We had a reservation, they did not check it off their list and later when we got home there was an email saying we did not show up! Plus it was a birthday celebration and no recognition from them. Even after it was mentioned in the reservation request. It was good ambiance. We spent three hours at the restaurant and were very relaxed. Service was a bit spotty, not dead on. We were handled by two different servers, and it seemed as if one started with us and the second finished us off. I had the steak au pouve. It was a bit difficult to cut. The sauce was also a bit off. So close, but some sweetness was noticed. It is not an inexpensive restaurant. We would go back to Le Buchon. read more

My absolute favorite French restaurant, outside of France. Escargot, Foie gras , steak frites. Met my husband here 16years ago, it's been a hot spot for me ever since. Thank you for sharing Traditional French Dishes in Chicagoland for so many years now. read more

This was our third visit to Le Bouchon. In short, we love this restaurant for several reasons. Bouchon is really like bistros we've been to in Paris. It's small, a little old, small kitchen, and fun. It's unlike typical sterile restaurants, many suburban, that have no traditional class or warmth. Our apps and entrees were great. Onion soup, beet salad, escargot , mussels, trout in pastry, and French dip. All superb and served with friendly professionalism and on time. Tasty desserts of apple tart, crème brûlée, and raspberry cake were fab the cake being our least favorite. We evaluated the value of our lunch and rated it very high given the quality of the food. Go there and enjoy. We will again and again. read more

Ok, I finally tried it and Ioved it! My bf and I each had the French onion soup (best I've ever had), escargot (so buttery), and the mussels (entree sized)! Everything was delicious. The place does have a very French vibe though it's kinda small/cramped. read more

Le Bouchon - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This intimate French restaurant served us the best meal yet. We shared some Onion soup and calamari salad for appetizers. Trout in a pastry shell and Steak Frites for the entrees The trout delicately flavored-the steak on fries boldly flavored in a peppercorn sauce. We finished our meal with apple tart and coffee. Exceptional food! read more

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I finally made my way here for dinner and loved it! The French Onion Soup is really one of the best in the city and the steak frites manion style was tasty! Loved the take on the prep. The space is cozy and you feel like you're in someone's home, service makes you feel like that too! Love it and can't wait to go back read more

I really enjoyed my experience here. The restaurant is very small and cozy we were really close to the tables around us. We got escargot, buttermilk fried squab, steak and fries, and trout wrapped in puff pastry. The trout was really good I believe it was salmon and the puff pastry and roe with the sauce had so many levels of flavor and texture. The squab was also really good crispy and the sauce went really well with the dish. We were really full by the end of the meals and had a great experience. I could tell they were really busy and the server was all over the place but the food was amazing. read more

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Somehow everything we ate was the best we've ever had. My sister and I are on a quest to eat mussels at every restaurant in Chicago that serves them. We've had about 10 different versions and this was by far the best. The onion soup was beautiful and thick with bread, cheese and onion, but the broth itself wasn't so rich it was overwhelming, and was not to salt it. The steak Frites were perfect. And the crème brûlée was just amazing. They do a brisk lunch business on a Tuesday. Seating is tight and very French feeling. They were full the whole time so make sure you get reservations! read more

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Great experience sitting at the bar. French Onion Soup and Salad Lyonnaise were amazing. Bartender was lovely. read more

Le Bouchon - Salad lyonnaise - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place has got a good reputation and is still always busy after 3 decades of service, clearly a very good place and enjoyed by many. The place is deafening though - had to check the dB's on my watch and it got into the 90's. I've lived and worked in France so have some knowledge - but I have to say the food was just ok. Not even a good baguette. If I went back we'd have the duck - that looked incredible! read more

If you're in Chicago make your way to Bucktown to enjoy the offerings of this quaint neighborhood bistro. It oozes Paris vibes. Make sure to make a res. I had one right when they opened and there was already a party of two enjoying breakfast. By the time I left, the place was packed and there were people without reservations consistently being turned away. Anytime there is escargot, I will order escargot. There was butter, there was parsley and there were snails. Fortunately they serve fresh steaming hot baguettes that I broke apart, dipped into the parsley butter and enjoyed with my snails. It made for a fantastic early lunch appetizer. For my main, there was no way I was going to be able to resist ordering the foie gras & pancakes. It was decadent and sweet. I was thoroughly satisfied. Next time I'm in town, I'm definitely coming back for dinner. read more

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I really enjoyed my meal here. Service was great. My water was always refilled. It is a tight squeeze so don't bring your large bags. Escargot was delicious. My French 75 cocktail was the right amount of lemon. The hamachi crudo was different with the poppy seeds and things on top. The toppings could be left out but otherwise nothing was wrong with it. It can get loud here. Steak and frites were excellent. The fries were salted perfectly. I think this was excellent value and I would go back. read more

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Heavy handed and trying too hard. Instead of allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves, this chef feels the need to drown them in cloying disguises. The onion soup is sour and vinegary, more closely resembling a Chinese menu selection than the classic French flavor profile. The octopus appetizer tastes fishy to the point where you almost welcome the slathering of creamy sauce that is seriously over-salted. Could not finish. Cloying. Brandade is among my favorite dishes. How could I resist their fish sandwich made with brandade? Well, as it turns out, I should have found a way. It is a small serving of fried and greasy brandade (made with bacalao that wasn't desalinated enough) completely drowned in pickles, "special sauce", American cheese (!!!), on a heavy bun. It was truly the worst pile of unnecessary ingredients that I have ever been served. The fries weren't bad. The lardon salad was very good. The staff could not be more attentive and charming. Come in for a visit. Don't order food. read more

The complimentary bread was ABSOLUTELY DIVINE. I LOVE bread and it was some of the best complimentary bread I've ever consumed (dare I say the best thing there!!) Out of everything we ordered, I would probably get the escargo and the octopus again. They were super yummy and really enjoyed the flavor. Service could be a bit better IMO. I feel like the speed of food coming out is a bit slow & the pacing was a bit off as well. Took a bit to get the server's attention for the check & bread refills. TLDR// chairs are uncomfy & pacing issue with food coming out. get the escargo and octopus read more

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$28 for Foie Gras Torchon. $28 for FOIE GRAS TORCHON. The math doesn't math. How on earth can you get Foie Gras ANYWHERE for this price and this ridiculously delicious? Le Bouchon pulls this off. I came in on a rainy Tuesday about an hour before the kitchen closed but was promptly seated. My server was quick to suggest a lovely elderflower sparkling water as my beverage. This was the lunch menu and all I wanted was to try their, yep you guessed it, Foie Gras Torchon. The brioche was toasted and thick sliced. The foie gras was accompanied by pistachios, hazelnuts and freeze-dried strawberry slices on one side and rhubarb slices on the other. I was so full off of this and maybe the toasty baguette I was served upon entering, I couldn't even entertain the idea of dessert. Next time. Very well done fine French cuisine. read more

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Food was amazing. Service was horrible. Very odd that our waiter wouldn't let us order an appetizer to start? We were told we had to order appetizer and entrees all at the same time and then they came immediately together. What's the point of an appetizer then? read more

Imagine my delight and surprise when my younger bro hit me up on Saturday, like "What are you and Laila doing later?" It was an invite to Le Bouchon. He has a demanding job and not much free time so I was all over it. The popular teen, of course, had plans so I asked if one of my gfs could join. He said sure. Yaay!!! Even though I was trained in classic French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago, imma be honest. I RARELY eat French food. I mean, I worked at Le Creuset for a couple of years and did a Bouef Bourgignon demo; and oh yeah, I made a Beef Wellington for a client during Christmas 2021, but other than that, I have not dined at a French restaurant since Paris 2014. This was gonna be special. As usual , I checked out the menu beforehand to whet my whistle and my memory's museum told me I visited this place in '99 or 2000. And as I my gf and I entered the crowded, snug, extremely lively Le Bouchon, I was certain I had been there before. Unfortunately, I don't have any concrete memories. We met my bro at the bar and had cocktails as we waited for our table. The vibe was everything. This place is everything you'd expect a French restaurant to be. A living, breathing reproduction of those paintings you find at Bed, Bath and Beyond of French restaurant scenes. The energy was electric and the bar served as the perfect perch to watch the kitchen doors burst open and view beautiful plates of food being delivered to eager customers. Just a whole Frenchy vibe. Once we were seated, we immediately ordered. My brother highly recommended the roasted chicken, which he and my gf ordered. I was intrigued by the ocean trout wrapped in puff pastry with English pea mousse, butter sauce and trout roe, so that's what I ordered. Let me just say this, I was blown away. As I relished every last bite, I wondered why I didn't cook or eat French food more often. It was absolutely amazing. And by the looks of my dining companions empty plates, they felt the same way. This place was just what the doctor ordered. It's a place for everyone. Families, couples and groups were crowded into this beautiful space on a Saturday night and everyone seemed to be having a lovely time. I highly recommend!! read more

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Believe absolutely everything you hear about this restaurant!! One of the best meals we've had in chicago to date! The portions are great and so is the cost. Our server Dennis was awesome as well. My favorite item we ordered was the oxtail. I can't even explain to you how good it was. The space is small which makes getting a reso hard. But 10s across the board! Will be back forsure! read more

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My absolute favorite French restaurant in Chicago. I'm compelled to included that we never order alcohol or drinks and the waitstaff has always been friendly and non-judgemental about it! The atmosphere is unbeatable, they have the most unique specials that change weekly, and the food is outstanding of course. Whenever there is rabbit on the menu I order it! The rabbit pot pie is a seasonal staple, brimming with meat and veggies - it's made to order so if you're getting it let them know as soon as you arrive! The steak and frites is unbeatable too, medium rare is a must. We ordered from Le Bouchon throughout 2020 for every holiday - the duck for thanksgiving, the foie gras and lobster pot pie for New Years - everything was so inventive and flavorful! Absolute gem and a legend in Chicago. read more

We had an excellent meal here about a week ago. Nice "tight" table for four. Our server was polite and efficient. My meal consisted of the Salad Lynoisse and the Rabbit Pot Pie. Both dishes were good but VERY salty, which overpowered the balanced flavors of each dish. read more

I've been wanting to go here for awhile and finally got the chance tonight for my wife's birthday. Decent service and an extensive French wine list. Escargo was exceptional. Mains were good. Steak frites good, half chicken- outstanding. read more

Le Bouchon - Post card with the check - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Bouchon is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I've been here many times for special occasions or just Friday nights dinners. If you are like me and you love French food, than this is the place to have a great meal. Good service and no matter if you get a table outdoors in their little yard or inside in the second dining area, you will feel like you are in a small French restaurant. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Wow. Blown away. I had the French onion soup of my dreams! If you come here and don't get the French onion soup, it would be a tragedy. It's perfect. My bf had the Petit Cassoulet and it was also to die for. I just ate the beans, but still. For dessert we had the apple tart with vanilla ice cream and a prickly pear/hibiscus sorbet. Quite possibly the best desserts I've ever had. I'm never gonna forget the sorbet. Last but not least, the service was lovely. Everyone was so sweet! Can't wait to come back. read more

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Great ambiance. The food truly blew our mind.  What we ordered: Escargots: a must! if you like garlic, this is a great appetizer for you Foie Gras: delicious! we paired it with the complimentary bread and it tasted delicious  Steak and Frites: the thin steak was cooked perfectly! fries were very crunchy - reminded us of the in-n-out fries Truite Des Fjords en Croute: the most unique item we ordered! I've never had something like this. It was trout wrapped in a puff pastry with a pea mousse sauce. So refreshing and light. No doubt I'm ordering this again Overall, we had an incredible meal here! We were very close to the tables nearby, but regardless the service was amazing! read more

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Came 10 mins before they opened on Saturday and got seated at the bar! I don't think they have tables saved for open seating so definitely make a reservation if you don't want a long wait or if you don't mind sitting at the bar. This is styled just like a Parisian bistro! And has a menu that is reflective of that. The bread & butter to start was delicious! And the French onion soup was to die for! But the Manion style was a bit too much for me. I'll definitely be ordering the Steak Frites with the sauce on just the steak next time! The flavors were amazing though! read more

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It seems to be very trending as I booked a reservation a month in advance and they didn't have the time slot desired! Very small and crowded, you will be elbowing with the table seating next to you. Staff is friendly but nothing above expectation. My friend loved the onion soup, the frog legs but didn't like the asparagus. My mom loved the salad. I think I might go again for a second chance as my friends did like it. read more

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À French Gem right here in Chicago. Travel to Paris for the price of a lunch. I hesitate to write this review. Much better to keep Le Bouchon a secret. The Paté en croute was fantastic. If you are interested in classic French Fare come here. Enjoy the wine, enjoy the atmosphere. Enjoy. Small place reservations are highly recommended. read more

I waited an hour for a spot at the bar and it was well worth it. I ordered the beet salad and the rabbit. The rabbit is like a pot pie, wonderful!The staff are incredibly busy and still give you great service. This is the perfect French bistro, the only thing missing was traditional French music.. Give it a try - you won't regret it. read more

Le Bouchon - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came from out of town. I've never really had French food before, but was pleasantly surprised. Ocean trout was the meal. Sat at the bar, service was awesome. Dennis was a great guide. Would come back read more

Le Bouchon - Inside - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Heather, our waitress, provided one of the best experiences of dining we've ever had. She was extremely attentive, gave wonderful recommendations & was a genuinely lovely human being. We ordered the escargot, tuna crudo, and the duck. Everything was insanely delicious. Dennis was another lovely waiter that gave extra care to us that night. We will never forget this experience and recommend Le Bouchon to everyone that wants a cozy & authentic French meal!!! Thank you. Love, Sarah and Zander read more

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Tonight was my second time at this restaurant and if you haven't been yet, I IMPLORE YOU TO GO. And order the trout in puff pastry. And the escargot. DO IT!!!!!! Ok I'll stop yelling. Everything here is excellent, from ambiance to service to of course, the food. My fam and I split the onion soup, escargot, and pate as appetizers and the trout in puff pastry and cassoulet as entrees. I do wish that the cassoulet had more duck in it - there was one small ish piece that made it tough to share, and the duck was why we ordered it - but at the end of the day it's a cassoulet and the point is to mix proteins and flavors. Dessert was the chocolate mousse. All fab. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Had an awesome lunch with my Mom at Le Bouchon. The food here is amazing! She had the mushroom consommé and pate. I had the traditional French onion soup and Lyonnaise salad, both were great. Service here is excellent and the restaurant has that old building charm that you find in Bucktown. We will definitely be back. read more

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Somehow it was the first time we went to Le Bouchon. It won't be the last. We started with an order of escargot and it was the best I've had stateside. It was almost perfect- only way it could have been better if it was served in-shell. I ordered a "royale with cheese" drink which was a gin martini with Roquefort olives. User error here... it wasn't dirty at all. That's on me. Then we ordered tartare which was delicious - came with quail egg and the flavor was delicious. The bread it came with was good on its own but much better with the tartare. The mussels were really good- exceptional flavor but my issue here was that the actual crustaceans were very small. Ironically the Le bouchon team opened up Mariscos San Pedro who had amazing mussels from both a flavor and crustacean standpoint. French onion soup was great. Enough said. Not a standout because it's hard to really stand out here. The poulet roti was delicious. Here's where the stars really shine. The things they did to that bird were unspeakable. Crispy skin. Juicy flesh. Unfathomable flavor with garlic and potatoes. read more

This is a quaint restaurant that reminded me of the various cafes found in Paris. With a friendly, cozy and undoubtedly Parisian reputation, Le Bouchon has been serving Chicago residents a taste of Paris since 1993. Le Bouchon, a quintessential French bistro is in the heart of Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. For our meal, we had four courses. Read on to see what we ordered and what we thought. First Course: Cheese Plate - We couldn't resist the opportunity of some really good French cheeses. Paired with their crusty French bread and accompaniments such as toasted marcona almonds, a nice portion of honeycomb, and slices of a fresh Granny Smith apple, the cheeses worked so nicely with everything. Second Course: Lyonnaise Salade - Oh my. I cannot even express how much I loved this salad. The salad was of lightly dressed bed of spring greens topped with a perfectly poached egg and a healthy smattering of crispy, porky lardons [which are bite sized pieces of think bacon without the smokiness]. Third Course: Steak Frites - If there's any dish my husband enjoys getting at French restaurants, it's Steak Frites. He's very much a meat and potatoes type of guy and this was exactly what he wanted. I had the same and both our steaks were cooked perfectly. Our plates had a mound of pomme frites, or thin and crispy french fries, which could have been a meal in of itself. To put it over the top, each of our steaks had a nice big dollop of a garlic and herb compound butter, which melted right on top of the steak and was great to sop of with french fries. Fourth Course: Chocolate Mousse & Creme Caramel - he had the Chocolate Mousse while i had the Creme Caramel. Both of us enjoyed our desserts immensely. The chocolate mousse was light, airy and had a rich chocolate flavor. My creme caramel was perfectly done. Smooth, creamy and with some perfect caramel notes, it certainly completed my meal and experience at Le Bouchon. read more

Spent our five year dating anniversary at Le Bouchon and it was spectacular in every way. If you miss the food you've had in France this place will make you feel like you're back. Cute ambiance, a restaurant trying to maximize their space, and just a little loud, but with the American restaurant hospitality. We started our night with some fresh bread and buttery garlicky escargot. Escargot was delicious and quickly came out. The bread was fresh and will just keep on coming out as long as you want it to (which you will). My husband ordered the steak frites manion style which he proclaims is the best steak frites he's ever had. I had the poulet roti which is now in my top three best Amish half chicken dishes. For dessert we ordered the corn crème brûlée which is the best crème brûlée of our lives. The corn gives it a unique flavor but the top of the dish comes with salt. If this is the first crème brûlée you ever try, all others will lack in taste because this is simply the best. At the end they brought out a second dessert for us for our anniversary which was so kind but also delicious. Highly highly recommend to visit but make a reservation in advanced it gets packed on a weekend immediately once it opens. read more

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Great service. Little upset by the no ketchup establishment noise but we ordered the Raclette Burger and the Filet O Fish they are known for. It was a tad bit too salty for my liking also I would have preferred a purely fish breaded fillet over a fish and potato breaded mix. It mushed way too easily and was difficult to eat. Raclette Burger was delicious. I would have gotten that over mine. Mine was so messy and mushy I had to use a fork and knife to finish it, lol. Not bad just not a super great item. Overall it's a 4 for me. Solid French place despite this issue with a great ambiance read more

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Always a great vibe,friendly and amazing service It's so nice to be somewhere That is not corporate owned or a chain! That really Feels authentic. That's Heather, Anne and Claire Are always super nice and super attentive As is the rest of the staff. And half price wine night on mondays is just a huge bonus!! read more

A small restaurant but offers great French dishes outside of France. The Lapin en Croúte (rabbit) was delightful dish that is a great comfort food for cold days. The French onion soup was flavorful and probably the best I've had. The only minor thing was my wife's steak frites which was a little salty but it's common in France. I must go back to try the other dishes especially the duck. read more

Fantastic French restaurant - very tight / busy but for good reason. The French onion soup and steak frites were phenomenal. Great wine selection Highly recommend for a special occasion or just an excuse for a great date night read more

Le Bouchon - French onion soup - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is an amazing quaint French restaurant. I took my daughter while visiting Chicago. The escargot, mussels, steak frites and drinks were all fabulous! Our waitress, Heather, gave us valuable recommendations on our meal choices. I'll definitely be visiting again read more

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