This is my third time at Gretel and the food was even better than I remembered it! We came around 5pm on a Sunday and there was only about a 10 minute wait. They sat us downstairs. I had only sat upstairs at the bar and outside, so I was happy we were able to see the downstairs. It's very intimate down there with only a few tables, while the upstairs is a lot more of a lively bar atmosphere. Service was good and fast. They are known for their burger but I am not a huge burger fan. Their other food is amazing though! Even my boyfriend who loves burgers agreed that the chicken sandwich was one of the best and maybe even better than the burger. Definitely get the mac & cheese, chicken sandwich, and french onion soup. The french onion soup was super cheesy and the mac & cheese was so creamy and perfect. Typically I don't like bacon in mac & cheese, but I love that they don't overdo it here where it overpowers the entire dish. It was only some tiny pieces of bacon just for the flavor. read more

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Came for the burger, but stayed for the drinks. Maybe I chose a bad night, but I thought the burger was disappointing based on its hype and Gretel's reputation. Hands down, the saltiest burger I ever had in Chicago. At least, they were generous with the fries. Laidback vibes and cool space, I would come back to try the other cocktails on the menu with friends. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped here after dinner for some drinks in their downstairs lounge. I've never gone downstairs and when I entered it gave speakeasy vibes, I loved it. I had one of the best espresso martinis here and enjoyed sitting on their cozy couches while chatting to my friends. The atmosphere downstairs was really calm and relaxing. Service was quick and our server was very polite. read more

We stopped by very last min and the staff were very welcoming and accommodatdd us to sit by the bar. The food was very delicious and perfectly cooked to our request. The best was the burger which is their highly popular item. The steak was also cooked to perfection and well seasoned. Overall we enjoyed our experience very much and would love to return soon. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A buddy and I went on a Thursday and sat at the bar, whete you get a great visual of the bottles on all of the shelves. Like the look of the place. It doesn't have that diver bar look like some well known whisky joints in the city. We ordered a number of pours of rarer bourbons which they have a very nice selection of. Their bar staff were super. Friendly, maybe not that knowledgeable about whisky but that's ok. We got a few things to eat. I had the vegan pastrami sandwich which was really good. I'd order it again but next time will see what else they have on the menu. Definitely a place I hope to go back to. read more

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Got delivery this time. The food came on time and everything was still perfectly warm. I got the griddle burger with a side of mac and cheese. Many claim this is their favorite burger in the city, however, I thought it was just alright. Maybe I'm just not huge on burgers, or at least smashburgers. The burger was good, nothing wrong with it, but for the price tag, I could've just gone to Five Guys and had a similar experience. I didn't think this burger stood out in any way. The mac n cheese was decent. The top layer didn't have too much flavor imo, but once you get to the center with all the sauce, it's good. Kinda disappointing since my first visit was an absolute banger. The chicken sandwich is seriously ELITE here. read more

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Spot was open late which was great but man, I don't think I've ever had such bland food. The fried shrimp was overcooked and had zero flavor. I never knew you could fuck up fried shrimp but believe me, it's possible. Ever heard of salt, garlic, anything? There is a way to season batter. Only thing worse was the dipping sauces. Fries were utter garbage. Giving an extra star for the atmosphere which was pretty nice. read more

My friends and I have started a burger crawl throughout the city, and we had to have Gretel on the list! First time here for all of us, but definitely will not be our last! We started with a bunch of cocktails (I wish I remember the names.. but they were all so good!). Food to start, we ordered the Charcuterie, and the House Made Pretzel. We were obsessed with both! The charcuterie did not skimp out like some cheese/meat plates do.. it was a satisfying amount that we kept going back for more. The pretzel was outstanding, twisted and hot, perfectly soft and salty. To eat, I split the Gretel Griddle Burger and the Fried Chicken Sandwich with my friend because although we were there for the burger, I kept reading about the chicken sandwich being fantastic. Booyy they were not wrong!! As much as I loved the burger, the chicken sandwich was my favorite! Perfectly crispy, with this sweet and spicy glaze and the crunchy Asian pear slaw... OMG. I'm still dreaming about this! One thing we were excited about were the Elote Riblettes.. but I wouldn't order these again. I accidentally bit the whole thing and didn't realize they kept the core in, and I had to spit it out. And even after eating it properly it didn't feel like I got enough of it from those little bites. Loved the fries though! We didn't see a dessert menu but we would have definitely been interested in that. After all the drinks apps and the chicken sandwich I was feeling so full so I couldn't finish the burger so I got it wrapped to go. But let me tell you even when I reheated that burger the next day.. it was fantastic!! Overall we may have been the loudest and most obnoxious group (we get a bit excited haha) our waiter and the vibe were all matched! Genuinely loved this place, and looking forward to coming back soon. read more

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Chris P thank you so much for a wonderful experience! It was my first time with my bestie! We loved the food, drinks, and the ambiance downstairs was like a warm hug from my granny! I'll be back read more

I live close to Gretel, and I highly recommend it! They have a wide variety of food, including a burger that is similar to the one at Little Bad Wolf. (Same owners). The fried shrimp and trout Caesar are both excellent, the atmosphere is cool. They don't take reservations, so you have to walk in, but it's worth it. read more

Stopped in for a drink but couldn't catch a waiter. Such a great vibe but didn't get a chance to experience food or drinks read more

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Loved the burger sticky ribs were good pot stickers didn't taste fresh . Indifferent about the nachos . So cute inside. No signage , I'm glad I had Google Maps . It's on armitage and t-bones with Mozart read more

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Neighborhood favorite of mine. The burger is a solid deal load it with all the trimmings or keep it simple, either way you'll be satisfied. Fries are always crispy and the drinks are consistent, definitely grab one. Appetizers are solid too, the gyoza is good. Service is consistent and the ambiance is casual and laid back perfect for a casual pregame or a night out. -Mr. read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Finally tried the infamous burger from here! Came on a Thursday evening with a group of 5 and thankfully there was no wait. They do not take reservations as stated on their website. Let's start with the vibes. This gastropub is cozy and dark inside. The bar is awesome! Even though I didn't drink during my visit. They have a HUGE wall full of a wide selection of alcohol. There is even a small ladder for staff to reach bottles on top. Loved it! The star of the show was of course the burger. They can cut your entrees in 1/2 so its better for sharing! It's simple yet soo good! The burger means business. The meat was cooked perfectly! They are not stingy with the fries either. I also got the lobster roll to share which was delish too! Cannot forget - their apps and sides deserve all the love as well! read more

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This place is hoping on a Friday night and for good reasons. Cool vibes and excellent service. The burger is the star here but we tried the Lobster roll and the prime rib sando. And all were just delicious and tasty. They don't take reservations so the wait ca be long on weekends. read more

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The motherland of the Wolf paradise! This place is just solid all around. Everything is refined with that signature umami depth and hearty flavors. This was definitely the best French Onion Soup I've ever had. The burger is a must try for Chicago. Loved the decorations and plants and our server was great! Highly recommend for the area! read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger w/ bacon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We are from out of state, and when we travel, we like to find hole in the wall places to eat. We came across this spot, with no outdoor signage, parking on the street integrate ambience. We arrived in the evening in search of a lobster roll. We are glad we stopped here because the lobster roll was delicious. We paired it with two "who sent 'cha" named cocktails. The cocktails were delicious, and this one closely resembled a margarita. They have a full bar with plenty of indoor seating. The waitress and hostess were friendly. A kids menu is available. Our child tried the spaghetti, which I also tried, and it was very flavorful. My daughter ordered the miso soup, thinking it was a little bit of miso in a broth. The miso soup was actually a full Ramen bowl. She enjoyed it. read more

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Such an amazing meal. Everything was done so incredibly well. We had the east coast oysters, Brussels sprouts, bone marrow, and prime rib, and everything was excellent. No notes. Staff were super friendly and accommodating, and just like Little Bad Wolf the ambiance was cozy and inviting. Amazing date night spot. Note: cocktails were also amazing. However, if you like your dirty martinis DIRTY, be sure to ask for it extra dirty. read more

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I came here on a Saturday around 2pm and was able to get sat at a communal table to eat. I ordered the chicken sandwich, which was so delicious. The crunch on the chicken was perfect and it had a nice kick with the sauce. The fries were also very good. The staff was attentive and very nice. read more

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YES, go, eat, and drink!!!! We came here for an early dinner before an event and we loved this place! The bourbon selection for old fashioned was grand and that's because the bar looks like a library. The bartenders actually use a sliding ladder to pull the requested varieties of liquors. Both our lobster roll and steak sandwiches left no crumbs on our plates! There is a speakeasy downstairs that we will definitely check out next time. Unless missed, we did not find where you can make a reservation so be prepared to possibly wait as this place can get packed especially at the bar. read more

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I have been called tough, ruthless, and probably some more colorful terms. At the same time, most would agree I am fair. I was able to try the Lobster Bisque and the Pork Gyoza in their entirety. I was also able to try the Steak Frites, but sent this one back--a rarity for me. I absolutely, 100% give them credit for offering to make things right by remaking, changing, or asking management what we could do if I decided to keep it. Thus, I won't ding them too much, but it did dampen the experience. The Lobster Bisque is a tough one to critique. On one hand, the texture was rich and creamy, and the use of cream and oils on top was tasteful, adding lovely whispers of additional flavor layers. On the other hand, I felt the flavors were muffled. I would say it falls somewhere between "okay" and "good." I'm not sure if it needed more salt, fat, lobster, or even sugar, but I found myself preferring the stuff in the refrigerator section at Trader Joe's. Especially at $18.95, this needs improvement. The Pork Gyoza had the makings of something good. It was pan-fried the perfect amount to give just the right crispness without greasiness. The filling was tasty with just the right amount of sweetness and spice (read: spices, not heat). This dish's undoing, however, was their heavy-handed use of soy sauce. In moderation, it adds delectable salty and umami notes, but the heavy-handed use in this dish overpowered everything. Then... the fated Steak Frites. First, both the steak and the fries were barely lukewarm. I understand a steak needs to rest a little after cooking, but this one looked like it was left to rest and forgotten about for 10-15 minutes. Ditto for the fries; these were past their prime, limp, and barely warm. Where seasoning comes in, other than a overly heavy use of rosemary, the steak needed more S&P. Fries? You guessed it: under-seasoned. The final nail in the coffin: I requested the steak medium-rare, and it was cooked very inconsistently. Some parts were cooked to a medium-well, others were rare. I hate to say it, but I've had better steaks at Texas Roadhouse (not hating, they are just more 'entry-level,' shall we say). I do like the vibe at Gretel. Upstairs, the bar area is open and modern, with high ceilings, tasteful black and brown wood notes, good use of art and color, and a MASSIVE wall of liquor! Downstairs, the area is cozy and quirky in the best way. Being seated downstairs, the music was initially too loud, but became more reasonable as more people entered the space. While I appreciate that they likely have one volume switch for both floors (and the upstairs was decidedly busier), additional volume controls would make it less intrusive. I'd also like to give props to the server. She was all-around amazing! She was friendly, kind, and attentive. Something that happened which wasn't her fault was timing. I'd ordered the lobster bisque as something that should have come out quickly while the steak was being prepared (quoted at ~20 minutes). Yet, the soup was delayed so much that the steak hit the table before the last spoon of soup hit my mouth. Not the server's fault, and credit to her for checking in with the kitchen to make sure it wasn't forgotten about. I made the hour-long trek to Gretel because another restaurant under the same umbrella, Little Bad Wolf, is one of my favorites. Especially in light of this, I left Gretel with a profound disappointment. On one hand, I know sometimes a kitchen can have an off-day, and I want to give them another shot. On the other, when an experience leaves such a void in one's heart, it's difficult to justify another long Uber ride that leaves one nearly car-sick because of how lovely Chicago roads are. read more

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Cozy atmosphere good drinks and food. Burger was amazing and the server was attentive! 10/10 will be back read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We waited almost 2 hours, but I have to say it was worth it. One of the best burgers in the city (I'm not a pickle person though so next time would ask for without). I LOVED the sesame bun. The double patties were the right amount of filling and it was saucy and cheesy. The Mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts sides were also both REALLY good. The Mac was big and heavy and verrrrry cheesy. The Brussels were extra dressed but in a good way. The carrots were just fine. The waiter warned us about the spice of the harissa so we got it on the side and thank god because it was way too spicy for me. read more

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Such a large place - when you enter, you don't expect tall ceilings and a massive liquor wall. Awesome selection of bourbons and whiskeys for your tasting. I appreciate the size of the menu. It's not over whelming and many of the items pair well with a drink if that interests you. When I chosen to visit this establishment, it was warm enough to sit outside but I chosen the inside. I ordered the burger and requested one patty alongside some veggies. One patty was just enough but on a good day I would've eaten both. It was cooked well and not dry. I like my burgers a bit more charred but I'll give grace as I don't mention that. I also ordered an old fashion and that wasn't the best. The liquors and bitters didn't mesh well together. Tasted like rubbing alcohol. I requested additional simple syrup to appease me. It did the job nonetheless. I'd for sure return here for a late night dinner. read more

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Finally made my way to Gretel and it was a great experience! We had a party of 5 plus a baby (high chair) and the staff was able to accommodate us in a busy Thursday night. Our server was friendly and on it during our time there which made the experience special. I had to get their famous burger as that is what everyone I know talks about when going here. I liked it a lot! To compare it to Au Cheval... hmm. I think it was just a tad step below Au Cheval if I had to rate burgers, but the burgers themselves were also different in presentation and feel too. I really did love the burger here though and I'd come back and order it again. The fries were good, however I didn't love their specific aioli sauce that they give here. Besides that, drinks were decent and the ambiance here is more upscale feeling even though you can be perfectly casual here. read more

Gretel - Pork Belly Nachos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Burger is crazy good! We didn't have time to sit inside but ordered carry out! WILL BE BACK! read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went for the burger. I saw on the menu it had yellow and white American cheese. Def a red flag. Ya. Not great. Def not worth the drive. Ordered a $16 cocktail first. Not bad. But when you order a beer after and get a can and no glass sort of cemented the experience of a lot of hype. read more

My friends and I met for drinks here, and it was a great experience. Fast and friendly service, good drink, selection, and gorgeous, sexy atmosphere. We didn't eat, but next time we'll definitely have to try the food too. read more

Gretel - Zombie Dust - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beyond average food, but they were nominated for a James Beard so we had to try it. It's a traditional pub food place, with what some people say is the "Best Burger in Chicago". Not sure about that, actually pretty sure I do not agree. We started with the oysters, and got the French onion soup. The oysters were average not too slimy, but pretty heavy on the salt water flavor, maybe not cleaned too well but they didn't have shells in the oyster bed which was good. The French onion soup was a little on the sweet side. It was good because of the bread, otherwise it was average. I got the burger, because people say it's the best. It was a burger, nothing too special about it. I did ask for it to be medium, it was a little over cooked. They also cut it and plated it cut, which definitely dries the burger out and is an odd way to serve a burger. The fries were good. Unfortunately the service wasn't great because I had to wait 15 ish minutes for hot sauce. My partner got the fried chicken, it was definitely a shareable dish, not a solo endeavor. It had at least 5 pieces of chicken. He said it was good not great. He got Mac and cheese too and said it was good. The drinks are strong, and overall good. This place, like I said above, is extremely average. read more

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Review by: Avila.Eats on TikTok, insta, and YouTube Service: our waiter was incredible friendly and talkative. Anthony made for a pleasant experience and was so kind. Ambiance/Atmosphere: a beautiful decorated old tavern look. The bar was stacked with all kinds of wine and alcoholic beverages. Inside was spacious and comfortable with an open kitchen concept. Food: 1. French dip is tender with a beautiful seasoning and flavor. The aju is nice a meaty with a salty peppery tone. The horse radish sauce is cream and balanced. The baguette is really good and crispy while remaining soft enough to soak the AJU. I'd recommend. 2. Mac n cheese is gooey with a nice subtle cheesy flavor. The bacon adds a nice chew and the chive are a nice fresh ingredient. I'd highly recommend. 3. Brussels sprouts are crunchy and soft. The cherry reduction is delicious adding a sweet tone. I'd highly recommend. 4. Burger has a really nice sesame bun with black and white sesames. The burger is juicy and well seasoned. The sauce pairing add a creamy richness. The pickles are fresh. I'd recommend read more

The burger was very good with the right amount of greasiness to it but just doesn't live up to Izakaya in the Chicago burger rankings to me. I also love pickle but it had a surprisingly strong amount of pickle. The fries were actually a lot better than I expected them to be and I could have eaten another order, very good. Service was incredibly fast and I love the atmosphere. read more

Gretel - Gretel Griddle Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had an incredible lunch at Gretel during our stay in Chicago! We've heard amazing things about their burger, so we shared one along with an order of their Mac and cheese which was also delicious. Service was helpful and friendly, and food was fantastic and fresh. Solid beer and whiskey list too. Definitely understand the hype! read more

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It was a Saturday evening around 7:00 pm the place was packed with a 45 min to an hour wait for food. The Gretel Burger was mouth watering delicious. It came with two patties, cheese, garlic aïoli sauce and pickles - 10 out of 10 with a perfect temperature cook! The fried chicken sandwich was OK but nothing to scream about. What was disappointing was the fried chicken to me? It looked like it had been cooked too long and they hadn't changed the grease and it lacked flavor. The butter chicken soup had chucks of chicken and was spicy and full of flavor! I would rate it 10 out of 10! The bar was popping, lots of different types of mixed drinks to choose from and on tap a wide variety of beers. Service was outstanding. Despite the fact that they were crowded, our wait staff was absolutely amazing. They took care of our every need. Also the vibes from everyone eating there was amazing! This was my second time eating at Gretel and I would highly recommend that you come on a day when it's not so crowded so you can experience the food. I think they do a better job at preparing and cooking the food when they're not so crowded. read more

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We came on a Friday evening for dinner and there was a 45-60 min wait. This place does not take reservations. We waiting downstairs in the lounge and enjoyed a drink. The Hang 11 cocktail was delicious. We were seated fairly quickly. Maybe only waited about 20 minutes in the end. The sticky ribs were delicious and fell off the bone, the gyoza was good too, and the ribeye was also a hit. The mac and cheese and mashed potatoes were great as well. Great music, low lighting, great for a night out with friends or a date. read more

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The hostess definitely made it easy to walk away. She was on the phone when we were waiting to get a table. Had a horrible attitude. She is a skinny mixed lady with glasses. if you see her in the front, turn around and go somewhere else. She saw us waiting to get approached and she decided to be on Instagram instead of helping us. We've been at this location before and had great service. Except she definitely made us reconsider and go to small cheval instead. Definitely reconsider giving her training on how to be more welcoming. read more

The gretel burger is as good as everyone says it is. The service was pretty terrible. The ambiance was cool. We got the bone marrow (decent, flavorful, bread was cold), hot dog (portillos is better), oyster Rockefeller (also cold with barely any oysters, more spinach than anything), French onion soup (Cheesecake Factory is better), and beef tartar with rock hard toast that could chip a tooth (Bavettes is better) There was no hostess, so I went to the bar to ask for a table and the bartender seemed annoyed she had to do someone else's job? I get it. Table service was actually horrible. Server seemed pissed the entire time. I understand bad days and someone being upset at be beginning of service because something might have happened previous to us, but the entire time is wild. She said she was busy, which I also understand but there were 4 other tables? So I don't know, I notice people get anxious and moody by the smallest things and I think she was one of those people. I was with family and meeting my sisters new boyfriend so this was seriously a downer. My sister and her boyfriend said they were really uncomfortable and taken back by it. We considered leaving, but we stayed for the burgers. Had to ask for dessert, wasn't offered. Decided against it. The ambiance was lovely, very dark and moody, candlelight, dark wood, cottage-like, cozy seating. I would want to go on a date here if I was sure the service wouldn't be horrible. It's kind of surprising. I feel like you can make a lot of money working here because the items are priced accordingly, but the attitude doesn't seem to match? You can easily rack up a tab that is over $100 for two people and make $20 on that but it seemed like she didn't want to make money? Lol ok I just don't want to recommend this place to anyone. Maybe burger at the bar read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Such a hip and cool spot. Love the decor, the vibe is very chill and cool. Great customer service, place is small. The bar is nice, but limited seating but worth the wait. Food was so good, very modern and not simple or basic. A lot of flavor & lots going on. I definitely loved everything! Would totally come back. read more

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Oh my goodness! I am raving about Gretel! I had large party of 6 people. From the minute I walked in, the customer service exceeded my expectations. Every staff I encountered was kind, attentive and friendly. Thankfully our wait time wasn't long. On to the food. The menu at Gretel feels like a page from a dream. There is something on it for everyone. The star of the show for me was between the Sticky Ribs, which fell right off the bone, and the Oyster Rockefeller. The oysters were busting at the seams with flavor. I had the Gretel Griddle Burger as my entree and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed every bite. The fries were a little salty, but still very good. The interior is beautiful. Each choice made with the design from the pictures, to the lighting and the art on the wall told an accurate story about Gretel. What's the story? That Gretel is the place to be! I can't wait to go back. read more

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I'm sad about this review because I had pretty high hopes for this restaurant during my trip. There was also no sign outside (at least I didn't see one), so I couldn't find it for like 5 mins haha. Shoutout to whoever posted a pic of the doors. Unfortunately, while the food was good, it was just ok. I ordered the popular burger and fries. I also ordered a side of brussels sprouts which were pretty tasty. However, they were drenched in a sweet sauce which kind of overpowered the dish. I also came before it got hype, so I can't speak to the vibes as it was pretty chill while I was there. Not sure if I'd come back though, I do want to try the pretzel, but I'm glad I got to visit! read more

Loveeee Gretel. The vibe is so cutie great for a gno or a date night. The burger was to die for and so was the dirty martini. Everything about this place was great. This is a top spot in Logan for me read more