The view of the lake is amazing. They rotate beers. Cocktails are interesting. Loved the Berry and Bourbon drink. They make their own tortilla chips. read more

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What a lovely place right on the water of Lake Michigan! Our daughter discovered this place while in school and has been wanting to take us. It was a beautiful late summer evening with a bit of a breeze. I loved the atmosphere and the tranquility of the restaurant. There's a cute little stage with chairs for musicians at night. I ordered the apple berry walnut salad with chicken. It was a large salad which easily could feed 2 people. It was delicious and great proportions of the ingredients, and the raspberry vinaigrette was a perfect compliment to the dish. My husband and mother in law ordered fish and chips, and my daughter had the shoreline shawarma. Everything was delicious! It's a limited menu though. Our waiter was nice and prompt especially since we were planning to go see a movie afterwards. He recommended the key lime pie but we will have to get it next time! read more

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Once a 'regular told me/others to just find an empty table and order via app, the line vaporized!!! I ordered Beef/bacon/cheese sandwich and large margarita. Excellent!!! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - The outside area for Waterfront Cafe. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The whole point of coming to this place is for the view and outdoor dining. One major tip for this place, if you plan on splitting your check you need to tell your server at the BEGINNING of the meal. Otherwise you are stuck with paying cash or putting it on one credit card. I was with a big group of people and we failed to ask and had to scrounge around for cash. Parking is also a little hard in this area. If you live in the city take the CTA Overall the ambience is very nice. You get a nice lake view and you can enjoy pitchers of sangria with your friends. This would be a great place to view the sunset after work and drinks. Food wise, the menu is limited. The food is decent enough. They are also very sticklers to the menu. You are not allowed any substitutions. For instance if you get a wrap it comes with chips. Our waitress did not allow us to substitute fries. We offered to pay an upcharge but was denied and told if we wanted fries we have to buy a side of fries which was $6. read more

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THE WATERFRONT CAFE- now open 7/2/2020 outdoor eating w/exceptional views of the Lake. The WATERFRONT CAFE - 6219 North Sheridan Road - Chicago -60660http://www.waterfrontcafechicago.com Now open for business w/outdoor seating w/ exceptional views. The Q's had: Craft Beer Brat or a Beyond Brat (v) - beer-soaked encased meat or a meatless bratwurst w/ roasted peppers & onions , whole grain mustard w/ Great Lakes kettle chips. Both had the Craft Draft beer brewed in Chgo - Goose Island award winning beer. You cannot beat the delicious food/beer/and the wonderful Lake Michigan views & awesome weather. PHONE 773.761.3294 call ahead if inclement weather to be sure they are open. read more

Recently my gal pal and I went to Waterfront Cafe for the first time. She had heard from a friend that a visit here was sort of like "being on vacation." Since those who know me also know that I love a vacation, I was looking forward to checking this place out. When we arrived on a very pleasant Friday evening, we were informed that it would be a 30 minute wait. Since indeed it was so pleasant outside, we did not mind waiting (the complimentary cup of what might have been grape kool-aid helped us endure the wait). Since we were seated right along the edge of the outdoor seating area, it really felt like we were about to have dinner on a tropical island. Dining al fresco in Chicago can be annoying with your pick of annoyances (passersby, flying critters, sketchy weather), but we did not face any of these factors at all. The lake and a relatively quiet strip of Rogers Park shoreline were what we witnessed while outside. Tiki lamps were lit to add to the evening ambiance. You can even check out a neighborhood rabbit munching on its dinner (this rabbit was not on our menu though). There was a fellow playing live music somewhere on property, but it must have been at the other end so it came across as faint background music which was fine with us. The service on this busy evening was casual and slow (just like "island time") but our kind server would stop by periodically to apologize for any waiting time. The food is OK here. My friend enjoyed her falafel wrap, and we both enjoyed our cold beverages. While I liked my Smokin' Jamaican jerk chicken wrap (barely spicy - tasted more like chicken salad filling) with the cup of cole slaw, it proved to be an ordeal to consume properly. The wrap was itself bundled in paper and then cut into 2 halves. But much of the filling fell out of the wrap and into the paper cone, so I had to pick out the chicken chunks with a fork and my fingers. The sauce in the chicken wrap seeped through the paper, through the wicker basket holding the wrap, dropped through the spaces of the metal table top we sat at, and dripped on my shoe. Despite the bit of a mess, the wonderful atmosphere of "island dining" is my takeaway memory of this experience at Waterfront Cafe. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a lovely lakeside restaurant! It's a hidden place on Granville & Sheridan in Edgewater. what makes this place so special is they only open a few months/year during Summer time. I'm so thrilled I discovered this amazing place and so excited to let you all know. I fall in love with this place as soon as I walked in. Amazing ambiance due to the natural setting right next to lake of Michigan. Beautiful flowers and very well decorated with their unique style. The lights at night were so cool. I didn't feel like I was in Chicago but on vacation somewhere romantic. The service was great and very chill, they have more than enough server for your great service. the hostess had the table list of who they seated so they won't mess up the queue for service, pretty organized. They serve basic food/ drinks but just enough. The price was so reasonable . The food was good but the drinks were better. I definitely coming back here for ambience/atmosphere. I sat by the water and enjoyed the sunset with my drink on hand, couldn't expect anything else ;) I had a great time and a fabulous experience at The Waterfront Cafe and will hurry back before they close for the season. It's a MUST TRY place that I highly recommend :) read more

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We come for the view. I love that it doesn't get crowded and it still feels like our little hidden secret :) Service is friendly but not very attentive. Can't even really get upset because every time I come here I'm not really in a rush, plus the ambiance makes me overlook the lack of service. Love the wooden picnic tables. The string lights at night are perfect. I feel like I'm transported to an island somewhere... it's just so serene. I would definitely recommend it for a drink or two w/ your S.O. or friends. I've brought my laptop here a handful of times to do work and I must say their WiFi is good! Skip the coffee. It's way watered down. The cocktails that I've had tasted like juice so maybe stick to beer? There's live music on some nights and we got lucky one night - we were treated to some soothing acoustic guitar and an amazing performance by this fella w/ glasses. It was the perfect summer night. TIP: Check the weather before you go! It can get extremely windy by the lake so make sure to bring a jacket just in case! read more

If you're going to come here, find out how windy it is going to be first. Take a fairly nice day, but add the lake and wind to it, and it becomes a terrible day. This place was mediocre at best. I'm going to second everyone that says, "why plastic?!" Our plastic plates literally flew away. When I spend $16 on one meal, I expect to at least eat on real plates with actual silverware. read more

3.5 Stars, rounding up for the great Lake views. Run by the Chicago Parks, the Waterfront Cafe offers waitstaff delivered food, drinks, and musical entertainment in a unique lakeside location. Those who complain about the food- I don't get it- the food was just great! Jerk Chicken Nachos- not exactly "Nachos" (and I know Nachos), but still a fine dish. Tasty and fresh, this seemed way more healthy and less cheesy than actual Nachos. It was kind of spicy, which was nice. 3/5 stars on my Nachos list for being fresh and unique. Apple Walnut Salad with mixed greens, cranberries, blue cheese, vinaigrette. You've had this a million times before if you live in Chicago, and at Waterfront Cafe, it does not disappoint. Service was the right amount of care and hands off, and a jazz band was setting up on the tiny stage with the Selfie Frames. There's live music here 5 nights a week. Did I mention the Lake is spitting distance away? Yes! What beautiful views and atmosphere at the Waterfront Cafe, with twinkling lights, a nice waiting area, and it's pet and family friendly. read more

Awful food. Awful service. What a dump. For $52, we got: - 2 crummy iced teas made of some wonderful mix -"house special" tasteless fish sticks with packets of tartar sauce (hello??? If it's your special, try making tartar sauce rather than giving us packets like McDonalds); - cold "greek fries" (pro tip: greek salad dressing from the 7-11 does not make Greek fries); - a wrap that promptly fell apart - jerk chicken nachos that weren't bad but had nothing to do with Jamaican jerk. It was more like Jewell Chicken salad on chips. Also, wtf with my appetizers coming out after the entrees? Also, wtf with not being able to make the chips on my fish/chips with your "Greek" flavor? You know, the "Greek" flavor we get from dried parsley and crumbled feta on cold fries with 7-11 Greek dressing. Given that the "greek" fries were cold and crappy and prepared by taking last week's fries and adding a few spices, it wouldn't be that hard to do... Also, wtf with the big "no substitutions" sign on the menu? it's all indicative of a management or ownership that really doesn't care about their customers. I'm sure the manager has a sign that says "this job would be easy if it weren't for the customers". He or she should go back to folding clothes at Gap. Folks, I would strongly advise bringing Jimmy John's to the park rather than eating here. This place stinks. Derp. Meh. Ick. Groan.... read more

I have been trying to get to this lakeside spot for a while now, so imagine my delight when the stars aligned and I found myself in this neck of the woods on a beautiful summer's evening and with a full moon, to boot! Score! There was a wait of about 30 minutes for our larger sized group as they don't take reservations. But no problem as they served us some drinks while we waited and soon our table was ready. There are a mix of picnic tables and café tables. We got the picnic table right next to the live band closest to the water which was another nice touch. The view was outstanding as the moon looked like it was coming straight out of Lake Michigan and in the reflection on the water a gaggle of geese swam by . . . .seriously picture perfect! The menu here is simple. Expect simple and you won't be disappointed. Sandwiches, wraps and salads are your best bets. I had some fried calamari (standard fare) as well as the chicken wrap with coleslaw which was pretty good. There is live entertainment most nights, and on this night it the band played a wide range of music that had us singing along as we sipped our drinks and enjoyed a perfect Chicago night. The whole place closes down around 10 so know it won't be a late night here. Also- parking in this area is at a premium so if you drive, plan to look awhile for a spot. Probably one of the best nights of my summer so far! read more

The manger Jeffrey is very rude and his attitude isn't very coming.. he shouldn't be working in this atmosphere.. I watched him almost clean a table with not finished drinks and dropped something in a cup and once the waiter told him the people Weren't gone he removed whatever he dropped without replacing the drink.. read more

This place is cute and charming. The nachos were good and my Coconut Rum Punch was delicious. The staff was pleasant. I wish the music matched the ambiance though. Light jazz is great for fine dining, which this place is not. It's casual. The outdoor had potted plants, palms, stringed lights, and tiki torches. I was hoping that by dining here and listening to the music that somehow I would've been transported to a warm tropical location especially with the place being by the water. Ha ha! Suggestion for music: Spanish guitar, upbeat instrumental, yacht rock, etc. read more

Nice place to grab a drink and light meal. Good mix of summer drinks and beers. Fairly extensive menu of cafeteria friendly food options. I had the nachos and fish and chips and enjoyed both. View of the lake is great. Staff was attentive. Only downsides are: 1) Parking is a challenge. 2) Prices are a little higher than other joints in the area. 3) There are a lot of biting flies in the area (so many that the staff will give you bug repellent if you ask). If you are looking for a place to hang out on the lake, this is a place to check out. read more

Two stars for atmosphere... We visited for lunch on a beautiful summer day. The spot itself is cozy and cute. We had a seat at a picnic table right by the water bit seemed like it would be great. However, the good part ended there.... Service... Was not great. Our server and everyone working there was very nice and pleasant. However, the kitchen was amazingly slow and I don't think there were enough servers since our sandwich orders took way longer than necessary to be served. Food was ok. My wrap was ok. Nothing special but tasty enough. The falafel one was too dry and not as flavorful. This spot would be great for a cocktail before dinner as its a lovely spot on the beach, but I'd eat elsewhere or be prepared for a long wait and only ok food. read more

1 Star- Sangria that tastes like watered down cheap juice. Blah! Do not bother with this! I asked what they recommended after the sucky sangria, they recommended the mojito. It didn't suck as badly. I find it hard to believe they can't get drinks right here. #DRINKFAIL 2 Stars- Seating. The seating is not very comfy. You can sit on metal seats or a picnic table. They do have some pillows (eww) you can sit on. I understand it is outside, so there may not be as many comfy options. 3- Food. The food is OK. Some is better than others. I've tried several things thus far. The bacon wrapped scallops are good. The Jumbo fried shrimp has breading that is just too thick; it is overpowering and no bueno. Would you like some shrimp with your breading?! ;-) The dipping sauce is yummy though. Ceviche didn't do anything for me. It was fishy and lacked flavor. I like the Jerk Chicken Nachos. Very greasy-good. 4 Stars- The servers are always friendly and attentive. 4 Stars- Location and view. It's a chill place to have a snack, lake views, and breeze. One table left, and had food leftovers on the table. I would say eight birds flew in to land on the serving basket and go to town. It made me really rethink the serving basket on our table covered with some wax paper. GROSS! Keep that in mind when eating out of their baskets. :D It is kind of a hidden gem there on the lake in my hood. I will be back for sure, but I will avoid the sangria, ceviche, and jumbo shrimp. Word of warning. They don't always have the menu items. We were told, "It is a small cafe and we can't always keep everything stocked. I don't think we have item 1, item 2, item 3, but I will see if we got it in just now." read more

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I have been here 7 or 8 times as my wife loves eating by the water, and it is a lovely setting, but I have never once had a positive experience. The staff is never made up of experienced personnel, they perpetually seem overwhelmed or understaffed. They try though, they really do but they just have no leadership as things are never running smoothly and they hire college kids who are clearly new to waiting tables every year. The food is also really overpriced. I basically pay 14.50 for frozen fish sticks that are supposed to be fish and chips. But there aren't a lot of options as they don't have a grill. If you are not affluent don't bother eating here. read more

Beautiful lakeside location. Poor or inexperienced service. (It's always like that at these kind of places isn't it?) Their second week open for the 2015 summer season. I was here for lunchtime on a Thursday. This location is so great. It's hard to find another accessible and beautiful kind of location on the Chicago north shore--the water stretches out blue right in front of you and the skyline is grey in the distance. Atmosphere is a great for an outdoor deck. Some tables in shade, some in sun. Some tasteful decorations and even decent music. The service is pretty rough. It's not offensive, just amateur hour or indifferent. It's just about everything: the slow and awkward greeting by the host (after seating me he stood silently by the table staring a clipboard while forgetting to give me the menu he was holding in his hand). Server took nearly 10 mins (!) to make first contact and ask for a drink order. The food took nearly 30 minutes to arrive after the order was placed. It was a wrap and chips. I ordered the wrap without the aioli sauce--but it arrived soaked in it. I would have said something, but the waiter literally dropped the food basket on my table as he rushed passed and didn't return again for another 15 minutes. Sorta makes you think the place must have been packed, but it was less than half full. I had to ask for a check. I watched others experience much of the same, long times a table before being greeted, basics of serving rhythm sorta not done well. Denny's has better service. So not awesome, but I'll still come back cause the view is awesome. Which is why these places are always like that. read more

Strangely, for a city that hugs the Lake, there are actually very few restaurants (and bars) right on the water, as most of it is public land (thankfully). Waterfront--a seasonal restaurant located right on the water, north of all the hub-bub--offers a "tiki-lounge" atmosphere, better than average food, at OK prices. It's really the location right on the lake that does it. If you come, chill out. Don't be rushed, cause service is equally chill (and seasonal). read more

Went today, perfect sunny day to have lunch by the lakefront. They have vastly improved their menu, and the Shrimp roll was delicious!

This place has one of the best views in Chicago, and it's not in a skyrise. It sits right against the water, with only a small walking path filled with dogs and birds separating you from Lake Michigan. It's an old coach house that has been converted into a cafe with a unique flavor that relies heavily upon ambience and the aforementioned view. This place feels like a vacation spot. I wouldn't trek to this place if you live really far away, but if you're in the area or it's easily reachable, you should definitely stop in. Drinks are a little expensive, can't get anything alcoholic for less than $6, so plan on this being either your launching point for the night, or one of your final stops, as this isn't the ideal place to rack up a long tab. The food is fine, my girlfriend and I dug the jerk chicken nachos. There's only one bathroom, so make a pit stop before you go. There's a $1 charge for tap water. The hostess was really friendly, sat us immediately, and let us pick our seat based on location and sun vs shade. This is moreso the type of place to check off of a bucket list rather than one to make a staple in your dinging out rotation unless you live in the neighborhood, but absolutely worth checking out. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're looking to be amazed in the food department, you're checking out the wrong restaurant. However, if you can get past the resemblance of mediocre bar food, outstanding ambiance with above average service awaits you. Ambiance: The restaurant's outdoor seating area is stunning; greeting you with strung lights and an array of seating including stylish metal cafe tables and picnic tables. The perimeter is made up of adorable wooden fencing, matching the beachy theme throughout the space. Which leads into this spots best attribute - the beach!! This is all located directly next to Lake Michigan. We came right before sunset and the view was priceless (well, until you look at the menu. Then you see it does come with a price). Quality: I'm all about a small menu, but the quality didn't match the price. My blackberry lemonade with Tito's vodka was $10 - and tasted very ok. Could have had more of that sour citrus brightness/bite any good lemonade has. We started the meal with fried calamari. Great crunch, but rubbery in texture and pretty salty. There is a white creamy sauce that comes with it that had a spicy kick. The meal came out literally a minute after the appetizer (which drives me nuts). I ordered chicken strips and fries (my go to when I don't like much on a menu) pros: crispy chicken, actual chicken breast. Con: bad flavor on chicken (reminded me of tyson freezer bag strips) and under seasoned all-around bad fries (a sad version of McDonald's fries). My boyfriend got a salad with falafel that was underwhelming as well. Customer Service: We had a great server. However, when we tried to warn her about the rat creeping its way into the dinning area, she was a bit dismissive. (Hey, just trying to make sure your guest don't flip out. It was huge!) Accessibility: Pretty limited on parking. I would recommend coming here if within walking distance. Area: Safe, family orientated, right next to the beach and condos. I don't want to give this place anything less than 3 stars solely for the view. And I heard its even better with live music. Maybe we can call this a solid starter joint? Nachos or guac, 1 drink, a sunset and then enjoy a night out on the town. Jamie "Jammy" D. "I'm not picky, I'm particular." read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Seriously. That view. Stunning. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Okay - this place is all about the ambiance. No so much the food. I have had worse and for that, I have to balance my rating with what the atmosphere provides. You really want to try to get there earlier in the evening. If so, you will be seated at a table that you want and won't feel rushed. If not, you will probably be waiting and will be at a table that you don't like so much - perhaps near the bathroom. That isn't so bad though. You get to see what the line is like. It is a wait for the bathroom as there are only 2 single bathrooms that are for the whole establishment. When I went, they have live music playing that didn't overpower the eating area. So, you could enjoy the music, dine with friends and actually feel like you were someplace special. If you have realistic expectations for the food quality, you will be ok. Nothing was "bad" that we ate. It just wasn't to die for. Service was fine and overall I liked it. I would go back. read more

Our experience at the Waterfront Cafe was A-OK! The hostess was very sweet, and because there was a wait (no reservations taken), she seated us in a nice patio area where you can talk and meet people. The restaurant also seems dog friendly. (So some barking and some sniffing going on). They have a glass cooler filled with complimentary virgin sangria while you wait, which was a welcoming touch! The ambiance was nice. As we waited, a server came by and asked us if we'd like a beer/cocktail, so we placed our order. He was very pleasant, but easily distracted and so, so very slow! He apologized. Our table area was nice! We were seated along the fence by the beach, so we had a lake view. It was nice and even romantic! We ordered the coconut crab-cake appetizers, which were nice, crispy and flavorful. Our main dishes, however, were, well, just alright--nothing special. Sadly too, and probably not necessarily the restaurant's fault, as soon as our food arrived, we were attacked (attacked) by swarms of gnats! LOL!! They took over our dinner, food, and even our drinks, lying and dying in there. We were good humored about it, but I've got to be honest, it was actually pretty awful! LOL (I'm so sorry Waterfront! But it was bad--super uncomfortable for us!) Other than the infestation of a mad gnat storm, we had a good time! Eventually they lit the tiki torches, which helped (a little) with the bugs, but by then we were basically done. Lastly, our server was super cool! He was a nice man, but again, he too was incredibly slow. It took forever to receive our bill. In sum, we'd come back, but perhaps at a different time of day. read more

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The location is great, with the beach right there, an amazing view, and city life right behind ya, what more could you ask for? Food is okay, but I thought it was a bit pricey for what it was. Coffee is good, food is decent. The salad I had was delicious but again, overpriced. It was a spring mix, with crumbled feta, fresh berries, pita bread (which I thought was random) and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Our waiter was lovely and had a spunky attitude. read more

Last night a four of us went to dinner and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the music. The food isn't bad, but didn't go for the food. However, our evening ended with a gross overcharge of our bill and we couldn't get an itemized copy from the server, he could only provide our credit card slips to sign. Four people, 6 drinks and dinner.....$200.00. For that price we could have gone to a better restaurant with amazing service and amazing food. If you decide to go for dinner, triple check your bill and make sure you're not overcharged! I was very disappointed and will not be back. read more

Cute little spot right off Lake Michigan in Edgewater! Took Divvys up the Lake Shore path and stopped at Waterfront for some drinks. Decent prices, cute outdoor seating, with a stage for live music. There wasn't anyone playing when we went, but some speakers on the patio would've made a much better experience, as you could only hear the music indoors. We had a bottle of wine and a few beers and tried the guacamole. The guac was nothing to write home about, but it was good enough. The bathrooms are kind of a problem, though. There's only one for the whole restaurant, so we found ourselves in a line 5 people deep a couple times, which could take forever. Pro tip: just outside the cafe there's a public bathroom in a building across the path. If there's a long line at Waterfront, hit up the public bathroom. I'll be back for the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the live music (hopefully). I'll try the food next time, too. Cute spot! read more

I went here last week for the first time and I can't believe I didn't know about this great place before. I love being so close to the water/beach and I looove their patio. They even have live jazz music almost every night. I tried their margaritas and the nachos, both were really good. Looking forward to coming back again. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'd love to tell you about the food, but since no server ever approached us, we didn't stick around to find out. The host was friendly and greeted us and seated us promptly, but then we sat. And sat. And sat. Meanwhile, the staff walked past us repeatedly and looked over at us numerous times but never once approached us to say hello or take our order. When another table was seated right beside us and a server approached them almost immediately after we'd been waiting for about 15 minutes, we left. The view is beautiful, but the service is atrocious. There's only so much pretty scenery can make up for. read more

You can't beat the view and this hidden little gem. The spot is probably more attractive then the food, but happy to be sitting here. There is live music from Wed-Sun. read more

I wish I had learned about this place earlier. What a location! And, even with such a stellar location, they still try with their food! When I read about the place, my expectations SUNK to basement levels -- I figured it would be crowded, filled with drunk college kids or filled with actual kids. And, I assumed it would feature really bad food, possibly from frozen packages. Instead, we had a quiet lunch, serenaded by quiet reggae music as we sat on the shore of Lake Michigan. And, our sandwiches were memorably good! Seriously -- THANK YOU, The Waterfront Cafe, for caring about our time at your restaurant! read more

I was pleasantly surprised by this little outdoor restaurant in the park. I had a lovely chicken salad and a cocktail both of which I enjoyed. The portions were generous. read more

Go for the outdoor experience. The service is awful. We ordered two entrees. I received mine. 45 minutes later my spouse received his. No apologies. No reason. Sad thing is, his was only a salad. Food is mediocre. Not terrible, but not great. If not for the lakefront view, this place wouldn't still be around. read more

I was so disappointed with my experience at The Waterfront Cafe. We were seated relatively quickly, especially considering it was Memorial Day, with a gorgeous view of the lake. We ordered our drinks and our food--I chose the lobster roll, served on a brioche roll. After waiting for almost forty minutes, our waiter approached the table to let us know that the kitchen had run out of brioche rolls, and they would need to serve the lobster roll on a pita. I'd been torn about what to order, and given that I thought this would be a bizarre combination, I asked if I could switch to something else. After consulting the kitchen, our waiter returned and informed me that the back-up in the kitchen was very long and "it would be easier if I just stayed with my original meal choice". I begrudgingly agreed, at which point the waiter offered that, if the meal was dissatisfying, he could consult a manager about comping the meal. Another fifteen minutes passed before our food came. At this point, we were told we'd be getting a new waiter, as our first one's shift was over. The lobster roll was, obviously, very strange on a pita. The fries were also super underdone. All-in-all, definitely not worth the $16 price tag. I informed the waiter that the meal had not been good, and he apologized. My friends and I stayed for another round of drinks and then asked for the bill. When he brought it, we saw there was no accommodation for my meal and no discount. When the waiter returned, I told him what our first waiter had offered and reiterated how dissatisfied I was with my meal. He said he would consult his manager about offering a discount of some sort. He returned and told me his manager could do nothing for me, and that I would need to pay full price for my meal. We were told "we're sorry but we just opened last weekend for the season, so we're still getting used to things". If you're going to struggle during a weekend that you claim is part of your normal season (rather than a soft opening), then don't charge full price for a poorly executed meal, especially one that you would not allow to be swapped out when you changed a major component of the dish!! I felt the service was terrible, was appalled that I was given no accommodation when I was told I couldn't change my botched meal, and, two and a half hours later, trudged home. I will maybe return for the nice view and the Moscow Mule, but I will certainly never order food here again, and will be wary of the slow and unaccommodating service. read more

I'm actually not a giant fan of dining al fresco, but this was different. This was one rare time I was led to a lake-front site, ordered food and buried my toes in the sand while I ate at the picnic table. It was also a rare instance when I'd never heard nor seen of the restaurant. So, for about an hour and a half, I felt like I was in California. Or Michigan. Or Connecticut. Yumminess. Nice food, and it is boozy. Super chill. read more

I would give 0 stars if I could. Came at 5 pm on a Sunday evening and was informed that the food was all bought out. This is unacceptable. It's summer in the city. PLAN AHEAD and have enough food to last until the end of the weekend. I'm extremely disappointed and considering never coming back again!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This location is a gem but the food quality has some catching up to do. When we first started coming a few years ago I would try to resist the fish and chips for a healthier dish but often couldn't. The fish pieces were plump and big and the fries were ok. Now the fish pieces are small and the fries aren't very enticing, just meh. Even the fried chicken strips are small and dry. For 13.50$ you expect more. The lobster and shrimp salad is good but they don't give you enough dressing or salad and then they have the audacity to charge you for extra dressing. Really? I hope to come back next year but we are barely hanging on since the food quality has gone down. It just could be so much better with the stunning location! read more

Fantastic waterfront dining experience--overall. This wonderful oasis, open for a limited period during the year, is tucked away in between buildings and you could easily miss it. The overall environment and feel is almost Caribbean but for the mid-western tree/plants (If they played steel drum muzak, and you're not a botanist, you still might be fooled--from mid-June to mid-August of course). It's casual and very relaxing. Tables are surrounded by lush greenery and stone paths providing a sense of garden enclosure and needed buffering from Sheridan Rd. but also allowing views toward the Lake. On 'overall experience' this place is a 5 star but honestly I have to take at least one away for service (This is a consistent theme wherever this business is rated). On the last visit (shades of which appear on each visit) the wait-person was slow to respond and seemed over their head (I had to ask for tableware; They didn't know the menu; Didn't know anything about the drinks menu; Seemed flustered/bothered to be wait staff--even if you're new there are basic instincts a good server has and acts upon as part of hospitality). This resulted in a disappointing disconcerting vibe for our party. Once orders were placed (after a few trips to the kitchen to ask about the menu and available drink selection ) it took a very long time to get to the table (1/2 hr. for appetizer, another 1/2 hr. for entree, mine was just a shade above cold but edible). We were told the kitchen was experiencing a backlog. OK. The variety of entrees were decently prepared--no big complaints or raves but ok. The environment is the compensating factor. Hopefully they will turn the corner on logistics and insist on wait staff that wants to be there because the environment, as nice as it is, coupled with the upper-mid prices isn't likely to sustain repeat business (But then again they may not care too much with the healthy tourist biz and that's understood too especially if turning a good profit). Nevertheless, despite some blips in service, if you are a waterfront dining fan, definitely check this place out because they've created something really cool and unique for "Great Lakes Dining"--which a place like this, could, really make "a thing." read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Urban Escape - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Solid spot next to the lake. Parking can be tough. Good is avg but the views make up for it.