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

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

Went on a Thursday and apparently it's the 3rd busiest night at Gretel! My friend and I waited for around 15 minutes and were promptly seated. She tried the Gretel burger and I tried the vegan pastrami sandwich and a cider. The handhelds were both delicious and both came with a good amount of fries. The vegan sandwich was good and the bread toasted perfectly. Our server was friendly and good at answering my questions - service lagged a bit at times but it was most likely due to how busy the evening was. I enjoyed my time at Gretel and would like to try some of the other things on the menu some other time! read more

Gretel - Pastrami Carrot Sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came back again and nachos were also great! Definitely reccomend. Everything else was good as well. read more

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The food was amazing. Walked in really late on a Saturday night and was seated almost immediately service was fast and pleasant. The burger was really good cooked perfectly as I asked, and the aïoli garlic was amazing just the right amount of pickles and onions and good old American cheese. The fries were addictive. We just kept eating and we couldn't stop. It was the perfect type of cut and I would say the star of the night was definitely the butter chicken and the paratha that it came with on the side. The butter chicken was amazing so creamy the perfect amount of spice. I was just so surprised on the variety of different dishes that they have available at this restaurant and still not needing to take a step back just outstanding. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Burger lived up to the hype! Wine list could use some work, but food was great! I had the fried chicken sandwich, had a little kick which was expected per menu description, but is was super delish! Ordered a side salad instead of fries...came drenched in dressing. Will remember to order it on the side next time. My husband had the burger and he said it was perfectly cooked (ordered medium). We were sat downstairs, which is super cute and looked like an Anthropologie showroom. Service was pleasant and efficient - not blown away, but he did his job well. read more

Gretel - Crispy chicken sandwich, drenched side salad. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cocktails were fabulous and really enjoyed the menu and atmosphere. Definitely would go back .

A great spot with a kitchen closing at 12:30am, at least on the Friday night we went. And they served proper food, not just the usual bar food and it was still pretty busy when we arrived 1 hour before closing. We even had to wait 20mins to be seated but it was worth it. I loved the inside, how it was lighted and I loved the small waiting tables in between the bar and dining seats, for those who want to grab a drink and wait to be seated. I had the cod plate and my husband had the chicken sandwich and they were both delicious! The only negative, and nothing with the food, was that there was no sign on the outside saying it was Gretel. I could be wrong since it was dark but we walked past it twice looking for it and when we entered we weren't sure if we were in the right spot. We just saw people which signaled they were still open and stayed. read more

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Was really disappointed with the meal and the service last night. Maybe it was my fault for ordering their prime rib. But they ruined it by overcooking it. Prime Rib shouldn't be in a menu if you can't cook it perfectly. I made a poor assumption. It was over cooked and dry and over salted. And it came with some sort of soufle side dish which wasn't cooked and I hat to send back. I also ordered their brussel sprouts. They were in way too salty for my taste. I'm a person that loves salt, so for me to say that is a big deal. They also told us we could sit in the basement if we wanted but it was sort of under construction. We said ok, it was empty, but they said it would take 20 minutes or so and they took our number to call us when it was ready. So we walked around and never got a call. I popped back in to ask if it was ready and the woman just grabbed some menus and said sure. Really bizzare. Don't sit downstairs. The seats against the wall are very uncomfortable. Not sure I'll go back anytime soon. read more

The sky was dark, the air was cold, and my family was hungry after driving a few hours to visit me in Chicago over the holidays. After hearing whispers of Gretel's excellence amongst my peers, I decided it was the perfect time to share an intimate, culinary experience with those whom I love. Gretel provided us with an upscale and unique twist on traditional American cuisine. Our experience consisted of plenty of smiles, laughs , and a well needed sense of satiation. As an Eastern European food connoisseur new to the Chicago area, I have carefully constructed a rating system that reflects my personal thoughts, feelings, and experience. Food: 9/10 Six of us attended this dinner so we were able were able to test a good portion of this menu. I'm glad we had a large party because we were able to share a variety of dishes, and it was clear that each dish was well thought out by the folks at Gretel. Ramen - The broth was savory and smooth. The additives were what you would expect of ramen, but all the ingredients came together in harmony. Just a few sips soothed the small amount of nasal congestion that I was experiencing. Wedge and Chopped Salad - both were great, but what I would expect from each salad. These salads both came with A TON of dressing which is great for most people, but my family typically goes much lighter on the dressing. The wedge salad had a great blue cheese dressing, and it was easy to remove the excess off each wedge, making it our favorite salad. The Chopped salad also came with an excessive amount of dressing which was much harder to set aside based on the structure of the salad. Both were great, but it was probably the least favorite thing we ordered. Burger (medium rare) - This entrée is up there with one of the best burgers in Chicago and can easily be shared upon request. I usually like my burgers done medium, but the recommended medium rare worked perfect in the flavor profile. The burger was rich and savory, but not something that would make you feel like you had to lay down and take a nap afterward. The burger came with a side of fries which tasted great but were missing the crisp that I usually enjoy. I would highly recommend ordering this. French Dip - My parents ordered this to share, but I unfortunately was not offered a bite. In their words it was "The best French dip we have ever had". Mac and Cheese - We ordered this side for the table to share. It looked stunning, yet small. The dish was an absolute delicacy and probably the best mac and cheese I have ever had. You only need a bite or two of this rich dish to feel completely satisfied. Drinks 10/10 While the food was incredible, they have a beer selection that is top-notch compared to other Chicago area restaurants. The draft selection left a little smile on my face as I went down the list. I was happy to see their local selections and some pretty elite, out of state breweries such as Surly (out of Minnesota) which have perfected their craft in the beer industry. They seemed that they had many great cocktails and an extensive offering of wines as well. Atmosphere: 9/10 The upstairs was a high end and classy bar aesthetic, but we dined down in the basement. The basement had cool brick walls with dim lighting. The dim lighting was complimented by some rather unique lamps that they had on display. The basement had a very comforting and modern speakeasy vibe to it. Likelihood of Return 10/10 The food was amazing and will bring us back here again. The beer selection they offer is amazing and not something commonly found in the Chicago area. They do an amazing job, and I think this will become a new date spot for my fiancé and I. read more

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I don't know, maybe I'm just a hater, but I've given Gretel a shot twice now and left disappointed both times. It was mainly about the service. Disclaimer that both times we sat at the bar. So this has nothing to do with servers at the tables. It just felt cold and not at the level I would expect for the prices and reputation. For example, we ordered the smoked trout caesar salad once at the recommendation of a friend, and didn't love it. It was very, very fishy. Like not just the smoked trout itself, the dressing also tasted way heavier on the anchovies or something than we're used to. And we love caesars! We didn't say anything about it because it's literally in the name that it may be fishy. The issue was that it was so obvious we only took one bite that the bartender commented on it when he was clearing our plates. "Too fishy?" We confirmed. And then he took the full plate of food away that he himself had just agreed with wasn't great, and returned with our bill that still charged us $20 for a salad. I mean, it's fine. But it's just an example of the kind of service you get there. We were barely checked on, even when drinks were empty. Even when making eye contact. Even when we were obviously done eating for several minutes and the bartenders were staring at our plates.Even after asking for a check and watching conversations happen leisurely behind the bar while we sat there. I know sitting at the bar is a different style of service, but it ventured more into inattentive than spacious. The space is cool. The food is fine. It just doesn't make up for feeling like a burden when I'm paying $100+ for lunch for two. read more

Gretel - Chicago, IL: The Gretel Griddle Burger Just Took the Crown for Best Burger in the City I've eaten a lot of "best burgers" in Chicago. Last night Gretel quietly ended the debate and walked away with the trophy. The Gretel Griddle Burger is a masterpiece disguised as a smash burger. Two thin, never-frozen Prime patties are smashed hard on a ripping-hot griddle until the edges turn into lacy, salty, beefy lace. American cheese melts into pure lava, house-made bread-and-butter pickles give the perfect sweet crunch, caramelized onions that taste like they've been crying in butter for hours, and a swipe of their secret "Gretel sauce" that's basically crack in condiment form. All of this is stuffed into a perfectly squishy, butter-toasted brioche bun that somehow holds together until the very last bite. First bite? Instant silence at the table. Second bite? Someone actually whispered "holy s**t." The beef flavor is insane, rich, minerally, with that deep crust you chase your whole life. It's messy in the most glorious way; juice runs down your wrists and you don't even care. Fries on the side are crispy, skin-on perfection, and the vanilla soft-serve swirl dipped in olive oil and sea salt for dessert is the kind of genius that should win awards. The cozy Logan Square room feels like a modern German beer hall had a baby with a Brooklyn cocktail bar: warm wood, neon signs, and a soundtrack that makes you want to stay forever. Service is lightning-fast and genuinely happy you're there. Gretel didn't just make a great burger; they made THE burger I'll be comparing every other burger to from now on. Run, don't walk. Order the Gretel Griddle Burger, prepare to have your mind blown, and then immediately start planning your return trip. Five stars is an insult. This is destination eating. Welcome to the new king of Chicago burgers. read more

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

My favorite burger spot in the city. The everything seasoning bun is truly unique and bring it all together. The burger is filling and super tasty. We tried the Mac and cheese and French onion soup which was divine. The food was 11/10. The interior is super cool and gothic, with a speakeasy twist. Drinks were amazing as well. And to top it all off, service was really good. Will definitely be returning. read more

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Very cool and intimate setting, with chill vibes that have exceptional cuisine the back it up. Their unique craft burgers are easily top 5 in the city and cocktails are out of this world. Very down to earth and fun bartenders and servers. Classic Logan Square locale, and I can't wait to return to explore more of the menu. read more

Since I've moved to Chicago some 3 years ago, I have been on a Cheeseburger Mission and have polished off some really fantastic "Burgers"! Yeah, I have my favs and out of the 25 or so Burger Joints I've eaten at (here in Chicago) I've only had 2 or 3 "Bummers". I thing that's a pretty good record. With only a joints left to visit, I was in the neighborhood of Gretel. I put Gretel in my GPS and started my drive over to their spot. I drove by their location 3 or 4 times and couldn't find them? So, I parked my car and started walking; may I add, in 5° weather and I froze my asthma off. Well with no marque and no sign and no address on their building, I ended up walking into four establishments and the forth was Gretel! So after walking all of this time, my cheeseburger fetish flew the coop and I ended up having French Onion soup and hot tea; and I never order hot tea???? First and foremost, Gretel's bar was the single biggest bar I've ever seen. I will not exaggerate the number of bottles of spirits they had on their shelves, but it was puishing 1,000 (see pix). As for their onion soup, it really hit the spot on this frozen Ex-L.A. boy who never ventured out in this king of weather. It was a tad too salty for me, but it did warm the cockles of my soul. Now that I know where Gretel is, I am definitely coming back for their famous cheeseburger, sans salt. read more

Gretel - This soup really warmed me up - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is not a steakhouse but meat eaters should be very happy here. My date had the steak frites and a very rich french onion soup. The heap of fries was highly seasoned so I had a vegetable instead with my sandwich. The people sitting at a table near us ordered what looked like a tomahawk steak. Stupendous drink list. Service was attentive. Ambiance is cozy. read more

I love Gretel. I feel like it's one of the best restaurants in Chicago. However, I was unaware of how delicious the smoked trout. Caesar salad is. I am obsessed. It is one of the best things I put in my mouth in Chicago (lol). It is even better that the drinks are always artfully crafted and the service is always friendly and quick. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Rounding out our burger crawl, Gretel had a TWO HOUR WAIT, so we ran around to our order spots as we waited for our place in line. We arrived and immediately went downstairs and the environment presented a spark easy feel, the only thing missing was a Jazz singer in the corner, but anyway, I digress.... Unless you require an intimate setting, we both agreed the first floor is best for a night out. So, let's jump to the food and drink experience. We ordered the burger fully dress dressed, (we confirmed Gretel and Little Wolf are owned by the same people, but they have something different in their version of the burger) along with cocktails - the Hang is a FANTASTIC hibiscus cocktail that I'd highly recommend - and the burger is complimented by one side which we did fries. Fries are exactly the same as Like Wolf, but THAT BURGER was noticeably different. It. Was. BANGING!!!!!!!!! Talking about flavorful! We were asked how we'd like our patties cooked and went with medium, and it was perfectly done. The bun was sesame seeded adding a touch of flavor, and the cheeses seemed different. We both agreed, this burger was better than little wolf, but honestly it was slight. I'd travel in either direction for both experiences as they are worth it. You want to get in right away, do Little Wolf, but if you don't mind the wait, then GRETEL IT is! read more

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So we came here per reports that the burger was good. I wasn't feeling a burger and decided to try the butter chicken. We also had brussel sprouts and the fried shrimp. The menu also included ramen? Rather random assortment of items but something for everyone which is cool in theory. Made me nervous to see if they could do a good job making such different items. The good - burger was solid: It was a classic burger, juicy, flavorful, with good pickles. Cooked nicely. Fried shrimp were large, golden brown, but a little bland. The best brussel sprouts I've had in literal years - if you like them crispy outside and tender inside these hit the spot. The not so good - butter chicken should either be removed from the menu or have "chicken" removed from description. It had only a few tiny pea sized cubes of chicken floating inside. While the waiter warned it wasn't entree sized I didn't think it to mean it barely had any chicken and was just a cream soup. I guess I was supposed to soak up an entire bowl of it with the flatbread it came with? I don't know if this was an error or just how the dish is supposed to be but I didn't enjoy it because I felt tricked into ordering a soup. That food hiccup aside service and ambiance were good. Decor looked dark yet inviting and the staff were all very nice. Cocktails were good. read more

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We specifically came here to try the pretzel! This was a great pretzel- well seasoned, crispy, and a generous amount of cheese! Overall would highly recommend their pretzel! They have a nice patio and vibey indoor area. Service was fast as well! read more

Gretel - Pretzel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place has loads of plants in the windows and a wall of booze. Good for a small group or date for sure. Enjoyed the little gem salad and lobster roll with old bay chips. The Hellion cocktail was super pretty and tasty. Enjoyed the friendly and attentive service. My table mates raved about the tartare and said it was fantastic. The bread certainly was. read more

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Went with a group of friends for my first visit to Gretel. We all ended up sharing everything so we could try different dishes. Definitely recommend this route. My faves were the beef tartare, pretzel, and the brussel sprouts were amazing too! Our waiter was polite and not overbearing. Checked on us occasionally. Will absolutely be back! read more

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We chose Gretel to celebrate our anniversary last month. The food and ambiance are worth the five-star review because all around, there was hardly anything that we felt was a let down. It's a bar but it's a swanky one at that serving food where you can have a nice dinner with family or friends for celebrations. The bar wall is impressive with hundreds of spirits on display. We made a reservation a few weeks in advance and were seated in the basement lounge of the restaurant. The entire space, whether you are on the main floor or downstairs, is chic and private. Our server was awesome and the food was spot on. Every dish ordered was solid and our absolute favorites were the: *Gretel burger *The king-sized prime rib with horseradish, au jus with Yorkshire pudding *Wagyu beef tartare *Mac and Cheese We also ordered the blistered shishito peppers as an appetizer versus a side however it would've been better had they halved the current portion size because there was plenty left over afterwards. In fact, we found the pepper portion size was too much. The cocktails are amazing. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Service was superb and our server was prompt, timing everything just right. Parking is metered and street side only. We were able to find a spot about a block and a half away. read more

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Super good food. They were open really late last night and I got a chance to sit down at around 11pm Thankful for the staff to let us sit, had a last minute date! read more

The burger is so good!! It's a double stack burger that's packed with flavor and comes with a side of perfectly salted fries. I was paying attention to what other people were getting throughout the night and basically everyone in the house was getting the burger. Highly rec! Got a side of Elote Riblets which was nice - good flavor and a good addition to keeping the meal finger-food friendly. The interior is beautiful, dimly lit, and has a very impressive liquor wall where the staff has a sliding ladder to access all the liquor. Service was fast and friendly! Would recommend getting here before the dinner rush, as they don't take reservations. I got here at 5pm and the entire downstairs was empty, but by the time we left around 6:45pm or so, both the upstairs and downstairs were packed. read more

Gretel - Elote Riblets - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food was so good, I forgot to take a picture before I started eating.... From the moment we walked in to leaving the restaurant, we were in awe of the decoration style and the calm yet busy atmosphere. We walked in on a Thursday night and it was the best decision we made. The food was amazing and burger was perfectly seasoned and the drinks were beautifully mixed. I'd come by back here for photo ops, an amazing burger or just unwind after a long day. It's the perfect place to go for a date, or a night out by yourself. Also major bonus, I'm assuming pets are allowed because I was blessed by the company of an adorable golden doodle named Bruce. It's pet friendly, drinks are great, and the servers were on it. The only thing to note is you should make a reservation, it was busy when we went and it was just a random day during the week too. Also a side note to my side note, on instagram this restaurant was placed at no. 17 for having the best burgers in Chicago. Personally I think the rating could be higher but that's just me. read more

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

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I think the food is overpriced and the service and attitude is horrible. I had a to-go order and they forgot part of it. When I called to ask for a refund or replacement they basically blew me off, no apologies for their mistake. It was the worst service I've ever experienced. If you don't want to give hospitality then just find a new job. This is the second time I've gotten extremely bad service and attitude read more

Went for dinner with friends as a party of four. Seated w/o waiting at a table that just opened up. Hostess and Server were great. The bar wall looks so cool when the bar tender gets bottles from the top shelf. Ambiance made this young 40 year feel as if we were the oldest people in the room but older couples walked in. Food...the French onion soup is beyond awesome! Ordered steak that melted in my mouth. So good. I thought the sauce or gravy that it came on the side was so-so but I would order it again. My friends ordered a burger and lobster rolls. They loved it all and no one had left overs. As the group DD they all loved the drinks too. read more

Gretel - Steak - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious food! Burger is amazing! Ambiance is great and everyone is super nice! Love coming here

I am a gastropub connoisseur so when planning my Chi trip Gretel stood out big time. Dimly lit, bustling, elevated grub, and a solid cocktail program. I rolled in solo about 7:30 on a Friday, and the place was absolutely jumping. I snagged a standing spot as I grabbed an old fashioned and waited about 30 minutes for a bar seat to open up. I rolled with the french dip and some macaroni. Wow, absolutely blown away. The macaroni was top notch. Charred cheese overflows the mini skillet it is served in. Chopped onions and bacon add a bit of crunch in every bite. The cheese is rich, velvety, and savory. Superb. The french dip is in elite class also. The prime rib melts in your mouth. The baguette is so soft and absorbs the au jus with ease. This is a no frills french dip. Simple and elegant. Prime rib, bread, and horseradish spread. No cheese, no onions, no mushrooms. It doesn't need anything extra, she is perfect the way she is. The fries are shoe strings... my favorites. They were not as crispy as I'd like but still a real solid fry. They were served with a spicy and tangy sauce that was immaculate. If I wasn't in public I would have licked the ramekin clean. It's simple: go to Gretel, and if the wait is 2 hours? Wait. Well worth it! read more

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I come to Gretel pretty often, but my last visit was so underwhelming and sad. Our waitress seemed like she didn't want to be there, so it felt like us being there was annoying her. We had the nachos, which we had before, and wow this was bad. It was basically a dish of beans with nachos on the side. We thought we could just scoop the beans but it got to be too much. We had the steak frites, also mid. Honestly shocking because last time we had that there it was delicious! Not sure if we went on a bad day but I hope this changes. read more

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The vibe is dark and moody, much like the wait staff behind the bar. We sat down for an early dinner, linner as my girl likes to call it. We had the French Onion soup which was delicious, a little heavy, but the flies did hit. We also ordered a Chopped Salad which again hit the spot. The portion was sizable which we appreciated since my girl and I split most meals. Overall the food was good, the service was far from what we expected from a neighborhood spot. read more

My quest for Chicago's best burger has brought me to Gretel. This place very much fits the Logan/Avondale aesthetic with a dark mysterious interior with limited (or no) exterior signage. We ordered to go because the whether had already provided enough darkness for my liking. I will definitely return to grab a drink though because the liquor selection was impressive. The hostess that greeted me was nice and let me know that my food was almost ready. Here's what we ordered in no particular order: - salad - burger - fries - lobster roll The burger was legit and definitely cracks my top 10 list at this point. It was reminiscent of the burger at Longman and Eagle. The star of the night those was the lobster roll! Holy hell was it delicious! People need to be talking about it more. Unfortunately the fries and sauce were a let down and the salad was a salad. Nothing special. Overall pretty solid experience. read more

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

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Gretel has incredibly great food and the vibe is cool. Great music, awesome staff and delicious food. The rib appetizer and the Elote riblets had so much flavor. We both had the burger and it was great. The fries were on the skinny side and they were a little overdone but the dipping sauce made up for it. The lobster roll was on fire! It was so delicious and unique. I also ordered a Fried Chicken Sandwich for take home. It was so big and flavorful. Their menu was insane! They have everything I crave for. Can't wait to go back for special occasions. Gretel deserves the highest rating! We will definitely be back. read more

Delicious burger- definitely lives up to the hype. Went on a Wednesday at 8pm and had no trouble getting a seat for 3 people. The cocktail I had- Hang 11- was good. read more

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

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The food was excellent! Went there for lunch having heard some great reviews on it and how good the burger was. It definitely did not disappoint. The Gretel burger was juicy but not messy. The menu is small but well diversified that you don't feel like you're missing out or don't have options. Ambiance is relaxed with easy listening alternative music which fits the space perfectly. It's not stuffy but also not dicey so it's a great chill space. Service was top notch and easy going and attentive. read more

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

Ok wow this is one of my new favorite spots! Great food, drinks, vibes. The burger was AMAZING and really surprised me! So good, cheesy, melts in your mouth. They don't do reservations which worked out for us - we were able to get in without a wait ~6pm on a Saturday. read more

Gretel - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great food and service. Open late which is a treat. Highly recommend the Mac and cheese! read more

This is a good place! I wish it was in my neighborhood so I could stop in often! Steak Tartare, marrow bones, old-fashioneds, mashed potatoes - how can you go wrong? My wife enjoyed the fried chicken and corn cob chunks. Execution is creditable if not stellar. We sat at the bar. Service was good; the hostess was nice. The wall of beverages was duly impressive. read more

Gretel is my husband and I go to place. I love the atmosphere the food and the customer service. This place tends to get pretty packed especially during dinner time. My husband and I usually go once it opens up. We have tried mostly everything on the menu. Their Gretel burger is amazing! It's like a small Che al burger on steroids! The oysters are amazing and their steak tartare! Those three are my favorite plates there! read more