were quick in having our food ready. I was salivating all the way home! The food was absolutely amazing. The rib tips were so juicy and the meat practically fell off the bone. The sauce was perfect- not too sweet and not too spicy. All the sides were delicious as well. I really liked the yams. And the piece of cake? Omg! This place is a little hidden gem. I recommend going there early as I'm sure the lunch crowd clears out the ribs and wings. We are definitely hitting up this spot next time we get a craving for southern style bbq. Oh and we plated the food at home because we don't like to eat out of take out containers. read more

Chef Daddy's - Rib tips with a few sides, and caramel cake. - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm surprised that this place is still open, to say that the food is horrible, is being gracious. I ordered food from this establishment in the fall of the year, the only food that was edible was the teaspoon of mac&cheese, the chittlins resembled and tasted like old rubber bands, they were dry, chopped into small pieces that resembled and tasted like old rubber bands. A TRUE WASTE OF MY MONEY. THE WORST FOOD ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHICAGO. read more

Taste for soul food and just did not feel like cooking. Found this place and ordered different dishes (turkey/dressing special and catfish dinner special). Dinner special comes with two sides, I chose greens, yams, Mac and cheese. I have to say the turkey was soft and just fell off the bone. (My dog enjoyed the bone ).. And of course I couldn't leave without getting a dessert, peach cobbler. Overall, delish. There are other sides option and meals. Just depends what you have a taste for. It's $$ but portion is big for each dinner. Be prepared to wait in line to order and for food (I waited 20 minutes but it was busy). It's also by residential area so parking is limited-off street parking. Just be prepared for panhandlers begging for change outside and inside. read more

If ain't been to chef daddy's yet you don't know what you've been missing!!! I know my soul food my mama was from the south and her mama and her mamas mama too so ya know I know what it should Taste like! It's just so delicious that the only I can describe it is a little piece of heaven.. Open 7 days a week! Great food great family owned business and The most kindest people you will ever know.. now get them shoes on and RUN over and be read more

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Ordered Beef Short Ribs got Smothered Pork Chops instead. Employee told me they sold out of Yams, but I have Yams on my plate. Called once I got home and the employee asked was I in the area. I said no. Then the employee said "take a picture and next time when you come in we got you." That's not how you run a business. Horrible customer service. Would not recommend. read more

Chef Daddy's - Pork Chops. Not Beef Short Ribs - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Damn. I mean just amazing. Great folks, crazy good off-the-chain BBQ, I'm a fan of chitlins and their soupy little plate of HEAVEN is just made for cornbread to sop up. On the menu every time I'm in town for work. A happy joyous place of great food. read more

This place is medicine for the soul. One bite of the rip tips and you'll know this place was made with love. Make sure you eat the desserts the especially whatever cake they have! read more

The only thing better than their food, is the entire team of people that work there. Customer service, just like their food is second to none. Amazing food, glad to see that they're still in business despite being shutdown for almost 2 months because of Covid19. Take the time to hit up this spot if you haven't already, it's totally worth the trip. Tip well and be as kind to them as they are to everyone. Truly leading by example. read more

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Crazy flavor simplistic menu makes it easy to keep up with, I had to control myself from ordering another dinner, which only cost 6.99! read more

Chef Daddy's - Fried pork chop dinner with baked Mac and cheese and spaghetti - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm from Mississippi and I can vouch this is about the best soul food you gon get here in Chicago

Great customer service , everything is made fresh! I seen a young man peeling yams and another picking collard greens! Food is delicious!

I called to place an order for lunch. I was told they don't do pickups. I drove all the way to place an order. Door was locked. Employees inside staring at me, with an 'Open' sign. It was 11:30 am. I felt like such an idiot. My whole office placed orders with me to try this place, and I come back to work with nothing for their lunch. I guess they don't want business? Fine. They won't get my business, or the people I work with. read more

Good home cooking. Great menu selection, with a GREAT VARIETY of sides. I had the chitterling dinner with collard green/cabbage mix and corn. If you miss eating chitterlings I suggest you get theirs. Good portions great price and friendly service. read more

It was horrible the fried fish chicken and pork chops were all burnt inside and out to turkey tips and regular ribs tips seemed to be boiled and then covered in water mixed with bbq sauce. The vegetables had no flavor at all just boiled no seasoning not even salt and pepper. The people were nice and made us aware of what they didn't have but the food just no for the amount of money we spent it should have been way better. Even is it was the end of the day consistency is key. We will not be back. Very disappointed read more

BEST BEEF RIBS I EVER HAD, 5/5. Catfish excellent and fried fresh to order, 4.5/5. Rib tips 4.5/5. Greens, mac 'n cheese, mashed potatoes all 5/5. Green beans a little bland but perfectly cooked. Very economical too and has decent dining area. A new favorite! read more

Chef Daddy's - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So disappointed Mac n cheese was filled with a gallon of butter yams were fine I brought the 4.99 meal pork chops mac n cheese greens the other was chicken wings Mac n cheese yams yams were ok Mac n cheese was good first bite but as you continue to eat you taste a gallon of butter pork chop wasn't seasoned like soul food also it taste like it was cooked in catfish grease smh best part was something I don't care for were the greens it was fire basically if you looking for moms diabetes and itis soul food it's not here I saw it on Chicago best gave it a try wasn't worth the trip of possibly getting robbed or shot hope it was just a different cook but I'll never know because I will not attend that place ever again!!!!!!!! I forgot one more thing I love dressing like most guess what they had none read more

Chef Daddy's - Mac m cheese yams greens definitely good that's why I gave it 2 stars - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If I could rate negative stars I wouldn't hesitate to do so! I drove 3.5 hours from Indiana to patronize your establishment since u advertise "chitterlings erryday" which is an obvious lie because I was just told u won't have any ready until 430. Poor way to run an establishment and I will never waste my time and money coming here again! 0/10 DO NOT RECOMMEND read more

People were preparing the food without wearing gloves. The customer service is pitiful. The food is not great. The wait time is too long. I will not be patronizing this place in the future. read more

This is a nice cozy place for a quick, cheap, soul food meal. I saw this place from the Chicago Food Group on fb and I had to try them. For $4.99 you get a meat, & 2 sides. I had the smothered chops, greens, yams, & white rice. The food was DELICIOUS!!! The service was even better. I'll definitely be going back to try other delicious items they offer. read more

Chef Daddy's - Collard Greens - Soul Food Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Is there anyone in Chicago who can make potato salad. I've never seen salad that color and the rice and gravy was salty with particles of hard rice in it. The meat loaf was a meat ball not sliced and the cornbread was hard and gummy. A total waste of 20.00 bucks. NEVER AGAIN read more

This was the absolute worst soul food I have ever had. Cornbread was hard, dressing dry and full of sage, beef shortribs looked like stewed pot roast and tasted like old grease and salt. Greens tasted like they were just picked out of the ground. Northern beans were sweet, salty and full of black pepper. I threw both meals away and went to mcdonalds. There was no wait tho read more