Joy Yee Plus

122

483

749

9 years ago

We only went in for bubble waffles but are definitely planning to come back for tea, more waffles, And maybe shabu shabu. Waffle is freshly made which is why it took 20 minutes to order and get served. They have a good system going but they could speed up the waffle making a little bit. The waffle was delicious. Not too sweet. Hubby's only complaint was there was either too much waffle or they need to use a bigger bowl. I'd have to agree that the ice cream to waffle ratio was a little off, especially for $9. The ice cream is delicious and the guy working the front was generous with the samples. I am definitely coming back for something with black sesame. We went with lychee so good and damn. It was delicious. Lychee ice cream layered with blue berries and strawberries. Next time though I'd consider adding mochi and condensed milk to enhance the taste AND the texture. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Lychee so good. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Bubble waffle being made fresh - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Bubble waffle menu - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Bubble waffle menu if you don't want a sundae like creation. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Ice cream flavors. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Gloria L.

413

7 years ago

I love their bubble tea! The bubbles are always so chewy and flavorful, not hard like some others The cups are an interesting shape since they're so wide, but I don't mind They have so many options that it can be overwhelming, but you can't go wrong with taro milk tea! Also, their food portions are absolutely huge and definitely great for family style I recommend going there with a group of friends and ordering a couple of dishes to share and finish off with bubble tea! read more

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Ata A.

204

433

8 years ago

My family loves visiting Joy Yee plus for their taro root, lychee ice cream with waffles. They have good bubble teas as well and numerous other options which vary in their awesomeness. They are a bit pricey if you add their sides though. We will definitely be back for more! read more

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Guillermo D.

3 years ago

Sadly it taste like they change the mango ice cream and its not as good as before very disappointed read more

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Makenzey N.

209

6 years ago

I absolutely love Joy Yee Plus! This is my go to place for bubble tea. I've tried a lot of flavors, but honestly you cannot go wrong with anything you pick. It's nice because they have pictures for every item on the menu with a description. I also order popping boba with my tea because that comes separately and it's not as good without it. I've also had their bubble waffles. If you have not tried one, you HAVE TO! It's a special type of waffle that serves as a cone for ice cream! I had the rainbow road - it was loaded with m&ms, hershey syrup, marshmallows, etc. You get the picture. You get great tea and dessert here, and it'll make for a great instagram post, too! read more

Joy Yee Plus - bubble tea - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - rainbow road bubble waffle - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Don L.

154

7 years ago

Omg! This place is sooooo good! I mean, I tried one thing. But it was incredible. My friend and I got the same thing so I don't have anything to compare the purple mountain to. But I've always loved taro bubble tea, I was certain this would be my favorite UPDATE: i went back for a second trip and they changed my ice cream since then. Still really good. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Purple Mountain - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sarah S.

Elite 26 All-Star

4971

4328

36606

16 years ago

I went here with a couple friends last night after dinner. We each got a small green tea frozen yogurt which was actually pretty big! It's real yogurt...not the ice cream kind...but it's soft serve and so tasty! It was palette cleansing and exactly the cool, sweet treat we needed after dinner. For $3 you can sit inside by the super cool Koi walkway & in the modern decor or outside if the weather's nice. They had many different flavors, as well as shaved ice. I will def be going back to try more flavors...but green tea will always be first to me. Service was actually quite good for Chinatown, too! :D read more

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Julia R.

102

3 years ago

It's such a cute place. There is plenty of natural light and lots of seating. I went in because it was 14 degrees today, i'm so happy I did, lol. I ordered a Thai tea but saved until I got home. Even though most of the ice melted, the flavor was top notch, and boba was soft. I got pork fried rice and so much of it! Like I've been eating it all day and enjoying what I didn't finish at the restaurant. Only negative was so much onion, but it's good for you. The service was not what I usually see. There are several servers standing watching the tables. When you're ready, you can signal them if they haven't come by. I found it made getting help/assistance really easy. read more

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Sarah H.

120

233

5 years ago

Pretty nice dessert shop in Chinatown! There is no real seating inside, so be prepared to eat outdoors. We got a banana and chocolate soft serve dessert that was pretty good, but nothing special. I would recommend going to the many other dessert shops around Chinatown instead! read more

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Hiep T.

Elite 19

863

227

291

8 years ago

I would only come here for the drinks, not so much for the hot pot. Don't get me wrong, the hotpot is decent, however, too expensive for my taste. I would rather pay 20-25 bucks and get AYCE hot pot down the street. I really like their drink selections at this location, ranging from fruity tea to milk tea. My all time favorite has to be the Four Seasons (totally worth the extra calories). In addition, the drinks come in those fancy bottles, totally IG worth. Asides from the hot pot and boba, they also have those fancy ball waffle, which was pretty delicious. Another Boba Shop added to my list: Total: 32 read more

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Nancy V.

135

5 years ago

Probably the BEST egg waffle I have had. It's crispy and the flavors is on point. You can get different topics on it, but I think the plain egg waffle is the best. My favorite drink is their peach oolong tea. I like how it comes with real fresh fruits and a cute container. During covid, they don't have dine in options. BUT they have 3 cute individual clear tents outside where you can go inside to sit and eat. They even have a mini heater inside too. read more

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Jen H.

399

2578

215

8 years ago

2.5/5 stars We came here for their drinks, and the quality of the boba was just OK... Their taro slush was made with powder...blah. Couldn't even finish the drink. Their jasmin milk green was okay, but the boba was not that good. Pricey since they come in these fancy plastic cups. read more

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Angela A.

3 years ago

I have had their sweet treats 3 times and have enjoyed them each time. The only issue I have is the establishment is supposed to validate parking, which is listed on the area's parking lot list. When asked if they could stamp my ticket, the cashier stated that I need to have purchased $35 of food. There was no sign in the establishment that stated such information, nor was there any small print on the parking requirements for validation. They need to honor the parking or put a sign stating their requirements. This is not fair to customers to falsify. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Joy Yee Plus is supposed to validate parking but states you have to spend $35. That is not what the sign states. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kiril A.

3 years ago

A great spot for sugar cravings. Came here for boba, however they also have a huge menu with ice cream and bubble waffles/cones, as well as savory dishes. I had the Dragonfruit yogurt smoothie and my gf had the taro lovers milk tea, both with regular boba. Both drinks tasted amazing and I will definitely be returning to try more! All the drinks come in cool rectangular bottles and they're totally reusable. read more

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Alice M.

Elite 22

586

8 years ago

We came here for the aesthetic bottles mainly. Its fairly pricey for pretty drinks but it's a fun experience. We ordered the fruit smoothies but all the teas looked like a beautiful experience. The smoothies are identical to the joy yees a few shops north - if you don't care for aesthetics, go to the main store. You'll get more smoothie in quantity and more options. The anime wall is a great spot for anime lovers to geek out. I don't know any of the characters but my boyfriend spent a good 15 minutes naming all of them and fangirling. Kudos to whoever put that together read more

Joy Yee Plus - Directly outside Joy Yees plus holding the aesthetic bottles. I wish the caps had straw holes so we didn't have to carry the cap - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Anime wall inside - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Julie Ann I.

Elite 23

232

269

1181

8 years ago

I have an obsession with bubble waffles (since my first visit to Hong Kong) & green tea ice cream! So when I saw matcha bubble waffle sundae, I was sold. It did not disappoint, the matcha tasted like matcha not masked with sugar. Now it is priced higher but you do get a big portion to share. The toppings were topped with red bean, mochi, and pocky sticks. Next time I will try another flavor. read more

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Cat T.

419

362

2323

8 years ago

Came here for a treat after lunch and was greeted with the yummy scent of bubble waffles being made. There was a small line going out the door so I knew it had to be good. They had a wide variety of milk teas and bubble waffles, but I just got ice cream. I got 2 scoops of ice cream, durian and lychee, for around $6 and it was huge! Shared it with 2 other people. The flavors were sooo delicious, not artificial at all. The durian was fragrant and authentic and the lychee was refreshing with little bits of the fruit. I ended up coming back the next day for another scoop of the durian ice cream, it was that good! I got a lemon macaroon with my ice cream for an extra $1.10 and it was good, but that lemon packed a punch! Sweet at first, but the tart flavor hits you hard. Would love to come back and try the bubble waffles! read more

Joy Yee Plus - Two Lovers Milk Tea (Coffee) - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Durian Ice Cream - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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David C.

893

703

6480

8 years ago

Joy Yee Plus is like the ultimate dessert/tapioca place sister to Joy Yee Noodle. They are both walking distance from one another, but they both specialize in desserts or food respectively. Walking into Joy Yee Plus, you can already tell this place is very aesthetic. Everything looks "Instagram Foodie" worthy. We decided to try their Matcha Doing special milk tea. The drink comes in these cool souvenir type plastic pitchers you get to keep. The matcha doing was specifically a matcha green milk tea with red bean, grass jelly, and tapioca. The drink itself is very refreshing, but I thought the green tea flavor itself could have been stronger. I also didn't like how the picture of the drink looks like it includes tapioca, but it ended up being a little extra to add tapioca. Overall Joy Yee Plus is a great tapioca stop in Chicago's Chinatown. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Joy Yee Plus Menu - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - All the different topping choices - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Matcha doing milk tea - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Erin M.

Elite 24

192

142

209

5 years ago

We came here for the teas and ice cream with bubble waffle cone and it didn't disappoint! The cookies n cream bubble waffle dish was delicious. Their items are so fun! read more

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Mikki O.

4 years ago

So glad I finally made it to Joy Yee Plus. Had to wait for winter to avoid the long line of tourists. Absolutely love the reusable plastic bottles used for the beverages. Can't wait to return and have the bubble waffle. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Milk Tea - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Linda A.

5 years ago

We love this place it's amazing they have very smooth mango ice cream one of the best feels like your eating a real Mango. The boba tea drinks are good also little strong but good read more

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Windy H.

241

528

15 years ago

Shabu shabu was yummy and cheap. The rolls were okay. The green tea yogurt was the one thing that I Iove from this place. The atmosphere was romantic (they put a fish pond underneath the table). Overall, I will recommend this restaurant and will go back for its green tea yogurt. read more

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MaryLou L.

Elite 19

327

503

7 years ago

This review is only for the Bubble waffle with mango ice cream. I unfortunately wasn't blown away by this dessert. The waffle was not hot and prepared as ordered. It was dry and it seemed as if it was pre made and just put on a heat lamp. It is expensive as well but I guess you are paying for the novelty of the dish. I would next time just stick to the ice cream or soft serve options. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Mango bubble waffle - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kim T.

615

4415

7 years ago

Variety of foods from hot pot to drinks and desserts. Services was okay for most part. We order hot pot for our party of 10 people and drinks. It was all bland. The soup was flavorless and seafoods wasn't fresh. The sauce is on the counter and you pick and choose as well as mix garlic pepper onions as you choice. Without the mixture of the sauce in the side, I think the hot pot will be tasteless! The popcorn chicken was too soggy oily. The drinks was either too sweet or too watery down. We came there around 7PM and by 8 PM it get very busy. The only things I like about this place is it had option for foods, drinks and desserts. Overall, there are too many choice on this Chinatown area so I wouldn't be coming back here. read more

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Christine T.

2 years ago

Its my favoust restaurant good and a beautiful service. I'm coming here for 10 years love the people they so nice I'm never see anything from them only good service I love them they always busy food is fresh. Everything is good. the best food I'm Chinatown please come and visit Chicago Chinatown read more

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Xiaoying Y.

2 years ago

I have been going here for shabu shabu for years now and I love the fresh food there and the fresh pepper they provided for spicy dipping sauce. The servers are always familiar faces, and they are very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend. read more

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Emilie B.

2 years ago

Food is good. Service is horrible. Workers are racist and rude to customers. Wouldn't recommend unless you fit their preferred race

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Mae-Mae B.

8 years ago

Came here to satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner! I ordered the sparing butterfly pea flower tea in the Rainbow Cloud flavor, which consists of guava and orange. I had no idea what I was ordering but I was pleasantly surprised! The tea had a lot of flavor but was not overly sweet. And it looked beautiful! Love the bottles that all the drinks come in. There's a warning on the menu that the drink is not suitable for pregnant women and I'm unsure why. Service was fairly fast, but the store is pretty tight and small. It would be uncomfortable to sit down to have a meal and have other customers standing right against your table. Would return again to try other teas and the bubble waffle desserts! read more

Joy Yee Plus - Rainbow Clouds - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Marlene V.

5 years ago

Anyone traveling or just loves to try new flavors.I highly recommend this places not only because they have variety options but because is just the most refreshing drink on a hot day! read more

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Janae J.

335

1837

8 years ago

I just loved this cute little bubble tea/ bubble waffle shop. We ended up parking closer to Joy Yee (non-plus) first So had ordered food before realizing the mistake. But luckily Joy Yee plus (with bubble waffles and shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot) was just a minute or two away! It's a lot smaller than the other restaurant but I instantly fell in love just looking at the colorful menu. I loved all of the bright fun colors they use in in their teas and how you can get it to go in a cute canister! We tried the bubble waffle with mango. It also had two pocky sticks and macaroni and fresh mango!! I shared it with my brother but in hindsight should have gotten my own. Then I ordered a Thai tea with vanilla ice cream and coffee jelly. We had a show to get to but I would love to explore Chinatown more! I can't wait til the next visit to try another wonderful creation!! read more

Joy Yee Plus - menu! - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Epic bubble waffle - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Colette B.

5 years ago

Delicious boba and bubble waffle! Me and my boyfriend always try to come here over all the other bubble tea places in the area. It's our number one choice every time. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Matcha and mango bubble waffle sundaes - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lian Maeko G.

5 years ago

Joy Yee Plus is always a go to for me and my friends. There's so many different flavors of milk teas and fruit teas in their menu. They serve desserts like soft serves, ice cream, and bubble waffles as well. Though I am a huge fan of their milk tea, I do think their tapioca is a bit tough and it's plain (not coated in brown sugar syrup like other boba places). The amount you milk tea you get really is worth it for the price though! And you get a reusable bottle too!! read more

Joy Yee Plus - Inside - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Kiosk - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - House Milk Tea - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sahara T.

121

7 years ago

I didn't know this place existed until I walked past it one day. A Joy Yee...Plus? What even does that mean? I had to go inside. For starters, the drinks are huge. They come in this really cute bottle you can wash out and keep when you're done with your drink. I've had two drinks from them: the Butterfly Pea Tea, which was super fizzy and delicious on a hot summer day, and the Sweet Rose, which had vanilla ice cream, strawberry jelly, and rose oolong milk tea. I love rose tea, so this was honestly the best thing that entered my lips in drink form. I've been craving it ever since. They also have very photogenic bubble waffles! You can get them with ice cream or plain, but I decided to get the Rainbow Road, which had vanilla ice cream, fruity pebbles, pocky, mango, and marshmallow! It was a sugar lovers dream! It is also a lot of stuff, which is worth the money in the end. My friend also really liked her matcha bubble waffle and it looked so good, I might have to get it myself next time! They also have shabu shabu here, so you should save room for dessert! A hidden, small spot, but sometimes the hidden places are true gems. This can be say about Joy Yee Plus. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Left:Butterfly Pea Tea Right: Secret Paradise - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Joy Yee Plus - Left: House Matcha Right: Rainbow Road - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Karen C.

5 years ago

Coming from Vegas it's a cute spot to check out. Tried the Coconut Pineapple Fruit Smoothie and the Taro Lover House Milk Tea. Very yummy! read more

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Serge H.

4 years ago

Delicious hot pot and really tasty desserts and drinks! Loved the ice cream with bubble waffle.

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Stephanie Y.

Elite 24

211

301

8 years ago

We came on a Friday night, and it was moderately busy. They have a large selection of bubble tea, so choose carefully. Service was fast and the checkout lady was nice. We usually go to the other one that's 200 ft away, but decided to try this one instead. The Tea Baby (caramel, pudding, boba, and premium milk tea) was pretty good, not too sweet. #5 of the House Tea (Lychee +Peach) had two whole lychees, but was inconvenient because you couldn't suck them up with the straw. The straws were also awkwardly short so you couldn't really use it properly to get all the boba at the bottom. The tapioca was not cooked and the center was hard, opposed to being squishy. Would probably not come back because it is very pricey and quality is not that great compared to other places. read more

Joy Yee Plus - Tea Baby (left) and House Tea #5 (lychee and peach) - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Page 4 of 14

2159 S China Pl
Chicago, IL 60616
Chinatown
Directions
(312) 842-8928
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.joyyee.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Joy Yee Plus open?

Joy Yee Plus opens at 11:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Joy Yee Plus close?

Joy Yee Plus closes at 9:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Joy Yee Plus closes at 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 AM - 9:30 PMFri-Sat 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Joy Yee Plus take credit cards?

Yes, Joy Yee Plus takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Joy Yee Plus have catering options?

No, Joy Yee Plus does not have catering options.

Does Joy Yee Plus serve alcohol?

No, Joy Yee Plus does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Joy Yee Plus allow dogs?

No, Joy Yee Plus does not allow dogs.

Does Joy Yee Plus have TVs?

No, Joy Yee Plus does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Joy Yee Plus have bike parking?

Yes, Joy Yee Plus has bike parking.

Does Joy Yee Plus have parking?

Yes, Joy Yee Plus has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Joy Yee Plus have free WiFi?

No, Joy Yee Plus does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We were the first in the midwest to offer Taiwanese style bubble teas. Going a step further, Joy Yee's was the first to combine the South Asian fresh fruit freezes(smoothies) with the popular tapioca balls. Joy Yee's Noodles combines different dishes and styles from across Asia into one expansive menu and one cheery little dining room. The end product is pleasing, with a variety of tastes, large portions and, most importantly, low prices. Joy Yee's offers an extensive list of appetizers including list of broths, noodles, meats and other fillers from which they can concoct soups suited to their tastes. This diverse Asian cuisine flows into the main courses as well, and the menu of entrees is vast. Diners can choose between dozens of dishes, ranging from the most traditional Asian favorites to innovative new twists on classic recipes. We pride ourselves on offering new and exciting dishes!

History

Established in 1994.

Joy Yee's Noodles opened in Evanston in 1994 and our second location in Chinatown Square in 1996.

More Info

Health Score

Ask the Community - Joy Yee Plus

Does Joy Yee or Joy Yee Plus use dairy in their fruit smoothies? I'm lactose intolerant, but I know some boba places (vivi bubble tea) use a dairy free creamer for their teas.

Hello! I’m pretty sure some of the drinks use coconut milk and juices vs dairy and thought the smoothies used a non-dairy product but I’d just ask to make sure once you’re there :)

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Are there any vegan options at Joy Yee?

Yes. There are several vegetable, noodle and tofu options. The iced drinks come as fruit smoothies without milk.

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Three Dots and A Dash

I made reservations at Three Dots and a Dash to kick off my sister's bachelorette party. She loves…read moretiki bars, so it was only appropriate to gather and welcome everyone. OpenTable only allowed up to 8 people per reservation at a time. We were a party of 13, so I had to split the reservations into two. I made a request for the tables to be close together, but I understood that there was no guarantee the tables could be together. Our reservations were at 9pm, and the place was packed. Three Dots and a Dash did us a solid and managed to reserve an entire alcove for us! I was so appreciative. Loved the vibe at Three Dots and a Dash. It felt much classier, like a mid-century modern tiki lounge. The music was fun too. Instantly recognized a retro Italian song by Pino D'Anglo, which just added to the ambiance. The drinks were great. We ordered a couple of rounds of the shotstapus, and I got the rum barrel for good measure. The drinks were sweet but tasty. Too easy to knock back.

I came across Three Dots and a Dash by following a treasure map I discovered inside a bottle that…read morewashed ashore after my ship sank somewhere near the Great Lakes. The map led me down a discreet alley in Chicago, through a hidden entrance, and into what appeared to be a pirate's tropical fever dream. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want to visit the exclusive Bamboo Room, the intimate rum bar tucked inside the main bar. It focuses on rare rums and carefully crafted drinks, so book ahead if you want the full treasure. The main bar is heavily themed, with excellent tiki décor, dark corners, island music, skulls, colorful lighting, and the sort of atmosphere that makes you wonder whether you've entered a cocktail lounge or been captured by a particularly stylish pirate crew. The tiki theme is taken seriously, and the vibes are absolutely perfect. We sat at the bar and only ordered drinks, although food is available. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, delicious, and presented in a way that practically begs to be photographed. The bartenders were knowledgeable, entertaining, and a great deal of fun. Three Dots is also known for its extensive rum program, featuring more than 300 rums and rhum agricoles. We visited during the Christmas season and spent about two hours enjoying the holiday-themed drinks. They were festive, creative, and strong enough to make me briefly believe my shipwreck had been part of an elaborate Christmas pageant. Thankfully, the regular menu was available as well, so there was plenty of treasure to explore. Do not miss the gift shop. They have excellent merchandise, including limited-edition tiki mugs and apparel. We purchased a tiki mug, a shirt, and a beanie, which I now proudly wear while scavenging the island and searching for the rest of the treasure marked on my map. Three Dots and a Dash is one of the most memorable tiki bars I've visited. The drinks are excellent, the atmosphere is immersive, the staff are wonderful, and the entire experience feels like discovering a secret tropical kingdom beneath the streets of Chicago. Just be careful when leaving. The treasure map may lead you back to the bar--and after a few drinks, you may decide that's exactly where you belong.

These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries

Interior Entrance

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Tiki gift shop.

Sunda New Asian - River North

This is my second time attending the restaurant, I love how polite the hosts are, specially the…read moregentleman names Roberto. He helped us with such great attitude to be able to get a table in such a packed timeframe. The servers are amazing at explaining everything with such patience and suggesting great dishes. The food is out of this world, I love how its perfectly mixed. Not too much flavor to overwhelm ones tastebuds, but just enough to make you want to order seconds. Overall I'd recommend coming to this restaurant if you are looking for a nice date night or dinner with your loved ones.

Such a beautiful evening with good food, great atmosphere, and even better company. Renee is a…read morewizard in the kitchen. Some highlights we will definitely be returning for: Brussels sprout salad, chap chae, and the ridikulous dessert. Also such an accommodating place, went with my mother who has a severe shellfish allergy and the whole staff with immediately informed and cognizant throughout the meal. She is also a vegetarian and their options were STACKED as well as equally delicious.

Signature Crispy Rice Wagyu

Inside

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Oxtail Pot Stickers

Serai

I've been going to Serai for years, which makes this review especially disappointing to write. I'm…read morenot sure if there has been a change in management or the kitchen, but this was by far the worst experience I've ever had here. The food was completely underwhelming, and when we shared our concerns with the staff, nothing was done to address them. The service was equally disappointing. Our server spent much of the time sitting on her phone while we waited for basic service like water refills, being asked about drinks, and receiving the drinks we ordered. We repeatedly had to get up and find someone just to receive attention. As for the food, the gyoza was bland and tasted like unseasoned pork. The lemongrass beef stew curry, which was highly recommended, arrived cold, had an odd texture, and lacked any real flavor. Most shocking of all were the drunken noodles. I've ordered them countless times over the years and always considered them among the best in Chicago. This time, I couldn't get past a single bite. Every dish was left unfinished. We didn't finish a single plate and didn't take any leftovers home--something that never happens for us. Between the poor service and incredibly disappointing food, this was an awful dining experience from start to finish. Unfortunately, after being a longtime customer, I won't be returning.

First time here and it was completely dead. The service was amazing! The food was delicious and…read moreflavorful. Before we left the guy working asked if I liked the food and that's what sets this place apart from other fast food places. Definitely coming back

Nasi lemak with nyonya curry chicken

Rojak merah

Serai interior

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MCCB Chicago 时尚食谱

5/5 for the food. There wasn't a dish that was not cheap delicious and well made. Well....there was…read moreone but only bc I don't like raw onions. Avoid the crab rangoons if u don't like raw white onions either lol. But their dandan noodles were a highlight. Their food was spicy too I loved that! There will be a wait just FYI and they don't really take reservations but it's worth the wait. Also....their food is family style. So order multiple dishes w multiple ppl bc u will be taking it home!! Humongous portions and cheap too.

I had been wanting to try MCCB for a while, but I also went in with tempered expectations. In my…read moreexperience, Michelin-recognized restaurants can sometimes be a little overhyped, so I expected to be somewhat let down. Thankfully, that wasn't the case--I enjoyed the meal overall, even if it wasn't a "wow, this is the best meal ever" experience. The biggest surprise for me was the dried chili chicken. I almost didn't order it because so many reviews said it was overly salty and spicy. We asked for less salt, and they were happy to accommodate. I actually thought the spice level was very manageable, and it ended up being one of my favorite dishes. The orange chicken was another pleasant surprise. I expected it to be a basic, Americanized option, but it was delicious and ended up being one of my favorites of the meal. My friends really enjoyed the dan dan noodles, which seem to be one of their signature dishes. Personally, I thought they were good but not particularly memorable compared to everything else. The mango shrimp was tasty as well, but it wasn't something I'd consider a must-order on a return visit. Service was great. The waiter was friendly, accommodated our request for less salt, and we were seated immediately. We arrived about 10 minutes before opening on a weekday to line up, and that seemed to work well. overall a great experience!

Eggplant with Spicy Garlic Sauce

Inside

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Szechaun style stir fried duck

NoodleBird

I went here in March- it is now July and I think about this place at least 3 times a week…read more Genuinely some of the best food I have ever had- need to go back to Chicago just for this place.

Expensive considering the portions but yummy food! Got the dinner for 2 and minced beef noodles…read more The best part were the dumplings. I could taste that they were handmade and very flavorful. Second was the charcoal half chicken. The coconut rice was had a light coconut flavor which was good bc it didnt alter the taste of the chicken. I'd skip on the salad and minced beef noodles next time. The noodles were a lil too thick n chewy for me. Salad was nothings special, just eating large chunks of cabbage. The Sparrow Mallorc was also really good and refreshing, not overly sweet. The egg tarts had a creamy delicious custard and the dough was fluffy like a croissant, not crisp like pie. I prefer crisp but would still recommend. I also got the chai carrot cake which is really good. The chai spice compliments the sweetness well and walnut chunks add nice texture . I want to try all their desserts at Bird Bird Bakery bc the flavors are so unique and actually really good, unlike other bakeries that try to use interesting flavors but make it overly sweet. The staff were chill and kind. Pretty laid back, you have to get your own utensils and water. I do love that they have their own hot sauces. The brown one with tamarind was my favorite. Nice decos, not overly showy or fancy. Still family friendly n chill. The bench had nice comfy cushions.

Maple Sichuan Breakfast Sandwich

Front counter

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Half Charcoal Chicken

Duck Duck Goat

Duck Duck Goat lived up to all the hype and everything I have ever heard about it. One of the best,…read moreflavorful meals I have had in a long time. I was able to get a last minute reservation for me and my friends, and we were even able to sit inside. The teapot "group" drink was hard to pour, but that was truly my only complaint of the night. The potstickers melted in your mouth and the scallion pancakes were so unique. We could not get enough! The dan dan noodles were our other favorite. The inside is so cute, intimate, and dark, yet lively and fun at the same time. The perfect restaurant for any occasion!

I really wanted to love Duck Duck Goat as it was recommended by a friend. The atmosphere was great…read moreand the drinks were good. A few dishes, like the Duck Fried Rice, Pork Belly, and Beef Noodle Soup, were actually pretty solid. But the rest of the night was just so frustrating that I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. The Jiaozi were the first big letdown. The menu said they were beef short rib and bone marrow, but they didn't taste like that at all. The filling was just super mushy and the flavor was just weird. The manager and the food runner were nice when we mentioned it, but our actual server was a disaster. When we tried the Goat Noodles, all we could taste was cumin. It was so overwhelming that it covered up everything else. We couldn't even tell if there was actually any goat shoulder in there. When we told our waiter, she couldn't care less. She got totally defensive, wouldn't even listen to us, and just said, "Oh, I told you when you ordered that the dish is cumin forward" and walked away. It got worse when the bill came. She was holding on to the payment machine so hard and almost yanked it right out of my friend's hand. She was staring at it to see what we were tipping. It was so awkward and incredibly rude. No thank you, no nothing. She just grabbed it and left. The place has potential, but they really need to fix the food and retrain the staff. A cool vibe doesn't make up for bad food and awful service.

Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

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Duck Duck Goat To Go - Order via Caviar or Tock.

Mott St

With a creative menu and rave reviews, Mott St. had been on my bookmarked list since it opened! I…read morewas finally able to visit recently and it was all I hoped it would be. The interior was pretty sleek and it was packed around 6:30pm on a weeknight. It's definitely the kind of place to go when you want to have a dinner out that feels like an occasion without getting dressed up. Most of the dishes were served family style, so I recommend going with a group if you can! We tried the chef's special menu for 4 people, which had about 8 courses at a great price. To drink, I started with the white lotus, which did not come to play! It was very strong and barely sweet- maybe a bit much for me, but if that's your vibe, you'll like it. Appetizers included the Thai papaya salad and imperial rolls. The first was solid and the rolls were extra hot and crispy. I enjoyed the perilla leaves that they were wrapped in. Next came the garlic rice with whole roasted cloves of garlic, sauteed mushrooms, everything wings, and chili cauliflower. The rice was super fluffy and garlicky, but the miso butter mushrooms are not to be missed! We definitely drank a little bit of the sauce. The wings could have been a little crispier, but I really liked the sweet and spicy Korean style sauce. The crispy chili cauliflower was sweet and actually tasted a bit like orange chicken- we demolished it and this may have been my favorite dish of the whole night! Finally, we had the mentaiko kimchi udon, steak kalbi, and ordered one of their burgers on the side because why not. We agreed that the bonito flakes on the udon covered up the kimchi flavor a bit and wished it was stronger, but I liked the creaminess of the sauce. The steak kalbi had a great flavor and sauce, but I do think it could've been more tender. The burger was as good as it looked and indeed one of the best I've had in Chicago. I loved the balance between sweet and savory, and all of the flavors were balanced very well. We ended the meal with the seasonal dessert, which was sticky rice with strawberries and fermented rice. I thought it made for a refreshing end, but we agreed that it would've been even better served cold rather than hot. Overall, this was a very fun and great experience with delicious food! I would absolutely return and recommend paying a visit.

I loved Mott St!!!! We went before a show at Salt Shed & it was perfect that we could walk on over…read moreto the venue right after our dinner. My favorite thing we got was the garlic rice & crispy cauliflower. The tofu was good but not amazing. Our service was good and the patio was very fun to sit on even on a super hot day. Can't wait to go back here!!!!

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Bigsuda

4.3

(70 reviews)

4.1 mi

We walked in late on a Saturday afternoon and seated right away. The vibe is super cute. I really…read morelike the decor in there. We got the soup dumplings, the fried eggplant, and the shrimp fried rice to share because we were having dinner in a couple hours so we didn't want to fill up and it was the perfect amount of food and actually super tasty. Highly recommend!

Came here with a friend for dinner. I loved the atmosphere. It was dark and moody and would be a…read moregreat place for a date night. I found the food to be more family style where you get a few things and share them. The items dont really come as a main with a side but the portions are big so sharing and getting plenty of what you like is not an issue. My friend and I started with a bottle of Soju. It was a little smaller than expected. For the price I thought it would be one of the bigger Soju bottles but it was still fine to share. We got the pork and kurobuta soup dumplings and they were very good. The broth was warm and flavorful without being burn your mouth hot. We then shared the elote mandoo, jeera pork ribs and rosemary guobaorou. Both of our favorites ended up being the rosemary guobaorou. The sauce was amazing and the pork was frieded lightly with a crispy batter. Everything else was good as well. The ribs were really meaty and fell of the bone. The elote mandoo was the only thing I didnt love. You only got 3 small pieces and I thought it tasted more like cheese than corn. Like a Mac and cheese dumplings. The service was good. They did come by a lot to see if we wanted to order more things which became a little excessive at the end. We could have had 2 less drop by. Definitely a great spot to check out for dinner in the Wicker Park area.

W O K - F I R E D S T E A K S A L T E A D O

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Guabao rou

Del Seoul

Love this place for years. I'd highly recommend their fish tacos/beef tacos. So so good! They come…read morewith a refreshing crunch on top with like vegetables. Their fries comes with a seasoned garlic aioli, I love me some garlic aioli, but their fries don't really need it. They're perfectly seasoned with a gorgeous crunchy exterior to if. Service is fast, their ambiance is dark inside, seating is tight. Paid parking on the street. 5/5 would recommend their dishes to anyone who's looking for a quick bite, something refreshing but not overwhelming .

This is a casual counter-service spot where you order first, grab a seat, and they bring the food…read moreto your table. The vibes were laid back and perfect for a quick meal. 7/10. Service was great. They explained where everything was. 8/10. The tacos were good, but nothing really stood out. 7/10. They were a little too heavy on the slaw and mayo for my taste. The Sesame-Chili Shrimp Taco was my favorite. The shrimp stayed crispy and had the best flavor. The Sambal Fish Taco was a little soggy, while the Kalbi, BBQ Pork, and BBQ Chicken were all on the drier side. I honestly still prefer traditional Mexican tacos over these. The K-Town Chicken Wings (7.5/10) were my favorite item. They weren't breaded, but the sweet soy, chili, and garlic glaze was delicious. The skin had a nice firm bite, which I really liked.

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Gaijin

Gaijin may be a small restaurant, but it makes a big impression the second you walk in. The dining…read moreroom isn't huge, but it has this lively energy that makes it feel exciting instead of crowded. I even was able to watch the chefs cooking just a few feet away. I could hear the sizzling from the grill, smell the food cooking, and by that point I was more than ready to eat. Our server was really nice and gave us a bunch of recommendations. Everything sounded good, but I ended up going with the Pork Belly Yakisoba. This dish was packed with flavor. The noodles had that smoky, slightly charred taste, and they were coated in just enough sauce to make every bite rich. The sauce brought a nice balance of savory, a little sweetness, and plenty of umami that soaked into the noodles. The pork belly was easily the best part. It was incredibly tender and juicy, with just enough fat that it practically melted in your mouth. Every piece had those caramelized edges that added even more flavor. Then you get the crunch from the cabbage and bean sprouts, the freshness from the scallions, and the little nutty flavor from the sesame that tied everything together. Hahaha I'd definitely come back. This is one of those dishes that sticked with me long after I left.

There are few places in general across the US that serve up okonomiyaki, so I was thrilled to find…read morethis spot near my office. Ultimately, the food was just ok. I got the pork okonomiyaki lunch set and added a fried egg to it. I like that the table has a built in grill to keep it warm (I'm a slow eater, so this is extra beneficial for me). The bacon was quite salty, compounded by the okonomi sauce. Hoping the kombu vegetables would offset this, I mixed them into each bite to no avail. The pandan coconut mochi donut holes I chose were probably the highlight. They were crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and there was ample sauce for dipping. I think some people would find the service top notch here--constantly checking in on me and keeping water refilled. I guess that came with a cost: 3% service charge automatically applied, and the server proactively brought over a digital payment system, so the 18% tip I selected calculated off the total leading to what was essentially a tip of 23%.

Pandan-Coconut Donut

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Old fashioned

Quartino Ristorante

Awesome! We were in town from Kansas City and this restaurant was recommended to us. It was just…read morearound the corner from our hotel so we fortunately we were able to get a reservation and have an incredible dinner.

Great service. Amazing food. It does come out at different…read moretimes. You can also order half plates to share! The gnocchi was amazing. The lasagna was a showstopper.

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

Bathroom

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Coppa alla banana

The Purple Pig

My new favorite restaurant! the food is DELICIOUS and the staff was incredible. I don't give…read morereviews much but just loved it here so I had to :)

This place had a line that went out of the door during the multiple times I've crossed the…read moreMagnificent Mile bridge in Chicago. Made last minute reservations for brunch next day after the infamous architecture tour. It was quiet as we've put in an early morning. All the more better to savor all intricate dishes from start to finish. Like the name, The Purple Pig, their specialty is pork dishes so majority of our orders were this. Daily special of the bone marrow bacon jam toast - glazed, slippery off the bone, savory and sweet. Always love a good bone marrow dish to get the sweetness off it. This was so good that there were bits of the marrow and jam left stuck to the bone, I took a piece of the toast and scooped the bone dry. Nothing left for anyone to attack this. Non pork dishes were the Mushroom 3 ways and Spanish octopus. Mushroom dish was savory with all the coated sauces elevating this. Spanish octopus was kicked lightly and easily can bite in to enjoy the tender and charred portions. But the award went to my main course - the braised pork shoulder with saffron, apricots and Swiss chard. Aside from the rippable pork meat when dining on it, the sauces fused together on this dish elevated it and had everyone coming back for more. I needed an official Chicago culinary experience and found it at The Purple Pig without a doubt.

Inside

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Green Street Smoked Meats

This place was so good that I came back the very next evening for dinner again…read more On my first visit, I ordered the pulled pork with mac and cheese, cornbread, and sweet tea. Every single part of the meal was outstanding. The pulled pork was delicious on its own, but I also loved the sweet barbecue sauce. The cornbread was, without exaggeration, the best I've ever had!! It was moist, flavorful, and served with absolutely incredible butter. The mac and cheese was rich, creamy, and one of the best I've ever had as well. Even the sweet tea was perfect: actually sweet without being overpowering or having that bitter, earthy aftertaste that some sweet teas have. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I came back the next night and tried the brisket. It was sooooo good too. It was tender, smoky, juicy, and packed with flavor. At that point I knew the first meal wasn't a fluke. It's not inexpensive, but the portions are generous, and I felt the quality more than justified the price. I was there by myself because I'm traveling for work and actually enjoyed the communal tables. They made the atmosphere feel welcoming and a little less lonely than sitting by myself. The staff was excellent, too. The gentleman with the glasses at the meat counter was friendly, funny, and made the experience even more enjoyable. He even threw in a complimentary rib, which was such a nice surprise and a great example of the hospitality here. One thing to know before you go: the line can get long, but don't let that scare you away, it moves efficiently, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. Green Street Smoked Meats lived up to every bit of the hype. Between two visits, I tried the pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, cornbread, sweet tea, and a rib, and every single thing was excellent. This will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in Chicago.

3.5/5 stars. It's definitely a little pricey and didn't quite live up to the Texas BBQ I've had. It…read morecomes with two slices of bread and pickled onions on the side. Got 1/2 lb brisket, 1/2 lb pork ribs, 1/2 lb pulled pork, broccoli salad, elote style corn, and baked beans for $87 + tip. The Prime Sliced Brisket (7/10) was super tender and practically fell apart, but I wished the bark had a harder crust and a bit more flavor. The Pork Ribs (6.5/10) were somewhere between tender and chewy, so I'd probably skip them. The Pulled Pork (6.5/10) was slightly sweet but tasted pretty standard. All of the meats could've used a little more seasoning, and I wish they came out hotter. The spicy BBQ sauce and golden sauce were both delicious though. The Elote Style Corn (8/10) was my favorite side. Super creamy with plenty of parmesan. The Broccoli Salad (7/10) had great crunch from the pumpkin seeds and sweetness from the raisins, though I wish the seeds were toasted. The Baked Beans (6.5/10) had pork belly and onions mixed in, but otherwise tasted like a solid, classic baked bean. The vibes felt like a true Texas BBQ joint. You line up, order at the counter, watch them slice the meat in front of you, then grab a table cafeteria-style. The industrial space and dim lighting fit the atmosphere well. 7/10. Service was great. The guy slicing the meat asked how my day was, and staff were constantly walking around clearing tables. 8/10.