Recess

3.7 (446 reviews)

ModerateAmerican, Bars, Venues & Event Spaces

Sat • 11:00 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

Sun • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Recess - Crispy Buffalo Chicken Rolls - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Interior - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Chicken & Waffle Fries* (Tots substitute) - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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RECESS ATMOSPHERE

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Live music

Outdoor seating

Happy hour specials

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Crystal Z.

Ambiance - modern, offers indoor and outdoor seating, can also do private events, love that they have giant jenga Service - staff checked on us often & food came out fairly quickly Food - drinks were super good (know it all stood out the most), served typical bar type food

Jacqueline O.

Context: Reviewing as an EDM show venue! We did not have any of the food here but they were offering a decent menu even during a show. We saw SIDEPIECE here. It's a super nice outdoor space but it's kind of weird as an EDM venue. Sound quality was mid, it was loud enough that I need ear protection in, but somehow not enough to fill the space and feel the bass over people yapping in the audience. Honestly either is fine but it was a weird in-the-middle level. The view is NON-EXISTENT lol. Which like is not the end of the world, it made it easy to find space wherever to dance, but it's kinda a let down when you're there for a show. Even if you were in the raised area where the decks were, you couldn't see anchoring because the DJ setup was literally the same level. Once you fill the space, anyone in the lower area doesn't have a chance to see anything at all lol. A bunch of people resorted to climbing up the railing a little and holding their phones up really high which is honestly kinda dangerous when people are partying and inebriated. The video below was airdropped to me from one of the more adventurous girls lol. The safety was a bit of a concern, even beyond the rail climbing. SIDEPIECE had to stop the show because of a safety situation and it honestly took way too long for help to get to the person. The artist literally had to direct people where to move and ask the crowd for narcan. As someone who works in live events professionally, I was shocked that (1) the artist had to do all of that instead of venue staff and (2) the venue should have narcan handy and ready to go IMO. Not sure what ended up happening but was definitely a scary situation. Otherwise, vibe was pretty good, bathroom lines were pretty short, and bar service was quick. It's not making my favorites list as far as venues go, but I also was not mad about it.

Kat L.

Fun place for a group. They have games that you can get play at the table. There's also giant junga and a photo booth. Good selection of beer and cocktails. Non-alcoholic beverages also available and most cocktails can be made without alcohol. Only down side is that iIt can get a little loud.

Cassie T.

Recess is a really fun place to go to pretty much any time of year. Summer time they have the patio and doors open, you can bring your dogs. Still fun during winter even when the patios are closed. Lot of tvs and games, board games, patio games, etc. It's great for groups and could make for a date spot but it gets loud here. Food is alright, your typical sports bar food quality. The service is pretty good and workers are friendly, I've only ever had good experiences here until this past Saturday. My friend and I bought some clothes and had our shopping bag with brand new, sealed bags of Garrett popcorn inside our bags. The security guard told us we couldn't bring food in and to leave it by the front. Where....? We asked if we could leave it with the host stand inside at least. He said no food inside and instructed us to "hide" the popcorn on the side near the bunch of retractable barrier poles. We asked if it would still be there when we left, he said yes. Lo and behold, we're leaving and don't see it there. Asked the security guard where they were and he pretty much laughed it off saying he didn't know. Absolutely no remorse. If there's a no food policy then at least have somewhere secure or reliable for people to store it???? Please do better

Victoria S.

Recess was not very busy during our time which was nice. The place is great in the summertime but wintertime it's very quiet, at least for brunch. I got the huevos rancheros and I was a bit disappointed. Usually at brunch places dishes come with pancakes or toast or specifically huevos rancheros it come with more toppings like beans or avocado. My dish came with two eggs and bean paste and the dish just tasted like the paste. I would not get this dish again. The service was nice but we were here for a birthday and we brought our own cake and they said we had to pay a $3 cutting fee per person so we didn't cut the cake.

Aleena V.

I was here a while ago for brunch and bottomless mimosas which was super fun! Came back yesterday after a couple years and the vibes, drinks, food, and service were just as great! We shared the waffle fries between the three of us and it was perfect!

Michelle T.

5 Stars for Cafeton (Suenos Pre- Party)! It was the party of the year! I had a blast that day and almost had more fun there than I did during Suenos '25! Lol!

Andrew W.

There are a lot of overhyped places in the West Loop and Fulton Market. A lot of these overly hyped places don't have great food. Fortunately, Recess is not one of them. First, food is very good. When I went there I ordered the tater loaded tots, the double smash burger and sundae Jam session. The loaded tater tops were crispy and had a good amount of toppings. I wish more fries came with the double smash burger, but the burger itself was absolutely amazing. I would put this burger up again anyone in Chicago. Lastly, the sundae jam session for dessert was so good. It was a fun take on an ice cream sundae. Second, the atmosphere was super fun. It's part bar with plenty of TVs for sports with card or board games at each table. The patio is so cool. It's a large enclose square area with shipping containers for decor. It was fun games like Jenga, plenty of tables and chairs and even an upper deck. It's perfect for summer nights or weekends. Third, the service was great. Even though my server was in training, she was friendly and attentive. The food came out fast and hot. In sum, this is a must visit summer spot in Chicago.

Allegra A.

If you haven't been to recess you're definitely missing out! Especially when the weather is warm and the patio is open, the ambiance can't be beat. Most recently we went on a Sunday for brunch around 11:15am, and while it wasn't busy when we got there it definitely started filling in. I recommend you make a reservation if you want prime seating as we were kind of sat to the side without one. The drinks are a tad bit pricey for the size but tasty nonetheless and the food prices are on par wirth West Loop. While the chicken sandwich wasn't the best I've ever had (I wasn't expecting it to be) it was still good and but waffle fries were pretty darn good. Perfect crisp and seasoning. Anyway this was maybe my 3rd or 4th time to Recess and I'm sure it won't be the last!

Xavier H.

Recess is a super fun spot to start your weekend off right! We got there around 11:15 am, just after they opened, and got are IDs checked upon entrance. The Halloween decorations were cool as they had a huge Jack from the nightmare before Christmas and even a Ouija board at one of the tables. The waitress was also very friendly and gave us great drink and food recommendations. I went with the Birria burger with an egg on top, which was a first for me. It was tasty and definitely a twist on a classic burger. My girlfriend ordered the stuffed French toast, and honestly, I was a little jealous as the French Toast was fluffy and tasted amazing. The drinks were also pretty and all tasted delicious. The only thing that kind of threw us off was the service. The bussers were really attentive, but maybe a little too much? I never thought I'd say that but they kept trying to take our drinks and clear plates before we were done, which was a bit much. There was a photographer going around asking people to pose for photos but he repeatedly asked two of our friends, who weren't a couple to hug or kiss for pictures, so that was little awkward. (I did give him what he wanted with my girlfriend, but that's a different story!) Overall, we had a really good time--great food, fun ambiance, and tasty drinks. Just a few service tweaks and it'd be perfect!

Ariana G.

This fun outdoor bar/restaurant is a cool place for groups to hangout, eat, drink, play games, or watch sports! Its structure is made of giant storage containers decorated with murals and interactive displays. They offer board games and life sized games. They offer brunch + bottomless mimosas only on the weekends. I came here for brunch on a Sunday and it wasn't that busy. The food was very average at best but not terrible. The mimosa service is terrible. For $27 you only get 1 flavor (orange) brought to you in a carafe that is replenished. They should consider adding more flavors and separating the champagne and juices so customers have more freedom of making their own drinks. It didn't even taste good either. That's just my 2 cents.

Dina C.

Chicago Restaurant Week at Recess! I was so happy we got to hit a CRW brunch and while a few restaurant menus caught our eye, we couldn't help but choose Recess because of how every course sounded so delicious. First : We tried the chicken and waffle fries (with Nashville hot honey) and crispy buffalo chicken rolls (with some amazing ranch). The latter was surprisingly my favorite between the two because I wish there former came with a sauce or had more hot honey! Second : We tried the biscuits and gravy (a lot of gravy) and the pork belly fried rice (the pork belly was sooo good I wish they gave us more of it!) DESSERT: Nutella French Toast with a brûléed banana and hazelnut brittle and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bread Pudding. I enjoyed both and can't believe the Nutella French toast that is usually a main entree staple was offered for dessert - I LOVE CRW!! Also Recess has such a fun vibe! We had games at our table and you could also play mega jenga and tic tac toe in another designated area

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Erin K.

6 years ago

We read great reviews about this spot, the views and vibes did not disappoint- But the quality of food was low. Low like little league concessions. We went for dinner happy to finally sit down on a patio and covid considered it accomplished that. But unless you are ordering tater tots I wouldn't count of this spot for a meal. We ordered guac, tendies and a steak salad. The salad was salad bag quality with a slab of steak, None of the things ordered had any flavor. That being said, it's important to note that the service was outstanding. multiple servers, bus boys and waiters were available at all times. In conclusion, we all come to west loop for phenomenal eats and chicago esthetic and you will not be fed well here. it's certainly not a spot to enjoy a meal and not just because the menu was scarce. pregames or an afternoon of average drinks is more so the ambiance. read more

Recess - Steak avocado salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shreyas S.

Hi Erin,…

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Kate N.

2 years ago

Been here before and had a great time, but was beyond disappointed with my last visit. Waited over an hour for our food while all the other tables around us got theirs. Wasn't busy. After 30 minutes we ask the server, she says they lost our ticket but it's coming. Whatever, not her fault. We don't see our server again for over 45 minutes while she still checked on all the tables around us. All in all, we saw our server maybe 3 times in the 2 hours we were there. When we finally did get our food after the hour plus wait, it was cold. So disappointed read more

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M S.

103

150

154

3 years ago

Oh no! Do not waste your time or money at this place. The service and the food were horrible, we walked out unsatisfied and annoyed with the service. At least if one of them were better, I would of gave another star- but besides it being a cool space, there are way too many amazing restaurants nearby that are WAY better food/service/experience. read more

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Maria O.

6 years ago

I actually really liked this place! The food was good and they have really good drinks. I love the layout and the ambience. I had a really good time. Not giving it an extra star due to the service. Night started off good and then our server started to give us attitude and would not even say anything when we would order something and never checked up on us. The water boy was more attentive than the server. read more

Recess - The view - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Rocio R.

4 years ago

The place is nice. Food is ok .unfortunately we got charged double for food we didn't even had. Our server had an attitude. Didn't even apologize for the mistake and gave me more attitude when I asked for the receipt of the voided transactions. He took the receipts out of the trash to give them to me.. totally unacceptable. Edit after managers response. Thank you it did! My only issue is that he never apologized and he continue to rolled his eyes on me. That's all . Sometimes a simple "I am sorry for the mistake would have been enough. But I appreciate your help and coming out of your way responding this message . read more

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Andrew K.

Sorry for the unpleasant experience during your visit, Rocio.…

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Colby L.

3 years ago

Good for a unique cocktail and the ambiance was nice. Food was good but not gourmet. Came for the band. It's themed for a school yard so, it's more about the drinks than food. read more

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Charod T.

6 years ago

I FREAKING LOVE THIS PLACE!!! It's usually hard to find a place that doesn't water down the drinks and this place really poured them on you.... The food is delicious. I been twice, so far and I haven't been let down yet. read more

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Jennifer T.

5 years ago

The salad I received is brown and not fresh at all. Highly disappointed in the quality of the food!!! read more

Recess - Garden salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kris B.

2 years ago

Never go here for food. Ordered the cubano and waffle fries last night. The fries came cold, and the chef clearly didn't have any idea what a cubano is. It was warmish pieces of ham on ciabatta bread. Complained about the cold fries to the waiter and his trainee, received a shrug in return. I'm only giving it two stars because the hostess was kind and helpful when she sat us. read more

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Caitlin K.

Elite 21

191

290

421

5 years ago

We stopped by for drinks -all three were delicious. Don't love that with your second drink they drop the lemon/lime/orange (you're still paying the same price). The atmosphere is really fun and a nice vibe. Our waitress was pretty aloof and kind of unfriendly but all in all it was an okay time! read more

Recess - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Skylar S.

129

210

5 years ago

The place is fun for drinks and food with friends. It's pretty out of the way, but they do a lot with the space. Not super easy when we tried to expand our reservation but appreciated that they did at all. Staff was slow in bringing our order and checking on us, felt like we always had to ask for water. Liked that we could order Bob's. These tater tots were the best part, absolutelty delicious. read more

Recess - tater tots - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mackenzie B.

5 years ago

The food here is honestly amazing . The staff jokes with you and are really attentive. The main downside to me was that some of the umbrellas we're broken when we came, so we were roasting under the sun and it made it a little hard to eat the food. read more

Recess - Burger sliders - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Artea G.

5 years ago

Three words BUFFALO CHICKEN ROLLS I always order them twice. And ladies the bartender Colby is fine as heck please go see him lbs. love this place definitely a go to. read more

Recess - Colby fine self - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Valentina S.

5 years ago

We went to Recess for St. Patrick's Day 2021 and was surprised that it wasn't too crowded. It was raining and we were seated indoors. That was okay with us as the interior was aesthetically pleasing. We had the boozy shamrock shake, the Irish burger made with a Guinness glaze, the Rueben sandwich and loaded tater tots. The burger patties were soft. The texture threw me off because I never had "soft" burger patties. Not sure how they were cooked. Steamed? The burger was good but the meat just threw me off. The fries were well seasoned. I liked the fries more than the burger. The Reuben sandwich was good. The tater tots were okay. They didn't taste too fresh and the toppings made them better. The shamrock shakedown was strong. It was tasty and sweet. I wish we had the drink after food. It tasted more like a dessert. I would come here again, especially during the summer for outdoor patio seating. The server was amazing. She was kind and checked in on us a good amount of times. She was friendly, talkative and shared some stories with us. What a delight she was. Overall, we had a goos time and would come again. read more

Recess - Loaded Tater Tots and Reuben sandwich - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Shamrock Shakedown - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Recess indoors - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Irish burger made with a Guinness glaze and Chili-lime French Fries - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Philip A.

Elite 21

501

244

6 years ago

Went with friends yesterday for the first time for Sunday funday. It's such a cute place in the West loop. I really like container truck decor and outdoor seating which is perfect for Chicago summers. We ordered pizza flavored potato chips and it was nicely flavored and crispy, also go the Bloody Mary for drinks and it was delicious. It's a very fun vibe. They do reservations so I would suggest it coz it can get busy. Would totally come back read more

Recess - Bi-Partisan Bloody Mary - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shreyas S.

Hi Phillip,…

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Taylor K.

5 years ago

They endangered my life and I will never go here again. They forced us to wait 40 minutes for a reservation, which was fine when we were inside of the big cozy restaurant area. We were able to stand off to the side to ourselves in the open space of the warehouse style location. We were offered a chance to order cold drinks. After our drinks arrived, we were promptly kicked out of the restaurant and told we would have to wait in a tiny, freezing vestibule with our fresh cold beverages and multiple other waiting parties, as well as door staff and security. The tiny germ-filled vestibule had 14+ people in it at one point. When I asked the waitstaff if we could be accommodated elsewhere for our wait, they looked at me like I was insane for even requesting not to wait in a COVID incubator and told me that we could wait outside in subzero temperatures and 20 mph winds, with our fresh cold drinks. Once seated, the service was good and the food was okay, but they prioritized getting bodies in the red tiara by and tricking people into ordering more drinks over actual safety. Not an establishment that respects human beings, so I will never go here again. read more

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Deserae D.

113

5 years ago

Been coming to this place for awhile now!! Super good spot to stop in and have a few with friends. It's enclosed so no air so I recommend you go on a good weather day. read more

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Katie M.

150

4 years ago

Will is the most charming server & provided an extremely memorable experience! Cant wait to come back to see them!!

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Jessica M.

294

5 years ago

I'm so happy we came to the fire and ice pop up event at recess! It was so much fun and an incredible deal! For $15 a ticket we received a s'mores kit, pretzel stick, a complimentary cocktail ticket and a complimentary boozy hot chocolate ticket. The staff members were incredible and made sure our fire was well kept. I didn't love the cocktail I received which is why I'm giving 4 stars but the other ones on the menu did look delicious and I would love to try some of the others! The boozy hot chocolate was incredible and was served in adorable mugs. Overall the event was amazing and my boyfriend and I had a blast! read more

Recess - Specialty banana cocktail for the fire and ice event - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - S'mores kit - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ishani K.

3 years ago

I had my birthday party here a weekend ago and my experience was wonderful! Amanda did a great job coordinating the event and was easy to work with. I highly recommend the South Stage area for your booking-there's plenty of room and a ton of big games you can play. One guy (who was not at my party) managed to sneak a White Claw, but it's a good thing to be generous ;). I want to give a BIG shout out to our waitress Cindy!! She was so sweet and welcoming and took such good care of us. If her manager is reading this, give that girl a RAISE! She fit right in with the rest of my friends and was present without being intrusive. read more

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Yvonne W.

Elite 24

437

325

898

5 years ago

Not bad not bad! Definitely a place to go out with your friends and ring in your 21st bday or something. My husband and I just grabbed dinner here and both got the kbbq steak and frites and shared the Alderman's Choice drink (watermelon). It was a bit pricy ($24) for the fact that you got a ton more fries than meat but oh well, it was still good! read more

Recess - KBBQ Steak & Frites - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Outdoor - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Alderman's Choice * - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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KJ J.

377

119

220

5 years ago

Table of four...and two of our dishes had hair in them. The only reason I made it 3 instead of 1 star is because the waitress was great and apologetic and got the food recooked and comped the hair dishes and brought us an extra drink for the inconvenience. Otherwise its a cool spot if food isn't the priority read more

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Jonny B.

142

6 years ago

Came to eat dinner and there was only 3/15 items available. Shouldn't serve food if they can't provide what's on the menu. Edit: 50% discount was applied to our meal, but communication with the customer could be better. read more

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Andrew K.

Johnny,…

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Jo P.

359

177

6 years ago

Great restaurant perfect for a nice day eating outside. The large patio and fun atmosphere paired with the delicious food make this a great choice. The breakfast burrito was delicious and the chopped avocado salad was great also. Fun list of cocktails not to miss! read more

Recess - The bar. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - The patio. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shreyas S.

Hi Jo,…

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Dianne D.

6 years ago

I finally got the opportunity to come here last night and could not have been happier. It really is an amazing outdoor space, while also being responsibly socially-distanced, since that's so important right now. Our waitress, Amanda, , was super helpful and attentve. The cocktails were so unique that we had a hard time deciding, which is not a bad thing! We started with chips and guacamole which were delicious and very fresh. We ordered the watermelon salad, which was yummy and perfect for the hot weather. We finished things off with the cheeseburger sliders which were also amazing, in part due to some tasty sauce. The sliders also came with a boatload of tater tots, which was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately we didn't have room to finish those, but they were also very good. At some point after our second drink was served, our waitress, Amanda brought us another frose cocktail "on the house" since there was a bit of a wait. This was above and beyond since we didn't notice an unusually long wait at all! On a side note Andrew, the general manager was amazing with helping to secure us a reservation! He even came over to the table to introduce himself and check on us which was so appreciated! Just so impressed with Recess overall! I can certainly see why it's so popular this summer. They even allow people to bring their dogs so that's a bonus. Would highly recommend and hope to come back soon! read more

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Shreyas S.

Hi Dianne,…

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Monica A.

6 years ago

First time going. Great environment and food! Staff is super friendly. Would definitely go again. read more

Recess - Avocado toast was so yummy! - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Shreyas S.

Hi Monica,…

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Joseph M.

4 years ago

Great service, views and food! Definitely one of my favorite spots in the city for a drink. Fun and exciting atmosphere, great for pictures. Highly recommend the waffle fries here. Service was amazing! Make sure you ask for Erica when you go! read more

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Courtney F.

172

3 years ago

I made a reservation (for 11am at 11:30pm the night before), which required a hold on my card, which was fine. Ten minutes later (at 11:40pm), I was forced to cancel the reservation, but the interface did not allow for that to be done virtually. So, I called, explained the cancellation and received confirmation that it's fine. The reservation was not removed from my OpenTable account until I reached out again the next morning, and I received a message that a $10/person fee was going to be charged because the reservation was cancelled less than 24 hours before intended start time...for a reservation, made less than 24 hours in advance. The poor policy implementation, inability to alter reservations through the online interface and lack of customer service is where y'all lost me. Obviously, its the principle of the matter in this situation, but I digress. I would not recommend this establishment for literally anything. There are places that simply gaf about you elsewhere. read more

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Aamna K.

6 years ago

Love this place, especially during the summer! Tons of outdoor space and super dog friendly (must for me!) The staff is very friendly, drinks are delicious, and food is good too. read more

Recess - Pup enjoying the outdoor patio - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Danielle G.

Elite 22

6 years ago

Came for brunch a few weeks ago and had a great time. The patio is huge and give plenty of room to sit outside and social distance. Our service and food was great. Ever though they were busy, our server stoped by everyone she noticed our drinks running low and we appreciated her attention! We were all happy with our meals and will definitely be back. Update: I have been to recess twice since my original review and it seems that the service has greatly gone down hill. The servers are always super friendly - but never seem to come by. I'm not sure if they are under staffed or just don't pay attention but it continues to happen to the point that I felt it was necessary to change my previous 5-star review because that is just not the case anymore. Both of the previous two times I've been there I have had to go and find someone to give me my bill after not seeing anyone for over 20 minutes. Last night when I went to the bar to see if they could send over our server or bill, a bunch of servers were gathered around laughing and talking. They seemed annoyed at my request and told me to go to the host and then continued with their convo. It's frustrating to see everyone taking a break when we are waiting for service. read more

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Shreyas S.

Hi Danielle,…

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Melanie S.

4 years ago

I had high hopes for Recess upon seeing tictok videos and reviews raving about this place. My friends and I had brunch there today and we experienced the worst service we've EVER had in our lives. Upon arrival our waitress took 20 min to serve us water then didn't come back for another 20 min to take our drink orders which we only ordered a Bloody Mary and a cocktail taking 30 min to arrive and we hadn't even put in a food order in. Once we put the order in for food we waited another 40 min and were missing so many things it was ridiculous; no utensils, no condiments, no napkins, we were out of water, and our food had ingredients missing. Our waitress took 30min to come back and check on us once we had our food and when we asked another worker to bring us the things we were missing they replied with, "I'm not your waiter", we were absolutely disappointed to be talked to in that tone and attitude. We talked to one of the managers there about this and all they did was direct us back to our table and didn't even let us tell them about the HORRIBLE experience we were having and said "your server will be back shortly", just dismissing us and acting like he didn't want to hear it. Literally everyone at this establishment failed us today. I understand that you may be understaffed, but there were countless workers there that could have stepped in to help or at least given us the things we asked for instead of replying with "Im not your waitress". This is no way to treat a paying customer. the way that we were treated today was not only disrespectful, but extremely disheartening. read more

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Lauren S.

Elite 24

109

6 years ago

Really great ambiance & patio that is for sure. Our server was also really nice. The pizza was the way to go after reading all the bad food reviews. The pizza was really good too. The problem is with the $13 drinks. My party of 4 had 4/5 drinks per person. Every drink came out differently than the drink before. One very strong one very weak, one light in color, the next super dark. One person in our party starting ordering doubles- and could not tell a difference between the single & double. If this place is serving out of a pre-made jug, they need to tell people or not charge $13. Which, now that I see how large this place is, and how many people they can fit- they absolutely have to be doing that or have 5+ (clearly shitty) bartenders making them. So that is really disappointing. But, very cool bar in a fun neighborhood. read more

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Shreyas S.

Hi Lauren,…

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SS D.

6 years ago

We didn't even get to try this. Staff very unaccommodating. It was raining and they wanted to set us outside with no covering. Table and chairs were wet. Asked to be moved but were shot down. Will not be back We had a reservation! We asked to be moved to a covered spot and were not accommodated. Hostess could not be bothered. Zero customer service here. Clearly did not want/need our business. read more

Business owner information

Andrew K.

Apologies for the inconvenience, Sue. Due to the Covid restrictions…

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Rogelio A.

5 years ago

"Reservations Needed" Nat and me came here for a date around 11:30 a.el m. We picked outdoor seating where we sat in an open court yard. We were greeted by talktive staff in a very polite manor, and promptly ordered their bottomless mimosas, which came with their own cute pitcher for our table. For appetizers we ordered buffalo chicken strips which were boneless and crispy, but slightly dry, and a slice of cheese pizza which was piping hot! For brunch we ordered the strawberry cheesecake French toast which had oats and strawberries, but left some moisture to be desired. My girlfriend got a prime rib sub with grilled onions and cheese which came with a steak dipping sauce. Our server checked in with us every 5 mins and made sure our thirst was quenched :) After, we indulged our sweet tooths with a frozen aperol spritz that had chunks of watermelon with a slice of orange, vodka and sparkling wine. Overall the service was very inviting and the wait times were minimal. We will be returning for another fun time for an early drink read more

Recess - Frozen Aperol Spritz - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Prime Rib French Dip that would taste better well done. - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Recess - Strawberry cheesecake toast and wings - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Angelina I.

382

818

4 years ago

Buffalo chicken rolls were amazing!! Drinks were good and atmosphere was great. Went on a busy game day but staff was attentive.

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LaDarian D.

Elite 18

203

4 years ago

Had a great time enjoying good food & games at Recess. Total vibe, especially in the warmer season but good in general.

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Gabrielle O.

4 years ago

Cindy is the fucken best! She should win first place because she attends to us ! I love her and she Made our stay so great' read more

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Ayy J.

4 years ago

Food was awesome we got a little bit of everything pizza was thin and freshly made The sliders were so cute and good me and my friends really enjoyed it. We also had loaded tater tots. Salad was good! Literally we had everything . Super filling and yummy We also played some games had some drinks. It was pretty cool! read more

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Amy Chi L.

6 years ago

Ambience and the vibe were great. The decor for this place is super unique, so I think it's great for group hangouts. The food, however, wasn't another special. We ordered the sliders and chicken wrap; both were mediocre. read more

Recess - Slider and salad - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tracy C.

110

115

5 years ago

Great for young people and a great place to hang out and drink, enjoy the scene. We could tell they were understaffed as the service was a bit slow. The food was good! We got the pulled pork sandwich, cheeseburger sliders, and our kids got the pulled pork sliders. Cost for kids is GREAT. Probably won't find anything better in the city. Our food was all good and we now want to find Bobs Pizza, which supplies their pizzas and each one that was walked by looked amazing. The outdoor space is large and has a lot of options for shade (which we appreciate) as well as spots indoors (not as many, but this isn't as desirable. Love the vibe outdoors with the containers and graffiti. Fun place! read more

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Page 6 of 12

838 W Kinzie St
Chicago, IL 60642
West Loop, Near West Side, West Town
Directions
(312) 801-1181
Call Now
Visit Website
https://recesschicago.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Recess open?

Recess opens at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Recess opens at 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Recess close?

Recess is closed on Monday.Recess closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Recess closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Friday.Recess closes at 3:00 AM (Next day) on Saturday.Recess closes at 10:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon ClosedTue-Thu 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)Fri 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 AM (Next day)Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Recess take credit cards?

Yes, Recess takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Recess have catering options?

No, Recess does not have catering options.

Does Recess have a drive thru?

No, Recess does not have a drive thru.

Does Recess have a happy hour?

Yes, Recess has a happy hour.

Does Recess serve alcohol?

Yes, Recess serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Recess allow dogs?

Yes, Recess allows dogs.

Does Recess have TVs?

Yes, Recess has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Recess have bike parking?

Yes, Recess has bike parking.

Does Recess have outdoor seating?

Yes, Recess has outdoor seating options.

Does Recess have parking?

Yes, Recess has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Recess wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Recess is wheelchair accessible.

Does Recess allow outdoor smoking?

No, Recess does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does Recess have free WiFi?

Yes, Recess has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Elevated American fare served in a lively restaurant and bar with a vast patio and board games.

More Info

Health Score

Recess Reviews in Other Languages

French
1 Review

Ask the Community - Recess

Is this venue outdoor only?

No there is a large indoor space open year round in addition to the outdoor space

View question details

Is the outdoor patio open right now?

The patio is not fully set up yet. However, it is more weather dependent than set up at this time of the year.

View question details

Is there live music every weekend or a dj?

We have a DJ Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday

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Do you need to make reservation beforehand or can we do walk-in?

They aren’t required, however they are encouraged. Without a reservation, we cannot guarantee a table. The bar is open for bar service as well though.

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Can my 18 year old niece go for dinner?

Yes she can.

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Is there any birthday treatment?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Are there Gluten Free options?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

Do you have valet parking?

I am sorry, but we do not. There is free street parking all around us and a lot across the street that is $5 after 6pm.

View 1 more answer

What are the vegetarian options?

They have pizza, a Beyond Burger option, salads, avocado toast, tater tots. I think there's more but this is what I remember at the top of my head.

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Can you reserve a seat on the patio or are reservations for inside only?

We offer both inside and outside. Admittedly, less have requested the patio as the temperature has adjusted here in Chicago.

View question details

Are there heaters on the patio?

Yes

View question details

Is this 21 and up, similar to Home Slice or good for any mixed age groups?

21+

View question details

Is it dog friendly?

Yes bar is dog friendly

View question details

View All 21 Questions

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17 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Flor A.

5 years ago

This was my first time coming here and from the moment we arrived, the service was not great. My husband made a reservation for 8:30 P.M. The hostess notified us that because we wanted outside seating (even though my husbands reservation was for outdoors) we would have to go on the waitlist because there were no open tables. We waited for about 10 minutes and we were escorted to the worst table of the whole restaurant. My husband and I are newly weds with children at home. The last thing we want is to sit by the back where they dump the dishes and roll out the garbage trash cans. Full and empty. I asked my husband to please request a different table. We were then moved to a better table. We ordered the pico de Gallo and guacamole. It was extremely DELICIOUS. I am Hispanic and it truly tasted homemade. The French fries were also very tasty! It comes with a savory taste aioli sauce and it was epic. Unfortunately, that's the I Ku two compliments I can give. We move on to the drinks. My husbands Long Island Iced Tea was good. I had the Alderman drink and the lemon juice completely ruined the drink. If you want a sour drink, that is the way to go. For dinner my husband had the double stacked burger. He liked it but he said it was average. I had the chicken wrap and it was not tasty at all. I continued just eating the fries because that had more seasoning then the chicken wrap. read more

Alexander B.

Elite 26

210

1112

1546

3 years ago

I recently visited Recess with my coworkers, and I must say, it was quite good. The venue was very spacious and had indoor and outdoors areas. The ample room allowed for comfortable mingling and easy movement, even for 200+ people. The friendly bartenders were awesome. They created an inviting atmosphere and were quick and attentive. When it came to catering, there was a traditional Tex-Mex bar and some comfort food. The quality was above average and there was enough variety. Whether you're craving a quick snack or a full meal, you were covered. It was also nice to see many space heaters for those enjoying the outdoor area. Our event was on a chilly evening, but the heaters made it possible to hang out outdoors without feeling uncomfortable. Lastly, they had good music and there was an abundance of games at the event space which made for positive atmosphere. Overall, my experience at Recess was quite enjoyable. Whether you're looking for a night out with friends or planning a team event, this place can deliver :) read more

Jamal G.

7 years ago

Well my experience here was a good one the food was good overall had a issue with the bill at the end of my meal and the drinks were ok but the service was awesome and very attentive read more

A A L.