Stax Cafe

This was such an amazing spot! The place was super cool with great vibes. The service was great and…read morefood THR was even better! Everything we had was so good! Clayton, the host that was with us was truly such a great person, thank u so much for everything!! We had the cesar salmon salad, house buns and lobster mac n cheese for apps, so delicious!! And then vodka pasta, shrimp pasta, truffle pasta and the chicken, with some mashed potatoes which was sooooo good! Would definitely come back and try more things on the menu! Cannot forget about the sticky date cake as well, truly a must!!

Still a 5 star spot but would rank this below Armitage Alehouse and Bavettes for sure. They had the…read moresame sticky date cake as Armitage but didn't taste as good. Weird that they had sushi on the menu but they'd brick oven chicken was great! Ambiance was good but was a little loud, service was fantastic as usual

Gelato & sticky date cake

Crispy Shrimp Roll, fish, Steak Frites, Spicy Orecchiette

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Black Manhattan

Au Cheval

4.4(9.6k reviews)

I read all the bad reviews before coming and... they were just hating, having a bad day, or have…read morenever eaten a burger before to be an objective judge! Because no way did we eat at the same place. WOW! It's only been a handful of times that I've had the urge to write a review while I'm still eating because of how amazing the experience is. The ambiance is bustling and will FOR SURE keep you awake as you fill your belly. And the burger? It's not just a burger, it's culinary art and a full on flavor experience. I was full well before my plate was empty, but I simply could not imagine reheating any part of it later. The egg was cooked to sunny-side perfection, and every bite was ridiculous. It's bar-style, so the fries came out first, hot and paired with a garlic aioli that absolutely did what it needed to do. Everyone moves with purpose. The food, the service, the atmosphere--this place is a well-oiled machine of greatness. 1000/10. Will absolutely be back.

The reservation system is up! Making it SO MUCH easier to get a table and get food, so definitely…read moretake advantage of that or be prepared to wait for a while. So the burgers are worth the hype! 5/5 A single is two smash patties, definitely get the bacon and the egg on top of the burger because that what makes it amazing!! So don't skip on it! The bacon is truly the highlight, as most will tell you, not too chewy but a melt in your mouth thick cut bacon! Burger was cooked perfectly to order and The only thing that was a disappointment was the fries. Just not that great, not enough salt, but also the texture was off. Not worth the $8 2/5 Overall, it was a great experiment and I'd totally recommend you trying!

Beers

Single Cheeseburger

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Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

Bar Siena

4.2(2.4k reviews)

Five stars for Bar Siena on Randolph, but the real shoutout goes to Alyssa!…read more She was managing an entire room, including the bar, and the place was absolutely packed. Despite how busy it was, she couldn't have been kinder, more attentive, or more generous with her hospitality. She made our entire experience so enjoyable and somehow even found time to surprise us with some EPIC tiramisu! It's people like Alyssa who turn a great afternoon out into a memorable one. Bar Siena is lucky to have her, and we'll absolutely be back!

I finally decided to check out this hot spot for myself. In need of a little caffeine, I stopped in…read morefor an espresso martini. The presentation was on point, but unfortunately, the drink itself didn't quite live up to expectations. It wasn't served cold enough, and the sweetness was overpowering, with the syrup taking center stage and very little noticeable vodka flavor. While the aesthetics were there, the temperature and balance of the drink missed the mark. A little refinement in the mix and a properly chilled pour would go a long way toward making this a standout cocktail. The service could also use some improvement, as the staff could have been a bit more attentive. On the plus side, the space has a nice vibe, and the music strikes a good balance without being overly loud. Overall, the atmosphere makes for a pleasant setting, but there's room for improvement when it comes to the cocktail quality and service.

Industrial bar

Parmesan Potato Skins appetizer

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Front corner

Bandit

4.0(680 reviews)

I popped in here solely to have a drink and use the facilities and found myself wishing I had spent…read moremore time here or had room for a bite to eat. The bar service was excellent - a cold beer and finally, a shot of Malort were in order. The bartenders were very welcoming and clearly making sure all of the patrons were having a good time. The restrooms were oddly decorated - the women's restroom is plastered all over with images of Justin Timberlake, while Britney Spears adorns the walls of the men's room. Luckily, her pics aren't current - they are from her hot era. What a cool spot if you are a local or a tourist - I'll be sure to pop in on my next visit to Chicago, for sure.

Kari's Rating 4/10…read more When you think of west loop you think of good food-it's not definitely not here. Nashville hot chicken didn't really taste like chicken and the pickles were dipped in a weird vinegar. The tenders also came with four breakfast pancakes...like what? The menu said the Nashville tenders came with scallion pancakes which is a savory Asian pancake...but these were 4 American breakfast pancakes. Bandit also didn't have any butter or syrup...so what the actual heck was supposed to happen to these pancakes-it was just a waste. I remember having this incredible kung pao cauliflower bites here and they said they changed the menu but still had cauliflower. I forgot to ask for them the kung pao style like the appetizer and I ordered them in buffalo sauce-two choice. The cauliflower was so droopy and squishy when I got it. The buffalo sauce only made it worse as none of it was crispy and the whole meal was drenched in buffalo sauce. It was a communication issue on my end for sure, but I also thought it was going to be much crispier and not soggy. The ranch definitely was mixed with water and it dropped off anything I put in it. Our server was a really nice lady and none of this was her fault as she tried to substitute the cauliflower. She was decently attentive and very busy as she started serving a large party of 10 next to us outside on the patio. Unfortunately I wouldn't come back here if someone paid me. I know this is more of a sports bar but for something that was around $75-theres definitely better tasting food literally everywhere else. The only good thing about this meal were the waffle fries which were probably frozen before serving but I'm trying to find the silver lining.

Christmas decorations

Chilaquiles

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Espresso Martini

The Dearborn

4.4(2.8k reviews)

1.1 mi•The Loop

Heard great things about this restaurant and decided to come here. The staff were nice and…read moreaccommodating. Our waiter explained everything on the menu well and even gave some recommendations. My friends and I all ordered different things-- I personally got the fish and chips. As basic as that was, I really enjoyed it. The batter was crispy, light, and flavorful. The cod was also pretty fresh, soft, and piping hot. The chips were great. I really enjoyed the fish and chips and highly recommend it to anyone that likes fish! 10/10 would come again.

I've decided that this will officially be a staple lunch spot for me!…read more I was on a break from class when I stumbled across this little gem. Think of the quintessential restaurant scene in a movie where a business executive grabs a quick power lunch, surrounded by other professionals, before heading back to the office for that BIG meeting. It was exactly that! Meanwhile, I walked in wearing my school clothes, just looking for a good lunch. The atmosphere was great, the Wi-Fi was a plus, the food was delicious, and the cocktail menu was intriguing! I ordered the Dearborn Burger based on my waiter's recommendation, and it did not disappoint! It was cooked exactly to my liking and was SO juicy. The fries were perfectly crisp, just how I like them. And the MAN-LET'S-GO! cocktail? Exactly what I needed! It satisfied my mango craving and gave me that little boost I needed to get through the rest of my day. Between the atmosphere, the food, and the service, I can already tell this is going to become one of my regular spots. I will definitely be back frequently!

0.3 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

$12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

New Spring Menu

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Spring desserts

Fora

3.9(120 reviews)

Casual dining

Happy hour specials

Wow, what a great spot for lunch. I had the meatball sand and it was EXCELLENT. Wow, soooo…read moredelicious. Service is spectacular Hard to believe it's in the Emily hotel...

My parent company is headquartered right next to The Emily Hotel so I know the Fora restaurant…read morewell. Food is consistent if not pretty good and service is always great. I've had every meal here and most of the menu, no complaints. Only major bummer is that they no longer serve breakfast on weekdays. Had the crispy chicken sandwich without the bun for dinner, as well as the beet salad to start and tiramisu for dessert. I'll be back, every 6-8 weeks!

Chef's charcuterie

Orange Wine Sangria

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Octopus

HIDE+SEEK

4.0(398 reviews)

VANESSA! she was amazing! came here to spend time with coworkers and she max our expierce because…read morewe all best friends now! She is the best and has skills for everything! loved her and thank you for your service. Im coming back bc of her!

We visited Hide+Seek on a Sunday during their brunch hours. The host was a delight per usual and…read morethe place wasn't overly packed. The ambiance is classy and chic with chandeliers and adorable portraits making it the perfect setting for girl brunch. The girls and I decided on their bottomless mimosa brunch menu. You get to pick a main entree and a side aside the 90 min endless mimosa service. Two of us ordered the steak and eggs with a hash brown. I believe there was a bit of an up-charge for this choice ($45) which was worth it in my opinion since the steak was cooked to perfection and offered the right amount of protein. The hash browns were pretty standard and didn't really stand out. For my side I ordered the sausage links which were pretty tasty. I will say I wish they offered more veggie-based sides like a small salad besides fruit, bacon, sausage, eggs your way, and hash browns which were already part of my meal. My friend ordered the burger which she mentioned she enjoyed! Our waitress was very on top of service and would refill our mimosas frequently. Hide+Seek is always a vibe and I will definitely be back to try items from their normal menu during brunch!

Immaculate bathrooms!

Sticky Ribs

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The Dutchess

Girl & The Goat

4.4(10.8k reviews)

•$$$

Yes, please. I would like a reservation for each day of the week. Creative menu with skill in the…read morekitchen. Be sure to call for reservations. Lots of energy in the dining are.

Some of the best food I've ever had. Every dish we had was amazing…read more Starting with the corn bread. They actually gave us enough butter to lather each bite. Great starter and loved the flavor. The chickpea fritters were absolutely delicious. Great textures and perfect balance of flavors. I was skeptical of this dish but it was absolutely delicious and wasn't dry at all. The goat empanadas were great. Loved the flavors. The whole thing could've been a bit more juicier since I just had the goat patties at Tatiana in ny, but these were also delicious. The goat confit dish was smaller than expected but not complaining since all our dishes turned out to be the perfect amount of food for 2. Goat was tender and the crust was also great. The apple tart dessert with cheese was absolutely scrumptious. The perfect balance of sweet and savory. Drinks were good. Would've liked to see a more creative drink menu considering how amazing the food was. Definitely must make a reservation. Would absolutely recommend this place.

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Americano, Lincoln Park

3.5(163 reviews)

1.8 mi•Lincoln Park

Food was not bad and the food itself was more like 3.5 but given the ambiance and location, it…read moredeserves a 4. We ordered Traditions and Breakfast Burrito. The breakfast potatoes were really good! I also like their toast - it's a bit gooey as compared to the dry and crispy ones. Nothing wrong with the egg, burrito, and bacon - they are all good but not distinguishably good. Will go back and try other items.

Dined here on 9/12/2026. I came to Americano for brunch with my two friends. We each got the…read morebreakfast sandwich and I got mine with sausage, egg and cheese, on a challah roll. The sandwich was good, although nothing to write home about. The breakfast potatoes were delish and I did enjoy my Aperol. Will come back for the outdoor seating and definitely try something else! Service was perfect and it wasn't too loud at all.

Relaxing Weekday hang out

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The Oakville Grill & Cellar

4.1(280 reviews)

•$$$

Restaurant was nice and Service was fine, waitress was pleasant. The night we went it was hot…read moreinside restaurant, very loud music playing from somewhere near made it hard to hear across the table, limited wine by the glass options and food was average. Unfortunately , I would not go back.

I went here for their happy hour with no expectations good or bad, and it ended up being such a…read moregreat spot! The bartenders were wonderful. Gave suggestions, checked in on us multiple times throughout our dining, and made very delicious margaritas. Speaking of the drinks, highly recommend the classic Oakville margarita. It was smooth and a pleasant mix of salty with the sweet agave. And the Pinot Grigio they suggested was very good as well. We also enjoyed some bar snacks such as the BOTTOMLESS fries (so worth it and literally so tasty), olives and macadamia nuts, and poke tacos. We finished off our happy hour by trying the pumpkin crème brûlée which was absolutely amazing. It reminded me of a creamy pumpkin pie, just divine. The inside was also very cute and I can see how it would be very good for corporate events or big party reservations. The only weird thing was the bathrooms were on the second level and you had to take a long staircase or the elevator to get to

The entrance. She's GORGEOUS.

Hobbs Turkey and Avocado Sandwich

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Bar from above

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Caroline H.

293

4 years ago

Our go-to spot for weekend brunch! We've dined in and order for pick-up several times -- it never disappoints! They have a large menu, so there's something for everybody. Personal favorites are the sriracha egg sandwich, white chocolate raspberry pancakes, and their cinnamon roll waffles. It gets pretty busy on the weekends, but I've never had to wait more than 15-20 minutes for a table (usually going with a group of 2-4). The team here is always super friendly and service is usually pretty quick. They have brunch cocktails like mimosas + bellinis, but it's definitely not a "boozy brunch" spot, so if you're looking for a more chill brunch, this is the perfect place! read more

stephanie b.

Elite 26

117

2 years ago

The cinnamon roll waffles were absolutely delightful, bursting with flavor and drizzled with a decadent glaze that made each bite incredibly satisfying. I would eagerly return just for these. I also tried a wrap, which was equally scrumptious, packed with fresh ingredients that complemented the flavors perfectly. Every dish I ordered was a treat! read more

Damon C.

1 year ago

One of my go-to places for lunch in River West! Always reliable with great food, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Amenze I.

4 years ago

Easter Sunday. White manager in blue shirt. Horrible attitude.. but I'm sure this isn't news to you . that's the review.

Carolynn C.

3 years ago

Very good I will update this review later I will update this review later I will update this review later read more

Arnelle J.

6 years ago

Breakfast meal was amazing!!! Breakfast potatoes were made to perfection. Steak and eggs were so tasty! read more

Tanya K.

218

4 years ago

Cute and yummy. I loved the food and was pleased with the cute ambiance and parking availability!

Stax Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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I just love Fare! Staff is super friendly and kind. Great takeout, but also a lovely, bright…read morerestaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. My favorites are The sweet potatoes, the slaw, & the mac! Great sauce selection as well.

I only come here frequently because it's now part of my caloric deficit routine. If it weren't for…read morethat, this place is CHAOTIC, simply put. The staff lack structure, and the service is consistently inconsistent. There is always some issue with my order. I come here at least 3-4x a week, order the exact same thing, and place my order IN ADVANCE, yet somehow there is always a problem. Either my order is late because it was overlooked entirely, bacon is added despite me explicitly excluding it from my online order, the sauce that comes with my order is missing, or certain ingredients are unavailable. At this point, my expectations are well below average whenever I come here because this place has consistently demonstrated an inability to provide even a basic level of consistency or service. It's frustrating to repeatedly encounter the same issues when I'm ordering the same thing, multiple times a week, and doing everything I can to make the process straightforward.

Stax Cafe

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(748 reviews)

Stax is a perfect breakfast go-to! The service is quick and efficient and the food is fantastic. I…read moresat at the bar/counter for a quick early morning breakfast. I ordered the regular gluten free pancakes which were HUGE and perfect for sharing. They were also delicious and have a hint of vanilla. Also had the black pepper bacon and it's a must. Overall a solid place for sit-in or carry-out and staple in the community!

We were staying down the block and getting ready to leave. Decided to try Stax before checking…read moreout. The place is small, but decorated nicely. The service was prompt and friendly. The food? It was so good. My fiancé had the starving student , which he loved. I had the avocado smashed breakfast sandwich, which was also delicious. We both had cold foam coffees, mine was the biscoff and he had the pumpkin. They were so good. I'll be thinking about the biscoff for days. Everything was delicious, it was a little higher priced than I'm used to paying but not crazy priced.

Jam 'n Honey

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I had Jam and Honey for the first time because it's the nearest breakfast/brunch place in lincoln…read morepark. Loved this place so much. Service was middd and coffee was also midd but the food was rlly good. I got a black bean burger and fries and it all looked and tasted homemade. The vibe was very diner and i liked the vibe indoors. There's also outdoor seating too for sunny days. Food was yum, ambience was good.

Arriving right at opening, the service was quick to get to me. The waiter I had was friendly and…read moreshared his personal favorites related to the menu. The pancakes were great! They were fluffy and very filling. The blueberry compote paired well with the oatmeal and the butter on top. The pancakes did not have an oatmeal taste which added to how much I enjoyed them. The menu is loaded with great options, and is a must try for anyone in or visiting Chicago!

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Everything could improve. 2 workers, 5 patrons. My sandwich was left in the panini press for 20…read moreminutes, and one of the workers was loudly complaining about patrons yelling (they didn't yell) at her for not having their two coffees in the 30 minutes they were there. Take your business elsewhere.

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