Dropped into Yardbird in Chicago for their happy hour, and it proved to be a great choice. The atmosphere was lively, but what really elevated the night was the exceptional service. Our server, Miguel, was phenomenal. She was attentive, fast, and gave us some spot-on recommendations. Per her advice, we ordered the deviled eggs with jalapeño, hands down the highlight of the table. The deviled eggs with paired with that subtle jalapeño kick was absolutely perfect. For the mains, the chicken and waffles were good, carrying that solid comfort food flavor you expect. The waffles were a bit soft for my taste. To drink, the sidecar was mixed perfectly, well-balanced, crisp, and hit the exact right note. Giving it 4 stars only because while the mains were good, the starters and the outstanding service from Miguel were what truly stole the show. I'll definitely be back to hang out at the bar again nest time I am in town! read more

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We chose Yardbird because of their gluten-free options, and making a reservation through OpenTable was super easy! The restaurant itself is beautiful! Very hip and trendy, with a great atmosphere and a two-story layout. The upstairs area looked like it would be perfect for larger groups or private gatherings. Unfortunately, the service didn't quite match the atmosphere. We were a party of six and arrived before the big dinner rush, so it wasn't particularly busy when we ordered. Our server was very quiet and not especially engaging. I was seated toward the end of the table, and rather than walking over to take my order or answer questions, she spoke to me from across the table. I personally enjoy being able to have a conversation with my server, especially when I have questions about gluten-free options, and it was awkward trying to communicate across five other people. Our food took approximately 35 minutes to arrive after ordering, which seemed excessive considering how quiet the restaurant was when we placed our order. Interestingly, the staff assisting with clearing tables and refilling water were much friendlier and more personable than our actual server. The GF Fried chicken was good, crispy but lacked flavor. I did not care for the GF waffles, and the syrup was underwhelming. Others enjoyed their meal, the fish and chips and short ribs were well liked. One thing worth mentioning: Yardbird automatically adds a 20% gratuity for parties of six. We all had separate checks, and when paying through the QR code, the payment system also prompted for an additional tip. If you're not paying attention, it would be easy to tip twice, so definitely double-check before submitting payment. The restaurant is on the pricier side, although the portions are generous. Overall, I loved the atmosphere and appreciated having gluten-free options, but the service and overall experience fell a little short of expectations. I'm glad we tried it, but I'm not sure it's somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit again. read more

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Visiting Chicago and decided to try Yardbird since we frequent Yardbird Miami. We drove from by the airport ( an hour ride) for mediocre food and lackluster customer service. The biscuits were the only thing that were very good. We ordered the fried chicken which was lukewarm and dry. We asked if we could have hot chicken that was just dropped. Our server said sure, it will take a minute to cook. We said okay, no problem. Two minutes later, I assume a manager(since he did not introduce himself), brings dark greasy chicken on a plate with mashed potatoes and salad. He condescendingly said, let's see this is hot enough. Our server comes backed shocked that the chicken is there already. The chicken appeared to have been old chicken sitting under a warmer that they dropped in grease. It tasted burnt. Another manager came to inquire as he saw we weren't eating the chicken. We asked him to remove the chicken and we'll eat the sides only. He offered to try again. We said no thanks. Why should it take 3 times to get fresh, hot, almost $40 fried chicken? The bill came with the chicken till on it even thought we sent it back. We politely asked him to remove that charge. The manager had the audacity to say "come back next time so we can get it right". Really? We're is the customer service? Our dinner was ruined, No gift card to come back? We have frequented this restaurant for years. This is not Yardbird Quality. Shame on you Chicago read more

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Very first time visiting Yardbird's while visiting Chicago since it was on our to- try list. We didn't have a reservation but were able to be sat immediately. We were greeted by the host in which I believe to be the manager. He was pleasant and welcome. The restaurant itself is aesthetically appealing and it gives an upscale vibe. We sat and didn't have to wait too long for the waitress. She was nice and assisted up accordingly! I ordered the bottle of champagne for mimosas with pineapple and orange juice and was pleasantly surprised by the $35 price since we're used to paying twice that back home. The food came out pretty quick and was hot and ready to eat. All of our food was good well and we all enjoyed our dishes. My only takeaway would be if guests ordered bottled water and/or champagne, the waitress should poor them into the glasses for you. From my experience, this is something that I thought was a norm. Overall, great place to eat! read more

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I'm not sure if this is the same yardbird that's in South loop but the food here is pretty good. I tried the Mac and cheese skillet, first dew bites were delicious and packed with flavors, but as I finished half of the Mac it began to get more salt and I couldn't take another bite. The biscuit that come with it was delicious. We also got the fried chicken sandwich which was delicious. The ambient of the restaurant is classy yet modern. Service was great and over a good vibe in here. read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Mac and cheese skillet with fried chicken and egg on top - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've eaten at the Yardbird in Las Vegas many times and I've been regularly struck by how genuinely friendly the people have consistently been. Well I'm happy to share that the folks in Chicago are no different. I couldn't get a reservation online but stopped in to see what the wait time was (on a Friday night no less) and the gentleman seated me right away even though the rest of my party didn't join me for 45 min. The service and food were great and we had a wonderful time. Thank you! read more

The food is amazing every time! I love the deviled eggs and the chicken and waffles are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy. The only thing I would change is it was a little chilly inside so I would bring a sweater. Our server was great! read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Deviled Eggs - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It was my first time coming here. Considering it was after noon on a Thursday; I was expecting it to be super busy. I was happy it wasn't b/c we didn't have a reservation. We got seated right away. The restaurant was clean, the service was exceptional, and the food was delicious. I ordered the hot honey grilled wings and fries with a blueberry bourbon lemonade, which was very good. Love the location and next time I'm in town, I will be back. I totally recommended. read more

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This wasn't our original plan but glad we came here for dinner. Service was great! Rory was our waitress and she was nice at recommending items, and checking on us every throughout the night without rushing us! The shrimp jambalaya pasta was so good and flavorful. The lemon drops were a fav of course too.. For apps we got the Texas Twinkie and the Popcorn shrimp. Let's say all of the food was good. Nice restaurant/ bar to go to with friends for good food and drinks and vibes. read more

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The food at Yardbird was very good but a lot of the items are very overpriced. $15 for a tiny side of mac n cheese is ridiculous. It wouldn't even feed 3 children. The ambiance of the place was great. It is a very cool and modern looking restaurant. The staff was friendly but our server seemed to be having a bad night. She never smiled and seemed to be in a bad mood. We felt rushed. read more

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Returned for a birthday celebration. The service and food remain outstanding. The biscuits remain the GOAT. we tried the deviled eggs. towering presentation. Classy! Lots of creamy yolky treat. Definitely opt for the bacon jam. The little gem salad is huge. A total meal. The key lime pie is creamy with just a hint of tartness. The cocktails were excellent and creative. We're all surprised by the lack of a crowd. read more

This is my second time at Yardbird but the first time was in Washington DC. The Chicago location while very beautiful with the two floors and great ambiance didn't deliver the food quality from what I had in Washington. The food while still good wasn't as juicy and flavourful and didn't impress me as much. Portion size was more than fair. Service was okay but wasn't super friendly. read more

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I went to yard bird a while ago. The food was really good... It was a soul food vibe to me. I loved the macaroni and cheese. It was a beautiful Ambiance. read more

Huge disappointment compared to the Miami location. We came here for lunch and while the deviled eggs and skillet cornbread appetizers were great, the mains and service were a disaster. We both ordered the 1/2 fried chicken (he ordered the chicken and waffles and I ordered the Llewellyn fried chicken), specifically requesting all dark meat. Round 1: The chicken arrived as all white meat. We sent it back. Round 2: My boyfriend's plate was corrected, but mine came out with two thighs and two wings. Ready to eat at this point, I just sent the wings back. Round 3: They finally brought out the correct drumsticks. The excuse given by our waiter was that someone in the kitchen couldn't read English, causing a language barrier. I'll leave it to others to decide how they feel about that as an excuse. But what I will say is that a language barrier in the kitchen is a management problem, not a customer problem, and it should never result in a guest sending their plate back twice. While mistakes happen, the food itself was a letdown once we finally ate. My boyfriend's cheddar waffle was completely uncooked and raw in the center, and both the waffle and his fried chicken thighs had a strange, off-taste to them. What really ruined the experience, though, was the lack of management. The manager was actively walking around the dining room the entire time but never once stopped by our table to apologize for the multiple mix-ups or the raw food. For the price point, the service and quality control here need serious work. I'll stick to the Miami location. read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Jalapeno and bacon jam deviled eggs - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place had great customer service and excellent food! It is elevated Southern cuisine in my opinion. The restaurant itself is beautiful; grateful for after work, dinners, drinks with friends or celebrations. I really appreciate the customer service; Bible was kind and checked on us. They gave us suggestions and help us modify anything we want. They have a great cocktail selection as well as wines. I do think they have a winery inside the restaurant but I have to double check that. If you want some Southern home style food, come here. read more

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Early dinner reservations. Seated immediately. Chill vibe, great decor, low lighting for more intimate dining experience. Servers and staff were all friendly. Food was yummy expect the dirty rice. I'm from Louisiana/Texas so my version of dirty rice was far off from what Yardbird considers. It wasn't for me but I suggest you try it. read more

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Overall, Yardbird is beautiful and spacious, located in the heart of River North. Staff is attentive, tables were appropriately spaced out so you couldn't hear other tables talking, and the menu appealed to all ages. We appreciated that they had a kids menu and several vegetarian items on the main menu, and would highly recommend the biscuits, fried chicken, and creme brûlée waffles. Reason for 4 stars vs 5: - no booster or high chair for our 2 year old (but not entirely surprised given the ambiance) - pricy! Food is good, but definitely more expensive than we expected read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Crème brûlée waffles - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Totally underwhelming experience! I had passed by this place a few times and it looked upscale and online the photos looked great. I booked a Sunday brunch with a friend to celebrate an occasion and as soon as we got seated, it seemed we were invisible to the waitress and not once did she give eye contact or crack a smile. A robot may as well have been there! The place wasn't even too busy, she just gave the "didn't really want to be there" attitude. The one thing we wanted to try based on my friend looking ahead at the menu was not even available until after 3pm, strike 1. We shared the fried green tomatoes with pork belly ($18) to start then moved onto the famous chicken and waffles ($42). The presentation of the food was lackluster, and a bucket of KFC is more flavorful than what we had and was only 4 pieces of dry chicken and flavorless waffles, strike 2. I asked for hot sauce which helped but overall it was a massive disappointment and for water refills I kept having to walk to the bar to get it, strike 3. The sad part is, the ambience is quite nice and it had real potential to be a nice experience but we both said it was not a place we would care to eat again. It was so unimpressive I forgot to take any photos. If management cares to reach out, I'd be happy to share more. read more

I was hoping the positive reviews were the standard, but to my disappointment they did not prove true to my experience. I lived in the greater Atlanta area for 21 years and was hoping, with some nostalgia, I would get some delicious southern cooking. So, so disappointed. A biscuit is basic to good southern food. The chicken biscuit slider was almost inedible. The chicken was bland, gristle, and the biscuit was dense and almost inedible. The deviled eggs were just ok, and the fried green tomatoes were cold and bland. The bartender was great, and the drinks good. I would never return. read more

**This is a review for their takeout only** Really wanted to try Yardbird but I didn't want to go alone (bf is not a fan of American fried chicken) so I got my Country Cobb Protein Bowl with boneless fried chicken to-go. The protein bowl was tasty but the fried chicken was really mediocre. It was crispy but I just tasted the powdery breading and it really didn't have any other flavor to it, sadly. I walked ,like, 3 blocks (that's a lot for a couch potato, btw) to pick this meal up so you can imagine how bummed I was. :( I don't know if I'll come back for their fried chicken entree now (even though that Whole Bird looks amazing)! read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

While the ambience is good, the food could not live up to the expectations. I took my daughter along with me, her choice of restaurant. We ordered the chicken waffle and fries along with okra chips. The chicken was dry and the waffles soggy. I will say my daughter did like the chicken but that's all. She's been here before and was surprised at the low quality compared to her other times. This was my first trip here and I am never going back again. read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Chicken tenders - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place. It's a warm hit every time! The drinks the food and the service always A-1! Chicken and watermelon salad is amazzzing.

We stumbled upon Yardbird by chance--it was close to our hotel and kept catching our eye, even though it wasn't originally on our radar. Honestly, those unplanned stops often turn out to be the best, and this one definitely was. We popped in for a late lunch knowing we had a late dinner ahead, and it was the perfect in-between meal. The space is adorable--a mix of industrial charm and Southern warmth, with a big, open layout that feels both stylish and welcoming. It wasn't too packed for a Saturday (maybe thanks to Beyoncé being in town?), but I can totally see this place getting lively, especially at night. It has that fun, energetic vibe that would appeal to a younger crowd. Now, the food. WOW. The menu was packed with tempting options--it was honestly hard to choose. We ended up sharing a bunch of dishes: The skillet (so hearty and flavorful) The mac & cheese (creamy, cheesy perfection) The street corn (a must-order) The deviled eggs (legit amazing) And a steak-style sandwich that came with au jus--can't remember the name, but it was so good. And then... the pineapple cup cocktail. HOLY. FREAKING. MOLY. Best drink of the year, hands down. I could've sipped that like juice (dangerously good). But the real MVP? Our server--Ty (I think?). Hands down the best service we had all weekend, maybe even all year. He was so natural, friendly, and genuinely great at what he does. No forced energy, just real, attentive, and on point. If he's not training other servers, he should be. Pro tip: Know what time you're going--they switch menus at a certain point in the day, so plan accordingly. Highly recommend Yardbird. Whether it's a casual lunch or a fun night out, this place delivers. read more

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The space is beautiful with high ceilings and an open kitchen. We sat at the bar, and the staff were friendly and attentive. A couple of TVs for the Bulls game. The food is always great. Tonight we had the gem Ceasar, more than enough to share. The pickled grapes are very different, but add a nice acidic note. We had the rotisserie chicken (have had the fried chicken before, which is always wonderful). It came with dirty rice, nice and spicy, and blackened green beans. Chicken was moist and so much flavor. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Great lunch spot! Be prepared the sodas are in bottles, which is great but not if you were looking to slam some Diet Coke :) Wedge salad was tasty and not too much dressing. read more

I came in for Happy Hour (3-6pm), thinking I scored with a reservation--only to find it's only honored at the bar. Thankfully, I had a small party so it wasn't a big deal, but good to know. The HH apps looked promising but didn't deliver. The Disco Fries had solid burnt ends, but the heat made the fries soggy. The BBQ Chicken Satay was forgettable--just two dry skewers. The regular menu, though, brought the heat: the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp was easily my favorite--crispy, flavorful, and made for sharing and the off-menu Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich seriously brings the heat. I wasn't sure I could eat it at first but devoured it. Yardbird's cocktail game is strong too. We probably had 10-12 drinks total, some of the standout drinks were: Bless Your Heart, Smoke on the Water, and Hotter Than Blazes--all smooth and dangerously sippable. Shoutout to the bartender who matched my pace all evening. DO's * Do grab a bar seat for HH deals--reservations won't help you. * Do get the Cajun Popcorn Shrimp--crispy, zesty, shareable. * Do try multiple cocktails--Yardbird's cocktail menu runs deep. * Do take a walk around the restaurant, they have a 2nd level too! DON'Ts * Don't bank on HH apps--they're more hype than bite. * Don't expect crisp Disco Fries.. they were soggy by the second bite. * Don't skip the regular menu--that's where the flavor is at. read more

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Stopped here for a late lunch on Saturday. Their menu changes on the weekend from a brunch menu until 3, then an all-day menu at 3 - would all-day be all day? Anyway -- Waiter was Ty - young guy and very attentive. He took our orders and was very friendly, checking on us several times and just a very nice person to deal with. We started with the skillet cornbread and deviled eggs. The eggs were good, solid flavor and good execution of the items. The cornbread was a knockout. Created with bacon and jalapeno as well as cheese, served with a scoop of butter on top. Easily one of the best items we had during our trip. For my meal, I ordered the burger - which was served with thiccc bacon and egg. I swapped out the fries for the mac and cheese. Very good - somewhat hard to eat and not look like a slob but - so good. Overall - a great meal and service. read more

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The food at Yard Bird was absolutely incredible! Every bite was packed with flavor. I was on a trip in Chicago when I visited the restaurant. When I got home, I looked up the nearest location from me only to realize it's 600 miles away. I actually paused for a moment, seriously considering the trip! I love, love, loved everything about this restaurant, the atmosphere, the presentation, and especially the food. The only downside was that our server came across a bit snotty, but thankfully, the amazing food more than made up for it. read more

Yardbird lured us in with good happy hour deals and whiskey tasting experiences. We booked a whiskey tasting as apart of our dinner. However, we downtown early so stopped in for some Happy Hour appetizers and a cocktail. First impression is that this is a sleek restaurant with sexy feel. The bar is forward facing and big part of the aesthetics. Atmosphere is 5 of 5 stars. We sat at the bar and enjoyed happy hour. For Happy Hour we did the Bacon Popcorn, Wings (2), and Fries Pickles/Okra. We were appetizers while we sipped our cocktails. For drinks, I had a spicy Margarita and my husband had the old fashion. We enjoyed our cocktail service. Happy Hour is 5 of 5 stars. For dinner, we sat upstairs and it was quieter to our delight. The downstairs is vibrant and lively which is great but on this occasion wanted a different vibe. The second floor boosted a view of the street and then also a nice view of private dining room area. For food we got the biscuits, fried chicken and bbq platter. The biscuits were so darn good. Would order again and again. The fried chicken was good, nothing special about the mash potatoes. The bbq platter was good also, enjoyed all the meats. Food was 4 out of 5 stars. Overall we enjoyed our dinner experience. We had a lovely conversation with the manger, Emily that evening. We learned a lot about this establishment and also about their other locations. Emily was good about educating us on the offerings at this restaurant. Look forward to coming back for brunch. Overall, a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would say that pricing on some entrees were high. We didn't leave full but we were satisfied. read more

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First timer and will definitely be back! We came across Yardbird when walking around the area and wanted a light lunch. There were sooo many good brunch items we decided to share the chicken biscuits (2), hash browns, and salad. If you are a ranch and salad dressing fan then definitely ask to try the ranch-dill dressing that comes with the hash browns. The Caesar dressing is tasty as well. Brunch portions are shareable so order a few items and share family style. read more

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Big fan of this place. Came here for brunch with buddies on a Saturday morning. It was not busy at all and the service was very attentive. Never saw the bottom of my water glass and the server provided great recommendations. My meal was the short rib huevos; quite good and I had leftovers. We had cinnamon rolls for the table which were SOLID. washed it all down with a cocktail called All Things Flannel which was excellent. Damage was roughly $60 a person which wasn't bad. I'd definitely go back. read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - All Things Flannel - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food, service and the aesthetic of the restaurant was outstanding. Definitely a 10 out of 10

It was a bug in my water and gnats continued to fly around us. The servers were nice in trying to handle it. The shrimp appetizer was delicious. The Mac n cheese and green beans were both horrible. The pasta was also a fail because it was sweet for some reason. Pricey and bland. The only saving grace was the good service. read more

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Nice location - we parked in the garage in the same building and it was perfect. Cute inside with cool levels. Our server, Bertin, was kind. He let us order from the restaurant week menu even though they weren't serving this during weekends. The collard greens were amazing! The chicken n waffles were good and generously portioned. The short ribs were sooo good. I wish I had ordered that. I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was very average. Some shrimp had tail shell and some didn't. The grits were super thick and textured. I wouldn't recommend it. The cavatelli, though, was awful and basically inedible from my view. It was so tough and gooey - not good at all. I want to return and bring my son to have the chicken and waffles, one of his favorite dishes and theirs was tasty. read more

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I went for an early Chicago Restaurant week dinner. My server Megan was pleasant, friendly and attentive. I had the deviled eggs with roe (1st time trying roe) that were pretty good. The shrimp & grits was also tasty though I would've like my grits a tad bit creamier. The side of corn with the crema was delicious but could've used a little more seasoning (for my liking). The key lime pie and fried Oreo duo was a nice finisher. As a dessert person, the key lime pie tasted better than average and the raspberry sauce was a nice addition. While the fried Oreo concept is great, the Oreo itself was pretty soggy and I'm not sure if that's the norm. Overall, for mg 2nd visit, I enjoyed it and will be back for a 3rd. read more

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Food was freshly prepared and delicious. Deviled eggs, fried tomatoes, chicken and biscuits and potatoes roast was all fresh and delicious. Server Alexandria was great, attentive, polite. Visit was really great! read more

This was my first time trying Yardbird, and I didn't love or hate it but I would be okay with not eating here again. First thing, it was pricey which we already expected because I looked at the menu beforehand and the restaurant definitely looks more on the upscale side. I don't mind paying the price as long as the food is worth it or if you're getting a good portion for what you paid. We ordered the chicken and waffles, cornbread, brussel sprouts, and shrimp and grits which were okay. Nothing really made me think "I want to come back here". The chicken was good and juicy but I could get good chicken elsewhere for way less the price. We also ordered mimosas for 3 people which was surprisingly really good. Whichever wine they chose was a great choice! Our server was really nice, but it did take a while to get our check when the restaurant was slow. All of this came to $150 (not including tip) which is pretty high just for brunch. read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ok...I have been here twice within a month. I had to go back to see if it was a fluke and it wasn't. I want to go back to try other items! The first time I went I had the chicken and waffles. I must say the chicken was seasoned perfectly, the waffles were delicious and fluffy and the side of watermelon made it refreshing. You have to get a side of the honey hot sauce. I need a bottle for home. I went back and had the chicken biscuit sliders. It came with a side of pickles, pickled okra and pickled onions. I don't even like pickled onions and I ate them. The hash browns were a little on the hard side but so flavorful. Lastly, I ordered cinnamon rolls to go and ate on them for three days! It was a large serving. The servers were great and this place is very classy. Its location on the corner is perfect! read more

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Yardbird is delicious. The decor is wonderful. Would be great for a celebration. If you're looking to wow a date, try and score the table on 2nd floor overlooking the bar! The prices are high, but it's river north. I think the food was delicious and large portions so you could always split a main if you're unhappy with the cost. Leni was our server and she was lovely, punctual and fantastic! I got the blackberry lemonade- delicious but my husband got the yardbird old fashion. Just WOW! I got the wedge lettuce salad with dressing on the side- very good! We also shared the crème brulee waffles and cornbread. All delicious!! I will be back! read more

Yardbird Table & Bar - Iceberg Wedge Salad - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our waiter was excellent, professional and attentive. We liked the chicken ..we tried 4 different ways. Sliders, jumbolia, fried and rotisserie. All yummy. The restaurant is beautifully done. We especially liked the chairs at the ground floor tables for comfort. read more