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Getting a reservation can be tough, but my cousin and I decided to try our luck as walk-ins. As expected, there weren't any tables available, so we opted to wait for seats at the bar. We were quoted a 40-minute wait, but we ended up being seated much sooner. The service at the bar was exceptional--friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the evening. We started with drinks: I ordered the Haku vodka Salty Dog with grapefruit and kumquat over shaved ice with a salt-and-spice rim, while my cousin chose the nonalcoholic pickled plum soda with calamansi, cane sugar, and fresh melon juice. Both were incredibly refreshing. For appetizers, we shared the prawn toast, which was packed with flavor. The 45-day dry-aged ribeye was cooked perfectly, and the Wagyu Short Rib Khao Soi with crispy noodles was equally delicious and comforting. To end the night, we ordered the "Crying Tiger" dessert featuring wild Thai banana and Foster sauce--a true work of art and the perfect sweet finish to our meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and even though we were seated at the bar, it was still a fantastic dining experience. And don't leave without checking out the artwork in the restrooms--it's a fun touch that adds to the overall ambiance.
Looking for some bold Thai flavors to enjoy in a vibrant and super chic venue while sipping on fruity cocktails and relaxing to some downtempo tunes? Here's your spot!!! Highly recommend making reservations if you are a party greater than 2 and if coming after 6 pm as this place gets packed. Limited bar seating available. We knew this place would be a luck of the draw to be seared but took our shot any way and to our surprise was able to score a bar seating. Food was pretty good 4.5/5. But the vibe was even more interesting. We tried a couple of small plates and shared a curry which was pretty filling. Was planning to try their famous tiger dessert but just couldn't fit anything more. Will leave for the next time... Hamachi Crudo: fresh yellowtail sashimi bites seasoned with a lime based citrus juice and garnished with fresh cilantro, mint, basil, and pepper. Very good and recommend Grilled Wagyu Beef Nam Tok: grilled beef salad richly marinated with very bold Nam Tok dressing (Lime sauce), fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, mint), red onions and Thai chili. Very good. Grilled Prawn & Chinese Eggplant Green Curry: had to add a warm dish...and why wouldnt you try a curry dish at a Thai restaurant. Phenomenal btw. Grilled prawns were Smokey and juicy. Eggplants were a perfect compliment. All in a coconut green curry infused with basil. What more can you ask for? Excellent dishes all around. Coming back for more very soon
We enjoyed our dinner here. The food was very good but not sure it's at the level of all of the hype surrounding this place. The appetizers were particularly creative and delicious. The tuna tartare was presented beautifully and was quite refreshing. The crispy pork belly lived up to its name -- very crispy skin and tasty. For the mains, we shared the clay pot lobster pad thai, which included a great deal of lobster, and the wagyu short rib khao soi. The short rib was tender and abundant. Service was friendly and down-to-earth, but the hostess was a bit on the pretentious and snotty side. The decor is beautiful and the bathroom is especially spectacular.
So many flavors here! We really enjoyed all the dishes. Some stand-outs: * Crispy fried rice salad * Prawn toast youtiao * Crispy pork belly with garlic herb nuoc cham * Black cod in charred scallion tom yum broth * Lobster pad Thai with tamarind and peanuts * Crying tiger dessert * Kefir lime sorbet Good, but as you expect: * Hamachi crudo with bird's eye chili * Shaking beef with crispy cottage fries * Pork and shrimp dumplings * Coconut ice cream For drinks, be sure to ask for less ice. I ordered the salted plum soda and the entire glass was full of ice. I took two sips and the soda was gone...with lots of ice cubes left. It's important to get a reservation 30 days before at midnight Central Standard Time. Otherwise, walk-ins are a two-hour wait. There seems to be more 2-person and 4-person tables than larger tables.
My favorite modern Asian restaurant in Chicago! The dishes are delicious and thoughtfully blend modern fusion with traditional flavors. The space is also beautifully decorated and such a great vibe. My favorite repeat orders: - Green Curry (the prawns are big and juicy) - just so good and comforting. A must try. - Rolled Rice noodles - Grilled Wagyu Beef as appetizer- light, satisfying and refreshing
My boyfriend and I are visiting Chicago for his birthday and we've had our eye on this place because so many people have told us this place was amazing-- and it almost lived up to the hype. Almost. First off, get a reservation if you can!! Even if it's a late one. I was lucky enough that one available time slot opened up just 20 mins prior and we were able to make it in time. When we got there, there were so many people waiting without reservations so I'm sure you can expect a wait without one. Now for the food: for appetizers we ordered the crispy pork belly, hamachi crudo, and the prawn toast. I will say they absolutely NAILED the apps. 10/10, no notes. And they came out incredibly fast. We ordered the lobster pad thai, chili crisp chicken and the khao soi curry for entrees. They were all good, but I thought they all lacked acid to cut through the richness of each dish. A lime squeeze would have done each dish good. However, main issue was the service. After the apps came out quickly, we waited about 40-45 minutes for the entrees to come out. During the 45 minutes, no one checked on us or stopped by to fill our waters until we flagged someone down at around 30 mins of waiting. Yes, it was busy in there but I think to wait 30+ minutes for food without a server coming to check on us left a bit of a bad taste for us. Overall the food was great, but the service was underwhelming. To end on a positive note, the vibes and decor of the restaurant are beautiful. They definitely enhanced our dining experience at Crying Tiger!
I was lucky enough to snag an easy Sunday night reservation at Crying Tiger! My husband and I have been excited to try this place, but it's not easy to get a table on the weekend. The restaurant itself is beautiful and super detailed. Everything from the ceiling to the uniforms was considered. We started with the very popular prawn toast, which did not disappoint and is definitely more of a stuffed fried roll than any kind of toast. To drink, I had a milk punch which was full of Thai tea flavor and my husband had a colada. For our entrees we opted to share the rolled noodles and the duck curry--both were unique and flavorful. The rolled noodles were sweet and crispy, which was unexpected. The curry was just a tiny bit spicy and complemented the beautifully tender duck. We did try the Crying Tiger signature dessert and it completely stole the show. One of the best restaurant desserts I've ever had. A can't miss!
My friend really wanted to visit Crying Tiger while we were on vacation in Chicago. The most annoying part is trying to get a reservation. Since we couldn't get one, we tried our luck just getting bar seats. You have to be extremely aggressive and stand behind people as they're leaving. The food was pretty good. I ordered a thai tea and it was delicious. Probably the best I've ever had at a restaurant. Prawan toast was our appetizer and it was made of shrimp nestled in yu tao. Good, but I could skip it for the main dishes. We ordered the duck curry(spicy) and the lobster pad thai. The pad thai was a bit pricey but I really enjoyed it. The duck curry is deceiving since they mix potatoes with the duck and you don't get as much meat as you'd hope However, the flavor was creamy but spicy. Of course we had to end with they Crying Tiger dessert which has beautiful presentation - jade like and the banana cake inside was tasty. The decor of the restaurant is really neat down to the tiger mural in the bathroom. Service at the bat was very attentive. A bit pricey for what you get, but a fun experience overall.
Crying Tiger was everything I hoped it would be! I love the warm decorations inside. The place is huge, but since it's so popular, you need a reservation and when I was looking, they were booking out a month in advance. The place is super vibey and cool. It's definitely worth checking out if you can snag seats! At first glance, it seems they don't have a ton of options for vegetarians. However, if you don't mind fish sauce, then the curries can be made vegetarian by substituting for tofu (or the panang curry has no fish sauce). My favorite dish was probably the crispy rice. YUM! So many fresh herbs and had a nice sauce. I loved the green papaya salad as well. The tuna tartare was so tender and paired well with the chips and young coconut. Their drinks were also very very good. We tried the milk punch and the colada. The milk punch surprised me! It was so well blended and the tea flavor came through well. We were too full for dessert but they had a lot of great options. Next time!
Diana was fantastic and super knowledgeable about the menu and made the whole experience feel welcoming from start to finish. The ambiance was intimate and cozy, and bonus points for having elevators available for the bathrooms. We started with the chargrilled sugarcane beef bò lá lốt wrapped in betel leaves and cabbage, along with the shredded chicken gỏi gà salad with ginger nước chấm. The salad had a nice kick to it that I absolutely loved; surprisingly flavorful and refreshing for a salad. For the entrée, I had the duck panang curry, and honestly, it was perfect in every possible way. I don't order duck often, but this was easily one of the best duck dishes I've ever had. Rich, balanced, and incredibly tender. To finish, we got the dessert everyone talks about at Crying Tiger, and now I get the hype. The sauce tasted like a deconstructed banana chocolate chip bread in the best way possible. Light, melt-in-your-mouth, and the perfect ending to the meal. The drinks were great too, whether you're going for cocktails or mocktails. Would absolutely come back again.
Food was delicious. Thai food is one of my favorites and the prawn toast was a highlight. Waygu was also yummy and nothing was too spicy (in a good way). Drinks were also great Thai tea and the coconut drink were amazing. Honestly the presentation is what earned this rating. Food was played amazing and drinks were served in a fun way. The crying tiger Dessert was so fun to crack open and very instagramable. Service was impeccable. Hosts and servers were both very nice. Table was constantly checked and cleaned. Everyone was very nice and friendly. Decorations were cute and very good mood lighting. Perfect date night spot. Bathrooms are clean.
Crying Tiger in River North is one of Chicago's toughest reservations to land... but we got in! We really enjoyed the lush night market inspired design, high energy atmosphere, and their visually striking dishes + impeccable service. Highly recommend ordering the Rolled Rice Noodles, Clay Pot Lobster Pad Thai (it's worth the splurge), Wagyu Short Rib Khao Soy, and of course their infamous "Crying Tiger" dessert made with wild thai banana and foster sauce. read more
4 months ago
Visited Crying Tiger at 4:45pm on a Wednesday night. We had a reservation... thank goodness. This place filled up quickly! I highly recommend grabbing a spot hero or taking a ride share because street parking is very limited in the area. For anyone who has had a time in River North like myself will remember this place as Hub51! I was so sad to see it go. Babbbyyyyy aesthetically you would NEVER know this used to be Hub. The outer and inner decor is gorgeous. The outside gives Emerald city from wizard of oz. It def delivers on the "what's that?!" Inviting experience.Inside is boho chic. For my drink I did a spirit free option. The limeade with shaved iced. It was very sweet but good. Would prob be amazing on a warm day (it was prob 20 degrees when I visited. lol) For starters we selected the pork belly and the sugar cane beef. The Pork belly was DELICIOUS. The outer rim was crisp... dang near thick pork rind crisp while the inner was tender and juicy! The meat had a great flavor. The sugar cane beef. I'm assuming is slow cooked on a small stick of sugar cane was very tender. Honestly it wasn't my favorite and I'll prob never order it again. It was extremely soft and tender but maybe too soft for me, and the flavor profile was unique. I think I was expecting it to be a pinch sweet and it wasn't. For my entree I selected the rolled rice noodle. I had option to add a protein but I kept it light and cute as is. But the addition of a short rib sounded amazing. My friend did the curry duck. Both were great. We both agreed the rolled noodle was the star between the two. The sweet and savory was great! I'm not a mushroom girl and even those were good! The curry was warm, savory and def layered in some heat. If you're not one for spice that builds, it's not the dish for you by itself! Maybe share with a friend. And of course we tried the dessert. It's was enough for 2 or 3 to split! There were so many flavors and textures! The sweet banana caramel, the chocolate shell, the cake, the cream in the cake. Very good! Idk if it's something I'd want every visit but it was def worth trying! Overall we had a great experience. I'm not planning my next visit but I def won't turn it down if someone else suggests it. read more
4 months ago
AMAZING! The ambiance is nice... forgot it was cold outside lol. Fun environment. It gets really busy. Started off with the hamachi crudo. It was a 4/5. Great combo of flavors and spicy Only thing wrong is that the aftertaste was a little bit fishy. The short rib khaki soi smelled AMAZING. Very fragrant and tasted great! Short rib was tender and delicious. Also ordered the lobster pad Thai. Best pad Thai I have had in a while. A tiny bit on the salty side but so so so good. Finished off with the "crying tiger" dessert. Delicious!!! If you like bananas foster, you will love this!!! Great service and would 10000000% recommend. We will be back to try more dishes! LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. read more
1 month ago
Wow, what an amazing experience at Crying Tiger! My friends and I have been dying to get in for dinner here and we were lucky enough to get a rese this week. The entire night was spectacular. The cocktails, the food, and the service were all excellent! The restaurant itself is beautiful. The bar is lively and vibrant. The dining room is more moody and relaxed. Once seated we were brought an amuse bouche which was so delicious! It was a bite of Thai flavors that you eat on a leaf and then follow with a sip of coconut water. It was a perfect bite! For cocktails we tried the Thai Colada, Salty Dog, martini, and our waitress recommended a Thai margarita! All were great! For appetizers we enjoyed the tuna tartare and prawn toast. The tuna was so fresh and perfectly spicy. Love that it was served in a coconut! For mains we got duck curry, shrimp fried rice, and rolled rice noodles. Fantastic flavors all around. One of the best panang curries I've had and the duck was so tender. The rice noodles were recommended by the chef and I can see why! Easily one of my favorite dishes of the night. We couldn't leave without dessert and had to try the Crying Tiger (bananas foster) and also chefs favorite toasted coconut sundae which was massive! Thank you Chef Paolo! We enjoyed every bite and can't wait to come back! Thank you also to our sweet waitress who was so attentive and kind throughout our entire night. read more
Such a beautiful space! As I scan the room I notice lovers old and young with wide eyes, smiling in between bites. The presentation of the dishes is truly breathtaking. Phone eats first. Waited a long time for this reservation, giving me plenty of time to scan the menu over and over again. So much so that I knew exactly what to order. My drink of choice was the salted mango limeade, add tequila and it's a perfect cocktail. Sugarcane beef, shrimp fried rice, baby broccoli, grilled roti, dry aged ribeye and for dessert, the viral crying tiger. Wah, my server was amazing. She was surprised that I had a list and was ready. She explained some of the dishes and their spice level as well as shared her favorites. She was genuinely kind and took great care in making sure I was happy. Halfway through my first drink I got up to introduce myself to the chef. Love that he was 'hands-on' working the line along with his employees. Such a good spirit, easy to see how his energy flows through everyone else. Flawless. He shared his favorites. He gifted me with an order of the prawn toast. A mild flavor of shrimp with a light crunch from the toast. Once you dip it in the sauce, it wakes up everything you thought was dead. Together, the flavors balance each other out. Time for drink number two. Chef Thai Dang comes to my table to check on me. Talk about feeling special. Although, my belly is quite full, dessert is a must. It was so good I wanted to eat all of it. Green, sparkly, hollow dark chocolate tiger head hiding Thai banana mouse and a light banana cake. Once you drag it through the banana foster caramel sauce your life changes. Before leaving, the hostess came to check on me. Dining out should be an experience and I can happily say Crying Tiger delivered. They also have valet parking! read more
Dined at crying tiger twice for dinner. Very hard to get in but it is totally worth the hype. All this items tried were 5/5. Good service, nice vibe. We tried almost everything on the menu and it tasted delicious. Drinks and desserts are must so please save space. read more
1 month ago
If you want to have an amazing experience, ask for server Jessie. All his recommendations were honest and we ordered everything he recommended. He was so attentive and kind, and made the dining experience amazing. I spilled water , instead of being embarrassed He brought over a really tiny caution when wet sign and put it on the table and instantly I couldn't stop laughing- thank you for personalizing our experience- I work at a trauma hospital and lately everything has felt so heavy dealing with patients, so coming to dine after 16 hour shifts to a pleasant atmosphere where people care for me in return means everything to me. All drinks are amazing. The coconut drinks come in actual coconut garnished with flowers, super cute for photos We ordered the ribeye steak , glass noodles, tuna tartar which comes in a cool coconut, the prawn with the bread , chicken satay , all the appetizers are amazing. Also have to add , I went up to the manager to thank our server , her name is Dea Bebo, one of the most inviting and kindest humans ever , if you read this Dea , thank you for your kindness we couldn't stop talking about you all evening and we also met the amazing chef, who was also beyond kind to introduce himself and ask how our food was. No wonder this place is always booked out- worth the hype and the amazing staff . read more
This restaurant is definitely worth the hype! My friends and I were able to snag a last minute dinner reservation on a weekday and we were so excited when we did. Upon walking in, we were in awe with the decor and space, it was quite beautiful. We were immediately seated after checking in at the host and right off the bat, our server was very welcoming and shared our excitement for getting to try this place. We started off with the pork belly, which was so flavorful and perfectly crispy. It was honestly the best bite out of this whole meal. We also got the prawn toast, which was naturally sweet from the prawn which paired really nicely with the dipping sauce. For our main dishes, we got the shaking beef, clay pot lobster pad thai, khao soi, and chili crisp barbecue chicken. They were all very good but the khao soi was the clear star, it tasted so rich and bold but was also sweet and mildly spicy, it was the perfect balance. We ended our meal with the "crying tiger" which was wild thai banana and foster sauce, coated in chocolate. It's as delicious as it looks and the presentation of the dessert was delightful. We were stuffed after all of this food and we will definitely be coming back! read more
1 month ago
5 stars because all things considered, I totally get the hype. A few nitpicks -- we were seated 45min after our 9pm reservation (but we were given complimentary papaya salad which ended up being my favorite thing all evening so who's winning really), the rolled rice noodles are too thick to pick up the sauce at the center of the noodle. The ambience is SO fun though, and the crying tiger dessert really is that good. I wanted to try everything on the menu, but if i were to get only three things, I'd get the papaya salad, the tiger dessert, and the prawn toast. Yum!! read more
This place was impossible to get a reservation for and is very very hyped up, so I had super high expectations and it absolutely met all of them. This place is SO worth the hype. Every single thing we ordered was packed with flavor and was so so so delicious. The decor is great and the service is fast too. My favorite dish was probably the rolled noodles -- it is a MUST get. Also, they let you substitute tofu in the khao soi for vegetarians and you can still get the meat separately for non vegetarians which is nice if you're sharing! read more
Confused on the hype! I went to crying tiger for a birthday dinner and was blown away by the ambiance and the decor! Absolutely stunning! Our server was wonderful as well and great with suggestions. What I was not blown away by was the food. It lacked depth of flavor and dimension. I only ordered one dish so I am eager to return and try other items on the menu. If you're looking for an amazing meal to blow your socks off, I don't think this is the place! Drinks: -Mango Limeade: A fun and tasty drink! Slushie like with rich flavor Food: -Glass noodles: Good size portion. Lacked depth of flavor and aftertaste! read more
5 months ago
snagged a last minute Resy for 7:15 and it was AMAZING. Maya our server was thoughtful and attentive. I am visiting fromDenver and this place is just amazing. My favorite was pork belly appetizer. There were 3 people in my party and we went a little carb heavy so the chicken main course wasn't really needed but still delicious. Inside is moody and super trendy with the tigers. So so cute ! The crying tiger desserts was 10/10 no notes ! Will be back again! read more
2 months ago
Food 10/10 , service 10/10, ambiance 10/10 First of all we came w two kids and as parents we haven't gone out to a fancy restaurant in a year bc of 2 under 2. And this place made it so accommodating. The front host/hostess did everything to get us a high chair. And the server Jessie was probably the most nicest server we've ever had w kids. Truly can't say nicer things about the people. Now the food is amazing Thai Pricier than mom and pop Thai restaurant but well worth it. Wagyu beef and lobster pad Thai were phenomenal and cooked perfect read more
3.5 stars for me... I enjoyed the vibe! Great music! Great energy! Awesome service. Jesse our service help for dinner was fantastic! I just wasn't wowed with the flavors of the dishes. Nothing was outstanding for me except the tiger dessert. Don't get me wrong, I will come again and try different things but what I had wasn't what I had hoped it would be: Short Rib Curry - delicious heated up at home the next day for leftovers. Basically well seasoned short rib and standard curry. Chilli crisp bbq chicken - decent no complaints! The chilli crisp was good.... Hong Kong style crab fried rice - super garlicky. My daughter loved it. Sugar cane beef - not good at all. Imagine frozen turkey sausage heated up. Lacked any flavor. Drinks were not good at all. The dessert was amazing! The crying tiger was delicious and presented well. read more
After a couple of failed attempts, I got to check out Crying Tiger this evening! Seen many IG stories and TikToks on the deliciousness that exists here! Their reputation here is well deserved as Lettuce Entertain You strikes again with another River North hit! I love a good Thai fusion place and this one doesn't disappoint. Staff greets you as you come in and then you are privy to the very nice decor this place beholds. The music here is on point as they got the 80s-early 00s hip hop going to set a dope vibe. Grabbed a seat at the bar as its first come first serve and just took a look around. I was then greeted by the very cool Grace and her partner in crime/drinks Matthew lol. They took good care of me. I started with the Milk Punch which was one of the best drinks I've had over the past few months. The Milk Punch consists of xo cognac, thai tea and lemon & cane sugar...outstanding cocktail! If you like a good milk punch, this is one of the best you'll get. The Force Carbonated Cocktail was amazing as well. Has a bit of sweetness to it due to thai banana being included but not too sweet. Japanese whiskey along with amontillado sherry makes for a great sip with this one. My entree was the Lap Cheong & Shrimp Fried Rice with basil and garlic. Nice sized, shareable dish that had a hint of spice included...it was very delicious! Highly recommend! The ladies dining next to me let me try their Prawn Toast and it was definitely a great selection by them. I was then convinced by another set of patrons along with Grace & Matthew to get dessert in which I had to go with the very popular Crying Tiger. Its basically a wild thai banana pudding/ice cream covered in a green edible tiger mask cover with foster sauce. Its really good! Came back a week later and got the Cumin Lamb and while it was good, it was def spicy...a good spicy though. So much flavor in this dish! Washed it down with the fantastic freezer martini and had the homemade lime sorbet for dessert. Really good but I recommend sharing as it's a nice size. Love Crying Tiger from the staff, food, drinks, vibe and environment. Great for dates, group outings and solo missions. read more
This place was so fun & cute! Perfect date night spot, the lighting is dark, the drinks are GREAT & the bathroom is the perfect picture spot (it matters). The food was yummy, the wagyu short rib Khao soi curry was a little too salty, but if I could recommend one dish, the hamachi crudo was AMAZING. Definitely want to come back to try other dishes though. read more
Oh my goodness. So yummy. I completely understand the hype. The decor is amazing. It would be a fantastic date night spot or for a birthday dinner. This is what we got to eat. Drinks Tequila w pickled plum- very good Thai coconut colado- so delicious, highly recommend Starters Prawn toast- loved their spin, definitely worth ordering Chicken satay- VERY good Pork belly- good flavors Tuna tartare - probably my top 3 tartare EVER- so YUM Rice & noodles Rolled Rice noodles- Do yourself a favor and order 2 of them!! My favorite dish on the menu!!! Basil chicken- this was the only thing I wouldn't order again- it was very very spicy Curries Short rib with Crispy noodles- I liked this. It was tasty Signatures Bbq chicken- the flavor was delicious and it was a lot of food I will 100% return! Thank you so much! A very delicious and unique edition to the Chicago food scene read more
2 months ago
This place is the best!! The ambiance is amazing. The bathroom is so pretty. But the food was phenomenal! I had duck curry and it was delicious, a little spicy, the duck was crispy and cooked to perfection. My friend had glass noodles that were the best I have ever had. And my drink was delicious, not very strong but very good. This restaurant is a must! read more
The flavors on all the entrees were amazing, appetizers were so good but definitely spicy so be aware of that. Mango limeade was exceptional and the crying tiger dessert definitely lived up to the hype. Service was amazing and very attentive and the interior design is probably my favorite I've seen for an establishment. Definitely would love to come back again. read more
OBSESSED! From the food to the drinks to the decor, everything was a vibe. We celebrated my birthday here and they wrote me a cute card from the staff to begin with!! We ordered an app and 2 dishes which was plenty for 2 people. The food was absolutely delicious. If you can't handle spice, I wouldn't recommend because the food was ! I would love to go back and try more things on the menu! I ordered the mango limeade and it was so refreshing and paired very well with the spicy food! Our server was so kind and brought us dessert for my birthday. We wanted to try the crying tiger but unfortunately it was already out. Pro tip: apparently you'll have better luck if you order it as soon as you're seated! We will definitely be going and certainly recommending this place to friends! read more
The food was authentic and delicious! Prawn Toast, Lobster Pad Thai in Clay Pot, and Sautés Baby Broccoli, with a French Sarah. Service provided by Niya was wonderful, and Anselmo provided a warm welcome when we arrived. The atmosphere was very modern, yet Asian, with a romantic and business appeal. In the background played upbeat, mellow 80's Hip Hop music devoid of cursing and violence. Highly recommend. Moderate pricing. Memorable evening. read more
Delicious food, fun ambiance, excellent service! It's nearly impossible to get reservations but it's honestly worth it. We split 3 apps and one main and one dessert and a couple of drinks - the shrimp toast, beef, and pork belly apps were sooo good, especially the beef and pork belly. The lobster pad Thai was delicious but honestly not above other pad Thai I have gotten in the past. The flan cheesecake was honestly one of the best desserts I've had in the city and 100% recommend it! read more
3 months ago
Food was a 10 out of 10. Everything we got was spicy so the ice cream was a must and omg I've had the nothing like it. And I definitely will need to have it again. The service was so wonderful. They really made an effort to make us feel special during our dining experience. And the ambience definitely gave all the right vibes like oh my God who came up with this concept because it's amazing. The drinks were were so amazing. I requested them making me something special and they did it just like I like it. read more
Highly suggest making a reservation so you're not waiting too long as a walk in. But there's also barely any reservations since this new restaurant is the current talk of the town My friends and I really enjoyed the duck panag, pork belly, and hamachi. The duck was tender and delicious, and the sauce for the pork belly was mouthwatering. However there were some mid items. The basil chicken was so salty, it was hard to fully enjoy. The sugarcane juice was off putting of an aftertaste. Maybe it was my fault to compare it to authentic sugar cane juice bc I didn't taste like one at all. As for the other drinks. They were okay. We wanted to order the green tiger dessert but after looking around, it seemed that everyone left their table with it unfinished. The interior design of the restaurant was very beautiful and bigger than I expected! The workers are also so sweet and helpful. read more
Crying Tiger was the restaurant I was most excited to visit on my trip to Chicago and it did not disappoint. Getting a reservation here was tough, and walking in, it's easy to see why. The space is stunning- very modern with Asian influences, moody lighting, and a vibe that's perfect for anything from a first date to impress someone to a business dinner. Honestly, even just visiting the restroom alone would have been worth the trip. Service was fantastic, attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance is versatile for all types of meet-ups. The menu is Asian fusion, pulling inspiration from several cuisines including Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese, which makes for an exciting mix of flavors. Sugarcane Beef: 9.5/10 Juicy, tender pieces of meat around sugarcane and wrapped in betel leaves. Super flavorful and a fantastic way to start the meal. Hamachi Crudo: 9/10 Fresh hamachi dressed in a sweet and spicy fish sauce. Simple, refreshing, and delicious. Duck Curry: 8.5/10 Flavourful curry with a tender, crispy duck leg. I wish there had been more duck, but still fantastic nonetheless Eggplant Banh Xeo: 5/10 Deep-fried eggplant that was way too oily, leaving the dish soggy. Flavourful and fun to eat, but the toppings didn't elevate the dish much beyond aesthetic appeal. Rolled Rice Noodles: 9/10 Think pad see ew, but the rice noodles are rolled up into little tteokbokki-shaped dumplings. One of the best takes on pad see ew I've ever had-loved the mushrooms and broccoli. Would've given it a 10, but it was a bit too salty. Crab Fried Rice: 7.5/10 A bit on the blander side, but paired really well with the curry, making it a solid complement to the meal. Crying Tiger Dessert: 7/10 The famed tiger-head-shaped dessert you've probably seen on social media. Be sure to order it at the start of the meal, as it runs out fast. Super photogenic, but the flavors and texture were lacking. The chocolate shell wasn't my favourite, though the filling was decent. I wouldn't get it again, but glad I tried it. read more
6 months ago
When bold Southeast Asian flavors meet a high-design, millennial-forward vibe, Crying Tiger absolutely delivers. Set in the former Hub 51 space, the transformation is striking. The room leans hard into a jade-green palette layered with gold accents and tropical flair, and it works. From the lighting to the finishes to the 90s rap playlist, the energy is elevated without being stuffy. It's clearly built for today's Chicago dining crowd--stylish, social, and confident. Service * Warm, friendly host and an attentive, knowledgeable server * Helpful guidance through a large, shareable menu * Polished but relaxed, which fits the room perfectly Drinks * Salted Mango Limeade (non-alcoholic) - preserved citrus over shaved ice; bright, refreshing, and thoughtfully composed * Pineapple Macerated Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila Thai Coconut Colada - their take on a piña colada, elevated with Thai basil and crushed ice; tropical and fun * Coconut Fat-Washed White Negroni Sbagliato topped with Nomine-Renard Champagne - inventive, balanced, and well executed * Overall, a creative cocktail program that favors flavor and concept over gimmicks Food * Grilled Wagyu Beef Nam Tok - shaved red onion and mint; beautifully prepared beef with bold spice, though extremely mint-forward * Shiitake & Vegetable Spring Rolls - crisp, clean, and satisfying * Lap Cheong & Shrimp HK Fried Rice with basil and garlic - savory, aromatic, and comforting * Wagyu Short Rib Khao Soi with crispy noodles - a standout; rich, deeply flavorful curry with a great contrast of soft and crispy noodles mixed tableside * Chili Crisp Barbecue Chicken Gai Yang with grilled roti - excellent; not "barbecue" in the American sense, but intensely spiced, juicy, and layered with heat and flavor Portions are generous. For two people, a couple of starters and three mains was more than enough--we still took food home. Dessert * The Crying Tiger - Wild Thai banana with Foster sauce, presented as a glittering jade-green chocolate tiger cracked open tableside. Dramatic, playful, and legitimately delicious. Verdict Crying Tiger is one of the most exciting new restaurants in Chicago right now. The space is stunning, the menu is ambitious but cohesive, and the flavors--especially the curries--hit hard. It's elevated without being pretentious and creative without losing focus. An easy five stars and a major win for the neighborhood. read more
It's basically impossible to get a reservation, so we ended up eating at 4:30pm but it was worth it! The spring rolls were the only miss for us, not very special or particularly memorable. Everything else was delicious. The pork belly was super flavorful with a nice kick of heat. The papaya som tum salad was fresh, crunchy, and acidic in all the right ways. The wagyu khao soi was rich and very flavorful -- almost a bit too strong on its own, and we wished it came with rice (we ended up ordering a side, which helped a lot). The basil chicken was also really good and spicyyy. You have to get the iconic "crying tiger" banana dessert, it was unique, delicious, and the perfect way to end the meal. The interior is beautiful and service was solid overall, though our server did disappear a bit toward the end. Food comes out pretty quickly, which is nice. If you can snag a reservation (or are willing to eat early), it's absolutely worth the hype. read more
Celebrated our wedding anniversary over the weekend and WOW what a gorgeous restaurant! The interior is absolutely gorgeous and you can tell how much thoughtful planning was taken into consideration from the wallpaper, decorations, and silverware. The bar area in the front looks absolutely gorgeous but I have to say walking downstairs to the bathroom was like walking into a beautiful jungle fever dream, it's a must have experience. Service was terrific, prompt, and all around exceptional. For cocktails I ordered the salty dog vodka cocktail (5/5) it was so darn cute and had tamarind salt. For food we started with the crispy pork belly (5/5), they leave part of the rind on so it crisps up perfectly on one side with a nice hard crunch while remaining flavorful and easy to chew through the rest. The tuna tartare (4/5) comes chilled and served in a coconut, my husband loved it but I unfortunately have the cilantro gene. For mains we split the crispy confit duck and roasted peanut panang curry (5/5) as well as the rolled rice noodles (5/5), both were out of this world with the flavor and presentation. Make sure to get a side of roti bread for the panang, you will devour this. Since we came in early (5 PM) we were able to order the crying tiger dessert and omg no wonder this sells out, what a fun dessert and it's perfect for banana lovers. Everything exceed our expectations, thank you for making our wedding anniversary special! read more
To celebrate my husband's birthday, we went to Crying Tiger for the first time last night. This hot new Chicago restaurant is already drawing crowds, and reservations--released just 30 days in advance--are notoriously difficult to secure. It was my husband's birthday wish, so he planned ahead and snagged a table well in advance. Crying Tiger is a Southeast Asia-themed Lettuce Entertain You restaurant led by Chef Partner and James Beard finalist Thai Dang. The two-story space is beautifully designed; what appears to be a modest entryway opens into a series of larger, thoughtfully arranged rooms. Even the washrooms, located in the basement, are strikingly designed--the men's room features a standout wall adorned with a unique tiger mosaic. Our server was efficient but not particularly warm, especially when we asked for a few moments to review the menu. For cocktails, my husband ordered the Ripe Clarified Mango, stirred with JW Black blended whiskey, while I opted for the Spiced Vietnamese Coffee, having already enjoyed a cocktail earlier at Three Dots and a Dash. Both drinks were very good, and my coffee proved especially helpful once the spicier dishes arrived at the table. We began with the Prawn Toast appetizer, which was both plentiful and delicious. The Crispy Rice Basil Chicken with a fried egg was excellent, though notably spicy--a fact clearly indicated on the menu. While many diners will appreciate that level of heat, we generally prefer milder flavors. The Green Curry with prawn and Chinese eggplant was flavorful, though the dish included only four prawns, which felt a bit sparse. The undeniable highlight of the meal was Crying Tiger's signature dessert: a dramatic hardshell chocolate tiger filled with cream, cake, and caramelized "foster" bananas. It was delicious and presented with a candle on the side to mark the occasion. We were told that the freezer had malfunctioned earlier, eliminating three of the five dessert options, but the Crying Tiger appears to be the dessert nearly everyone orders anyway. While the menu includes some higher-priced options--such as whole fish dishes or the Clay Pot Lobster Pad Thai--most offerings are moderately priced, especially for an upscale dining experience. Crying Tiger is an excellent addition to the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant family. With good food, an impressive space, and a celebratory atmosphere, it's a terrific choice for marking a special occasion. I would like to give Crying Tiger 4.5-stars, but Yelp doesn't accommodate that option. read more
This is THE trendy resturant right now (and I fear it may be overhyped). Really hard to snag a reservation, so ended up walking in at 4:30pm on a Saturday and waited about 30 min for a seat at the bar. I will say they have a very fun selection of drinks (both cocktails and mocktails). Service was very fast and friendly as well. But the food was honestly just okay, and way overpriced in my opinion. I got a sugarcane juice mocktail, the papaya salad, duck curry, eggplant, and the crying tiger dessert. The sugarcane juice surprisingly wasn't sweet and had banana flavoring to it which made it taste....odd. The panang duck curry was tasty, but only a small portion of duck and the addition of pineapple did not mesh well in the curry sauce. The papaya salad was fine, as was the eggplant (nothing spectacular though). My favorite thing was the dessert ( definitely a show stopper, and worth getting). Overall a cute place for drinks and dessert but would go elsewhere for food read more
2 months ago
Im not one to complain, but here's an honest review from a South East Asian perspective: The restaurant clearly invested in its aesthetic -- the decor, ambiance, and staff are all genuinely impressive. But the kitchen doesn't hold up its end of the deal. The prawn toast was the standout, and the H.K. pork belly was solid, but neither dish was anything you couldn't find done better elsewhere. The khao soi was a salt bomb -- nearly inedible straight from the bowl, to the point where I was diluting it with water just to get through it. The pickled mustard greens were so aggressively salty they had to be pushed aside entirely. The chili crisp BBQ chicken was fair. For a restaurant with this much buzz around its food, the reality is a letdown. Come for the atmosphere -- it's worth seeing -- but don't let the hype set your expectations for what's on the plate. read more
3 months ago
This spot is impossible to get rezos at so i was sooooo stoked to come here when my friend was able to cop an early rez. The interior is stunnig, absolutely on point. I can't believe this spot used to be hub51. The service was lovely and helpful. She told us to get the crispy sticky rice w the green papaya salad and man was that such a crucial tip, those two items together so well. The crispy rolled rice was insanely good. We also had the lobster pad Thai and the Wagyu khao soi. The crying tiger dessert was a party in my mouth. The outside is white chocolate i think? And the inside has texture while being creamy and banana-y. Amazing Thai iced tea as well. I would love to come back if I could get another rez! read more
7 months ago
Came here with a group of coworkers for a team dinner, and Crying Tiger definitely lived up to the hype. The ambiance alone is worth mentioning: a very vibey, upscale space that works just as well for a night out with friends or colleagues as it would for a date. Service was another highlight. Our server and the whole staff were incredibly attentive and helpful throughout the night. Our waitress gave fantastic recommendations, which made it easy for us to try a good chunk of the menu. We went the family-style route, which I think is the best way to enjoy this place. The dishes were full of flavor and fun to share. Overall the food was good, though for me the flavors didn't stand out quite as much as some other 5-star restaurants I've been to. Still, it was a great experience and I'd definitely come back. A strong spot for groups and anyone looking for a lively, elevated dining vibe. read more
Friendly tip: they do not take walk-ins for a table! We ended up waiting around 20 min to get two seats at the bar which is full-service. We ordered: - wagyu short rib khao soi (8.5/10): disclaimer, I am just not the biggest fan of khao soi, it's a bit too heavy and rich for me, but my friend loved it! - crab fried rice (8/10): definitely more of an accompaniment than a main dish, missing a bit of extra oomph to make it stand out. still prefer haisous's - pork belly (7.5/10): very crispy but also fatty, the sauce did a great job of cutting through it though, would've liked a bit more for $19 overall, the food was good but I'm not running to go back, service at the bar was incredible though (they were great at dealing with allergies), and interior was beautiful. May come back for drinks and dessert instead next time! read more
7 months ago
The dessert was my favorite part of the meal. It was so well rounded - gorgeous, rich, and creamy. The banana wasn't super overpowering but at a perfect level. The khao soi was pretty standard (they were a little stingy w the meat) and the crab fried rice was a little dry for my liking. Flavors were decent overall. The pork belly was not tender and clashed with the overly crispy skin. The sauce was amazing though read more
2 months ago
Overcooked rice??? Thats honestly pretty disappointing. Very mushy. Seems like should be an easy thing to do The roti was also super dense. Felt like they fried 2 together on accident. Bbq chicken was incredibly mid. I'm gonna ASSUME it's bc this was ordered in but such a thick cut of meat served with a pool of oil and bland cabbage. Every now and then I would get a bite that tasted like something but besides that it was pretty mid. Cumin lamb and confit duck panang were really good though. Def had better cumin lamb in Chinatown and curry at oliang is better. Meat was tender though, especially the duck. Duck is carrying this review tbh. But even then, soft potatoes and random pineapple. These guys r lucky I like pineapple. read more
8 months ago
Visually pleasing and a nice ambiance. Only thing we witness is a couple of staffs members drop plates and one of the staff members over stacking plates and spill a drink, due to that, on another customers back. We help her out a bit but, I did notice the manager come over and speak to her. I loved their Thai Coconut Colada it's not too sweet. Order a lot here had dinner with some friends. Way Beef - delicious and slight spicy. Beef is perfectly cooked. Chicken Satay- not my favorite, kind of dry but loved the peanut sauce. Pork Belly- One of my favorites, very crunchy top and tender pork. Flavor is perfect. Papaya Salad- also one of my favorites, perfect amount of citrus balance pairs well with the pork belly. Glass noodle- absolutely the best, must try for sure. Barbecue chicken- very good and a little garlic heavy which I like. However it can be a little dry. Wish there was some kind of sauce so it's not so try. Crying tiger- perfectly sweet. Not going to spoil the surprise of it but perfect dessert. I would come back again and try other thing the menu looks very good read more
Not one of lettuce entertain you's hits. Shocked by a lot of the reviews. I don't think it's an upgrade to the space. Is the interior pretty- yes. But for a restaurant that was opened for a month the tables are already very wobbly, and glasses were dirty. We were greeted and seated right away. Our waitress came by introduced herself and dropped off the menu. With the restaurant being my so new I expected to be walked through the lay of the land versus having to ask a dozen questions- tell me about the menu, recommendations , how much do you reccomend we order etc etc. Everything was good but nothing wow'd us We ordered: Hamachi crisp- good fresh Shrimp toast- fine broke apart in the sauce Black cod- a bit fishy, overcooked Rolled noodles- delish! Cocktails were fine. Nothing stood out. As much as I love lettuce entertain you I have zero interest to return here read more
More info about Crying Tiger
Ask the Community - Crying Tiger
Does the whole party need to be present before you will be seated?
No. I had a party of two and they sat me before my friend arrived
Do they take walk ins?
Yes; however, getting a table depends on whether any reservations are cancelled. The bar is first come first serve.
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Crying Tiger - thai - Updated July 2026
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