Dinner for two! Only giving it four stars because I have had food this good for cheaper in other cities. The food was amazing but I get uncomfortable spending $250 on dinner. We had the shrimp cocktail and split a salad for appetizer. Dry aged ribeye and a by strip for entree with bro au gratin and a twice baked potato, key lime pie for dessert. It was all absolutely tasty but was it worth $250 after tax and tip... Ehhh? Idk prob not. The potato was the only bit that shocked and awed us. It was not your standard cheese and bacon bits. It had some other kind of cheese and black truffles on top. Different and delicious. Other than that, everything else was what was expected.
(4)
Andy G.
This place is phenomenal. It was one of theeee best meals I've ever had. Amy was the best. All of her recommendations were perfection. If you go here ask for her. The sommelier Jay was awesome too. Every wine he recommended was excellent. They were very attentive and respectful. This is my new favorite Chicago restaurant!
(5)
Christopher M.
I went in here for lunch the other day. I had been told that the burgers were really good and had seen Benny's featured on "Check Please" so I wanted to give it a shot. The burger was delicious and quite large. I also paid a little extra to get the truffle fries which were amazing. I was so full that I didn't have any room for dessert which looked incredible. The table next to me wanted waffle fries but the waiter told them that they were no longer on the menu but he would see if they could still make them. They did the special order for them and those patrons were quite happy. The service is what, to me, really set Benny's apart. Everyone working was SUPER friendly. I believe that almost everyone working at some point stopped by my table to see how I was doing.
(5)
Emily W.
Part of me hopes nobody reads this so they don't find out about Benny's awesome happy hour. We come here on Wednesdays for 25 cent oysters. Eating cheap oysters in the middle of the country doesn't seem like the best idea on paper. Trust me, we thought so too. The oysters at Benny's are always fresh, and they typically have 5-6 varieties (ranging from $3 to 21 per dozen) so you can expand your oyster knowledge. The wine / beer pairing they recommend goes really well with the oysters, but the cocktails are quite good as well. The atmosphere is nice (sometimes there is live piano music) and the service has always been friendly, if a little slow at times. I would come every week if I could. But you don't have to take my word for it. Seriously, just stay home.
(5)
Raffaela W.
We went for a good steak experience and got exactly that. It has to be mentioned that we visited Benny's with a baby stroller and the ladies at the reception did a very fine job finding us a good spot in the restaurant. The atmosphere is a bit to much of sports bar meets steakhouse for our taste, but the food was good. oysters and shrimp as appetizers, both good quality. The steaks were cooked exactly as we wanted and came with a classic baked potato. If you want a fairly low key good steak house experience, this is the place.
(4)
I. C.
Worse than McDonald's and terribly over-priced. This is one of those moments when you realize why wealthy people commit suicide. They have to eat in places like these to keep up social face, but the food is so awful, it might be turned away by the homeless. The lobster mac and cheese tasted like water and noodles. We tried 3 different steaks. None less than $37.00 ea. They were all very bland and extremely small. The restaurant was practically empty. The room we were seated in was freezing, but they refused to seat us in a warmer area because it was late at night and they were "phasing out waitors" whatever that means. I guess it was too difficult for a waiter to walk to a different part of the restaurant? 《Sarcasm》 So here we are in this expensive "class A" restaurant and the waitress sets up a space heater next to us. Which was not working or heating anything. So everyone was so cold, we literally had to eat in our coats. I saw another review on being rushed out of here and we had the same experience. Over zealous inquiries by two different waiters on if we have everything we need. The final bill was over 400 and i felt like i was just the victim of some elaborate con. My aunt ordered vegetarian pasta. Even that was over 27 dollars and looked like some hamburger helper dish I could have made at home. I truly don't get this place. People who rate it high are probably just trying to look high society. But trust me when I tell you. Don't buy the hype. One of the worst steak houses in Chicago. If you want real delicious steak, with bountiful portions. Do not come here.... ..... unless eating tiny unseasoned beef portions in Tundra conditions is the new upper elite rave thing to do, darling. Yelp should add one more dollar sign to give an accurate depiction of pricing. It's far more expensive than Ruth's Chris or Gibson's. If it were not my sister's birthday, we would have walked out when they refused to seat use in a warmer area. I need a support group after this experience.
(1)
Matt Z.
Delicious Maple Glazed Bacon (Pork Belly) and the Tenderloin salad was delicious, but I gave 3 stars due to the fact that Bennys is steak house, and I ordered a steak salad. I ordered the steak medium rare and it came out well done, like hockey puck. Then they took my salad back and came out with cold blue center RARE, not medium rare, but RARE, cold in the center. Steak house that can't properly cook a steak, you get 2 stars.
(2)
Stephanie M.
Simply incredible steaks! The waiting staff is super knowledgeable about the meat as well as the wine. I recommend getting the marrow butter on top of the steak - it's the perfect enhancement without over-powering the steak itself. The cocktails are exquisite and the wine selection goes perfect with any cut of meat you should choose. The only thing I could say that was a bit disappointing was their lobster bisque. It was a bit on the bland side. One of the best parts about this place is that it is not stuffy in the least. There's a range of people in their business suits, some in polos and khakis and some people dressed to the nines. It's a lovely place that I no doubt will visit again and again.
(5)
Shannon R.
oh my goodness.. I had one of the best meals of my life here. The food is absolutely exquisite. I ordered the filet mignon.... and what made it so insanely good was the addition of bone marrow butter on top of the steak!!!!!! Great atmosphere and very knowledgable wait staff. Very impressive restaurant and a MUST GO if you are in Chicago.
(5)
Mark L.
To be honest, this had to be one of the worst meals that I have ever been served in a steak house of this caliber. To start things off, we ordered a 3 inch bone in 45 day dry aged prime rib eye. First off, it was far from being dry aged, and didn't even come close to being prime either. I spoke to Natalie the GM the day after and she said that sometimes the meat doesn't come out quite right. Poor answer by the way. Well in knowing this, shouldn't the chef have tested the meat before it was served? Could the steak have possibly been wet aged vs. dry aged? Just looking at the meat raw, someone should have caught the fact that the meat wasn't of the stated quality. When serving a $159 piece of steak, I think any decent steak house would have the proper controls in place to assure that this does not happen. Lastly, we ordered the steak cooked medium, and it came to the table (overly) rare, almost "black and blue". Secondly, my guest ordered a piece of fish. He mentioned that it was slimy. That means that it was under cooked. Next we ordered onion rings, and they were white, undercooked, soggy, and cold. Same for the french fries they were soggy, undercooked, and not at all freshly fried. 4 meals, served terribly undercooked, and did not at all represent what was presented on the menu. Lastly, I ordered the same thing at David Burke's Prime House the following evening. And the difference in the steak, fries and onion rings were like night and day. I bet Longhorn Steak House would give Benny's Chop a run for their money, and at 1/4 of the cost. Sorry Benny's but you failed so hard that I will never return and only share my horrible experience with family, friends and co-workers. You don't even deserve one star here on Yelp, but I am feeling generous today. Quality Control Disaster as it best!
(1)
Stormie Y.
This food was horrible! The setting was terrible. Seemed like a place older men go for business trips to sit there and do nothing. The service could have been a lot better as well. I also felt the server we had was rude and racist. Long story short I will never go here again.
(1)
Emann B.
Meh. Service was fine, but if I'm paying $56 for a ribeye, it needs to be more flavorful. It was nice, but no better then a good supermarket find. The kale was quite good though.
(3)
Larry S.
The Perfect Manhattan and then it got better.. Business trip and asked the concierge for a recommendation, did not miss a beat an suggested a classic Chicago Steak House - locally owned and recently opened. From the outset you see the big chairs, leather booths, dark wood and you know your in a steak house, Staff everywhere - everyone focused on service. An extensive menu with specials offered as well. We chose the lamb chops which were perfect, and the strip steak, which was no so perfect, But this is what makes a difference, no issues, no problem - not happy - lets bring out a nice filet asap. Everyone is happy. Enjoyed the experience, the ambiance and the food! I would say, given a retrun visit to Chicago - I would go back here!
(4)
Michael V.
I was really looking forward to eating at Bennys... one of the great steak places in Chicago. The service was absolutely top notch and our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about the cuts and even the mean purveyors themselves, which was impressive. I took a chance and ordered the pricey Tomahawk bone-in ribeye. Honestly, was slightly disappointed. Ordered it medium rare, per my usual, but it came out underdone, and warm. More rare. Not my favorite choice. Also, the cut was extremely fatty. I'm very used to a little fat in rib-eye, but there were vast chunks of fat that I had to eat around, which was pretty disappointing. Despite that. the rest of the meal, and the filet my friend got with the foie gras butter was one of the best things I've ever tasted!
(3)
SteakOnAPlate.com - Adam ..
steakonaplate.com/steakh… 12/13/2014 Steak: 5.0...Bone in with Maine Sea Scallop "steak enhancement" brought a tear to the eye! Drinks: 5.0: Going big paid off. Well done John Anthony! Ambiance: 4.0...Service was great and the sommelier was amazing! Not a huge wow factor from a decor/energy standpoint. Sides: 4.5...Lobster mac off the charts, oyster variety was a nice intro, mushrooms delicious, and the crisped kale was a great outside of the box selection.
(5)
Greg T.
Quite disappointed in this place. Ordered the regular ribeye. We were brought the bone in ribeye ($20 more). These steaks were way too fatty. On a positive note, the lobster mac and cheese was excellent. Overpriced and not quite as good as it should've been.
(2)
Carl Y.
An upscale bar and cafe. Good for an afternoon tea in the freezing winter. It is quite costly but the food is delicately cooked traditional American and the server is nice enough.
(4)
John G.
The meal started with great service from Kristen. Everyone was very attentive. We started with oysters that were plump and fresh. I had a choice of east or west coast. The horseradish could have had more kick. The grilled Caesar salad was very good. The lettuce is lightly grilled which gives it a nice smokey flavor. It's big so split it. The Manhattan clam chowder came with clams in the dish and then the chowder was added. A nice presentation. The main courses were wonderful. The beef tournedos with truffle sauce were perfectly cooked. The Wagyu filet was remarkably tender and bursting with more flavor than I have ever had from a filet. The Dover sole was almost to big a serving but very good. The banana cream pie was huge and delicious. The Carmelized bananas on the side made the dish. It was a delicious and enjoyable evening.
(5)
Manu A.
This is second time I come here, and I have to say they have the best bacon. So bacon lovers this is a must, they even have a bacon menu. In addition, the meat is outstanding, and even better than RPM and Chicago Chop House (my humble opinion). The banana cream pie is great! Finally, there is live piano and the bar has a window with view to the City.
(5)
Matt H.
When you ask people in Chicago what their favorite steakhouse is, you'll usually get a mix of Gibson's, Morton's, David Burke's, Mastro's, etc. For whatever reason, Benny's just isn't as popular, and it usually isn't in the mix... which is odd because it is every bit as good (if not better) than the others! The dining room's atmosphere is everything a great steakhouse should be, and the service is among the best in the steakhouse category. Most impressive though was our waitress' 10 minute dissertation she gave us on the difference between dry and wet aged steaks when a friend asked her to explain it for him. The staff really knows their stuff! My wife also contends that the steak she had at Benny's was her favorite steak ever.
(5)
David B.
Having been on quite the tour of Chicago steakhouses lately, I didn't think Benny's could meet my expectations. I was wrong. Very wrong. Elegant, dark-ish, classy decor, with impeccable service from start to finish. We began with a great bottle of wine off their extensive list. Then, two appetizers for the group of four: the house-smoked maple glazed bacon and one of their specials, the salmon tartare. The bacon was: 1) incredible; 2) a much bigger portion than we ever imagined; 3) could have been a meal by itself. The salmon tartare was excellent as well - served with a lemon oil vinaigrette, resting on a bed of creme fraiche (I think) and avocado, and top with five different types of caviar. On to the entrees. I'd been thinking filet until I saw them bring another table the red-wine braised short ribs. Our waitress discouraged the change and told me to stick with the filet. I did - and was very happy. The natural 10 oz. was amazing - tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked at medium rare. Three of the four of us got filets and everyone was quite satisfied. Sides: broccolini with cannellini beans (special - good), blue cheese croquettes (a favorite of one of the people with me; they were fine but nothing special); truffle fries with parmesan (not bad...but nothing to write home about); and crisped kale (very good!) Then, we decide to split two desserts: the carrot cake and the s'mores cheesecake. The carrot cake was extremely decadent - moist, flavorful, and an enormous slice and with an incredible cream cheese frosting/filling and topped with walnuts. The other one was a "deconstructed" s'more. Milk chocolate cheesecake, topped with a homemade marshmallow and then covered in "graham cracker mud" - melted milk chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Very good - although I enjoyed the carrot cake more. Best part of dessert? Taking some of the carrot cake's cream cheese frosting and eating it with a bite of the milk chocolate cheesecake. Yum!
(5)
Diane W.
This was our third great dinner out here in "food heaven" Chicago. This restaurant is beautiful in both decor and food presentation. The hostesses and food runners are impeccably dressed ,our waitress was friendly and very knowledgable on all the various cuts of beef and presentations. Our waitress was just the right mix of attentive and not annoying. Our party had the maple bacon appetizer-WOW!!!! Delicious and worth every bite! Filet mignon-very good/however not the best I've ever had. Rib-eye: my date had this. Very tasty and a nice large portion Brussels sprouts- nicely prepared and tasty Spinach-Meh... Would not order it again
(4)
Thomas C.
For years Gibson has been my favorite Chicago steakhouse .... uh oh .... what's up Bennys? They have a fantastic restaurant week menu, and the burger is phenomenal. Tonight for our anniversary we dined for dinner. We're on cloud nine. They personalized a menu for us ... they have a great selection of small champagne house champagne. The service right down to the greeting was special .... The space well appointed. But at the end of the day the issue is and only is .... how is the strak. How is the steak? Uh oh .... Gibson 's you're in trouble. Dry aged rib eye was too good for words. I am not going to swear off my old favorite ... but Bennys is better by a nose. We were celebrating our anniversary and on top of everything else, we now have personalized menu's which we ordered off of for our meal ... very, very nice touch, that will see us coming back for more.
(5)
Suzanne N.
We came here for a birthday party, which I set up with an event person in advance. We arrived promptly and it took an additional 30 min before we got seated. So we ordered drinks from the bar...well they were out of both the wine we saw listed and my husbands favorite beer. Not starting off too well and the bartender was nice, but not particularly helpful. Finally a sommelier(? not sure) person came over and helped us out. She remembered my requests and contract, and actually had one of the servers go out and get the beer we requested (which was on their menu online and the one posted at the bar). Once we were seated the food thankfully made up for initial encounter. The food was all excellent, and the wine they offered instead of the one we wanted was really good. The birthday cake they made was awesome too. They printed a personalized menu for the birthday boy and even put candles on the cake. I think I would come back, but maybe with only a small group.
(3)
Danny W.
Pretty sure Benny himself is going to beat the living shuck out of me once I post this on social media, but their Wednesday night special is too re-donk-u-lous to not share with everyone. From 4-7pm their oysters are as low as a quarter each and if you believe the urban legends that basically adds up to the equivalent of a couple Viagras for about 6 bucks. We're not talking doughnuts here either so don't worry about them being day olds. It's the same quality you'd get on a normal night only at about one twelfth of the price. The servers are super cute too asl if you needed additional inspiration. Hit them up for one of the happiest hump days you'll ever have!
(5)
Michael H.
House-cured maple glazed bacon. Wow! It's a meal in itself. I tired the Colorado Lamb Chops which were tender and seasoned perfectly. Not a huge portion for the big eaters out there. She had the Faroe Island salmon which was just ok. Try the brussels sprouts. I really liked the atmosphere as well. Took awhile for the staff to assign a permanent server to our table, but once it was figured out it was smooth sailing from there.
(4)
Frank J.
The food at Benny's was very good but the service was phenomenal. I cannot say enough about them. Highly recommend.
Went back to Benny's on Tuesday after a visit last year. Have been testing all of the top 32 Chicago steak houses and Benny's was unintentionally the first one I had visited, so wanted to go back now that I had a chance to experience many of the others. I had remembered it as quite good but the memory was not as powerful as some of the other great steak houses. Turns out that Benny's is clearly top-5 and can compete for #1. Was with some friends and had an incredible appetizer, their maple cured bacon. I have had the bacon appetizer at some other steak houses, can't really miss on it, but this was probably the best. The bacon, better described as pork belly, was fantastic. We were four people and could not finish it, and believe me all of us have big appetites. We also had a salmon tartare appetizer with 5 types of caviar that was great. My entree was the natural prime bone-in NY strip. I normally go ribeye but a review in Chicago mag prompted me to go crazy and try this. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was fantastic. Cooked exactly as i requested, very flavorful but also perfectly tender, almost ribeye-esque. It comes with a sauce, which was okay but don't know why you ever would use a steak sauce with a great steak. The sides were awesome, or 2/3 were. My strongest memory of the my first trip to Benny's was the blue cheese potato croquettes and they did not disappoint. If you like blue cheese, these are awesome. I also loved the crisp kale. No idea what to expect and tried it just to find out. May have been my favorite part of the meal. It had a nice citrus flavor and was almost like potato chips. The one disappointment was the truffle fries. The fries were not particularly crispy (which is normally how I like them) and even the truffle flavor was not that powerful. We had two desserts and I don't consider myself that qualified to comment on them, as I am not a big dessert guy. Everyone loved the huge piece of carrot cake, and the icing was fantastic. Also, an interesting decomposed smore as a cheesecake entree. Overall, a fantastic meal and solid contender for best steak house in Chicago.
(5)
Lucia C.
We definitely had a good time and enjoyed our dinning experience here. Awesome steaks, fresh oysters, tasty desserts, and warm service. Highly recommended!
(5)
Cindy H.
This was the ultimate fine dining experience. Took my boyfriend here for his 28th birthday and I am glad I did. We had reservations at 8PM on a Saturday and were seated promptly. The restaurant was moderately busy and immediately I noticed that everyone seemed to be all smiles, dressed to the nines and just overall having a great time. This was one of the best parts of the dining experience- everyone was actually talking to one another rather than hovering over their cell phones boasting the great time they're having on social media instead of actually having that good time. Benny's sets us up for this. A dining experience so fine from service to wine that you can't help but take in every moment. My boyfriend was well attended to by Deborah who reviewed the wine menu with him, made suggestions for oysters (which were so simple, the way they should be, but delicious). The lobster risotto I had was creamy and rustic. My boyfriend's filet mignon was cooked medium rare instead of medium but it was so tender and juicy, we didn't mind. For dessert we had more oysters! Wow that says a lot.. I am loyal to a fault for chocolate.. not this time. The meal was - oysters rockefeller, 2 dozen cold oysters, lobster risotto, filet mignon, truffle fries (like regular fries but in a cool basket), 5 glasses of wine all together, two shots of 43 liquer with whipped cream and espresso =ing $327 w/ tip. HAPPY FRICKEN BIRTHDAY!
(5)
Adam B.
Benny's is a must visit when in Chicago - but only if you're on an expense account!!! I had the bone in filet. It was cooked perfectly. Probably the best steak I've ever had. The maple bacon app is absolutely brilliant. As is the seafood appetizer bowl. I hope to visit again soon. If you go then you need to make sure you're prepared - they don't mess around. Huge portions, top quality, great service.
(5)
Leslie B.
Went here for a dinner with our agency. Every single thing we ate was phenomenal. Service is excellent. I had a sea bass that was described by our waiter as "angelic" and it indeed was. Highly recommended for a special night out.
(5)
Paul M.
Tomahawk bone-in ribeye steak aged 45 days was ridiculously good. Came here with a bunch of friends on a short trip to Chicago and was not disappointed. We changed our reservations last minute, they accommodated us. We lingered at our table past closing, they have no prob with it. When I asked for a drink recommendation at the bar, the guy made an incredible Meyer lemon infused drink with top shelf rye. Overall very pleased. If I had to nitpick I'd say the kale chips side was kinda like eating salt flavored paper. Get the bacon Mac n cheese.
(5)
Chris W.
This place is a solid 5 start steak house. Absolutely incredible. From start to finish their customer service was extremely good. Their wine menu is very large but their servers are very knowledgeable. Their menu choices are incredible. I highly recommend their bone in rib-eye. Make sure to share the sides, they are all huge! Will be back for sure next time I am in Chicago!
(5)
Ryan G.
Took my wife here for her 30th birthday. Drinks were good, and the appetizers were good.. (Had crab legs and crab cakes) Then the meal. I ordered a steak and my wife had a white fish. They bring the fish out to debone it in front of you. (Ohh Fancy) Of course when they did this, they realized the fish smelled of something fierce. They immediately took it back and decided that they couldn't serve it and started a new fish. Im glad they caught that and didn't serve it.. but here I am with a steak and my wife is staring at me. I cut into my steak to find a thick strip of purple (Very Rare) and I ordered medium rare. So I send this back. (BTW, this is the first steak Ive ever sent back) Comes back 5 minutes later to my liking. The steak is one of the lowest quality pieces of meat Ive had in a long time. Very tough and not very flavorful - and still no fish. Done with my steak and the fish comes out. My wife loved it but ruined our whole experience. This place is quite pricey for just average food.. Would not recommend.
(2)
June A.
I was there Feb '15 The food was FANTASTIC and the service was very accommodating. We will be returning every time we go to ChiTown...love love love this spot
(4)
Krystina R.
I took my bf out to Benny's for his birthday and it was AMAZING! We shared lobster bisque, which was to die for! It was so creamy and had just the right amount of lobster. I enjoyed a hefty juicy piece of ribeye and my bf tried the skirt steak. WOW! I expected my ribeye to be great, but his skirt steak was phenomenal! I am Mexican so I have had my fair share of arrachera (skirt steak) but this was beyong great! For dessert, we tried the ginormous chocolate cake. Again, SO GOOD. I cannot wait to go back. Can't say enough great things :)
(5)
Jon E.
I live next door to Benny's, so I was pretty excited when I had my first opportunity to try it. I went for lunch and took advantage of the Restaurant Week menu. I promise I am not exaggerating when I say the steak just wasn't good. They served me super salty beef tournedos. It was overbearingly salty. I don't normally complain, so I thought I would at least mention it to the waiter. He listened, apologized, and took my plate away. Then he brought back a fully unseasoned version of the dish. This was kind of insulting because it was saying that my taste was off, which wasn't the case. I just didn't want the steak that they had accidentally dropped a handful of salt on. At this point, I just didn't want the steak to go to waste, so I told the guy I would just use the table salt as needed. The beef was cooked OK. It certainly looked about right, but it somehow wasn't tender. Perhaps this is because the cut is from the end of the tenderloin... not sure. It just wasn't good. The service was decent, and the waiter said he hoped I would be back. I just can't see myself returning, though, because I don't trust that they know how to cook a steak. After 2 failures, I don't see reason to give it another shot, especially since there are so many other options in this city.
(2)
Brian S.
Maybe it's unfair, but I judge my steakhouses against Keen's in NYC. By this standard, Benny's was one step above a tourist trap. I will say that they cooked everything perfectly. The problem was that everything was missing something. The biggest miss was the dry aged steak, which I'm convinced was not dry aged but something off of the regular menu. These are dry aged twice as long as what Whole Foods does, but when I grill the Whole Food steak, it has a much more concentrated beef flavor. The calamari with calabrese peppers needed either more peppers or maybe an infused pepper oil, as what you get is not enough to get spice in every bite. The seasonal mushrooms needed some herbs to give it a deeper depth of flavor, and the hash browns were underseasoned. Even my cocktail, their take on a sazerac, was bland. They couldn't even get flavor out of the spiced rim! Finally, I found the wine service somewhat shady. The 30+ page wine list has less than 10 wines by the glass. Granted most people are ordering bottles (as we did), but you'd think that with that many wines, they could offer a little more variety. But the shady part is the service. One of the sommeliers (I did not see ours do this) would open the wine at a stand away from the tables. She would pour herself a sample, try it, then bring the bottle to the table. I have never heard of a sommelier sampling a customer's wine without the customer's permission. I asked a manager if this was their standard practice, and she said not only was it standard, it was encouraged. If that's the case, why aren't customers made aware of this? They still bring the bottle to your table and have you try it, as if they don't already know if it's corked or not. What if you thought it was corked, will they argue with you? Anyway, the sommelier was pouring herself samples large enough that she had a taste before serving the bottle, and then another after the bottle was served. It's not like she was giving herself a full pour, but I still think this is wrong on a lot of levels. As an aside, I think she noticed us watching her sampling the bottles she was serving, because when we left and I spoke to a manager at the front of the restaurant (not anywhere close to customers she could be serving), she magically appeared and lingered next to our conversation while she pretended fold a napkin or some such thing. Which is kind of funny when you think about it, because as the manager told us, they encourage the sommeliers to do this. I just think customers should be made aware that this is the way they serve wine. We were really excited to have a great Chicago steakhouse experience, and we were severely disappointed. There are plenty of other options out there that you don't need to go to Benny's.
(2)
Jay W.
Excellent dining experience. The cocktails were made to perfection, followed by amazing food. The service was spot on as well. You will definitely see us again.
Came here for a romantic early Christmas dinner and it was great! We made reservations about a week ahead of time but could only get in really early or really late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was the holidays but I would recommended booking as you can. We are night owls anyway so it wasn't an issue. My boyfriend and I both love food so needless to say we ate a lot, We each got our own appetizer. I had the tuna tataki (It was really good) and he got a Caesar salad. For dinner he got a New York strip steak. We eat a lot of steak and he said it was one of the best he has ever had. I decided to keep to my seafood streak and got the scallops which I highly recommend! I wish we could have had dessert but we were too full. Service was great, he didn't hover over us but checked in from time to time to be sure we enjoyed everything.
(5)
Veronica H.
We went there for my 14th yr Anniversary with a party of 18. They were nothing short of AMAZING!!!! They had personalized menus with my name and my husbands name and Happy Anniversary. The service was not lacking at all, which usually is when you have a large party like we had. They sat us promptly as well as were attentive to all our needs. The food ... OMG the food. Again .... the bacon .. you will read this in just about all the reviews... trust me GET THE BACON. We ended up ordering 3 plates and calamari. The risotto is to die for as well as the lobster bisque. I had the bone in rib eye Oscar style...... hands down .. the best. Literally the best. Service ... they did not miss a beat. They have my business from now on. We plan on taking my father in law there for his retirement dinner next month and we know we will not be disappointed. The restaurant was packed, but they made us feel like we were the only ones there :-)
(5)
Will S.
Both the food and the service are absolutely fantastic at Bennys. My family is in town on a little vacation, and we wanted a great Chicago steakhouse. Bennys takes reservations, which is a huge plus. The interior is classy, and the service is beyond helpful. I can't recommend the dry-aged rib-eye enough. Make sure you save room for dessert, as they really are spectacular.
(5)
Eric B.
Excellent food. We had the salmon and the ribeye on the bone medium rare. A bottle of D2 cab and oysters on the half shell. Couldn't have asked for a better meal for Valentine's Day. Our server Kelly was amazing and so was the guy who recommended our wine (never got his name). If you're looking for a great steakhouse, I recommend Benny's.
(5)
Amelia Z.
My friend and I have made a tradition out of coming to Benny's for Restaurant Week for lunch since we work nearby. Sadly, It has lost its luster year over year. Service is still great and attentive but I remember years ago I was saying that Benny's had some of the best steak I've ever had and after having the medallions today, I wasn't wowed. I understand RW is only a sample of their menu, but usually it's a great way to earn customers and have them come back during non promo-weeks. I love Volare, but Benny's is starting to feel out of date.
(3)
Ashley K.
Best steak house I have ever been to! The service was absolutely great and the food was amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Lily G.
This place deserves 5 stars for sure! The steak wasn't as amazing as I have had at other places (Grille 23) however the side orders, staff, and ambiance bring it all in for a home run! I had the Filet which was pretty standard compared to other steak houses. My boyfriend had the Dry Aged Bone in Rib Eye, which he says was the best steak he has ever had. For sides, we got the specialty bacon, which succulent! I literally have dreams about this bacon. It's not always there, but when it is it's a must for sure! Our drinks were fantastic and our waiter made the experience feel unique and he made us feel as though we were the only ones there. Overall an exceptional dining experience!
(5)
kurt s.
Paul is a master. Red carpet, velvet glove treatment from the get-go. Anticipated needs and intuited recommendations beyond the scope of my typical dining horizon. His confidence is well-placed; the fare was of the highest quality, justifying his enthusiasm and the tab. My best surf-n-turf experience in this town thus far. The heavyweight champs of presentation and execution. This place scratched the itch I've had for six years. Bravo!
(5)
Garry W.
Good service, lousy food Heirloom tomato salad was nothing more than supermarket tomatoes, a thick (overpowering) slice of onion, some blue cheese crumbles and balsamic. I've had better from Applebee's... Dry aged New York was mediocre at best, nothing special and certainly not a $50 steak. Lamb was fatty, small and overpriced as well. Wine list is way overpriced for California wines. I would not eat here again for 1/4 the price, don't understand the attraction. So many great places in Chicago, why bother with this place.
(1)
Candice C.
Visited Benny's on Tuesday before heading to a hawks game. Food was yummy and very satisfying. But the real reason I am posting is because of our waitress. I can't remember her name and I'm sure that's my own fault but she was so helpful and attentive. All of her suggestions (especially bacon appetizer) were great. Very rarely do you see people take the time to make sure you enjoy your experience and do it with a smile these days. Im in the industry as well and want to give credit where credit is due. If all your servers are like her Id come back based on the service alone. Two thumbs up from us!
(4)
Michael D.
Place is very good but not mind blowing. The only reason for the 4 stars was my expensive dry aged rib eye was very good but not great, my friends bone in dry aged NY strip was slightly better. The waitress seemed a bit disturbed that we elected not to order dessert. She kinda gave us a little attitude... That dessert menu was amazing but we were stuffed and all of us weren't big dessert eaters... The sides were amazing! We got Brussels sprouts, spinach and mushrooms (since we all got steak). The bar was fantastic, great cocktails and great wine list. I would go here people! Try out a different place...
We decided to splurge for my husband's 30th birthday and took a stab at Benny's. We had a great experience. We were seated promptly, and the hostess even brought a birthday card for my husband. Nice touch. What I like about Benny's is that, while it is obviously a more spendy place, it isn't pretentious and so quiet that all you hear is the clink of silverware. Diners were comfortable and all clearly enjoying themselves. There was a very fun and comfortable atmosphere. I prefer that over something quiet and pristine. The food was all excellent, and service was pretty spot-on. We did have a little wait when we were done with our food and waiting for the bill, but it was so busy by that point, we were sure it was due to that. The only thing...and this is just personal preference, not a reflection on the restaurant itself...was that about halfway through our time, a large party was brought in and seated near us, and from that point I felt a bit like I was in a sports bar during a Bears vs. Packers game. It got a lot harder for us to converse, and my ears hurt from the volume. It was a little harder to enjoy my meal from that point, but still, I would recommend Benny's for a special occasion. I really enjoyed our time there.
(4)
Wendy W.
This was the restaurant our concierge recommended and was it a great recommendation. We waltz into this fancy restaurant looking like bums (aka tourists) with shorts and sandals but they treated us with dignity and class. The menu is quite expansive offering a little something for everyone. Benny's offers both wet-aged and dry aged USDA steaks. The steak was cooked beautifully and perfectly seasoned. Any restaurant that doesn't act pretentious and stuffy is aces in my book.
(4)
Cory L.
Visited Benny's with four friends from Boston. Awesome atmosphere, dark wood and dim lighting. Has an "old Chicago" feel. We started with cocktails; I'd recommend the Lakeshore Lemonade, absolutely delicious. We ordered the thick cut maple glazed bacon as an appetizer. It was amazing. For my steak I ordered the 22oz, bone-in, 30 day dry aged ribeye. Absolutely fantastic. Not my first aged steak, but definitely the best. Super juicy, cooked perfectly. I wish I had gotten the bone marrow butter on top though. The sides are shared. We ordered the macaroni and cheese, truffle fries, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The macaroni and cheese was excellent. Truffle fries (french fries fried in truffle oil) were interesting and tasty. Mashed potatoes were pretty basic, and no one was impressed by the asparagus. For desert we all got a scoop of ice cream made in house, served with some fruit. Nice end to the meal. After seeing the banana cream pie though, I wish I had gotten a smaller steak. The service was outstanding. Very well dressed, prompt and polite staff. Kelly was our server. She was funny, charismatic and very knowledgeable. As five guys in our mid twenties; we came to Chicago to visit friends, explore the city, and get drunk, to be completely honest. However, after the amazing food and absolutely outstanding service; we all agreed our meal with friends at Benny's was the highlight of our trip.
(5)
Mike O.
You wouldn't necessarily think that Benny's could be classified as a good value. After all, you can drop over a Benjamin on a dry-aged porterhouse. Yet at lunchtime, you can get a Top-10-in-Chicago grade burger for $10 (including fries). It's crazy. I'm not talking a glorified slider. This is a 3/4 lb. patty with some excellent toppings. I got the Benny's burger, which features onions sauteed in port wine paired with Blue Cheese, and served with truffle fries on the side. All of the toppings work conspiratorially to disintegrate the bun after a few minutes, so I suggest eating determinedly, with few set-down breaks. My burger, cooked medium to order, was exceptionally juicy and flavorful. Service was accommodating and friendly. My jeans and casual sweater raised nary an eyebrow from the staff. I sat in the well-lighted bar area. Plasma TVs with no sound (ESPN) were visible from most of the tables. I still can't believe the burgers are priced so competitively for lunch. By comparison, a Five Guys cheeseburger and regular fries will run you about $9.30. For an extra $0.70, you can get a much larger burger that is infinitely more refined and tasty (and I like Five Guys). If I worked down the street from Benny's, I'm pretty sure my waistline would suffer. Highly recommended.
(5)
Bill G.
The best dinner I have ever had in downtown Chicago. Food excellent and service great This will be a standard dinner option for me Each time I visit Chicago
(5)
Kim K.
Whenever my husband and I want to celebrate a special occasion, steak is the first thing that comes to mind. And when we want steak, Benny's is our first choice. We have been here so many times and have never once been disappointed. Our most recent visit was no exception. Before I talk about the food, I want to mention the service. Wow! These people really know what they are doing and the service alone completes the whole fancy steakhouse experience....now, on to the food... We both started out with the iceberg wedge salad. It is topped with a generous portion of blue cheese and bacon...two foods that are my lifeblood. I definitely recommend this classic. For our entree we both got the dry aged, bone in rib eye. Talk about PERFECTION! Seasoned perfectly, cooked perfectly, so juicy and so much flavor. The most perfect choice for any steak lover. The sides are all shareable, and we got the macaroni and cheese with bacon and the blue cheese croquette. Both very rich and decadent choices. We have been here so many times that we have tried just about all of the sides at one time or another, and they are all amazing. On to the desserts....oh, the desserts...Their dessert chef started out at Charlie Trotter's. Everything is amazing. The carrot cake and the chocolate layer are gigantic, rich and a great value for the money. I have also had the s'mores cheesecake in the past. My only regret in life, is that this visit I didn't save room for dessert. But don't worry, my husband and I like to pop in from time to time, sit at the bar and order a dessert when we feel like having a decadent snack. Over all Benny's is great. Top notch food and service. It is definitely a wonderful experience for those special occasions.
(5)
Christopher G.
I took three friends here for a birthday dinner. It was my choice and I regret it. My steak was undercooked (compared to two other people who ordered theirs the same way) and when I asked for a few more minute in the broiler I was treated to several smart ass comments. Then when my friend ordered a glass of wine (our third or fourth) he received a "less than full" pour and again treated with smart ass comments about their machine and it being a full pour (obviously wasn't when lined up to our other two glasses of wine). Sides were good, white asparagus was interesting, and drinks were cool. Place has potential but really screwed up the service and the steak which is the only reason to go to a steakhouse. I wouldn't go back
(2)
Carl C.
Our office team hosted our dinner for the holidays here in December. An amazing experience and the food was first class. I think the quality is better and it doesn't seem as cramped as some other popular steakhouses. They are on open table so making reservations was easy.
(5)
Margarita And Edward M.
Just had to write a review about this place. WE LOVE IT! We've been here a few times now and we haven't been disappointed yet! Great atmosphere! Looks like it should be a really snobby place, with its panio bar, and beautiful staff and decor. But no, everyone treats you like an honored guest! Its wonderful. So here's the breakdown! 1. Great Food! We've never had a bad steak here. Perfectly seasoned and cooked 2. The service is AWESOME! Friendly and they really know their stuff. From food to Wines! 3. The decor is outstanding! So comfortable, and feels old Chicago. Its great! Will always be the first place we recommend to friends that ask where to go for a great steak! Yummmmmmmm!
(5)
Neil R.
I actually lived very close to this place and really enjoyed going here for drinks. Regarding drinks, definitely pricey but its worth it. They have some good cocktails on the menu (i.e. Moscow Mules, etc...) but also has an extensive wine list. The Bartenders have a good working knowledge of wines as well as different types of scotches, whiskey's, etc.. as well. They also have a piano player - although I am not sure of what days they play. Now as far as the steak goes - it was really awesome. The service, presentation, decor all meet the high standards of a great steakhouse. I tend to order the filet mignon and it was perfect. Beware of the chocolate cake dessert - it is huge! I highly recommend this place for both steak and drinks.
Perfect steak: seasoned beautifully but let the flavor of the meat itself dominate; done precisely to order; butchered expertly. Got the "natural" strip steak, and it's hands-down the best strip steak I've ever had. Food sides were also delicious. Dessert was almost stupidly good, but beware the carrot cake, a slice of which is literally the size of some whole cakes. Perfect service: your glass is never empty; attitude is refined but not snobby; attentive but not hovering. Perfect ambience: feels expensive but not tacky; warmly lit; real artwork on the walls; gorgeously appointed (from furniture to the luxe washrooms). The wine list, of course--it's a Wine Spectator restaurant--was jaw-dropping. We humble mortals restricted ourselves to the scattering of below-$100 wines, which I was happy to see were as thoughtfully selected and easy to pair with the food as the big guns. Cocktails were quite good. This place is pricey, but right in line with other Chicago steakhouses, and I'd return here rather than to David Burke's or the Firehouse (both also excellent) any day.
(5)
S P.
A friend who lives in Chicago, let me in on the secret that Benny's has some of the best burgers in Chicago about 2yrs ago. I have not been to Benny's for dinner, but make time to go there for lunch every time I'm working in Chi-Town. I enjoy eating in the bar area for lunch, but the formal dining is very nice. The bar selection is EXCELLENT. Check out there seasonal cocktails & beer menu. I usually order the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger (Partnered with a stout beer). Reminds me the burgers served at fine brasseries in Paris, but with considerably better tasting beef. Yolk from over-easy egg adds to the succulence. Truffle flavor is evident, but does not overwhelm the burger. I do ask for some fresh ground pepper on top of the egg before diving in. Eating the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger takes practice (very juicy / can be messy), but worth the effort!! Great balance of beef and mushroom flavor. There more traditional hamburgers are also superb. Bar tenders and staff are awesome. Always a hit when I bring potential clients or business partners there for lunch; they have enjoyed most everything ordered off the lunch menu. Bottom line: (Should have 5 stars, but I'm reserving a star for future review - after I eat dinner @ Benny's) For a lunch that is not too pretentious or (not cheap, but not) too expensive - This my go to place when working in Chicago -Recommend Benny's for lunch without any hesitation or reservation.
(4)
Karolina S.
We went to Benny's for my birthday this year and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, they put 'Happy Birthday Karolina!' on my personalized menu.... ADORABLE. Sure, I'm generally easily impressed, but that was a REALLY cute touch. Benny's food is impeccable. Benny's strongest asset is the service though. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, professional but nice all at the same time. The birthday desert was some sort of graham cracker s'more thing and it was the best 'free birthday dessert' dessert I've had in my last twenty four years(moms homemade birthday cakes don't count). It was a beautiful experience and perfect for a special occasion. Will definitely return!
(5)
Lisa C.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary and it was absolutely amazing...probably one of the best steaks I've had in my life...the dessert was also fabulous...I could not have asked for better service either...would definitely recommend this place to everyone!
(5)
Joe F.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sides were nice, steak (bone in dry aged ribeye) was just average. Compared to other fine chophouses where aged meat melts on your mouth, this piece was quite sinewy though still flavorful. I almost wonder if I paid for dry aged and received a regular cut.
(3)
Leon W.
Great service, great wine, great dessert and atmosphere. The $59 dry aged steak though was a disappointment. It was ok, but not worth the price. We thought this was a first class place but the steaks are way over priced. I have had better more flavorful steaks at many other places in Chicago. The brick chicken my wife ordered was very fatty without the "crispy skin as promised. We would not return.
(2)
Mike H.
My girlfriend (fiance now, because of things like this) took me here for my birthday last year and it definitely did not disappoint. We had a reservation, and when I got there, the hostess wished me a happy birthday...nicely done. We were seated in a both where we sat next to each other, looking out to the dining room floor, which was awkwardly awesome. The menu was also customized to say "Happy birthday Mike" at the top of it. Very simple to do, but very nice touch. For an appetizer we started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which I had never had before. It's a little different, but it was very good. For the main course, I went with the dry aged NY Strip steak, which was cooked to perfection. We got mac and cheese and broccoli with garlic cream for the sides, both were huge portions and really good. The service here is outstanding, and the waiters are very knowledgeable. They went through the run down of wet-aged vs dry-aged steaks for us and were very accommodating to other needs/questions. Others have mentioned this as well, but the staff is not pretentious in any way, which makes you feel better about the money you are spending. I don't know how soon I'll be back as there are many other places in this city to try, but I would definitely recommend it to people.
(5)
Joe B.
My wife and I chose Benny's to celebrate our anniversary dinner. It was outstanding choice in every aspect-service, food quality and atmosphere. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and we were seated quickly. As others have noted, the atmosphere is one of a classic steakhouse. Our server, Tom was attentive without being overbearing. He offered recommendations where appropriate. Throughout the meal Tom was available. While some steakhouses use a team approach to providing service, Benny's uses primary service approach which provides a better customer experience in our opinion. Food wise, we started with an assortment of oysters. They were excellent and represented different styles of oysters. For dinner, my wife ordered the surf and turf consisting of a filet and lobster tail-both were delicious. I had the pork chop which was also outstanding. For sides we had the hash browns, mushrooms and maple bacon. Each dish was among the finest side dishes we've had at the Chicago steakhouse tour we are performing. The hash-browns were our favorites but all 3 were exceptional. Although we didn't think we'd have room for desert, we had a strawberry rhubarb "pie" which had a flaky crust similar to a cream puff. Accompanied by a raspberry sorbet the desert was excellent. Based on the combination of service, food quality and atmosphere, Benny's is at the top of our list of steakhouses which consists of Mastro's, Gibson's, David Burke's, Del Frisco's, Chicago Cut and Kiefers. Nicely done.
(5)
Nee V.
A great first impression was made by the welcoming and friendly hostess. We were promptly seated to our booth, as I had requested beforehand. Ambiance was dark and romantic. Both of us ordered filets (one with bacon enhancement and Oscar style on the other) and shared a side of mashed potatoes. All of our food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the s'mores cheesecake, but it's worth mentioning the portion size is fairly small and not ideal for sharing. Our server was pretty good and gave us the right amount of attention. Overall, as others have mentioned, slightly overpriced, but it's worth it as a treat!
(4)
Bonny S.
Very Very Disappointed, after the pretty decent reviews on 'Check Please',; we had an occasion to stay downtown, and would give this place a whirl. I do think they are trying overly hard, very pretensious, so many people handling you and your food, no one seems to keep track what you are getting, and when the waitress is in the middle of explaining the menu, and says excuse me to go to another table....that is just wrong. Since when do restaurants present a bottle of wine, whisk it away, and then bring it back in a decanter to the table. We refused the decanter and then they brought back a new bottle and presented, opened and decanted at the table, but the interesting thing was they left a good 1 1/2" of wine in bottom of bottle (sedement-was the answer). Told them to pour in...if they felt the wine was going to have much sedament, maybe they should have decanted through a screen. We ordered for a cold appetizer the Chicken Liver Terrine, very good. I ordered a Belgian Endive Salad- which sounded so so good, but can't tell you, never arrived. Then Sea Scallops for my main----never had scallops that tasted so fishy before in my life- you only get four. My husband ordered the Bone-In Filet, very tasty, and Mac & Cheese w/bacon, pretty good, and the Harvest vegies (a special- I believe this is what they were called) so greasy and salty..... Everybody else has given this place very good ratings, but I've had better service at other Steak Houses in Chicago and suburbs.
(3)
Kate M.
I'm a big fan of Benny's Chop House. Sitting in the bar, enjoying a gin martini, some buttery oysters, and some fantastic company...sounds like my kind of Wednesday night. In fact, I'd welcome that pretty much any night. The food was really good, the seafood tower was huge for the price (ask them to crack the lobster claws and body for you, it's a lot easier when someone else does it!). The bar food menu looked really good, lots of "sliders" of different varieties. While I would love to snarf half a dozen different kinds of tiny sandwiches...my jeans much prefer I stick with oysters and crab legs. The cocktails were really good. I had a few Hendrick's martinis that were perfect. The service was really good. We were there for about 30 minutes when our server went on her lunch break. The rest of the staff effortlessly picked up the slack. They were so attentive it seemed like we were the only people there, but it wasn't overwhelming. That's a balance to strike. The only thing I didn't love about Benny's was the loud piano. Why does it have to be so loud?! I can't wait to go back to Benny's. Perhaps after an afternoon at Nordstrom (right down the street)....
(5)
Ken S.
Went there to celebrate my Father's Birthday(68) with our family. Kids 7 & 9 were present. We had a wonderful meal. Great service. Never once felt rushed to leave on a Saturday night. Loved the atmosphere. The kids were treated nicely as well. Would recommend this to anyone. Great experience! Bacon App was decent. It's more like Pork Belly than Bacon.
(5)
Tony M.
Very good job by the host in taking care of the party. We had about 10 people and some were more demanding than others. However, the app we had before the entree was huge. Full of lobster, shrimp, and snow crab it was more food than we needed. Good atmosphere and great wait staff. I would recommend it to you if you in Chicago.
The wait staff was incredibly accommodating and extremely pleasant. Great service, they really know how to be amiable to guests :) Truly loved and appreciated that! Especially since I went with a big group of people, we must have been difficult to handle haha But to be honest, the steaks weren't that amazing to me. The scallops on the other hand....WOW. It made me wonder what sad excuse of a scallop that I've been eating for my entire life. Their scallops were other worldly!! So succulent, juicy, and just dripping with flavors that I have never experienced before!! Truly, truly amazing. I highly recommend you try their scallops. WOW!!
Dined here over Labor Day weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late in the evening, probably an hour before closing, and the staff was extremely nice and accommodating. Our server was super attentive and I especially liked that we weren't rushed at all. Great atmosphere and I had the best steak of my life! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago.
Best oyster happy hour in the city! No doubt. 25-cent oysters on Wednesdays. I haven't run into one cheaper than Benny's. Good, quality oysters too. Very impressed!
(5)
Teresa S.
Bobby, concierge #HotelPalomar suggested Benny's Chop House for birthday dinner. Erwin our server is 5 stars!!! Enjoyed 16 oz bone in rib-eye oscar style. Kale chips were incredible! Cucumber gin martinis de to perfection. Benny's is a true local Chicago steakhouse dining experience.
(5)
Hello M.
Great service, great atmosphere and even better steak. Although pricey, it was worth every cent. Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Doug M.
My wife and I had dinner here on a recommendation from our hotel concierge. Looking for a table relatively soon, we could only get into the lounge area. However the lounge was very nice, not too loud and with great views of the city. First off the drink service was very prompt. A good sign. Next, the steaks were excellent and it was nice to see a 7oz cut. Neither of us really need a half pound or more of steak. Perfectly prepared. Very pricey but worth it if you want to splurge.
(4)
Kevin M.
The food and service at Benny's was every bit of what we have come to expect from a solid steakhouse, and, thus, was top notch. The plethora of steak options via naturally fed vs traditionally fed, and dry vs wet aged options is a definite plus for anyone who enjoys a good cut of meat. Our steaks were cooked just as we ordered them, which was very refreshing because it's surprising how often reputable steakhouses overcook meat when the diner requests it on the rarer side. We ordered a rather standard array of sides and all were both flavorful and plentiful. The pours on our wine were healthy and the cocktails we ordered were strong. ....We will definitely come back!
Love this place! The seafood tower, as an ap, great chef and food quality, every cut of steak is fantastic. I'm a dry age guy, but I'm also a bit of a meaty. (That's our word. it's for those who enjoy fine meats...like a craft beer snob but different.) I have always had above and beyond service from EVERYONE there, Hostess to Manager. Love the wine list...a lot. Great boozes Great energy Great sides Great gatsby Great chicken...yes great chicken at a steak joint Great fish, their fish is super however the whole Japan nuclear fish thing send me back to the meats. Great service Great burgers Great balls of fire Great deserts Great pork chops Great rigatoni There is a theme of Greatness here. The negatives. It can get busy, reservations are a must on the weekends. Haters gunna hate. A great place to see fellow lovers of life!
(5)
Desiree N.
I've dined at Benny's several times in the past, but never written a review. Each time I've dined, I've had an incredible meal. However, tonight I dined again for a work event, and was completely blown away by the food and the service. Service: always consistently good...water glasses never go empty, service staff is knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. Food: the seafood tower is a must try...so fresh and delicious..served with traditional accompaniments.I have pretty much eaten my way through the menu and never disliked a dish. The scallops I enjoyed tonight were cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The sides are creative and meant for sharing. I have attended several private events at Benny's, and each one is clearly thoroughly thought out and perfectly executed. In a city full of steakhouses, Benny's is a gem. I will continue to frequent often.
(5)
Jim P.
This was the worst of all occasions for a steak restaurant. We not only had poor service, but the food was just not good!!! To begin with, I was having a casual dinner with a friend and did not really want to be rushed. From the minute we got seated, the waiter was all over us to order. I figured that he would get the hint that we were not going to be a 45 minutes turn of his table, but he never got it. When you are at a restaurant of this caliber, your server usually goes for quality over speed. For a $60 steak, you should be able to dine for a couple of hours. The worst part was that once we got the food, we could not find the server. We wanted to get a cup of coffee and we had to ask the server 4 times to get it. What a miserable experience. Things went from bad to worse when the food arrived. Let's just say that have visited dozens of steakhouses in dozens of cities. I generally have a feel for what a medium rare bone-in rib eye should look and taste like. The temperature of the meat was just fine but almost half of the cut was gristle. It is a rib eye and I knew (and wanted) to have some marbling (fat!), but this was just plain vein-like gristle. It was terrible. You could not cut it with a knife without bearing down on the blade. We did mention something to the server and he did offer the obligatory "you are complaining and I do not know why" dessert, but we left. We were not looking for dessert or a discount on the check. We just wanted to make sure that the kitchen knew. The server just listened and seemed not to really care. That was that. At least the coat check person and valet were nice!!
(1)
Cheryl J.
I was taken to Benny Chop House for my 50th Birthday December 6, 2014; as usual the food was very good not excellent just very good. My husband and I were very very disappointed with our service and our waiter(Alex) no offer of fresh pepper for our lobster Bisque, no offer of a dessert menu when the table next to us were offer better attention and service. I would hate to think that it was a "race" thing or maybe, it was just an off night but, my husband still left him a $40.00 tip...LOL
(3)
Darcy W.
Benny's was a steak and wine lovers dream! The steak was done to perfection, the Sommelier helped us pick out a nice wine, seriously order the side of bacon! The service was phenomenal! The atmosphere is warm and enjoyable. I was bummed they didn't have live music, but it was late and a Tuesday. It is expensive but worth it!!
(5)
Phil F.
The best Chicago steak house I've been to so far. The fillet minion was absolutely amazing, melted in your mouth, juices running out of it. The dry aged rib eye was magnificent, perfect marbling and tender. Sides were done nicely. The dessert was also very good. Have to check out if you love steak.
(5)
Nathan G.
Wonderful old traditional steak house. Great steaks, fast service. Perfect!!
(5)
Mike M.
We had a lovely Valentines Day dinner here this year. By chance we ate in bar area with some great piano music. The scallops were very good as was my New York strip. The winner was crab lobster Louie and the clubby atmosphere. We will go back for piano bar.
(4)
M K.
Incredibly unfair giving it 4 stars, but here's my reason: I'm comparing it to the other elite steakhouses in the Chicago area. If this were the Olympics, Benny's is the 8th place finisher in the 100-meter dash finals. It's absolutely elite, but when you have to choose between the 0.01% of restaurants, this one doesn't make the cut. Let me reiterate - it is absolutely fantastic. The servers should host a clinic for other eateries in town for how efficient and knowledgeable their staff is. The steak, some sides, and dessert were superb. Look, you're not going to go wrong eating here, but if you've enjoyed the chance of eating at some other exceptional steakhouses, you might find yourself wanting more. Maybe this review is more of a testament to the excellent options Chicago offers. Benny's, however, on its own is world-class, and you should most definitely find a reason to come visit.
(4)
Kristeen O.
We went for dinner with my bf's parents, and were so impressed we came back a couple days later for lunch and took my dad. I liked the ambiance and service during dinner better, but the food and wine were on-par for both. Best meal in Chicago. Beware of the large desserts, haha! One slice of cake is enough to share with your extended family. The sorbet is heavenly. I will definitely be back.
(5)
John L.
Holy smokes! Fantastic stuff. Service and food are superb! I will miss Exec Chef Carlo, but it looks like Roberto is superb too. Price- Higher end, but you pay for quality food. Honestly, relative to some other places, the price is not that bad. Quality- Great. The Maple Bacon was mouth watering and made me appreciate Apostle Peter having a dream about eating animals and Jesus telling him it's okay to eat whatever. The Chocolate pudding was great and super moist (yeah I said it). Steak was so juicy and I appreciate a place that focuses on it's main product and not fluffing it up with add ons. Quantity- I'm stuffed. Atmosphere- Quaint and great to just sit and talk. Staff- Fantastic! Super helpful with setting plans up for my gf's birthday and making accommodations. Great spot that you need to check out.
(5)
Laila C.
Come here for lunch. Beat the obnoxious lunch crowd that's usually in most restaurants in River North by coming here. I arranged a lunch for our office with about a dozen people 20 minutes before we wanted the reservation. They had our table ready and waiting with a great serving staff. It was definitely kind of dead...but you know what, I enjoy that over the pushing and shoving of other noisy, busy lunch places. I'm here for a good lunch, not to be seen. My entire lunch party really enjoyed their food, most of us were split between the lobster grilled cheese and the seafood salad. I got the seafood salad (and I usually don't believe in salads) but this was fantastic. Literally it was a plate of deliciously cooked seafood, lobster, octopus, shrimp, etc on a tiny bed of lettuce. In other words...it was a large plate of delicious protein. Those who got the lobster grilled cheese were also very happy with their choice, although basically comatose by the end of lunch. It was a BIG sandwich, add to that the side of fries, you're asking for an unproductive afternoon. If i'm arranging lunch plans again, it will be at Benny's...and given my overly opinionated, type-A personality at my office...it'll probably be next week.
(4)
Anthony C.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I'll have to come again to measure consistency, however if it's anything like my first experience, this is far and away the best steakhouse experience I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I say "experience" because it goes far beyond the magnificently marbled and perfectly cooked bone-in ribeye that I enjoyed. The attention to detail and customer experience this place provides is second to none. My server, Nick, was elegant, but not stuffy; conversational, but not intrusive; and extremely knowledge about both the steak and wine, without trying to push or up sell at every possible occasion. He was simply fantastic. As for the wine, living 30min from Napa, I'm admittedly very picky about my Cabernet. On this occasion, I was dining by myself after a business trip so I assumed I would be sadly disappointed by the half bottle and glass of wine selection, however the house Cabernet was a fantastic 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet, it's rare to see this even in the Bay Area. 5 stars, spectacular. I will certainly be coming here on all future trips to Chicago.
(5)
Ellen W.
In my opinion, this place is slightly over rated. Service was fabulous. 5 stars for the staff. Food was less than memorable. And for the price you would think it would know my socks off.
(4)
Nat M.
great ambience. excellent service - we went for a special occasion and they did many thoughtful things. good cocktails and wine. steak is the best I've ever had - seriously. apps and sides are great too. dessert was a bit typical. otherwise, just an awesome experience
(5)
Aris Z.
The location is really convinient jus because is downtown and any kind of transportation is available. When you walk in you feel like you are in an old time classic Chicago restaurant where the building is pretty old too. The paintings on the wall upon each table is pretty awesome and the environment in general is exactly what you need in order to enjoy a nice dinner. I am new in Chicago but it is one of the best choices that I could make for going to dinner. The service was great. Paul was our server where he was really friendly and he had great knolwegde of the menu. We most likely ordered eveyrhing that he suggested and we didn't regret it. everything was delicisious. I would definetely visit this restaurant as soon as I have the budget again for getting the bone ribeye ! It's pricy but it's worth it. .
(5)
Draft M.
Easy 4 stars. Definite return. Vibe is just what a Chicago evening calls for. Jazz ensemble...nice wine selection...friendly vibe. Old city...with new touch. Winning.
(4)
Steve H.
Enjoyed the service, ambiance and food. Exactly what a Chicago Steakhouse should be; quietly competent and confidently superior. The steak frites allow for choice of cut with good, Euro-style, frites. The appetizers are just right; except for the maple bacon which is over the top in both taste and portion.
(5)
Pat P.
Awesome! Lobster cheese sandwich, truffle fries, maple syrup bacon and the best selection of whiskey! Bartenders Sara and Brian complete the experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Leeann B.
I've visiting from D.C. and I asked my concierge at the Fairmont Hotel for a recommendation for a local steakhouse. He recommended Benny's and gave me a map (I walked over--it wasn't too far but Wabash Ave is kind of confusing). The dining room was full (I didn't have a reservation and was expecting a bit of a wait), but the bar/lounge was free. The bar/lounge is mostly high-top tables, which I hate because of my short legs, but the staff was able to find me a regular sized table and the hostess was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The dining room has a live piano player and a lovely view of the city. It really adds to the ambiance of an "Old Chicago" vibe--the only thing it was missing was a gangster or two! Right away I was brought water, a bread basket with an assortment of bread, and a wine list and cocktail list. I went with a lovey Pinot Noir and a tried a bite of the sour dough-tasting bread with the salted butter (the butter and bread were great!). I got caught in a major downpour on the way over, so I ordered the lobster bisque to start in order to warm up a bit. It was a generous portion, but I ate about 1/10 of it. It was a major disappointment. Overall it was flavorless, with tiny bits of overcooked lobster. The dish needed salt--it would have benefited from using some of the stock used to cook the lobster to bring in a bit of that briny sea flavor. Alas, the bisque tasted overwhelmingly of the parsley garnish and the tomato chunks in it. As a New Englander, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my lobster and my clam chowder, so I probably should have known better! My main course was a thousand times better. I ordered the beef short ribs with a side of carrots. The short ribs were melt-in-your mouth perfect and the carrots were probably the best vegetable side dish I've ever had in a restaurant. They were cooked al dente with a buttery, citrus flavor with a touch of rosemary and thyme to them that really complimented the sweetness of the carrots without overwhelming them.. The short ribs came with a mushroom and potato mix and the earthiness of the side complemented the richness of the short ribs. Since my concierge recommended the restaurant, the hostess brought out a complementary side of the crispy kale. I'm not a huge kale fan, but it was quite tasty and crisp with a light, creamy touch of a garlic sauce that brought out the bitterness in the kale. I had a glass of a Russian River Valley Zinfandel with my meal and it complimented the short ribs. I was too stuffed for dessert, but ordered the s'mores cheesecake to go. Definitely a winner with lots of chocolate and delicious toasted marshmallow! Bottom line: If I lived in Chicago, I would make Benny's my "special occasion" restaurant. It's perfect for a romantic date night or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. It wasn't just the food that made this place great, but the impeccable service and the professional, friendly waitstaff. Honestly, if it weren't for the lobster bisque, I wouldn't have taken off a star. If I come back to Chicago, I'd definitely come back!
(4)
ami m.
Good sTEAK, good sides, desserts are to die for. the coconut sorbet is fantastic out of this world...and vegan.
(5)
Darrell P.
If the food is great and the service blows that away, it must be Benny's Chop House. It was a birthday celebration for me, and I have never been at a restaurant that made it more special. It started while reading the menu. I happened to glance at the top of it and saw my name with Happy Birthday on it addressing me. It only gets better from there. My server, Dan, was as good as you can get. WIth initial disappointment that they didn't carry my favorite rum for a rum and coke, he made a suggestion that was as close as possible, and it tasted great. He also made a great selection for a beer to enjoy with my order. I had the Dry aged bone-in New York Strip. It was cooked to perfection. Dan suggested I cut into the center when it first arrived to make sure it was cooked properly. That was the first time I ever had a waiter suggest that, and I have eaten at many of the top steak establishments in town, along with many of the top-rated steak houses when traveling around the country. To start, my girlfriend and I shared a mushroom tart special with buffalo cheese that was very good that Dan suggested, along with the chop house maple-glazed bacon. That bacon should be illegal because it was so addicting. It just melts in your mouth. As I mentioned, my steak was wonderful, and my girlfriend thoroughly enjoyed her lobster risotto. I should have tried it, but I was too full from everything I had going on in my mouth. There is always room for dessert, and the Smores cheesecake was a wonderful end to an exquisite evening. Did I mention my dessert had a Happy Birthday wish written in chocolate on the plate? Remember that birthday menu I mentioned at the beginning: That was wrapped up as a parting gift for me as I left. I won't soon forget my birthday celebration at Benny's, and I won't forget how Dan could do no wrong. I will be sure to ask for him when I go back, and I suggest you do too. Now if it was my 21st birthday as I joked to Dan when he first came over, things would really be perfect. Going along with the joke, he said he was about to card me. Unfortunately reality makes me a bit older, (okay a lot older), but I have never felt better than I did in Dan's care at Benny's Chop House. It's so nice to write a good review, especially when a place deserves it. If you have a special occasion, or just want a great meal and to be pampered, this is your place. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth every penny!
(5)
Kawone H.
This place is among the best of the best in Chicago, as far as steak houses. People are not blowing smoke with the accolades. We will be back very soon. 1. STEAK (Pass): I am a rib eye and porterhouse kind of guy. Benny's serves these up quite magnificently. The dry aged option was perfectly suited for my taste buds. With so many options, in terms of each steak, you can't fail. For chicken lovers, this was tender and juicy. Go for it! 2. SIDE DISHES (Pass): By far, the Mushrooms are a standout. My daughter and I could eat a plate of those for dinner. These were seasoned just right. If you prefer them whole, then opt for another side dish. You won't be disappointed with them sliced. Also, the Truffle Fries run neck-and-neck with David Burke's version. 4. DESSERT (Average). The Chocolate Layer Cake was not special. It was good, but not awesome. 5. AMBIANCE (Pass): Classic. The lighting was just right. 6. SERVICE (Pass): Amazing! We were welcomed by every staff person upon arrival. Our server was the best and received a well-deserved 20% tip. Ask for "Nick" and you will not taken care of quite well. By the the looks of things, however, I anticipate that all of the servers provide the same level of quality service. Hands down, he was the best my family ever experienced.
(5)
Alvin Raul C.
Last night I came in for a late business dinner and I was so disappointed in the level of service provided by Charles the Sommelieer. Charles provided the worst service I have ever seen in any restaurant!!! His attitude was uncalled for and his rudeness was very unprofessional!!! When one eats at a restaurant of this caliber one just wants a good meal, a delicious bottle of wine and to enjoy the experience. One would think that at Benny's the staff would be just as passionate about food and wine as its customers are. They are not!!! We came to have a nice meal and talk about business we didn't come to argue over a bottle of wine. I was so embarrassed that I brought my colleague here for dinner. We were so disappointed with the overall lack of passion that we truly could not enjoy our dinner!!! Think twice about going here. There are much better places to spend your money.
(1)
Lauren M.
You must get a Manhattan to start! I took clients and several said it was the best meal they've ever had. The bacon appetizer is a must. Most people had steak and several had others had fish or pasta. Everything was top notch and the service was outstanding. I'd recommend this restaurant for any special event.
(5)
Jennifer G.
We celebrated dinner there last night while my parents and my in-laws were in town, and the food and service were outstanding. Most of us had steaks - from the fillets to the Bone In New York Strip. All four steaks were delicious and wonderfully seasoned. I had the filet medallions special with prawns in a tomato sauce of some sort. It was wonderful. We also had the short ribs at our table and it was very good. We split the carrot cake and banana cream pie. Both were large portions and very rich and delicious. The other aspect of the meal was the service. Nicole W did a great job and was extremely attentive to our table and made sure we had everything we needed. I would recommend Benny's to anyone. We did have a reservation, but my husband and I have gone in the past and just ate in the bar area listening to the piano player and had a very nice time.
(4)
Matt B.
Went here in February after getting my bonus (to be honest that's what it takes to afford this place...however totally worth it!!!). I ordered the bone in ribeye ($60) and lobster tail ($31). The steak was probably the best steak I've ever had. The guy who recommended our wine really knew his stuff and directed us to a great wine that we all loved at a reasonable price ($70 for the bottle). I had a glass of Macallan 15 as well ($25). Total bill was around $170 just for me and over $400 for the three of us. I would definitely recommend this place as I will be going back!! Great steak, great atmosphere! Enjoy!
Spent the weekend in Chicago celebrating our 30th anniversary, and chose Benny's for our dinner. What an excellent evening! Made reservations a few days ahead, and James the maitre de lined everything up. Nice booth, personalized menus, everyone seemed to know we were coming, but didn't go overboard, just a nice "congratulations". The food was outstanding! Lobster bisque was very good, subtle, not too heavy on sherry. Very nice vinegar & oil dressing, fresh and light. Meals were halibut and beef ribs, both cooked perfectly. Ribs had a very solid, meaty flavor. And deserts - banana cream pie & creme brulee - were very tasty and way too big. They even threw in a personalized s'mores chocolate dessert. Far too much food. Nice wine selection, though our first choice was not available. Finally, service was outstanding. Alex, our waiter, was always near and attentive, but never in the way. And Claudia was always there keeping everything stocked. Great service, great food, great dinner!
(5)
J P.
Took the family to this well-known steakhouse downtown. Very good service but only average food. Pro: very attentive and informed staff Tenderloin was done well. Cons: sides were good size but average, brussell sprouts were not done fish dishes were average at best food was delivered lukewarm too high priced for quality
(3)
Paul S.
Stopped here for dinner Saturday evening, fantastic place, nice old fashion steak house decor, they had a piano player in the bar area which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter Tom was very attentive and great. He bought out the flash fried kale complimentary with our meal and this is not something I would have ordered but this was amazing flavor highly recommend trying. The one only complaint I have was we was not in the main dinning room which next time we will make sure to request. This is a solid 5 star restaurant and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Amy D.
Went here for our first wedding anniversary and everything was amazing!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and her suggestions were delicious.
(5)
Michael R.
Thanksgiving Jerky! My wife and I went to Benny's Chop House for their Thanksgiving Dinner @ $49 per person. The turkey had no flavor and was tough and the pumpkin pie was ice cold! I would have been better off ordering a steak! Benny's, please stick to what you do well and don't waste anyone's time.
(1)
Nancy K.
Beautiful bar and great ambiance. Lovely waiter who was extremely attentive. Very disappointed with the 20 oz Rib Eye. The steak was cooked to order (medium rare) but served cold and the texture was less than palatable. The side dishes were well prepared and had nice flavor but also served cold. Nice dessert menu but took almost as much time to serve as to prepare the main meal. Would not recommend as there are so many other steak restaurants to choose in Chicago.
(2)
Juan M.
For quick readers: -Low quality food -Had no interest in even finishing the oysters we ordered -Drinks take 10+ minutes to arrive. -Water isn't given to you, you have to ask, if you can track down your server. -They charge for bread in the bar area. -My buddy stepped outside to take a phone call halfway through our meal, came back in and asked where the bathroom was and got scolded by the front staff asking if he was dining here or not. -Drinks are not that good once you finally got them and are overpriced. -Blah. Save your money. For extended readers: Tried this place last night for the 25 cent oyster deal on Wednesdays. They offer 4 different types of oysters, ranging from .25 cents to up to 2-3 dollars a piece. We wound up trying three different types as we started with the 2nd tier and were disappointed and ended up trying their "best" type and were still disappointed. I walked in extremely excited because I absolutely love oysters. Figured I'd eat at least 10! Ate 5 and lost my appetite for them. We decided to see what all the hype was about with some of their other dishes and didn't want to give up on it just yet, so we also ordered the maple glazed bacon, lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries and kale. Maple glazed bacon - what's all the hype about? These are basically rib tips dipped in honey. Super tough, very dry and the sauce is honey with a hint of bbq. Presentation isn't anything special either by any means. I could go to any fast food place and get better quality. Lobster mac and cheese - One of my favorite things to order and I've had it at a handful of restaurants. This had no flavor at all, was more runny than cheesy and we found a whopping total of 3 pieces of lobster in our entire order. If you're used to good steakhouse mac and cheese, don't even bother. If you're used to good late night bar food mac and cheese, I still wouldn't bother. Truffle fries - great flavor, but incredibly soggy. Halfway through the basket down to the bottom was just crumbled pieces of fries that you had to use a fork to eat. Kale - really crunchy and not any flavor at all. All in all I wouldn't come back. Granted, I didn't try the steak, but that was on purpose. If I'm going to spend $150+ on dinner, I want to leave feeling satisfied. We spent $113 and felt like we got ripped off. Maybe it's because we're spoiled and eat out at some really great places so we're used to a higher quality of food, but I wouldn't recommend anyone dine here. Save your money and go to Gibson's for the environment and consistency or Capital Grille for a true steakhouse experience with out of this world food. You'll seriously laugh at how big of a difference there is if you were to try either of the above after dining at Benny's. I know we did, we went to Gibson's after for dessert and had better cocktails that took 3 minutes as opposed to 10, an engaging server that was very attentive and staff that ensured your water was topped off. We left feeling satisfied as opposed to Benny's where we left scratching our heads as to how this place has so many good reviews. My guess is it's primarily tourists or people who haven't had a chance to experience what Chicago steakhouses should be.
(1)
Jim K.
Best restaurant we've been to in a long time. Food is excellent - perfectly prepared. Service is brilliant - very attentive and professional. Expensive but for the combo.of food and service they offer - if any restaurant is worth it - this one is. Sit in the lounge area - the windows add a great deal to the atmosphere - doubt we would have enjoyed sitting in the dining room nearly as much.
(5)
Kari P.
Went to Benny's this past Sunday (Cinco de Mayo) for our 6 year anniversary and it was excellent. My husband and I tease each other that we act like an old man and woman for many reasons.....I proved this yet again because I made reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday night. Of course we were one of two tables at this time of the early night, which makes it a bit awkward when the amazing service the place provides has nothing else to do but wait on your table. Anywhoosee, we are not fancy people (quite the opposite, in fact) and this was not a problem. We both had jeans on, my husband had a short-sleeved button down and his brown Chuck's on his feet. He also has a very long beard. I did not have make up on (I prefer not to on weekends...too much getting ready during the week for work) and my hair was up in a bun. Neither one of us felt out of place and as the place became busier, I noticed many people dressed similar to us but also middle-age to older people with suits or 'business-casual'. We were not treated any differently either, which is always a plus in my book since I really dislike getting dolled up (as does the husband). I had made reservations a few days earlier via an online service and in the notes, I made a comment that it was our 6 year anniversary. I truly wasn't expecting anything because of this but threw it in there just in case. Benny's did not disappoint as they gave us a free glass of the best champagne I've ever had...not sure of the brand but it was not the typical Korbel cheap stuff. I believe the waiter did tell us the brand but if you read the above, you know we don't care and don't know any better. But being that we don't know any better and I thought this champs was better than I'd ever had, that should give something of a clue. Also, the top of the main menu was printed with "Happy 6 Year Anniversary". We thought that was a nice touch and they asked if we wanted to keep the menus. The food was so good. If I could afford to eat steak at a restaurant at least once per week, I would not get tired of the selection and taste from the options at Benny's. We also had the bone marrow and oysters rockefellar apps. I could east the bone marrow app every single day. I actually liked it better without the bread/toast that came with it (it was a bit too toasted for me). I noticed people ordering the huge $70.00 seafood app but I could tell it looked bigger and more impressive than it probably was as I was able to see a large lump of ice it was sitting on. We didn't order that though so I probably shouldn't even comment. Oh well. For sides, we had lobster risotto and grilled asparagus. The risotto was good...some large lumps of lobster in it, could probably do without as much bacon pieces on the top, but bacon is always good so now this is a run-on sentence. What else...that's about it. We were pleasantly surprised that our bill was well under $200.00 considering we each had a couple cocktails in addition to the champagne. I'd definitely go back and recommend steak lovers to go anytime.
(5)
Mary Ann C.
This is a great spot. Fantastic location, between Nordstrom and the Trump Hotel. We dined here for lunch today, and as it was a sunny day, we were lucky enough to sit in the bar, overlooking the street below. Not the best people watching, but certainly a pleasant option in the sleek bar. Our server was nice and adequate. She did not seem overly knowledgeable. For lunch, we had calamari, Benny's burger, and a steak sandwich. All were delicious. My favorite thing was the truffle fries. They are amazing. This is a pleasant restaurant with very good food!
(4)
Christopher Y.
For some reason, I always thought Benny's looked unassuming from the outside. But the inside is your typical great Chicago steak house. The food was amazing, one of the best steaks we've had in the city. We ordered the grilled caesar salad, maple bacon, porterhouse, crispy kale and lobster mac & cheese (we didn't eat it all, so don't judge). Everything tasted amazing and the steak was cooked perfectly. There isn't too much seasoning on the steak, it's just really great cuts of meat prepared simply so you can truly taste the great quality. The couple things to note, while their menu is pretty typical for a Chicago steakhouse, they do it better than most and their portions are slightly bigger. The prices were about on par with other steakhouses but the quality and preparation of steaks was better. Our waiter was not only friendly and welcoming, as you would expect, he was extremely knowledgeable about every menu item in regards to how things are prepared, where ingredients are sourced and how the item is different than other restaurants with similar offerings. While it may not look as trendy as a Mastro's on the outside, it's definitely worth the visit. Also, that maple bacon changed my life.
(5)
Kristi L.
Our server was attentive and charismatic. The salmon was good. My husband's filet was decent. Now, we are from Oklahoma and are snobbish about our steak, so take that into consideration. The noise level is energetic; you can't have a private conversation here. It's a good place to see and be seen, but I think Chicago has better steak houses.
(3)
erica f.
Its dark, comfortable and they have some ridiculous cheesecake. Great spot for winter!
(4)
Magglio M.
Absolutely fantastic. I travel a lot for work and have gone to many steakhouses. I'm also a local Chicagoan and have been to many of the Chicago steakhouses. Benny's is expensive but it is worth it on a special occasion. The services was outstanding. They had an incredibly comprehensive wine list. Ordered maple covered bacon appetizer which was great. Oysters were amazing. Steak was cooked perfectly. Awesome spot.
(5)
Susan F.
Came here for Thanksgiving. The food was marginal. My Turkey dinner was lukewarm. The stuffing was good. Everything else was just ok. Hubby ordered a ribeye. It was good, but there's no reason to come back here. The experience wasn't memorable. The food wasn't memorable. Chicago has too many great restaurants to spend your time and money on this place.
(2)
Tom S.
Attended a wine tasting and dinner last night. Benny's did a nice job managing the wine tasting. We had a perfect table for our group at dinner 10 people round table. Service was what you would expect. Food was on par with any name steakhouse but nothing special. Wine list was a bit overpriced and overall dinner was expensive for what you get. I would go back if invited but wouldn't make it a must frequent location for steaks in Chicago b
(3)
Melanie S.
Sadly, I have to deduct a star from my previous review. As I mentioned, after a fantastic lunch at Benny's, I was anxious to return for dinner, and recently, I did just that. My boyfriend and I met some friends here for dinner on Saturday night. Our first stop was the bar while we waited for our table. We arrived at 6:30 and the bar had a nice crowd. After enjoying some drinks, we were shown to our table. The dining room was busy, which was a nice contrast to my previous visit at lunch. We sat down and the busboy immediately came over and offered me a black napkin in lieu of the standard white as I was wearing a black dress. I thought that was a nice touch, because who wants white lint all over their black clothing? The table we were given was right near the kitchen and busser's station, so we asked to move, and we were accommodated. This time, no offer was made to switch my napkin. Oh well. We got comfortable and menus and a wine list were brought. Our server came over a few minutes later but made no mention of drinks which was odd since two people in our party had finished off their cocktails in the bar area. We had to ask him for drinks after several minutes. We discussed appetizers while we were in the bar area so we all pretty much agreed what to order while we decided on our entrees. For our starters we chose carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, smoked salmon and steak tartare (even though the menu spelled it 'tartar', as in tartar sauce). We all enjoyed the appetizers, especially the carpaccio, but agreed that Joe's does better oysters Rockefeller. Next up we ordered our main courses and sides, which we would all get to taste: A filet, veal chop, bone-in ribeye, and a Benny's duo, which was a porterhouse. For sides, we chose sauteed mushrooms, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. We were disappointed that there were no au gratin potatoes or a double baked on the menu as I found their potato choices a little boring. Everything was good, but other than the filet, nothing was a standout. We all agreed that the filet was one of the best we tasted. I tend to not order filets as they can very often be bland, but this one was the most flavorful one I've ever tasted. The bone-in ribeye was on the thin side and doesn't hold a candle to Joe's. After we finished our entrees, my friend ordered another bottle of wine, which she was the only one drinking as the rest of us were finishing a different bottle. She had about half a glass left when she ordered it and knew she wouldn't be finishing so she made sure to ask if they could recork and package the leftover wine and they said they could. Desserts were ordered: strawberry shortcake and praline doughnuts. I loved the shortcake on my previous visit and it was just as good the second time. I didn't try the doughnuts but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. At this point my friend had been waiting a good 30 minutes for her wine and had to track down the server who said he wasn't sure she still wanted it since she still had a couple of sips left and we were concluding our meal. I'm not sure what the miscommunication was since my friend still clearly wanted it. In the end, she said she still wanted it, but the server potentially blew a pricey sale. The dinner was good, but for the same prices, I think the service and food at Joe's is much better. It seemed like there were a lot of people working the dining room, but the service didn't necessarily commensurate. There were periods of long delays as well as a few missteps in service, and at these price points, I think that's unreasonable. For lunch I gave this 4 stars; for dinner, it's 3, so it averages out to a solid 3.5 stars.
(3)
Judy F.
While visiting Chicago, we met up with others at Benny's for a nice dinner. As usual, hubby and I arrived early, so we got a seat at the bar and ordered a couple of glasses of wine. The bartender was very funny and made jokes with my husband, which really made us comfortable. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very calming - nice, but not so much such that I felt out of place in my jeans and nice shirt. After being seated, the waitress was also very helpful and had a great personality. She told us a lot about the owners, the chef, and the menu to help us make decisions. I ordered a salad, steak, and kale. The salad was a simple house salad, but I was very happy to see that it was really made by them and had great ingredients. The steak was cooked exactly like I ordered it and was a good sized portion. It was also tender and quite easy to enjoy. The kale was the real surprise here for me - it was crispy and probably my favorite part of the main course. Well prepared and delicious. We did let ourselves be talked into ordering dessert, so hubby and I ordered carrot cake. I think that this could have fed the whole table - it was huge. We were only able to eat about 1/3 of it and ended up taking the rest back to the hotel and eating a little for breakfast (we still didn't finish it, though, it was that huge). This was a good place to enjoy company, as there is a hum of conversation around, but nothing overly loud.
(3)
arpan s.
I think tho is my favorite steak house in the city. I was very excited to go tere. Excited to eat. And excited when I left. It was what I expected. Parking was easy also. And they have valet. I ordered the surf and turf. Server knew a lot about the huge selection of wines they offered. Helped us pik a great one. I ordered the surf n turf. Loved it. And the sides. Very flavorful and quality meats. Can't wait to Go back.
(5)
Jim M.
replaced a reservation for 3 forks with this one and were delighted! food, service ambiance all wonderful, steaks (NY strip and filet) were both done to perfection, will definitely come again
(5)
Kyle P.
I come here for lunch about once a month and really dig the atmosphere and the burgers and fries. It isn't on the best in the city but it is quality for a good price and I have had the steaks and wine and again they are very good but not great or perfect. I do love the service though and there is a great waiter at lunch and bar manager I can't remember her name but she is great as well
(4)
J. M.
Came to Benny's for an event. I have to say the steak was AMAZING... like "butta" I don't know how they do it but they do it well.... I'd say this is a perfect setting for a romantic date for any carnivore couple. Impressive. Even met Benny! Yes, apparently there is an actual Benny, I was surprised to. Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)
Paul R.
Great food and great service. Visiting for 2 days and this was a great place to grab a drink, lunch, and some great recommendation's from the staff.
(4)
Eric B.
Was in Chicago for St. Paddy's weekend and looking for a place to eat dinner Friday night. Most of the places I wanted to try were all booked, so I basically just found something within walking distance of my hotel that took reservations. Benny's ended up being a great find. The food up and down was mostly excellent; the mac and cheese was amazing. Blue cheese croquettes were not quite what I hoped, but decent I guess. Also love a place that serves straight up bacon as an appetizer (although we didn't try it). Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable...when she was around. She seemed to disappear for large amounts of time. It took at least 20-30 mins for her to finally come back to take our food order. Not sure if she was stretched thin or what. I'd definitely recommend this place. It has an old school steakhouse vibe and has a decent location. Also the people watching is....interesting.
(4)
Bob D.
In town for the Stadium Series. The Bone in rib eye was fantastic. Server was very good and the Bisque was outrageously good. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Lizz M.
Hello and welcome to every Yelpie's favorite week: Restaurant Week. Came here for lunch today with a friend. We were promptly greeted by two hostesses out front and taken to our seats. $22 for a soup or salad, entree and dessert. Don't mind if I do. I had the potato, leek and pesto soup which was perfectly seasoned and had a velvety texture. I could have eaten this soup all day and am already planning on how to recreate it at home. For the entree we had the option between butternut squash risotto, red snapper or a filet with duck fat fries and a glorious, glorious mushroom and wine sauce. I think you can tell which one I got. The portions were perfect, and the dish also came with a small bunch of arugula, which cut the heaviness of the filet perfectly. Lastly, dessert. My dining companion and I thought we had a choice between two items, but it turns out you got a deconstructed banana cream pie, mini creme brulee and chocolate mousse with marshmallows. Seriously delicious. Left (SO) full and happy. As my friend put it, "I want to snuggle the chef" because good lord, what a perfect meal! And our waiters were all friendly, attentive and wonderful.
(5)
David W.
Food-very good. Price-high. Service-mediocre. Value for money? Lots of places to get a great meal in the city. This one would stack up if the service was better.
(3)
Morris N.
Classy decor, excellent service. You can ask anyone walking by and they will accommodate you not like most places where you get the standard response, let me get your server so I give them five stars for service. Food was amazing. For appetizers we had the calamari, house cured maple glazed bacon and even tried the bone marrow. Entree was bone-in ribeye and sides of asparagus and mash potatoes. Wine list was extensive. I tried the Justin cab which was great with the steak. It is pricey so expect to drop around $150 per person.
(5)
Brittany Z.
Went here for my mom's birthday last week and I can happily say it's by far one of the best restaurants in the city. Hands down. Service? Top Notch. Our waitress was phenomenal and the sommelier recommended my new favorite wine. Food? OMG. Amongst the table we ordered: calamari, the crab cake, maple bacon, rib eyes, the skirt steak, the new york strip, and a filet. For sides we had fries, carrots, brussell sprouts, and mashed potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection and melted in our mouth. Blah, blah, blah it was amazing. Ambiance? Lovely. I love, love, loved, the dark decor and amber lighting. It wasn't too loud and I didn't find it hard to hold a conversation. Bonus: Surprise Happy Birthday Smores dessert for my Mom complete with candle. Adorbs. P.S. The creme brulee is good as well. Bottom Line. Go, just go.
(5)
Samantha W.
We had originally planned to visit another steakhouse when visiting this past weekend, but when we realized it wasn't open on Sundays, we ventured to Benny's instead. I am glad we made the switch. Service and food were great. Our server (who only identified himself as the sommelier) was very pleasant to talk to (we discussed, at length, about the joys of bacon), had a wealth of knowledge about how each of the steaks were prepared and cooked, and was spot on with his meal recommendations. I had one of the specials, a Cajun-style Tenderloin with bacon & onion reduction and garlic potatoes. I like my meat dead, so I had it cooked Medium Well and it had a great char on the outside but was still incredibly tender. Far from shoe leather. The potatoes were good and came in a generous portion. My boyfriend (who's hard to impress when it comes to food, let alone steak) ordered his Wet Aged Rib Eye Double Rare and, while the server took some liberties and switched it to Blue, he loved it. Server also took some liberties with the whiskey BF ordered since they didn't have regular Jameson, but again was spot on. For dessert, we figured we'd share the S'mores Cheesecake. It was delicious but I definitely could've/should've ordered my own. It's not massive like the Chocolate Layer Cake. Restaurant was lovely. Great mix of customers, young and old -- not an overly stuffy atmosphere like I was expecting.
(5)
Megan K.
Benny's, you never displease me when it comes to a classic American steakhouse. I've been to Benny's around five times over the last two years for work dinners as well as for a very nice date out, and I've never had an unpleasant experience. The ambiance is spot on, the service is great and fairly consistent, and the steaks are incredible. All of these items are crucial to a great steakhouse experience, which is why I keep coming back to Benny's over the other offerings in the city (ie Mortons, Gibsons, G&G, etc). My boyfriend and I came here for a Thursday night dinner last night, and we had a great experience. We made a reservation (which is a must and incredibly easy through opentable.com ) for 6pm and the restaurant was just kicking off the evening. We were promptly seated and given a wine menu to look over. Once we made our selection from their large and impressive list, we were asked if we wanted it decanted, which was a nice touch. They brought the decanter over in a matter of minutes and poured two glasses of wine for us while the dinner specials were explained and while we looked over the menu. We had a few questions about some of the sides, which our server effectively answered. After hemming and hawing over what sides we wanted, we finally came to the following conclusion: 1) Appetizer: House Cured and Cut Bacon: I would give this a 4/5 when it comes to bacon. It was thick cut, the right amount of fat to meat ratio, salty and sweet (due to the maple glaze), and it had a great smoky flavor to it. It was pan seared and then grilled, so the flavor profile was fantastic. Also, the portion was HUGE, we both had two very large pieces of bacon that were a meal in and of itself. I'd recommend this appetizer for a larger party, or as a side to your steaks. Although, if you have a large appetite, you could easily devour this as a precursor to the savory steaks. 2) Steaks: We both went with the dry aged bone in New York strip. This is one of the most solid steaks I've had at Benny's, besides the bone in Filet Mignon, and it always hits the mark. The seasonings they use in the dry aging is fantastic and the bone in really makes the steak juicy and flavorful. We got our steaks medium, which was great, but the medium rare presentation of this steak is to die for as it's just more flavorful that way. 3) Sides: This is the reason for knocking off a star, I'm never pleased with the sides here. They're good... just not great. We decided to get the Blue Cheese Croquettes which were essentially thin cut potatoes stuffed with blue cheese, baked, topped with more blue cheese and potatoes, and then baked again. I love blue cheese, but this cheese was really dry, which was a great contrast with the steak, but just not outstanding on their own. I liked them more as the meal went on, but they were still just "meh" in my book. We also got a broccoli/kale type vegetable as a side that was topped with Parmesan, and this was also very lackluster. It was pretty bitter (due to the kale influence) and just hard to cut and eat without looking like a slob. Not a huge fan. 4) Dessert: Chocolate Layer Cake. Need I even go into more detail with this one? It was exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse--huge portions and pumped full of deliciousness. The cake came out cold, which for some reason I'm normally not a fan of cold cake, but it was fantastic! It was rich, but not too sweet, and tasted very dark chocolaty. We managed to put away about 2/3 of this bad boy before raising the white flag. I'll definitely be back to Benny's when I'm willing to splurge a little bit (nearly $300 for a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two steaks, two sides, and a dessert) but it is a fantastic meal that's worth it every now and then for a special occasion. Benny's is spot on with the pacing of the meal, so you never feel rushed or wonder when the next course is coming out. Well done (even though you NEVER want to hear these words uttered in relation to steak) Benny's, well done.
(4)
Nancy K.
Read a lot of different reviews of steakhouses in Chicago and decided to try Benny's Chop House for my birthday dinner. I was not disappointed! I love a good rib eye steak and the one I had at Benny's was absolutely fantastic! Cooked to my liking, I enjoyed every bite. Started with Benny's chowder (excellent), rib eye steak, bake potato and finished with the totally awesome banana cream pie! The service was a class act all the way, with greetings at the door and all waite staff. Our server Erwin was absolutely wonderful...thank you! He is not pushy or forgetful, but very attentive and professional. It was a great dining experience. Looking forward to dining at Benny's again. Ps thanks Erwin for the extra "birthday surprise"! Nancy
(5)
Kenneth F.
Yelp... you need to include ZERO STARS... we didn't get to the dinner part... We sat and had a drink before dinner and the hostess was lovely, our cocktail waitress was cute and cheery, so we thought everything's on track - WRONG!!! I ordered a $12 Bulleit Rye on the rocks with a twist and we had a nice time listening to some just ok, karaoke style singer.. ok, she was good and it's Chicago so some live music was in order... We get ready to be seated and we get the bill and magically the $12 Bulleit Rye is .... drumroll..... $14 ... really wtf??? I ask the waitress who looked at me like oh this is how we roll in Chicago... "well sir, (still very cheery and polite) when you order the drink with ice or on the rocks, its usually a larger pour..." hmmm really, yeah, never heard of this before.. ... just an FYI... $2 isn't going to break me; it's the principle! Tell us it's $14 and I would have still ordered it... or tell me it's $14 on the rocks - ok, but don't play fast and loose on the menu... where are the asterisks? Ok, So I stop to talk the manager Mitchell, another nice chap - see everyone is really cheery when the commit larceny (sic) - he said the same thing... when you order on the rocks it's a larger pour.... just like when you order a Martini up it's a bigger pour... I said, oh ok, I get it... where does it say this for us non Chicago morons.. where on the menu does it explain this... He looked at me mater of factly and said: "it doesn't sir..." So by this time my wife was seated, and I asked the lovely hostess to kindly get her and that we were leaving... Mitchell didn't know what was wrong and I told him, I didn't want to mistakenly ask for bread and butter or a glass of water "on the rocks" and be charged additional for it...
(1)
Dana L.
Awesome wine list Great food and the service was great
(5)
Elle C.
I want to love Benny's. I want to love it so much that I keep coming back, but I don't and... This will be my last time. The steak I had tonight... 60$ ribeye. Had no char. Came out over, sent it back and it came out gristly, colorless, and damn near flavorless. The service is always subpar. I wish I could say this was a first, but I've had several less than stellar meals here (for upwards of 250 each). :( I wanted to love you Benny's... But now I can't come back.. Not even for oysters..
(2)
Kerry C.
When you are paying this much for drinks and food, you expect superior service and meals. Benny's delivered. The wine list was eye-bugging expensive but their choices were superb. I'm a vegetarian and had a wonderful time with plenty of choices. My boyfriend said it was the best meal of his life (house cured bacon that "melts in your mouth" and bone in rib-eye). My parents are pretty picky and have had their share of nice meals and both said it was one of their best meals in the city. And they live here. Wonderful service- not stuffy, very knowledgeable and fun. Great meal, great time.
(5)
Andrew B.
Note this is a review of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and oyster appetizer at a steakhouse; if I were reviewing the steak I suspect this would be a 5/5. Hit up Benny's for their Thanksgiving day dinner, for lunch, with the foreknowledge that I'd also be hitting Chicago Q with GrubWithUs for dinner. Great service! Very attentive, very polite. Great atmosphere. Quiet even after the crowds started filling up tables. Decent turkey -- had an odd sliver of bone hidden in my slices of turkey that was a bit disappointing, not to mention unpleasant to choke on. We had a dozen oysters as an appetizer; they were ok, but the liquor seemed more like ice water to me than a salty oyster liquor. The oyster meat was also not pre-separated from the shells. My dining companion thought they were decent; maybe I'm just spoiled by a recent trip to GT that I need to repeat soon. The cocktail and mignonette sauces Benny serves with their oysters were good, but maybe a bit strong -- perhaps to make up for the mild-flavored oyster meat and liquor. The butternut squash soup that came as part of the dinner was quite good. The wedge salad I ordered separately was a nice variation on a wedge -- it was actually heart of iceberg rather than wedge. The creamy bleu cheese dollops were an excellent compliment to the grape? cherry? tomatoes and bacon bits. And the tomatoes were 100% good, nothing sour, nothing underripe, nothing borderline -- rare anywhere I go, especially once out of season for tomatoes. The mashed potatoes were ok. The sweet potatoes were a bit disappointing. Definitely intend to go back and hit up the steak menu sooner than later; will review again.
(3)
Sarah S.
Food was good, as was ambience. Service exceeded expectations. Caesar salad too much dressing. Shrimp special appy, too much seaweed. TBone to share, cooked and seasoned perfectly, but a few bites were tough. Highlight of evening was our Kosta Browne Pinot Noir.
(3)
Peter K.
I go here about once a month for lunch. They have an awesome burger that comes with truffle fries for only $10!!! For my money its one of the beast deals in the city. You can easily spend $15 - $20 downtown and not get half as good a burger. I have tried other things on the menu and they have been ok. Nothing really stands out other than the burgers and tacos. The menu gets expensive once you veer off the path of lunch time sandwiches. I have been there for a couple of work functions and got a steak which was done nicely, I also had one of the best, if not THE best Cesar Salad there. I'd recommend if you are in the area, however if you are looking for TOP FLIGHT steakhouses; this is in the top 10, but NOT in the top 5
(3)
Christopher R.
This is my favorite steak house in the city. One of the few places to offer natural, dry, or wet aged steaks, Benny's will surely have the cut for you. I usually go for the natural bone in ribeye with truffle mashed! They also have a fantastic wine program and a great selection of scotch. They also have live music in the bar on some nights as well as a private dining room if needed.
(5)
B B.
Best steak EVER. Expensive but worth every penny. Attentive and knowledgable staff, and most importantly, fabulous steak!!!
(5)
Amelia S.
This meal was worth every penny. Great meal and great service, everything was perfect from start to finish. I can't wait to come back and try the seafood tower.
(5)
Evan A.
I went to Benny's last night for my birthday dinner and it was everything that you look for from a high end steakhouse. The server was knowledgeable and attentive but not overbearing. Stiff drinks. The decor was pretty nice. Not amazing, but classic vibe. The food was awesome. I had the dry aged ribeye and tried my mom's lamb chops and dad's wet aged natural rib eye. All were incredible but I liked mine the best. Also had oysters which were very fresh, crispy kale and sorbet. It came out to about $100 a person with drinks, which is pricey but there really were no complaints.
(5)
Mar R.
I went there for the first time last week on my bday.. I loved how we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant, I got special bday menu ( I loved it) I got steak with lobster it was really good.. Loved the place super romantic . Will definitely go there again ..
(5)
Maisha R.
Benny's Chophouse was a great choice for dinner. Dining with a nice-sized group in a private room, we started with the fried calamari, house cured bacon and mushroom flatbread. While they were all good, the bacon was clearly the stand out! It was sweet, fatty and salty. How could it get any better? Appetizers were followed by the endive salad with walnuts, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette and I chose the ribeye for my main dish. It was flavorful, a hearty portion, cooked perfectly and other than wishing it was a bit more tender, thoroughly enjoyable. The shared side dishes were well...asides. The crispy kale was actually pretty good but the lobster mac and cheese and the broccoli with cheese weren't as good as I'd hoped. I had the s'mores cheesecake which didn't exactly taste how I'd imagined it might based on the waiter's description but I was so full by that point that after a couple of bites, I couldn't have eaten anymore anyway.
(4)
Sahar M.
Food and service were great. We tried Benny's burger, bacon, truffle fries and oysters. Everything was delicious. Drinks are grrat, we had Mexican mule and it had generous amount of alcohol (tequila) in it. This how the drinks should be. We loved it! I didn't get a chance to get the bartender's name. He was amazing. Polite, crafty, well mannered and focused on the clients. We asked fir his recommendations, and they were all amazing. Plus, since our burger took more time than usual to be on the table, our bartender sent bacon for free to us. He was great!!!! I wish I knew his name.
(4)
Gabe P.
The food was good, the deserts are gigantic. One serving is enough for the whole family. However when you consider the high price of the food I do not think it was worth it. I had the ribeye mr and it was good but not $100 dollars good and the sides and salad were of average quality, not what you would expect when you drop this kind of money.
(3)
Josh V.
I have a "Burger To Do List" compiled from three separate Best Burger in Chicago(land) lists. I haven't been very diligent at working on it, so last Friday on my company's "Spring day" holiday (when it was about 30 degrees) I decided to knock one off the ol' list. Hurray for progress! After careful consideration, I went with Benny's as it is a) walking distance from home and b) the burger is allegedly only on their lunch menu, so I wasn't going to accomplish this task during dinner. Benny's is a bit off the beaten path, tucked away on Wabash between Illinois & Hubbard, so that may hurt its business a bit. When I arrived between 12:30 & 1:00 on Friday, it was fairly dead. There were a handful of people in the bar area, and there didn't seem to be a lot of tables occupied. That's a shame. I got a seat at the bar and zeroed in on the burger section of the lunch menu. They had a few options, and I was torn between two of them. Not sure which way to go, I asked the bartender for help. She said the Fried Egg and Truffle Aioli Burger (with black-pepper bacon fries) was her favorite. OK, sold! While waiting for my food, I'll take a moment to describe the space. The restaurant is relatively new, and it looks good. The bar area was large and open, with plenty of seating at the bar and tables, and big windows on two sides. The decor was classy and not overdone. The bar was bright during the day, but the main dining room looked pretty dark. Ah, my burger is here! Time to dig in. Oh look, the fries are served in a little metal frying basket! How cute. OK, this burger is big (10 oz my sources tell me, though it doesn't say so on the menu). And there is an egg sitting atop it. Having learned my lesson trying to eat a burger with an egg at a different Burger List establishment, I cut this one in half and let the yolk run down before digging in. Wow, this burger is GOOD! It seemed to be cooked a bit shy of the medium I requested, but not enough for me to send it back. Anyway, the toppings and the burger worked hand-in-hand to create an amazing taste experience. The truffle aioli certainly packed a flavor punch, but it didn't overshadow the meat. I can't say this is the best burger I've had in my life, but it was certainly the best I've had in recent memory. I think it (barely) beats out the Gage Burger, while being a few dollars cheaper in an equally nice environment. One minor problem was that the bottom bun didn't hold up well to a juicy, egg-topped burger and got soggy fast. The plentiful, thick-cut fries were also tasty, though I didn't really catch much bacon flavor. The whole meal was more than enough food. I'd only eaten a bowl of cereal, hours earlier, and I couldn't finish the fries. The bartender was efficient and helpful. She was friendly, but didn't have much time for chit chat as she was covering the whole bar area. I know my next burger should come from a different spot on my list, but it will be tough to not just go back here. Benny's has raised the burger bar and those other places on my list better bring their A game when I get to them!
(5)
Meg X.
I've always wanted to try this place out so my friend and I went when he was doing his Chicago staycation. It's pricey as hell, and since we got there before 6 we could only sit in the bar. They didn't have the rum I like (Bacardi) but the waitress was very nice and checked to see what other clear rum they had. We ordered the blue cheese croquets as an appetizer instead of a side and she was very accommodating about it. The steaks were way out of our price range so we both got pasta. I got the rigatoni, which was completely decent. I wasn't really impressed with the place overall, except for the croquets. Great service, though.
(3)
Faith H.
My mom's birthday was this week, and she said she wanted to try out Benny's. The service was great. We got seated right away, and our server, Kirsten, was fantastic. She went over the menu in great detail and was able to answer all of our questions. We never felt rushed. Plus, she gets bonus points for wishing my mom a happy birthday (and giving her a special commemorative menu to take home with her name on it). The food and drinks were awesome. I ordered a specialty cocktail called the State Escape...kind of tasted like a minty mimosa. But, of course, the steak was the star of the show. I opted for a filet mignon. My mom had the same, while my dad had the prime rib and my fiance ordered the surf and turf. We also had three sides to share, which were all delicious -- spinach, seasonal mushrooms and truffle mashed potatoes. We ordered a few desserts to share, which were delicious as well -- carrot cake (which was HUGE), berry cobbler and creme brulee. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm not a big meat eater, but this place was so delicious, and I would definitely come back!
(5)
Caroline M.
After 8+ visits, I can say that I truly adore Benny's. Every visit has been consistently wonderful, from the service to their tasty offerings. I really enjoy just sitting at the bar or at a hightop in the lounge. It's a very conversation friendly atmosphere, which I appreciate. Perfect for lengthy girl chats. Next time you're downtown and looking to have a stellar evening, consider Benny's. It's the perfect place to relax, imbibe, and converse.
(5)
LOIS B.
This place is a winner. Ambiance is highly desirable. Crisp white table cloths, OUTSTANDING service, and an outstanding wine recommendation from our waiter made for a wonderful meal. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. All desserts are made daily and then the pastry chef gets creative and offers a special of the day. Our cheesecake with lemon curd and blueberry topping was ............... to die for. Oh, and for Restaurant week ~ they have decided to offer their special for lunch, 3 courses for $22. It is offered daily, through the month of February. This is a GREAT deal.
(5)
Donna L.
What a great experience! Everything from the service to the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so comfortable and romantic enough for two, but open enough for families. A great place for all ages. We had the corner booth seated right away. Very enlightening waiter with suggestions and education about the specialty cuts of steak. Oysters Rockefeller appetizer were amazing. Mixed with spinach and cheese perfectly. Also started with the Benny's chowder which was a nice blend of seafood and veggies. Entree was a the bone-in ribeye seared halfway between medium and medium-rare. Mouthwatering and delicious. Enjoyed the succulent steak with the truffled mashed potatoes and mac and cheese which were fantastic and way more then enough for the two of us. Dessert was thee best part. Banana cream pie and chocolate pudding cake were our picks and both were so heavenly and decadent. Simple yet satisfying. I have to say overall this place was fantastic in more than just the trendy way like the other steakhouses around. I like a better more comfortable atmosphere rather than a dark swanky wannabe place.
(5)
Allen B.
Dear Benny, I just wanted to write you some words of endearment, straight from the heart via the stomach. Though we had only met once, I felt that our time spent together was magical. From the moment our eyes met over a glass of Jamesons, I knew that I had fallen hard for you. Your thinly sliced Carpaccio that I enjoyed at the bar while being welcomed with free drinks from the hosts due to the wait, melted on my tongue and at the same time............ melted my heart. The way your 16oz filet mignon danced around my table accompanied with your special friends, Ms. Hand-cut French Fries and Ms. Sauteed Garlic Spinach put my soul at a blissful eaze. The impeccable customer service by all of your staff was indoubtebly, must I quote the passionate words of wisdom by Drake?.... "....the BEST I've ever had." We will meet again Benny, I gaurantee it. Just please make sure your arms are open wide as I will then run into them without hesitation and with an empty stomach. I love you Benny's Chop House, remember that always. Hugs & Kisses, Allen B.
(5)
Trina J.
The menu was pretty limited and they were out of most items. I enjoyed the items I selected but they were not life changing. Worth a try but not at the top of my list
(3)
lisa l.
Went to Chicago to celebrate the Mister's 50th birthday and on the recommendation of the concierge landed at Benny's. WOW, WOW, WOW! The service, the food, the ambiance...OUTSTANDING!!! The only negative was the weak cocktail in the lounge...could have been better, but the very friendly wait staff more than made up for it. I ordered a salad with the best white balsamic dressing ever. Followed by an incredible filet mignon and sweet, delicious lobster tail...thought I died and went to heaven with each bite.
(5)
H M.
Come for the Steaks! Oh yes, the experience was awesome. We ordered the crab cakes for appetizer, it was nice, and then the short ribs and the skirt steak for the main course. Skirt steak was awesome and the short ribs was just good. The dish would have been better on a cold winter day since it was on the heavier side looking to come from a crock pot. Although very tender and tasty, the skirt steak was a solid 5. We will definitely come back for the rib eye or fillet next! For dessert, they ran out of carrot cake, but it was a blessing in disguise. The angel food cake with rhubarb and strawberries was amazing :) The waitress told us the restaurant recently brought on a new head Chef a few months ago. We thought his food ideas will be what distinguishes this steak house among others, as they are fun and unique. YUM!
(4)
Alexandria H.
This is the best place I've found in Chicago for steak this far. Also the wine list is to die for.
(4)
Liz K.
I'm new to Chicago and this was the first steakhouse I've been to. My only regret is that I didn't have more room in my stomach to eat more of the delicious food. The waiter was the best kind - there at all the right times, but left us alone to enjoy our food and drinks. The steak was delicious, cooked perfectly. A few of the other dinner guests didn't have their meat prepared with any certain style, so their plates looked a little bare. If we hadn't gotten sides to share at the table, it might not have been enough for them. But, since we did have sides, it was the perfect amount of food. The truffle mashed potatoes were amazing, the lobster mac & cheese could have been a little creamier, and the creamed spinach was just right. Somehow I still managed room for the carrot cake, which was one of the best (and biggest) slices I've ever had. I'm a fiend for the frosting, which was definitely the best part of this one. A lot of times, the cake and frosting together are way too rich, but the cake itself was less sweet (still just as flavorful) and so it wasn't too much to eat all together. My only complaint is that the tables are kind of close together so there's not much space when you need to walk somewhere (like the bathroom) and it gets loud easily. But all in all, super, and I will definitely come back here for special dinners in the future.
(4)
Steve G.
Great night out with my brother and other friends... This is a great restaurant and a great reason to go downtown. Nice selection of meats, including three kinds of prime steaks -- dry-aged, aged, and natural -- on the menu. I had the bone-in dry-aged NY Strip. A little tougher than the filets I've been hooked on recently, this was still delicious. Cooked perfectly, too. So, why not more stars? Well, there were some hiccups... We arrived a half-hour early, intending to sit and enjoy a drink before dinner. Despite assurances from the maitre d', after we got our drinks at the bar, the waitress insisted on dropping off the check. We ordered the calamari appetizer as a starter, and it was frankly not that good. It was rubbery, and the breading was soggy, ending up mostly on the dish instead of on the squid. The sides were a mixed bag as well. The creamed spinach was the "best ever" according to my better half, but the bleu cheese croquettes were under-cooked tator tots instead of true croquettes. I did not try the twice-baked potato another friend ordered, but it looked soggy, too. And the mashed potatoes were salty. The wine list we received was out of date (as is the list on their website, I guess). That meant our pre-dinner research was all a waste. The room where we sat appeared to be left for large parties (we had 6 in our party), and that meant the noise level got uncomfortable later in the evening. ...and with a place this expensive, the hiccups are important to me... More positives... The bread bowl was great. Service was nearly impeccable, great wine service -- once we got the right list and the assistance of the sommelier. The desserts are steakhouse HUGE, and all were delicious -- carrot cake, chocolate cake, deconstructed s'more (the last one not so huge). Great valet parking -- for $12 or $14 or something like that... Overall, a sure hit with the beefeating crowd, better than just about any other meat place we've been. Could use a little more work on the details, I guess.
(3)
Zach G.
I was so very excited to check out Benny's. I had two weeks of company expense accounts to look forward to, so I decided to splurge before it when I spent the night in Chicago for a cousin's birthday party. As in multiple glasses of single-malt, a filet mignon, some foie gras and a side of asparagus. My experience took place at the bar. First, the staff are phenomenal. All of the guys at the bar were ridiculously attentive, helpful, friendly and fun. I wanted to try a new scotch and they poured me a couple to choose from, so I really appreciate that. It was delicious...ended up having 3 glasses of it and barely remembering my post-meal cab ride :) The steak came out perfectly cooked - medium rare. However, it just wasn't all that great. It didn't pop with flavor like a steak of that caliber and price should. If the steak had been slightly better, I could give this place 4 stars, but...seeing as this is a steak place, the fact that the steak wasn't fantastic means an automatic one-star deduction in my book. The foie gras was tasty and buttery but I felt the portion was rather small for the price. The asparagus tasted fresh and had more flavor than the steak, to be honest. In the end, my bill was $100 with tax which I felt wasn't all that bad...however, I was just quite disappointed by the steak itself, seeing as this is a steak place. With so many other steak places to try downtown, I don't see me being back here in the near future.
(3)
Justin P.
If you're celebrating an event, make sure you tell them. this place is all about the little things. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. It's on the pricey side to be sure; but their NY Strip was one of the top 5 I've ever tasted. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Brandon T.
Was feeling like a nice night out, and decided to give Benny's a shot. Overall, it was a great experience just about what I was expecting. I knew everything was going to be good, when we had finished the entire bread basket and drank a glass of wine by the time we ordered. The bread is ridicuoulsy good . Really well cooked steaks. Prime beef, so extremely tender with a really nice flavor. The wine was great. Not a huge selection by the glass, but there are primo glasses that I had the pleasure of enjoying. Really fresh nice salads, and several to choose from. Normally not a fan of grilled romaine, but this was actually well done. Had a few oysters, and had them give some from the east coast, and some from the west. Would have appreciated him telling me where they were from before walking away. He just dropped them, and said "oysters". Thanks, thought it was the salad.... Had a couple of sides: Truffled mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Potatoes were phenomenal, but the asparagus was over-cooked to me. For fish we got the Halibut on the bone. Which was really well cooked, but unfortunately had several (more than 10) pin bones throughout. When saying something to the waiter, he said he would give us a free dessert, but forgot as we ordered two. The desserts were excellent, as almost everything else was. Had the Chocolate pudding cake, which was like a lava cake except better, with some toffee ice cream. Also the apple tart with vanilla ice cream, better than a fresh apple pie. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a nice (expensive) night out.
(4)
Izzy N.
Yes. Seriously. Benny's is fantastic! If you're looking to impress, come here. If you're going to do just one quintessential steakhouse in Chicago especially without a budget in mind, I highly recommend this one. The food, atmosphere, service- all made for a wonderful experience. They really know how to take care of you here whether casually dressed or in business attire, it doesn't matter. I see them giving the same attention and enthusiasm with casually dressed guests. There's a lot of places around here, especially the trendier newbs who shall not be named unless you really want names, that should take some notes or get a little tutorial on service from Benny's with the basics. Basics I learned on my first day as a waitress, like timing with interruption and saying shit like excuse my damn reach. But I understand if it's someone's first time waitressing ever. I've been there, I get it but around these parts of the city I feel like service should be on its A game unless you're at McDonald's. It looks rough around there right by the red line Chicago stop. Shank or be shanked. Excellent service never goes out of style. We were very pleased! The food was also great. It's very friendly to those that are gluten free as some were at our table recently and great suggestions were made. The manager is a great salesman. Very persuasive and persistent! Their seafood is pretty awesome here too, their crab and lobster louie starter is really good as is their shellfish tower. The fried calamari wasn't all that though. That's the one thing I wouldn't order again, it's very average. They have dollar oyster wednesdays that the manager suggested- I haven't checked that out yet as I'm a little leery of oysters in the midwest because from my experience they're not as sweet and awesome after a flight or something. Sad face. We will see..... Their chocolate pudding cake is dangerous, with melted, gooey buttery toffee sprinkled on top. I really should have split that :) Great wine list also- I didn't try their Oregon selections but went with red ones from France instead, perfect recommendations as I wanted to go heavy to take the edge off. Shake off that robot zombie clone mode. Worth it.
(5)
Rachel F.
Oh man that phrase died and gone to heaven was put into context at this place. Granted it was so incredible that I couldn't stop and almost ate myself into a coma. THE BEST steak I have ever had. I don't say that lightly. And while it was expensive, it wasn't 50 bucks. I think most of them were 28-35ish. I added crab on mine and they brought two massive crab legs. The sauce on it was decadent, yet not overwhelming. The sides we shared were incredible as well. As for apps, the Chicken Satay was one of my favorites. Highly recommend it. I also really, really loved the crab cakes. We tried a few others that lose me right now, because they just weren't as good. I will absolutely be back here next Chi-Town visit.
(5)
Chris H.
Heaven! Best steak I've ever had and I've had my fair share. I'm sure there's better out there somewhere, but I've never had it. Had oysters to start off with and then the dry-aged, bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare. It was absolute perfection. The sazeracs from the bar were fantastic as well. Can't wait to go back. Two big thumbs up from this guy!
(5)
Heidi J.
I am appalled at the lack of customer service Benny's has. I have been here several times before and live right down the street. I even wrote a 5 star review previously. I decided to come here with my baby one night and upon checking in the hostess says to me "Umm.. you can't eat in the main dining room with a baby and stroller." Umm.. are you serious? Then she tells me "You have to eat in the north lounge bar area".. Since we were already there and had walked in the snow we decided just to eat. Until we realize that they sat us right next to a piano!!! WTF?? Some lady comes over and starts playing and belting tunes and we had to rush out of there rather quickly. Upon leaving I ask for the manager to complain. Since I had been there several times before I know there are tables in the back of the dining room that are in the corner and would have accommodated a stroller just fine. The manager did not really say or do anything and just said "Well I hope you give us a second chance." That's it.. ?? I will definitely not be back. I spent $200 here for what.. to BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?? Good food and crappy, horrible service? What next? Are they going to say people with green eyes or brown hair can't be accommodated in the main dining room? Ludicrous! This is about customer service and respect. This is a high end, upscale restaurant and if you are paying good money to eat here you should be treated with a certain level of respect. I should have just left when we first checked in and the rude hostess said we couldn't eat in the dining room.
(1)
Paul C.
I finally had a chance to visit Benny's Chop House with my boo, and have to say we had a great time. The atmosphere is a little classier than the typical Chicago steak house, which makes it great for a date or a group of friends. I was particularly impressed with the oyster selection. I have been very disappointed with the oysters at Chicago steak houses (Morton's I'm looking in your general direction). Most of the time the variety is scant, and the preparation is traditional to the point of boring. Benny's actually had a good variety of both east and west coast oysters. My boo and I polished off 12 and I would have happily gone back for round 2. As far as the rest of the menu, I felt like everything was pretty much what you'd expect from a steak house. My Caesar salad was just ok--I'd probably skip it on a return visit, and my boo wasn't impressed with her lobster bisque which she thought rather bland. The main courses definitely were satisfying. The steak was expertly prepared, and I opted to couple it with some crab legs. Unlike some other places I've visited, Benny's actually gave a sizable portion of crab legs along with the steak. I was quite pleased. My boo was equally pleased with her pork chop--which I didn't try myself, but I will say looked awesome. The dessert menu looked awesome too, but by this time we had to be rolled out of the restaurant. Next time I'll try to save some room, but it's tough when the menu has so many great options. In a city renown for its steaks, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Benny's definitely deserves some attention if you are touring the Chicago steak house scene. Great food, in an environment great for a date, or a group of friends. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Zack P.
Disclaimer: I've only ever had lunch or dinner in the bar area, so my review is mostly for them. Discovered Benny's when I moved in next door. After a couple visits, several of their impressive signature drinks, and a few nibbles from the bar menu I fell in love with the bar here. The staff is friendly and welcoming, they make you feel like a regular from the first time you walk in. The bartenders are quick but precise. The wine selection is great. The ambiance is always comfortable and enjoyable. A good mix of regulars, visitors, and after work crowd--I've never gone without someone to chat with. $0.25 oysters on wednesday are always amazing. Beers are all by the bottle or can, but the selection is impressive and worth checking out. For lunch you'd be crazy to not try the lobster grilled cheese. Goes great with an albarino they have by the glass. If you order a salad make sure to get the bread! The biscuits are fantastic. On weekend nights there's usually a pianist or some performer singing. It's a bit cheesy sometimes but usually pretty nice for the atmosphere. Great place for a first date or cocktails before dinner.
(5)
Kim H.
So I lose an Oscar party bet with my boyfriend, and I owe him dinner. He selects Benny's Chop House, a spot I've wanted to try for a long time and tonight I paid the bet. Benny's offers the traditional Chicago steakhouse ambience - darkened rooms, low lights, elegant wood furnishings, white linen tables, room to spread out, a piano bar and a wait staff dressed in all black. The service is attentive and highly professional. Although I had water accidentally spilled on me at the table, I applaud the service my man and I received tonight. And the food? Just what you should expect from a fine Chicago steakhouse. We enjoyed a surprisingly nice selection of east and west coast oysters, a Caesar salad and their lobster bisque. My man raved about his 7 oz filet with king crab leg enhancement and I dined on a delectable pork chop. Both were prepared to our satisfaction and delicious. We added truffle mashed potatoes which were a bit too "truffly" for my taste, but I can forgive given the quality of everything else. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert, but perhaps that is a tribute to the dinner. We work close by and will definitely try Benny's again. Thank you for making losing a bet fun and enjoyable.
(4)
Whitney K.
Went here on a whim after apartment hunting in August. Father in law was in town and decided he wanted a steak, so he promptly made us walk to Benny's. It was 4 oclock and most steakhouses werent open, and we definitely werent dressed for a nice evening out. However, they were very accommodating, even opened their dining room early for us. We ate, we drank, we laughed. Despite being embarrassed about wearing jeans and sandals, it was one of the best steak meals Ive had in Chicago, and our server was superb (probably bc the rest of the dining room was empty). I still think about it months later. My steak was cooked perfect, the wine recs were on spot, and the carrot cake was the largest thing I've ever seen in my life. Could feed an army with one slice. Will go back for date night one evening.
(4)
Carol K.
Seriously. This place is over the top when it comes to taking care of me, the customer. While so many places have seemingly forgot about service, Benny's is all about just that. I had written in my first review that I needed to find a location for a celebratory dinner for a colleague. My first surprise was that the Josh, the manager of Benny's, actually read the review, and then reached out to offer up their services. Now usually for a dinner of this magnitude- I would chose a place that I have been frequenting for years- a place that knows me the second I step in the door by name, and who fawns over me throughout my visit, not a place that I had only ever visited one time. But I had so much faith in Benny's, given the stellar showing they had done on my first visit, unprompted, and the follow up from the management staff thereafter, that I made reservations for our group of 6. My thanks go out to the entire staff at Benny's, for the experience was spectacular. My colleagues said that they had never had such a wonderful time dining out before. Starting with our server Vladi, who was quick with suggestions, who kept things flowing, who was delightful and funny and took it all in stride, the evening was off to a great start. We even had Anthony, the server from my first visit, stop by several times throughout the night to check in on us, even though he was taking care of a private dining group during our visit. Really unexpected! The sommelier, Justin bowled us over as well. He helped pick an amazing bottle of champagne that he then proceeded to "sabre" open (don't try this at home!) I pretty much thought I had seen it all and then this- a perfect start to our celebration. And who doesn't like a man with a sword??? Throughout the meal he was great in suggesting wines that weren't terribly expensive but perfectly met the description of what we liked- pushing us to try some new things (my favorite part of a sommelier as I am always looking to find new favorites!) The food was wonderful as well- the raw bar with it's varietal oysters, fresh crab and chilled lobster and huge shrimp made a great beginning. And if that wasn't enough- the steaks were perfection. All perfectly prepared even the "tomahawk"" cut (if you go- ask to see this interesting cut of ribeye!) The restaurant then brought out a variety of their desserts for us to try. Chocolate cake, cheesecake and a donut type decadence were all amazing! And someone in our group ordered the strawberry shortcake which was fresh and sweet and very calorie worthy! Rarely do I think that Yelp doesn't have enough stars. But in the case of Benny's- I either need to adjust my other 5 star experiences down a notch or give this place the 6th star that it so deserves! Customer service is an art. And Benny's is the "gallery" it's served up in! To go on would be overkill. But in this case, it would certainly be fitting.
(5)
Lois A.
Coming here for drinks on a hot day is a great idea. I really enjoy it. You can relax in front of the windows and people watch. They have great bartenders and an extensive selection. Coming here for dinner is something I probably will only do again if it is for business. The steaks are great but they should be for the price. I wasn't super impressed with the sides I've had here and something in general about this place just doesn't really do it for me as a dining destination. Maybe because there are so many other exciting options. I don't even know what it is. If you want a great steak in a classy old style chophouse Benny's will do.
(4)
J W.
Came to visit Benny's for an event, our large group was seated in the back meeting room and given an array of small appetizers to start. The room itself can be rented out for conferences/meetings/large groups, etc... the Manager shared all of the techie features the room has to offer- if I needed a room and could afford it I would consider using Benny's for a meeting. The appetizers were pleasant, although I can't remember any offhand right now. What most impressed me was meeting the Executive Chef, Carlo Lamagna, of Perennial Virant fame. He shared his vision to have each meal be individually fresh with seasonal vegetables purchased from local farmers. In my opinion, it's easy to be a steak restaurant and cook meat, but to continually change your offerings to blend with the time of year is really an art. Carlo has a lot of passion and it's evident in each bite. I had scallops and the filet, both were perfectly cooked and delicious. There were beautiful veggies paired with each entree, and each bite was different than the previous. They brought kale to the table as well, LOVE KALE, it was crunchy and not too oily. Their dessert selection is well versed with a nice array of chocolate, nut, and fruit offerings. I would recommend this for date night, corporate meetings, or even family gatherings.
(4)
John S.
As steakhouses go, I think this is one of the best. If they have it on special when you go, try the coffee-rubbed steak (I had the Delmonico). Fantastic. Loved the ambience, the staff was really nice.
(5)
Stacy F.
Went on a Friday night. Great atmosphere: piano player and live jazz singer in the lounge, great lighting, delicious dirty martinis. Sat down in the restaurant, great service, HUGE wine selection. Great place for special occasions since it is pretty pricey.
(4)
John K.
If you love steak, you will love this place. I had the ribeye and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. I will be gong back the next time I'm n town. The service was great as well.
(5)
RA V.
The ambiance was a pleasant surprise (except for the faux candle). The curved booth seating was welcome as opposed to the bench-type seating many restaurants are going to. The steak and accompanying sauce were flavorful but my steak was way undercooked from what I specified. The bread basket was very good. The maple bacon was terrible and very bland - I expected something sweet and salty or maybe caramelized, but it was charred, almost flavorless and very very fatty - my least favorite item - not the guilty pleasure I was expecting. Service was efficient at first but then very slow. Had to request drink refills. The caesar salad was good. I didn't like the flavor of the cream corn - I thought I tasted garlic but I'm not sure what the flavor was exactly and it stuck to my teeth - had a few bites and left it. The baby carrots were OK but my significant other who usually loves baby carrots left them also. The desserts were the best part of the meal - banana cream pie and chocolate pudding pie tasted great. Unfortunately, I've had stomach cramps, cold sweats and nausea from that evening after dinner well into the next am causing me to miss my business meeting the next morning. Won't be back.
(1)
Mary C.
When in Rome...okay, Chicago! You must try Benny's Chop House! Atmosphere is really nice, food is amazing and our server was very knowledgeable! Must have oysters, seafood salad...oh heck, it's all good! You will spend a little money but it's worth it!
(4)
Maureen F.
Amazing from start to finish. Great food, staff and drinks. The steaks are tasty and perfectly cooked, the desserts and salads were great (I really liked my grilled romaine!). Very pricey!!! Worth trying once!
(5)
Justin N.
Easily the best steak I've had in the city. I went with the 10 ounce grass fed filet. The bacon appetizer is amazing.
(5)
A D.
Other steak houses in the city are over rated. Benny's is not. It is a warm, friendly place and the decor is simple yet, elegant. Oysters were very fresh. Dry aged Strip steak was juicy, flavorful and cooked the way I liked it (medium rare). Wine choices were plenty. Wait staff is well trained and knew everything in the menu. This is really a good place to go to. Other places have become too fancy. Will come back for sure! Make sure you make reservations!
(5)
Matt C.
Went during the week for a friend's birthday. Ribeye was comparable to other delicious steaks at various steakhouses around. They put a sauce on it which was good, as compared to other steakhouses which seem to place more emphasis on the natural flavor of the meat. They have a surprising number of craft beers for a steakhouse. Waiter was somewhat pushy in terms of trying to up-sell us food/drink items rather than really seeming to care what we wanted.
(4)
Delia M.
Celebrated my husband's 40th bday here last week. It was a FABULOUS experience. I was so thrilled. Martinis, oysters, delicious steaks. Our server, Jeff, took great care of us. Since I'd mentioned the birthday when I made the reservation, he brought a menu to my husband that said "Happy 40th Birthday, Chris" printed across the top! Great touch! He then brought us the bacon appetizer on the house (delicious!!) AND a beautiful dessert with a birthday message after our meal. I am so happy we decided to celebrate at Benny's!!!
(5)
S G.
Looking for a good burger? Benny's Blue Cheese Burger could be for you. Toasted bun, cooked to order, good size patty, char broiled, comes with port wine onions (which I had removed), Maytag blue cheese, and fries. Service was excellent, the decor is classic chop/steak house (lot's of wood). Good times for lunch.
(4)
Sophie H.
We ate here Christmas eve night - it was awesome. Our server was killer - it was late so we wanted to share a bunch of things and he was great - he coursed it out for us without issue! Wine list was great - had a nice French assortment which we love! We will definitely be back the next time we are in Chicago.
(5)
Matt G.
My favorite restaurant in all the world. I've dined all over the country and around the world but THIS place tops them all. The attention to detail, the extra mile they go with the preparation of the food, and the absolutely brilliant cuisine is enough to bring me back time and time again. It's very pricey but you're getting TOP notch service and food. And don't forget the AMAZING $10 burger and truffle fries for lunch. But my fall time fav is the wet aged filet. Bravo Benny's! -A loyal fan.
(5)
Michael D.
The bone-in-rib eye was fantastic, as well as the ambiance and quality of the food and service.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Benny's was the locale where I first introduced my boyfriend to my parents, so it holds a special, biased place in my heart. I barely remember what anyone ordered on account of the inordinate amount of sweat coming out of my armpits. I do remember the steaks being delightful, our waiter being knowledgeable, and my dad sitting stoically while my mom and I carried the conversation like dehydrated pack mules. Not to worry: a year and a half later, my parents might love him more than me. Thanks Benny (is he a real person?)!
(4)
Jim S.
Spent the last week in Chicago for some work and family fun. Went to Benny's on Tuesday night for a work dinner. Loved it so much I had to take my family back again on Friday night. The food was wonderful! And I mean WONDERFUL! The service was incredibly helpful and gracious, and I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Chicago. Well done Benny's, well done.
I still love this place and it keeps getting better! I've been here several times since my last review and the service and food continues to impress. They've added some steaks to their menu since when they first opened and they are amazing. Every time I eat steak elsewhere, I find myself comparing it to Benny's.
(5)
Danny B.
For a high end restaurant this place relied too much on appearance and service to try to justify a much higher price than half a dozen places that surround it. While the food was great, it was not THAT great to warrant a significantly higher price for the same steak just down the street. Not worth it in my book. If you want to be the creme de la creme, then it has to be unforgettable.
(3)
Kennen M.
3 stars for the service, 4 stars for the food = 3.5 stars. After reading the glowing reviews on here for the service, I was expecting impeccable service. Granted it was NYE but the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was pleasant and fine; however at a restaurant of this caliber, I was expecting fabulous treatment. I wasn't wowed or made to feel special here, like others experienced. It didn't help that Alec Baldwin sat next to us, which made our server less attentive. Little things like having someone fold your napkin or push in your chair when you went to the rest room didn't happen for us. The pace of the service wasn't consistent and started off hurried but ended laid back. Again, the service wasn't bad, just not as polished as I hoped. Another service flaw I experience was towards midnight as they were to give out a champagne toast. Servers came around with a champagne menu if we wish to not partake in the Cava they were to serve. Another server came by and asked what champagne we would like to order and we said we will take the Cava they were pouring. The server then said "We will have to discuss that." What do you mean you have to discuss it? It was offered as part of the evening and now you were going to revoke it? Thankfully that gentleman never came back to discuss anything else with us and we received our Cava without issue. The food was very good. As a country girl, I like a good steak. I opted for the natural steak and it was the perfect choice. The aged steaks are too mealy and mush for my liking. I ordered it Oscar-style and I could have easily been pleased without it. Ordered the special spinach salad and was very pleased with it especially after seeing how tiny their iceberg "wedge" salad was. The crab cake ($15 for one) was delicious but an appetite teaser. The gnocchi was a knockout, both light and flavorful. Truffled mashed potatoes were my favorite but be warned, you will be belching truffle for the rest of the night! We ended the evening with an enormous chocolate cake - the best value in the house.
(3)
Jordan F.
I went in for the twenty-five cent oysters during a Wednesday happy hour. I sat down at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and helped recommend good east coast beers to go with our oysters. Some of the oysters were kind of small, but some were also really big. For a quarter a piece, it was a pretty legit deal. My friend and I ended up splitting 3.5 dozen by the end with a couple of beers a piece, totally something like $23 a person. Highly recommended if you're an oyster fan.
(4)
Billie O.
I went to Benny's last Wednesday and the food was very good and our server was attentive and very nice. The sommelier, however, was not very pleasant. We asked him for a type of wine and after 3 or 4 suggestions that did not sound appealing, he finally said, "You didn't give me much to go on." I didn't understand why he didn't ask more questions if he felt like I did not provide sufficient information. Thereafter I told him I loved a certain maker of wine and a specific bottle. He assured me that the $150 bottle he suggested was very similar. We received the bottle, it was just ok and not at all similar to the one we had discussed. We checked the reviews online for this particular bottle and it was given mediocre reviews. I was very disappointed, I could have returned the bottle but he made me feel like I was a chore. I like Benny's, but I could have gone to Chicago Cut where the wine experts there were nice and easy going.
(2)
David G.
Review in a nutshell: Trying Too Hard. The food is excellent. My Veal Porterhouse was done to perfection, and my guests' New York Strip and Salmon fillets received raves. If a restaurant was simply the sum of its food, Benny's would be a five star joint. You know the old expression, stick to what you know? Good advice. Benny's KNOWS food. REALLY well. They don't know service or atmosphere, but damn they're sure trying hard at both. I liked our waitress. Great service, very professional. I didn't like the three? four??? other waiter-cum-bussboys who were hovering around the dozen or so tables in our area. I mean, they were also very professional and tried to give great service, but they got in each others way -and mine. On paper, more wait staff for the same number of tables means more service. In reality, more wait staff means being asked three times by three different people if there's anything you need before your real waitress is able to make it promptly back with your refill. Or having to inform half a dozen people that you would like more butter for your bread. Or being asked three times by different people if you are ready for your plate to be removed. They're trying! SO hard. But it's just not working very well. Benny's features live music. Does anyone actually *enjoy* Nightclub music? Or is it purposeless relic we associate with certain types of nightlife due to social inertia - like Nutcrackers at Christmas? "Oh, we want to be "that kind" of restaurant -better hire a talentless singer and someone to play piano a bass fiddle!" You can tell it's an affectation, because if it were important and something they were proud of, they would place the musicians prominently so everyone could see, hear and enjoy. Instead, they're hidden away in a -very stylish- corner, so as to inflict the least number of guests with direct contact to atonal, arrhythmic pseudo-jazz. The atmosphere is a Feng Shui nightmare. You walk in the front door and Benny's is a "cool and clean" marble palace. Come up the stairs and it changes to a "warm but cluttered" Italian Winery for the bar, which hangs over the "classic and intimate" wood-paneled boardroom of a seating area. Which is then, of course, packed shoulder-to-shoulder full of head-achingly loud Chicagoans. Drink up, because you'll only be comfortable with a buzz. Oh. And if you do decide to come to Benny's -because seriously, the food really was amazing- don't do it without a business credit card to pay for the meal. Trust me on this one.
(3)
Lea R.
Betsy in the bar is great. Highly personable and sweet. she noted how we were questioning and on our orders offered info on what had oil and butter and what could be made dry. We really appreciated that as occasionally we encounter servers who seem to find our requests for healthier options like dressing on the side & no oil or butter unreasonable.
(5)
Anisa B.
This place has fantastic YUMMY food. I am definitely a regular here because of the well cooked food, but the bigger reason is because of their outstanding service. Sean, who is just so sweet is always accommodating and always has such eagerness to help. Thumbs all the way up!! And the marshmallow chocolate dessert.... well let's just say I have been in there a few times ONLY to order that dessert.
(5)
Steve D.
Spent the weekend in the city with family, so we hit up quite a few restaurants. Benny's was our choice for Saturday . This place definitely has an old time, clubby steakhouse atmosphere. Kinda cool. After being seated, we waited and waited for a server to appear to take our drink order. The usual Grey Goose martini for me. The martini came in an old school champagne glass which seemed odd but it tasted just fine. Ordered the bone marrow appetizer along with some salads. The bone marrow appetizer consisted of a bone about 8-10 inches with some caramelized onions and toast for spreading. Big problem. The bone marrow was not cooked through and was cold and solid underneath the top. Gross. Flagged down the server who apologized and went for a replacement. He came back with a properly done one and told us it was taken off of the bill. Nice response. On to the entrees. Had surf and turf, steaks, rigatoni, and salmon. My wife's salmon was way overcooked and she had to send it back. My surf and turf was just perfect. Great tasting lobster, great tasting steak. Was pleased. However, my wife never got her salmon until the rest of us were done with our entrees. They never came back until then. She told them she did not want it now, since the rest of us were done. She sampled some of our dishes and liked them but was not too happy about how her service was handled. If you are going to charge high end prices for your food, you better have the execution from the kitchen each and every time and the service that goes along with it. Too many slip ups here. Take a cue from Gibson's, Joe's, etc. Top end food execution and service needs to accompany top end pricing. One other gripe. $17 for a martini! Really? That is crossing the line on drinks. I would have given this place a much higher rating if the service was there. It wasn't. I enjoy top end steakhouses and the experience but this is not where I will go to spend my money. Sorry. I really wanted to like this place. Cheers to ALL
(2)
Matthew C.
3.5 really... Rounding down with stars. Food was actually great really but nothing was exceptional for me. I can't comment on the service because I was with friends who knew everyone. 1 star deduction because the food wasn't exceptional - just very good. Another 1/2 star deduction because the ambiance didn't add anything special either or make me WANT to come back.
(3)
Suzanne V.
Came here sometime around midnight on a Friday night, and the place was still open with a few tables full of people enjoying cocktails. At the recommendation of a friend, we came here for one thing and one thing only: chocolate cake. This honkin' piece of chocolate cake was not like some restaurants who call it chocolate but serve a dry, bland, crumbly blob of misery. No, this cake was uber moist, extremely rich, and sinfully decadent. Is your mouth watering yet? Between four of us, we could not finish it, and had to stop short to try the banana cream pie. Our waiter suggested the pie, claiming it was a favorite. I personally don't care for bananas in the slightest, but tried it anyway. It was pretty good, and nothing beats a graham cracker crust. Split four ways, we all ended up paying around $5 or $6 for a substantial amount of cake and pie---not bad at all! I highly recommend rounding off an evening with this place.
(4)
Hillary M.
We thought it was everything a steak house should be: low-lit, dark wood decor, hefty portions (and check), friendly service, simple delicious food, downtown Chicago.
(4)
Mary d.
My bf brought me here for my birthday, and it was a fantastic place to celebrate! First, the place itself....the interior is very masculine and warm, the perfect environment for steak gluttony. The bar was clean and crisp and chic, and our cocktails were perfectly made. Once we got to our table, the amazing Paul took amazing care of us. We started with a champagne cocktail "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Then jumbo shrimp cocktail. Then a smoky, crisp, and delicious grilled romaine salad. And, now....the steak. We both had the 8 oz filet mignon. Both were cooked to perfection, and we split a side of hollandaise sauce (which was fluffy and lemony bliss!) For our side, we went with the truffled mashed potatoes, featuring large flakes of truffle all throughout and on top of the potatoes. We each had a glass of a great pinot noir from Willamette Valley with dinner. When we finished, Paul brought us champagne. And then....dessert! A deconstructed s'more cheesecake and the Michigan apple tart. A-MAZING! I recommend this place for any occasion. I think business dinners would go over really well because (unlike noisy, crowded Gibson's) it is carpeted and calm. Try to arrange for a booth so as to be above the constant flow of dinner carts and waitstaff.
(4)
Sweet W.
Wife & I had some late night eats at Benny's. The USDA Prime steak tartare was amazing, I seriously would rather have a helping of this than a steak. so darn good ! We had a glass of the Benegas Sangiovese from the Medoza region, while the alcohol was strong on the nose, it was a delicous wine for $14 a glass. We then moved onto the seafood tower for two, which contains: 1 Maine lobster, 2 short legs (cut in 1/2) of Alaskan King Crab, 8 jumbo shrimp. Lobster was terrific, while delicious we felt the king crab serving was chinsy, the shrimp lacked flavor and were slighly overcooked. Our waiter said that the shrimp are wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp, but in our opinion the flavor was not there. With the seafood tower we split a 1/2 bottle of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc ($55), which had slight fruit and very nice minerality. We were very pleased with our server, top notch, lots of fun.
(4)
Sarah S.
I came here for a business dinner and was very pleased with my experience. The staff was extremely attentative and very helpful. As a starter, I had the crabcake. It was seared to perfection and the mustard it sat upon was delicious! For my main course, I had the rib eye. There were hashbrowns, fries, mushrooms and broccoli for the table. All were very good, but my personal favorite were the french fries. They had grated parmesan...yum! For dessert, I had the vanilla bean cheesecake. The portion size was way too big for one person, but the cake was great. It had fresh cherries and a cherry glaze. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Bob S.
Great steaks
(4)
Drew S.
25 cent oyster Wednesdays got me in the door and boy howdy was it a classy door. Everything about this place screams classy- the guy playing "Donna Lee" on the piano, the wood and brass work, the wonderful staff...the chef even came by to say hello even though we never ordered anything but oysters and various tasty beverages. They also give you some sort of amazing snacking bits. I can't for the life of me remember what they were but I ate a ton of them.
(5)
Jules L.
I randomly wandered into Benny's because I had the taste for an upscale burger, and I'd walked by before and seen the menu on the valet stand. They might have the best host in the city of Chicago. He is so friendly! You feel like you're being greeted by a personal friend who is genuinely happy to see you. I explained that I wanted to order to-go and he led me to the bar with a lunch menu. The decor in the lounge was so inviting--not trendy-modern but not mahogany and overstuffed leather either, instead a nicely stated cross betweeen the two--I was sorry I hadn't left myself enought time to eat in. As it turns out, the lunch menu has a few different burgers, as well as several other tempting sounding dishes. The bartender--Jamie, I think?--was ready with his recommendations, and we have pretty similar tastes. I chose the egg and truffle aioli burger with bacon-pepper fries (throw the word "truffle" at me and I am there!). The prices were quite reasonable as well--I have had more expensive burgers with less creative and upscale ingredients. While I waited, Jamie brought me a small bottle of Fiji water, and my order was ready actually a little faster than I expected. He also packed an additional bottle of Fiji with my order, how thoughtful! When I sat down to eat, I noticed that he had also packed a small bread basket for me. Who eats the bread basket when they ordered a sandwich? ...Well, I do, when the bread is two-biter focaccia, biscuit and whole wheat roll, along with two cheese flatbread crackers that were so light that they almost defied gravity. That bread was too delicious to have been bought; they must bake it from scratch in-house. I did notice that the fried were plain, and did not have bacon or pepper on them, but were still delicious. But that was easily forgiven and forgotten when I bit into the burger-- --And stepped off a cliff into Burger Nirvana. Listen to me. You have to eat this burger. It was cooked to medium rare bloody delicious perfection. It was seasoned subtly enough not to distract from its accompaniments. I almost can't even describe the rich flavor and texture from the egg and aioli. Sometimes you get a fancy burger and it is dry and just too civilized to be a burger. But not this juicy, drippy, fabulous creation on a cheese-covered brioche. Wow, did I enjoy my lunch that day. Benny's, I will be back for the Benny's burger. And for another one of these delights. And for dinner.
(5)
Dave G.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, but for the price I was expecting an out-of-this-world steak. It was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. I chose a dry-aged ribeye and they did a fine job, but again, it wasn't anything I couldn't get at any other steakhouse. The service, the hostesses, and the bartender were all A+. They got us seated and taken care of in short order with no reservations, which was nice. When the waiter screwed up on our drink order, the next round was on the house. Good place, and I'd give it another shot if I get the chance. Wish they allowed 3.5 stars...
(3)
Hugh A.
We went to Benny´s to celebrate a special occasion. We had told them about it as we reserved a table and they did a fantastic job in helping us celebrate. The food was excellent and the wine out of this world. We had an absolutely wonderful time.
(5)
Bill E.
Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Very nice ambience. Overall Definitely a 5 star restsurant
(5)
Gary R.
This is the best restaurant that is owned and operated by Benny the Bull. That guy must be so busy with all of his Chicago Bulls commitments, and owning this place. Keep in mind that its the large (possibly obese) Benny we're talking about here. Not the more atheletic "Da Bull." Regardless, the restaurant was quite good. Went for lunch. Had a cheeseburger. It was a quality cheeseburger, possibly made from some of Benny himself. I could tell the meat was from high quality artisans and top ranked butchers. The service was very attentive. The server actually gave me his business card upon the completion of the meal, which was a first. I wasn't sure if that was so that I could email him and tell him what happend to the food once I had consumed it? Lucky for him, I entered him into a drawing to win a free sub at Quiznos. The burgers are good. Didn't love the Kobe Beef carpacio. I imagine Benny doesn't like Kobe anyway, so he probably didn't spend much time on that dish.
(4)
Ayca M.
This was easily the best steak I've ever had. I wanted to take my hubs to a nice steak dinner, and when I did some research, Benny's Chop House came up as a Chicago favorite. I'd never heard of it, but we decided to try it out. When I called to make reservations, they asked if there was a special occasion, which I hadn't expected. I told them my husband had just completed his MBA, and that he had also just accepted a job offer. When we arrived, the host offered his congratulations to my husband, which was a nice surprise. A couple minutes after being seated and greeted by our waiter, Kevin, we noticed that our menus said "Congratulations" as well! My husband and I both ordered a glass of wine, grilled asparagus, salads, and two different kinds of steak. Both of ours were out of this world. I'm *very* picky about steak, but there was not a single bite left on my plate after I was done with my meal. We ordered desert as well, which was also very good. Both of us left our meal feeling super content and our bellies were so happy. We accidentally forgot to take our menu with us (they said we could), so they saved a copy for me and I went back a couple weeks later to pick it up. Our waiter was very helpful, everyone was friendly, and the food was superb. We couldn't have asked for a better experience! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)
Jessica C.
Service, Food, and Atmosphere are all on point ! Def one the top steakhouses in Chicago.
(5)
Chris B.
Stopped in for lunch. Great food, friendly staff. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)
Karen M.
I live next to this restaurant and like the food a lot. The service is pretty good. The restaurant is nice and formal. The bar is fun with a couple of TVs to keep my husband busy w his games and me happy with yummy food. It can be pricey but food is good.
(4)
Jim B.
An average steak house that can't make up it's mind if it's tragically hip or simply upscale. We were going to go to Gene & Georgettis but opted on Benny's. We were greeted nicely and our waiter Kevin seemed to have a nice sense of humor. We ordered and the shrimp cocktail was good, the wedge salad was good and then, and then, well nothing for a while. I know they had to fillet our sole, but it was a stretch in time. Then they didn't bring out the correct sides. They gave us lobster risotto (which we didn't order), that was above average, but none of the veggies that we had ordered. They got my buddy's spinach eventually but I thought we had been forgotten. We ordered dessert, again my buddy got his brandy in a timely fashion, but my coffee would come out as dessert was being served. Again there was a sizable gap in service and time. The food was good and the service started out good, but at the end of the meal there a 100 other places within a 6 block radius that has better service and comparable food.
(3)
Peter M.
$16 martini.....you must be kidding.....never going back.
(1)
Craig B.
Sorry Yelp'ers. OVER-RATED. The food was good. But frankly it should be. It's $45 for a steak, and that means good food is a given, so no extra credit there. Skip the house salad; a messy chopped salad too busy to be called a "house salad". The blue cheese chunks in the Wedge deserve special mention however. What killed it for me was the over-sell by the waiter. Did you know his personal favorite is the crab meat and asparagus topped filet. Of course it is! Oh, and the chilled seafood tower is perfect for five. Duh. And did I mention the Wagu beef is also the best steak I ever had. Who would have thought? Spare me the hard sell Benny. This ain't no Applebee's, and I didn't bring my clients so that they could get a steak from a used car salesman. Not impressed.
(2)
Kimberly B.
DELICIOUS. We wanted to eat somewhere fancy during our trip here and just had to try this place after reading some of the reviews. There was no wait when we got there around 8pm and were immediately seated. Our server was wonderful and very prompt with our requests. I ordered their 8 oz. petit filet mignon and the husband ordered a rib-eye and filet mignon combo. We shared mashed potatoes and cream of spinach as our sides, which is more than enough! I think we could've done just one side because we were stuffed. It took a little bit longer for our food to come out (even though it didn't seem like a big deal because we kept munching on their delicious bread) but our server presented to us free champagne on the house anyway. Everything was absolutely delicious, and I recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a great-tasting steak during their stay in Chicago.
(5)
Keith R.
Benny's is conveniently located about a block from Trump Tower were we were staying so we thought we would give it a try. We normally eat at Joe's steakhouse when in Chicago but wanted to try someplace different on this trip. We should have stuck with Joe's. It's not the place was bad but our overall experience was lacking. We made our reservations last minute on open table with no problem getting a 7:00 seating. We arrived on time and was immediately seated. It was just my wife and I for dinner. The waiter sent over the sommelier to help with the wine selection. We normally go for California Cabs but he insisted we try a Washington selection after we gave him our favorite cabs we normally drink. We did agree to the wine he selected but for $275.00 we were expecting to love it. We were very disappointed. We told him it was just ok and not crazy with the finish. For dinner we ordered the filet and my wife got the lobster. Both were cooked correctly but just tasted ok. I was expecting a better tasting meat. For sides we ordered mac and cheese, sweet potato, roasted Brussels sprouts and Rigatoni pasta. Yes we tried them all. The best were the rigatoni and Brussels sprouts. We loved both. The worst was the mac and cheese they just not very special. We finished dinner with a banana cream pie. It was delicious. We could only eat half of the serving. When the bill arrived the sommelier took $40.00 off the wine without us asking for it. That was a nice jester but for what we paid for the bottle he could have switched it out when we tasted it. On our next trip back to Chicago I think we will just stick with Joe's. We eaten there over 10 times and have never been let down.
(3)
Lester A.
My wife coudln't stop talking about this place when she ate here late last year so of course I had high expectations. We came here with two of our friends that she came with the last time she ate here so I was the rookie at Benny's. This place met and exceeded all those expectations by dessert. We ordered a dozen west coast oysters, blue cheese croquettes and calamari to start. If the appetizers were a sign of what's to come for dinner then I was ready because everything was amazing. We all ordered the bone-in ribeye and had the seasoned mushrooms and sauteed garlic spinach for sides. The best bone-in ribeye I ever had. I could see what my wife was talking about, food so good you smile as you chew. The sauteed spinach was really good but the seasoned mushrooms were just ok, looked like they came out of a can. For dessert we ordered the carrot cake and chocolate souflee. I'm not a big fan of that much chocolate but the souflee was really good, I enjoyed the souflee much more than the carrot cake. Carrot cake was too sweet for me. We only finished half of the carrot cake and asked them to box it up for us and we're not sure if it was a mistake or not but when we got back to our friend's place there was a whole slice of carrot cake in the box. Score! For as much as we paid, the food was well worth it. Quite the dining experience.
(5)
Tiffany K.
I rounded up a group of friends and had a super late lunch during restaurant week. I ordered from the restaurant week menu. It was ok. I started off with the spinach salad that was topped with 2 strips of bacon and a poached egg. That was all right. dover sole with leeks and almond bread pudding with butter. presentation was nice but i did not know what went with what as everything was separate on the plate. that was all right. at last, dessert! i had the chocolate souffle. mmmm! i love chocolate. it was warm, gooey and tasty. Our server was helpful and kind. The restaurant is very upscale, clean and bright. I was a little disappointed because I've heard so many great things about Bennys! Sadly, I didn't order any drinks. BUT if you're ever ordering drinks at the bar, look for Crystal the bartender (we used to work together and she makes some meannnn drinks!) and tell her Tiffany sent ya. ;) I'm definitely going to come back, order from the regular menu and grab a few drinks. =) As you know.. the restaurant week menus can be a hit or miss.
(3)
Andres R.
I came to Benny's while on a business trip in Chicago. I've eaten at the Morton's, Fleming's, and Smith & Wollensky's across the country; Benny's kicks their butt top to bottom. Our waiter was extremely attentive and sociable. I had the Benny's ribeye (I've never had anything this good for $30 - fantastic value), along with the sauteed mushrooms and spinach. The sommelier - dressed in a flashy (but cool) suit and bowtie - recommended a great malbec. Overall great experience and would return!
(5)
Dan K.
Gotta say, this was a terrific steak house. Actually, I'd give it four-and-a-half stars. The bone-in ribeye was delicious. I asked for it medium rare but well-charred on the outside and that was delicious! My wife had the standard medium-rare, and while she's not a regular beefeater, she devoured the whole affair! We had a wonderful dessert: a very rich cinnamon-caramel apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream that was to die for. The service was excellent. While the restaurant says it's dressy, many people (myself included) were wearing much more casual dress, given the heat and humidity outside. Everyone here seemed to really enjoy themselves. I'd certainly recommend this place.
(4)
DeeJay O.
Coat service? you know you're about to have a good dining experience. Our server was Kevin and he was really cool and friendly. The food was fantastic. I had the 2 cut Rib Eye (bone out) and man, it was melting in my mouth. The towels/napkins in the bathroom had a "B" etched onto them, which told me "you're out of your element....." Danny.....lol but still, extremely top notch service,...they folded my napkin everytime I got up and left my seat. They accomodated our delay in our reservation schedule (after waiting 1 1/2 hours at McCormick Place for a taxi) and seated us immediately. Overall, this was a good place to eat after a long days work.
(4)
Jeff R.
We dined at Benny's last evening with our family and friends and stated simply, enjoyed a perfect meal! The ambiance was refined but not stuffy, the service was professional but not overbearing, and the steaks were just about the best we have all ever had: flavorful, prepared to our specifications and joined by the best crispy kale in the world. I know, it's kale, but it was really worth mentioning. We capped the meal with 2 great chocolate desserts. All in all, a great night!
(5)
Eden O.
was in chicago for work and was looking for a good steakhouse. gibson's was booked and bennys was close. let me start by saying the service was extremely attentive, borderline stalker for me. but im sure some people like this? is it wrong that overly nice people get on my nerves? the waiter was helpful and picked what each of us would like based on our appearance, luckily for him, he ordered perfectly (i think this couldve easily backfired). the drinks were actually very good. i had a variation of a bellini (breakfast at tiffany's i think its called) and also a moscow mule which is one of my new favorite drinks. the food however was not very impressive. we ordered a couple apps and each different kinds of steaks. our favorite part of this $300 meal was the salad. to me thats not a great sign...
(3)
Tu'ens N.
Nothing egregious about their failures, just a lot of unanswered questions. Such as, "why would a person go here instead of the many better steakhouses?" I have no answer to that question. I went because Joes was too packed and I didn't want to wait and this place was sort of new so I wanted to give it a shot. Maybe you are having the same thoughts and that's why you are reading this review (?). Walking in it is clear they missed the point on almost all levels. The decor is just clunky and poorly thought out. It looks like it belongs in the parking lot of a mall in the outskirts of a mid-sized city in the Midwest (I'm thinking fancy version of Chili's at Madison East Mall). Not in basically the heart of steakhouse row in the steakhouse capital. Its just not there. The food really is pretty sad. We got a blue cheese, red onion & tomato salad -- something I often get when I go to one of the many good steakhouses in Chicago. This was a TOTAL miss. The onion was waaay to strong (soak it in cold water, guys, anyone who watches Chopped knows that). The tomatoes were fine, not particularly good but whatever. The cheese though -- what was that? I have never seen "gorgonzola" like that in my life. It was like this weird spongy all white stuff, like a mix between play-dough and butter, with zero flavor whatsoever. The steak can be called "OK", but in Chicago (and at the same prices as top quality steakhouses), its just not good enough to be OK. There is a SIGNIFICANT and undeniable difference in flavor , texture, marbling and overall quality between this place and say Joe's or Primehouse for example, or even global chains like Ruth's Chris (yes!). And they all cost the same. Good: It does serve as a nice decoy to loosen up space in good steakhouses. Bad: Its existence hurts our rep.
(1)
Megan W.
When I found this place it was like finding a hidden treasure! A great place to take clients or for a date. The bar area has a fantastic 2 piece jazz band that's very entertaining and really gives it that Chicago-feel. I've only had their seafood dishes and everything was de-lish!
(5)
Eugene H.
very well trained staff, good food, and wonderful atmosphere
(4)
David T.
First let me disclaimer that my star rating has more with the service than the quality of the food. A group of us went to have dinner at Benny's and had a knowledgeable and courteous waiter who took our orders. When the food came out, all but one of us had their entree. Initially dismissed this as a timing discrepancy, however we quickly realized that our colleague's main course had been forgotten. The waiter and manager responded quickly and appropriately and offered an entree in an expedient manner, on the house of course. As far as the food was concerned, it was excellent. My Benny's duo which was a petit filet and a petit rib-eye, was cooked exactly to order. It was seasoned well and a very good cut of meat. Try the macaroni casserole and mashed potatoes. The grilled asparagus was not seasoned and very pedestrian. Overall the steaks were excellent, but the forgotten entree was a mistake not to overlook for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)
Arleen E.
Dined at Benny's with a few friends upon the recommendation of our hotel Concierge. No regrest there! The casual yet sophisticated interiors with dark stained wood panels, is dimly-lit and cozy. Walking in without reservations on a Saturday night with the first annual Windy City Smokeout happening across the street, the restaurant was busy so we sat at the bar. I started with the Beet Salad - I love beets so I could not have gone wrong with that choice. The portion size was good enough to share, however, that was not happening tonight! For the entree, I chose to go with the Pork Chop (with housemade apple sauce) and a side of Sauteed Garlic Spinach. The chop was thick and tender - probably the best chop I have ever had. The sauteed spinach was creamy and was (again) good enough for two people to share. The food is amazing and the service impeccable. I highly recommend dining at Benny's when in Chicago. We will the definitely be back!
One of the best steaks I've ever had! Medium rare, Oscar-style. If you don't like crab meat, just pairing your steak with Bearnaise sauce will do. Easily the best Bearnaise sauce...very lemon-y. The warm tomato and burrata salad is worth the price. The blue cheese croquettes are good, but do not live up to their reputation, in my opinion. Domestic beers are surprisingly affordable here, considering it's Chicago. A nice finish with a cappuccino... I highly recommend Benny's Chop House, especially for a dinner with business customers. Only downside...very expensive.
(5)
jan d.
Loved that they serve natural beef here, no hormones or abx. No rush enjoyed our cocktail before looking at the menu, large wine list had the wine som. pick it out, great job by the way Dan. Staff and host was very warm and friendly. beautiful food presentation of the beet salad, crab cakes full of crab- if you know what I mean if you have had bad crab cakes, and the meat was soooo good. Dare I say best filet I have ever had? maybe, close to it. Quite formal atmosphere nice adult night out.
(5)
Sbh H.
Excellent food! Steak, salads and sides are delicious. Service a tad slow, but they try to not rush you through dinner. We enjoyed!
(5)
Jayci G.
Down to Earth wait staff, deeelicious meal! Go sit at the bar and talk to Diedra...she's incredible!
(5)
Leang E.
We came here for Easter brunch, and I was surprised at how relatively empty it was considering I could not put in reservations for 6 no earlier than noon. I suppose they only just open a half an hour before. In any case, our waiter was quite smart and cheeky which we surely appreciated for the noon hour. I had a bloody mary to start my morning out right. I ordered the Crab and Lobster Louie and a side of brussel sprouts, bacon and cheese. The food was delicious, and I have to say that the portions are not very big. I understand it's lunch, but still. Surprise surprise that my mom ate most of my side dish while she enjoyed the lamb special. At least I got a couple of pieces of the brussel sprouts, which were very good. We split the S'mores Cheesecake and the molten lava chocolate special dessert that day, and it was all very rich and decadent. The prices are a bit higher for me considering the portion of the meal and all the items that were ordered, but it was a very nice experience.
(4)
Tommy M.
If Yelp needs a reason to add a 6th star, it's because of places like this. Not one detail was missed. When we arrived, the place settings were so meticulously set on the table - this is a good indicator that the service will be top-notch. The staff was at the ready to seat us. One of the guys saw my dad take an ice cube from his water and put it in his martini, and brought a glass of ice within seconds. Our server, Nick, knew everything. He really knew his stuff, from the different cuts to the different kinds of oysters they have. Like oysters? They have three kinds of oysters, and get this: They are alive until about 10 minutes before you eat them. Wow! They won't be any fresher than that, unless you're hand picking them right out of the ocean. He asked when we wanted each dish, before/during the main course, etc. It's such a simple question, you would think more restaurants would think to do this. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye, medium rare. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. I used to think most steaks were pretty much the same, but it had so much flavor it was unbelievable. Four of us split a chopped salad, which was just enough. Very fresh and tasted great. We also ordered an entree-size bowl of imported Torchietti pasta to have with our main course, it was so good! Growing up in an Italian family and eating pasta 3 nights/week - trust me, I know good pasta. This was, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever had. Oh, and save some room for dessert, especially the key lime pie or bread pudding.
(5)
Steve S.
Excellent place for dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is refined yet sleek. I noticed there was a nature theme as you enter the place. There is a bar/lounge area where you can gather prior to your meal or even after work. Our group sat down and had a few drinks prior to our meal and the cocktail server was friendly and prompt. We had an excellent server during our meal. He was able to answer all of our questions regarding the menu and was also gracious/patient when one of my friends started to become a wise-ass. Our water glasses and wine glasses were always full and our silverware replaced as needed. Our table was also "crumbed" prior to our espressos. To start, there was a nice selection of various breads/biscuts. For apps we had the wagyu carpaccio, the fish salad and the jumbo prawns. The prawns were indeed very large and grilled just right. The wagyu was tasty as well. My favorite was the fish salad and it is a must try for seafood lovers. There were large chunks of shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia (cuttlefish). I also like the simple dressing that allowed for the taste of the seafood to really shine. Most seafood salads use mayo but this one only had lemon juice and garlic. The ceasar and iceberg salads were also well prepared. The leafs did not have any wilted edges and I liked how they chose a dry roquefort instead a wet blue cheese for my iceberg salad. Everyone enjoyed their steaks. I had the prime rib eye which was cooked properly and juicy. The other cuts tried at my table were filet and a strip steak. However, make sure to ask for any sauce on the side if you do decide to choose one because it is a bit much according to one friend. The creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes complimented our steaks. Benny's is a great place for a steak dinner that offers a new venue outside of what you'd find in chain steak restaurants.
(5)
Dan R.
OK, I have a bias, I love Volare and this is Benny's newest venture. It's what I would expect as a steak house version of Volare: great food, great service and a wonderful wine selection. Need I say more?
(5)
Brooke B.
My friend and I just stumbled into this place in order to avoid the cold wind but my god it was the best accident ever. The place was nice and the quality of food was fantastic. Also we had gone during Restaurant Week and the deal was so good with perfect proportions. The potato leek soup was superb with its fine smooth taste. Also the fillet mignon was so delicious and filling. It wasn't tough or too bloody, it was just right. The dessert was the best part. It had three small things: creme brulee, banana cream pie, and s'mores. it was so good! The s'mores was the best and my friend and I kept going on and on about how much we love it. Really, it's a place to check out :)
(4)
Tammy L.
Staying close by celebrating my birthday I chose Bennys simply because their menu sounded better than all other steak houses. We called at 530 and made a reservation for 6 and walked over. Upon arriving it immediately makes you think of the 1940s and 50's era. The wait staff are impeccably dressed and our server Wen Ling was exceptional. She rattled off the specials like a pro, recommended a few things and knew exactly how every dish was prepared, she was amazing and we were just as amazed to find out she had been there less than a month. We started eith the maple bacon appetizer even though i was very skeptical but I neednt had worried because that was the best thing I have eaten in years. It was melt in your mouth delicious and we could have eaten plate after plate full of it. We ordered two filets to be cooked medium rare and upon arrival they were cooked perfectly! They were delicious much better than anything ruth chris cooks up and they didnt need to hide it in melted butter. All the alacarte items we had were just as delicious and bigger sizes than other alacartes we have had at other steak houses. My favorite was the creamed corn. Upon sitting down our server noticed we had a 'happy birthday' doughnut and asked who had a birthday and we told her on the walk over we had stopped at a doughnut shop and picked one up for my bday. After our meal she brought us a complimentary dessert the smores cheesecake which was the cutest take on smores with a long stick of chocolate used to simulate the skewer. That was unexpected and most appreciated. This is now my favorite steak house and we will be back when in town. Bathrooms were just as nice with tiny washcloths to dry your hands instead of paper towels, classy! This is my first ever 5 star review!!!
(5)
Odranre B.
great steakhouse joint - the seafood is equally good...the desserts are ok...beautiful ambience...plenty of elbow rooms...interesting wall paintings...good place to take that special someone to impress...all these greatness doesn't come cheap so make sure you have enough balance on your credit card...seafood tower is recommended for starter...servers knowledge of wine to match the wide selection...hard to find parking so valet instead...our server resembles the morph son of carlton banks and lieutenant commander geordi la forge - look for him and tell him captain picard is needed on the bridge...but don't ask him to do the carlton...
(5)
Hien N.
I came here for the 25 cent happy hour oysters they have on Wednesday afternoons. Ended up ordering 4 dozen oysters to savor. They delivered. **THE CATCH was that there was a 2 drink minimum per person, which I was not expecting. I felt that 1 drink minimum was more reasonable, but TWO? Well let me tell you, for someone on the smaller side, the booze went straight to my head after ordering the second drink and I sadly fell asleep at the concert I attended after coming here.
(3)
Rosanna L.
I normally go in order with my reviews, but Benny's Chop House is an exception. I easily made reservations through open table for 2 to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was called the day of (I think the day before as well) to ask for my boyfriend's name, which I didn't think much of and just thought oh, they'll probably use it on the dessert plate. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated within minutes at a spacious booth that could of easily fit four. We were offered water by the busser then greeted by our server who present the boyfriend with his own personalized menu and wished him a happy birthday! KUDOS to Benny's for making the night extra special by doing something simple as printing a personalized menu for the guests. We had a surprise dinner guest join us whom they easily accommodated. Our server, Dan F., was fantastic, he shared with us the current specials that they had going on and gave us his opinion on what to sides to ordered with our meals because we couldn't make up our mind, which we ended up ordering! He always checked on us and made sure our entrees was cooked to our liking and our waters were always filled. I decided to give their house merlot a try and enjoyed it, even though I'm not a red wine drinker. It was a good pick for the skirt steak I was about to have. We started off with the Tuna Carpaccio, which was refreshing, but lack a bit of flavorful. The lobster bisque and clam chowder are both more of a orange/red soup not your typical white/cream. Of the two we thought the clam chowder was the winner with tender clams and flavorful broth. For our entrees I had the wagyu skirt steak with frites (french fries, essentially). Just thinking the word wagyu has me drooling. It was cooked to perfection: rare to medium rare, great portion and juicy. The frites didn't do much for me, a bit too salty, I would of preferred some sort of potato instead. I'm having leftovers for lunch and the flavor is so tasty I don't even need a glaze or sauce. The boyfriend and surprise guest both had the bone-in filet mignon, one with bleu cheese topping. Their eyes were popping out of their sockets upon seeing what a generously thick cut piece of meat they were getting. They both claim it was the best steak they've ever had; tender, juicy, melt in your mouth cuts. Our sides were the perfect fit: seasonal mushrooms (shitake) and mac and cheese with smoked bacon. In a dream world this is exactly how I would want my steak dinner, absolutely delicious. The mushrooms added great flavorful to the steak, although bit over powering while the mac and cheese had a tasty smokey flavorful thanks to the bacon and was just the right blend of cheese and gooey-ness. Our bellys were completely on cloud 9 once we stuffed ourselves. The birthday boy even opted for no dessert, but Dan insisted on getting him something small based on what kind of dessert he liked so he said ice cream. Out came a personalized plate saying happy birthday with 3 different scoops of ice cream: chocolate, coffee and vanilla. I think the birthday boy enjoyed it because the plate was completely cleaned! Thank you Benny's Chop House for making this birthday extra special by going out of your way. We will definitely be back on our next celebratory occasion!
(5)
Eric C.
it's a 5 star steak house coming from a business traveler whose eaten all over the country including the best steakhouse in the USA - Manny's in MN. Benny's is awesome and a great treat for a special occasion or wooooowing clients. If you're in the windy city, come here and get blown away! p.s. keep the 80's tunes blasting!
(5)
Basil D.
LIMITED REVIEW: THIS IS THE HIDDEN PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN. I know the valets because I walk my dog by the restaurant and they always give me the heads up of what power broker is dining there that night. Can't drop names, but it's an impressive list. I am not much of a "steakhouse" kinda guy. It's not that I don't like a good steak every now and then, but when i choose to eat somewhere, I prefer something a little more creative. That said, I appreciate and truly love a great steak. But, truth be told, I'm here to write about their burger. The decor is perfectly matched to the ambience and food. It is transitional decor, a healthy combination of traditional fine steakhouse with a dash of modern, but not extreme at all. They have a well stocked bar with an incredible selection of cognacs, bourbons, whiskies, and scotch. The bartenders are clearly experts in their field and can tell you the story behind every label. They are happy to give you a lesson in any of the spirits. I had the fried egg truffle burger. How can you not order a burger titled this way?? It is without exaggeration, the finest burger I've ever tasted. I think it's only available at the bar, but it is fantastic. AH-MAZING!! They make a thick burger precisely to your liking. The quality of meat is excellent, it's got some fat for taste but not too much, just enough. The truffle aioli is abundant and evident in every bite. Subtle, with just enough sharpness to to let you know it's there. Gruyère Cheese!!! OHHHHHHHH Gruyère Cheese! Marvelous, wonderful, tasty and incredible gruyère!! It is the finest of all cheeses for a burger. If Thomas Aquinas' "Five Proofs for the Existence of God" doesn't make you believe in God, then gruyère should do the trick. All the rest: Their lobster bisque is very tasty and credible. It could use a bit more lobster the two times I ordered it. The crab cake is exceptional. Large lump crab that's fresh. The seasonings are very mild but evident. As much as I like Old Bay Seasonings, it's not overly present here (or it's equivalent). Save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is incredible. A large piece of triple (or is it quadruple?) layer of chocolate cake with a quality ganache-type frosting. I'm not much of a fan of carrot cake, but this is exceptionally good. Steak isn't my forte, however Benny's is definitely worth a trip for everything else they serve, and I'm sure the steak is excellent too.
(4)
Elizabeth Y.
Dined at Benny's last night to celebrate our anniversary and it truly could not have been more memorable. The service was impeccable: attentive, anticipatory, yet not intrusive. Our server, Kelly, made wonderful suggestions regarding each course that were spot on and allowed us to sample the full range of the menu. We dined on the (half-size) seafood tower, Kobe filet, maple-glazed bacon, and the truffle-topped doubled baked potato. The sommelier-suggested wine was the best we've ever had and perfectly matched our chosen steaks. Finally, Kelly went above and beyond when she surprised us with a special dessert to recognize our anniversary. Highly recommend.
(5)
Julie Y.
Came here for restaurant week with my sister and it was great! Decided to grab a couple cocktails which were all very good. The Moscow mule was amazing and my bourbon.. Well you can never go wrong with good bourbon.. Ordered the pate plate on the normal menu for an appetizer which came with a bunch of different sides and spicy peppers and pickles which I highly recommend. Then some stuff from the restaurant weeks menu which I don't remember much of but the dessert was sooooooooooo good! Defiantly will be coming back here to try some other stuff on the menu.. Have some drinks and eat some good dessert! Service was also outstanding!
(4)
Lisa K.
We went to Benny's to celebrate our anniversary and it just wasn't impressive. Things I Liked: 1. The drinks. "You put the lime in the coconut" was VERY tasty. 2. The ambiance. It was dark and moody and our booth was very comfortable. 3. The maple bacon appetizer. This is what makes this restaurant a 2 star instead of 1 star. This very thick-cut bacon was delicious. It could have been a meal on its own! 4. The burrata salad was tasty. Not out of this world, but a good substitute for caprese. 5. We were able to pay for street parking right out front due to its slightly off-path destination. Things I didn't Like: 1. I am the world's worst cook, but I make a short rib that is nearly identical to the one I got at Benny's and - surprisingly - mine is better. Their short rib was just a smidge too dry. 2. My husband got the 20 oz. bone-in sirloin and said that it was also a little dry, despite being cooked medium rare. 3. My husband always orders the lobster bisque and he said Benny's was one of his least favorites. He said it wasn't particularly creamy. 4. When we sat down our waiter brought over a wine menu and a cocktails menu. I'm still puzzling over him handing me the cocktail menu and saying, "This one is for you. It's easier to read." It was just super awkward. 5. Despite feeling like our meal was mediocre at best, the prices were high end. There are better steak places in Chicago and I recommend checking out Gibson's, Harry Caray's or even Ruth's Chris before Benny's.
(2)
Michael A.
There are some things this place does very well, unfortunately, steak is not one of them. Very disappointied in the dry-aged bone in New York as was one of my colleagues. It was tough and flavorless, and I only ate half of it. The dry-aged bone in rib eye wasn't as tough, but equally flavorless. The concensus in our large group of physicians, from various parts of the country, was that the meat was "nothing special". When you pay $60 for a steak you expect more than that. On the positive side, the maple smoked bacon is out of this world. Oysters and salsa also very tasty.
(2)
Kenny R.
The service was good and the food was also good. Not the best filet I've ever had but it was very good. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because we were there with a large party and when we asked to separate the bill they acted as if we had just killed a member of their family. Because of the server acting like a baby over the separation of the bill I will not be returning. There are 100's of other steak restaurants in Chicago with food that is just as good that treat there customers respectfully and have no problem separating the bill.
(3)
Diana C.
There were 5 of us in our party, and we had early-ish reservations (5:30). We found the location easily, and Benny's is beautifully appointed, which made the experience more memorable. We were seated and attended to quickly. Our main server was efficient, friendly without being overly familiar, albeit the run-down of specials, etc., was somewhat robotic and we lost interest in them. The entire staff is very attentive, quick to respond and clearly knowledgable. The menu is varied, clear, and well laid out. Drinks were fantastic, great bartender. We had a Sidecar, a Manhattan, and Vodka/Cranberry. We had their house Maple Glazed Bacon, which was over the top. It's a chef's specialty, and for the bacon lovers at the table it was a treat. For me it was too much of a good thing (although everyone should try it once at least!) We ordered Charcuterie, (Prosciutto di Parma and Cheese Selection) which unfortunately came as 2 separate ($17 each) plates, rather than one. Both were good. Not sure they were that exceptional. Beet Salad also left me wanting. Not enough of anything to make it worth eating: flavor or quantity-wise. Bread basket selection was nice, but no plain butter, which would have been a nice option to the spread. The meals:(1) Filet Mignon-very good (1)18 oz Bone in New York Strip-good (2)12 oz New York Strip- very good (1) 16 oz New York Strip- very good Sides: Gnocchi: not recommended Macaroni & Cheese: OK Sauteed Garlic Spinach: barely OK Glazed Carrots: mine are better As our last dinner in Chicago, it was a nice dinner experience. The drinks, steaks, ambience, and service were good enough to off-set the surprisingly poor sides, salad, and appetizers. I would stick to the steak and drinks.
(4)
Wen H.
Great atmosphere and the live music was the icing on the cake!! The oysters are excellent. Calamari with the hot peppers have just the right kick, and the sweetness from the cocktail sauce has the perfect start to our meal. Overall the food is 3-1/2 stars but the with ambience gives a 4. Definitely would return to this place.
(3)
Lindsay Y.
Stopped in for a early dinner with a girlfriend and wasn't very impressed with the service, although the food was great, per usual. Our server was rude, slow and unfriendly. Not sure what her problem was, maybe she was just having a horrible day?! My friend Mistey was managing (to my surprise) and sent out the most delicious piece of banana creme pie ever! Perfect way to end our meal!
(4)
Jay K.
This was my second time to Benny's, 14 months apart, and it was outstanding both times. Benny's understands service and consistently executes a predictable, exceptional and authentic experience from the moment patrons walk inside the restaurant to the flawless table service to being thanked by name by the maitre d' when you exit the building. In the interest of brevity I won't review Benny's outstanding fare but suffice to say it's top shelf all the way. Put Benny's right up there with Chicago's finest and most notable steakhouses.
(5)
Cindy W.
Troy is the best waiter here. He was professional and courteous. The smoke bacon was delicious. What made it special is the waiter and the wine was delicious as well.
(5)
Alex S.
This review is not quite a week late but trust me: if you do it right, you will need a week to digest, mentally and physically, your Benny's experience. You can tell in the walk up the plush steps right off the foyer that this place plays for keeps, and what I mean by that is the simple fact that you will not look at certain dining options the same way ever again after eating here. But that's a great thing, and as these other 300+ reviews can attest, customer satisfaction is the top priority here. Before even walking in, Benny's impressed me as we received a phone call two days before showing up asking us to confirm our reservation. Not an automated call. Not a generic "form" e-mail. An actual person asking us if we were good on our reservation. You can call that pretentious but I look at it like a form of good will, like they value your business. It's a strange concept in the 21st century, I know. So we walk in and a trio of hostesses greet us at the top of the steps this Saturday night. One whisks us away past a bar and through a row of tables before we are seated near a junction between the various dining rooms. This was a fortuitous turn of events as it was the perfect spot to hear the pianist in another room tinkling the ivories, as well as MGMT's "Time to Pretend" being piped into still another dining room. The pianist won the battle of good taste this evening. Speaking of good taste, our waiter was over in seconds flat, and the man was encyclopedic in his knowledge of refined tastes as it related to everything from wine to maple glazed bacon. And yes, you read the last part of that sentence correctly. Jie was accommodating, friendly, frequently hilarious when our eyes became bigger than our stomachs, and understood the societal importance of me taking pictures of my drink at the table so that I may post it to Facebook and fulfill my hipster quota for the evening (more on that in a second). Jie was just one of many outstanding staffers, from the food runners who help each other out to the other servers who are never too busy to extend a quick refill to those looking parched. I foolishly started with the lobster bisque, which is both good and bad. It's good because it was absolutely delicious, and I ate it all. It's bad because I ate it all and was already filling my stomach to capacity. The maple bacon appetizer, which should be illegal in 48 states for tasting too good, came next and I was feeling the fatigue. My folks loved their regular 8-oz. filet and halibut, and I made it through my dry age 16-oz. bone-in ribeye with ease, despite it becoming difficult to breathe. You just have to think "If I pass out here on the table, I'm going to enter into a euphoric food coma and it will be okay." Because it will. The food here is divine, with a hash brown (I know, I know... trust me when I say they're good) and creamed corn side dishes to satisfy everyone. Because my parents wisely paced themselves, they enjoyed a delectable selection of ice cream for dessert. Me? I went with the J.W. Lees Harvest Ale dessert beer. I know what you're wisely thinking: "dessert beer" should not technically exist, and I admit, I only ordered it to try it, take a picture of it, and then brag to everyone back home via Facebook about it. Trust me when I say do not order this. It's something to try, sure, but it tastes like a freak combination of scotch, coffee, room temperature beer and a candle. I'm not about to turn down a drink but it would take some serious convincing to get me to order this again. Still: bragging rights for finishing it! Look, Benny's is a phenomenal place to dine. You'll see all kinds here, from the country club elite, to the kid trying to impress his date he took home from college, not to mention businessmen, businesswomen and people who talk way too loud to the point where we cannot mind their business since they are sharing it with everyone. You get what you pay for and that should be enough to justify those five stars at the top of this review.
(5)
Steph U.
Overrated and expensive. I came here for a birthday and we were a pretty large group, so we ordered two bottles of wine and most of us ordered different steaks and one person ordered a pork chop (she doesn't eat steak). I got the clam chowder with had fresh clams, but it was definitely not something to rave about. It was also very small, but the presentation was nice I liked my boyfriend's beet salad, but I think Michael Jordan's has a better beet salad. I also got the filet mignon, which yes it was very tender, but also incredibly tiny and not that good. I mean it was a decent steak, but definitely not comparable to other steaks that I have had and it was extremely more costly than other places I have had. On top of this, since we came on a weeknight, business was fairly slow. We ended up finishing dinner around 11, and I'm not sure what time they close on Mondays, but we could tell they wanted us to go. They turned down the heat so it was freezing and our valet guy came in to see what was taking so long for us to come outside. It felt rude and like our service was not appreciated. Oh also, the breakdown of the meal was ridiculous with the wine costing about $30 PER GLASS (whattttt?!). Overall, I did not enjoy my time here much and would not come back. I think you're better off going to places like Tango Sur or Gibson's, as these are more worth your money and have better tasting food. I liked the music though.
(2)
Ca C.
While you are saving up your coins to enjoy a fine dining experience at Primehouse, voted America's #2 steakhouse, give consideration to Benny's Chop House as well. My wife and I were in Chicago and happened to catch a segment on America's best steakhouses. We added Primehouse to our restaurant lineup, but due to reservation availability and dress code, we changed to Benny's at the last minute. I am so happy we did. I cannot slight Primehouse, as we did not dine there, but I can tell you that Benny's is more than worthwhile. Their service and food was impeccable. Let's start with service: We arrived about five minutes early for our 8:30 reservation. The friends were meeting had arrived about 8:15. Our table was not ready and we were seated for a brief wait in the bar area, where we were able to enjoy the live music. After about five minutes, I was becoming a little antsy (I mean, who makes a reservation at an elite restaurant and has to wait?). Management must have noticed, as someone approached our bar table, explained that the previous party departed late, and that our table would be ready shortly. Within a few minutes, the same gentleman approached, inquired if anyone in our party had allergies and asked if we liked alcohol. We when did arrive at our table, complimentary champagne and calamari awaited us to compensate for our delayed table. Nice touch! Food: Our friends both ordered scallops; my wife had the filet and I, the rib-eye with cajun seasoning. The scallops were nicely prepared. The Rib-eye was cooked to perfection. The best steak I've had ever. My wife is not particularly a steak eater but she really enjoyed her filet.
(5)
Sergio C.
Had the filet with marrow topping that was phenomenal. The carrots and mash potatoes we very tasty. Nice and comfortable atmosphere.
(5)
Laura C.
It's quite unfortunate I feel the need to give Benny's a two star view based solely on my experience with our server. Yup, that's how sour of a taste she left in my mouth. Look, girl, I get it, working in the bar section during twenty-five cent oyster Wednesday won't always score you the best tips. Either grin and bear it or get a job at one of the 29084284 other steakhouses in Chicago. We were greeted with a smile and the bar area had plenty of seating available. The live music (piano) that began during the end of our meal ("meal") was fantastic. The oysters themselves were delightful. But our server was so overwhelmingly unhappy, rude, slow, and inconsiderate I left almost speechless. The best part was receiving the $85 bill (for two people) after deliberately asking "which oysters are on the twenty-five cent special?" and receiving "all of them" as an answer before ordering. When we asked her why the bill was so much and the oysters were so expensive, she rolled her eyes, exhaled, put down her book at the bar, and told us we misunderstood. All of the oysters are on "special" (some as cheap as $4 a pop, what a deal), only one type were a quarter each. Uhhhhh, okay. No apology for the confusion. No 10% pity discount. Nothing. I've worked in hospitality and I understand how to manage client relationships. This is not how. I won't even begin to touch on the other aspects of the poor service we received. This was disappointing. Sadly I will not be returning. Ugh. Over it.
(2)
Willson M.
We had a group of 10 go to Benny's Chophouse and they were absolutely fantastic with our group. The majority of us had either the bone-in ribeye (including myself) or the filet mignon. We also ordered the truffle fries, brussels sports with bacon, and Mac and cheese with lobster and bacon. The appetizers were delicious, especially the truffle fries! But seriously the bone-in ribeye...that bone-in ribeye! Absolutely delicious! Cooked medium rare (of course) and to juicy perfection! I can't say enough about the steak - it's dry aged and tender from marinating itself. It pairs extremely well with a nice red wine as well! And also the Run of the Mill - really delicious and warm (especially on a cold windy day). I don't know what else to say except that the service is great and the food is delicious. You owe it to yourself to give it a try if you're in Chicago!
While I was hoping for more at Benny's, you could tell that the Restaurant Week menu is not completely indicative of the talent level of the kitchen when it comes to a normal night...especially since Benny's isn't even offering a dinner version of their selections. Lunch was fine--I tried the cauliflower bisque, the sole with couscous, and the dessert sampler. The s'mores portion of the sampler was a standout, but overall the food was just average; nothing special, although kudos to the Benny's team for providing good food and not going overboard on the portion size. The sole on the bed of "confetti" couscous was tasty but the amount of fish on the dish was very, very small (I'm not even sure there were two ounces of cooked fish on the couscous). The bisque was light and the other two desserts on the sampler--a chocolate cupcake and a banana cream cup--were just okay. Thankfully, the server gave us a free slice of maple-glazed bacon...at least, I think it was maple glazed, but the point was that this "slice" was a freakin' monster of a slice of bacon, very hefty. It helped round out the portion sizes. Our hostess, manager, waiter and lead server were all great and were very loud and enunciated clearly when speaking to all of us...this seemed like a point of emphasis since all four people I interacted with were loud enough to be heard across a crowded dining hall. I appreciated this, but it was still a little strange. Maybe there are many older diners that hit this place? Not sure what to make of that one. Perfect for a business lunch and the normal menu prices didn't make my eyes bleed, so if you are on an expense account this is a great place to take a client and spend less than $50 for lunch for sure.
(3)
Gary V.
We popped in for what turned out to be very expensive cocktails and onion rings on a Friday. The service was excellent, and the bar itself was very nice. The onion rings were quite tasty, but they were a little tepid upon delivery. That probably saved me from the classic bite into an onion ring and lavaesque grease scalds your mouth scenario. Next time we are in town we might give the dinner menu a try.
(4)
Seth F.
Been meaning to try Benny's for a couple years, seems like the only steakhouse I haven't been in Chicago. Food was great. Dry-Aged ribeye was very well executed and a nice piece of meat. Huge wine list, friendly service.
(4)
Jack W.
Disappointed. Pricey menu. Thought it was a high end steak house. My $61 ribeye was ok. Broccoli au gratin was under cooked. Key lime pie tasted like a store bought dessert. Service was polite and efficient but with a dash of attitude. Overall I felt we walked into a tourist trap.
(2)
Michael C.
Came in for lunch and sat at the bar area for a quick lunch. The bartender serving us was friendly and was as attentive as we needed her to be. Truffle Burger - I found the burger to be pretty bland with not even a hint of truffle on the burger or the truffle spread that was provided. While the burger was cooked perfectly, it was also messy because it was too big to reasonably eat. This is also probably partly due to the egg on it as well. Luckily I ordered the supplement of truffle fries, those were amazing. At times I thought if I wanted to add the truffle flavor by throwing a few of those fries inside my burger. Get the fries, skip the burger.
(2)
Karma K.
So Chicago certainly has a plethora of steakhouses but Benny's stands out to me for a few reasons. Staff: They have the friendliest, non-pretentious staff for a pricey steakhouse. I was impressed. Sides: Unlike most steakouse that give you huge ass servings of starch and asparagus (always asparagus, why is that?), Benny's puts much creative thought into their sides. The result is fantastic tasting sides that I could make a meal out of. They are also presented beautifully. They welcome children: Hubs and I dined here with another couple sans kids but I thought is was cool that they have a kids menu. Some tables had some very well mannered and well dressed eating dinner with their parents. Warmed my heart to see that. Their main dishes are very, very good. I didn't have dessert but understand they are all made in house. Nice! Benny's has taken over 3 Forks has my fav steakhouse.
(5)
Jordan S.
The ambiance here is true old school steak house, and I love them for it. Right off the magnificent mile, the location is easy to get to, and reservations were obtainable. We started our meal with a couple of gin martini's, some stone crab claws and some oysters. All of it was fantastic. For the entree, I went with a 22oz T-Bone with some broccoli and asparagus on the size. The steak was seasoned and cooked properly, the service was fantastic, the meal was just excellent. We finished the meal with some chocolate pudding cake and some of their grappa (I now know I don't like Grappa...but I can't tell you if this was good/bad grappa). Overall, I could not have asked for a better meal in a better place.
Impeccable service and outstanding food. We started with 1/2 dozen of fresh shucked oysters from the east coast. Beautifully sweet and gorgeous brine. We actually skipped the salad anticipating the meat. The selection is wonderful. The ability to choose from either dry-aged, wet-aged or grass-fed natural prime beef will satisfy any taste. We decided to "go for broke" literally. I ordered the 48 oz bone-in "tomahawk" wagu beef served medium-rare. Although pricey ($155) it was worth every penny. This steak would feed 3-4 people which it easily fed 3 of us. It was perfectly marbled and was buttery delicious. Sides of Mac-and-cheese, creamed spinach and gigantic baked potato were a nice traditional complement to the beef. Ah, the beef the beef the beef. The one gigantic steak and a scallop dinner fed 4 people in my party. Don't forget the banana cream pie. Feeds 4 people. With drinks and tip the $400 price tag was a lot, but would do this again in a cholesterol filled heartbeat. Best beef I've had in my life.
(5)
Bill J.
I had the grilled caesar salad, 8 oz. filet and split the lobster mac and cheese. Dinner also came with a bread basket and what seemed to be roasted garlic. All were on par with what you would expect at a high end steak house. Service was very professional and the location is just steps away from Michigan Ave. Definitely worth putting on your list of steak places to try in Chicago.
(4)
Courtney B.
Excellent!! Highs recommend!! For guests with birthdays, they personalize the menu and kindly say Happy Birthday. Food amazing! Relatively large portions. Sommelier very helpful. Hostess and server fantastic! Live music in the lounge very fun atmosphere.
(5)
Berto F.
So being from Austin I researched this place before leaving. I wasn't disappointed with what I found. First from 3 - 7pm on Wednesday they do $.25 oysters from Delaware. They have other oysters as well. Then I had what apparently is not on the dinner menu I looked at which was a lobster grilled cheese with truffle fries for $18.99 that Brian the bartender suggested. (By the way if you meet Brian tell him the guy from Austin sent ya.) When he found out I was from Austin he said well then you have to try our maple glazed thick cut bacon. So I did and holy crap was it a game changer. He said come back for bacon Thursdays where they do a bar and food menu inspired by bacon but unfortunately I won't be here.
(5)
John G.
Benny's Chop House hmmm word spreads all around about this place being the best of the best and I'll have to admit the filet was exceptional, dare i say the finest I've partaken in? It really seems that way. Seating arrangement is nicely placed. Booth seating perfect fit the mood for me and my lady to enjoy a lovely meal, converse, and be affectionate. Service was professional where I had to compliment the staff personally. Expect to see me again.
(5)
Tim M.
Met the boss for dinner in Chicago so that meant a steak house. Benny's looked decent and was walkable from the Sheraton so I booked it. On the day of we need to move the reservation back an hour and they gladly accomodated us. Everything about the restaurant was good - the drinks, the beer selection (though nothng on tap), the steak, the grilled asparagus, the gazpacho, and the service. The only things that weren't good were the cheesecake (the boss got the molten chocolate cake and didn't like it either), and the reception on the last TV in the bar/lounge - maybe with satellite reception so the action in the Lakers/Celtics game was jerky. I would definitely come here again if I were in the mood for steak
(4)
Char Y.
We came here for lunch on a week day during restaurant week. We were seated immediately. We weren't impressed by the restaurant week menu so we ordered from the normal lunch menu. fried egg truffle aioli burger - ok. The bun was soggy and the beef unflavored. The fries were over fried. main lobster roll - great bun, but no lobster chunks? totally did not live up to expectation. Our server, Brett, was courteous and helpful. We were quite disappointed at the food, maybe come back for dinner?
(2)
Sunil D.
Its a good steakhouse, but in a city filled with GREAT steakhouses it needs to work on its consistency. The steaks were well priced and phenomenal, the menu seemed to be a notch cheaper many of the other options in the area. Service was sketch at best, granted I did go when it first opened. The server was really pushy on the upsell, insisting everyone get a salad/soup or extra appetizers. I understand recommending enough to feed the party, but there reaches a point where persistence is not needed. They also brought me out the wrong steak, so I had to wait for 20 minutes while my original order was prepared. I understand mistakes happen, so I'm not holding that against them. The appetizers and side dishes were all run of the mill, nothing that stood out. Salads were subpar and the spacing in the room made everyone feel cramped. The steaks made up for a lot of that, the porterhouse that is deconstructed before cooking. This method led to two perfectly cooked pieces of meat. With that said, some tweaking needs to be done to the service and menu if it wants to maintain a prescence longer term in a city full of 5 star steak houses.
(3)
S S.
Love the seafood tower! Great steaks and fish. Traditional steak/seafood restaurant atmosphere. Very attentive service.
(3)
Liza G.
We went there expecting great service. Waiter was rude and though a party of 7 (3 couples, 1 single) was out of line to asked for separate checks. Only fair for those not drinking. Waiter was disappointed because we didn't want a few bottles of wine and just by the glass. Then said it was going to take about 5+ minutes to split the check. Really that hard, whatever! Then when he finally brings over the check he stood there waiting for everyone to finish signing. Stood over us waiting and not that I was double checking when I looked up he was holding the full bill and said "I got the full bill here so double check if you want" waving the bill like if we were counting our fingers or something. Have to say for the bad service I couldn't remember the food enough to say I'd go back. We went there for a celebration for all of us out of town people for running the Chicago Marathon. Next time we'll head back elsewhere for a nice steak dinner. Crappy service ruined the food experience.
(1)
Darrell B.
A very beautiful restaurant. The dining room offers a romantic setting for two or a perfect place for an elegant night out with friends. All of the wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful in all things. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming. Everything we tried was amazing and cooked to perfection. The bar area is a bit more casual and a lot more fun. The bartenders are friendly and speedy with service.
(5)
Larisa B.
We went here today for Restaurant Week and it was one of the best RW picks ever. I changed, canceled, rescheduled, then settled on Bennys just last week after reading something in Time Out about it being one of the best and it was the truth. They had a prix fixe menu for lunch, my picks - Spinach salad w/ poached egg, sole filet with almond brown butter and the chocolate souffle. I finished every moursel of everything. The salad was a perfect size and the egg made it. The almond brown butter for the fish was so great to on the side for both the fish and the side of bread pudding. The finale of the souffle was perfect. I've heard how difficult it is to make and we had to wait a few extra minutes during our lunch to get it, but it was worth every minute. Paired with a chocolate sauce on the side, it was an amazing ending. I also got to try and taste of the barley soup, the braised short rib and the lemon souflee. I would easily go back and do it again for lunch tomorrow to do the 3rd dishes also. Great waiter and staff too! I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Yelp M.
It's lost a little luster. If someone invited me to go, I'd be there in a second but given the prices, the entrees were just good. At those prices, you need them to be great.
(3)
Agnes F.
In a town that suffers no shortage of steakhouses, Benny's proved to be a surprise hit sat at the bar with my friend last week, i had a nice vodka martini with blue cheese olives as well different wines (all were good) it was their oyster specials night so i had a couple dozen of oysters to start and they were fresh and yummy we also shared some foie gras, steak tartare, salad, gnocci, mac and cheese, everything was good and the service was attentive and hey, they have a live pianist too!! all in all, a great place to hang out after work definitely have to come back to try the steak
(4)
Carol S.
Elegance and great food. Truffle oil fries, lobster cob salad, Benny's burger, salmon salad, and fried egg burger were all amazing. Great service on a smokingly hot day. Great views out of the half moon windows. Regulars were warmly acknowledged by the staff.
(5)
Shadi N.
5 STARS, 6 STARS, 7 STARS... ALL THE STARS IN THE FRICKIN SKY... this place is out of this world. I chose this place based on their extensive beer menu to take my friend to celebrate his birthday and made a special request to have some sort of beer pairing with our meal. They staff and sommelier went above and beyond to create lavish extensive amazingly relevant beer pairing with our food. I truly enjoyed my experience here and will recommend it to anyone who wants to get steak in Chicago. The meat and food were exceptional as well, my filet was crusted perfectly and cooked exactly how i had ordered it.
(5)
Adam K.
Bennys was a great restaurant. In a city filled with a million steakhouses, Bennys is definitely one I would return to! Upon arriving we were almost immediately seated at a very nice table towards the middle of the room. We were presented our menus and asked if we wanted to take a look at the wine list. I agreed and almost as quickly as the list appeared so did the Sommelier. He quickly asked us what our preferences were and then the all important budget question. He suggested a nice wine from Australia and even included a nice little story about the vineyard. The wine was superb and everyone at the table agreed. The food at Bennys was also very good. It's a pity our waiter was so batshit stupid, he definitely took away from the experience. For starters he screwed up our appetizer order. My friend ordered this plate of tomato-nonsense which was the special but instead he brought something else. I would say my table was a bit "high maintenance" but still....a fancy restaurant should be used to this. Anyways, I enjoyed the Ribeye duo and this was one of the top 5 steaks I have ever had. I truly wish I could give Bennys 5 stars but I just can't. The service experience was just not up to par. Even though we were unlucky (with the service), I would still recommend Benny's to anyone that wants to try a newer steakhouse in town.
(4)
Ryan B.
Very smooth atmosphere. Pianist and vocalist in the background. I had a light dinner - lobster bisque, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. Everything tasted fresh and well balanced. Excellent service at the bar and my drink was made just right.
(4)
C. M.
Probably, no definitely the best service we've had at a restaurant and the food was great! The appetizers main and side dishes were all cooked to perfection. Very pleased with my steak (natural rib eye) as was my wife with her tenderloin. Vibrant lively crowd, and welcoming atmosphere. Pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Dina I.
Still my favorite steak joint in Chicago. But, I haven't visited Jordan's new spot or Cut yet...
(5)
mary b.
Very good quality bar bites. Trio of sliders includes truffle burger, crab cake on bun and mini lobster roll. Also had the truffle mushroom flatbread--soo good! nice place to a grab a couple drinks after works and nosh on some delicious bar bites. Atmosphere is classy and low-key and close enough to walk to from the loop. My new fave happy hour. Will also check it out for lunch and dinner, the menu looks really fantastic and delicious!
(4)
Meg D.
Fabulous, that's all I can say. In all respects. Wonderful atmosphere, our server Daniel was delightful and professional. The food was terrific. We had as an app. an entire King crab which was so Delicious. Not salty as they usually are. But was different was that it was the entire crab. Hugh. I don't eat steak but those at had them said the dry rub was out of this world. They have the traditional seafood tower, so fresh and tasty. I would defiantly be a regular if I lived in Chicago. Can't wait to go back. I can't say enough. Request for Daniel as your server.
(5)
#NAME?
I walk by this area often when shopping and noticed there was a new place to try out-What made me want to come here was the Lobster Ravioli on the menu- Had to make reservations early, 5:30, but were seated right away when we walked in-The restuarant is very nice, great finishings, great bar area that looks onto Wabash- Wait staff is very attentative, you will never have an empty water glass or dirty plate in your way as well you get asked if you want a black napkin, love that they do this-The menu is explained in great detail and our server made sure all our questions were answered- One thing I must comment on was how unique it was to see an entire cart wheeled around for a table that orders wine, and a blue light is on the table so they wine can be seen when poured, no spillage... so if you want a big production when ordering a bottle of wine you will be pleased here- FOOD: For an appetizer I ordered the crab cake, they aren't as big as Hugo's or Joe's, but tasted "lighter" a good seasoning, placed on a bed of mustard sauce-The sauce is good, at first it has a kick, then it just mellows out-I loved the subtle crust on the outside, not from breadcrumbs but from being seared-I wish we could have had the option of having more of the sauce, it really was nice and at the end of the crabcake there was no mustard sauce at all- I just had a lot of dental work done yesterday and could only eat soft food, so I ordered the small plate of Lobster Ravioli-I had reservations about it when I saw it was in a tomato sauce, but decided to try it out-(You have the option of ordering small or adding $10 for large portion) When it came out I was so glad I got the small portion, 4 large ravioli's were on the plate-Now here is where I was bummed, it didn't taste like lobster at all, honestly like some ricotta cheese with tomato sauce-I was expecting a preparation such as Tavern at the Park serves or Catch 35 or any other lobster ravioli I've had in the past, but it wasn't-When my husband tried a bite he asked "didn't you order lobster?" So I will not order that again-A child could eat it and think he/she was getting some pasta, nothing fancy, very plain-I don't know why it's even called Lobster Ravioli- Now my husband got the filet, it was cooked to a perfect Rare + nice cut of meat, but could do without the upside down roll on the plate, it was not tastey, as well he got a side of asparagus which he enjoyed- We passed on the dessert menu, nothing caught our eye for the evening-They had a Key Lime pie, but was hesitant on it, many really don't serve true Key Lime, maybe I'll find out next time- I would come back and try something else, or sit in the bar and get an appetizer-One thing that was odd, they had a Southern Fried Lobster....being born and raised in Florida, Southern part of the state I might add, I've never in my life seen anyone fry lobster but it is on the menu-Maybe it's for the senior citizens, but who would ever fry a lobster? I know this review sounds harsh, but honestly I was so damn excited about Lobster Ravioli :( Maybe next time will be a 4-5 star experience for me-
(3)
Felicia W.
We came in specifically for desert. Let me tell you..... It was absolutely AMAZING! I had the s'mores cheesecake. Anything else I eat from now on will just be subpar. After I finished eating, I was very tempted to lick the plate. It is orgasmic....literally. Emily, our server, did such a great job. She was fast and made sure we didn't need anything. There's nothing better than a proactive server. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Charlie J.
I'm thankful to have a visiting buddy of mine to pick up the tab...because I know it was hefty and i probably wouldn't have felt it was worth it. Having said that, the service is really good and they have a great cut of meat. I had the bone in dry aged ribeye which was good but I was hoping it would have been a bit more succulent - and I ordered it medium rare. Their "cajun" spin on it wasn't the best, but it sufficed. We started with their seafood tower or whatever it's called. That was well worth it. Their cesar salad with anchovies They have an amazing wine list, but I have to say it seemed a bit over-priced. Their sommelier was very good, though.A good steak is a good steak and you can get one here. I'd say it's worth a visit..at least once.
(3)
Barbara S.
Benny's was excellent! We went there for dinner and the steak and seafood items exceeded our expectations. The service was phenominal. Our waiter was friendly and welcoming; in addition he was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Although it doesn't look like much on the outside its one of the best steakhouse's in Chicago - quality & quantity - what more can you ask for?!?! I'll definately be returning to Benny's.
(5)
Michele p.
Great steak selections. Great service. You get what you paid for. Will come again in the future
(5)
Mike C.
Went to Benny's for New Years Eve dinner and it was a great start to the night. It's a pretty nice place with a nice atmosphere. We started out with some cocktails that were made pretty well. I had their cheapest steak (I already spent too much on my New Years Party Ticket), the skirt steak, while most of my friends had the filet mignon. My steak tasted excellent. It was perfectly juicy and tender. We also ordered some side dishes. The potato gnocchi was good. However, I thought the portions of the side dishes were on the small side. I was expecting some salad or soup to start out with that came with the meal, but this wasn't the case. As a result, I wasn't as full as I wanted to be. Our waitress was nice, and the rest of the service was very quick and responsive. It's nice when my water is never more than half empty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Benny's, and I'll probably be back eventually.
(4)
Michael P.
Went to this place very last minute with a group of 8 on a Saturday. They were able to seat us within a few minutes which was great. Service was top notch. Waiter was very attentive and explained the menu in sections as we ordered. I had a Waygu Carpaccio for an Appetizzer which was fantastic and a bone in Filet for an entree which was cooked to a perfect Medium just the way I asked. The table shared an assortment of sides which I couldnt complain about any of them. The mac n cheese being my favorite side. No dessert as we couldnt fit anymore food in, but saw the table next to us order a few and they looked incredible. Will definitely put Benny's on the Chicago Steakhouse list.
(5)
Kassie C.
Great time! We started with drinks at the bar-cool bar area. The food was deeeelish! Awesome crab cakes and lobster! Definitely will go back.
The best carrot cake on Earth. Service was wonderful. The staff is friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Dwayne J.
My wife & I went to Benny's on 6-16 to celebrate our anniversary and had an excellent time. Our waiter, Eric, was knowledgeable and funny. His recommendations were on the money. We both ordered the surf-n-turf and several appetizers. Everything was delicious & flawlessly prepared. The filet mignon was outstanding and the lobster was the freshest & tastiest we have ever had in Chicago. PS - I ordered 1 dozen roses from flowerpetal.com which were delivered to Bennys. The flowers were perfect.
(5)
Janet B.
We're from Napa, California, and the last two years we have vacationed in Chicago. On a recommendation, we went to lunch at Benny's Bar for their hamburger special. They use prime beef for their hamburger and it is delicious. For $10 you get a hamburger with fries. I ordered the classic, my husband ordered one with blue cheese, port wine onions, and truffle fries. Great location, close to the Trump Tower. I know nothing about the dinner menu except they do not serve the hamburger. We think it is one of the best deals in Chicago for lunch.
(4)
Mihir G.
The Holy Trinity fulfilled: Great Scotch - check Great Service - check Great Food- check My buddy and I got to the bar a few minutes before our reservation and chatted up the bartender to decide what scotch to start with. The bartender (Deidre) suggested and allowed us to sample some great, out-of-the way scotches (and that she was equally disappointed that they didn't have Sheep Dip was a plus). After selecting the right starter, we engaged Justin, the sommelier that everyone rightly brags about, in a hearty conversations about scotches. Instead of wine pairings through dinner, he suggested that we do a scotch tasting. After understanding our tastes and preferences, he rolled out a cart and proceeded to serve us an 8-scotch progression that, in a word, was magnificent and educational. Three words. Own it. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet. Shellfish tower was exceptionally fresh, the mac n cheese was predictably delicious, and special Wagyu was a close second to the steak I had at Sankyu (Roppongi).
(5)
Pamela S.
Not great food for the price! I found hair in my seafood appetizer but no apologies were made by the waiter or management! Horrible!! For the prices they charge this should not happen ! Horrible!! Dont go!!!
(1)
Greg R.
Best Steak Ever! Get the Dry Aged Strip and you will be blown away!
(5)
Bianca S.
Can't say enough great things about this restaurant. I'm on a mission to eat at every steakhouse in Chicago....well my boyfriend is on that mission....I get the salmon. But I digress. Everything from atmosphere, service, & quality of food is amazing. I started with a wedge salad - perfect portion. I had the salmon and my boyfriend had the 22 oz steak served median well. We shared the truffled mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. You could taste the truffles. Mmmm..... Since it was my boyfriends birthday we received a free smores' dessert. Don't let the looks fool you this thing is incredible. They mash graham crackers with butter for the best tasting concoction even if it wasn't pleasant to look at.
(5)
Jay B.
Dry aged bone in anything = happiness
(5)
Linsey R.
So, after the previous review the chef e-mailed me to come back to the restaurant, which we really appreciated. Our second visit was exactly what we had expected on the first. The service was extremely professional and accommodating. The food was great, especially the scallops and dessert!
(4)
Angela W.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! First class all the way. Went there for our anniversary & they started us with a comp glass of champagne, dinner was great & s'mores dessert was incredible!!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mo H.
Phenomenal food, phenomenal service. My boyfriend the meat lover says the steaks are second to none, and I, the vegetarian have plenty of delicious options. And why not sit at the bar? Ian, Jackie, Natalie and Xavier are a blast: they are fun, know the menu and make great recommendations. And you don't have to dress to the nines, which I appreciate. This place is our new home base.
(5)
Justin O.
I ate at Benny's for the first time and was impressed by the food. I had the braised beef short rib. The presentation was perfect and every bite delicious. I also had the opportunity to try the lobster risotto and one of the pastas on the menu, both of which were done very well. Benny's offers some great food. I thought the service was on par. The dining room was half full when we got there on a Friday night, but quickly filled with patrons and the noise level rose just as quickly (however, not unbearable).
(5)
Alex G.
Suggested Benny's to my brother and his wife along with another couple. We arrived early for cocktails and was assured by the maitre d' that our table would be ready when we were. Why, especially with a restaurant of this caliber do they insist on closing the bill at the bar before you have dinner? Why can't the tab just be added to the overall check? Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. The mashed potatoes now have truffles but they were happy to serve them without (I'm kind of picky about my taters). And someone asked about double baked potatoes and they were happy to oblige even though it wasn't offered on the menu. If you intend to peruse the wine selection ahead of time, better call and confirm they actually have your choices in stock. While I understand that wine cellars can be somewhat dynamic, we found most of our selected wines unavailable although listed on the web site. Fortunately the person responsible for picking the wines worked with the sommelier and recovered nicely. The chocolate cake for dessert was outstanding. Bread selections were outstanding (don't miss the mini-biscuits). Overall noise levels were much higher this time which was due to the loud group sitting close by. Not much the restaurant could do about it. Still a welcome addition to the Chicago steakhouses.
(4)
Sharon K.
We went here for our one-year anniversary and had the best steak ever. The service was great-- there was a little mix up in the kitchen which led to a 30 minute wait for the souffle, but we got drinks on the house for that!
(5)
Dustin S.
Excellent meat, excellent service, mediocre sides. Pros: - the meats were fantastic, expensive, but you get what you pay for - the service was fantastic, our waiter knew what he was talking about and relatively quickly learned each of our tastes for recommendations throughout the night - the beer list was pretty good too Cons: - the sides weren't great. they had potential but never made it - bleu cheese tater tots!?!?! could be amazing, right? nope. how they screwed it up I have no idea, but the potatoes were mushy and the cheese wasn't that great. - price, if you can't handle $80-$100/per person for a satisfying meal w/ a drink or two, don't go here
(4)
Steve B.
I dropped in to Benny's for lunch because it was the closest place that looked equipped to provide an above average steak. The stake was great. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that someone at the table was a vegetarian. To my relief, she was as pleased with the meal as anyone. Everything was enjoyable here. I particularly liked the cocktails and the service was a compliment to the meal.
(5)
Samantha H.
I take my steak houses very seriously. I had heard mixed reviews about Benny's, namely regarding the steak (which was always awesome) and the service (which I've heard wasn't great). So I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I want to say I went on a Monday when it wasn't croweded so this isn't for a packed Saturday or anything, but Steve was our waiter and the service was actually impeccable. We started with the steak tartare, which is a unique flavor profile. I consider myself a tartare expert (mildly joking, but we do get it pretty much everywhere and make it at home), and this was not the typical flavors you'd expect. That being said, it worked. It was a heavy mustard flavor, though not overwhelming. They serve it with waffle potato chips, which are light and crispy. I liked it because sometimes when you put tartare on bread, the bread can overwhelm the meat itself, but the thin chips really make the meat the star. My husband got the ribeye and I got the filet, both of which were ordered medium-rare; both of which came perfectly medium-rare. We both enjoyed our steak a great deal. I had mine prepared oscar style and would highly recommend it. Going into a steakhouse, I felt the obligation to order a steak, but when I return I honestly think I'm getting the crablegs. Up until now my favorite crablegs were at Bob Chinns in Wheeling (if you haven't been, go...now). But I'd have to get an entire order of these bad boys to see if they're really as good as the tease that was the oscar style portion. Apparently they pride themselves in the freshness of their seafood stating that everything is consumed within 24 hours of receipt. I just have to say that the crab was amazing! The steak was amazing. The wine list was amazing (our discussions with Steve led him to bring us out some Nickel and Nickel for us to try, just for kicks). The service was amazing. The huge free chocolate cake (it was my birthday) with a personalized bday greeting on it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)
Dee K.
delicious dry-aged steak, the best! White fish dish was huge, just ok... the soup was average but if you come here for dry-aged steak, so YUMMY! delicioso.....buono.... service was good but nothing out of the ordinary....
(4)
Rebecca S.
Great caesar salad and the desserts were worth the trip itself!! Try the banana cream pie and s'mores...delicious!
(4)
Jeffrey M.
I decided to go all out here, and I had a great experience. I started with the foie gras appetizer. The dish as a whole didn't blow me away, but the foie gras itself was of an excellent quality. Then I had the best steak I've ever had: the dry aged 32oz. porterhouse. On the side I had the jumbo bleu cheese tots. The flavor was very deep. I requested wine pairings for each dish and they were brilliant. For dessert I had the apple pie, and to my relief it was a reasonably sized portion. Can't wait to go back!!
(4)
Amy K.
We picked this restaurant for a special lunch out based on other reviews. Unfortunately we did not have the same experience as others. Customer service was atrocious from the second we walked in, and the food was subpar. We waited 20 minutes to see a server and only had one come by because we asked, then 15 minutes later received bread but no silverware or plates to eat it with. We then waited 30 minutes for our appetizer (calamari), the one bright spot-it was good. Another 20-30 minutes, and someone came by to check on us (not our server). We asked about our order, as we had ordered simple dishes and others who came in later had received their entrees. After we inquired, our order came out. My Dad was warned to be careful of his piping hot plate. He had ordered a cold salad...I had ordered wild boat ragu, ok but over salted. My Dad's salad could have come out of a school cafeteria. The chicken was bone dry. As he said, Gordon Ramsey would have been appalled! When the random guy who was not our waiter checked on us, I vented to him and asked to talk with a manager. Then there was a 5-10 minute pow wow of a few people who I can only guess were drawing straws to determine who would pretend to be a manager. One of them came up and casually asked what was up, and I asked that they replace my Dad's salad with a bowl of clam chowder. Another 5-10 minutes and out came the chowder. It was not any better than the salad. Who knows what kind of "extra touches" may have been included...we asked for the check and were told our lunch would be comped, that they were sorry for the experience, they were not properly prepared for Saturday lunch traffic and hoped we would give them another chance some time. I have only written a negative review one other time and I rarely complain but felt like I had to write one. One star for the calamari and comped lunch...
(1)
Caitie W.
We just ate here tonight for dinner and WOW was it good. The service was amazing from start to finish. Our waiter was very personable and knew everything there was to know about the menu. We started with salads. I had the wedge, which was really good. The blue cheese dressing was light and yummy. My husband had the grilled romaine. It too was very good. Then, I had the butternut squash tortellini. It was very yummy! The husband had the NY strip. It was cooked perfectly. We ended the meal with the Smore cheesecake, which was a perfect size and also amazing! We will be going back here soon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Dar Q.
Staying at The Amalfi a few blocks away we were delighted to know that Bennys was just around the block. Thanksgiving dinner at Bennys was not very good. Thought I would for go the Turkey for a Steak and Baked Potato and my husband thought he would do the same given the reviews were so good on Bennys steaks. Big mistake!!! The service was mediocre at best, the steak was served cold on cold plates, the potato was hard and cold. Benny should be ashamed to send something like that to a table. When they send out a cold steak like that it speaks volumes that they are not a well run restaurant. If I need to send a steak back because its served cold they won't get my bussiness again. First class place I thnk not, not when you can't even get the food to table hot. I like staying at the Amalfi and will continue to patronize the local restraunts, staying away from Bennys.
(1)
Robin D.
The only reason I did not give this place zero stars is because of 2 things. The ambiance is beautiful, great date place, romantic and classy. The service is not so bad either. However, for the price of the food, this place doesn't hit the mark. My uncle ordered the rib eye medium rare and it was chewy and he had to tell them to cook it again so he can eat it. It was one awful rib eye. Go to David Burke for better ribeye. I ordered crab cake for appetizer and it was another failure, you taste so many flavors that mask the actual crab taste. For 15 bucks for a small crab cake i was expecting superb taste. For my main dish I ordered the pork chop, I suggest go to Sepia for good pork chop. The food in this place just doesnt match the great steak places like Mortons, Gibson, Capitol Grill and even David Burke. Not worth the money. I would grab a drink by the bar and enjoy the ambiance but not spend my money on food here.
(2)
Ani S.
Benny's is a great traditional steak house, very welcoming. Great wine list, attentive service and excellent food!
(4)
Beth P.
I took my bf here for his birthday this year and SNAP it's damn good! If you wanted to be treated like a king or queen, come here. We started off with the Shellfish Tower which is basically a huge silver bowl thingy full of lobster claws, crab, HUGE shrimp and lemons. It was seriously dreamy. I felt like royalty in our private booth with the dish sitting on our table. It was fresh and sooo good. We then had steaks; I had the filet oscar and he had the bone-in strip. It was awesome. We shared a side and had several glasses of wine; he opted for a scotch. The bf's menu even had a special, "Happy Birthday" message on it, which I thought was a nice touch ..because everyone deserves to feel extra special on their birthday! While my bf was using the restroom, the waiter asked what type of dessert he'd like and they surprised him with the biggest piece of chocolate cake in the whole world with a little candle in it. There was no corny singing, thankfully. It was a really nice experience. They treat you very well...escorting you personally to the restroom, making sure you are happy and full. It was an expensive meal, but we were celebrating so it was fine. I will definitely be going back, if not just for the shellfish tower and cake :)
(5)
Gfiddy F.
I had a big ol' feast here and it was damned good.
(5)
Barton K.
Best Steak I've ever had. Seriously the meat just melts in your mouth. A lot of interesting appetizers as well. They had a macaroni and cheese that was soooo cheesy I thought my head would explode (in a good way). They also have fancy liquor and wine lockers for Big Ballers (I noticed a couple of members of the Chicago Bears had lockers). It's a little pricey but you go into a place like this expecting that and it is worth the price. Every time I go back to Chicago I intend to make a stop.
(5)
Chandu C.
Considering the number of great steakhouses in Chicago, you would think Benny's would have a tough time competing. It will not have a difficult time competing. We ordered some oysters that were very fresh and their sashimi tuna was fresh with a flavorful searing with a kick to it. We ordered the Wagyu special, the bone-in filet, and Sole that was deboned table side. They were all top notch. Hint: Medium-rare is on the rare side especially on the bone-in. The steaks were a little rarer than we were expecting, but delicious. The sides were flavorful, but probably a step below Gibson's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's or Capital Grill. The service was not just outstanding, it was an experience. The sommelier came out and talked to us for about 30 minutes. Getting this kind of knowledge tableside is invaluable and added the rare 5th star. He recommended our after dinner drinks which were spot on for our varied palettes, offered me a free gin tasting, and poured us some vermouth the way it should be. I now view martinis differently after years of consuming them the wrong way. And I am on the hunt for some of the mind blowing Miller's gin. If you want a great drink made right, great food, and don't mind spending for an experience, you will not be disappointed at Benny's.
(5)
Paul M.
Not a great steak place, but good and a good value. Very friendly and courteous staff, good steak (I had the petite fillet and really enjoyed it). The sides are well priced and so was the steak. Nice new interior. The sommelier steered us to a very nice bordeaux, which added so much to dinner. Benny's is worth trying and count on it for a good meal at a good price.
(4)
Kwoky L.
Never mind their fancy steakhouse decor. Looking at their menu, I have to admit, I can't really afford a piece of steak there. But their 25 CENTS oysters won me over. We had three dozens in total and they came with a half portion of lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette slushie sauce. It's not the best oysters that I've ever had but it's fresh and of very good quality for that price. I would definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)
Steven N.
Dined here with out of town guests/family the weekend of 7/15/11. I was very impressed. We were greeted in a very friendly manner and the host was so accommodating; letting us choose what table we would like (we were in kind of early). The food was wonderful from start to finish. Bleu cheese croquettes as an appetizer were indulgent and delicious, so was the lobster mac & cheese. The grilled romaine salad was not like a salad I have ever had before, very light, awesome flavor. I'd definitely recommend trying it! Our waiter was completely unpretentious and very knowledgeable and professional, recommending things that we ended up really enjoying. I ordered my filet oscar style and there was more crab meat than I have ever seen given w/ a steak served oscar, and huge fresh asparagus, too (i'm going to upload a photo I took). The steak itself was cooked to perfection at medium, the way I ordered it. The atmosphere is very nice, classic steak house looking. I'd definitely recommend this spot to people- there's a lot of steak houses in Chicago and so far this is one of my favorite.
(5)
Joel A.
Had a totally enjoyable dinner last night with friends who came in from CA. Dan Forsythe was our server, and he did a fine job in introducing us to the restaurant, its food and its wine. Most delightful
(4)
lisa l.
I really love this place. For an excellent steak, no where else is comparable. Try the Ribeye Duo and the hashbrowns for a traditional steak and potato dinner. If you are a fan of butter, this place has the best butter in the world. It's encrusted with some kind of lava sea salt...yummy. I was very surprised by the flank steak. It's probably the best value on the menu.
(5)
Naum N.
Been meaning to go here since the place opened. Finally made it for lunch. Was skeptical that another steak house in Chicago would be the best idea for a restaurant. Came here for a quick bite at lunch time, around 1130 not knowing what to expect. Well was pleasantly surprised! Overall the service was impeccable - the maître d' seated us pronto and was very accommodating. The waitress had the right level of attentiveness and ensured everything went smoothly. Onto the food. The truffle fries are pretty amazing. The sliders were prepared just right and the overall there was nothing that could be faulted. The Benny burger was made as requested (medium) though the bun was a bit too moist and somewhat fell apart when picked up. Slight oversight, though nothing major. Overall, would recommend bringing business contacts here for lunch and for the occasional splurge with coworkers.
(5)
Tom K.
Went here with a few friends and overall enjoyed. The side items were all average but the steak was cooked perfect which is of course why one would come here.
This place really sucks typical decor bad management.... i truly believe they hire there staff to write reviews
(1)
Julee M.
I too would have added the 6th star for our dinner last night. Our sommelier was also incredible. He picked the perfect wine for our dinner at a very reasonable price point. I think his name was Justin and he's worth asking for. Enjoy!
(5)
Ericka R.
Went to Benny's last week for a Looking glass theatre event they had in the lounge/bar and it was swonderful. The service was great as we were a needy and thirsty bunch and the food was delish. We only had appetizers and desserts but everything was fast, hot and tasty The oysters Rockefeller and calamari being my favorites. They had a drink special with some very inventive cocktails created just for our party and whoever the mixologist was, they got it right which tells me the bartenders must be awesome as well. And the dessert cheesecake lollipops and chocolate brownie bites"!!!!!!" The atmosphere is really upscale and sexy. Would love to go back for dinner and maybe convince the bartender to make me 1 more "straight on till morning"!
(4)
Ronin S.
Love the food. Steaks are perfect. the only thing is... what's up with the martinis being served in a small ass margarita glass???? Come on BENNY!!! A steakhouse martini gotta be right!!!!!!
(4)
Brett C.
Thanks to Yelp we brought a customer to Benny's while in town for a trade show, what an experience. The waitress (Candace) was very informative and steered us in the direction of the Dry Aged 16 oz. Bone in Strip, great choice. They cooked it to perfection and the wine (2007 Frank Family Cab) complimented our meal nicely. The restaurant wasn't stuffy, but relaxing with a great vibe. From the dining room you could still hear the piano player in the bar which was a treat. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll make sure I go to Benny's again.
(5)
B L.
We went there after attending the Chicago Theatre performance. I asked for a "house cabernet". I did not expect to spend $17 for a glass of "house" wine. Sorry, I can go $10 or $12 a glass, but $17 ?????? There was a very very limited appetizer menu available in the bar (you can forget ordering something not fatty or hi carb --- no salad option or fruit option was available). The restaurant decor is lovely but I won't go back. Not a tightwad, but I just want a better selection of evening appetizers and a more reasonably priced glass of wine.
(2)
Jordyn V.
Benny's chophouse is a wonderful steakhouse with dark wood and a modern feel to the decor. Our waiter was nice and attentive. I had the Filet mignon. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't cooked quite enough for me so they sent it back and when it came back it was cooked to perfection! The sides where really good. To top it off, we saw a Chicago bear player dining as well.
(4)
Al C.
Family was in town last weekend and we were craving some good cow. After reading a lot of great reviews about Benny's, we excitedly decided to give it a go... The restaurant and bar are truly aesthetically gorgeous! The service on the other hand, not so good. I know this place just opened a few months ago and maybe they haven't gotten their kinks out, but our waitress Candace sucked the big one. She was awkward, long-winded, horrible at remembering requests (extra glass of ice for our vodka on the rocks....had to ask twice and finally just asked a bus boy to bring it over), slooooooow to come back to our table and take our order. it was quite painful. Meanwhile, it seemed like there were service people (looked like secret service dudes in suits) roaming around EVERYWHERE.....everywhere but our table. the most responsive service we received the whole night was when she brought us our check. oh yeah, and a TOTAL pet peeve. I was sitting at our table while the rest of the party was in the rest room, our signed bill was inches away from me and i was checking my phone. She comes by and just grabs it without a word. TACKY TACKY TACKY. APPS: Grilled romaine salad (decent), Chopped salad (REALLY good), Calamari (decent) MAINCOURSE: i had filet mignon med rare (it was cooked rare, but it was really tasty) and father in law had dry aged new york (pretty good). others in party had white fish (awesome) and bass (delish). SIDES: mac and cheese (not too rich, it was really tasty), sauteed broccoli (really really good), hashbrowns (yum). Benny even made the rounds and said "hello" to everyone. that was cool. Overall i'd have to say that Benny's is a pretty good steak house, not AMAZING, but definitely solid. THe major issue was service. One of our friends also ate here recently and shared our opinion on the crappy ass service. You can't purport to have a high-end restaurant and have such horrible service.
(3)
Nikki P.
Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambiance, just a bit chilly! The Marriott suggested we try this place just down the street. Being a very chilly winter night we said okay and made our way over to Benny's. The decor is gorgeous! They greeted and seated us promptly in a nice corner. The sommelier saw we were browsing the wine menu and made some suggestions and took our order. The focaccia in the bread basket had to be ordered again ( Cheddar crust was yummy). We started with the Calamari which was spike with litttle pepperoncinis. It was good but i perfer the Calamari at Devon Seafood Grill as my all time favorite. I had the special a Cajun crusted beef with a lobster ravioli and my friend had the porterhouse for our main course. The was a draft where we were sitting and our food did get cold quickly but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and would definitely return for another special occasion. We enjoyed some chocolate cake and muscato for dessert. The muscato was not what I had expected maybe a little missed communication. All in all a place to visit and experience. All the servers and exceptional!
(4)
Mary D.
I would give more stars for food only (Madagascar shrimp excepted) but prices are way out of line for what you get. Went there a week ago on a Thursday night. Live piano music was too loud to talk so we decided not to have a drink in the bar and instead were seated right away without reservations. Extremely attentive service to the point of being overbearing, scant pours on the wine and wine list not impressive in its glass offerings. I ordered a special (Madagascar shrimp) that was described without a price and now I know why - $45 for 2 very large dried out shrimp - about the size of prawns - that I suspect were boiled then finished on a grill except no signs of grill. Lobster mac and cheese was good but portion was extremely small. My companion's steak was very good, but small and also overpriced compared to the other good steakhouses in Chicago.
(3)
Jeff M.
Excellent experience. Came for my b'day with a total of 5 couples. Service was fantastic...........they really took care of us. We all loved our food and sommalier (sp???) picked out some good vino for us. I have been to almost all the big steakhouses in chgo and this was as good or better than the rest. Would totally come back for another special occasion. Not cheap...............but well worth it for a special event. They even put my name on the menu which was a nice touch.
(5)
Jacksin W.
Good Service, food ok, overpriced steak.
(3)
John O.
My wife and I had one of the most memorable meals and experiences ever. Food was fabulous, service was even better.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Went for lunch and from walking into the place it felt special. Everyone working there made us feel special. Shaun, Charles and Kevin, you are the best! My husband and I will be back!
(5)
sandra m.
Went for birthday dinner with 7 close friends. The service was great but the food was okay. Had the calamari and it was a little rubbery, my husband had the prime and they over-cooked it. The drinks were overpriced, A glass of pinot $26, a glass of syrah $15 and this was by the glass, more then my entree. I order the special salad and wasn't told it had shell-fish (deathly allergic) so I sent it back and was still charged for it. $650.00 later and would have expected a better dining experience for that amount of money. I would recommend you go to Chicago Chop House instead.
(2)
michael r.
Took a client to Benny's last night for dinner. I like the atmosphere. The bar is a great place to have a few post-work drinks. The wine list is extensive if not a little pricey. We had the steak tartar, crab cakes, lobster bisque, calamari for starters and all were pretty decent. Actually I'd skip the bisque as it was a bit bland. I had the Colorado Lamb Chops for my entree and the were fantastic. My fiance had the Skate which I sampled, and it was quite good. My client seemed to enjoy his steak. For dessert I tried some of the strawberry shortcake, which I wasn't a huge fan of since it seemed they used frozen strawberries in syrup, and the molten chocolate cake which I really enjoyed. All in all I'd definitely recommend trying Benny's and it's a good alternative if you can't get a table at Joe's.
(3)
Brian M.
A person I work with suggested this restaurant. That is the only reason why we tried it. With so many great Steak Houses in Chicago (Gene & Georgetti's, Morton's, Gibson's, Chicago Cut - I am a fan of all of these restaurants) I should have just stuck with one of them....We will never go back...the food was not good at all but it was just as pricey as the best steak houses. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
John H.
Dined here with a party of three. One quest ordered halibut, another ordered a daily special, Cajun beef tips, and I ordered the 16oz dry-aged ribeye, with a side of asparagus. A cold appetizer, the seafood salad, was ordered for the table and proved to be an exceptional choice. The halibut was exceptional and best among the three entrees. The Cajun beef was over- seasoned, but quite tender and properly cooked. The worst of the lot was the dry-aged ribeye. The steak was properly prepared, but the the meat contained more connective tissue than anticipated. In fact, at one point I had to remove a mouthful of steak as it became impossible to chew sufficiently to swallow -- I can't recall having been placed in such a position in recent memory or in a restaurant, particularly one purported to be classy. In addition, the asparagus was stringy and tough, particularly in the butt ends, which might have been either pealed or removed altogether. Service was professional, although responses to inquires appeared to be well-rehearsed, canned responses. In sum, there are too many alternate restaurant choices offering this cuisine and in this price range to justify my return to Benny's Chop House. I will select an alternative in the future.
(2)
Barry M.
Took 4 colleagues to dinner at Benny's and had an absolutely stellar experience. I had been to Benny's several times for lunch (which was always enjoyable, but I was eager to try out dinner and it did not disappoint). The restaurant itself is simply beautiful, the service was just right and the food truly outstanding. There was a bit of everything on our table (loved the smoked salmon and gnocci appetizers, by the way) and we agreed that the meal was one of the best we've had in recent memory. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of its caliber and we can't wait to go back. Another great Chicago chop house is born!
(5)
David S.
Met a friend here for dinner. Atmosphere is typical steakhouse - think Ruths Chris or Morton's. We each had salads, shared sides of spinach, asparagus and sweet potatoes. Sides were ok but not great. I had a grass fed KC strip that was fantastic - tasty, tender and perfectly prepared. My friend reported the same of his filet. I would summarize Benny's as great steaks, ok sides and an atmosphere perfect for business or good conversation with friends.
(4)
Allen M.
I am giving Bennys 4 stars for the food alone! The food was amazing but the service was off! The blonde server was cold and seemed rushed. She wasn't friendly at all and she even took my boyfriends plate before he was finished. Go for the food and do not expect the service to be anything less than stellar!
(4)
Soumeya B.
Your typical run of the mill high end steakhouse, no fluff or funfare, just perfect steaks and solid sides. I feel like writing a detailed review isn't worth it, every steak cut our table got (party of 7) was very good. No complaints from anyone. We ordered one of each side on the menu and all were passabable. The service was good but not perfect. None of the waiters had any personality, they all seem to be the same, robotic. Since this was a birthday party we ordered desert as well. The desert was your usual steakhouse fare, high sugar, low taste. Those are all the reasons this place gets a four star rating, nothing special to write home about. What's so earth shattering about cooking a steak right? Ruth Chris does it, Capitol Grill does it, the Palm does it, Morton's does it...who needs another steakhouse? very boring indeed! And they have nothing special in the menu that declares "I am chicago". again, very blah.
(3)
Sarah S.
Over-rated. We had a bit of a disappointing experience. I thought the interior design was clunky at best, but to be frank what really killed it for me was the steak. It only compares with Joe's or Mastro's in price, not flavor...
(2)
Mally S.
So, my office has a dinner at Benny's mid-November, but my sister was in town and wanted to have steak. I made the reservation and warned my sister about the price. When we arrived on a very busy Friday night, they immediately knew who I was (and that I had booked our office dinner), and treated us like the royalty we wished we were. We went all out on dinner: me with a KC strip with side of au poivre sauce, hubby with the Prime Rib duo oscar-style, and sister with the filet and foie gras. We even had apps of carpaccio and prosciutto. The carpaccio stole the show. Holy goodness. All of our dinners were simply amazing and we really wanted to lick the plates clean, but this is a fine establishment. Oh well. We had the chocolate layer cake and carrot cake for dessert. They were huge pieces and were divine even the next day (we were stuffed!). These guys don't mess around here, they know their menu, their wine list and their beer list. The food was amazing, the service awesome and the value for money well spent was definitely there too. Thanks Benny's!!!
(5)
Jane N.
Compeltly agree with the other reviews! Great food, great service. Sure it is expensive but NOT overpriced. I am a big fan of Volare too. Whoaa!
(5)
Dancer Dreamer T.
this place is great, very tastefully done decor wise. went in on the oyster night special not knowing and the place was swamped, i guess 25 cent oyster can do that. also had an oyster beer that was very good and complimented the oysters wonderfully. Had the chopped salad that was very tasty and finished with beef carpaccio which was also very good. I didn't have a full dinner so i can't fairly rate my visit, but what I did experience (on one of thier busiest days up to now) was very good. will definitely try it again.
(4)
daisy J.
this place is fantastic. my sister and i split the bone-in ribeye and the 8 oz filet and while both were excellent, surprisingly, the win goes to the filet! the sides are all delicious - the fries especially! for 5 people, 3 sides was PLENTY - so don't fall for one side per person they suggest! the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because the dessert left something to be desired. creme brulee is standard, so i wasn't surprised that it was good. however, the michigan apple tart was not the greatest. the tart seemed a bit overcooked, yet soggy at the same time. not sure if i'd order dessert again from there. additionally, their house salad with balsamic was uninspired and a bit flavorless. even given the flaws, i would put benny's up there with some of my other favorite places (joe's and capital grille).
(4)
David H.
Our initial waitress was nothing short of rude and unaccomodating. We requested another wait person and got a great guy who took good care of us. The food is very average and there are many other steak houses in Chicago that are much better. The prices were quite high as well.
(2)
D. I.
Nice atmosphere, slow service, food was mediocre at best. Scallops were very fishy which tells me that they're old! The steak was USDA Choice at best. Definitely not USDA Prime like they claim. The service was bad. Not worth the price.
(2)
D P.
I've walked by this place many times and heard good things about the burgers so we decided to try it out. Good lounge atmosphere and solid beer list. The burger was very respectable, especially for the price. The service left a lot to be desired (drinks took a while, never received any water, and didn't receive a side of veggies we ordered)...but it was a very busy Saturday night so I'll give the server the benefit of the doubt. I plan to try the restaurant side and hope for just as good of food but better service.
(3)
Sean C.
Very nice lunch menu. The dinner menu is standard Chicago steakhouse fare. No surprises, but not in a bad way. This place was very classy, extensive beer list, amazing cocktails.
(3)
bridget j.
Overpriced. Husband and I went for anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is nice, but better for business meetings versus a date. The wait staff was great and the place has an amazing wine selection. Husband ordered the aged strip and it was fatty and not good, especially for $45. I had the filet with blue cheese. Cooked exactly as requested, but still left a little to be desired. The sides of sweet potatoes are amazing. Also had the fired has browns and it's exactly what you get...like diner food. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. Just not for the price. With those prices, I expect the same quality as a Smith & W.
(2)
Brian L.
Ok so here is the true skinny on this place! Warm, inviting, decour is awesome. Everyone who works there is awesome. Waiter was indeed super attentive, and was way too involved for my likings. That's me personally and I know that some people want that. When i sit down, within 10 seconds of being there he is bringing us out a $99.00 steak that is a special cut to show us. I get it, sell the big stuff. Salads and Apps were the best part of the meal. Proscuitto w/ Apples and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese w. balsalmic was fantastic, and the grilled romaine salad was great. Steaks were OK. I had the 18 oz bone in filet and my buddy had the 16 oz bone in ribeye. Neither were top 5 steaks we have eaten. The average person who is going out to a nice dinner and looking for the total package will love this place, but for a man who truly cares about the finer details of the meal (specifically the steak), this place is just not on par with the top top top steakhouses. Lobster Mac and Cheese had very little lobster. Asparagus were awesome.
(3)
Odranre B.
great steakhouse joint - the seafood is equally good...the desserts are ok...beautiful ambience...plenty of elbow rooms...interesting wall paintings...good place to take that special someone to impress...all these greatness doesn't come cheap so make sure you have enough balance on your credit card...seafood tower is recommended for starter...servers knowledge of wine to match the wide selection...hard to find parking so valet instead...our server resembles the morph son of carlton banks and lieutenant commander geordi la forge - look for him and tell him captain picard is needed on the bridge...but don't ask him to do the carlton...
(5)
Hien N.
I came here for the 25 cent happy hour oysters they have on Wednesday afternoons. Ended up ordering 4 dozen oysters to savor. They delivered. **THE CATCH was that there was a 2 drink minimum per person, which I was not expecting. I felt that 1 drink minimum was more reasonable, but TWO? Well let me tell you, for someone on the smaller side, the booze went straight to my head after ordering the second drink and I sadly fell asleep at the concert I attended after coming here.
(3)
Tammy L.
Staying close by celebrating my birthday I chose Bennys simply because their menu sounded better than all other steak houses. We called at 530 and made a reservation for 6 and walked over. Upon arriving it immediately makes you think of the 1940s and 50's era. The wait staff are impeccably dressed and our server Wen Ling was exceptional. She rattled off the specials like a pro, recommended a few things and knew exactly how every dish was prepared, she was amazing and we were just as amazed to find out she had been there less than a month. We started eith the maple bacon appetizer even though i was very skeptical but I neednt had worried because that was the best thing I have eaten in years. It was melt in your mouth delicious and we could have eaten plate after plate full of it. We ordered two filets to be cooked medium rare and upon arrival they were cooked perfectly! They were delicious much better than anything ruth chris cooks up and they didnt need to hide it in melted butter. All the alacarte items we had were just as delicious and bigger sizes than other alacartes we have had at other steak houses. My favorite was the creamed corn. Upon sitting down our server noticed we had a 'happy birthday' doughnut and asked who had a birthday and we told her on the walk over we had stopped at a doughnut shop and picked one up for my bday. After our meal she brought us a complimentary dessert the smores cheesecake which was the cutest take on smores with a long stick of chocolate used to simulate the skewer. That was unexpected and most appreciated. This is now my favorite steak house and we will be back when in town. Bathrooms were just as nice with tiny washcloths to dry your hands instead of paper towels, classy! This is my first ever 5 star review!!!
(5)
Julie Y.
Came here for restaurant week with my sister and it was great! Decided to grab a couple cocktails which were all very good. The Moscow mule was amazing and my bourbon.. Well you can never go wrong with good bourbon.. Ordered the pate plate on the normal menu for an appetizer which came with a bunch of different sides and spicy peppers and pickles which I highly recommend. Then some stuff from the restaurant weeks menu which I don't remember much of but the dessert was sooooooooooo good! Defiantly will be coming back here to try some other stuff on the menu.. Have some drinks and eat some good dessert! Service was also outstanding!
(4)
Matt Z.
Delicious Maple Glazed Bacon (Pork Belly) and the Tenderloin salad was delicious, but I gave 3 stars due to the fact that Bennys is steak house, and I ordered a steak salad. I ordered the steak medium rare and it came out well done, like hockey puck. Then they took my salad back and came out with cold blue center RARE, not medium rare, but RARE, cold in the center. Steak house that can't properly cook a steak, you get 2 stars.
(2)
Rosanna L.
I normally go in order with my reviews, but Benny's Chop House is an exception. I easily made reservations through open table for 2 to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was called the day of (I think the day before as well) to ask for my boyfriend's name, which I didn't think much of and just thought oh, they'll probably use it on the dessert plate. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated within minutes at a spacious booth that could of easily fit four. We were offered water by the busser then greeted by our server who present the boyfriend with his own personalized menu and wished him a happy birthday! KUDOS to Benny's for making the night extra special by doing something simple as printing a personalized menu for the guests. We had a surprise dinner guest join us whom they easily accommodated. Our server, Dan F., was fantastic, he shared with us the current specials that they had going on and gave us his opinion on what to sides to ordered with our meals because we couldn't make up our mind, which we ended up ordering! He always checked on us and made sure our entrees was cooked to our liking and our waters were always filled. I decided to give their house merlot a try and enjoyed it, even though I'm not a red wine drinker. It was a good pick for the skirt steak I was about to have. We started off with the Tuna Carpaccio, which was refreshing, but lack a bit of flavorful. The lobster bisque and clam chowder are both more of a orange/red soup not your typical white/cream. Of the two we thought the clam chowder was the winner with tender clams and flavorful broth. For our entrees I had the wagyu skirt steak with frites (french fries, essentially). Just thinking the word wagyu has me drooling. It was cooked to perfection: rare to medium rare, great portion and juicy. The frites didn't do much for me, a bit too salty, I would of preferred some sort of potato instead. I'm having leftovers for lunch and the flavor is so tasty I don't even need a glaze or sauce. The boyfriend and surprise guest both had the bone-in filet mignon, one with bleu cheese topping. Their eyes were popping out of their sockets upon seeing what a generously thick cut piece of meat they were getting. They both claim it was the best steak they've ever had; tender, juicy, melt in your mouth cuts. Our sides were the perfect fit: seasonal mushrooms (shitake) and mac and cheese with smoked bacon. In a dream world this is exactly how I would want my steak dinner, absolutely delicious. The mushrooms added great flavorful to the steak, although bit over powering while the mac and cheese had a tasty smokey flavorful thanks to the bacon and was just the right blend of cheese and gooey-ness. Our bellys were completely on cloud 9 once we stuffed ourselves. The birthday boy even opted for no dessert, but Dan insisted on getting him something small based on what kind of dessert he liked so he said ice cream. Out came a personalized plate saying happy birthday with 3 different scoops of ice cream: chocolate, coffee and vanilla. I think the birthday boy enjoyed it because the plate was completely cleaned! Thank you Benny's Chop House for making this birthday extra special by going out of your way. We will definitely be back on our next celebratory occasion!
(5)
Eric C.
it's a 5 star steak house coming from a business traveler whose eaten all over the country including the best steakhouse in the USA - Manny's in MN. Benny's is awesome and a great treat for a special occasion or wooooowing clients. If you're in the windy city, come here and get blown away! p.s. keep the 80's tunes blasting!
(5)
Basil D.
LIMITED REVIEW: THIS IS THE HIDDEN PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN. I know the valets because I walk my dog by the restaurant and they always give me the heads up of what power broker is dining there that night. Can't drop names, but it's an impressive list. I am not much of a "steakhouse" kinda guy. It's not that I don't like a good steak every now and then, but when i choose to eat somewhere, I prefer something a little more creative. That said, I appreciate and truly love a great steak. But, truth be told, I'm here to write about their burger. The decor is perfectly matched to the ambience and food. It is transitional decor, a healthy combination of traditional fine steakhouse with a dash of modern, but not extreme at all. They have a well stocked bar with an incredible selection of cognacs, bourbons, whiskies, and scotch. The bartenders are clearly experts in their field and can tell you the story behind every label. They are happy to give you a lesson in any of the spirits. I had the fried egg truffle burger. How can you not order a burger titled this way?? It is without exaggeration, the finest burger I've ever tasted. I think it's only available at the bar, but it is fantastic. AH-MAZING!! They make a thick burger precisely to your liking. The quality of meat is excellent, it's got some fat for taste but not too much, just enough. The truffle aioli is abundant and evident in every bite. Subtle, with just enough sharpness to to let you know it's there. Gruyère Cheese!!! OHHHHHHHH Gruyère Cheese! Marvelous, wonderful, tasty and incredible gruyère!! It is the finest of all cheeses for a burger. If Thomas Aquinas' "Five Proofs for the Existence of God" doesn't make you believe in God, then gruyère should do the trick. All the rest: Their lobster bisque is very tasty and credible. It could use a bit more lobster the two times I ordered it. The crab cake is exceptional. Large lump crab that's fresh. The seasonings are very mild but evident. As much as I like Old Bay Seasonings, it's not overly present here (or it's equivalent). Save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is incredible. A large piece of triple (or is it quadruple?) layer of chocolate cake with a quality ganache-type frosting. I'm not much of a fan of carrot cake, but this is exceptionally good. Steak isn't my forte, however Benny's is definitely worth a trip for everything else they serve, and I'm sure the steak is excellent too.
(4)
Elizabeth Y.
Dined at Benny's last night to celebrate our anniversary and it truly could not have been more memorable. The service was impeccable: attentive, anticipatory, yet not intrusive. Our server, Kelly, made wonderful suggestions regarding each course that were spot on and allowed us to sample the full range of the menu. We dined on the (half-size) seafood tower, Kobe filet, maple-glazed bacon, and the truffle-topped doubled baked potato. The sommelier-suggested wine was the best we've ever had and perfectly matched our chosen steaks. Finally, Kelly went above and beyond when she surprised us with a special dessert to recognize our anniversary. Highly recommend.
(5)
Lisa K.
We went to Benny's to celebrate our anniversary and it just wasn't impressive. Things I Liked: 1. The drinks. "You put the lime in the coconut" was VERY tasty. 2. The ambiance. It was dark and moody and our booth was very comfortable. 3. The maple bacon appetizer. This is what makes this restaurant a 2 star instead of 1 star. This very thick-cut bacon was delicious. It could have been a meal on its own! 4. The burrata salad was tasty. Not out of this world, but a good substitute for caprese. 5. We were able to pay for street parking right out front due to its slightly off-path destination. Things I didn't Like: 1. I am the world's worst cook, but I make a short rib that is nearly identical to the one I got at Benny's and - surprisingly - mine is better. Their short rib was just a smidge too dry. 2. My husband got the 20 oz. bone-in sirloin and said that it was also a little dry, despite being cooked medium rare. 3. My husband always orders the lobster bisque and he said Benny's was one of his least favorites. He said it wasn't particularly creamy. 4. When we sat down our waiter brought over a wine menu and a cocktails menu. I'm still puzzling over him handing me the cocktail menu and saying, "This one is for you. It's easier to read." It was just super awkward. 5. Despite feeling like our meal was mediocre at best, the prices were high end. There are better steak places in Chicago and I recommend checking out Gibson's, Harry Caray's or even Ruth's Chris before Benny's.
(2)
Michael A.
There are some things this place does very well, unfortunately, steak is not one of them. Very disappointied in the dry-aged bone in New York as was one of my colleagues. It was tough and flavorless, and I only ate half of it. The dry-aged bone in rib eye wasn't as tough, but equally flavorless. The concensus in our large group of physicians, from various parts of the country, was that the meat was "nothing special". When you pay $60 for a steak you expect more than that. On the positive side, the maple smoked bacon is out of this world. Oysters and salsa also very tasty.
(2)
Cindy W.
Troy is the best waiter here. He was professional and courteous. The smoke bacon was delicious. What made it special is the waiter and the wine was delicious as well.
(5)
Alex S.
This review is not quite a week late but trust me: if you do it right, you will need a week to digest, mentally and physically, your Benny's experience. You can tell in the walk up the plush steps right off the foyer that this place plays for keeps, and what I mean by that is the simple fact that you will not look at certain dining options the same way ever again after eating here. But that's a great thing, and as these other 300+ reviews can attest, customer satisfaction is the top priority here. Before even walking in, Benny's impressed me as we received a phone call two days before showing up asking us to confirm our reservation. Not an automated call. Not a generic "form" e-mail. An actual person asking us if we were good on our reservation. You can call that pretentious but I look at it like a form of good will, like they value your business. It's a strange concept in the 21st century, I know. So we walk in and a trio of hostesses greet us at the top of the steps this Saturday night. One whisks us away past a bar and through a row of tables before we are seated near a junction between the various dining rooms. This was a fortuitous turn of events as it was the perfect spot to hear the pianist in another room tinkling the ivories, as well as MGMT's "Time to Pretend" being piped into still another dining room. The pianist won the battle of good taste this evening. Speaking of good taste, our waiter was over in seconds flat, and the man was encyclopedic in his knowledge of refined tastes as it related to everything from wine to maple glazed bacon. And yes, you read the last part of that sentence correctly. Jie was accommodating, friendly, frequently hilarious when our eyes became bigger than our stomachs, and understood the societal importance of me taking pictures of my drink at the table so that I may post it to Facebook and fulfill my hipster quota for the evening (more on that in a second). Jie was just one of many outstanding staffers, from the food runners who help each other out to the other servers who are never too busy to extend a quick refill to those looking parched. I foolishly started with the lobster bisque, which is both good and bad. It's good because it was absolutely delicious, and I ate it all. It's bad because I ate it all and was already filling my stomach to capacity. The maple bacon appetizer, which should be illegal in 48 states for tasting too good, came next and I was feeling the fatigue. My folks loved their regular 8-oz. filet and halibut, and I made it through my dry age 16-oz. bone-in ribeye with ease, despite it becoming difficult to breathe. You just have to think "If I pass out here on the table, I'm going to enter into a euphoric food coma and it will be okay." Because it will. The food here is divine, with a hash brown (I know, I know... trust me when I say they're good) and creamed corn side dishes to satisfy everyone. Because my parents wisely paced themselves, they enjoyed a delectable selection of ice cream for dessert. Me? I went with the J.W. Lees Harvest Ale dessert beer. I know what you're wisely thinking: "dessert beer" should not technically exist, and I admit, I only ordered it to try it, take a picture of it, and then brag to everyone back home via Facebook about it. Trust me when I say do not order this. It's something to try, sure, but it tastes like a freak combination of scotch, coffee, room temperature beer and a candle. I'm not about to turn down a drink but it would take some serious convincing to get me to order this again. Still: bragging rights for finishing it! Look, Benny's is a phenomenal place to dine. You'll see all kinds here, from the country club elite, to the kid trying to impress his date he took home from college, not to mention businessmen, businesswomen and people who talk way too loud to the point where we cannot mind their business since they are sharing it with everyone. You get what you pay for and that should be enough to justify those five stars at the top of this review.
(5)
Lisa S.
Dinner for two! Only giving it four stars because I have had food this good for cheaper in other cities. The food was amazing but I get uncomfortable spending $250 on dinner. We had the shrimp cocktail and split a salad for appetizer. Dry aged ribeye and a by strip for entree with bro au gratin and a twice baked potato, key lime pie for dessert. It was all absolutely tasty but was it worth $250 after tax and tip... Ehhh? Idk prob not. The potato was the only bit that shocked and awed us. It was not your standard cheese and bacon bits. It had some other kind of cheese and black truffles on top. Different and delicious. Other than that, everything else was what was expected.
(4)
Diana C.
There were 5 of us in our party, and we had early-ish reservations (5:30). We found the location easily, and Benny's is beautifully appointed, which made the experience more memorable. We were seated and attended to quickly. Our main server was efficient, friendly without being overly familiar, albeit the run-down of specials, etc., was somewhat robotic and we lost interest in them. The entire staff is very attentive, quick to respond and clearly knowledgable. The menu is varied, clear, and well laid out. Drinks were fantastic, great bartender. We had a Sidecar, a Manhattan, and Vodka/Cranberry. We had their house Maple Glazed Bacon, which was over the top. It's a chef's specialty, and for the bacon lovers at the table it was a treat. For me it was too much of a good thing (although everyone should try it once at least!) We ordered Charcuterie, (Prosciutto di Parma and Cheese Selection) which unfortunately came as 2 separate ($17 each) plates, rather than one. Both were good. Not sure they were that exceptional. Beet Salad also left me wanting. Not enough of anything to make it worth eating: flavor or quantity-wise. Bread basket selection was nice, but no plain butter, which would have been a nice option to the spread. The meals:(1) Filet Mignon-very good (1)18 oz Bone in New York Strip-good (2)12 oz New York Strip- very good (1) 16 oz New York Strip- very good Sides: Gnocchi: not recommended Macaroni & Cheese: OK Sauteed Garlic Spinach: barely OK Glazed Carrots: mine are better As our last dinner in Chicago, it was a nice dinner experience. The drinks, steaks, ambience, and service were good enough to off-set the surprisingly poor sides, salad, and appetizers. I would stick to the steak and drinks.
(4)
Wen H.
Great atmosphere and the live music was the icing on the cake!! The oysters are excellent. Calamari with the hot peppers have just the right kick, and the sweetness from the cocktail sauce has the perfect start to our meal. Overall the food is 3-1/2 stars but the with ambience gives a 4. Definitely would return to this place.
(3)
Lindsay Y.
Stopped in for a early dinner with a girlfriend and wasn't very impressed with the service, although the food was great, per usual. Our server was rude, slow and unfriendly. Not sure what her problem was, maybe she was just having a horrible day?! My friend Mistey was managing (to my surprise) and sent out the most delicious piece of banana creme pie ever! Perfect way to end our meal!
(4)
Amelia Z.
My friend and I have made a tradition out of coming to Benny's for Restaurant Week for lunch since we work nearby. Sadly, It has lost its luster year over year. Service is still great and attentive but I remember years ago I was saying that Benny's had some of the best steak I've ever had and after having the medallions today, I wasn't wowed. I understand RW is only a sample of their menu, but usually it's a great way to earn customers and have them come back during non promo-weeks. I love Volare, but Benny's is starting to feel out of date.
(3)
Ashley K.
Best steak house I have ever been to! The service was absolutely great and the food was amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Steph U.
Overrated and expensive. I came here for a birthday and we were a pretty large group, so we ordered two bottles of wine and most of us ordered different steaks and one person ordered a pork chop (she doesn't eat steak). I got the clam chowder with had fresh clams, but it was definitely not something to rave about. It was also very small, but the presentation was nice I liked my boyfriend's beet salad, but I think Michael Jordan's has a better beet salad. I also got the filet mignon, which yes it was very tender, but also incredibly tiny and not that good. I mean it was a decent steak, but definitely not comparable to other steaks that I have had and it was extremely more costly than other places I have had. On top of this, since we came on a weeknight, business was fairly slow. We ended up finishing dinner around 11, and I'm not sure what time they close on Mondays, but we could tell they wanted us to go. They turned down the heat so it was freezing and our valet guy came in to see what was taking so long for us to come outside. It felt rude and like our service was not appreciated. Oh also, the breakdown of the meal was ridiculous with the wine costing about $30 PER GLASS (whattttt?!). Overall, I did not enjoy my time here much and would not come back. I think you're better off going to places like Tango Sur or Gibson's, as these are more worth your money and have better tasting food. I liked the music though.
(2)
Ca C.
While you are saving up your coins to enjoy a fine dining experience at Primehouse, voted America's #2 steakhouse, give consideration to Benny's Chop House as well. My wife and I were in Chicago and happened to catch a segment on America's best steakhouses. We added Primehouse to our restaurant lineup, but due to reservation availability and dress code, we changed to Benny's at the last minute. I am so happy we did. I cannot slight Primehouse, as we did not dine there, but I can tell you that Benny's is more than worthwhile. Their service and food was impeccable. Let's start with service: We arrived about five minutes early for our 8:30 reservation. The friends were meeting had arrived about 8:15. Our table was not ready and we were seated for a brief wait in the bar area, where we were able to enjoy the live music. After about five minutes, I was becoming a little antsy (I mean, who makes a reservation at an elite restaurant and has to wait?). Management must have noticed, as someone approached our bar table, explained that the previous party departed late, and that our table would be ready shortly. Within a few minutes, the same gentleman approached, inquired if anyone in our party had allergies and asked if we liked alcohol. We when did arrive at our table, complimentary champagne and calamari awaited us to compensate for our delayed table. Nice touch! Food: Our friends both ordered scallops; my wife had the filet and I, the rib-eye with cajun seasoning. The scallops were nicely prepared. The Rib-eye was cooked to perfection. The best steak I've had ever. My wife is not particularly a steak eater but she really enjoyed her filet.
(5)
Sergio C.
Had the filet with marrow topping that was phenomenal. The carrots and mash potatoes we very tasty. Nice and comfortable atmosphere.
(5)
Laura C.
It's quite unfortunate I feel the need to give Benny's a two star view based solely on my experience with our server. Yup, that's how sour of a taste she left in my mouth. Look, girl, I get it, working in the bar section during twenty-five cent oyster Wednesday won't always score you the best tips. Either grin and bear it or get a job at one of the 29084284 other steakhouses in Chicago. We were greeted with a smile and the bar area had plenty of seating available. The live music (piano) that began during the end of our meal ("meal") was fantastic. The oysters themselves were delightful. But our server was so overwhelmingly unhappy, rude, slow, and inconsiderate I left almost speechless. The best part was receiving the $85 bill (for two people) after deliberately asking "which oysters are on the twenty-five cent special?" and receiving "all of them" as an answer before ordering. When we asked her why the bill was so much and the oysters were so expensive, she rolled her eyes, exhaled, put down her book at the bar, and told us we misunderstood. All of the oysters are on "special" (some as cheap as $4 a pop, what a deal), only one type were a quarter each. Uhhhhh, okay. No apology for the confusion. No 10% pity discount. Nothing. I've worked in hospitality and I understand how to manage client relationships. This is not how. I won't even begin to touch on the other aspects of the poor service we received. This was disappointing. Sadly I will not be returning. Ugh. Over it.
(2)
Willson M.
We had a group of 10 go to Benny's Chophouse and they were absolutely fantastic with our group. The majority of us had either the bone-in ribeye (including myself) or the filet mignon. We also ordered the truffle fries, brussels sports with bacon, and Mac and cheese with lobster and bacon. The appetizers were delicious, especially the truffle fries! But seriously the bone-in ribeye...that bone-in ribeye! Absolutely delicious! Cooked medium rare (of course) and to juicy perfection! I can't say enough about the steak - it's dry aged and tender from marinating itself. It pairs extremely well with a nice red wine as well! And also the Run of the Mill - really delicious and warm (especially on a cold windy day). I don't know what else to say except that the service is great and the food is delicious. You owe it to yourself to give it a try if you're in Chicago!
(5)
Andy G.
This place is phenomenal. It was one of theeee best meals I've ever had. Amy was the best. All of her recommendations were perfection. If you go here ask for her. The sommelier Jay was awesome too. Every wine he recommended was excellent. They were very attentive and respectful. This is my new favorite Chicago restaurant!
(5)
Christopher M.
I went in here for lunch the other day. I had been told that the burgers were really good and had seen Benny's featured on "Check Please" so I wanted to give it a shot. The burger was delicious and quite large. I also paid a little extra to get the truffle fries which were amazing. I was so full that I didn't have any room for dessert which looked incredible. The table next to me wanted waffle fries but the waiter told them that they were no longer on the menu but he would see if they could still make them. They did the special order for them and those patrons were quite happy. The service is what, to me, really set Benny's apart. Everyone working was SUPER friendly. I believe that almost everyone working at some point stopped by my table to see how I was doing.
(5)
Justin B.
While I was hoping for more at Benny's, you could tell that the Restaurant Week menu is not completely indicative of the talent level of the kitchen when it comes to a normal night...especially since Benny's isn't even offering a dinner version of their selections. Lunch was fine--I tried the cauliflower bisque, the sole with couscous, and the dessert sampler. The s'mores portion of the sampler was a standout, but overall the food was just average; nothing special, although kudos to the Benny's team for providing good food and not going overboard on the portion size. The sole on the bed of "confetti" couscous was tasty but the amount of fish on the dish was very, very small (I'm not even sure there were two ounces of cooked fish on the couscous). The bisque was light and the other two desserts on the sampler--a chocolate cupcake and a banana cream cup--were just okay. Thankfully, the server gave us a free slice of maple-glazed bacon...at least, I think it was maple glazed, but the point was that this "slice" was a freakin' monster of a slice of bacon, very hefty. It helped round out the portion sizes. Our hostess, manager, waiter and lead server were all great and were very loud and enunciated clearly when speaking to all of us...this seemed like a point of emphasis since all four people I interacted with were loud enough to be heard across a crowded dining hall. I appreciated this, but it was still a little strange. Maybe there are many older diners that hit this place? Not sure what to make of that one. Perfect for a business lunch and the normal menu prices didn't make my eyes bleed, so if you are on an expense account this is a great place to take a client and spend less than $50 for lunch for sure.
(3)
Gary V.
We popped in for what turned out to be very expensive cocktails and onion rings on a Friday. The service was excellent, and the bar itself was very nice. The onion rings were quite tasty, but they were a little tepid upon delivery. That probably saved me from the classic bite into an onion ring and lavaesque grease scalds your mouth scenario. Next time we are in town we might give the dinner menu a try.
(4)
Seth F.
Been meaning to try Benny's for a couple years, seems like the only steakhouse I haven't been in Chicago. Food was great. Dry-Aged ribeye was very well executed and a nice piece of meat. Huge wine list, friendly service.
(4)
Jack W.
Disappointed. Pricey menu. Thought it was a high end steak house. My $61 ribeye was ok. Broccoli au gratin was under cooked. Key lime pie tasted like a store bought dessert. Service was polite and efficient but with a dash of attitude. Overall I felt we walked into a tourist trap.
(2)
Jay K.
This was my second time to Benny's, 14 months apart, and it was outstanding both times. Benny's understands service and consistently executes a predictable, exceptional and authentic experience from the moment patrons walk inside the restaurant to the flawless table service to being thanked by name by the maitre d' when you exit the building. In the interest of brevity I won't review Benny's outstanding fare but suffice to say it's top shelf all the way. Put Benny's right up there with Chicago's finest and most notable steakhouses.
(5)
Karma K.
So Chicago certainly has a plethora of steakhouses but Benny's stands out to me for a few reasons. Staff: They have the friendliest, non-pretentious staff for a pricey steakhouse. I was impressed. Sides: Unlike most steakouse that give you huge ass servings of starch and asparagus (always asparagus, why is that?), Benny's puts much creative thought into their sides. The result is fantastic tasting sides that I could make a meal out of. They are also presented beautifully. They welcome children: Hubs and I dined here with another couple sans kids but I thought is was cool that they have a kids menu. Some tables had some very well mannered and well dressed eating dinner with their parents. Warmed my heart to see that. Their main dishes are very, very good. I didn't have dessert but understand they are all made in house. Nice! Benny's has taken over 3 Forks has my fav steakhouse.
(5)
Jordan S.
The ambiance here is true old school steak house, and I love them for it. Right off the magnificent mile, the location is easy to get to, and reservations were obtainable. We started our meal with a couple of gin martini's, some stone crab claws and some oysters. All of it was fantastic. For the entree, I went with a 22oz T-Bone with some broccoli and asparagus on the size. The steak was seasoned and cooked properly, the service was fantastic, the meal was just excellent. We finished the meal with some chocolate pudding cake and some of their grappa (I now know I don't like Grappa...but I can't tell you if this was good/bad grappa). Overall, I could not have asked for a better meal in a better place.
Impeccable service and outstanding food. We started with 1/2 dozen of fresh shucked oysters from the east coast. Beautifully sweet and gorgeous brine. We actually skipped the salad anticipating the meat. The selection is wonderful. The ability to choose from either dry-aged, wet-aged or grass-fed natural prime beef will satisfy any taste. We decided to "go for broke" literally. I ordered the 48 oz bone-in "tomahawk" wagu beef served medium-rare. Although pricey ($155) it was worth every penny. This steak would feed 3-4 people which it easily fed 3 of us. It was perfectly marbled and was buttery delicious. Sides of Mac-and-cheese, creamed spinach and gigantic baked potato were a nice traditional complement to the beef. Ah, the beef the beef the beef. The one gigantic steak and a scallop dinner fed 4 people in my party. Don't forget the banana cream pie. Feeds 4 people. With drinks and tip the $400 price tag was a lot, but would do this again in a cholesterol filled heartbeat. Best beef I've had in my life.
(5)
Bill J.
I had the grilled caesar salad, 8 oz. filet and split the lobster mac and cheese. Dinner also came with a bread basket and what seemed to be roasted garlic. All were on par with what you would expect at a high end steak house. Service was very professional and the location is just steps away from Michigan Ave. Definitely worth putting on your list of steak places to try in Chicago.
(4)
Courtney B.
Excellent!! Highs recommend!! For guests with birthdays, they personalize the menu and kindly say Happy Birthday. Food amazing! Relatively large portions. Sommelier very helpful. Hostess and server fantastic! Live music in the lounge very fun atmosphere.
(5)
Berto F.
So being from Austin I researched this place before leaving. I wasn't disappointed with what I found. First from 3 - 7pm on Wednesday they do $.25 oysters from Delaware. They have other oysters as well. Then I had what apparently is not on the dinner menu I looked at which was a lobster grilled cheese with truffle fries for $18.99 that Brian the bartender suggested. (By the way if you meet Brian tell him the guy from Austin sent ya.) When he found out I was from Austin he said well then you have to try our maple glazed thick cut bacon. So I did and holy crap was it a game changer. He said come back for bacon Thursdays where they do a bar and food menu inspired by bacon but unfortunately I won't be here.
(5)
John G.
Benny's Chop House hmmm word spreads all around about this place being the best of the best and I'll have to admit the filet was exceptional, dare i say the finest I've partaken in? It really seems that way. Seating arrangement is nicely placed. Booth seating perfect fit the mood for me and my lady to enjoy a lovely meal, converse, and be affectionate. Service was professional where I had to compliment the staff personally. Expect to see me again.
(5)
Emily W.
Part of me hopes nobody reads this so they don't find out about Benny's awesome happy hour. We come here on Wednesdays for 25 cent oysters. Eating cheap oysters in the middle of the country doesn't seem like the best idea on paper. Trust me, we thought so too. The oysters at Benny's are always fresh, and they typically have 5-6 varieties (ranging from $3 to 21 per dozen) so you can expand your oyster knowledge. The wine / beer pairing they recommend goes really well with the oysters, but the cocktails are quite good as well. The atmosphere is nice (sometimes there is live piano music) and the service has always been friendly, if a little slow at times. I would come every week if I could. But you don't have to take my word for it. Seriously, just stay home.
(5)
I. C.
Worse than McDonald's and terribly over-priced. This is one of those moments when you realize why wealthy people commit suicide. They have to eat in places like these to keep up social face, but the food is so awful, it might be turned away by the homeless. The lobster mac and cheese tasted like water and noodles. We tried 3 different steaks. None less than $37.00 ea. They were all very bland and extremely small. The restaurant was practically empty. The room we were seated in was freezing, but they refused to seat us in a warmer area because it was late at night and they were "phasing out waitors" whatever that means. I guess it was too difficult for a waiter to walk to a different part of the restaurant? 《Sarcasm》 So here we are in this expensive "class A" restaurant and the waitress sets up a space heater next to us. Which was not working or heating anything. So everyone was so cold, we literally had to eat in our coats. I saw another review on being rushed out of here and we had the same experience. Over zealous inquiries by two different waiters on if we have everything we need. The final bill was over 400 and i felt like i was just the victim of some elaborate con. My aunt ordered vegetarian pasta. Even that was over 27 dollars and looked like some hamburger helper dish I could have made at home. I truly don't get this place. People who rate it high are probably just trying to look high society. But trust me when I tell you. Don't buy the hype. One of the worst steak houses in Chicago. If you want real delicious steak, with bountiful portions. Do not come here.... ..... unless eating tiny unseasoned beef portions in Tundra conditions is the new upper elite rave thing to do, darling. Yelp should add one more dollar sign to give an accurate depiction of pricing. It's far more expensive than Ruth's Chris or Gibson's. If it were not my sister's birthday, we would have walked out when they refused to seat use in a warmer area. I need a support group after this experience.
(1)
Frank J.
The food at Benny's was very good but the service was phenomenal. I cannot say enough about them. Highly recommend.
To be honest, this had to be one of the worst meals that I have ever been served in a steak house of this caliber. To start things off, we ordered a 3 inch bone in 45 day dry aged prime rib eye. First off, it was far from being dry aged, and didn't even come close to being prime either. I spoke to Natalie the GM the day after and she said that sometimes the meat doesn't come out quite right. Poor answer by the way. Well in knowing this, shouldn't the chef have tested the meat before it was served? Could the steak have possibly been wet aged vs. dry aged? Just looking at the meat raw, someone should have caught the fact that the meat wasn't of the stated quality. When serving a $159 piece of steak, I think any decent steak house would have the proper controls in place to assure that this does not happen. Lastly, we ordered the steak cooked medium, and it came to the table (overly) rare, almost "black and blue". Secondly, my guest ordered a piece of fish. He mentioned that it was slimy. That means that it was under cooked. Next we ordered onion rings, and they were white, undercooked, soggy, and cold. Same for the french fries they were soggy, undercooked, and not at all freshly fried. 4 meals, served terribly undercooked, and did not at all represent what was presented on the menu. Lastly, I ordered the same thing at David Burke's Prime House the following evening. And the difference in the steak, fries and onion rings were like night and day. I bet Longhorn Steak House would give Benny's Chop a run for their money, and at 1/4 of the cost. Sorry Benny's but you failed so hard that I will never return and only share my horrible experience with family, friends and co-workers. You don't even deserve one star here on Yelp, but I am feeling generous today. Quality Control Disaster as it best!
(1)
Stormie Y.
This food was horrible! The setting was terrible. Seemed like a place older men go for business trips to sit there and do nothing. The service could have been a lot better as well. I also felt the server we had was rude and racist. Long story short I will never go here again.
(1)
Manu A.
This is second time I come here, and I have to say they have the best bacon. So bacon lovers this is a must, they even have a bacon menu. In addition, the meat is outstanding, and even better than RPM and Chicago Chop House (my humble opinion). The banana cream pie is great! Finally, there is live piano and the bar has a window with view to the City.
(5)
Matt H.
When you ask people in Chicago what their favorite steakhouse is, you'll usually get a mix of Gibson's, Morton's, David Burke's, Mastro's, etc. For whatever reason, Benny's just isn't as popular, and it usually isn't in the mix... which is odd because it is every bit as good (if not better) than the others! The dining room's atmosphere is everything a great steakhouse should be, and the service is among the best in the steakhouse category. Most impressive though was our waitress' 10 minute dissertation she gave us on the difference between dry and wet aged steaks when a friend asked her to explain it for him. The staff really knows their stuff! My wife also contends that the steak she had at Benny's was her favorite steak ever.
(5)
David B.
Having been on quite the tour of Chicago steakhouses lately, I didn't think Benny's could meet my expectations. I was wrong. Very wrong. Elegant, dark-ish, classy decor, with impeccable service from start to finish. We began with a great bottle of wine off their extensive list. Then, two appetizers for the group of four: the house-smoked maple glazed bacon and one of their specials, the salmon tartare. The bacon was: 1) incredible; 2) a much bigger portion than we ever imagined; 3) could have been a meal by itself. The salmon tartare was excellent as well - served with a lemon oil vinaigrette, resting on a bed of creme fraiche (I think) and avocado, and top with five different types of caviar. On to the entrees. I'd been thinking filet until I saw them bring another table the red-wine braised short ribs. Our waitress discouraged the change and told me to stick with the filet. I did - and was very happy. The natural 10 oz. was amazing - tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked at medium rare. Three of the four of us got filets and everyone was quite satisfied. Sides: broccolini with cannellini beans (special - good), blue cheese croquettes (a favorite of one of the people with me; they were fine but nothing special); truffle fries with parmesan (not bad...but nothing to write home about); and crisped kale (very good!) Then, we decide to split two desserts: the carrot cake and the s'mores cheesecake. The carrot cake was extremely decadent - moist, flavorful, and an enormous slice and with an incredible cream cheese frosting/filling and topped with walnuts. The other one was a "deconstructed" s'more. Milk chocolate cheesecake, topped with a homemade marshmallow and then covered in "graham cracker mud" - melted milk chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Very good - although I enjoyed the carrot cake more. Best part of dessert? Taking some of the carrot cake's cream cheese frosting and eating it with a bite of the milk chocolate cheesecake. Yum!
(5)
Diane W.
This was our third great dinner out here in "food heaven" Chicago. This restaurant is beautiful in both decor and food presentation. The hostesses and food runners are impeccably dressed ,our waitress was friendly and very knowledgable on all the various cuts of beef and presentations. Our waitress was just the right mix of attentive and not annoying. Our party had the maple bacon appetizer-WOW!!!! Delicious and worth every bite! Filet mignon-very good/however not the best I've ever had. Rib-eye: my date had this. Very tasty and a nice large portion Brussels sprouts- nicely prepared and tasty Spinach-Meh... Would not order it again
(4)
Thomas C.
For years Gibson has been my favorite Chicago steakhouse .... uh oh .... what's up Bennys? They have a fantastic restaurant week menu, and the burger is phenomenal. Tonight for our anniversary we dined for dinner. We're on cloud nine. They personalized a menu for us ... they have a great selection of small champagne house champagne. The service right down to the greeting was special .... The space well appointed. But at the end of the day the issue is and only is .... how is the strak. How is the steak? Uh oh .... Gibson 's you're in trouble. Dry aged rib eye was too good for words. I am not going to swear off my old favorite ... but Bennys is better by a nose. We were celebrating our anniversary and on top of everything else, we now have personalized menu's which we ordered off of for our meal ... very, very nice touch, that will see us coming back for more.
(5)
Suzanne N.
We came here for a birthday party, which I set up with an event person in advance. We arrived promptly and it took an additional 30 min before we got seated. So we ordered drinks from the bar...well they were out of both the wine we saw listed and my husbands favorite beer. Not starting off too well and the bartender was nice, but not particularly helpful. Finally a sommelier(? not sure) person came over and helped us out. She remembered my requests and contract, and actually had one of the servers go out and get the beer we requested (which was on their menu online and the one posted at the bar). Once we were seated the food thankfully made up for initial encounter. The food was all excellent, and the wine they offered instead of the one we wanted was really good. The birthday cake they made was awesome too. They printed a personalized menu for the birthday boy and even put candles on the cake. I think I would come back, but maybe with only a small group.
(3)
Danny W.
Pretty sure Benny himself is going to beat the living shuck out of me once I post this on social media, but their Wednesday night special is too re-donk-u-lous to not share with everyone. From 4-7pm their oysters are as low as a quarter each and if you believe the urban legends that basically adds up to the equivalent of a couple Viagras for about 6 bucks. We're not talking doughnuts here either so don't worry about them being day olds. It's the same quality you'd get on a normal night only at about one twelfth of the price. The servers are super cute too asl if you needed additional inspiration. Hit them up for one of the happiest hump days you'll ever have!
Went back to Benny's on Tuesday after a visit last year. Have been testing all of the top 32 Chicago steak houses and Benny's was unintentionally the first one I had visited, so wanted to go back now that I had a chance to experience many of the others. I had remembered it as quite good but the memory was not as powerful as some of the other great steak houses. Turns out that Benny's is clearly top-5 and can compete for #1. Was with some friends and had an incredible appetizer, their maple cured bacon. I have had the bacon appetizer at some other steak houses, can't really miss on it, but this was probably the best. The bacon, better described as pork belly, was fantastic. We were four people and could not finish it, and believe me all of us have big appetites. We also had a salmon tartare appetizer with 5 types of caviar that was great. My entree was the natural prime bone-in NY strip. I normally go ribeye but a review in Chicago mag prompted me to go crazy and try this. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was fantastic. Cooked exactly as i requested, very flavorful but also perfectly tender, almost ribeye-esque. It comes with a sauce, which was okay but don't know why you ever would use a steak sauce with a great steak. The sides were awesome, or 2/3 were. My strongest memory of the my first trip to Benny's was the blue cheese potato croquettes and they did not disappoint. If you like blue cheese, these are awesome. I also loved the crisp kale. No idea what to expect and tried it just to find out. May have been my favorite part of the meal. It had a nice citrus flavor and was almost like potato chips. The one disappointment was the truffle fries. The fries were not particularly crispy (which is normally how I like them) and even the truffle flavor was not that powerful. We had two desserts and I don't consider myself that qualified to comment on them, as I am not a big dessert guy. Everyone loved the huge piece of carrot cake, and the icing was fantastic. Also, an interesting decomposed smore as a cheesecake entree. Overall, a fantastic meal and solid contender for best steak house in Chicago.
(5)
Lucia C.
We definitely had a good time and enjoyed our dinning experience here. Awesome steaks, fresh oysters, tasty desserts, and warm service. Highly recommended!
(5)
Michael C.
Came in for lunch and sat at the bar area for a quick lunch. The bartender serving us was friendly and was as attentive as we needed her to be. Truffle Burger - I found the burger to be pretty bland with not even a hint of truffle on the burger or the truffle spread that was provided. While the burger was cooked perfectly, it was also messy because it was too big to reasonably eat. This is also probably partly due to the egg on it as well. Luckily I ordered the supplement of truffle fries, those were amazing. At times I thought if I wanted to add the truffle flavor by throwing a few of those fries inside my burger. Get the fries, skip the burger.
(2)
Michael H.
House-cured maple glazed bacon. Wow! It's a meal in itself. I tired the Colorado Lamb Chops which were tender and seasoned perfectly. Not a huge portion for the big eaters out there. She had the Faroe Island salmon which was just ok. Try the brussels sprouts. I really liked the atmosphere as well. Took awhile for the staff to assign a permanent server to our table, but once it was figured out it was smooth sailing from there.
(4)
Cindy H.
This was the ultimate fine dining experience. Took my boyfriend here for his 28th birthday and I am glad I did. We had reservations at 8PM on a Saturday and were seated promptly. The restaurant was moderately busy and immediately I noticed that everyone seemed to be all smiles, dressed to the nines and just overall having a great time. This was one of the best parts of the dining experience- everyone was actually talking to one another rather than hovering over their cell phones boasting the great time they're having on social media instead of actually having that good time. Benny's sets us up for this. A dining experience so fine from service to wine that you can't help but take in every moment. My boyfriend was well attended to by Deborah who reviewed the wine menu with him, made suggestions for oysters (which were so simple, the way they should be, but delicious). The lobster risotto I had was creamy and rustic. My boyfriend's filet mignon was cooked medium rare instead of medium but it was so tender and juicy, we didn't mind. For dessert we had more oysters! Wow that says a lot.. I am loyal to a fault for chocolate.. not this time. The meal was - oysters rockefeller, 2 dozen cold oysters, lobster risotto, filet mignon, truffle fries (like regular fries but in a cool basket), 5 glasses of wine all together, two shots of 43 liquer with whipped cream and espresso =ing $327 w/ tip. HAPPY FRICKEN BIRTHDAY!
(5)
Adam B.
Benny's is a must visit when in Chicago - but only if you're on an expense account!!! I had the bone in filet. It was cooked perfectly. Probably the best steak I've ever had. The maple bacon app is absolutely brilliant. As is the seafood appetizer bowl. I hope to visit again soon. If you go then you need to make sure you're prepared - they don't mess around. Huge portions, top quality, great service.
(5)
Leslie B.
Went here for a dinner with our agency. Every single thing we ate was phenomenal. Service is excellent. I had a sea bass that was described by our waiter as "angelic" and it indeed was. Highly recommended for a special night out.
(5)
Paul M.
Tomahawk bone-in ribeye steak aged 45 days was ridiculously good. Came here with a bunch of friends on a short trip to Chicago and was not disappointed. We changed our reservations last minute, they accommodated us. We lingered at our table past closing, they have no prob with it. When I asked for a drink recommendation at the bar, the guy made an incredible Meyer lemon infused drink with top shelf rye. Overall very pleased. If I had to nitpick I'd say the kale chips side was kinda like eating salt flavored paper. Get the bacon Mac n cheese.
(5)
Chris W.
This place is a solid 5 start steak house. Absolutely incredible. From start to finish their customer service was extremely good. Their wine menu is very large but their servers are very knowledgeable. Their menu choices are incredible. I highly recommend their bone in rib-eye. Make sure to share the sides, they are all huge! Will be back for sure next time I am in Chicago!
(5)
Stephanie M.
Simply incredible steaks! The waiting staff is super knowledgeable about the meat as well as the wine. I recommend getting the marrow butter on top of the steak - it's the perfect enhancement without over-powering the steak itself. The cocktails are exquisite and the wine selection goes perfect with any cut of meat you should choose. The only thing I could say that was a bit disappointing was their lobster bisque. It was a bit on the bland side. One of the best parts about this place is that it is not stuffy in the least. There's a range of people in their business suits, some in polos and khakis and some people dressed to the nines. It's a lovely place that I no doubt will visit again and again.
(5)
Shannon R.
oh my goodness.. I had one of the best meals of my life here. The food is absolutely exquisite. I ordered the filet mignon.... and what made it so insanely good was the addition of bone marrow butter on top of the steak!!!!!! Great atmosphere and very knowledgable wait staff. Very impressive restaurant and a MUST GO if you are in Chicago.
(5)
Ryan G.
Took my wife here for her 30th birthday. Drinks were good, and the appetizers were good.. (Had crab legs and crab cakes) Then the meal. I ordered a steak and my wife had a white fish. They bring the fish out to debone it in front of you. (Ohh Fancy) Of course when they did this, they realized the fish smelled of something fierce. They immediately took it back and decided that they couldn't serve it and started a new fish. Im glad they caught that and didn't serve it.. but here I am with a steak and my wife is staring at me. I cut into my steak to find a thick strip of purple (Very Rare) and I ordered medium rare. So I send this back. (BTW, this is the first steak Ive ever sent back) Comes back 5 minutes later to my liking. The steak is one of the lowest quality pieces of meat Ive had in a long time. Very tough and not very flavorful - and still no fish. Done with my steak and the fish comes out. My wife loved it but ruined our whole experience. This place is quite pricey for just average food.. Would not recommend.
(2)
June A.
I was there Feb '15 The food was FANTASTIC and the service was very accommodating. We will be returning every time we go to ChiTown...love love love this spot
(4)
Krystina R.
I took my bf out to Benny's for his birthday and it was AMAZING! We shared lobster bisque, which was to die for! It was so creamy and had just the right amount of lobster. I enjoyed a hefty juicy piece of ribeye and my bf tried the skirt steak. WOW! I expected my ribeye to be great, but his skirt steak was phenomenal! I am Mexican so I have had my fair share of arrachera (skirt steak) but this was beyong great! For dessert, we tried the ginormous chocolate cake. Again, SO GOOD. I cannot wait to go back. Can't say enough great things :)
(5)
Jon E.
I live next door to Benny's, so I was pretty excited when I had my first opportunity to try it. I went for lunch and took advantage of the Restaurant Week menu. I promise I am not exaggerating when I say the steak just wasn't good. They served me super salty beef tournedos. It was overbearingly salty. I don't normally complain, so I thought I would at least mention it to the waiter. He listened, apologized, and took my plate away. Then he brought back a fully unseasoned version of the dish. This was kind of insulting because it was saying that my taste was off, which wasn't the case. I just didn't want the steak that they had accidentally dropped a handful of salt on. At this point, I just didn't want the steak to go to waste, so I told the guy I would just use the table salt as needed. The beef was cooked OK. It certainly looked about right, but it somehow wasn't tender. Perhaps this is because the cut is from the end of the tenderloin... not sure. It just wasn't good. The service was decent, and the waiter said he hoped I would be back. I just can't see myself returning, though, because I don't trust that they know how to cook a steak. After 2 failures, I don't see reason to give it another shot, especially since there are so many other options in this city.
(2)
Laura P.
Came here for a romantic early Christmas dinner and it was great! We made reservations about a week ahead of time but could only get in really early or really late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was the holidays but I would recommended booking as you can. We are night owls anyway so it wasn't an issue. My boyfriend and I both love food so needless to say we ate a lot, We each got our own appetizer. I had the tuna tataki (It was really good) and he got a Caesar salad. For dinner he got a New York strip steak. We eat a lot of steak and he said it was one of the best he has ever had. I decided to keep to my seafood streak and got the scallops which I highly recommend! I wish we could have had dessert but we were too full. Service was great, he didn't hover over us but checked in from time to time to be sure we enjoyed everything.
(5)
Veronica H.
We went there for my 14th yr Anniversary with a party of 18. They were nothing short of AMAZING!!!! They had personalized menus with my name and my husbands name and Happy Anniversary. The service was not lacking at all, which usually is when you have a large party like we had. They sat us promptly as well as were attentive to all our needs. The food ... OMG the food. Again .... the bacon .. you will read this in just about all the reviews... trust me GET THE BACON. We ended up ordering 3 plates and calamari. The risotto is to die for as well as the lobster bisque. I had the bone in rib eye Oscar style...... hands down .. the best. Literally the best. Service ... they did not miss a beat. They have my business from now on. We plan on taking my father in law there for his retirement dinner next month and we know we will not be disappointed. The restaurant was packed, but they made us feel like we were the only ones there :-)
(5)
Will S.
Both the food and the service are absolutely fantastic at Bennys. My family is in town on a little vacation, and we wanted a great Chicago steakhouse. Bennys takes reservations, which is a huge plus. The interior is classy, and the service is beyond helpful. I can't recommend the dry-aged rib-eye enough. Make sure you save room for dessert, as they really are spectacular.
(5)
Brian S.
Maybe it's unfair, but I judge my steakhouses against Keen's in NYC. By this standard, Benny's was one step above a tourist trap. I will say that they cooked everything perfectly. The problem was that everything was missing something. The biggest miss was the dry aged steak, which I'm convinced was not dry aged but something off of the regular menu. These are dry aged twice as long as what Whole Foods does, but when I grill the Whole Food steak, it has a much more concentrated beef flavor. The calamari with calabrese peppers needed either more peppers or maybe an infused pepper oil, as what you get is not enough to get spice in every bite. The seasonal mushrooms needed some herbs to give it a deeper depth of flavor, and the hash browns were underseasoned. Even my cocktail, their take on a sazerac, was bland. They couldn't even get flavor out of the spiced rim! Finally, I found the wine service somewhat shady. The 30+ page wine list has less than 10 wines by the glass. Granted most people are ordering bottles (as we did), but you'd think that with that many wines, they could offer a little more variety. But the shady part is the service. One of the sommeliers (I did not see ours do this) would open the wine at a stand away from the tables. She would pour herself a sample, try it, then bring the bottle to the table. I have never heard of a sommelier sampling a customer's wine without the customer's permission. I asked a manager if this was their standard practice, and she said not only was it standard, it was encouraged. If that's the case, why aren't customers made aware of this? They still bring the bottle to your table and have you try it, as if they don't already know if it's corked or not. What if you thought it was corked, will they argue with you? Anyway, the sommelier was pouring herself samples large enough that she had a taste before serving the bottle, and then another after the bottle was served. It's not like she was giving herself a full pour, but I still think this is wrong on a lot of levels. As an aside, I think she noticed us watching her sampling the bottles she was serving, because when we left and I spoke to a manager at the front of the restaurant (not anywhere close to customers she could be serving), she magically appeared and lingered next to our conversation while she pretended fold a napkin or some such thing. Which is kind of funny when you think about it, because as the manager told us, they encourage the sommeliers to do this. I just think customers should be made aware that this is the way they serve wine. We were really excited to have a great Chicago steakhouse experience, and we were severely disappointed. There are plenty of other options out there that you don't need to go to Benny's.
(2)
Jay W.
Excellent dining experience. The cocktails were made to perfection, followed by amazing food. The service was spot on as well. You will definitely see us again.
(5)
Eric B.
Excellent food. We had the salmon and the ribeye on the bone medium rare. A bottle of D2 cab and oysters on the half shell. Couldn't have asked for a better meal for Valentine's Day. Our server Kelly was amazing and so was the guy who recommended our wine (never got his name). If you're looking for a great steakhouse, I recommend Benny's.
(5)
Lily G.
This place deserves 5 stars for sure! The steak wasn't as amazing as I have had at other places (Grille 23) however the side orders, staff, and ambiance bring it all in for a home run! I had the Filet which was pretty standard compared to other steak houses. My boyfriend had the Dry Aged Bone in Rib Eye, which he says was the best steak he has ever had. For sides, we got the specialty bacon, which succulent! I literally have dreams about this bacon. It's not always there, but when it is it's a must for sure! Our drinks were fantastic and our waiter made the experience feel unique and he made us feel as though we were the only ones there. Overall an exceptional dining experience!
(5)
kurt s.
Paul is a master. Red carpet, velvet glove treatment from the get-go. Anticipated needs and intuited recommendations beyond the scope of my typical dining horizon. His confidence is well-placed; the fare was of the highest quality, justifying his enthusiasm and the tab. My best surf-n-turf experience in this town thus far. The heavyweight champs of presentation and execution. This place scratched the itch I've had for six years. Bravo!
(5)
Garry W.
Good service, lousy food Heirloom tomato salad was nothing more than supermarket tomatoes, a thick (overpowering) slice of onion, some blue cheese crumbles and balsamic. I've had better from Applebee's... Dry aged New York was mediocre at best, nothing special and certainly not a $50 steak. Lamb was fatty, small and overpriced as well. Wine list is way overpriced for California wines. I would not eat here again for 1/4 the price, don't understand the attraction. So many great places in Chicago, why bother with this place.
(1)
Candice C.
Visited Benny's on Tuesday before heading to a hawks game. Food was yummy and very satisfying. But the real reason I am posting is because of our waitress. I can't remember her name and I'm sure that's my own fault but she was so helpful and attentive. All of her suggestions (especially bacon appetizer) were great. Very rarely do you see people take the time to make sure you enjoy your experience and do it with a smile these days. Im in the industry as well and want to give credit where credit is due. If all your servers are like her Id come back based on the service alone. Two thumbs up from us!
(4)
Wendy W.
This was the restaurant our concierge recommended and was it a great recommendation. We waltz into this fancy restaurant looking like bums (aka tourists) with shorts and sandals but they treated us with dignity and class. The menu is quite expansive offering a little something for everyone. Benny's offers both wet-aged and dry aged USDA steaks. The steak was cooked beautifully and perfectly seasoned. Any restaurant that doesn't act pretentious and stuffy is aces in my book.
We decided to splurge for my husband's 30th birthday and took a stab at Benny's. We had a great experience. We were seated promptly, and the hostess even brought a birthday card for my husband. Nice touch. What I like about Benny's is that, while it is obviously a more spendy place, it isn't pretentious and so quiet that all you hear is the clink of silverware. Diners were comfortable and all clearly enjoying themselves. There was a very fun and comfortable atmosphere. I prefer that over something quiet and pristine. The food was all excellent, and service was pretty spot-on. We did have a little wait when we were done with our food and waiting for the bill, but it was so busy by that point, we were sure it was due to that. The only thing...and this is just personal preference, not a reflection on the restaurant itself...was that about halfway through our time, a large party was brought in and seated near us, and from that point I felt a bit like I was in a sports bar during a Bears vs. Packers game. It got a lot harder for us to converse, and my ears hurt from the volume. It was a little harder to enjoy my meal from that point, but still, I would recommend Benny's for a special occasion. I really enjoyed our time there.
(4)
Paul S.
Stopped here for dinner Saturday evening, fantastic place, nice old fashion steak house decor, they had a piano player in the bar area which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter Tom was very attentive and great. He bought out the flash fried kale complimentary with our meal and this is not something I would have ordered but this was amazing flavor highly recommend trying. The one only complaint I have was we was not in the main dinning room which next time we will make sure to request. This is a solid 5 star restaurant and can't wait to go back.
(5)
Amy D.
Went here for our first wedding anniversary and everything was amazing!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and her suggestions were delicious.
(5)
Cory L.
Visited Benny's with four friends from Boston. Awesome atmosphere, dark wood and dim lighting. Has an "old Chicago" feel. We started with cocktails; I'd recommend the Lakeshore Lemonade, absolutely delicious. We ordered the thick cut maple glazed bacon as an appetizer. It was amazing. For my steak I ordered the 22oz, bone-in, 30 day dry aged ribeye. Absolutely fantastic. Not my first aged steak, but definitely the best. Super juicy, cooked perfectly. I wish I had gotten the bone marrow butter on top though. The sides are shared. We ordered the macaroni and cheese, truffle fries, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The macaroni and cheese was excellent. Truffle fries (french fries fried in truffle oil) were interesting and tasty. Mashed potatoes were pretty basic, and no one was impressed by the asparagus. For desert we all got a scoop of ice cream made in house, served with some fruit. Nice end to the meal. After seeing the banana cream pie though, I wish I had gotten a smaller steak. The service was outstanding. Very well dressed, prompt and polite staff. Kelly was our server. She was funny, charismatic and very knowledgeable. As five guys in our mid twenties; we came to Chicago to visit friends, explore the city, and get drunk, to be completely honest. However, after the amazing food and absolutely outstanding service; we all agreed our meal with friends at Benny's was the highlight of our trip.
(5)
Mike O.
You wouldn't necessarily think that Benny's could be classified as a good value. After all, you can drop over a Benjamin on a dry-aged porterhouse. Yet at lunchtime, you can get a Top-10-in-Chicago grade burger for $10 (including fries). It's crazy. I'm not talking a glorified slider. This is a 3/4 lb. patty with some excellent toppings. I got the Benny's burger, which features onions sauteed in port wine paired with Blue Cheese, and served with truffle fries on the side. All of the toppings work conspiratorially to disintegrate the bun after a few minutes, so I suggest eating determinedly, with few set-down breaks. My burger, cooked medium to order, was exceptionally juicy and flavorful. Service was accommodating and friendly. My jeans and casual sweater raised nary an eyebrow from the staff. I sat in the well-lighted bar area. Plasma TVs with no sound (ESPN) were visible from most of the tables. I still can't believe the burgers are priced so competitively for lunch. By comparison, a Five Guys cheeseburger and regular fries will run you about $9.30. For an extra $0.70, you can get a much larger burger that is infinitely more refined and tasty (and I like Five Guys). If I worked down the street from Benny's, I'm pretty sure my waistline would suffer. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michael D.
Place is very good but not mind blowing. The only reason for the 4 stars was my expensive dry aged rib eye was very good but not great, my friends bone in dry aged NY strip was slightly better. The waitress seemed a bit disturbed that we elected not to order dessert. She kinda gave us a little attitude... That dessert menu was amazing but we were stuffed and all of us weren't big dessert eaters... The sides were amazing! We got Brussels sprouts, spinach and mushrooms (since we all got steak). The bar was fantastic, great cocktails and great wine list. I would go here people! Try out a different place...
(4)
Kim K.
Whenever my husband and I want to celebrate a special occasion, steak is the first thing that comes to mind. And when we want steak, Benny's is our first choice. We have been here so many times and have never once been disappointed. Our most recent visit was no exception. Before I talk about the food, I want to mention the service. Wow! These people really know what they are doing and the service alone completes the whole fancy steakhouse experience....now, on to the food... We both started out with the iceberg wedge salad. It is topped with a generous portion of blue cheese and bacon...two foods that are my lifeblood. I definitely recommend this classic. For our entree we both got the dry aged, bone in rib eye. Talk about PERFECTION! Seasoned perfectly, cooked perfectly, so juicy and so much flavor. The most perfect choice for any steak lover. The sides are all shareable, and we got the macaroni and cheese with bacon and the blue cheese croquette. Both very rich and decadent choices. We have been here so many times that we have tried just about all of the sides at one time or another, and they are all amazing. On to the desserts....oh, the desserts...Their dessert chef started out at Charlie Trotter's. Everything is amazing. The carrot cake and the chocolate layer are gigantic, rich and a great value for the money. I have also had the s'mores cheesecake in the past. My only regret in life, is that this visit I didn't save room for dessert. But don't worry, my husband and I like to pop in from time to time, sit at the bar and order a dessert when we feel like having a decadent snack. Over all Benny's is great. Top notch food and service. It is definitely a wonderful experience for those special occasions.
(5)
Christopher G.
I took three friends here for a birthday dinner. It was my choice and I regret it. My steak was undercooked (compared to two other people who ordered theirs the same way) and when I asked for a few more minute in the broiler I was treated to several smart ass comments. Then when my friend ordered a glass of wine (our third or fourth) he received a "less than full" pour and again treated with smart ass comments about their machine and it being a full pour (obviously wasn't when lined up to our other two glasses of wine). Sides were good, white asparagus was interesting, and drinks were cool. Place has potential but really screwed up the service and the steak which is the only reason to go to a steakhouse. I wouldn't go back
(2)
Carl C.
Our office team hosted our dinner for the holidays here in December. An amazing experience and the food was first class. I think the quality is better and it doesn't seem as cramped as some other popular steakhouses. They are on open table so making reservations was easy.
(5)
Margarita And Edward M.
Just had to write a review about this place. WE LOVE IT! We've been here a few times now and we haven't been disappointed yet! Great atmosphere! Looks like it should be a really snobby place, with its panio bar, and beautiful staff and decor. But no, everyone treats you like an honored guest! Its wonderful. So here's the breakdown! 1. Great Food! We've never had a bad steak here. Perfectly seasoned and cooked 2. The service is AWESOME! Friendly and they really know their stuff. From food to Wines! 3. The decor is outstanding! So comfortable, and feels old Chicago. Its great! Will always be the first place we recommend to friends that ask where to go for a great steak! Yummmmmmmm!
(5)
Neil R.
I actually lived very close to this place and really enjoyed going here for drinks. Regarding drinks, definitely pricey but its worth it. They have some good cocktails on the menu (i.e. Moscow Mules, etc...) but also has an extensive wine list. The Bartenders have a good working knowledge of wines as well as different types of scotches, whiskey's, etc.. as well. They also have a piano player - although I am not sure of what days they play. Now as far as the steak goes - it was really awesome. The service, presentation, decor all meet the high standards of a great steakhouse. I tend to order the filet mignon and it was perfect. Beware of the chocolate cake dessert - it is huge! I highly recommend this place for both steak and drinks.
Perfect steak: seasoned beautifully but let the flavor of the meat itself dominate; done precisely to order; butchered expertly. Got the "natural" strip steak, and it's hands-down the best strip steak I've ever had. Food sides were also delicious. Dessert was almost stupidly good, but beware the carrot cake, a slice of which is literally the size of some whole cakes. Perfect service: your glass is never empty; attitude is refined but not snobby; attentive but not hovering. Perfect ambience: feels expensive but not tacky; warmly lit; real artwork on the walls; gorgeously appointed (from furniture to the luxe washrooms). The wine list, of course--it's a Wine Spectator restaurant--was jaw-dropping. We humble mortals restricted ourselves to the scattering of below-$100 wines, which I was happy to see were as thoughtfully selected and easy to pair with the food as the big guns. Cocktails were quite good. This place is pricey, but right in line with other Chicago steakhouses, and I'd return here rather than to David Burke's or the Firehouse (both also excellent) any day.
(5)
S P.
A friend who lives in Chicago, let me in on the secret that Benny's has some of the best burgers in Chicago about 2yrs ago. I have not been to Benny's for dinner, but make time to go there for lunch every time I'm working in Chi-Town. I enjoy eating in the bar area for lunch, but the formal dining is very nice. The bar selection is EXCELLENT. Check out there seasonal cocktails & beer menu. I usually order the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger (Partnered with a stout beer). Reminds me the burgers served at fine brasseries in Paris, but with considerably better tasting beef. Yolk from over-easy egg adds to the succulence. Truffle flavor is evident, but does not overwhelm the burger. I do ask for some fresh ground pepper on top of the egg before diving in. Eating the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger takes practice (very juicy / can be messy), but worth the effort!! Great balance of beef and mushroom flavor. There more traditional hamburgers are also superb. Bar tenders and staff are awesome. Always a hit when I bring potential clients or business partners there for lunch; they have enjoyed most everything ordered off the lunch menu. Bottom line: (Should have 5 stars, but I'm reserving a star for future review - after I eat dinner @ Benny's) For a lunch that is not too pretentious or (not cheap, but not) too expensive - This my go to place when working in Chicago -Recommend Benny's for lunch without any hesitation or reservation.
(4)
Karolina S.
We went to Benny's for my birthday this year and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, they put 'Happy Birthday Karolina!' on my personalized menu.... ADORABLE. Sure, I'm generally easily impressed, but that was a REALLY cute touch. Benny's food is impeccable. Benny's strongest asset is the service though. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, professional but nice all at the same time. The birthday desert was some sort of graham cracker s'more thing and it was the best 'free birthday dessert' dessert I've had in my last twenty four years(moms homemade birthday cakes don't count). It was a beautiful experience and perfect for a special occasion. Will definitely return!
(5)
Lisa C.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary and it was absolutely amazing...probably one of the best steaks I've had in my life...the dessert was also fabulous...I could not have asked for better service either...would definitely recommend this place to everyone!
(5)
Joe F.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sides were nice, steak (bone in dry aged ribeye) was just average. Compared to other fine chophouses where aged meat melts on your mouth, this piece was quite sinewy though still flavorful. I almost wonder if I paid for dry aged and received a regular cut.
(3)
Leon W.
Great service, great wine, great dessert and atmosphere. The $59 dry aged steak though was a disappointment. It was ok, but not worth the price. We thought this was a first class place but the steaks are way over priced. I have had better more flavorful steaks at many other places in Chicago. The brick chicken my wife ordered was very fatty without the "crispy skin as promised. We would not return.
(2)
Mike H.
My girlfriend (fiance now, because of things like this) took me here for my birthday last year and it definitely did not disappoint. We had a reservation, and when I got there, the hostess wished me a happy birthday...nicely done. We were seated in a both where we sat next to each other, looking out to the dining room floor, which was awkwardly awesome. The menu was also customized to say "Happy birthday Mike" at the top of it. Very simple to do, but very nice touch. For an appetizer we started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which I had never had before. It's a little different, but it was very good. For the main course, I went with the dry aged NY Strip steak, which was cooked to perfection. We got mac and cheese and broccoli with garlic cream for the sides, both were huge portions and really good. The service here is outstanding, and the waiters are very knowledgeable. They went through the run down of wet-aged vs dry-aged steaks for us and were very accommodating to other needs/questions. Others have mentioned this as well, but the staff is not pretentious in any way, which makes you feel better about the money you are spending. I don't know how soon I'll be back as there are many other places in this city to try, but I would definitely recommend it to people.
(5)
Joe B.
My wife and I chose Benny's to celebrate our anniversary dinner. It was outstanding choice in every aspect-service, food quality and atmosphere. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and we were seated quickly. As others have noted, the atmosphere is one of a classic steakhouse. Our server, Tom was attentive without being overbearing. He offered recommendations where appropriate. Throughout the meal Tom was available. While some steakhouses use a team approach to providing service, Benny's uses primary service approach which provides a better customer experience in our opinion. Food wise, we started with an assortment of oysters. They were excellent and represented different styles of oysters. For dinner, my wife ordered the surf and turf consisting of a filet and lobster tail-both were delicious. I had the pork chop which was also outstanding. For sides we had the hash browns, mushrooms and maple bacon. Each dish was among the finest side dishes we've had at the Chicago steakhouse tour we are performing. The hash-browns were our favorites but all 3 were exceptional. Although we didn't think we'd have room for desert, we had a strawberry rhubarb "pie" which had a flaky crust similar to a cream puff. Accompanied by a raspberry sorbet the desert was excellent. Based on the combination of service, food quality and atmosphere, Benny's is at the top of our list of steakhouses which consists of Mastro's, Gibson's, David Burke's, Del Frisco's, Chicago Cut and Kiefers. Nicely done.
(5)
erica f.
Its dark, comfortable and they have some ridiculous cheesecake. Great spot for winter!
(4)
Magglio M.
Absolutely fantastic. I travel a lot for work and have gone to many steakhouses. I'm also a local Chicagoan and have been to many of the Chicago steakhouses. Benny's is expensive but it is worth it on a special occasion. The services was outstanding. They had an incredibly comprehensive wine list. Ordered maple covered bacon appetizer which was great. Oysters were amazing. Steak was cooked perfectly. Awesome spot.
(5)
Bonny S.
Very Very Disappointed, after the pretty decent reviews on 'Check Please',; we had an occasion to stay downtown, and would give this place a whirl. I do think they are trying overly hard, very pretensious, so many people handling you and your food, no one seems to keep track what you are getting, and when the waitress is in the middle of explaining the menu, and says excuse me to go to another table....that is just wrong. Since when do restaurants present a bottle of wine, whisk it away, and then bring it back in a decanter to the table. We refused the decanter and then they brought back a new bottle and presented, opened and decanted at the table, but the interesting thing was they left a good 1 1/2" of wine in bottom of bottle (sedement-was the answer). Told them to pour in...if they felt the wine was going to have much sedament, maybe they should have decanted through a screen. We ordered for a cold appetizer the Chicken Liver Terrine, very good. I ordered a Belgian Endive Salad- which sounded so so good, but can't tell you, never arrived. Then Sea Scallops for my main----never had scallops that tasted so fishy before in my life- you only get four. My husband ordered the Bone-In Filet, very tasty, and Mac & Cheese w/bacon, pretty good, and the Harvest vegies (a special- I believe this is what they were called) so greasy and salty..... Everybody else has given this place very good ratings, but I've had better service at other Steak Houses in Chicago and suburbs.
(3)
Kate M.
I'm a big fan of Benny's Chop House. Sitting in the bar, enjoying a gin martini, some buttery oysters, and some fantastic company...sounds like my kind of Wednesday night. In fact, I'd welcome that pretty much any night. The food was really good, the seafood tower was huge for the price (ask them to crack the lobster claws and body for you, it's a lot easier when someone else does it!). The bar food menu looked really good, lots of "sliders" of different varieties. While I would love to snarf half a dozen different kinds of tiny sandwiches...my jeans much prefer I stick with oysters and crab legs. The cocktails were really good. I had a few Hendrick's martinis that were perfect. The service was really good. We were there for about 30 minutes when our server went on her lunch break. The rest of the staff effortlessly picked up the slack. They were so attentive it seemed like we were the only people there, but it wasn't overwhelming. That's a balance to strike. The only thing I didn't love about Benny's was the loud piano. Why does it have to be so loud?! I can't wait to go back to Benny's. Perhaps after an afternoon at Nordstrom (right down the street)....
(5)
ami m.
Good sTEAK, good sides, desserts are to die for. the coconut sorbet is fantastic out of this world...and vegan.
(5)
Bill G.
The best dinner I have ever had in downtown Chicago. Food excellent and service great This will be a standard dinner option for me Each time I visit Chicago
The wait staff was incredibly accommodating and extremely pleasant. Great service, they really know how to be amiable to guests :) Truly loved and appreciated that! Especially since I went with a big group of people, we must have been difficult to handle haha But to be honest, the steaks weren't that amazing to me. The scallops on the other hand....WOW. It made me wonder what sad excuse of a scallop that I've been eating for my entire life. Their scallops were other worldly!! So succulent, juicy, and just dripping with flavors that I have never experienced before!! Truly, truly amazing. I highly recommend you try their scallops. WOW!!
Came here for Thanksgiving. The food was marginal. My Turkey dinner was lukewarm. The stuffing was good. Everything else was just ok. Hubby ordered a ribeye. It was good, but there's no reason to come back here. The experience wasn't memorable. The food wasn't memorable. Chicago has too many great restaurants to spend your time and money on this place.
Love this place! The seafood tower, as an ap, great chef and food quality, every cut of steak is fantastic. I'm a dry age guy, but I'm also a bit of a meaty. (That's our word. it's for those who enjoy fine meats...like a craft beer snob but different.) I have always had above and beyond service from EVERYONE there, Hostess to Manager. Love the wine list...a lot. Great boozes Great energy Great sides Great gatsby Great chicken...yes great chicken at a steak joint Great fish, their fish is super however the whole Japan nuclear fish thing send me back to the meats. Great service Great burgers Great balls of fire Great deserts Great pork chops Great rigatoni There is a theme of Greatness here. The negatives. It can get busy, reservations are a must on the weekends. Haters gunna hate. A great place to see fellow lovers of life!
(5)
Desiree N.
I've dined at Benny's several times in the past, but never written a review. Each time I've dined, I've had an incredible meal. However, tonight I dined again for a work event, and was completely blown away by the food and the service. Service: always consistently good...water glasses never go empty, service staff is knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. Food: the seafood tower is a must try...so fresh and delicious..served with traditional accompaniments.I have pretty much eaten my way through the menu and never disliked a dish. The scallops I enjoyed tonight were cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The sides are creative and meant for sharing. I have attended several private events at Benny's, and each one is clearly thoroughly thought out and perfectly executed. In a city full of steakhouses, Benny's is a gem. I will continue to frequent often.
(5)
Jim P.
This was the worst of all occasions for a steak restaurant. We not only had poor service, but the food was just not good!!! To begin with, I was having a casual dinner with a friend and did not really want to be rushed. From the minute we got seated, the waiter was all over us to order. I figured that he would get the hint that we were not going to be a 45 minutes turn of his table, but he never got it. When you are at a restaurant of this caliber, your server usually goes for quality over speed. For a $60 steak, you should be able to dine for a couple of hours. The worst part was that once we got the food, we could not find the server. We wanted to get a cup of coffee and we had to ask the server 4 times to get it. What a miserable experience. Things went from bad to worse when the food arrived. Let's just say that have visited dozens of steakhouses in dozens of cities. I generally have a feel for what a medium rare bone-in rib eye should look and taste like. The temperature of the meat was just fine but almost half of the cut was gristle. It is a rib eye and I knew (and wanted) to have some marbling (fat!), but this was just plain vein-like gristle. It was terrible. You could not cut it with a knife without bearing down on the blade. We did mention something to the server and he did offer the obligatory "you are complaining and I do not know why" dessert, but we left. We were not looking for dessert or a discount on the check. We just wanted to make sure that the kitchen knew. The server just listened and seemed not to really care. That was that. At least the coat check person and valet were nice!!
(1)
Cheryl J.
I was taken to Benny Chop House for my 50th Birthday December 6, 2014; as usual the food was very good not excellent just very good. My husband and I were very very disappointed with our service and our waiter(Alex) no offer of fresh pepper for our lobster Bisque, no offer of a dessert menu when the table next to us were offer better attention and service. I would hate to think that it was a "race" thing or maybe, it was just an off night but, my husband still left him a $40.00 tip...LOL
(3)
Darcy W.
Benny's was a steak and wine lovers dream! The steak was done to perfection, the Sommelier helped us pick out a nice wine, seriously order the side of bacon! The service was phenomenal! The atmosphere is warm and enjoyable. I was bummed they didn't have live music, but it was late and a Tuesday. It is expensive but worth it!!
(5)
Phil F.
The best Chicago steak house I've been to so far. The fillet minion was absolutely amazing, melted in your mouth, juices running out of it. The dry aged rib eye was magnificent, perfect marbling and tender. Sides were done nicely. The dessert was also very good. Have to check out if you love steak.
(5)
Nathan G.
Wonderful old traditional steak house. Great steaks, fast service. Perfect!!
(5)
Mike M.
We had a lovely Valentines Day dinner here this year. By chance we ate in bar area with some great piano music. The scallops were very good as was my New York strip. The winner was crab lobster Louie and the clubby atmosphere. We will go back for piano bar.
(4)
M K.
Incredibly unfair giving it 4 stars, but here's my reason: I'm comparing it to the other elite steakhouses in the Chicago area. If this were the Olympics, Benny's is the 8th place finisher in the 100-meter dash finals. It's absolutely elite, but when you have to choose between the 0.01% of restaurants, this one doesn't make the cut. Let me reiterate - it is absolutely fantastic. The servers should host a clinic for other eateries in town for how efficient and knowledgeable their staff is. The steak, some sides, and dessert were superb. Look, you're not going to go wrong eating here, but if you've enjoyed the chance of eating at some other exceptional steakhouses, you might find yourself wanting more. Maybe this review is more of a testament to the excellent options Chicago offers. Benny's, however, on its own is world-class, and you should most definitely find a reason to come visit.
(4)
Kristeen O.
We went for dinner with my bf's parents, and were so impressed we came back a couple days later for lunch and took my dad. I liked the ambiance and service during dinner better, but the food and wine were on-par for both. Best meal in Chicago. Beware of the large desserts, haha! One slice of cake is enough to share with your extended family. The sorbet is heavenly. I will definitely be back.
(5)
John L.
Holy smokes! Fantastic stuff. Service and food are superb! I will miss Exec Chef Carlo, but it looks like Roberto is superb too. Price- Higher end, but you pay for quality food. Honestly, relative to some other places, the price is not that bad. Quality- Great. The Maple Bacon was mouth watering and made me appreciate Apostle Peter having a dream about eating animals and Jesus telling him it's okay to eat whatever. The Chocolate pudding was great and super moist (yeah I said it). Steak was so juicy and I appreciate a place that focuses on it's main product and not fluffing it up with add ons. Quantity- I'm stuffed. Atmosphere- Quaint and great to just sit and talk. Staff- Fantastic! Super helpful with setting plans up for my gf's birthday and making accommodations. Great spot that you need to check out.
(5)
Laila C.
Come here for lunch. Beat the obnoxious lunch crowd that's usually in most restaurants in River North by coming here. I arranged a lunch for our office with about a dozen people 20 minutes before we wanted the reservation. They had our table ready and waiting with a great serving staff. It was definitely kind of dead...but you know what, I enjoy that over the pushing and shoving of other noisy, busy lunch places. I'm here for a good lunch, not to be seen. My entire lunch party really enjoyed their food, most of us were split between the lobster grilled cheese and the seafood salad. I got the seafood salad (and I usually don't believe in salads) but this was fantastic. Literally it was a plate of deliciously cooked seafood, lobster, octopus, shrimp, etc on a tiny bed of lettuce. In other words...it was a large plate of delicious protein. Those who got the lobster grilled cheese were also very happy with their choice, although basically comatose by the end of lunch. It was a BIG sandwich, add to that the side of fries, you're asking for an unproductive afternoon. If i'm arranging lunch plans again, it will be at Benny's...and given my overly opinionated, type-A personality at my office...it'll probably be next week.
(4)
Anthony C.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I'll have to come again to measure consistency, however if it's anything like my first experience, this is far and away the best steakhouse experience I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I say "experience" because it goes far beyond the magnificently marbled and perfectly cooked bone-in ribeye that I enjoyed. The attention to detail and customer experience this place provides is second to none. My server, Nick, was elegant, but not stuffy; conversational, but not intrusive; and extremely knowledge about both the steak and wine, without trying to push or up sell at every possible occasion. He was simply fantastic. As for the wine, living 30min from Napa, I'm admittedly very picky about my Cabernet. On this occasion, I was dining by myself after a business trip so I assumed I would be sadly disappointed by the half bottle and glass of wine selection, however the house Cabernet was a fantastic 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet, it's rare to see this even in the Bay Area. 5 stars, spectacular. I will certainly be coming here on all future trips to Chicago.
(5)
Ellen W.
In my opinion, this place is slightly over rated. Service was fabulous. 5 stars for the staff. Food was less than memorable. And for the price you would think it would know my socks off.
(4)
Nat M.
great ambience. excellent service - we went for a special occasion and they did many thoughtful things. good cocktails and wine. steak is the best I've ever had - seriously. apps and sides are great too. dessert was a bit typical. otherwise, just an awesome experience
(5)
Aris Z.
The location is really convinient jus because is downtown and any kind of transportation is available. When you walk in you feel like you are in an old time classic Chicago restaurant where the building is pretty old too. The paintings on the wall upon each table is pretty awesome and the environment in general is exactly what you need in order to enjoy a nice dinner. I am new in Chicago but it is one of the best choices that I could make for going to dinner. The service was great. Paul was our server where he was really friendly and he had great knolwegde of the menu. We most likely ordered eveyrhing that he suggested and we didn't regret it. everything was delicisious. I would definetely visit this restaurant as soon as I have the budget again for getting the bone ribeye ! It's pricy but it's worth it. .
(5)
Draft M.
Easy 4 stars. Definite return. Vibe is just what a Chicago evening calls for. Jazz ensemble...nice wine selection...friendly vibe. Old city...with new touch. Winning.
(4)
Steve H.
Enjoyed the service, ambiance and food. Exactly what a Chicago Steakhouse should be; quietly competent and confidently superior. The steak frites allow for choice of cut with good, Euro-style, frites. The appetizers are just right; except for the maple bacon which is over the top in both taste and portion.
(5)
Pat P.
Awesome! Lobster cheese sandwich, truffle fries, maple syrup bacon and the best selection of whiskey! Bartenders Sara and Brian complete the experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Leeann B.
I've visiting from D.C. and I asked my concierge at the Fairmont Hotel for a recommendation for a local steakhouse. He recommended Benny's and gave me a map (I walked over--it wasn't too far but Wabash Ave is kind of confusing). The dining room was full (I didn't have a reservation and was expecting a bit of a wait), but the bar/lounge was free. The bar/lounge is mostly high-top tables, which I hate because of my short legs, but the staff was able to find me a regular sized table and the hostess was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The dining room has a live piano player and a lovely view of the city. It really adds to the ambiance of an "Old Chicago" vibe--the only thing it was missing was a gangster or two! Right away I was brought water, a bread basket with an assortment of bread, and a wine list and cocktail list. I went with a lovey Pinot Noir and a tried a bite of the sour dough-tasting bread with the salted butter (the butter and bread were great!). I got caught in a major downpour on the way over, so I ordered the lobster bisque to start in order to warm up a bit. It was a generous portion, but I ate about 1/10 of it. It was a major disappointment. Overall it was flavorless, with tiny bits of overcooked lobster. The dish needed salt--it would have benefited from using some of the stock used to cook the lobster to bring in a bit of that briny sea flavor. Alas, the bisque tasted overwhelmingly of the parsley garnish and the tomato chunks in it. As a New Englander, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my lobster and my clam chowder, so I probably should have known better! My main course was a thousand times better. I ordered the beef short ribs with a side of carrots. The short ribs were melt-in-your mouth perfect and the carrots were probably the best vegetable side dish I've ever had in a restaurant. They were cooked al dente with a buttery, citrus flavor with a touch of rosemary and thyme to them that really complimented the sweetness of the carrots without overwhelming them.. The short ribs came with a mushroom and potato mix and the earthiness of the side complemented the richness of the short ribs. Since my concierge recommended the restaurant, the hostess brought out a complementary side of the crispy kale. I'm not a huge kale fan, but it was quite tasty and crisp with a light, creamy touch of a garlic sauce that brought out the bitterness in the kale. I had a glass of a Russian River Valley Zinfandel with my meal and it complimented the short ribs. I was too stuffed for dessert, but ordered the s'mores cheesecake to go. Definitely a winner with lots of chocolate and delicious toasted marshmallow! Bottom line: If I lived in Chicago, I would make Benny's my "special occasion" restaurant. It's perfect for a romantic date night or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. It wasn't just the food that made this place great, but the impeccable service and the professional, friendly waitstaff. Honestly, if it weren't for the lobster bisque, I wouldn't have taken off a star. If I come back to Chicago, I'd definitely come back!
(4)
Nee V.
A great first impression was made by the welcoming and friendly hostess. We were promptly seated to our booth, as I had requested beforehand. Ambiance was dark and romantic. Both of us ordered filets (one with bacon enhancement and Oscar style on the other) and shared a side of mashed potatoes. All of our food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the s'mores cheesecake, but it's worth mentioning the portion size is fairly small and not ideal for sharing. Our server was pretty good and gave us the right amount of attention. Overall, as others have mentioned, slightly overpriced, but it's worth it as a treat!
(4)
Darrell P.
If the food is great and the service blows that away, it must be Benny's Chop House. It was a birthday celebration for me, and I have never been at a restaurant that made it more special. It started while reading the menu. I happened to glance at the top of it and saw my name with Happy Birthday on it addressing me. It only gets better from there. My server, Dan, was as good as you can get. WIth initial disappointment that they didn't carry my favorite rum for a rum and coke, he made a suggestion that was as close as possible, and it tasted great. He also made a great selection for a beer to enjoy with my order. I had the Dry aged bone-in New York Strip. It was cooked to perfection. Dan suggested I cut into the center when it first arrived to make sure it was cooked properly. That was the first time I ever had a waiter suggest that, and I have eaten at many of the top steak establishments in town, along with many of the top-rated steak houses when traveling around the country. To start, my girlfriend and I shared a mushroom tart special with buffalo cheese that was very good that Dan suggested, along with the chop house maple-glazed bacon. That bacon should be illegal because it was so addicting. It just melts in your mouth. As I mentioned, my steak was wonderful, and my girlfriend thoroughly enjoyed her lobster risotto. I should have tried it, but I was too full from everything I had going on in my mouth. There is always room for dessert, and the Smores cheesecake was a wonderful end to an exquisite evening. Did I mention my dessert had a Happy Birthday wish written in chocolate on the plate? Remember that birthday menu I mentioned at the beginning: That was wrapped up as a parting gift for me as I left. I won't soon forget my birthday celebration at Benny's, and I won't forget how Dan could do no wrong. I will be sure to ask for him when I go back, and I suggest you do too. Now if it was my 21st birthday as I joked to Dan when he first came over, things would really be perfect. Going along with the joke, he said he was about to card me. Unfortunately reality makes me a bit older, (okay a lot older), but I have never felt better than I did in Dan's care at Benny's Chop House. It's so nice to write a good review, especially when a place deserves it. If you have a special occasion, or just want a great meal and to be pampered, this is your place. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth every penny!
(5)
Kawone H.
This place is among the best of the best in Chicago, as far as steak houses. People are not blowing smoke with the accolades. We will be back very soon. 1. STEAK (Pass): I am a rib eye and porterhouse kind of guy. Benny's serves these up quite magnificently. The dry aged option was perfectly suited for my taste buds. With so many options, in terms of each steak, you can't fail. For chicken lovers, this was tender and juicy. Go for it! 2. SIDE DISHES (Pass): By far, the Mushrooms are a standout. My daughter and I could eat a plate of those for dinner. These were seasoned just right. If you prefer them whole, then opt for another side dish. You won't be disappointed with them sliced. Also, the Truffle Fries run neck-and-neck with David Burke's version. 4. DESSERT (Average). The Chocolate Layer Cake was not special. It was good, but not awesome. 5. AMBIANCE (Pass): Classic. The lighting was just right. 6. SERVICE (Pass): Amazing! We were welcomed by every staff person upon arrival. Our server was the best and received a well-deserved 20% tip. Ask for "Nick" and you will not taken care of quite well. By the the looks of things, however, I anticipate that all of the servers provide the same level of quality service. Hands down, he was the best my family ever experienced.
(5)
Alvin Raul C.
Last night I came in for a late business dinner and I was so disappointed in the level of service provided by Charles the Sommelieer. Charles provided the worst service I have ever seen in any restaurant!!! His attitude was uncalled for and his rudeness was very unprofessional!!! When one eats at a restaurant of this caliber one just wants a good meal, a delicious bottle of wine and to enjoy the experience. One would think that at Benny's the staff would be just as passionate about food and wine as its customers are. They are not!!! We came to have a nice meal and talk about business we didn't come to argue over a bottle of wine. I was so embarrassed that I brought my colleague here for dinner. We were so disappointed with the overall lack of passion that we truly could not enjoy our dinner!!! Think twice about going here. There are much better places to spend your money.
(1)
Lauren M.
You must get a Manhattan to start! I took clients and several said it was the best meal they've ever had. The bacon appetizer is a must. Most people had steak and several had others had fish or pasta. Everything was top notch and the service was outstanding. I'd recommend this restaurant for any special event.
(5)
Jennifer G.
We celebrated dinner there last night while my parents and my in-laws were in town, and the food and service were outstanding. Most of us had steaks - from the fillets to the Bone In New York Strip. All four steaks were delicious and wonderfully seasoned. I had the filet medallions special with prawns in a tomato sauce of some sort. It was wonderful. We also had the short ribs at our table and it was very good. We split the carrot cake and banana cream pie. Both were large portions and very rich and delicious. The other aspect of the meal was the service. Nicole W did a great job and was extremely attentive to our table and made sure we had everything we needed. I would recommend Benny's to anyone. We did have a reservation, but my husband and I have gone in the past and just ate in the bar area listening to the piano player and had a very nice time.
(4)
Matt B.
Went here in February after getting my bonus (to be honest that's what it takes to afford this place...however totally worth it!!!). I ordered the bone in ribeye ($60) and lobster tail ($31). The steak was probably the best steak I've ever had. The guy who recommended our wine really knew his stuff and directed us to a great wine that we all loved at a reasonable price ($70 for the bottle). I had a glass of Macallan 15 as well ($25). Total bill was around $170 just for me and over $400 for the three of us. I would definitely recommend this place as I will be going back!! Great steak, great atmosphere! Enjoy!
Spent the weekend in Chicago celebrating our 30th anniversary, and chose Benny's for our dinner. What an excellent evening! Made reservations a few days ahead, and James the maitre de lined everything up. Nice booth, personalized menus, everyone seemed to know we were coming, but didn't go overboard, just a nice "congratulations". The food was outstanding! Lobster bisque was very good, subtle, not too heavy on sherry. Very nice vinegar & oil dressing, fresh and light. Meals were halibut and beef ribs, both cooked perfectly. Ribs had a very solid, meaty flavor. And deserts - banana cream pie & creme brulee - were very tasty and way too big. They even threw in a personalized s'mores chocolate dessert. Far too much food. Nice wine selection, though our first choice was not available. Finally, service was outstanding. Alex, our waiter, was always near and attentive, but never in the way. And Claudia was always there keeping everything stocked. Great service, great food, great dinner!
(5)
J P.
Took the family to this well-known steakhouse downtown. Very good service but only average food. Pro: very attentive and informed staff Tenderloin was done well. Cons: sides were good size but average, brussell sprouts were not done fish dishes were average at best food was delivered lukewarm too high priced for quality
(3)
Michael R.
Thanksgiving Jerky! My wife and I went to Benny's Chop House for their Thanksgiving Dinner @ $49 per person. The turkey had no flavor and was tough and the pumpkin pie was ice cold! I would have been better off ordering a steak! Benny's, please stick to what you do well and don't waste anyone's time.
(1)
Christopher Y.
For some reason, I always thought Benny's looked unassuming from the outside. But the inside is your typical great Chicago steak house. The food was amazing, one of the best steaks we've had in the city. We ordered the grilled caesar salad, maple bacon, porterhouse, crispy kale and lobster mac & cheese (we didn't eat it all, so don't judge). Everything tasted amazing and the steak was cooked perfectly. There isn't too much seasoning on the steak, it's just really great cuts of meat prepared simply so you can truly taste the great quality. The couple things to note, while their menu is pretty typical for a Chicago steakhouse, they do it better than most and their portions are slightly bigger. The prices were about on par with other steakhouses but the quality and preparation of steaks was better. Our waiter was not only friendly and welcoming, as you would expect, he was extremely knowledgeable about every menu item in regards to how things are prepared, where ingredients are sourced and how the item is different than other restaurants with similar offerings. While it may not look as trendy as a Mastro's on the outside, it's definitely worth the visit. Also, that maple bacon changed my life.
(5)
Kristi L.
Our server was attentive and charismatic. The salmon was good. My husband's filet was decent. Now, we are from Oklahoma and are snobbish about our steak, so take that into consideration. The noise level is energetic; you can't have a private conversation here. It's a good place to see and be seen, but I think Chicago has better steak houses.
(3)
Juan M.
For quick readers: -Low quality food -Had no interest in even finishing the oysters we ordered -Drinks take 10+ minutes to arrive. -Water isn't given to you, you have to ask, if you can track down your server. -They charge for bread in the bar area. -My buddy stepped outside to take a phone call halfway through our meal, came back in and asked where the bathroom was and got scolded by the front staff asking if he was dining here or not. -Drinks are not that good once you finally got them and are overpriced. -Blah. Save your money. For extended readers: Tried this place last night for the 25 cent oyster deal on Wednesdays. They offer 4 different types of oysters, ranging from .25 cents to up to 2-3 dollars a piece. We wound up trying three different types as we started with the 2nd tier and were disappointed and ended up trying their "best" type and were still disappointed. I walked in extremely excited because I absolutely love oysters. Figured I'd eat at least 10! Ate 5 and lost my appetite for them. We decided to see what all the hype was about with some of their other dishes and didn't want to give up on it just yet, so we also ordered the maple glazed bacon, lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries and kale. Maple glazed bacon - what's all the hype about? These are basically rib tips dipped in honey. Super tough, very dry and the sauce is honey with a hint of bbq. Presentation isn't anything special either by any means. I could go to any fast food place and get better quality. Lobster mac and cheese - One of my favorite things to order and I've had it at a handful of restaurants. This had no flavor at all, was more runny than cheesy and we found a whopping total of 3 pieces of lobster in our entire order. If you're used to good steakhouse mac and cheese, don't even bother. If you're used to good late night bar food mac and cheese, I still wouldn't bother. Truffle fries - great flavor, but incredibly soggy. Halfway through the basket down to the bottom was just crumbled pieces of fries that you had to use a fork to eat. Kale - really crunchy and not any flavor at all. All in all I wouldn't come back. Granted, I didn't try the steak, but that was on purpose. If I'm going to spend $150+ on dinner, I want to leave feeling satisfied. We spent $113 and felt like we got ripped off. Maybe it's because we're spoiled and eat out at some really great places so we're used to a higher quality of food, but I wouldn't recommend anyone dine here. Save your money and go to Gibson's for the environment and consistency or Capital Grille for a true steakhouse experience with out of this world food. You'll seriously laugh at how big of a difference there is if you were to try either of the above after dining at Benny's. I know we did, we went to Gibson's after for dessert and had better cocktails that took 3 minutes as opposed to 10, an engaging server that was very attentive and staff that ensured your water was topped off. We left feeling satisfied as opposed to Benny's where we left scratching our heads as to how this place has so many good reviews. My guess is it's primarily tourists or people who haven't had a chance to experience what Chicago steakhouses should be.
(1)
Jim K.
Best restaurant we've been to in a long time. Food is excellent - perfectly prepared. Service is brilliant - very attentive and professional. Expensive but for the combo.of food and service they offer - if any restaurant is worth it - this one is. Sit in the lounge area - the windows add a great deal to the atmosphere - doubt we would have enjoyed sitting in the dining room nearly as much.
(5)
Kari P.
Went to Benny's this past Sunday (Cinco de Mayo) for our 6 year anniversary and it was excellent. My husband and I tease each other that we act like an old man and woman for many reasons.....I proved this yet again because I made reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday night. Of course we were one of two tables at this time of the early night, which makes it a bit awkward when the amazing service the place provides has nothing else to do but wait on your table. Anywhoosee, we are not fancy people (quite the opposite, in fact) and this was not a problem. We both had jeans on, my husband had a short-sleeved button down and his brown Chuck's on his feet. He also has a very long beard. I did not have make up on (I prefer not to on weekends...too much getting ready during the week for work) and my hair was up in a bun. Neither one of us felt out of place and as the place became busier, I noticed many people dressed similar to us but also middle-age to older people with suits or 'business-casual'. We were not treated any differently either, which is always a plus in my book since I really dislike getting dolled up (as does the husband). I had made reservations a few days earlier via an online service and in the notes, I made a comment that it was our 6 year anniversary. I truly wasn't expecting anything because of this but threw it in there just in case. Benny's did not disappoint as they gave us a free glass of the best champagne I've ever had...not sure of the brand but it was not the typical Korbel cheap stuff. I believe the waiter did tell us the brand but if you read the above, you know we don't care and don't know any better. But being that we don't know any better and I thought this champs was better than I'd ever had, that should give something of a clue. Also, the top of the main menu was printed with "Happy 6 Year Anniversary". We thought that was a nice touch and they asked if we wanted to keep the menus. The food was so good. If I could afford to eat steak at a restaurant at least once per week, I would not get tired of the selection and taste from the options at Benny's. We also had the bone marrow and oysters rockefellar apps. I could east the bone marrow app every single day. I actually liked it better without the bread/toast that came with it (it was a bit too toasted for me). I noticed people ordering the huge $70.00 seafood app but I could tell it looked bigger and more impressive than it probably was as I was able to see a large lump of ice it was sitting on. We didn't order that though so I probably shouldn't even comment. Oh well. For sides, we had lobster risotto and grilled asparagus. The risotto was good...some large lumps of lobster in it, could probably do without as much bacon pieces on the top, but bacon is always good so now this is a run-on sentence. What else...that's about it. We were pleasantly surprised that our bill was well under $200.00 considering we each had a couple cocktails in addition to the champagne. I'd definitely go back and recommend steak lovers to go anytime.
(5)
Elyse D.
Dined here over Labor Day weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late in the evening, probably an hour before closing, and the staff was extremely nice and accommodating. Our server was super attentive and I especially liked that we weren't rushed at all. Great atmosphere and I had the best steak of my life! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago.
Best oyster happy hour in the city! No doubt. 25-cent oysters on Wednesdays. I haven't run into one cheaper than Benny's. Good, quality oysters too. Very impressed!
(5)
Teresa S.
Bobby, concierge #HotelPalomar suggested Benny's Chop House for birthday dinner. Erwin our server is 5 stars!!! Enjoyed 16 oz bone in rib-eye oscar style. Kale chips were incredible! Cucumber gin martinis de to perfection. Benny's is a true local Chicago steakhouse dining experience.
(5)
Hello M.
Great service, great atmosphere and even better steak. Although pricey, it was worth every cent. Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Doug M.
My wife and I had dinner here on a recommendation from our hotel concierge. Looking for a table relatively soon, we could only get into the lounge area. However the lounge was very nice, not too loud and with great views of the city. First off the drink service was very prompt. A good sign. Next, the steaks were excellent and it was nice to see a 7oz cut. Neither of us really need a half pound or more of steak. Perfectly prepared. Very pricey but worth it if you want to splurge.
(4)
Kevin M.
The food and service at Benny's was every bit of what we have come to expect from a solid steakhouse, and, thus, was top notch. The plethora of steak options via naturally fed vs traditionally fed, and dry vs wet aged options is a definite plus for anyone who enjoys a good cut of meat. Our steaks were cooked just as we ordered them, which was very refreshing because it's surprising how often reputable steakhouses overcook meat when the diner requests it on the rarer side. We ordered a rather standard array of sides and all were both flavorful and plentiful. The pours on our wine were healthy and the cocktails we ordered were strong. ....We will definitely come back!
(5)
Tom S.
Attended a wine tasting and dinner last night. Benny's did a nice job managing the wine tasting. We had a perfect table for our group at dinner 10 people round table. Service was what you would expect. Food was on par with any name steakhouse but nothing special. Wine list was a bit overpriced and overall dinner was expensive for what you get. I would go back if invited but wouldn't make it a must frequent location for steaks in Chicago b
(3)
Mary Ann C.
This is a great spot. Fantastic location, between Nordstrom and the Trump Hotel. We dined here for lunch today, and as it was a sunny day, we were lucky enough to sit in the bar, overlooking the street below. Not the best people watching, but certainly a pleasant option in the sleek bar. Our server was nice and adequate. She did not seem overly knowledgeable. For lunch, we had calamari, Benny's burger, and a steak sandwich. All were delicious. My favorite thing was the truffle fries. They are amazing. This is a pleasant restaurant with very good food!
(4)
Nancy K.
Beautiful bar and great ambiance. Lovely waiter who was extremely attentive. Very disappointed with the 20 oz Rib Eye. The steak was cooked to order (medium rare) but served cold and the texture was less than palatable. The side dishes were well prepared and had nice flavor but also served cold. Nice dessert menu but took almost as much time to serve as to prepare the main meal. Would not recommend as there are so many other steak restaurants to choose in Chicago.
(2)
Judy F.
While visiting Chicago, we met up with others at Benny's for a nice dinner. As usual, hubby and I arrived early, so we got a seat at the bar and ordered a couple of glasses of wine. The bartender was very funny and made jokes with my husband, which really made us comfortable. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very calming - nice, but not so much such that I felt out of place in my jeans and nice shirt. After being seated, the waitress was also very helpful and had a great personality. She told us a lot about the owners, the chef, and the menu to help us make decisions. I ordered a salad, steak, and kale. The salad was a simple house salad, but I was very happy to see that it was really made by them and had great ingredients. The steak was cooked exactly like I ordered it and was a good sized portion. It was also tender and quite easy to enjoy. The kale was the real surprise here for me - it was crispy and probably my favorite part of the main course. Well prepared and delicious. We did let ourselves be talked into ordering dessert, so hubby and I ordered carrot cake. I think that this could have fed the whole table - it was huge. We were only able to eat about 1/3 of it and ended up taking the rest back to the hotel and eating a little for breakfast (we still didn't finish it, though, it was that huge). This was a good place to enjoy company, as there is a hum of conversation around, but nothing overly loud.
(3)
arpan s.
I think tho is my favorite steak house in the city. I was very excited to go tere. Excited to eat. And excited when I left. It was what I expected. Parking was easy also. And they have valet. I ordered the surf and turf. Server knew a lot about the huge selection of wines they offered. Helped us pik a great one. I ordered the surf n turf. Loved it. And the sides. Very flavorful and quality meats. Can't wait to Go back.
(5)
Melanie S.
Sadly, I have to deduct a star from my previous review. As I mentioned, after a fantastic lunch at Benny's, I was anxious to return for dinner, and recently, I did just that. My boyfriend and I met some friends here for dinner on Saturday night. Our first stop was the bar while we waited for our table. We arrived at 6:30 and the bar had a nice crowd. After enjoying some drinks, we were shown to our table. The dining room was busy, which was a nice contrast to my previous visit at lunch. We sat down and the busboy immediately came over and offered me a black napkin in lieu of the standard white as I was wearing a black dress. I thought that was a nice touch, because who wants white lint all over their black clothing? The table we were given was right near the kitchen and busser's station, so we asked to move, and we were accommodated. This time, no offer was made to switch my napkin. Oh well. We got comfortable and menus and a wine list were brought. Our server came over a few minutes later but made no mention of drinks which was odd since two people in our party had finished off their cocktails in the bar area. We had to ask him for drinks after several minutes. We discussed appetizers while we were in the bar area so we all pretty much agreed what to order while we decided on our entrees. For our starters we chose carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, smoked salmon and steak tartare (even though the menu spelled it 'tartar', as in tartar sauce). We all enjoyed the appetizers, especially the carpaccio, but agreed that Joe's does better oysters Rockefeller. Next up we ordered our main courses and sides, which we would all get to taste: A filet, veal chop, bone-in ribeye, and a Benny's duo, which was a porterhouse. For sides, we chose sauteed mushrooms, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. We were disappointed that there were no au gratin potatoes or a double baked on the menu as I found their potato choices a little boring. Everything was good, but other than the filet, nothing was a standout. We all agreed that the filet was one of the best we tasted. I tend to not order filets as they can very often be bland, but this one was the most flavorful one I've ever tasted. The bone-in ribeye was on the thin side and doesn't hold a candle to Joe's. After we finished our entrees, my friend ordered another bottle of wine, which she was the only one drinking as the rest of us were finishing a different bottle. She had about half a glass left when she ordered it and knew she wouldn't be finishing so she made sure to ask if they could recork and package the leftover wine and they said they could. Desserts were ordered: strawberry shortcake and praline doughnuts. I loved the shortcake on my previous visit and it was just as good the second time. I didn't try the doughnuts but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. At this point my friend had been waiting a good 30 minutes for her wine and had to track down the server who said he wasn't sure she still wanted it since she still had a couple of sips left and we were concluding our meal. I'm not sure what the miscommunication was since my friend still clearly wanted it. In the end, she said she still wanted it, but the server potentially blew a pricey sale. The dinner was good, but for the same prices, I think the service and food at Joe's is much better. It seemed like there were a lot of people working the dining room, but the service didn't necessarily commensurate. There were periods of long delays as well as a few missteps in service, and at these price points, I think that's unreasonable. For lunch I gave this 4 stars; for dinner, it's 3, so it averages out to a solid 3.5 stars.
(3)
Jim M.
replaced a reservation for 3 forks with this one and were delighted! food, service ambiance all wonderful, steaks (NY strip and filet) were both done to perfection, will definitely come again
(5)
Kyle P.
I come here for lunch about once a month and really dig the atmosphere and the burgers and fries. It isn't on the best in the city but it is quality for a good price and I have had the steaks and wine and again they are very good but not great or perfect. I do love the service though and there is a great waiter at lunch and bar manager I can't remember her name but she is great as well
(4)
J. M.
Came to Benny's for an event. I have to say the steak was AMAZING... like "butta" I don't know how they do it but they do it well.... I'd say this is a perfect setting for a romantic date for any carnivore couple. Impressive. Even met Benny! Yes, apparently there is an actual Benny, I was surprised to. Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)
Paul R.
Great food and great service. Visiting for 2 days and this was a great place to grab a drink, lunch, and some great recommendation's from the staff.
(4)
Ken S.
Went there to celebrate my Father's Birthday(68) with our family. Kids 7 & 9 were present. We had a wonderful meal. Great service. Never once felt rushed to leave on a Saturday night. Loved the atmosphere. The kids were treated nicely as well. Would recommend this to anyone. Great experience! Bacon App was decent. It's more like Pork Belly than Bacon.
(5)
Tony M.
Very good job by the host in taking care of the party. We had about 10 people and some were more demanding than others. However, the app we had before the entree was huge. Full of lobster, shrimp, and snow crab it was more food than we needed. Good atmosphere and great wait staff. I would recommend it to you if you in Chicago.
The service was good and the food was also good. Not the best filet I've ever had but it was very good. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because we were there with a large party and when we asked to separate the bill they acted as if we had just killed a member of their family. Because of the server acting like a baby over the separation of the bill I will not be returning. There are 100's of other steak restaurants in Chicago with food that is just as good that treat there customers respectfully and have no problem separating the bill.
(3)
Eric B.
Was in Chicago for St. Paddy's weekend and looking for a place to eat dinner Friday night. Most of the places I wanted to try were all booked, so I basically just found something within walking distance of my hotel that took reservations. Benny's ended up being a great find. The food up and down was mostly excellent; the mac and cheese was amazing. Blue cheese croquettes were not quite what I hoped, but decent I guess. Also love a place that serves straight up bacon as an appetizer (although we didn't try it). Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable...when she was around. She seemed to disappear for large amounts of time. It took at least 20-30 mins for her to finally come back to take our food order. Not sure if she was stretched thin or what. I'd definitely recommend this place. It has an old school steakhouse vibe and has a decent location. Also the people watching is....interesting.
(4)
Bob D.
In town for the Stadium Series. The Bone in rib eye was fantastic. Server was very good and the Bisque was outrageously good. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Lizz M.
Hello and welcome to every Yelpie's favorite week: Restaurant Week. Came here for lunch today with a friend. We were promptly greeted by two hostesses out front and taken to our seats. $22 for a soup or salad, entree and dessert. Don't mind if I do. I had the potato, leek and pesto soup which was perfectly seasoned and had a velvety texture. I could have eaten this soup all day and am already planning on how to recreate it at home. For the entree we had the option between butternut squash risotto, red snapper or a filet with duck fat fries and a glorious, glorious mushroom and wine sauce. I think you can tell which one I got. The portions were perfect, and the dish also came with a small bunch of arugula, which cut the heaviness of the filet perfectly. Lastly, dessert. My dining companion and I thought we had a choice between two items, but it turns out you got a deconstructed banana cream pie, mini creme brulee and chocolate mousse with marshmallows. Seriously delicious. Left (SO) full and happy. As my friend put it, "I want to snuggle the chef" because good lord, what a perfect meal! And our waiters were all friendly, attentive and wonderful.
(5)
David W.
Food-very good. Price-high. Service-mediocre. Value for money? Lots of places to get a great meal in the city. This one would stack up if the service was better.
(3)
Morris N.
Classy decor, excellent service. You can ask anyone walking by and they will accommodate you not like most places where you get the standard response, let me get your server so I give them five stars for service. Food was amazing. For appetizers we had the calamari, house cured maple glazed bacon and even tried the bone marrow. Entree was bone-in ribeye and sides of asparagus and mash potatoes. Wine list was extensive. I tried the Justin cab which was great with the steak. It is pricey so expect to drop around $150 per person.
(5)
Brittany Z.
Went here for my mom's birthday last week and I can happily say it's by far one of the best restaurants in the city. Hands down. Service? Top Notch. Our waitress was phenomenal and the sommelier recommended my new favorite wine. Food? OMG. Amongst the table we ordered: calamari, the crab cake, maple bacon, rib eyes, the skirt steak, the new york strip, and a filet. For sides we had fries, carrots, brussell sprouts, and mashed potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection and melted in our mouth. Blah, blah, blah it was amazing. Ambiance? Lovely. I love, love, loved, the dark decor and amber lighting. It wasn't too loud and I didn't find it hard to hold a conversation. Bonus: Surprise Happy Birthday Smores dessert for my Mom complete with candle. Adorbs. P.S. The creme brulee is good as well. Bottom Line. Go, just go.
(5)
Samantha W.
We had originally planned to visit another steakhouse when visiting this past weekend, but when we realized it wasn't open on Sundays, we ventured to Benny's instead. I am glad we made the switch. Service and food were great. Our server (who only identified himself as the sommelier) was very pleasant to talk to (we discussed, at length, about the joys of bacon), had a wealth of knowledge about how each of the steaks were prepared and cooked, and was spot on with his meal recommendations. I had one of the specials, a Cajun-style Tenderloin with bacon & onion reduction and garlic potatoes. I like my meat dead, so I had it cooked Medium Well and it had a great char on the outside but was still incredibly tender. Far from shoe leather. The potatoes were good and came in a generous portion. My boyfriend (who's hard to impress when it comes to food, let alone steak) ordered his Wet Aged Rib Eye Double Rare and, while the server took some liberties and switched it to Blue, he loved it. Server also took some liberties with the whiskey BF ordered since they didn't have regular Jameson, but again was spot on. For dessert, we figured we'd share the S'mores Cheesecake. It was delicious but I definitely could've/should've ordered my own. It's not massive like the Chocolate Layer Cake. Restaurant was lovely. Great mix of customers, young and old -- not an overly stuffy atmosphere like I was expecting.
(5)
Megan K.
Benny's, you never displease me when it comes to a classic American steakhouse. I've been to Benny's around five times over the last two years for work dinners as well as for a very nice date out, and I've never had an unpleasant experience. The ambiance is spot on, the service is great and fairly consistent, and the steaks are incredible. All of these items are crucial to a great steakhouse experience, which is why I keep coming back to Benny's over the other offerings in the city (ie Mortons, Gibsons, G&G, etc). My boyfriend and I came here for a Thursday night dinner last night, and we had a great experience. We made a reservation (which is a must and incredibly easy through opentable.com ) for 6pm and the restaurant was just kicking off the evening. We were promptly seated and given a wine menu to look over. Once we made our selection from their large and impressive list, we were asked if we wanted it decanted, which was a nice touch. They brought the decanter over in a matter of minutes and poured two glasses of wine for us while the dinner specials were explained and while we looked over the menu. We had a few questions about some of the sides, which our server effectively answered. After hemming and hawing over what sides we wanted, we finally came to the following conclusion: 1) Appetizer: House Cured and Cut Bacon: I would give this a 4/5 when it comes to bacon. It was thick cut, the right amount of fat to meat ratio, salty and sweet (due to the maple glaze), and it had a great smoky flavor to it. It was pan seared and then grilled, so the flavor profile was fantastic. Also, the portion was HUGE, we both had two very large pieces of bacon that were a meal in and of itself. I'd recommend this appetizer for a larger party, or as a side to your steaks. Although, if you have a large appetite, you could easily devour this as a precursor to the savory steaks. 2) Steaks: We both went with the dry aged bone in New York strip. This is one of the most solid steaks I've had at Benny's, besides the bone in Filet Mignon, and it always hits the mark. The seasonings they use in the dry aging is fantastic and the bone in really makes the steak juicy and flavorful. We got our steaks medium, which was great, but the medium rare presentation of this steak is to die for as it's just more flavorful that way. 3) Sides: This is the reason for knocking off a star, I'm never pleased with the sides here. They're good... just not great. We decided to get the Blue Cheese Croquettes which were essentially thin cut potatoes stuffed with blue cheese, baked, topped with more blue cheese and potatoes, and then baked again. I love blue cheese, but this cheese was really dry, which was a great contrast with the steak, but just not outstanding on their own. I liked them more as the meal went on, but they were still just "meh" in my book. We also got a broccoli/kale type vegetable as a side that was topped with Parmesan, and this was also very lackluster. It was pretty bitter (due to the kale influence) and just hard to cut and eat without looking like a slob. Not a huge fan. 4) Dessert: Chocolate Layer Cake. Need I even go into more detail with this one? It was exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse--huge portions and pumped full of deliciousness. The cake came out cold, which for some reason I'm normally not a fan of cold cake, but it was fantastic! It was rich, but not too sweet, and tasted very dark chocolaty. We managed to put away about 2/3 of this bad boy before raising the white flag. I'll definitely be back to Benny's when I'm willing to splurge a little bit (nearly $300 for a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two steaks, two sides, and a dessert) but it is a fantastic meal that's worth it every now and then for a special occasion. Benny's is spot on with the pacing of the meal, so you never feel rushed or wonder when the next course is coming out. Well done (even though you NEVER want to hear these words uttered in relation to steak) Benny's, well done.
(4)
Nancy K.
Read a lot of different reviews of steakhouses in Chicago and decided to try Benny's Chop House for my birthday dinner. I was not disappointed! I love a good rib eye steak and the one I had at Benny's was absolutely fantastic! Cooked to my liking, I enjoyed every bite. Started with Benny's chowder (excellent), rib eye steak, bake potato and finished with the totally awesome banana cream pie! The service was a class act all the way, with greetings at the door and all waite staff. Our server Erwin was absolutely wonderful...thank you! He is not pushy or forgetful, but very attentive and professional. It was a great dining experience. Looking forward to dining at Benny's again. Ps thanks Erwin for the extra "birthday surprise"! Nancy
(5)
Kenneth F.
Yelp... you need to include ZERO STARS... we didn't get to the dinner part... We sat and had a drink before dinner and the hostess was lovely, our cocktail waitress was cute and cheery, so we thought everything's on track - WRONG!!! I ordered a $12 Bulleit Rye on the rocks with a twist and we had a nice time listening to some just ok, karaoke style singer.. ok, she was good and it's Chicago so some live music was in order... We get ready to be seated and we get the bill and magically the $12 Bulleit Rye is .... drumroll..... $14 ... really wtf??? I ask the waitress who looked at me like oh this is how we roll in Chicago... "well sir, (still very cheery and polite) when you order the drink with ice or on the rocks, its usually a larger pour..." hmmm really, yeah, never heard of this before.. ... just an FYI... $2 isn't going to break me; it's the principle! Tell us it's $14 and I would have still ordered it... or tell me it's $14 on the rocks - ok, but don't play fast and loose on the menu... where are the asterisks? Ok, So I stop to talk the manager Mitchell, another nice chap - see everyone is really cheery when the commit larceny (sic) - he said the same thing... when you order on the rocks it's a larger pour.... just like when you order a Martini up it's a bigger pour... I said, oh ok, I get it... where does it say this for us non Chicago morons.. where on the menu does it explain this... He looked at me mater of factly and said: "it doesn't sir..." So by this time my wife was seated, and I asked the lovely hostess to kindly get her and that we were leaving... Mitchell didn't know what was wrong and I told him, I didn't want to mistakenly ask for bread and butter or a glass of water "on the rocks" and be charged additional for it...
(1)
Dana L.
Awesome wine list Great food and the service was great
(5)
Elle C.
I want to love Benny's. I want to love it so much that I keep coming back, but I don't and... This will be my last time. The steak I had tonight... 60$ ribeye. Had no char. Came out over, sent it back and it came out gristly, colorless, and damn near flavorless. The service is always subpar. I wish I could say this was a first, but I've had several less than stellar meals here (for upwards of 250 each). :( I wanted to love you Benny's... But now I can't come back.. Not even for oysters..
(2)
Kerry C.
When you are paying this much for drinks and food, you expect superior service and meals. Benny's delivered. The wine list was eye-bugging expensive but their choices were superb. I'm a vegetarian and had a wonderful time with plenty of choices. My boyfriend said it was the best meal of his life (house cured bacon that "melts in your mouth" and bone in rib-eye). My parents are pretty picky and have had their share of nice meals and both said it was one of their best meals in the city. And they live here. Wonderful service- not stuffy, very knowledgeable and fun. Great meal, great time.
(5)
Andrew B.
Note this is a review of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and oyster appetizer at a steakhouse; if I were reviewing the steak I suspect this would be a 5/5. Hit up Benny's for their Thanksgiving day dinner, for lunch, with the foreknowledge that I'd also be hitting Chicago Q with GrubWithUs for dinner. Great service! Very attentive, very polite. Great atmosphere. Quiet even after the crowds started filling up tables. Decent turkey -- had an odd sliver of bone hidden in my slices of turkey that was a bit disappointing, not to mention unpleasant to choke on. We had a dozen oysters as an appetizer; they were ok, but the liquor seemed more like ice water to me than a salty oyster liquor. The oyster meat was also not pre-separated from the shells. My dining companion thought they were decent; maybe I'm just spoiled by a recent trip to GT that I need to repeat soon. The cocktail and mignonette sauces Benny serves with their oysters were good, but maybe a bit strong -- perhaps to make up for the mild-flavored oyster meat and liquor. The butternut squash soup that came as part of the dinner was quite good. The wedge salad I ordered separately was a nice variation on a wedge -- it was actually heart of iceberg rather than wedge. The creamy bleu cheese dollops were an excellent compliment to the grape? cherry? tomatoes and bacon bits. And the tomatoes were 100% good, nothing sour, nothing underripe, nothing borderline -- rare anywhere I go, especially once out of season for tomatoes. The mashed potatoes were ok. The sweet potatoes were a bit disappointing. Definitely intend to go back and hit up the steak menu sooner than later; will review again.
(3)
Sarah S.
Food was good, as was ambience. Service exceeded expectations. Caesar salad too much dressing. Shrimp special appy, too much seaweed. TBone to share, cooked and seasoned perfectly, but a few bites were tough. Highlight of evening was our Kosta Browne Pinot Noir.
(3)
Peter K.
I go here about once a month for lunch. They have an awesome burger that comes with truffle fries for only $10!!! For my money its one of the beast deals in the city. You can easily spend $15 - $20 downtown and not get half as good a burger. I have tried other things on the menu and they have been ok. Nothing really stands out other than the burgers and tacos. The menu gets expensive once you veer off the path of lunch time sandwiches. I have been there for a couple of work functions and got a steak which was done nicely, I also had one of the best, if not THE best Cesar Salad there. I'd recommend if you are in the area, however if you are looking for TOP FLIGHT steakhouses; this is in the top 10, but NOT in the top 5
(3)
Christopher R.
This is my favorite steak house in the city. One of the few places to offer natural, dry, or wet aged steaks, Benny's will surely have the cut for you. I usually go for the natural bone in ribeye with truffle mashed! They also have a fantastic wine program and a great selection of scotch. They also have live music in the bar on some nights as well as a private dining room if needed.
(5)
B B.
Best steak EVER. Expensive but worth every penny. Attentive and knowledgable staff, and most importantly, fabulous steak!!!
(5)
Amelia S.
This meal was worth every penny. Great meal and great service, everything was perfect from start to finish. I can't wait to come back and try the seafood tower.
(5)
Evan A.
I went to Benny's last night for my birthday dinner and it was everything that you look for from a high end steakhouse. The server was knowledgeable and attentive but not overbearing. Stiff drinks. The decor was pretty nice. Not amazing, but classic vibe. The food was awesome. I had the dry aged ribeye and tried my mom's lamb chops and dad's wet aged natural rib eye. All were incredible but I liked mine the best. Also had oysters which were very fresh, crispy kale and sorbet. It came out to about $100 a person with drinks, which is pricey but there really were no complaints.
(5)
Mar R.
I went there for the first time last week on my bday.. I loved how we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant, I got special bday menu ( I loved it) I got steak with lobster it was really good.. Loved the place super romantic . Will definitely go there again ..
(5)
Gabe P.
The food was good, the deserts are gigantic. One serving is enough for the whole family. However when you consider the high price of the food I do not think it was worth it. I had the ribeye mr and it was good but not $100 dollars good and the sides and salad were of average quality, not what you would expect when you drop this kind of money.
(3)
Faith H.
My mom's birthday was this week, and she said she wanted to try out Benny's. The service was great. We got seated right away, and our server, Kirsten, was fantastic. She went over the menu in great detail and was able to answer all of our questions. We never felt rushed. Plus, she gets bonus points for wishing my mom a happy birthday (and giving her a special commemorative menu to take home with her name on it). The food and drinks were awesome. I ordered a specialty cocktail called the State Escape...kind of tasted like a minty mimosa. But, of course, the steak was the star of the show. I opted for a filet mignon. My mom had the same, while my dad had the prime rib and my fiance ordered the surf and turf. We also had three sides to share, which were all delicious -- spinach, seasonal mushrooms and truffle mashed potatoes. We ordered a few desserts to share, which were delicious as well -- carrot cake (which was HUGE), berry cobbler and creme brulee. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm not a big meat eater, but this place was so delicious, and I would definitely come back!
(5)
Caroline M.
After 8+ visits, I can say that I truly adore Benny's. Every visit has been consistently wonderful, from the service to their tasty offerings. I really enjoy just sitting at the bar or at a hightop in the lounge. It's a very conversation friendly atmosphere, which I appreciate. Perfect for lengthy girl chats. Next time you're downtown and looking to have a stellar evening, consider Benny's. It's the perfect place to relax, imbibe, and converse.
(5)
Josh V.
I have a "Burger To Do List" compiled from three separate Best Burger in Chicago(land) lists. I haven't been very diligent at working on it, so last Friday on my company's "Spring day" holiday (when it was about 30 degrees) I decided to knock one off the ol' list. Hurray for progress! After careful consideration, I went with Benny's as it is a) walking distance from home and b) the burger is allegedly only on their lunch menu, so I wasn't going to accomplish this task during dinner. Benny's is a bit off the beaten path, tucked away on Wabash between Illinois & Hubbard, so that may hurt its business a bit. When I arrived between 12:30 & 1:00 on Friday, it was fairly dead. There were a handful of people in the bar area, and there didn't seem to be a lot of tables occupied. That's a shame. I got a seat at the bar and zeroed in on the burger section of the lunch menu. They had a few options, and I was torn between two of them. Not sure which way to go, I asked the bartender for help. She said the Fried Egg and Truffle Aioli Burger (with black-pepper bacon fries) was her favorite. OK, sold! While waiting for my food, I'll take a moment to describe the space. The restaurant is relatively new, and it looks good. The bar area was large and open, with plenty of seating at the bar and tables, and big windows on two sides. The decor was classy and not overdone. The bar was bright during the day, but the main dining room looked pretty dark. Ah, my burger is here! Time to dig in. Oh look, the fries are served in a little metal frying basket! How cute. OK, this burger is big (10 oz my sources tell me, though it doesn't say so on the menu). And there is an egg sitting atop it. Having learned my lesson trying to eat a burger with an egg at a different Burger List establishment, I cut this one in half and let the yolk run down before digging in. Wow, this burger is GOOD! It seemed to be cooked a bit shy of the medium I requested, but not enough for me to send it back. Anyway, the toppings and the burger worked hand-in-hand to create an amazing taste experience. The truffle aioli certainly packed a flavor punch, but it didn't overshadow the meat. I can't say this is the best burger I've had in my life, but it was certainly the best I've had in recent memory. I think it (barely) beats out the Gage Burger, while being a few dollars cheaper in an equally nice environment. One minor problem was that the bottom bun didn't hold up well to a juicy, egg-topped burger and got soggy fast. The plentiful, thick-cut fries were also tasty, though I didn't really catch much bacon flavor. The whole meal was more than enough food. I'd only eaten a bowl of cereal, hours earlier, and I couldn't finish the fries. The bartender was efficient and helpful. She was friendly, but didn't have much time for chit chat as she was covering the whole bar area. I know my next burger should come from a different spot on my list, but it will be tough to not just go back here. Benny's has raised the burger bar and those other places on my list better bring their A game when I get to them!
(5)
Meg X.
I've always wanted to try this place out so my friend and I went when he was doing his Chicago staycation. It's pricey as hell, and since we got there before 6 we could only sit in the bar. They didn't have the rum I like (Bacardi) but the waitress was very nice and checked to see what other clear rum they had. We ordered the blue cheese croquets as an appetizer instead of a side and she was very accommodating about it. The steaks were way out of our price range so we both got pasta. I got the rigatoni, which was completely decent. I wasn't really impressed with the place overall, except for the croquets. Great service, though.
(3)
LOIS B.
This place is a winner. Ambiance is highly desirable. Crisp white table cloths, OUTSTANDING service, and an outstanding wine recommendation from our waiter made for a wonderful meal. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. All desserts are made daily and then the pastry chef gets creative and offers a special of the day. Our cheesecake with lemon curd and blueberry topping was ............... to die for. Oh, and for Restaurant week ~ they have decided to offer their special for lunch, 3 courses for $22. It is offered daily, through the month of February. This is a GREAT deal.
(5)
Donna L.
What a great experience! Everything from the service to the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so comfortable and romantic enough for two, but open enough for families. A great place for all ages. We had the corner booth seated right away. Very enlightening waiter with suggestions and education about the specialty cuts of steak. Oysters Rockefeller appetizer were amazing. Mixed with spinach and cheese perfectly. Also started with the Benny's chowder which was a nice blend of seafood and veggies. Entree was a the bone-in ribeye seared halfway between medium and medium-rare. Mouthwatering and delicious. Enjoyed the succulent steak with the truffled mashed potatoes and mac and cheese which were fantastic and way more then enough for the two of us. Dessert was thee best part. Banana cream pie and chocolate pudding cake were our picks and both were so heavenly and decadent. Simple yet satisfying. I have to say overall this place was fantastic in more than just the trendy way like the other steakhouses around. I like a better more comfortable atmosphere rather than a dark swanky wannabe place.
(5)
Allen B.
Dear Benny, I just wanted to write you some words of endearment, straight from the heart via the stomach. Though we had only met once, I felt that our time spent together was magical. From the moment our eyes met over a glass of Jamesons, I knew that I had fallen hard for you. Your thinly sliced Carpaccio that I enjoyed at the bar while being welcomed with free drinks from the hosts due to the wait, melted on my tongue and at the same time............ melted my heart. The way your 16oz filet mignon danced around my table accompanied with your special friends, Ms. Hand-cut French Fries and Ms. Sauteed Garlic Spinach put my soul at a blissful eaze. The impeccable customer service by all of your staff was indoubtebly, must I quote the passionate words of wisdom by Drake?.... "....the BEST I've ever had." We will meet again Benny, I gaurantee it. Just please make sure your arms are open wide as I will then run into them without hesitation and with an empty stomach. I love you Benny's Chop House, remember that always. Hugs & Kisses, Allen B.
(5)
Trina J.
The menu was pretty limited and they were out of most items. I enjoyed the items I selected but they were not life changing. Worth a try but not at the top of my list
(3)
lisa l.
Went to Chicago to celebrate the Mister's 50th birthday and on the recommendation of the concierge landed at Benny's. WOW, WOW, WOW! The service, the food, the ambiance...OUTSTANDING!!! The only negative was the weak cocktail in the lounge...could have been better, but the very friendly wait staff more than made up for it. I ordered a salad with the best white balsamic dressing ever. Followed by an incredible filet mignon and sweet, delicious lobster tail...thought I died and went to heaven with each bite.
(5)
Maisha R.
Benny's Chophouse was a great choice for dinner. Dining with a nice-sized group in a private room, we started with the fried calamari, house cured bacon and mushroom flatbread. While they were all good, the bacon was clearly the stand out! It was sweet, fatty and salty. How could it get any better? Appetizers were followed by the endive salad with walnuts, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette and I chose the ribeye for my main dish. It was flavorful, a hearty portion, cooked perfectly and other than wishing it was a bit more tender, thoroughly enjoyable. The shared side dishes were well...asides. The crispy kale was actually pretty good but the lobster mac and cheese and the broccoli with cheese weren't as good as I'd hoped. I had the s'mores cheesecake which didn't exactly taste how I'd imagined it might based on the waiter's description but I was so full by that point that after a couple of bites, I couldn't have eaten anymore anyway.
(4)
Sahar M.
Food and service were great. We tried Benny's burger, bacon, truffle fries and oysters. Everything was delicious. Drinks are grrat, we had Mexican mule and it had generous amount of alcohol (tequila) in it. This how the drinks should be. We loved it! I didn't get a chance to get the bartender's name. He was amazing. Polite, crafty, well mannered and focused on the clients. We asked fir his recommendations, and they were all amazing. Plus, since our burger took more time than usual to be on the table, our bartender sent bacon for free to us. He was great!!!! I wish I knew his name.
(4)
Gary R.
This is the best restaurant that is owned and operated by Benny the Bull. That guy must be so busy with all of his Chicago Bulls commitments, and owning this place. Keep in mind that its the large (possibly obese) Benny we're talking about here. Not the more atheletic "Da Bull." Regardless, the restaurant was quite good. Went for lunch. Had a cheeseburger. It was a quality cheeseburger, possibly made from some of Benny himself. I could tell the meat was from high quality artisans and top ranked butchers. The service was very attentive. The server actually gave me his business card upon the completion of the meal, which was a first. I wasn't sure if that was so that I could email him and tell him what happend to the food once I had consumed it? Lucky for him, I entered him into a drawing to win a free sub at Quiznos. The burgers are good. Didn't love the Kobe Beef carpacio. I imagine Benny doesn't like Kobe anyway, so he probably didn't spend much time on that dish.
(4)
Sbh H.
Excellent food! Steak, salads and sides are delicious. Service a tad slow, but they try to not rush you through dinner. We enjoyed!
(5)
Jayci G.
Down to Earth wait staff, deeelicious meal! Go sit at the bar and talk to Diedra...she's incredible!
(5)
Ayca M.
This was easily the best steak I've ever had. I wanted to take my hubs to a nice steak dinner, and when I did some research, Benny's Chop House came up as a Chicago favorite. I'd never heard of it, but we decided to try it out. When I called to make reservations, they asked if there was a special occasion, which I hadn't expected. I told them my husband had just completed his MBA, and that he had also just accepted a job offer. When we arrived, the host offered his congratulations to my husband, which was a nice surprise. A couple minutes after being seated and greeted by our waiter, Kevin, we noticed that our menus said "Congratulations" as well! My husband and I both ordered a glass of wine, grilled asparagus, salads, and two different kinds of steak. Both of ours were out of this world. I'm *very* picky about steak, but there was not a single bite left on my plate after I was done with my meal. We ordered desert as well, which was also very good. Both of us left our meal feeling super content and our bellies were so happy. We accidentally forgot to take our menu with us (they said we could), so they saved a copy for me and I went back a couple weeks later to pick it up. Our waiter was very helpful, everyone was friendly, and the food was superb. We couldn't have asked for a better experience! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)
Jessica C.
Service, Food, and Atmosphere are all on point ! Def one the top steakhouses in Chicago.
(5)
Chris B.
Stopped in for lunch. Great food, friendly staff. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)
Jim B.
An average steak house that can't make up it's mind if it's tragically hip or simply upscale. We were going to go to Gene & Georgettis but opted on Benny's. We were greeted nicely and our waiter Kevin seemed to have a nice sense of humor. We ordered and the shrimp cocktail was good, the wedge salad was good and then, and then, well nothing for a while. I know they had to fillet our sole, but it was a stretch in time. Then they didn't bring out the correct sides. They gave us lobster risotto (which we didn't order), that was above average, but none of the veggies that we had ordered. They got my buddy's spinach eventually but I thought we had been forgotten. We ordered dessert, again my buddy got his brandy in a timely fashion, but my coffee would come out as dessert was being served. Again there was a sizable gap in service and time. The food was good and the service started out good, but at the end of the meal there a 100 other places within a 6 block radius that has better service and comparable food.
(3)
Peter M.
$16 martini.....you must be kidding.....never going back.
(1)
Craig B.
Sorry Yelp'ers. OVER-RATED. The food was good. But frankly it should be. It's $45 for a steak, and that means good food is a given, so no extra credit there. Skip the house salad; a messy chopped salad too busy to be called a "house salad". The blue cheese chunks in the Wedge deserve special mention however. What killed it for me was the over-sell by the waiter. Did you know his personal favorite is the crab meat and asparagus topped filet. Of course it is! Oh, and the chilled seafood tower is perfect for five. Duh. And did I mention the Wagu beef is also the best steak I ever had. Who would have thought? Spare me the hard sell Benny. This ain't no Applebee's, and I didn't bring my clients so that they could get a steak from a used car salesman. Not impressed.
(2)
Kimberly B.
DELICIOUS. We wanted to eat somewhere fancy during our trip here and just had to try this place after reading some of the reviews. There was no wait when we got there around 8pm and were immediately seated. Our server was wonderful and very prompt with our requests. I ordered their 8 oz. petit filet mignon and the husband ordered a rib-eye and filet mignon combo. We shared mashed potatoes and cream of spinach as our sides, which is more than enough! I think we could've done just one side because we were stuffed. It took a little bit longer for our food to come out (even though it didn't seem like a big deal because we kept munching on their delicious bread) but our server presented to us free champagne on the house anyway. Everything was absolutely delicious, and I recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a great-tasting steak during their stay in Chicago.
(5)
Keith R.
Benny's is conveniently located about a block from Trump Tower were we were staying so we thought we would give it a try. We normally eat at Joe's steakhouse when in Chicago but wanted to try someplace different on this trip. We should have stuck with Joe's. It's not the place was bad but our overall experience was lacking. We made our reservations last minute on open table with no problem getting a 7:00 seating. We arrived on time and was immediately seated. It was just my wife and I for dinner. The waiter sent over the sommelier to help with the wine selection. We normally go for California Cabs but he insisted we try a Washington selection after we gave him our favorite cabs we normally drink. We did agree to the wine he selected but for $275.00 we were expecting to love it. We were very disappointed. We told him it was just ok and not crazy with the finish. For dinner we ordered the filet and my wife got the lobster. Both were cooked correctly but just tasted ok. I was expecting a better tasting meat. For sides we ordered mac and cheese, sweet potato, roasted Brussels sprouts and Rigatoni pasta. Yes we tried them all. The best were the rigatoni and Brussels sprouts. We loved both. The worst was the mac and cheese they just not very special. We finished dinner with a banana cream pie. It was delicious. We could only eat half of the serving. When the bill arrived the sommelier took $40.00 off the wine without us asking for it. That was a nice jester but for what we paid for the bottle he could have switched it out when we tasted it. On our next trip back to Chicago I think we will just stick with Joe's. We eaten there over 10 times and have never been let down.
(3)
Lester A.
My wife coudln't stop talking about this place when she ate here late last year so of course I had high expectations. We came here with two of our friends that she came with the last time she ate here so I was the rookie at Benny's. This place met and exceeded all those expectations by dessert. We ordered a dozen west coast oysters, blue cheese croquettes and calamari to start. If the appetizers were a sign of what's to come for dinner then I was ready because everything was amazing. We all ordered the bone-in ribeye and had the seasoned mushrooms and sauteed garlic spinach for sides. The best bone-in ribeye I ever had. I could see what my wife was talking about, food so good you smile as you chew. The sauteed spinach was really good but the seasoned mushrooms were just ok, looked like they came out of a can. For dessert we ordered the carrot cake and chocolate souflee. I'm not a big fan of that much chocolate but the souflee was really good, I enjoyed the souflee much more than the carrot cake. Carrot cake was too sweet for me. We only finished half of the carrot cake and asked them to box it up for us and we're not sure if it was a mistake or not but when we got back to our friend's place there was a whole slice of carrot cake in the box. Score! For as much as we paid, the food was well worth it. Quite the dining experience.
(5)
Tiffany K.
I rounded up a group of friends and had a super late lunch during restaurant week. I ordered from the restaurant week menu. It was ok. I started off with the spinach salad that was topped with 2 strips of bacon and a poached egg. That was all right. dover sole with leeks and almond bread pudding with butter. presentation was nice but i did not know what went with what as everything was separate on the plate. that was all right. at last, dessert! i had the chocolate souffle. mmmm! i love chocolate. it was warm, gooey and tasty. Our server was helpful and kind. The restaurant is very upscale, clean and bright. I was a little disappointed because I've heard so many great things about Bennys! Sadly, I didn't order any drinks. BUT if you're ever ordering drinks at the bar, look for Crystal the bartender (we used to work together and she makes some meannnn drinks!) and tell her Tiffany sent ya. ;) I'm definitely going to come back, order from the regular menu and grab a few drinks. =) As you know.. the restaurant week menus can be a hit or miss.
(3)
Andres R.
I came to Benny's while on a business trip in Chicago. I've eaten at the Morton's, Fleming's, and Smith & Wollensky's across the country; Benny's kicks their butt top to bottom. Our waiter was extremely attentive and sociable. I had the Benny's ribeye (I've never had anything this good for $30 - fantastic value), along with the sauteed mushrooms and spinach. The sommelier - dressed in a flashy (but cool) suit and bowtie - recommended a great malbec. Overall great experience and would return!
(5)
Dan K.
Gotta say, this was a terrific steak house. Actually, I'd give it four-and-a-half stars. The bone-in ribeye was delicious. I asked for it medium rare but well-charred on the outside and that was delicious! My wife had the standard medium-rare, and while she's not a regular beefeater, she devoured the whole affair! We had a wonderful dessert: a very rich cinnamon-caramel apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream that was to die for. The service was excellent. While the restaurant says it's dressy, many people (myself included) were wearing much more casual dress, given the heat and humidity outside. Everyone here seemed to really enjoy themselves. I'd certainly recommend this place.
(4)
DeeJay O.
Coat service? you know you're about to have a good dining experience. Our server was Kevin and he was really cool and friendly. The food was fantastic. I had the 2 cut Rib Eye (bone out) and man, it was melting in my mouth. The towels/napkins in the bathroom had a "B" etched onto them, which told me "you're out of your element....." Danny.....lol but still, extremely top notch service,...they folded my napkin everytime I got up and left my seat. They accomodated our delay in our reservation schedule (after waiting 1 1/2 hours at McCormick Place for a taxi) and seated us immediately. Overall, this was a good place to eat after a long days work.
(4)
Jeff R.
We dined at Benny's last evening with our family and friends and stated simply, enjoyed a perfect meal! The ambiance was refined but not stuffy, the service was professional but not overbearing, and the steaks were just about the best we have all ever had: flavorful, prepared to our specifications and joined by the best crispy kale in the world. I know, it's kale, but it was really worth mentioning. We capped the meal with 2 great chocolate desserts. All in all, a great night!
(5)
Karen M.
I live next to this restaurant and like the food a lot. The service is pretty good. The restaurant is nice and formal. The bar is fun with a couple of TVs to keep my husband busy w his games and me happy with yummy food. It can be pricey but food is good.
(4)
Eden O.
was in chicago for work and was looking for a good steakhouse. gibson's was booked and bennys was close. let me start by saying the service was extremely attentive, borderline stalker for me. but im sure some people like this? is it wrong that overly nice people get on my nerves? the waiter was helpful and picked what each of us would like based on our appearance, luckily for him, he ordered perfectly (i think this couldve easily backfired). the drinks were actually very good. i had a variation of a bellini (breakfast at tiffany's i think its called) and also a moscow mule which is one of my new favorite drinks. the food however was not very impressive. we ordered a couple apps and each different kinds of steaks. our favorite part of this $300 meal was the salad. to me thats not a great sign...
(3)
Tu'ens N.
Nothing egregious about their failures, just a lot of unanswered questions. Such as, "why would a person go here instead of the many better steakhouses?" I have no answer to that question. I went because Joes was too packed and I didn't want to wait and this place was sort of new so I wanted to give it a shot. Maybe you are having the same thoughts and that's why you are reading this review (?). Walking in it is clear they missed the point on almost all levels. The decor is just clunky and poorly thought out. It looks like it belongs in the parking lot of a mall in the outskirts of a mid-sized city in the Midwest (I'm thinking fancy version of Chili's at Madison East Mall). Not in basically the heart of steakhouse row in the steakhouse capital. Its just not there. The food really is pretty sad. We got a blue cheese, red onion & tomato salad -- something I often get when I go to one of the many good steakhouses in Chicago. This was a TOTAL miss. The onion was waaay to strong (soak it in cold water, guys, anyone who watches Chopped knows that). The tomatoes were fine, not particularly good but whatever. The cheese though -- what was that? I have never seen "gorgonzola" like that in my life. It was like this weird spongy all white stuff, like a mix between play-dough and butter, with zero flavor whatsoever. The steak can be called "OK", but in Chicago (and at the same prices as top quality steakhouses), its just not good enough to be OK. There is a SIGNIFICANT and undeniable difference in flavor , texture, marbling and overall quality between this place and say Joe's or Primehouse for example, or even global chains like Ruth's Chris (yes!). And they all cost the same. Good: It does serve as a nice decoy to loosen up space in good steakhouses. Bad: Its existence hurts our rep.
(1)
Megan W.
When I found this place it was like finding a hidden treasure! A great place to take clients or for a date. The bar area has a fantastic 2 piece jazz band that's very entertaining and really gives it that Chicago-feel. I've only had their seafood dishes and everything was de-lish!
(5)
Eugene H.
very well trained staff, good food, and wonderful atmosphere
(4)
Sarah S.
I came here for a business dinner and was very pleased with my experience. The staff was extremely attentative and very helpful. As a starter, I had the crabcake. It was seared to perfection and the mustard it sat upon was delicious! For my main course, I had the rib eye. There were hashbrowns, fries, mushrooms and broccoli for the table. All were very good, but my personal favorite were the french fries. They had grated parmesan...yum! For dessert, I had the vanilla bean cheesecake. The portion size was way too big for one person, but the cake was great. It had fresh cherries and a cherry glaze. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Bob S.
Great steaks
(4)
Drew S.
25 cent oyster Wednesdays got me in the door and boy howdy was it a classy door. Everything about this place screams classy- the guy playing "Donna Lee" on the piano, the wood and brass work, the wonderful staff...the chef even came by to say hello even though we never ordered anything but oysters and various tasty beverages. They also give you some sort of amazing snacking bits. I can't for the life of me remember what they were but I ate a ton of them.
(5)
David T.
First let me disclaimer that my star rating has more with the service than the quality of the food. A group of us went to have dinner at Benny's and had a knowledgeable and courteous waiter who took our orders. When the food came out, all but one of us had their entree. Initially dismissed this as a timing discrepancy, however we quickly realized that our colleague's main course had been forgotten. The waiter and manager responded quickly and appropriately and offered an entree in an expedient manner, on the house of course. As far as the food was concerned, it was excellent. My Benny's duo which was a petit filet and a petit rib-eye, was cooked exactly to order. It was seasoned well and a very good cut of meat. Try the macaroni casserole and mashed potatoes. The grilled asparagus was not seasoned and very pedestrian. Overall the steaks were excellent, but the forgotten entree was a mistake not to overlook for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)
Arleen E.
Dined at Benny's with a few friends upon the recommendation of our hotel Concierge. No regrest there! The casual yet sophisticated interiors with dark stained wood panels, is dimly-lit and cozy. Walking in without reservations on a Saturday night with the first annual Windy City Smokeout happening across the street, the restaurant was busy so we sat at the bar. I started with the Beet Salad - I love beets so I could not have gone wrong with that choice. The portion size was good enough to share, however, that was not happening tonight! For the entree, I chose to go with the Pork Chop (with housemade apple sauce) and a side of Sauteed Garlic Spinach. The chop was thick and tender - probably the best chop I have ever had. The sauteed spinach was creamy and was (again) good enough for two people to share. The food is amazing and the service impeccable. I highly recommend dining at Benny's when in Chicago. We will the definitely be back!
One of the best steaks I've ever had! Medium rare, Oscar-style. If you don't like crab meat, just pairing your steak with Bearnaise sauce will do. Easily the best Bearnaise sauce...very lemon-y. The warm tomato and burrata salad is worth the price. The blue cheese croquettes are good, but do not live up to their reputation, in my opinion. Domestic beers are surprisingly affordable here, considering it's Chicago. A nice finish with a cappuccino... I highly recommend Benny's Chop House, especially for a dinner with business customers. Only downside...very expensive.
(5)
jan d.
Loved that they serve natural beef here, no hormones or abx. No rush enjoyed our cocktail before looking at the menu, large wine list had the wine som. pick it out, great job by the way Dan. Staff and host was very warm and friendly. beautiful food presentation of the beet salad, crab cakes full of crab- if you know what I mean if you have had bad crab cakes, and the meat was soooo good. Dare I say best filet I have ever had? maybe, close to it. Quite formal atmosphere nice adult night out.
(5)
Leang E.
We came here for Easter brunch, and I was surprised at how relatively empty it was considering I could not put in reservations for 6 no earlier than noon. I suppose they only just open a half an hour before. In any case, our waiter was quite smart and cheeky which we surely appreciated for the noon hour. I had a bloody mary to start my morning out right. I ordered the Crab and Lobster Louie and a side of brussel sprouts, bacon and cheese. The food was delicious, and I have to say that the portions are not very big. I understand it's lunch, but still. Surprise surprise that my mom ate most of my side dish while she enjoyed the lamb special. At least I got a couple of pieces of the brussel sprouts, which were very good. We split the S'mores Cheesecake and the molten lava chocolate special dessert that day, and it was all very rich and decadent. The prices are a bit higher for me considering the portion of the meal and all the items that were ordered, but it was a very nice experience.
(4)
Tommy M.
If Yelp needs a reason to add a 6th star, it's because of places like this. Not one detail was missed. When we arrived, the place settings were so meticulously set on the table - this is a good indicator that the service will be top-notch. The staff was at the ready to seat us. One of the guys saw my dad take an ice cube from his water and put it in his martini, and brought a glass of ice within seconds. Our server, Nick, knew everything. He really knew his stuff, from the different cuts to the different kinds of oysters they have. Like oysters? They have three kinds of oysters, and get this: They are alive until about 10 minutes before you eat them. Wow! They won't be any fresher than that, unless you're hand picking them right out of the ocean. He asked when we wanted each dish, before/during the main course, etc. It's such a simple question, you would think more restaurants would think to do this. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye, medium rare. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. I used to think most steaks were pretty much the same, but it had so much flavor it was unbelievable. Four of us split a chopped salad, which was just enough. Very fresh and tasted great. We also ordered an entree-size bowl of imported Torchietti pasta to have with our main course, it was so good! Growing up in an Italian family and eating pasta 3 nights/week - trust me, I know good pasta. This was, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever had. Oh, and save some room for dessert, especially the key lime pie or bread pudding.
(5)
Char Y.
We came here for lunch on a week day during restaurant week. We were seated immediately. We weren't impressed by the restaurant week menu so we ordered from the normal lunch menu. fried egg truffle aioli burger - ok. The bun was soggy and the beef unflavored. The fries were over fried. main lobster roll - great bun, but no lobster chunks? totally did not live up to expectation. Our server, Brett, was courteous and helpful. We were quite disappointed at the food, maybe come back for dinner?
(2)
Steve S.
Excellent place for dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is refined yet sleek. I noticed there was a nature theme as you enter the place. There is a bar/lounge area where you can gather prior to your meal or even after work. Our group sat down and had a few drinks prior to our meal and the cocktail server was friendly and prompt. We had an excellent server during our meal. He was able to answer all of our questions regarding the menu and was also gracious/patient when one of my friends started to become a wise-ass. Our water glasses and wine glasses were always full and our silverware replaced as needed. Our table was also "crumbed" prior to our espressos. To start, there was a nice selection of various breads/biscuts. For apps we had the wagyu carpaccio, the fish salad and the jumbo prawns. The prawns were indeed very large and grilled just right. The wagyu was tasty as well. My favorite was the fish salad and it is a must try for seafood lovers. There were large chunks of shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia (cuttlefish). I also like the simple dressing that allowed for the taste of the seafood to really shine. Most seafood salads use mayo but this one only had lemon juice and garlic. The ceasar and iceberg salads were also well prepared. The leafs did not have any wilted edges and I liked how they chose a dry roquefort instead a wet blue cheese for my iceberg salad. Everyone enjoyed their steaks. I had the prime rib eye which was cooked properly and juicy. The other cuts tried at my table were filet and a strip steak. However, make sure to ask for any sauce on the side if you do decide to choose one because it is a bit much according to one friend. The creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes complimented our steaks. Benny's is a great place for a steak dinner that offers a new venue outside of what you'd find in chain steak restaurants.
(5)
Dan R.
OK, I have a bias, I love Volare and this is Benny's newest venture. It's what I would expect as a steak house version of Volare: great food, great service and a wonderful wine selection. Need I say more?
(5)
Brooke B.
My friend and I just stumbled into this place in order to avoid the cold wind but my god it was the best accident ever. The place was nice and the quality of food was fantastic. Also we had gone during Restaurant Week and the deal was so good with perfect proportions. The potato leek soup was superb with its fine smooth taste. Also the fillet mignon was so delicious and filling. It wasn't tough or too bloody, it was just right. The dessert was the best part. It had three small things: creme brulee, banana cream pie, and s'mores. it was so good! The s'mores was the best and my friend and I kept going on and on about how much we love it. Really, it's a place to check out :)
(4)
Tim M.
Met the boss for dinner in Chicago so that meant a steak house. Benny's looked decent and was walkable from the Sheraton so I booked it. On the day of we need to move the reservation back an hour and they gladly accomodated us. Everything about the restaurant was good - the drinks, the beer selection (though nothng on tap), the steak, the grilled asparagus, the gazpacho, and the service. The only things that weren't good were the cheesecake (the boss got the molten chocolate cake and didn't like it either), and the reception on the last TV in the bar/lounge - maybe with satellite reception so the action in the Lakers/Celtics game was jerky. I would definitely come here again if I were in the mood for steak
(4)
Sunil D.
Its a good steakhouse, but in a city filled with GREAT steakhouses it needs to work on its consistency. The steaks were well priced and phenomenal, the menu seemed to be a notch cheaper many of the other options in the area. Service was sketch at best, granted I did go when it first opened. The server was really pushy on the upsell, insisting everyone get a salad/soup or extra appetizers. I understand recommending enough to feed the party, but there reaches a point where persistence is not needed. They also brought me out the wrong steak, so I had to wait for 20 minutes while my original order was prepared. I understand mistakes happen, so I'm not holding that against them. The appetizers and side dishes were all run of the mill, nothing that stood out. Salads were subpar and the spacing in the room made everyone feel cramped. The steaks made up for a lot of that, the porterhouse that is deconstructed before cooking. This method led to two perfectly cooked pieces of meat. With that said, some tweaking needs to be done to the service and menu if it wants to maintain a prescence longer term in a city full of 5 star steak houses.
(3)
S S.
Love the seafood tower! Great steaks and fish. Traditional steak/seafood restaurant atmosphere. Very attentive service.
(3)
Liza G.
We went there expecting great service. Waiter was rude and though a party of 7 (3 couples, 1 single) was out of line to asked for separate checks. Only fair for those not drinking. Waiter was disappointed because we didn't want a few bottles of wine and just by the glass. Then said it was going to take about 5+ minutes to split the check. Really that hard, whatever! Then when he finally brings over the check he stood there waiting for everyone to finish signing. Stood over us waiting and not that I was double checking when I looked up he was holding the full bill and said "I got the full bill here so double check if you want" waving the bill like if we were counting our fingers or something. Have to say for the bad service I couldn't remember the food enough to say I'd go back. We went there for a celebration for all of us out of town people for running the Chicago Marathon. Next time we'll head back elsewhere for a nice steak dinner. Crappy service ruined the food experience.
(1)
Darrell B.
A very beautiful restaurant. The dining room offers a romantic setting for two or a perfect place for an elegant night out with friends. All of the wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful in all things. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming. Everything we tried was amazing and cooked to perfection. The bar area is a bit more casual and a lot more fun. The bartenders are friendly and speedy with service.
(5)
Meg D.
Fabulous, that's all I can say. In all respects. Wonderful atmosphere, our server Daniel was delightful and professional. The food was terrific. We had as an app. an entire King crab which was so Delicious. Not salty as they usually are. But was different was that it was the entire crab. Hugh. I don't eat steak but those at had them said the dry rub was out of this world. They have the traditional seafood tower, so fresh and tasty. I would defiantly be a regular if I lived in Chicago. Can't wait to go back. I can't say enough. Request for Daniel as your server.
(5)
Larisa B.
We went here today for Restaurant Week and it was one of the best RW picks ever. I changed, canceled, rescheduled, then settled on Bennys just last week after reading something in Time Out about it being one of the best and it was the truth. They had a prix fixe menu for lunch, my picks - Spinach salad w/ poached egg, sole filet with almond brown butter and the chocolate souffle. I finished every moursel of everything. The salad was a perfect size and the egg made it. The almond brown butter for the fish was so great to on the side for both the fish and the side of bread pudding. The finale of the souffle was perfect. I've heard how difficult it is to make and we had to wait a few extra minutes during our lunch to get it, but it was worth every minute. Paired with a chocolate sauce on the side, it was an amazing ending. I also got to try and taste of the barley soup, the braised short rib and the lemon souflee. I would easily go back and do it again for lunch tomorrow to do the 3rd dishes also. Great waiter and staff too! I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Yelp M.
It's lost a little luster. If someone invited me to go, I'd be there in a second but given the prices, the entrees were just good. At those prices, you need them to be great.
(3)
Agnes F.
In a town that suffers no shortage of steakhouses, Benny's proved to be a surprise hit sat at the bar with my friend last week, i had a nice vodka martini with blue cheese olives as well different wines (all were good) it was their oyster specials night so i had a couple dozen of oysters to start and they were fresh and yummy we also shared some foie gras, steak tartare, salad, gnocci, mac and cheese, everything was good and the service was attentive and hey, they have a live pianist too!! all in all, a great place to hang out after work definitely have to come back to try the steak
(4)
Carol S.
Elegance and great food. Truffle oil fries, lobster cob salad, Benny's burger, salmon salad, and fried egg burger were all amazing. Great service on a smokingly hot day. Great views out of the half moon windows. Regulars were warmly acknowledged by the staff.
(5)
Dave G.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, but for the price I was expecting an out-of-this-world steak. It was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. I chose a dry-aged ribeye and they did a fine job, but again, it wasn't anything I couldn't get at any other steakhouse. The service, the hostesses, and the bartender were all A+. They got us seated and taken care of in short order with no reservations, which was nice. When the waiter screwed up on our drink order, the next round was on the house. Good place, and I'd give it another shot if I get the chance. Wish they allowed 3.5 stars...
(3)
Hugh A.
We went to Benny´s to celebrate a special occasion. We had told them about it as we reserved a table and they did a fantastic job in helping us celebrate. The food was excellent and the wine out of this world. We had an absolutely wonderful time.
(5)
Bill E.
Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Very nice ambience. Overall Definitely a 5 star restsurant
(5)
Adam K.
Bennys was a great restaurant. In a city filled with a million steakhouses, Bennys is definitely one I would return to! Upon arriving we were almost immediately seated at a very nice table towards the middle of the room. We were presented our menus and asked if we wanted to take a look at the wine list. I agreed and almost as quickly as the list appeared so did the Sommelier. He quickly asked us what our preferences were and then the all important budget question. He suggested a nice wine from Australia and even included a nice little story about the vineyard. The wine was superb and everyone at the table agreed. The food at Bennys was also very good. It's a pity our waiter was so batshit stupid, he definitely took away from the experience. For starters he screwed up our appetizer order. My friend ordered this plate of tomato-nonsense which was the special but instead he brought something else. I would say my table was a bit "high maintenance" but still....a fancy restaurant should be used to this. Anyways, I enjoyed the Ribeye duo and this was one of the top 5 steaks I have ever had. I truly wish I could give Bennys 5 stars but I just can't. The service experience was just not up to par. Even though we were unlucky (with the service), I would still recommend Benny's to anyone that wants to try a newer steakhouse in town.
(4)
Ryan B.
Very smooth atmosphere. Pianist and vocalist in the background. I had a light dinner - lobster bisque, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. Everything tasted fresh and well balanced. Excellent service at the bar and my drink was made just right.
(4)
C. M.
Probably, no definitely the best service we've had at a restaurant and the food was great! The appetizers main and side dishes were all cooked to perfection. Very pleased with my steak (natural rib eye) as was my wife with her tenderloin. Vibrant lively crowd, and welcoming atmosphere. Pricey, but worth it.
(5)
Dina I.
Still my favorite steak joint in Chicago. But, I haven't visited Jordan's new spot or Cut yet...
(5)
Matthew C.
3.5 really... Rounding down with stars. Food was actually great really but nothing was exceptional for me. I can't comment on the service because I was with friends who knew everyone. 1 star deduction because the food wasn't exceptional - just very good. Another 1/2 star deduction because the ambiance didn't add anything special either or make me WANT to come back.
(3)
Kassie C.
Great time! We started with drinks at the bar-cool bar area. The food was deeeelish! Awesome crab cakes and lobster! Definitely will go back.
(5)
Suzanne V.
Came here sometime around midnight on a Friday night, and the place was still open with a few tables full of people enjoying cocktails. At the recommendation of a friend, we came here for one thing and one thing only: chocolate cake. This honkin' piece of chocolate cake was not like some restaurants who call it chocolate but serve a dry, bland, crumbly blob of misery. No, this cake was uber moist, extremely rich, and sinfully decadent. Is your mouth watering yet? Between four of us, we could not finish it, and had to stop short to try the banana cream pie. Our waiter suggested the pie, claiming it was a favorite. I personally don't care for bananas in the slightest, but tried it anyway. It was pretty good, and nothing beats a graham cracker crust. Split four ways, we all ended up paying around $5 or $6 for a substantial amount of cake and pie---not bad at all! I highly recommend rounding off an evening with this place.
(4)
Hillary M.
We thought it was everything a steak house should be: low-lit, dark wood decor, hefty portions (and check), friendly service, simple delicious food, downtown Chicago.
(4)
Denise R.
I still love this place and it keeps getting better! I've been here several times since my last review and the service and food continues to impress. They've added some steaks to their menu since when they first opened and they are amazing. Every time I eat steak elsewhere, I find myself comparing it to Benny's.
(5)
Mary d.
My bf brought me here for my birthday, and it was a fantastic place to celebrate! First, the place itself....the interior is very masculine and warm, the perfect environment for steak gluttony. The bar was clean and crisp and chic, and our cocktails were perfectly made. Once we got to our table, the amazing Paul took amazing care of us. We started with a champagne cocktail "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Then jumbo shrimp cocktail. Then a smoky, crisp, and delicious grilled romaine salad. And, now....the steak. We both had the 8 oz filet mignon. Both were cooked to perfection, and we split a side of hollandaise sauce (which was fluffy and lemony bliss!) For our side, we went with the truffled mashed potatoes, featuring large flakes of truffle all throughout and on top of the potatoes. We each had a glass of a great pinot noir from Willamette Valley with dinner. When we finished, Paul brought us champagne. And then....dessert! A deconstructed s'more cheesecake and the Michigan apple tart. A-MAZING! I recommend this place for any occasion. I think business dinners would go over really well because (unlike noisy, crowded Gibson's) it is carpeted and calm. Try to arrange for a booth so as to be above the constant flow of dinner carts and waitstaff.
(4)
mary b.
Very good quality bar bites. Trio of sliders includes truffle burger, crab cake on bun and mini lobster roll. Also had the truffle mushroom flatbread--soo good! nice place to a grab a couple drinks after works and nosh on some delicious bar bites. Atmosphere is classy and low-key and close enough to walk to from the loop. My new fave happy hour. Will also check it out for lunch and dinner, the menu looks really fantastic and delicious!
(4)
Sweet W.
Wife & I had some late night eats at Benny's. The USDA Prime steak tartare was amazing, I seriously would rather have a helping of this than a steak. so darn good ! We had a glass of the Benegas Sangiovese from the Medoza region, while the alcohol was strong on the nose, it was a delicous wine for $14 a glass. We then moved onto the seafood tower for two, which contains: 1 Maine lobster, 2 short legs (cut in 1/2) of Alaskan King Crab, 8 jumbo shrimp. Lobster was terrific, while delicious we felt the king crab serving was chinsy, the shrimp lacked flavor and were slighly overcooked. Our waiter said that the shrimp are wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp, but in our opinion the flavor was not there. With the seafood tower we split a 1/2 bottle of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc ($55), which had slight fruit and very nice minerality. We were very pleased with our server, top notch, lots of fun.
(4)
Jules L.
I randomly wandered into Benny's because I had the taste for an upscale burger, and I'd walked by before and seen the menu on the valet stand. They might have the best host in the city of Chicago. He is so friendly! You feel like you're being greeted by a personal friend who is genuinely happy to see you. I explained that I wanted to order to-go and he led me to the bar with a lunch menu. The decor in the lounge was so inviting--not trendy-modern but not mahogany and overstuffed leather either, instead a nicely stated cross betweeen the two--I was sorry I hadn't left myself enought time to eat in. As it turns out, the lunch menu has a few different burgers, as well as several other tempting sounding dishes. The bartender--Jamie, I think?--was ready with his recommendations, and we have pretty similar tastes. I chose the egg and truffle aioli burger with bacon-pepper fries (throw the word "truffle" at me and I am there!). The prices were quite reasonable as well--I have had more expensive burgers with less creative and upscale ingredients. While I waited, Jamie brought me a small bottle of Fiji water, and my order was ready actually a little faster than I expected. He also packed an additional bottle of Fiji with my order, how thoughtful! When I sat down to eat, I noticed that he had also packed a small bread basket for me. Who eats the bread basket when they ordered a sandwich? ...Well, I do, when the bread is two-biter focaccia, biscuit and whole wheat roll, along with two cheese flatbread crackers that were so light that they almost defied gravity. That bread was too delicious to have been bought; they must bake it from scratch in-house. I did notice that the fried were plain, and did not have bacon or pepper on them, but were still delicious. But that was easily forgiven and forgotten when I bit into the burger-- --And stepped off a cliff into Burger Nirvana. Listen to me. You have to eat this burger. It was cooked to medium rare bloody delicious perfection. It was seasoned subtly enough not to distract from its accompaniments. I almost can't even describe the rich flavor and texture from the egg and aioli. Sometimes you get a fancy burger and it is dry and just too civilized to be a burger. But not this juicy, drippy, fabulous creation on a cheese-covered brioche. Wow, did I enjoy my lunch that day. Benny's, I will be back for the Benny's burger. And for another one of these delights. And for dinner.
The best carrot cake on Earth. Service was wonderful. The staff is friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Dwayne J.
My wife & I went to Benny's on 6-16 to celebrate our anniversary and had an excellent time. Our waiter, Eric, was knowledgeable and funny. His recommendations were on the money. We both ordered the surf-n-turf and several appetizers. Everything was delicious & flawlessly prepared. The filet mignon was outstanding and the lobster was the freshest & tastiest we have ever had in Chicago. PS - I ordered 1 dozen roses from flowerpetal.com which were delivered to Bennys. The flowers were perfect.
(5)
Janet B.
We're from Napa, California, and the last two years we have vacationed in Chicago. On a recommendation, we went to lunch at Benny's Bar for their hamburger special. They use prime beef for their hamburger and it is delicious. For $10 you get a hamburger with fries. I ordered the classic, my husband ordered one with blue cheese, port wine onions, and truffle fries. Great location, close to the Trump Tower. I know nothing about the dinner menu except they do not serve the hamburger. We think it is one of the best deals in Chicago for lunch.
(4)
Mihir G.
The Holy Trinity fulfilled: Great Scotch - check Great Service - check Great Food- check My buddy and I got to the bar a few minutes before our reservation and chatted up the bartender to decide what scotch to start with. The bartender (Deidre) suggested and allowed us to sample some great, out-of-the way scotches (and that she was equally disappointed that they didn't have Sheep Dip was a plus). After selecting the right starter, we engaged Justin, the sommelier that everyone rightly brags about, in a hearty conversations about scotches. Instead of wine pairings through dinner, he suggested that we do a scotch tasting. After understanding our tastes and preferences, he rolled out a cart and proceeded to serve us an 8-scotch progression that, in a word, was magnificent and educational. Three words. Own it. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet. Shellfish tower was exceptionally fresh, the mac n cheese was predictably delicious, and special Wagyu was a close second to the steak I had at Sankyu (Roppongi).
(5)
Pamela S.
Not great food for the price! I found hair in my seafood appetizer but no apologies were made by the waiter or management! Horrible!! For the prices they charge this should not happen ! Horrible!! Dont go!!!
(1)
Greg R.
Best Steak Ever! Get the Dry Aged Strip and you will be blown away!
(5)
Bianca S.
Can't say enough great things about this restaurant. I'm on a mission to eat at every steakhouse in Chicago....well my boyfriend is on that mission....I get the salmon. But I digress. Everything from atmosphere, service, & quality of food is amazing. I started with a wedge salad - perfect portion. I had the salmon and my boyfriend had the 22 oz steak served median well. We shared the truffled mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. You could taste the truffles. Mmmm..... Since it was my boyfriends birthday we received a free smores' dessert. Don't let the looks fool you this thing is incredible. They mash graham crackers with butter for the best tasting concoction even if it wasn't pleasant to look at.
(5)
Jay B.
Dry aged bone in anything = happiness
(5)
Linsey R.
So, after the previous review the chef e-mailed me to come back to the restaurant, which we really appreciated. Our second visit was exactly what we had expected on the first. The service was extremely professional and accommodating. The food was great, especially the scallops and dessert!
(4)
Angela W.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! First class all the way. Went there for our anniversary & they started us with a comp glass of champagne, dinner was great & s'mores dessert was incredible!!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Mo H.
Phenomenal food, phenomenal service. My boyfriend the meat lover says the steaks are second to none, and I, the vegetarian have plenty of delicious options. And why not sit at the bar? Ian, Jackie, Natalie and Xavier are a blast: they are fun, know the menu and make great recommendations. And you don't have to dress to the nines, which I appreciate. This place is our new home base.
(5)
Justin O.
I ate at Benny's for the first time and was impressed by the food. I had the braised beef short rib. The presentation was perfect and every bite delicious. I also had the opportunity to try the lobster risotto and one of the pastas on the menu, both of which were done very well. Benny's offers some great food. I thought the service was on par. The dining room was half full when we got there on a Friday night, but quickly filled with patrons and the noise level rose just as quickly (however, not unbearable).
(5)
Alex G.
Suggested Benny's to my brother and his wife along with another couple. We arrived early for cocktails and was assured by the maitre d' that our table would be ready when we were. Why, especially with a restaurant of this caliber do they insist on closing the bill at the bar before you have dinner? Why can't the tab just be added to the overall check? Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. The mashed potatoes now have truffles but they were happy to serve them without (I'm kind of picky about my taters). And someone asked about double baked potatoes and they were happy to oblige even though it wasn't offered on the menu. If you intend to peruse the wine selection ahead of time, better call and confirm they actually have your choices in stock. While I understand that wine cellars can be somewhat dynamic, we found most of our selected wines unavailable although listed on the web site. Fortunately the person responsible for picking the wines worked with the sommelier and recovered nicely. The chocolate cake for dessert was outstanding. Bread selections were outstanding (don't miss the mini-biscuits). Overall noise levels were much higher this time which was due to the loud group sitting close by. Not much the restaurant could do about it. Still a welcome addition to the Chicago steakhouses.
(4)
Sharon K.
We went here for our one-year anniversary and had the best steak ever. The service was great-- there was a little mix up in the kitchen which led to a 30 minute wait for the souffle, but we got drinks on the house for that!
(5)
Dustin S.
Excellent meat, excellent service, mediocre sides. Pros: - the meats were fantastic, expensive, but you get what you pay for - the service was fantastic, our waiter knew what he was talking about and relatively quickly learned each of our tastes for recommendations throughout the night - the beer list was pretty good too Cons: - the sides weren't great. they had potential but never made it - bleu cheese tater tots!?!?! could be amazing, right? nope. how they screwed it up I have no idea, but the potatoes were mushy and the cheese wasn't that great. - price, if you can't handle $80-$100/per person for a satisfying meal w/ a drink or two, don't go here
(4)
Steve B.
I dropped in to Benny's for lunch because it was the closest place that looked equipped to provide an above average steak. The stake was great. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that someone at the table was a vegetarian. To my relief, she was as pleased with the meal as anyone. Everything was enjoyable here. I particularly liked the cocktails and the service was a compliment to the meal.
(5)
Samantha H.
I take my steak houses very seriously. I had heard mixed reviews about Benny's, namely regarding the steak (which was always awesome) and the service (which I've heard wasn't great). So I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I want to say I went on a Monday when it wasn't croweded so this isn't for a packed Saturday or anything, but Steve was our waiter and the service was actually impeccable. We started with the steak tartare, which is a unique flavor profile. I consider myself a tartare expert (mildly joking, but we do get it pretty much everywhere and make it at home), and this was not the typical flavors you'd expect. That being said, it worked. It was a heavy mustard flavor, though not overwhelming. They serve it with waffle potato chips, which are light and crispy. I liked it because sometimes when you put tartare on bread, the bread can overwhelm the meat itself, but the thin chips really make the meat the star. My husband got the ribeye and I got the filet, both of which were ordered medium-rare; both of which came perfectly medium-rare. We both enjoyed our steak a great deal. I had mine prepared oscar style and would highly recommend it. Going into a steakhouse, I felt the obligation to order a steak, but when I return I honestly think I'm getting the crablegs. Up until now my favorite crablegs were at Bob Chinns in Wheeling (if you haven't been, go...now). But I'd have to get an entire order of these bad boys to see if they're really as good as the tease that was the oscar style portion. Apparently they pride themselves in the freshness of their seafood stating that everything is consumed within 24 hours of receipt. I just have to say that the crab was amazing! The steak was amazing. The wine list was amazing (our discussions with Steve led him to bring us out some Nickel and Nickel for us to try, just for kicks). The service was amazing. The huge free chocolate cake (it was my birthday) with a personalized bday greeting on it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)
Dee K.
delicious dry-aged steak, the best! White fish dish was huge, just ok... the soup was average but if you come here for dry-aged steak, so YUMMY! delicioso.....buono.... service was good but nothing out of the ordinary....
(4)
Rebecca S.
Great caesar salad and the desserts were worth the trip itself!! Try the banana cream pie and s'mores...delicious!
(4)
Jeffrey M.
I decided to go all out here, and I had a great experience. I started with the foie gras appetizer. The dish as a whole didn't blow me away, but the foie gras itself was of an excellent quality. Then I had the best steak I've ever had: the dry aged 32oz. porterhouse. On the side I had the jumbo bleu cheese tots. The flavor was very deep. I requested wine pairings for each dish and they were brilliant. For dessert I had the apple pie, and to my relief it was a reasonably sized portion. Can't wait to go back!!
(4)
Amy K.
We picked this restaurant for a special lunch out based on other reviews. Unfortunately we did not have the same experience as others. Customer service was atrocious from the second we walked in, and the food was subpar. We waited 20 minutes to see a server and only had one come by because we asked, then 15 minutes later received bread but no silverware or plates to eat it with. We then waited 30 minutes for our appetizer (calamari), the one bright spot-it was good. Another 20-30 minutes, and someone came by to check on us (not our server). We asked about our order, as we had ordered simple dishes and others who came in later had received their entrees. After we inquired, our order came out. My Dad was warned to be careful of his piping hot plate. He had ordered a cold salad...I had ordered wild boat ragu, ok but over salted. My Dad's salad could have come out of a school cafeteria. The chicken was bone dry. As he said, Gordon Ramsey would have been appalled! When the random guy who was not our waiter checked on us, I vented to him and asked to talk with a manager. Then there was a 5-10 minute pow wow of a few people who I can only guess were drawing straws to determine who would pretend to be a manager. One of them came up and casually asked what was up, and I asked that they replace my Dad's salad with a bowl of clam chowder. Another 5-10 minutes and out came the chowder. It was not any better than the salad. Who knows what kind of "extra touches" may have been included...we asked for the check and were told our lunch would be comped, that they were sorry for the experience, they were not properly prepared for Saturday lunch traffic and hoped we would give them another chance some time. I have only written a negative review one other time and I rarely complain but felt like I had to write one. One star for the calamari and comped lunch...
(1)
Caitie W.
We just ate here tonight for dinner and WOW was it good. The service was amazing from start to finish. Our waiter was very personable and knew everything there was to know about the menu. We started with salads. I had the wedge, which was really good. The blue cheese dressing was light and yummy. My husband had the grilled romaine. It too was very good. Then, I had the butternut squash tortellini. It was very yummy! The husband had the NY strip. It was cooked perfectly. We ended the meal with the Smore cheesecake, which was a perfect size and also amazing! We will be going back here soon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Dar Q.
Staying at The Amalfi a few blocks away we were delighted to know that Bennys was just around the block. Thanksgiving dinner at Bennys was not very good. Thought I would for go the Turkey for a Steak and Baked Potato and my husband thought he would do the same given the reviews were so good on Bennys steaks. Big mistake!!! The service was mediocre at best, the steak was served cold on cold plates, the potato was hard and cold. Benny should be ashamed to send something like that to a table. When they send out a cold steak like that it speaks volumes that they are not a well run restaurant. If I need to send a steak back because its served cold they won't get my bussiness again. First class place I thnk not, not when you can't even get the food to table hot. I like staying at the Amalfi and will continue to patronize the local restraunts, staying away from Bennys.
(1)
Robin D.
The only reason I did not give this place zero stars is because of 2 things. The ambiance is beautiful, great date place, romantic and classy. The service is not so bad either. However, for the price of the food, this place doesn't hit the mark. My uncle ordered the rib eye medium rare and it was chewy and he had to tell them to cook it again so he can eat it. It was one awful rib eye. Go to David Burke for better ribeye. I ordered crab cake for appetizer and it was another failure, you taste so many flavors that mask the actual crab taste. For 15 bucks for a small crab cake i was expecting superb taste. For my main dish I ordered the pork chop, I suggest go to Sepia for good pork chop. The food in this place just doesnt match the great steak places like Mortons, Gibson, Capitol Grill and even David Burke. Not worth the money. I would grab a drink by the bar and enjoy the ambiance but not spend my money on food here.
(2)
Ani S.
Benny's is a great traditional steak house, very welcoming. Great wine list, attentive service and excellent food!
(4)
Beth P.
I took my bf here for his birthday this year and SNAP it's damn good! If you wanted to be treated like a king or queen, come here. We started off with the Shellfish Tower which is basically a huge silver bowl thingy full of lobster claws, crab, HUGE shrimp and lemons. It was seriously dreamy. I felt like royalty in our private booth with the dish sitting on our table. It was fresh and sooo good. We then had steaks; I had the filet oscar and he had the bone-in strip. It was awesome. We shared a side and had several glasses of wine; he opted for a scotch. The bf's menu even had a special, "Happy Birthday" message on it, which I thought was a nice touch ..because everyone deserves to feel extra special on their birthday! While my bf was using the restroom, the waiter asked what type of dessert he'd like and they surprised him with the biggest piece of chocolate cake in the whole world with a little candle in it. There was no corny singing, thankfully. It was a really nice experience. They treat you very well...escorting you personally to the restroom, making sure you are happy and full. It was an expensive meal, but we were celebrating so it was fine. I will definitely be going back, if not just for the shellfish tower and cake :)
(5)
Gfiddy F.
I had a big ol' feast here and it was damned good.
(5)
Barton K.
Best Steak I've ever had. Seriously the meat just melts in your mouth. A lot of interesting appetizers as well. They had a macaroni and cheese that was soooo cheesy I thought my head would explode (in a good way). They also have fancy liquor and wine lockers for Big Ballers (I noticed a couple of members of the Chicago Bears had lockers). It's a little pricey but you go into a place like this expecting that and it is worth the price. Every time I go back to Chicago I intend to make a stop.
(5)
Chandu C.
Considering the number of great steakhouses in Chicago, you would think Benny's would have a tough time competing. It will not have a difficult time competing. We ordered some oysters that were very fresh and their sashimi tuna was fresh with a flavorful searing with a kick to it. We ordered the Wagyu special, the bone-in filet, and Sole that was deboned table side. They were all top notch. Hint: Medium-rare is on the rare side especially on the bone-in. The steaks were a little rarer than we were expecting, but delicious. The sides were flavorful, but probably a step below Gibson's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's or Capital Grill. The service was not just outstanding, it was an experience. The sommelier came out and talked to us for about 30 minutes. Getting this kind of knowledge tableside is invaluable and added the rare 5th star. He recommended our after dinner drinks which were spot on for our varied palettes, offered me a free gin tasting, and poured us some vermouth the way it should be. I now view martinis differently after years of consuming them the wrong way. And I am on the hunt for some of the mind blowing Miller's gin. If you want a great drink made right, great food, and don't mind spending for an experience, you will not be disappointed at Benny's.
(5)
Paul M.
Not a great steak place, but good and a good value. Very friendly and courteous staff, good steak (I had the petite fillet and really enjoyed it). The sides are well priced and so was the steak. Nice new interior. The sommelier steered us to a very nice bordeaux, which added so much to dinner. Benny's is worth trying and count on it for a good meal at a good price.
(4)
Kwoky L.
Never mind their fancy steakhouse decor. Looking at their menu, I have to admit, I can't really afford a piece of steak there. But their 25 CENTS oysters won me over. We had three dozens in total and they came with a half portion of lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette slushie sauce. It's not the best oysters that I've ever had but it's fresh and of very good quality for that price. I would definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)
Steven N.
Dined here with out of town guests/family the weekend of 7/15/11. I was very impressed. We were greeted in a very friendly manner and the host was so accommodating; letting us choose what table we would like (we were in kind of early). The food was wonderful from start to finish. Bleu cheese croquettes as an appetizer were indulgent and delicious, so was the lobster mac & cheese. The grilled romaine salad was not like a salad I have ever had before, very light, awesome flavor. I'd definitely recommend trying it! Our waiter was completely unpretentious and very knowledgeable and professional, recommending things that we ended up really enjoying. I ordered my filet oscar style and there was more crab meat than I have ever seen given w/ a steak served oscar, and huge fresh asparagus, too (i'm going to upload a photo I took). The steak itself was cooked to perfection at medium, the way I ordered it. The atmosphere is very nice, classic steak house looking. I'd definitely recommend this spot to people- there's a lot of steak houses in Chicago and so far this is one of my favorite.
(5)
Joel A.
Had a totally enjoyable dinner last night with friends who came in from CA. Dan Forsythe was our server, and he did a fine job in introducing us to the restaurant, its food and its wine. Most delightful
(4)
lisa l.
I really love this place. For an excellent steak, no where else is comparable. Try the Ribeye Duo and the hashbrowns for a traditional steak and potato dinner. If you are a fan of butter, this place has the best butter in the world. It's encrusted with some kind of lava sea salt...yummy. I was very surprised by the flank steak. It's probably the best value on the menu.
(5)
Naum N.
Been meaning to go here since the place opened. Finally made it for lunch. Was skeptical that another steak house in Chicago would be the best idea for a restaurant. Came here for a quick bite at lunch time, around 1130 not knowing what to expect. Well was pleasantly surprised! Overall the service was impeccable - the maître d' seated us pronto and was very accommodating. The waitress had the right level of attentiveness and ensured everything went smoothly. Onto the food. The truffle fries are pretty amazing. The sliders were prepared just right and the overall there was nothing that could be faulted. The Benny burger was made as requested (medium) though the bun was a bit too moist and somewhat fell apart when picked up. Slight oversight, though nothing major. Overall, would recommend bringing business contacts here for lunch and for the occasional splurge with coworkers.
(5)
Tom K.
Went here with a few friends and overall enjoyed. The side items were all average but the steak was cooked perfect which is of course why one would come here.
(3)
Shadi N.
5 STARS, 6 STARS, 7 STARS... ALL THE STARS IN THE FRICKIN SKY... this place is out of this world. I chose this place based on their extensive beer menu to take my friend to celebrate his birthday and made a special request to have some sort of beer pairing with our meal. They staff and sommelier went above and beyond to create lavish extensive amazingly relevant beer pairing with our food. I truly enjoyed my experience here and will recommend it to anyone who wants to get steak in Chicago. The meat and food were exceptional as well, my filet was crusted perfectly and cooked exactly how i had ordered it.
(5)
Charlie J.
I'm thankful to have a visiting buddy of mine to pick up the tab...because I know it was hefty and i probably wouldn't have felt it was worth it. Having said that, the service is really good and they have a great cut of meat. I had the bone in dry aged ribeye which was good but I was hoping it would have been a bit more succulent - and I ordered it medium rare. Their "cajun" spin on it wasn't the best, but it sufficed. We started with their seafood tower or whatever it's called. That was well worth it. Their cesar salad with anchovies They have an amazing wine list, but I have to say it seemed a bit over-priced. Their sommelier was very good, though.A good steak is a good steak and you can get one here. I'd say it's worth a visit..at least once.
(3)
#NAME?
I walk by this area often when shopping and noticed there was a new place to try out-What made me want to come here was the Lobster Ravioli on the menu- Had to make reservations early, 5:30, but were seated right away when we walked in-The restuarant is very nice, great finishings, great bar area that looks onto Wabash- Wait staff is very attentative, you will never have an empty water glass or dirty plate in your way as well you get asked if you want a black napkin, love that they do this-The menu is explained in great detail and our server made sure all our questions were answered- One thing I must comment on was how unique it was to see an entire cart wheeled around for a table that orders wine, and a blue light is on the table so they wine can be seen when poured, no spillage... so if you want a big production when ordering a bottle of wine you will be pleased here- FOOD: For an appetizer I ordered the crab cake, they aren't as big as Hugo's or Joe's, but tasted "lighter" a good seasoning, placed on a bed of mustard sauce-The sauce is good, at first it has a kick, then it just mellows out-I loved the subtle crust on the outside, not from breadcrumbs but from being seared-I wish we could have had the option of having more of the sauce, it really was nice and at the end of the crabcake there was no mustard sauce at all- I just had a lot of dental work done yesterday and could only eat soft food, so I ordered the small plate of Lobster Ravioli-I had reservations about it when I saw it was in a tomato sauce, but decided to try it out-(You have the option of ordering small or adding $10 for large portion) When it came out I was so glad I got the small portion, 4 large ravioli's were on the plate-Now here is where I was bummed, it didn't taste like lobster at all, honestly like some ricotta cheese with tomato sauce-I was expecting a preparation such as Tavern at the Park serves or Catch 35 or any other lobster ravioli I've had in the past, but it wasn't-When my husband tried a bite he asked "didn't you order lobster?" So I will not order that again-A child could eat it and think he/she was getting some pasta, nothing fancy, very plain-I don't know why it's even called Lobster Ravioli- Now my husband got the filet, it was cooked to a perfect Rare + nice cut of meat, but could do without the upside down roll on the plate, it was not tastey, as well he got a side of asparagus which he enjoyed- We passed on the dessert menu, nothing caught our eye for the evening-They had a Key Lime pie, but was hesitant on it, many really don't serve true Key Lime, maybe I'll find out next time- I would come back and try something else, or sit in the bar and get an appetizer-One thing that was odd, they had a Southern Fried Lobster....being born and raised in Florida, Southern part of the state I might add, I've never in my life seen anyone fry lobster but it is on the menu-Maybe it's for the senior citizens, but who would ever fry a lobster? I know this review sounds harsh, but honestly I was so damn excited about Lobster Ravioli :( Maybe next time will be a 4-5 star experience for me-
(3)
Felicia W.
We came in specifically for desert. Let me tell you..... It was absolutely AMAZING! I had the s'mores cheesecake. Anything else I eat from now on will just be subpar. After I finished eating, I was very tempted to lick the plate. It is orgasmic....literally. Emily, our server, did such a great job. She was fast and made sure we didn't need anything. There's nothing better than a proactive server. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Barbara S.
Benny's was excellent! We went there for dinner and the steak and seafood items exceeded our expectations. The service was phenominal. Our waiter was friendly and welcoming; in addition he was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Although it doesn't look like much on the outside its one of the best steakhouse's in Chicago - quality & quantity - what more can you ask for?!?! I'll definately be returning to Benny's.
(5)
Michele p.
Great steak selections. Great service. You get what you paid for. Will come again in the future
(5)
Mike C.
Went to Benny's for New Years Eve dinner and it was a great start to the night. It's a pretty nice place with a nice atmosphere. We started out with some cocktails that were made pretty well. I had their cheapest steak (I already spent too much on my New Years Party Ticket), the skirt steak, while most of my friends had the filet mignon. My steak tasted excellent. It was perfectly juicy and tender. We also ordered some side dishes. The potato gnocchi was good. However, I thought the portions of the side dishes were on the small side. I was expecting some salad or soup to start out with that came with the meal, but this wasn't the case. As a result, I wasn't as full as I wanted to be. Our waitress was nice, and the rest of the service was very quick and responsive. It's nice when my water is never more than half empty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Benny's, and I'll probably be back eventually.
(4)
Michael P.
Went to this place very last minute with a group of 8 on a Saturday. They were able to seat us within a few minutes which was great. Service was top notch. Waiter was very attentive and explained the menu in sections as we ordered. I had a Waygu Carpaccio for an Appetizzer which was fantastic and a bone in Filet for an entree which was cooked to a perfect Medium just the way I asked. The table shared an assortment of sides which I couldnt complain about any of them. The mac n cheese being my favorite side. No dessert as we couldnt fit anymore food in, but saw the table next to us order a few and they looked incredible. Will definitely put Benny's on the Chicago Steakhouse list.
(5)
Brett C.
Thanks to Yelp we brought a customer to Benny's while in town for a trade show, what an experience. The waitress (Candace) was very informative and steered us in the direction of the Dry Aged 16 oz. Bone in Strip, great choice. They cooked it to perfection and the wine (2007 Frank Family Cab) complimented our meal nicely. The restaurant wasn't stuffy, but relaxing with a great vibe. From the dining room you could still hear the piano player in the bar which was a treat. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll make sure I go to Benny's again.
(5)
B L.
We went there after attending the Chicago Theatre performance. I asked for a "house cabernet". I did not expect to spend $17 for a glass of "house" wine. Sorry, I can go $10 or $12 a glass, but $17 ?????? There was a very very limited appetizer menu available in the bar (you can forget ordering something not fatty or hi carb --- no salad option or fruit option was available). The restaurant decor is lovely but I won't go back. Not a tightwad, but I just want a better selection of evening appetizers and a more reasonably priced glass of wine.
This place really sucks typical decor bad management.... i truly believe they hire there staff to write reviews
(1)
Julee M.
I too would have added the 6th star for our dinner last night. Our sommelier was also incredible. He picked the perfect wine for our dinner at a very reasonable price point. I think his name was Justin and he's worth asking for. Enjoy!
(5)
Ericka R.
Went to Benny's last week for a Looking glass theatre event they had in the lounge/bar and it was swonderful. The service was great as we were a needy and thirsty bunch and the food was delish. We only had appetizers and desserts but everything was fast, hot and tasty The oysters Rockefeller and calamari being my favorites. They had a drink special with some very inventive cocktails created just for our party and whoever the mixologist was, they got it right which tells me the bartenders must be awesome as well. And the dessert cheesecake lollipops and chocolate brownie bites"!!!!!!" The atmosphere is really upscale and sexy. Would love to go back for dinner and maybe convince the bartender to make me 1 more "straight on till morning"!
(4)
Ronin S.
Love the food. Steaks are perfect. the only thing is... what's up with the martinis being served in a small ass margarita glass???? Come on BENNY!!! A steakhouse martini gotta be right!!!!!!
(4)
Al C.
Family was in town last weekend and we were craving some good cow. After reading a lot of great reviews about Benny's, we excitedly decided to give it a go... The restaurant and bar are truly aesthetically gorgeous! The service on the other hand, not so good. I know this place just opened a few months ago and maybe they haven't gotten their kinks out, but our waitress Candace sucked the big one. She was awkward, long-winded, horrible at remembering requests (extra glass of ice for our vodka on the rocks....had to ask twice and finally just asked a bus boy to bring it over), slooooooow to come back to our table and take our order. it was quite painful. Meanwhile, it seemed like there were service people (looked like secret service dudes in suits) roaming around EVERYWHERE.....everywhere but our table. the most responsive service we received the whole night was when she brought us our check. oh yeah, and a TOTAL pet peeve. I was sitting at our table while the rest of the party was in the rest room, our signed bill was inches away from me and i was checking my phone. She comes by and just grabs it without a word. TACKY TACKY TACKY. APPS: Grilled romaine salad (decent), Chopped salad (REALLY good), Calamari (decent) MAINCOURSE: i had filet mignon med rare (it was cooked rare, but it was really tasty) and father in law had dry aged new york (pretty good). others in party had white fish (awesome) and bass (delish). SIDES: mac and cheese (not too rich, it was really tasty), sauteed broccoli (really really good), hashbrowns (yum). Benny even made the rounds and said "hello" to everyone. that was cool. Overall i'd have to say that Benny's is a pretty good steak house, not AMAZING, but definitely solid. THe major issue was service. One of our friends also ate here recently and shared our opinion on the crappy ass service. You can't purport to have a high-end restaurant and have such horrible service.
(3)
Nikki P.
Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambiance, just a bit chilly! The Marriott suggested we try this place just down the street. Being a very chilly winter night we said okay and made our way over to Benny's. The decor is gorgeous! They greeted and seated us promptly in a nice corner. The sommelier saw we were browsing the wine menu and made some suggestions and took our order. The focaccia in the bread basket had to be ordered again ( Cheddar crust was yummy). We started with the Calamari which was spike with litttle pepperoncinis. It was good but i perfer the Calamari at Devon Seafood Grill as my all time favorite. I had the special a Cajun crusted beef with a lobster ravioli and my friend had the porterhouse for our main course. The was a draft where we were sitting and our food did get cold quickly but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and would definitely return for another special occasion. We enjoyed some chocolate cake and muscato for dessert. The muscato was not what I had expected maybe a little missed communication. All in all a place to visit and experience. All the servers and exceptional!
(4)
Mary D.
I would give more stars for food only (Madagascar shrimp excepted) but prices are way out of line for what you get. Went there a week ago on a Thursday night. Live piano music was too loud to talk so we decided not to have a drink in the bar and instead were seated right away without reservations. Extremely attentive service to the point of being overbearing, scant pours on the wine and wine list not impressive in its glass offerings. I ordered a special (Madagascar shrimp) that was described without a price and now I know why - $45 for 2 very large dried out shrimp - about the size of prawns - that I suspect were boiled then finished on a grill except no signs of grill. Lobster mac and cheese was good but portion was extremely small. My companion's steak was very good, but small and also overpriced compared to the other good steakhouses in Chicago.
(3)
Jeff M.
Excellent experience. Came for my b'day with a total of 5 couples. Service was fantastic...........they really took care of us. We all loved our food and sommalier (sp???) picked out some good vino for us. I have been to almost all the big steakhouses in chgo and this was as good or better than the rest. Would totally come back for another special occasion. Not cheap...............but well worth it for a special event. They even put my name on the menu which was a nice touch.
(5)
Jacksin W.
Good Service, food ok, overpriced steak.
(3)
John O.
My wife and I had one of the most memorable meals and experiences ever. Food was fabulous, service was even better.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Went for lunch and from walking into the place it felt special. Everyone working there made us feel special. Shaun, Charles and Kevin, you are the best! My husband and I will be back!
(5)
Jordyn V.
Benny's chophouse is a wonderful steakhouse with dark wood and a modern feel to the decor. Our waiter was nice and attentive. I had the Filet mignon. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't cooked quite enough for me so they sent it back and when it came back it was cooked to perfection! The sides where really good. To top it off, we saw a Chicago bear player dining as well.
(4)
michael r.
Took a client to Benny's last night for dinner. I like the atmosphere. The bar is a great place to have a few post-work drinks. The wine list is extensive if not a little pricey. We had the steak tartar, crab cakes, lobster bisque, calamari for starters and all were pretty decent. Actually I'd skip the bisque as it was a bit bland. I had the Colorado Lamb Chops for my entree and the were fantastic. My fiance had the Skate which I sampled, and it was quite good. My client seemed to enjoy his steak. For dessert I tried some of the strawberry shortcake, which I wasn't a huge fan of since it seemed they used frozen strawberries in syrup, and the molten chocolate cake which I really enjoyed. All in all I'd definitely recommend trying Benny's and it's a good alternative if you can't get a table at Joe's.
(3)
Brian M.
A person I work with suggested this restaurant. That is the only reason why we tried it. With so many great Steak Houses in Chicago (Gene & Georgetti's, Morton's, Gibson's, Chicago Cut - I am a fan of all of these restaurants) I should have just stuck with one of them....We will never go back...the food was not good at all but it was just as pricey as the best steak houses. Avoid at all costs.
(1)
John H.
Dined here with a party of three. One quest ordered halibut, another ordered a daily special, Cajun beef tips, and I ordered the 16oz dry-aged ribeye, with a side of asparagus. A cold appetizer, the seafood salad, was ordered for the table and proved to be an exceptional choice. The halibut was exceptional and best among the three entrees. The Cajun beef was over- seasoned, but quite tender and properly cooked. The worst of the lot was the dry-aged ribeye. The steak was properly prepared, but the the meat contained more connective tissue than anticipated. In fact, at one point I had to remove a mouthful of steak as it became impossible to chew sufficiently to swallow -- I can't recall having been placed in such a position in recent memory or in a restaurant, particularly one purported to be classy. In addition, the asparagus was stringy and tough, particularly in the butt ends, which might have been either pealed or removed altogether. Service was professional, although responses to inquires appeared to be well-rehearsed, canned responses. In sum, there are too many alternate restaurant choices offering this cuisine and in this price range to justify my return to Benny's Chop House. I will select an alternative in the future.
(2)
Barry M.
Took 4 colleagues to dinner at Benny's and had an absolutely stellar experience. I had been to Benny's several times for lunch (which was always enjoyable, but I was eager to try out dinner and it did not disappoint). The restaurant itself is simply beautiful, the service was just right and the food truly outstanding. There was a bit of everything on our table (loved the smoked salmon and gnocci appetizers, by the way) and we agreed that the meal was one of the best we've had in recent memory. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of its caliber and we can't wait to go back. Another great Chicago chop house is born!
(5)
sandra m.
Went for birthday dinner with 7 close friends. The service was great but the food was okay. Had the calamari and it was a little rubbery, my husband had the prime and they over-cooked it. The drinks were overpriced, A glass of pinot $26, a glass of syrah $15 and this was by the glass, more then my entree. I order the special salad and wasn't told it had shell-fish (deathly allergic) so I sent it back and was still charged for it. $650.00 later and would have expected a better dining experience for that amount of money. I would recommend you go to Chicago Chop House instead.
(2)
David S.
Met a friend here for dinner. Atmosphere is typical steakhouse - think Ruths Chris or Morton's. We each had salads, shared sides of spinach, asparagus and sweet potatoes. Sides were ok but not great. I had a grass fed KC strip that was fantastic - tasty, tender and perfectly prepared. My friend reported the same of his filet. I would summarize Benny's as great steaks, ok sides and an atmosphere perfect for business or good conversation with friends.
(4)
Allen M.
I am giving Bennys 4 stars for the food alone! The food was amazing but the service was off! The blonde server was cold and seemed rushed. She wasn't friendly at all and she even took my boyfriends plate before he was finished. Go for the food and do not expect the service to be anything less than stellar!
(4)
Soumeya B.
Your typical run of the mill high end steakhouse, no fluff or funfare, just perfect steaks and solid sides. I feel like writing a detailed review isn't worth it, every steak cut our table got (party of 7) was very good. No complaints from anyone. We ordered one of each side on the menu and all were passabable. The service was good but not perfect. None of the waiters had any personality, they all seem to be the same, robotic. Since this was a birthday party we ordered desert as well. The desert was your usual steakhouse fare, high sugar, low taste. Those are all the reasons this place gets a four star rating, nothing special to write home about. What's so earth shattering about cooking a steak right? Ruth Chris does it, Capitol Grill does it, the Palm does it, Morton's does it...who needs another steakhouse? very boring indeed! And they have nothing special in the menu that declares "I am chicago". again, very blah.
(3)
Sarah S.
Over-rated. We had a bit of a disappointing experience. I thought the interior design was clunky at best, but to be frank what really killed it for me was the steak. It only compares with Joe's or Mastro's in price, not flavor...
(2)
D P.
I've walked by this place many times and heard good things about the burgers so we decided to try it out. Good lounge atmosphere and solid beer list. The burger was very respectable, especially for the price. The service left a lot to be desired (drinks took a while, never received any water, and didn't receive a side of veggies we ordered)...but it was a very busy Saturday night so I'll give the server the benefit of the doubt. I plan to try the restaurant side and hope for just as good of food but better service.
(3)
Mally S.
So, my office has a dinner at Benny's mid-November, but my sister was in town and wanted to have steak. I made the reservation and warned my sister about the price. When we arrived on a very busy Friday night, they immediately knew who I was (and that I had booked our office dinner), and treated us like the royalty we wished we were. We went all out on dinner: me with a KC strip with side of au poivre sauce, hubby with the Prime Rib duo oscar-style, and sister with the filet and foie gras. We even had apps of carpaccio and prosciutto. The carpaccio stole the show. Holy goodness. All of our dinners were simply amazing and we really wanted to lick the plates clean, but this is a fine establishment. Oh well. We had the chocolate layer cake and carrot cake for dessert. They were huge pieces and were divine even the next day (we were stuffed!). These guys don't mess around here, they know their menu, their wine list and their beer list. The food was amazing, the service awesome and the value for money well spent was definitely there too. Thanks Benny's!!!
(5)
Jane N.
Compeltly agree with the other reviews! Great food, great service. Sure it is expensive but NOT overpriced. I am a big fan of Volare too. Whoaa!
(5)
Dancer Dreamer T.
this place is great, very tastefully done decor wise. went in on the oyster night special not knowing and the place was swamped, i guess 25 cent oyster can do that. also had an oyster beer that was very good and complimented the oysters wonderfully. Had the chopped salad that was very tasty and finished with beef carpaccio which was also very good. I didn't have a full dinner so i can't fairly rate my visit, but what I did experience (on one of thier busiest days up to now) was very good. will definitely try it again.
(4)
daisy J.
this place is fantastic. my sister and i split the bone-in ribeye and the 8 oz filet and while both were excellent, surprisingly, the win goes to the filet! the sides are all delicious - the fries especially! for 5 people, 3 sides was PLENTY - so don't fall for one side per person they suggest! the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because the dessert left something to be desired. creme brulee is standard, so i wasn't surprised that it was good. however, the michigan apple tart was not the greatest. the tart seemed a bit overcooked, yet soggy at the same time. not sure if i'd order dessert again from there. additionally, their house salad with balsamic was uninspired and a bit flavorless. even given the flaws, i would put benny's up there with some of my other favorite places (joe's and capital grille).
(4)
David H.
Our initial waitress was nothing short of rude and unaccomodating. We requested another wait person and got a great guy who took good care of us. The food is very average and there are many other steak houses in Chicago that are much better. The prices were quite high as well.
(2)
D. I.
Nice atmosphere, slow service, food was mediocre at best. Scallops were very fishy which tells me that they're old! The steak was USDA Choice at best. Definitely not USDA Prime like they claim. The service was bad. Not worth the price.
(2)
Sean C.
Very nice lunch menu. The dinner menu is standard Chicago steakhouse fare. No surprises, but not in a bad way. This place was very classy, extensive beer list, amazing cocktails.
(3)
bridget j.
Overpriced. Husband and I went for anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is nice, but better for business meetings versus a date. The wait staff was great and the place has an amazing wine selection. Husband ordered the aged strip and it was fatty and not good, especially for $45. I had the filet with blue cheese. Cooked exactly as requested, but still left a little to be desired. The sides of sweet potatoes are amazing. Also had the fired has browns and it's exactly what you get...like diner food. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. Just not for the price. With those prices, I expect the same quality as a Smith & W.
(2)
Brian L.
Ok so here is the true skinny on this place! Warm, inviting, decour is awesome. Everyone who works there is awesome. Waiter was indeed super attentive, and was way too involved for my likings. That's me personally and I know that some people want that. When i sit down, within 10 seconds of being there he is bringing us out a $99.00 steak that is a special cut to show us. I get it, sell the big stuff. Salads and Apps were the best part of the meal. Proscuitto w/ Apples and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese w. balsalmic was fantastic, and the grilled romaine salad was great. Steaks were OK. I had the 18 oz bone in filet and my buddy had the 16 oz bone in ribeye. Neither were top 5 steaks we have eaten. The average person who is going out to a nice dinner and looking for the total package will love this place, but for a man who truly cares about the finer details of the meal (specifically the steak), this place is just not on par with the top top top steakhouses. Lobster Mac and Cheese had very little lobster. Asparagus were awesome.
(3)
Emann B.
Meh. Service was fine, but if I'm paying $56 for a ribeye, it needs to be more flavorful. It was nice, but no better then a good supermarket find. The kale was quite good though.
(3)
Larry S.
The Perfect Manhattan and then it got better.. Business trip and asked the concierge for a recommendation, did not miss a beat an suggested a classic Chicago Steak House - locally owned and recently opened. From the outset you see the big chairs, leather booths, dark wood and you know your in a steak house, Staff everywhere - everyone focused on service. An extensive menu with specials offered as well. We chose the lamb chops which were perfect, and the strip steak, which was no so perfect, But this is what makes a difference, no issues, no problem - not happy - lets bring out a nice filet asap. Everyone is happy. Enjoyed the experience, the ambiance and the food! I would say, given a retrun visit to Chicago - I would go back here!
(4)
Raffaela W.
We went for a good steak experience and got exactly that. It has to be mentioned that we visited Benny's with a baby stroller and the ladies at the reception did a very fine job finding us a good spot in the restaurant. The atmosphere is a bit to much of sports bar meets steakhouse for our taste, but the food was good. oysters and shrimp as appetizers, both good quality. The steaks were cooked exactly as we wanted and came with a classic baked potato. If you want a fairly low key good steak house experience, this is the place.
(4)
Michael V.
I was really looking forward to eating at Bennys... one of the great steak places in Chicago. The service was absolutely top notch and our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about the cuts and even the mean purveyors themselves, which was impressive. I took a chance and ordered the pricey Tomahawk bone-in ribeye. Honestly, was slightly disappointed. Ordered it medium rare, per my usual, but it came out underdone, and warm. More rare. Not my favorite choice. Also, the cut was extremely fatty. I'm very used to a little fat in rib-eye, but there were vast chunks of fat that I had to eat around, which was pretty disappointing. Despite that. the rest of the meal, and the filet my friend got with the foie gras butter was one of the best things I've ever tasted!
(3)
SteakOnAPlate.com - Adam ..
steakonaplate.com/steakh… 12/13/2014 Steak: 5.0...Bone in with Maine Sea Scallop "steak enhancement" brought a tear to the eye! Drinks: 5.0: Going big paid off. Well done John Anthony! Ambiance: 4.0...Service was great and the sommelier was amazing! Not a huge wow factor from a decor/energy standpoint. Sides: 4.5...Lobster mac off the charts, oyster variety was a nice intro, mushrooms delicious, and the crisped kale was a great outside of the box selection.
(5)
Greg T.
Quite disappointed in this place. Ordered the regular ribeye. We were brought the bone in ribeye ($20 more). These steaks were way too fatty. On a positive note, the lobster mac and cheese was excellent. Overpriced and not quite as good as it should've been.
(2)
Carl Y.
An upscale bar and cafe. Good for an afternoon tea in the freezing winter. It is quite costly but the food is delicately cooked traditional American and the server is nice enough.
(4)
John G.
The meal started with great service from Kristen. Everyone was very attentive. We started with oysters that were plump and fresh. I had a choice of east or west coast. The horseradish could have had more kick. The grilled Caesar salad was very good. The lettuce is lightly grilled which gives it a nice smokey flavor. It's big so split it. The Manhattan clam chowder came with clams in the dish and then the chowder was added. A nice presentation. The main courses were wonderful. The beef tournedos with truffle sauce were perfectly cooked. The Wagyu filet was remarkably tender and bursting with more flavor than I have ever had from a filet. The Dover sole was almost to big a serving but very good. The banana cream pie was huge and delicious. The Carmelized bananas on the side made the dish. It was a delicious and enjoyable evening.
(5)
H M.
Come for the Steaks! Oh yes, the experience was awesome. We ordered the crab cakes for appetizer, it was nice, and then the short ribs and the skirt steak for the main course. Skirt steak was awesome and the short ribs was just good. The dish would have been better on a cold winter day since it was on the heavier side looking to come from a crock pot. Although very tender and tasty, the skirt steak was a solid 5. We will definitely come back for the rib eye or fillet next! For dessert, they ran out of carrot cake, but it was a blessing in disguise. The angel food cake with rhubarb and strawberries was amazing :) The waitress told us the restaurant recently brought on a new head Chef a few months ago. We thought his food ideas will be what distinguishes this steak house among others, as they are fun and unique. YUM!
(4)
Alexandria H.
This is the best place I've found in Chicago for steak this far. Also the wine list is to die for.
(4)
Liz K.
I'm new to Chicago and this was the first steakhouse I've been to. My only regret is that I didn't have more room in my stomach to eat more of the delicious food. The waiter was the best kind - there at all the right times, but left us alone to enjoy our food and drinks. The steak was delicious, cooked perfectly. A few of the other dinner guests didn't have their meat prepared with any certain style, so their plates looked a little bare. If we hadn't gotten sides to share at the table, it might not have been enough for them. But, since we did have sides, it was the perfect amount of food. The truffle mashed potatoes were amazing, the lobster mac & cheese could have been a little creamier, and the creamed spinach was just right. Somehow I still managed room for the carrot cake, which was one of the best (and biggest) slices I've ever had. I'm a fiend for the frosting, which was definitely the best part of this one. A lot of times, the cake and frosting together are way too rich, but the cake itself was less sweet (still just as flavorful) and so it wasn't too much to eat all together. My only complaint is that the tables are kind of close together so there's not much space when you need to walk somewhere (like the bathroom) and it gets loud easily. But all in all, super, and I will definitely come back here for special dinners in the future.
(4)
Steve G.
Great night out with my brother and other friends... This is a great restaurant and a great reason to go downtown. Nice selection of meats, including three kinds of prime steaks -- dry-aged, aged, and natural -- on the menu. I had the bone-in dry-aged NY Strip. A little tougher than the filets I've been hooked on recently, this was still delicious. Cooked perfectly, too. So, why not more stars? Well, there were some hiccups... We arrived a half-hour early, intending to sit and enjoy a drink before dinner. Despite assurances from the maitre d', after we got our drinks at the bar, the waitress insisted on dropping off the check. We ordered the calamari appetizer as a starter, and it was frankly not that good. It was rubbery, and the breading was soggy, ending up mostly on the dish instead of on the squid. The sides were a mixed bag as well. The creamed spinach was the "best ever" according to my better half, but the bleu cheese croquettes were under-cooked tator tots instead of true croquettes. I did not try the twice-baked potato another friend ordered, but it looked soggy, too. And the mashed potatoes were salty. The wine list we received was out of date (as is the list on their website, I guess). That meant our pre-dinner research was all a waste. The room where we sat appeared to be left for large parties (we had 6 in our party), and that meant the noise level got uncomfortable later in the evening. ...and with a place this expensive, the hiccups are important to me... More positives... The bread bowl was great. Service was nearly impeccable, great wine service -- once we got the right list and the assistance of the sommelier. The desserts are steakhouse HUGE, and all were delicious -- carrot cake, chocolate cake, deconstructed s'more (the last one not so huge). Great valet parking -- for $12 or $14 or something like that... Overall, a sure hit with the beefeating crowd, better than just about any other meat place we've been. Could use a little more work on the details, I guess.
(3)
Zach G.
I was so very excited to check out Benny's. I had two weeks of company expense accounts to look forward to, so I decided to splurge before it when I spent the night in Chicago for a cousin's birthday party. As in multiple glasses of single-malt, a filet mignon, some foie gras and a side of asparagus. My experience took place at the bar. First, the staff are phenomenal. All of the guys at the bar were ridiculously attentive, helpful, friendly and fun. I wanted to try a new scotch and they poured me a couple to choose from, so I really appreciate that. It was delicious...ended up having 3 glasses of it and barely remembering my post-meal cab ride :) The steak came out perfectly cooked - medium rare. However, it just wasn't all that great. It didn't pop with flavor like a steak of that caliber and price should. If the steak had been slightly better, I could give this place 4 stars, but...seeing as this is a steak place, the fact that the steak wasn't fantastic means an automatic one-star deduction in my book. The foie gras was tasty and buttery but I felt the portion was rather small for the price. The asparagus tasted fresh and had more flavor than the steak, to be honest. In the end, my bill was $100 with tax which I felt wasn't all that bad...however, I was just quite disappointed by the steak itself, seeing as this is a steak place. With so many other steak places to try downtown, I don't see me being back here in the near future.
(3)
Justin P.
If you're celebrating an event, make sure you tell them. this place is all about the little things. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. It's on the pricey side to be sure; but their NY Strip was one of the top 5 I've ever tasted. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Izzy N.
Yes. Seriously. Benny's is fantastic! If you're looking to impress, come here. If you're going to do just one quintessential steakhouse in Chicago especially without a budget in mind, I highly recommend this one. The food, atmosphere, service- all made for a wonderful experience. They really know how to take care of you here whether casually dressed or in business attire, it doesn't matter. I see them giving the same attention and enthusiasm with casually dressed guests. There's a lot of places around here, especially the trendier newbs who shall not be named unless you really want names, that should take some notes or get a little tutorial on service from Benny's with the basics. Basics I learned on my first day as a waitress, like timing with interruption and saying shit like excuse my damn reach. But I understand if it's someone's first time waitressing ever. I've been there, I get it but around these parts of the city I feel like service should be on its A game unless you're at McDonald's. It looks rough around there right by the red line Chicago stop. Shank or be shanked. Excellent service never goes out of style. We were very pleased! The food was also great. It's very friendly to those that are gluten free as some were at our table recently and great suggestions were made. The manager is a great salesman. Very persuasive and persistent! Their seafood is pretty awesome here too, their crab and lobster louie starter is really good as is their shellfish tower. The fried calamari wasn't all that though. That's the one thing I wouldn't order again, it's very average. They have dollar oyster wednesdays that the manager suggested- I haven't checked that out yet as I'm a little leery of oysters in the midwest because from my experience they're not as sweet and awesome after a flight or something. Sad face. We will see..... Their chocolate pudding cake is dangerous, with melted, gooey buttery toffee sprinkled on top. I really should have split that :) Great wine list also- I didn't try their Oregon selections but went with red ones from France instead, perfect recommendations as I wanted to go heavy to take the edge off. Shake off that robot zombie clone mode. Worth it.
(5)
Rachel F.
Oh man that phrase died and gone to heaven was put into context at this place. Granted it was so incredible that I couldn't stop and almost ate myself into a coma. THE BEST steak I have ever had. I don't say that lightly. And while it was expensive, it wasn't 50 bucks. I think most of them were 28-35ish. I added crab on mine and they brought two massive crab legs. The sauce on it was decadent, yet not overwhelming. The sides we shared were incredible as well. As for apps, the Chicken Satay was one of my favorites. Highly recommend it. I also really, really loved the crab cakes. We tried a few others that lose me right now, because they just weren't as good. I will absolutely be back here next Chi-Town visit.
(5)
Brandon T.
Was feeling like a nice night out, and decided to give Benny's a shot. Overall, it was a great experience just about what I was expecting. I knew everything was going to be good, when we had finished the entire bread basket and drank a glass of wine by the time we ordered. The bread is ridicuoulsy good . Really well cooked steaks. Prime beef, so extremely tender with a really nice flavor. The wine was great. Not a huge selection by the glass, but there are primo glasses that I had the pleasure of enjoying. Really fresh nice salads, and several to choose from. Normally not a fan of grilled romaine, but this was actually well done. Had a few oysters, and had them give some from the east coast, and some from the west. Would have appreciated him telling me where they were from before walking away. He just dropped them, and said "oysters". Thanks, thought it was the salad.... Had a couple of sides: Truffled mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Potatoes were phenomenal, but the asparagus was over-cooked to me. For fish we got the Halibut on the bone. Which was really well cooked, but unfortunately had several (more than 10) pin bones throughout. When saying something to the waiter, he said he would give us a free dessert, but forgot as we ordered two. The desserts were excellent, as almost everything else was. Had the Chocolate pudding cake, which was like a lava cake except better, with some toffee ice cream. Also the apple tart with vanilla ice cream, better than a fresh apple pie. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a nice (expensive) night out.
(4)
Chris H.
Heaven! Best steak I've ever had and I've had my fair share. I'm sure there's better out there somewhere, but I've never had it. Had oysters to start off with and then the dry-aged, bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare. It was absolute perfection. The sazeracs from the bar were fantastic as well. Can't wait to go back. Two big thumbs up from this guy!
(5)
Heidi J.
I am appalled at the lack of customer service Benny's has. I have been here several times before and live right down the street. I even wrote a 5 star review previously. I decided to come here with my baby one night and upon checking in the hostess says to me "Umm.. you can't eat in the main dining room with a baby and stroller." Umm.. are you serious? Then she tells me "You have to eat in the north lounge bar area".. Since we were already there and had walked in the snow we decided just to eat. Until we realize that they sat us right next to a piano!!! WTF?? Some lady comes over and starts playing and belting tunes and we had to rush out of there rather quickly. Upon leaving I ask for the manager to complain. Since I had been there several times before I know there are tables in the back of the dining room that are in the corner and would have accommodated a stroller just fine. The manager did not really say or do anything and just said "Well I hope you give us a second chance." That's it.. ?? I will definitely not be back. I spent $200 here for what.. to BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?? Good food and crappy, horrible service? What next? Are they going to say people with green eyes or brown hair can't be accommodated in the main dining room? Ludicrous! This is about customer service and respect. This is a high end, upscale restaurant and if you are paying good money to eat here you should be treated with a certain level of respect. I should have just left when we first checked in and the rude hostess said we couldn't eat in the dining room.
(1)
Paul C.
I finally had a chance to visit Benny's Chop House with my boo, and have to say we had a great time. The atmosphere is a little classier than the typical Chicago steak house, which makes it great for a date or a group of friends. I was particularly impressed with the oyster selection. I have been very disappointed with the oysters at Chicago steak houses (Morton's I'm looking in your general direction). Most of the time the variety is scant, and the preparation is traditional to the point of boring. Benny's actually had a good variety of both east and west coast oysters. My boo and I polished off 12 and I would have happily gone back for round 2. As far as the rest of the menu, I felt like everything was pretty much what you'd expect from a steak house. My Caesar salad was just ok--I'd probably skip it on a return visit, and my boo wasn't impressed with her lobster bisque which she thought rather bland. The main courses definitely were satisfying. The steak was expertly prepared, and I opted to couple it with some crab legs. Unlike some other places I've visited, Benny's actually gave a sizable portion of crab legs along with the steak. I was quite pleased. My boo was equally pleased with her pork chop--which I didn't try myself, but I will say looked awesome. The dessert menu looked awesome too, but by this time we had to be rolled out of the restaurant. Next time I'll try to save some room, but it's tough when the menu has so many great options. In a city renown for its steaks, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Benny's definitely deserves some attention if you are touring the Chicago steak house scene. Great food, in an environment great for a date, or a group of friends. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Zack P.
Disclaimer: I've only ever had lunch or dinner in the bar area, so my review is mostly for them. Discovered Benny's when I moved in next door. After a couple visits, several of their impressive signature drinks, and a few nibbles from the bar menu I fell in love with the bar here. The staff is friendly and welcoming, they make you feel like a regular from the first time you walk in. The bartenders are quick but precise. The wine selection is great. The ambiance is always comfortable and enjoyable. A good mix of regulars, visitors, and after work crowd--I've never gone without someone to chat with. $0.25 oysters on wednesday are always amazing. Beers are all by the bottle or can, but the selection is impressive and worth checking out. For lunch you'd be crazy to not try the lobster grilled cheese. Goes great with an albarino they have by the glass. If you order a salad make sure to get the bread! The biscuits are fantastic. On weekend nights there's usually a pianist or some performer singing. It's a bit cheesy sometimes but usually pretty nice for the atmosphere. Great place for a first date or cocktails before dinner.
(5)
A D.
Other steak houses in the city are over rated. Benny's is not. It is a warm, friendly place and the decor is simple yet, elegant. Oysters were very fresh. Dry aged Strip steak was juicy, flavorful and cooked the way I liked it (medium rare). Wine choices were plenty. Wait staff is well trained and knew everything in the menu. This is really a good place to go to. Other places have become too fancy. Will come back for sure! Make sure you make reservations!
(5)
Carol K.
Seriously. This place is over the top when it comes to taking care of me, the customer. While so many places have seemingly forgot about service, Benny's is all about just that. I had written in my first review that I needed to find a location for a celebratory dinner for a colleague. My first surprise was that the Josh, the manager of Benny's, actually read the review, and then reached out to offer up their services. Now usually for a dinner of this magnitude- I would chose a place that I have been frequenting for years- a place that knows me the second I step in the door by name, and who fawns over me throughout my visit, not a place that I had only ever visited one time. But I had so much faith in Benny's, given the stellar showing they had done on my first visit, unprompted, and the follow up from the management staff thereafter, that I made reservations for our group of 6. My thanks go out to the entire staff at Benny's, for the experience was spectacular. My colleagues said that they had never had such a wonderful time dining out before. Starting with our server Vladi, who was quick with suggestions, who kept things flowing, who was delightful and funny and took it all in stride, the evening was off to a great start. We even had Anthony, the server from my first visit, stop by several times throughout the night to check in on us, even though he was taking care of a private dining group during our visit. Really unexpected! The sommelier, Justin bowled us over as well. He helped pick an amazing bottle of champagne that he then proceeded to "sabre" open (don't try this at home!) I pretty much thought I had seen it all and then this- a perfect start to our celebration. And who doesn't like a man with a sword??? Throughout the meal he was great in suggesting wines that weren't terribly expensive but perfectly met the description of what we liked- pushing us to try some new things (my favorite part of a sommelier as I am always looking to find new favorites!) The food was wonderful as well- the raw bar with it's varietal oysters, fresh crab and chilled lobster and huge shrimp made a great beginning. And if that wasn't enough- the steaks were perfection. All perfectly prepared even the "tomahawk"" cut (if you go- ask to see this interesting cut of ribeye!) The restaurant then brought out a variety of their desserts for us to try. Chocolate cake, cheesecake and a donut type decadence were all amazing! And someone in our group ordered the strawberry shortcake which was fresh and sweet and very calorie worthy! Rarely do I think that Yelp doesn't have enough stars. But in the case of Benny's- I either need to adjust my other 5 star experiences down a notch or give this place the 6th star that it so deserves! Customer service is an art. And Benny's is the "gallery" it's served up in! To go on would be overkill. But in this case, it would certainly be fitting.
(5)
Mary C.
When in Rome...okay, Chicago! You must try Benny's Chop House! Atmosphere is really nice, food is amazing and our server was very knowledgeable! Must have oysters, seafood salad...oh heck, it's all good! You will spend a little money but it's worth it!
(4)
Maureen F.
Amazing from start to finish. Great food, staff and drinks. The steaks are tasty and perfectly cooked, the desserts and salads were great (I really liked my grilled romaine!). Very pricey!!! Worth trying once!
(5)
Justin N.
Easily the best steak I've had in the city. I went with the 10 ounce grass fed filet. The bacon appetizer is amazing.
(5)
Kim H.
So I lose an Oscar party bet with my boyfriend, and I owe him dinner. He selects Benny's Chop House, a spot I've wanted to try for a long time and tonight I paid the bet. Benny's offers the traditional Chicago steakhouse ambience - darkened rooms, low lights, elegant wood furnishings, white linen tables, room to spread out, a piano bar and a wait staff dressed in all black. The service is attentive and highly professional. Although I had water accidentally spilled on me at the table, I applaud the service my man and I received tonight. And the food? Just what you should expect from a fine Chicago steakhouse. We enjoyed a surprisingly nice selection of east and west coast oysters, a Caesar salad and their lobster bisque. My man raved about his 7 oz filet with king crab leg enhancement and I dined on a delectable pork chop. Both were prepared to our satisfaction and delicious. We added truffle mashed potatoes which were a bit too "truffly" for my taste, but I can forgive given the quality of everything else. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert, but perhaps that is a tribute to the dinner. We work close by and will definitely try Benny's again. Thank you for making losing a bet fun and enjoyable.
(4)
Whitney K.
Went here on a whim after apartment hunting in August. Father in law was in town and decided he wanted a steak, so he promptly made us walk to Benny's. It was 4 oclock and most steakhouses werent open, and we definitely werent dressed for a nice evening out. However, they were very accommodating, even opened their dining room early for us. We ate, we drank, we laughed. Despite being embarrassed about wearing jeans and sandals, it was one of the best steak meals Ive had in Chicago, and our server was superb (probably bc the rest of the dining room was empty). I still think about it months later. My steak was cooked perfect, the wine recs were on spot, and the carrot cake was the largest thing I've ever seen in my life. Could feed an army with one slice. Will go back for date night one evening.
(4)
Lois A.
Coming here for drinks on a hot day is a great idea. I really enjoy it. You can relax in front of the windows and people watch. They have great bartenders and an extensive selection. Coming here for dinner is something I probably will only do again if it is for business. The steaks are great but they should be for the price. I wasn't super impressed with the sides I've had here and something in general about this place just doesn't really do it for me as a dining destination. Maybe because there are so many other exciting options. I don't even know what it is. If you want a great steak in a classy old style chophouse Benny's will do.
(4)
Matt C.
Went during the week for a friend's birthday. Ribeye was comparable to other delicious steaks at various steakhouses around. They put a sauce on it which was good, as compared to other steakhouses which seem to place more emphasis on the natural flavor of the meat. They have a surprising number of craft beers for a steakhouse. Waiter was somewhat pushy in terms of trying to up-sell us food/drink items rather than really seeming to care what we wanted.
(4)
J W.
Came to visit Benny's for an event, our large group was seated in the back meeting room and given an array of small appetizers to start. The room itself can be rented out for conferences/meetings/large groups, etc... the Manager shared all of the techie features the room has to offer- if I needed a room and could afford it I would consider using Benny's for a meeting. The appetizers were pleasant, although I can't remember any offhand right now. What most impressed me was meeting the Executive Chef, Carlo Lamagna, of Perennial Virant fame. He shared his vision to have each meal be individually fresh with seasonal vegetables purchased from local farmers. In my opinion, it's easy to be a steak restaurant and cook meat, but to continually change your offerings to blend with the time of year is really an art. Carlo has a lot of passion and it's evident in each bite. I had scallops and the filet, both were perfectly cooked and delicious. There were beautiful veggies paired with each entree, and each bite was different than the previous. They brought kale to the table as well, LOVE KALE, it was crunchy and not too oily. Their dessert selection is well versed with a nice array of chocolate, nut, and fruit offerings. I would recommend this for date night, corporate meetings, or even family gatherings.
(4)
John S.
As steakhouses go, I think this is one of the best. If they have it on special when you go, try the coffee-rubbed steak (I had the Delmonico). Fantastic. Loved the ambience, the staff was really nice.
(5)
Stacy F.
Went on a Friday night. Great atmosphere: piano player and live jazz singer in the lounge, great lighting, delicious dirty martinis. Sat down in the restaurant, great service, HUGE wine selection. Great place for special occasions since it is pretty pricey.
(4)
John K.
If you love steak, you will love this place. I had the ribeye and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. I will be gong back the next time I'm n town. The service was great as well.
(5)
RA V.
The ambiance was a pleasant surprise (except for the faux candle). The curved booth seating was welcome as opposed to the bench-type seating many restaurants are going to. The steak and accompanying sauce were flavorful but my steak was way undercooked from what I specified. The bread basket was very good. The maple bacon was terrible and very bland - I expected something sweet and salty or maybe caramelized, but it was charred, almost flavorless and very very fatty - my least favorite item - not the guilty pleasure I was expecting. Service was efficient at first but then very slow. Had to request drink refills. The caesar salad was good. I didn't like the flavor of the cream corn - I thought I tasted garlic but I'm not sure what the flavor was exactly and it stuck to my teeth - had a few bites and left it. The baby carrots were OK but my significant other who usually loves baby carrots left them also. The desserts were the best part of the meal - banana cream pie and chocolate pudding pie tasted great. Unfortunately, I've had stomach cramps, cold sweats and nausea from that evening after dinner well into the next am causing me to miss my business meeting the next morning. Won't be back.
(1)
Delia M.
Celebrated my husband's 40th bday here last week. It was a FABULOUS experience. I was so thrilled. Martinis, oysters, delicious steaks. Our server, Jeff, took great care of us. Since I'd mentioned the birthday when I made the reservation, he brought a menu to my husband that said "Happy 40th Birthday, Chris" printed across the top! Great touch! He then brought us the bacon appetizer on the house (delicious!!) AND a beautiful dessert with a birthday message after our meal. I am so happy we decided to celebrate at Benny's!!!
(5)
S G.
Looking for a good burger? Benny's Blue Cheese Burger could be for you. Toasted bun, cooked to order, good size patty, char broiled, comes with port wine onions (which I had removed), Maytag blue cheese, and fries. Service was excellent, the decor is classic chop/steak house (lot's of wood). Good times for lunch.
(4)
Sophie H.
We ate here Christmas eve night - it was awesome. Our server was killer - it was late so we wanted to share a bunch of things and he was great - he coursed it out for us without issue! Wine list was great - had a nice French assortment which we love! We will definitely be back the next time we are in Chicago.
(5)
Matt G.
My favorite restaurant in all the world. I've dined all over the country and around the world but THIS place tops them all. The attention to detail, the extra mile they go with the preparation of the food, and the absolutely brilliant cuisine is enough to bring me back time and time again. It's very pricey but you're getting TOP notch service and food. And don't forget the AMAZING $10 burger and truffle fries for lunch. But my fall time fav is the wet aged filet. Bravo Benny's! -A loyal fan.
(5)
Michael D.
The bone-in-rib eye was fantastic, as well as the ambiance and quality of the food and service.
(4)
Stephanie W.
Benny's was the locale where I first introduced my boyfriend to my parents, so it holds a special, biased place in my heart. I barely remember what anyone ordered on account of the inordinate amount of sweat coming out of my armpits. I do remember the steaks being delightful, our waiter being knowledgeable, and my dad sitting stoically while my mom and I carried the conversation like dehydrated pack mules. Not to worry: a year and a half later, my parents might love him more than me. Thanks Benny (is he a real person?)!
(4)
Jim S.
Spent the last week in Chicago for some work and family fun. Went to Benny's on Tuesday night for a work dinner. Loved it so much I had to take my family back again on Friday night. The food was wonderful! And I mean WONDERFUL! The service was incredibly helpful and gracious, and I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Chicago. Well done Benny's, well done.
3 stars for the service, 4 stars for the food = 3.5 stars. After reading the glowing reviews on here for the service, I was expecting impeccable service. Granted it was NYE but the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was pleasant and fine; however at a restaurant of this caliber, I was expecting fabulous treatment. I wasn't wowed or made to feel special here, like others experienced. It didn't help that Alec Baldwin sat next to us, which made our server less attentive. Little things like having someone fold your napkin or push in your chair when you went to the rest room didn't happen for us. The pace of the service wasn't consistent and started off hurried but ended laid back. Again, the service wasn't bad, just not as polished as I hoped. Another service flaw I experience was towards midnight as they were to give out a champagne toast. Servers came around with a champagne menu if we wish to not partake in the Cava they were to serve. Another server came by and asked what champagne we would like to order and we said we will take the Cava they were pouring. The server then said "We will have to discuss that." What do you mean you have to discuss it? It was offered as part of the evening and now you were going to revoke it? Thankfully that gentleman never came back to discuss anything else with us and we received our Cava without issue. The food was very good. As a country girl, I like a good steak. I opted for the natural steak and it was the perfect choice. The aged steaks are too mealy and mush for my liking. I ordered it Oscar-style and I could have easily been pleased without it. Ordered the special spinach salad and was very pleased with it especially after seeing how tiny their iceberg "wedge" salad was. The crab cake ($15 for one) was delicious but an appetite teaser. The gnocchi was a knockout, both light and flavorful. Truffled mashed potatoes were my favorite but be warned, you will be belching truffle for the rest of the night! We ended the evening with an enormous chocolate cake - the best value in the house.
(3)
Jordan F.
I went in for the twenty-five cent oysters during a Wednesday happy hour. I sat down at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and helped recommend good east coast beers to go with our oysters. Some of the oysters were kind of small, but some were also really big. For a quarter a piece, it was a pretty legit deal. My friend and I ended up splitting 3.5 dozen by the end with a couple of beers a piece, totally something like $23 a person. Highly recommended if you're an oyster fan.
(4)
Billie O.
I went to Benny's last Wednesday and the food was very good and our server was attentive and very nice. The sommelier, however, was not very pleasant. We asked him for a type of wine and after 3 or 4 suggestions that did not sound appealing, he finally said, "You didn't give me much to go on." I didn't understand why he didn't ask more questions if he felt like I did not provide sufficient information. Thereafter I told him I loved a certain maker of wine and a specific bottle. He assured me that the $150 bottle he suggested was very similar. We received the bottle, it was just ok and not at all similar to the one we had discussed. We checked the reviews online for this particular bottle and it was given mediocre reviews. I was very disappointed, I could have returned the bottle but he made me feel like I was a chore. I like Benny's, but I could have gone to Chicago Cut where the wine experts there were nice and easy going.
(2)
David G.
Review in a nutshell: Trying Too Hard. The food is excellent. My Veal Porterhouse was done to perfection, and my guests' New York Strip and Salmon fillets received raves. If a restaurant was simply the sum of its food, Benny's would be a five star joint. You know the old expression, stick to what you know? Good advice. Benny's KNOWS food. REALLY well. They don't know service or atmosphere, but damn they're sure trying hard at both. I liked our waitress. Great service, very professional. I didn't like the three? four??? other waiter-cum-bussboys who were hovering around the dozen or so tables in our area. I mean, they were also very professional and tried to give great service, but they got in each others way -and mine. On paper, more wait staff for the same number of tables means more service. In reality, more wait staff means being asked three times by three different people if there's anything you need before your real waitress is able to make it promptly back with your refill. Or having to inform half a dozen people that you would like more butter for your bread. Or being asked three times by different people if you are ready for your plate to be removed. They're trying! SO hard. But it's just not working very well. Benny's features live music. Does anyone actually *enjoy* Nightclub music? Or is it purposeless relic we associate with certain types of nightlife due to social inertia - like Nutcrackers at Christmas? "Oh, we want to be "that kind" of restaurant -better hire a talentless singer and someone to play piano a bass fiddle!" You can tell it's an affectation, because if it were important and something they were proud of, they would place the musicians prominently so everyone could see, hear and enjoy. Instead, they're hidden away in a -very stylish- corner, so as to inflict the least number of guests with direct contact to atonal, arrhythmic pseudo-jazz. The atmosphere is a Feng Shui nightmare. You walk in the front door and Benny's is a "cool and clean" marble palace. Come up the stairs and it changes to a "warm but cluttered" Italian Winery for the bar, which hangs over the "classic and intimate" wood-paneled boardroom of a seating area. Which is then, of course, packed shoulder-to-shoulder full of head-achingly loud Chicagoans. Drink up, because you'll only be comfortable with a buzz. Oh. And if you do decide to come to Benny's -because seriously, the food really was amazing- don't do it without a business credit card to pay for the meal. Trust me on this one.
(3)
Lea R.
Betsy in the bar is great. Highly personable and sweet. she noted how we were questioning and on our orders offered info on what had oil and butter and what could be made dry. We really appreciated that as occasionally we encounter servers who seem to find our requests for healthier options like dressing on the side & no oil or butter unreasonable.
(5)
Anisa B.
This place has fantastic YUMMY food. I am definitely a regular here because of the well cooked food, but the bigger reason is because of their outstanding service. Sean, who is just so sweet is always accommodating and always has such eagerness to help. Thumbs all the way up!! And the marshmallow chocolate dessert.... well let's just say I have been in there a few times ONLY to order that dessert.
(5)
Steve D.
Spent the weekend in the city with family, so we hit up quite a few restaurants. Benny's was our choice for Saturday . This place definitely has an old time, clubby steakhouse atmosphere. Kinda cool. After being seated, we waited and waited for a server to appear to take our drink order. The usual Grey Goose martini for me. The martini came in an old school champagne glass which seemed odd but it tasted just fine. Ordered the bone marrow appetizer along with some salads. The bone marrow appetizer consisted of a bone about 8-10 inches with some caramelized onions and toast for spreading. Big problem. The bone marrow was not cooked through and was cold and solid underneath the top. Gross. Flagged down the server who apologized and went for a replacement. He came back with a properly done one and told us it was taken off of the bill. Nice response. On to the entrees. Had surf and turf, steaks, rigatoni, and salmon. My wife's salmon was way overcooked and she had to send it back. My surf and turf was just perfect. Great tasting lobster, great tasting steak. Was pleased. However, my wife never got her salmon until the rest of us were done with our entrees. They never came back until then. She told them she did not want it now, since the rest of us were done. She sampled some of our dishes and liked them but was not too happy about how her service was handled. If you are going to charge high end prices for your food, you better have the execution from the kitchen each and every time and the service that goes along with it. Too many slip ups here. Take a cue from Gibson's, Joe's, etc. Top end food execution and service needs to accompany top end pricing. One other gripe. $17 for a martini! Really? That is crossing the line on drinks. I would have given this place a much higher rating if the service was there. It wasn't. I enjoy top end steakhouses and the experience but this is not where I will go to spend my money. Sorry. I really wanted to like this place. Cheers to ALL
(2)
Danny B.
For a high end restaurant this place relied too much on appearance and service to try to justify a much higher price than half a dozen places that surround it. While the food was great, it was not THAT great to warrant a significantly higher price for the same steak just down the street. Not worth it in my book. If you want to be the creme de la creme, then it has to be unforgettable.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lisa S.
Dinner for two! Only giving it four stars because I have had food this good for cheaper in other cities. The food was amazing but I get uncomfortable spending $250 on dinner. We had the shrimp cocktail and split a salad for appetizer. Dry aged ribeye and a by strip for entree with bro au gratin and a twice baked potato, key lime pie for dessert. It was all absolutely tasty but was it worth $250 after tax and tip... Ehhh? Idk prob not. The potato was the only bit that shocked and awed us. It was not your standard cheese and bacon bits. It had some other kind of cheese and black truffles on top. Different and delicious. Other than that, everything else was what was expected.
(4)Andy G.
This place is phenomenal. It was one of theeee best meals I've ever had. Amy was the best. All of her recommendations were perfection. If you go here ask for her. The sommelier Jay was awesome too. Every wine he recommended was excellent. They were very attentive and respectful. This is my new favorite Chicago restaurant!
(5)Christopher M.
I went in here for lunch the other day. I had been told that the burgers were really good and had seen Benny's featured on "Check Please" so I wanted to give it a shot. The burger was delicious and quite large. I also paid a little extra to get the truffle fries which were amazing. I was so full that I didn't have any room for dessert which looked incredible. The table next to me wanted waffle fries but the waiter told them that they were no longer on the menu but he would see if they could still make them. They did the special order for them and those patrons were quite happy. The service is what, to me, really set Benny's apart. Everyone working was SUPER friendly. I believe that almost everyone working at some point stopped by my table to see how I was doing.
(5)Emily W.
Part of me hopes nobody reads this so they don't find out about Benny's awesome happy hour. We come here on Wednesdays for 25 cent oysters. Eating cheap oysters in the middle of the country doesn't seem like the best idea on paper. Trust me, we thought so too. The oysters at Benny's are always fresh, and they typically have 5-6 varieties (ranging from $3 to 21 per dozen) so you can expand your oyster knowledge. The wine / beer pairing they recommend goes really well with the oysters, but the cocktails are quite good as well. The atmosphere is nice (sometimes there is live piano music) and the service has always been friendly, if a little slow at times. I would come every week if I could. But you don't have to take my word for it. Seriously, just stay home.
(5)Raffaela W.
We went for a good steak experience and got exactly that. It has to be mentioned that we visited Benny's with a baby stroller and the ladies at the reception did a very fine job finding us a good spot in the restaurant. The atmosphere is a bit to much of sports bar meets steakhouse for our taste, but the food was good. oysters and shrimp as appetizers, both good quality. The steaks were cooked exactly as we wanted and came with a classic baked potato. If you want a fairly low key good steak house experience, this is the place.
(4)I. C.
Worse than McDonald's and terribly over-priced. This is one of those moments when you realize why wealthy people commit suicide. They have to eat in places like these to keep up social face, but the food is so awful, it might be turned away by the homeless. The lobster mac and cheese tasted like water and noodles. We tried 3 different steaks. None less than $37.00 ea. They were all very bland and extremely small. The restaurant was practically empty. The room we were seated in was freezing, but they refused to seat us in a warmer area because it was late at night and they were "phasing out waitors" whatever that means. I guess it was too difficult for a waiter to walk to a different part of the restaurant? 《Sarcasm》 So here we are in this expensive "class A" restaurant and the waitress sets up a space heater next to us. Which was not working or heating anything. So everyone was so cold, we literally had to eat in our coats. I saw another review on being rushed out of here and we had the same experience. Over zealous inquiries by two different waiters on if we have everything we need. The final bill was over 400 and i felt like i was just the victim of some elaborate con. My aunt ordered vegetarian pasta. Even that was over 27 dollars and looked like some hamburger helper dish I could have made at home. I truly don't get this place. People who rate it high are probably just trying to look high society. But trust me when I tell you. Don't buy the hype. One of the worst steak houses in Chicago. If you want real delicious steak, with bountiful portions. Do not come here.... ..... unless eating tiny unseasoned beef portions in Tundra conditions is the new upper elite rave thing to do, darling. Yelp should add one more dollar sign to give an accurate depiction of pricing. It's far more expensive than Ruth's Chris or Gibson's. If it were not my sister's birthday, we would have walked out when they refused to seat use in a warmer area. I need a support group after this experience.
(1)Matt Z.
Delicious Maple Glazed Bacon (Pork Belly) and the Tenderloin salad was delicious, but I gave 3 stars due to the fact that Bennys is steak house, and I ordered a steak salad. I ordered the steak medium rare and it came out well done, like hockey puck. Then they took my salad back and came out with cold blue center RARE, not medium rare, but RARE, cold in the center. Steak house that can't properly cook a steak, you get 2 stars.
(2)Stephanie M.
Simply incredible steaks! The waiting staff is super knowledgeable about the meat as well as the wine. I recommend getting the marrow butter on top of the steak - it's the perfect enhancement without over-powering the steak itself. The cocktails are exquisite and the wine selection goes perfect with any cut of meat you should choose. The only thing I could say that was a bit disappointing was their lobster bisque. It was a bit on the bland side. One of the best parts about this place is that it is not stuffy in the least. There's a range of people in their business suits, some in polos and khakis and some people dressed to the nines. It's a lovely place that I no doubt will visit again and again.
(5)Shannon R.
oh my goodness.. I had one of the best meals of my life here. The food is absolutely exquisite. I ordered the filet mignon.... and what made it so insanely good was the addition of bone marrow butter on top of the steak!!!!!! Great atmosphere and very knowledgable wait staff. Very impressive restaurant and a MUST GO if you are in Chicago.
(5)Mark L.
To be honest, this had to be one of the worst meals that I have ever been served in a steak house of this caliber. To start things off, we ordered a 3 inch bone in 45 day dry aged prime rib eye. First off, it was far from being dry aged, and didn't even come close to being prime either. I spoke to Natalie the GM the day after and she said that sometimes the meat doesn't come out quite right. Poor answer by the way. Well in knowing this, shouldn't the chef have tested the meat before it was served? Could the steak have possibly been wet aged vs. dry aged? Just looking at the meat raw, someone should have caught the fact that the meat wasn't of the stated quality. When serving a $159 piece of steak, I think any decent steak house would have the proper controls in place to assure that this does not happen. Lastly, we ordered the steak cooked medium, and it came to the table (overly) rare, almost "black and blue". Secondly, my guest ordered a piece of fish. He mentioned that it was slimy. That means that it was under cooked. Next we ordered onion rings, and they were white, undercooked, soggy, and cold. Same for the french fries they were soggy, undercooked, and not at all freshly fried. 4 meals, served terribly undercooked, and did not at all represent what was presented on the menu. Lastly, I ordered the same thing at David Burke's Prime House the following evening. And the difference in the steak, fries and onion rings were like night and day. I bet Longhorn Steak House would give Benny's Chop a run for their money, and at 1/4 of the cost. Sorry Benny's but you failed so hard that I will never return and only share my horrible experience with family, friends and co-workers. You don't even deserve one star here on Yelp, but I am feeling generous today. Quality Control Disaster as it best!
(1)Stormie Y.
This food was horrible! The setting was terrible. Seemed like a place older men go for business trips to sit there and do nothing. The service could have been a lot better as well. I also felt the server we had was rude and racist. Long story short I will never go here again.
(1)Emann B.
Meh. Service was fine, but if I'm paying $56 for a ribeye, it needs to be more flavorful. It was nice, but no better then a good supermarket find. The kale was quite good though.
(3)Larry S.
The Perfect Manhattan and then it got better.. Business trip and asked the concierge for a recommendation, did not miss a beat an suggested a classic Chicago Steak House - locally owned and recently opened. From the outset you see the big chairs, leather booths, dark wood and you know your in a steak house, Staff everywhere - everyone focused on service. An extensive menu with specials offered as well. We chose the lamb chops which were perfect, and the strip steak, which was no so perfect, But this is what makes a difference, no issues, no problem - not happy - lets bring out a nice filet asap. Everyone is happy. Enjoyed the experience, the ambiance and the food! I would say, given a retrun visit to Chicago - I would go back here!
(4)Michael V.
I was really looking forward to eating at Bennys... one of the great steak places in Chicago. The service was absolutely top notch and our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about the cuts and even the mean purveyors themselves, which was impressive. I took a chance and ordered the pricey Tomahawk bone-in ribeye. Honestly, was slightly disappointed. Ordered it medium rare, per my usual, but it came out underdone, and warm. More rare. Not my favorite choice. Also, the cut was extremely fatty. I'm very used to a little fat in rib-eye, but there were vast chunks of fat that I had to eat around, which was pretty disappointing. Despite that. the rest of the meal, and the filet my friend got with the foie gras butter was one of the best things I've ever tasted!
(3)SteakOnAPlate.com - Adam ..
steakonaplate.com/steakh… 12/13/2014 Steak: 5.0...Bone in with Maine Sea Scallop "steak enhancement" brought a tear to the eye! Drinks: 5.0: Going big paid off. Well done John Anthony! Ambiance: 4.0...Service was great and the sommelier was amazing! Not a huge wow factor from a decor/energy standpoint. Sides: 4.5...Lobster mac off the charts, oyster variety was a nice intro, mushrooms delicious, and the crisped kale was a great outside of the box selection.
(5)Greg T.
Quite disappointed in this place. Ordered the regular ribeye. We were brought the bone in ribeye ($20 more). These steaks were way too fatty. On a positive note, the lobster mac and cheese was excellent. Overpriced and not quite as good as it should've been.
(2)Carl Y.
An upscale bar and cafe. Good for an afternoon tea in the freezing winter. It is quite costly but the food is delicately cooked traditional American and the server is nice enough.
(4)John G.
The meal started with great service from Kristen. Everyone was very attentive. We started with oysters that were plump and fresh. I had a choice of east or west coast. The horseradish could have had more kick. The grilled Caesar salad was very good. The lettuce is lightly grilled which gives it a nice smokey flavor. It's big so split it. The Manhattan clam chowder came with clams in the dish and then the chowder was added. A nice presentation. The main courses were wonderful. The beef tournedos with truffle sauce were perfectly cooked. The Wagyu filet was remarkably tender and bursting with more flavor than I have ever had from a filet. The Dover sole was almost to big a serving but very good. The banana cream pie was huge and delicious. The Carmelized bananas on the side made the dish. It was a delicious and enjoyable evening.
(5)Manu A.
This is second time I come here, and I have to say they have the best bacon. So bacon lovers this is a must, they even have a bacon menu. In addition, the meat is outstanding, and even better than RPM and Chicago Chop House (my humble opinion). The banana cream pie is great! Finally, there is live piano and the bar has a window with view to the City.
(5)Matt H.
When you ask people in Chicago what their favorite steakhouse is, you'll usually get a mix of Gibson's, Morton's, David Burke's, Mastro's, etc. For whatever reason, Benny's just isn't as popular, and it usually isn't in the mix... which is odd because it is every bit as good (if not better) than the others! The dining room's atmosphere is everything a great steakhouse should be, and the service is among the best in the steakhouse category. Most impressive though was our waitress' 10 minute dissertation she gave us on the difference between dry and wet aged steaks when a friend asked her to explain it for him. The staff really knows their stuff! My wife also contends that the steak she had at Benny's was her favorite steak ever.
(5)David B.
Having been on quite the tour of Chicago steakhouses lately, I didn't think Benny's could meet my expectations. I was wrong. Very wrong. Elegant, dark-ish, classy decor, with impeccable service from start to finish. We began with a great bottle of wine off their extensive list. Then, two appetizers for the group of four: the house-smoked maple glazed bacon and one of their specials, the salmon tartare. The bacon was: 1) incredible; 2) a much bigger portion than we ever imagined; 3) could have been a meal by itself. The salmon tartare was excellent as well - served with a lemon oil vinaigrette, resting on a bed of creme fraiche (I think) and avocado, and top with five different types of caviar. On to the entrees. I'd been thinking filet until I saw them bring another table the red-wine braised short ribs. Our waitress discouraged the change and told me to stick with the filet. I did - and was very happy. The natural 10 oz. was amazing - tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked at medium rare. Three of the four of us got filets and everyone was quite satisfied. Sides: broccolini with cannellini beans (special - good), blue cheese croquettes (a favorite of one of the people with me; they were fine but nothing special); truffle fries with parmesan (not bad...but nothing to write home about); and crisped kale (very good!) Then, we decide to split two desserts: the carrot cake and the s'mores cheesecake. The carrot cake was extremely decadent - moist, flavorful, and an enormous slice and with an incredible cream cheese frosting/filling and topped with walnuts. The other one was a "deconstructed" s'more. Milk chocolate cheesecake, topped with a homemade marshmallow and then covered in "graham cracker mud" - melted milk chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Very good - although I enjoyed the carrot cake more. Best part of dessert? Taking some of the carrot cake's cream cheese frosting and eating it with a bite of the milk chocolate cheesecake. Yum!
(5)Diane W.
This was our third great dinner out here in "food heaven" Chicago. This restaurant is beautiful in both decor and food presentation. The hostesses and food runners are impeccably dressed ,our waitress was friendly and very knowledgable on all the various cuts of beef and presentations. Our waitress was just the right mix of attentive and not annoying. Our party had the maple bacon appetizer-WOW!!!! Delicious and worth every bite! Filet mignon-very good/however not the best I've ever had. Rib-eye: my date had this. Very tasty and a nice large portion Brussels sprouts- nicely prepared and tasty Spinach-Meh... Would not order it again
(4)Thomas C.
For years Gibson has been my favorite Chicago steakhouse .... uh oh .... what's up Bennys? They have a fantastic restaurant week menu, and the burger is phenomenal. Tonight for our anniversary we dined for dinner. We're on cloud nine. They personalized a menu for us ... they have a great selection of small champagne house champagne. The service right down to the greeting was special .... The space well appointed. But at the end of the day the issue is and only is .... how is the strak. How is the steak? Uh oh .... Gibson 's you're in trouble. Dry aged rib eye was too good for words. I am not going to swear off my old favorite ... but Bennys is better by a nose. We were celebrating our anniversary and on top of everything else, we now have personalized menu's which we ordered off of for our meal ... very, very nice touch, that will see us coming back for more.
(5)Suzanne N.
We came here for a birthday party, which I set up with an event person in advance. We arrived promptly and it took an additional 30 min before we got seated. So we ordered drinks from the bar...well they were out of both the wine we saw listed and my husbands favorite beer. Not starting off too well and the bartender was nice, but not particularly helpful. Finally a sommelier(? not sure) person came over and helped us out. She remembered my requests and contract, and actually had one of the servers go out and get the beer we requested (which was on their menu online and the one posted at the bar). Once we were seated the food thankfully made up for initial encounter. The food was all excellent, and the wine they offered instead of the one we wanted was really good. The birthday cake they made was awesome too. They printed a personalized menu for the birthday boy and even put candles on the cake. I think I would come back, but maybe with only a small group.
(3)Danny W.
Pretty sure Benny himself is going to beat the living shuck out of me once I post this on social media, but their Wednesday night special is too re-donk-u-lous to not share with everyone. From 4-7pm their oysters are as low as a quarter each and if you believe the urban legends that basically adds up to the equivalent of a couple Viagras for about 6 bucks. We're not talking doughnuts here either so don't worry about them being day olds. It's the same quality you'd get on a normal night only at about one twelfth of the price. The servers are super cute too asl if you needed additional inspiration. Hit them up for one of the happiest hump days you'll ever have!
(5)Michael H.
House-cured maple glazed bacon. Wow! It's a meal in itself. I tired the Colorado Lamb Chops which were tender and seasoned perfectly. Not a huge portion for the big eaters out there. She had the Faroe Island salmon which was just ok. Try the brussels sprouts. I really liked the atmosphere as well. Took awhile for the staff to assign a permanent server to our table, but once it was figured out it was smooth sailing from there.
(4)Frank J.
The food at Benny's was very good but the service was phenomenal. I cannot say enough about them. Highly recommend.
(4)Michael M.
I'm a big believer that dining in a restaurant is as much about the experience as it is the food. Benny's provides good food and absolutely the best service. Our server was Nick. He was attentive, charismatic, extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu, wine list, and drink options. In short, he provided the best service of any wait staff of any restaurant I've ever dined at. For the food, I ordered the 20 oz dry aged bone in ribeye. I can say that is one impressive steak. Cooked perfectly and one of the best steaks I've ever had. My wife had the chicken which she enjoyed (she isn't a steak person, she goes for my birthday once a year ;) For sides we had the mashed potatoes and the white asparagus. The asparagus was nice. The potatoes were also nice. There just wasn't anything special about either of these side items. I expected a bit more flavor (especially from the potatoes). We finished with creme brûlée which was provided on the house to celebrate my birthday. I would have liked this a bit warmer (the custard was still a bit cool). Overall this was just a wonderful dining experience. Tip: Benny's offers half pours on glasses of wine which is nice if you aren't going to buy a bottle or want a different wine for a different course.
(5)Lloyd M.
Went back to Benny's on Tuesday after a visit last year. Have been testing all of the top 32 Chicago steak houses and Benny's was unintentionally the first one I had visited, so wanted to go back now that I had a chance to experience many of the others. I had remembered it as quite good but the memory was not as powerful as some of the other great steak houses. Turns out that Benny's is clearly top-5 and can compete for #1. Was with some friends and had an incredible appetizer, their maple cured bacon. I have had the bacon appetizer at some other steak houses, can't really miss on it, but this was probably the best. The bacon, better described as pork belly, was fantastic. We were four people and could not finish it, and believe me all of us have big appetites. We also had a salmon tartare appetizer with 5 types of caviar that was great. My entree was the natural prime bone-in NY strip. I normally go ribeye but a review in Chicago mag prompted me to go crazy and try this. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was fantastic. Cooked exactly as i requested, very flavorful but also perfectly tender, almost ribeye-esque. It comes with a sauce, which was okay but don't know why you ever would use a steak sauce with a great steak. The sides were awesome, or 2/3 were. My strongest memory of the my first trip to Benny's was the blue cheese potato croquettes and they did not disappoint. If you like blue cheese, these are awesome. I also loved the crisp kale. No idea what to expect and tried it just to find out. May have been my favorite part of the meal. It had a nice citrus flavor and was almost like potato chips. The one disappointment was the truffle fries. The fries were not particularly crispy (which is normally how I like them) and even the truffle flavor was not that powerful. We had two desserts and I don't consider myself that qualified to comment on them, as I am not a big dessert guy. Everyone loved the huge piece of carrot cake, and the icing was fantastic. Also, an interesting decomposed smore as a cheesecake entree. Overall, a fantastic meal and solid contender for best steak house in Chicago.
(5)Lucia C.
We definitely had a good time and enjoyed our dinning experience here. Awesome steaks, fresh oysters, tasty desserts, and warm service. Highly recommended!
(5)Cindy H.
This was the ultimate fine dining experience. Took my boyfriend here for his 28th birthday and I am glad I did. We had reservations at 8PM on a Saturday and were seated promptly. The restaurant was moderately busy and immediately I noticed that everyone seemed to be all smiles, dressed to the nines and just overall having a great time. This was one of the best parts of the dining experience- everyone was actually talking to one another rather than hovering over their cell phones boasting the great time they're having on social media instead of actually having that good time. Benny's sets us up for this. A dining experience so fine from service to wine that you can't help but take in every moment. My boyfriend was well attended to by Deborah who reviewed the wine menu with him, made suggestions for oysters (which were so simple, the way they should be, but delicious). The lobster risotto I had was creamy and rustic. My boyfriend's filet mignon was cooked medium rare instead of medium but it was so tender and juicy, we didn't mind. For dessert we had more oysters! Wow that says a lot.. I am loyal to a fault for chocolate.. not this time. The meal was - oysters rockefeller, 2 dozen cold oysters, lobster risotto, filet mignon, truffle fries (like regular fries but in a cool basket), 5 glasses of wine all together, two shots of 43 liquer with whipped cream and espresso =ing $327 w/ tip. HAPPY FRICKEN BIRTHDAY!
(5)Adam B.
Benny's is a must visit when in Chicago - but only if you're on an expense account!!! I had the bone in filet. It was cooked perfectly. Probably the best steak I've ever had. The maple bacon app is absolutely brilliant. As is the seafood appetizer bowl. I hope to visit again soon. If you go then you need to make sure you're prepared - they don't mess around. Huge portions, top quality, great service.
(5)Leslie B.
Went here for a dinner with our agency. Every single thing we ate was phenomenal. Service is excellent. I had a sea bass that was described by our waiter as "angelic" and it indeed was. Highly recommended for a special night out.
(5)Paul M.
Tomahawk bone-in ribeye steak aged 45 days was ridiculously good. Came here with a bunch of friends on a short trip to Chicago and was not disappointed. We changed our reservations last minute, they accommodated us. We lingered at our table past closing, they have no prob with it. When I asked for a drink recommendation at the bar, the guy made an incredible Meyer lemon infused drink with top shelf rye. Overall very pleased. If I had to nitpick I'd say the kale chips side was kinda like eating salt flavored paper. Get the bacon Mac n cheese.
(5)Chris W.
This place is a solid 5 start steak house. Absolutely incredible. From start to finish their customer service was extremely good. Their wine menu is very large but their servers are very knowledgeable. Their menu choices are incredible. I highly recommend their bone in rib-eye. Make sure to share the sides, they are all huge! Will be back for sure next time I am in Chicago!
(5)Ryan G.
Took my wife here for her 30th birthday. Drinks were good, and the appetizers were good.. (Had crab legs and crab cakes) Then the meal. I ordered a steak and my wife had a white fish. They bring the fish out to debone it in front of you. (Ohh Fancy) Of course when they did this, they realized the fish smelled of something fierce. They immediately took it back and decided that they couldn't serve it and started a new fish. Im glad they caught that and didn't serve it.. but here I am with a steak and my wife is staring at me. I cut into my steak to find a thick strip of purple (Very Rare) and I ordered medium rare. So I send this back. (BTW, this is the first steak Ive ever sent back) Comes back 5 minutes later to my liking. The steak is one of the lowest quality pieces of meat Ive had in a long time. Very tough and not very flavorful - and still no fish. Done with my steak and the fish comes out. My wife loved it but ruined our whole experience. This place is quite pricey for just average food.. Would not recommend.
(2)June A.
I was there Feb '15 The food was FANTASTIC and the service was very accommodating. We will be returning every time we go to ChiTown...love love love this spot
(4)Krystina R.
I took my bf out to Benny's for his birthday and it was AMAZING! We shared lobster bisque, which was to die for! It was so creamy and had just the right amount of lobster. I enjoyed a hefty juicy piece of ribeye and my bf tried the skirt steak. WOW! I expected my ribeye to be great, but his skirt steak was phenomenal! I am Mexican so I have had my fair share of arrachera (skirt steak) but this was beyong great! For dessert, we tried the ginormous chocolate cake. Again, SO GOOD. I cannot wait to go back. Can't say enough great things :)
(5)Jon E.
I live next door to Benny's, so I was pretty excited when I had my first opportunity to try it. I went for lunch and took advantage of the Restaurant Week menu. I promise I am not exaggerating when I say the steak just wasn't good. They served me super salty beef tournedos. It was overbearingly salty. I don't normally complain, so I thought I would at least mention it to the waiter. He listened, apologized, and took my plate away. Then he brought back a fully unseasoned version of the dish. This was kind of insulting because it was saying that my taste was off, which wasn't the case. I just didn't want the steak that they had accidentally dropped a handful of salt on. At this point, I just didn't want the steak to go to waste, so I told the guy I would just use the table salt as needed. The beef was cooked OK. It certainly looked about right, but it somehow wasn't tender. Perhaps this is because the cut is from the end of the tenderloin... not sure. It just wasn't good. The service was decent, and the waiter said he hoped I would be back. I just can't see myself returning, though, because I don't trust that they know how to cook a steak. After 2 failures, I don't see reason to give it another shot, especially since there are so many other options in this city.
(2)Brian S.
Maybe it's unfair, but I judge my steakhouses against Keen's in NYC. By this standard, Benny's was one step above a tourist trap. I will say that they cooked everything perfectly. The problem was that everything was missing something. The biggest miss was the dry aged steak, which I'm convinced was not dry aged but something off of the regular menu. These are dry aged twice as long as what Whole Foods does, but when I grill the Whole Food steak, it has a much more concentrated beef flavor. The calamari with calabrese peppers needed either more peppers or maybe an infused pepper oil, as what you get is not enough to get spice in every bite. The seasonal mushrooms needed some herbs to give it a deeper depth of flavor, and the hash browns were underseasoned. Even my cocktail, their take on a sazerac, was bland. They couldn't even get flavor out of the spiced rim! Finally, I found the wine service somewhat shady. The 30+ page wine list has less than 10 wines by the glass. Granted most people are ordering bottles (as we did), but you'd think that with that many wines, they could offer a little more variety. But the shady part is the service. One of the sommeliers (I did not see ours do this) would open the wine at a stand away from the tables. She would pour herself a sample, try it, then bring the bottle to the table. I have never heard of a sommelier sampling a customer's wine without the customer's permission. I asked a manager if this was their standard practice, and she said not only was it standard, it was encouraged. If that's the case, why aren't customers made aware of this? They still bring the bottle to your table and have you try it, as if they don't already know if it's corked or not. What if you thought it was corked, will they argue with you? Anyway, the sommelier was pouring herself samples large enough that she had a taste before serving the bottle, and then another after the bottle was served. It's not like she was giving herself a full pour, but I still think this is wrong on a lot of levels. As an aside, I think she noticed us watching her sampling the bottles she was serving, because when we left and I spoke to a manager at the front of the restaurant (not anywhere close to customers she could be serving), she magically appeared and lingered next to our conversation while she pretended fold a napkin or some such thing. Which is kind of funny when you think about it, because as the manager told us, they encourage the sommeliers to do this. I just think customers should be made aware that this is the way they serve wine. We were really excited to have a great Chicago steakhouse experience, and we were severely disappointed. There are plenty of other options out there that you don't need to go to Benny's.
(2)Jay W.
Excellent dining experience. The cocktails were made to perfection, followed by amazing food. The service was spot on as well. You will definitely see us again.
(5)Jim H.
I received a gift card for this place so my fiancé and I decided to check it out. They aren't kidding when they put $$$$ next to their name. I'm really glad I had the gift card! The food was good. Our waiter was great...he even ran down the street chasing after us when we left our credit card there (we were in a rush trying to catch a show). I wish I could remember his name.
(4)Laura P.
Came here for a romantic early Christmas dinner and it was great! We made reservations about a week ahead of time but could only get in really early or really late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was the holidays but I would recommended booking as you can. We are night owls anyway so it wasn't an issue. My boyfriend and I both love food so needless to say we ate a lot, We each got our own appetizer. I had the tuna tataki (It was really good) and he got a Caesar salad. For dinner he got a New York strip steak. We eat a lot of steak and he said it was one of the best he has ever had. I decided to keep to my seafood streak and got the scallops which I highly recommend! I wish we could have had dessert but we were too full. Service was great, he didn't hover over us but checked in from time to time to be sure we enjoyed everything.
(5)Veronica H.
We went there for my 14th yr Anniversary with a party of 18. They were nothing short of AMAZING!!!! They had personalized menus with my name and my husbands name and Happy Anniversary. The service was not lacking at all, which usually is when you have a large party like we had. They sat us promptly as well as were attentive to all our needs. The food ... OMG the food. Again .... the bacon .. you will read this in just about all the reviews... trust me GET THE BACON. We ended up ordering 3 plates and calamari. The risotto is to die for as well as the lobster bisque. I had the bone in rib eye Oscar style...... hands down .. the best. Literally the best. Service ... they did not miss a beat. They have my business from now on. We plan on taking my father in law there for his retirement dinner next month and we know we will not be disappointed. The restaurant was packed, but they made us feel like we were the only ones there :-)
(5)Will S.
Both the food and the service are absolutely fantastic at Bennys. My family is in town on a little vacation, and we wanted a great Chicago steakhouse. Bennys takes reservations, which is a huge plus. The interior is classy, and the service is beyond helpful. I can't recommend the dry-aged rib-eye enough. Make sure you save room for dessert, as they really are spectacular.
(5)Eric B.
Excellent food. We had the salmon and the ribeye on the bone medium rare. A bottle of D2 cab and oysters on the half shell. Couldn't have asked for a better meal for Valentine's Day. Our server Kelly was amazing and so was the guy who recommended our wine (never got his name). If you're looking for a great steakhouse, I recommend Benny's.
(5)Amelia Z.
My friend and I have made a tradition out of coming to Benny's for Restaurant Week for lunch since we work nearby. Sadly, It has lost its luster year over year. Service is still great and attentive but I remember years ago I was saying that Benny's had some of the best steak I've ever had and after having the medallions today, I wasn't wowed. I understand RW is only a sample of their menu, but usually it's a great way to earn customers and have them come back during non promo-weeks. I love Volare, but Benny's is starting to feel out of date.
(3)Ashley K.
Best steak house I have ever been to! The service was absolutely great and the food was amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Lily G.
This place deserves 5 stars for sure! The steak wasn't as amazing as I have had at other places (Grille 23) however the side orders, staff, and ambiance bring it all in for a home run! I had the Filet which was pretty standard compared to other steak houses. My boyfriend had the Dry Aged Bone in Rib Eye, which he says was the best steak he has ever had. For sides, we got the specialty bacon, which succulent! I literally have dreams about this bacon. It's not always there, but when it is it's a must for sure! Our drinks were fantastic and our waiter made the experience feel unique and he made us feel as though we were the only ones there. Overall an exceptional dining experience!
(5)kurt s.
Paul is a master. Red carpet, velvet glove treatment from the get-go. Anticipated needs and intuited recommendations beyond the scope of my typical dining horizon. His confidence is well-placed; the fare was of the highest quality, justifying his enthusiasm and the tab. My best surf-n-turf experience in this town thus far. The heavyweight champs of presentation and execution. This place scratched the itch I've had for six years. Bravo!
(5)Garry W.
Good service, lousy food Heirloom tomato salad was nothing more than supermarket tomatoes, a thick (overpowering) slice of onion, some blue cheese crumbles and balsamic. I've had better from Applebee's... Dry aged New York was mediocre at best, nothing special and certainly not a $50 steak. Lamb was fatty, small and overpriced as well. Wine list is way overpriced for California wines. I would not eat here again for 1/4 the price, don't understand the attraction. So many great places in Chicago, why bother with this place.
(1)Candice C.
Visited Benny's on Tuesday before heading to a hawks game. Food was yummy and very satisfying. But the real reason I am posting is because of our waitress. I can't remember her name and I'm sure that's my own fault but she was so helpful and attentive. All of her suggestions (especially bacon appetizer) were great. Very rarely do you see people take the time to make sure you enjoy your experience and do it with a smile these days. Im in the industry as well and want to give credit where credit is due. If all your servers are like her Id come back based on the service alone. Two thumbs up from us!
(4)Michael D.
Place is very good but not mind blowing. The only reason for the 4 stars was my expensive dry aged rib eye was very good but not great, my friends bone in dry aged NY strip was slightly better. The waitress seemed a bit disturbed that we elected not to order dessert. She kinda gave us a little attitude... That dessert menu was amazing but we were stuffed and all of us weren't big dessert eaters... The sides were amazing! We got Brussels sprouts, spinach and mushrooms (since we all got steak). The bar was fantastic, great cocktails and great wine list. I would go here people! Try out a different place...
(4)Mandy M.
As a vegetarian I can say going to a steakhouse is not my first option. I agreed to dinner with a friend of mine here. From the moment we walked in I felt good here, the hosts were nice & seated us at a booth promptly. Our server was very attentive & the busboys too were all great. I got the roasted cauliflower which was very good 5 out 5 stars my friend got East/West coast oysters which she gave 4 out 5 stars The cheese platter was okay the Brie cheese & toasted bread were the best on it My friend got the all natural Filet Mignon she loved it 5 out 5 stars t She also got crab legs which she thought were dry & hard 2/5 I ordered a sides of seasonal mushrooms sooo delicious 5/5 Brussels sprouts they were okay 3/5 Creamed spinach 4/5 Our desserts were awesome, we are fat kids at heart & ordered 3 desserts to share lol!! My friend loves Hugo's frog bar especially their Crème Brûlée she said it's not fair she can never eat Hugo's Crème Brûlée again, Benny's topped Hugo's for sure.5/5 I got the S'mores Cheese Cake which was great 5/5 We also got the banana cream pie which was amazing, amazing, & amazing. 5/5 it was huge portion definitely for 2 or 3 people. we would definitely go back but especially for the price for 2 people I think everything we ate should be 5 stars worth.
(4)Yen L.
We decided to splurge for my husband's 30th birthday and took a stab at Benny's. We had a great experience. We were seated promptly, and the hostess even brought a birthday card for my husband. Nice touch. What I like about Benny's is that, while it is obviously a more spendy place, it isn't pretentious and so quiet that all you hear is the clink of silverware. Diners were comfortable and all clearly enjoying themselves. There was a very fun and comfortable atmosphere. I prefer that over something quiet and pristine. The food was all excellent, and service was pretty spot-on. We did have a little wait when we were done with our food and waiting for the bill, but it was so busy by that point, we were sure it was due to that. The only thing...and this is just personal preference, not a reflection on the restaurant itself...was that about halfway through our time, a large party was brought in and seated near us, and from that point I felt a bit like I was in a sports bar during a Bears vs. Packers game. It got a lot harder for us to converse, and my ears hurt from the volume. It was a little harder to enjoy my meal from that point, but still, I would recommend Benny's for a special occasion. I really enjoyed our time there.
(4)Wendy W.
This was the restaurant our concierge recommended and was it a great recommendation. We waltz into this fancy restaurant looking like bums (aka tourists) with shorts and sandals but they treated us with dignity and class. The menu is quite expansive offering a little something for everyone. Benny's offers both wet-aged and dry aged USDA steaks. The steak was cooked beautifully and perfectly seasoned. Any restaurant that doesn't act pretentious and stuffy is aces in my book.
(4)Cory L.
Visited Benny's with four friends from Boston. Awesome atmosphere, dark wood and dim lighting. Has an "old Chicago" feel. We started with cocktails; I'd recommend the Lakeshore Lemonade, absolutely delicious. We ordered the thick cut maple glazed bacon as an appetizer. It was amazing. For my steak I ordered the 22oz, bone-in, 30 day dry aged ribeye. Absolutely fantastic. Not my first aged steak, but definitely the best. Super juicy, cooked perfectly. I wish I had gotten the bone marrow butter on top though. The sides are shared. We ordered the macaroni and cheese, truffle fries, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The macaroni and cheese was excellent. Truffle fries (french fries fried in truffle oil) were interesting and tasty. Mashed potatoes were pretty basic, and no one was impressed by the asparagus. For desert we all got a scoop of ice cream made in house, served with some fruit. Nice end to the meal. After seeing the banana cream pie though, I wish I had gotten a smaller steak. The service was outstanding. Very well dressed, prompt and polite staff. Kelly was our server. She was funny, charismatic and very knowledgeable. As five guys in our mid twenties; we came to Chicago to visit friends, explore the city, and get drunk, to be completely honest. However, after the amazing food and absolutely outstanding service; we all agreed our meal with friends at Benny's was the highlight of our trip.
(5)Mike O.
You wouldn't necessarily think that Benny's could be classified as a good value. After all, you can drop over a Benjamin on a dry-aged porterhouse. Yet at lunchtime, you can get a Top-10-in-Chicago grade burger for $10 (including fries). It's crazy. I'm not talking a glorified slider. This is a 3/4 lb. patty with some excellent toppings. I got the Benny's burger, which features onions sauteed in port wine paired with Blue Cheese, and served with truffle fries on the side. All of the toppings work conspiratorially to disintegrate the bun after a few minutes, so I suggest eating determinedly, with few set-down breaks. My burger, cooked medium to order, was exceptionally juicy and flavorful. Service was accommodating and friendly. My jeans and casual sweater raised nary an eyebrow from the staff. I sat in the well-lighted bar area. Plasma TVs with no sound (ESPN) were visible from most of the tables. I still can't believe the burgers are priced so competitively for lunch. By comparison, a Five Guys cheeseburger and regular fries will run you about $9.30. For an extra $0.70, you can get a much larger burger that is infinitely more refined and tasty (and I like Five Guys). If I worked down the street from Benny's, I'm pretty sure my waistline would suffer. Highly recommended.
(5)Bill G.
The best dinner I have ever had in downtown Chicago. Food excellent and service great This will be a standard dinner option for me Each time I visit Chicago
(5)Kim K.
Whenever my husband and I want to celebrate a special occasion, steak is the first thing that comes to mind. And when we want steak, Benny's is our first choice. We have been here so many times and have never once been disappointed. Our most recent visit was no exception. Before I talk about the food, I want to mention the service. Wow! These people really know what they are doing and the service alone completes the whole fancy steakhouse experience....now, on to the food... We both started out with the iceberg wedge salad. It is topped with a generous portion of blue cheese and bacon...two foods that are my lifeblood. I definitely recommend this classic. For our entree we both got the dry aged, bone in rib eye. Talk about PERFECTION! Seasoned perfectly, cooked perfectly, so juicy and so much flavor. The most perfect choice for any steak lover. The sides are all shareable, and we got the macaroni and cheese with bacon and the blue cheese croquette. Both very rich and decadent choices. We have been here so many times that we have tried just about all of the sides at one time or another, and they are all amazing. On to the desserts....oh, the desserts...Their dessert chef started out at Charlie Trotter's. Everything is amazing. The carrot cake and the chocolate layer are gigantic, rich and a great value for the money. I have also had the s'mores cheesecake in the past. My only regret in life, is that this visit I didn't save room for dessert. But don't worry, my husband and I like to pop in from time to time, sit at the bar and order a dessert when we feel like having a decadent snack. Over all Benny's is great. Top notch food and service. It is definitely a wonderful experience for those special occasions.
(5)Christopher G.
I took three friends here for a birthday dinner. It was my choice and I regret it. My steak was undercooked (compared to two other people who ordered theirs the same way) and when I asked for a few more minute in the broiler I was treated to several smart ass comments. Then when my friend ordered a glass of wine (our third or fourth) he received a "less than full" pour and again treated with smart ass comments about their machine and it being a full pour (obviously wasn't when lined up to our other two glasses of wine). Sides were good, white asparagus was interesting, and drinks were cool. Place has potential but really screwed up the service and the steak which is the only reason to go to a steakhouse. I wouldn't go back
(2)Carl C.
Our office team hosted our dinner for the holidays here in December. An amazing experience and the food was first class. I think the quality is better and it doesn't seem as cramped as some other popular steakhouses. They are on open table so making reservations was easy.
(5)Margarita And Edward M.
Just had to write a review about this place. WE LOVE IT! We've been here a few times now and we haven't been disappointed yet! Great atmosphere! Looks like it should be a really snobby place, with its panio bar, and beautiful staff and decor. But no, everyone treats you like an honored guest! Its wonderful. So here's the breakdown! 1. Great Food! We've never had a bad steak here. Perfectly seasoned and cooked 2. The service is AWESOME! Friendly and they really know their stuff. From food to Wines! 3. The decor is outstanding! So comfortable, and feels old Chicago. Its great! Will always be the first place we recommend to friends that ask where to go for a great steak! Yummmmmmmm!
(5)Neil R.
I actually lived very close to this place and really enjoyed going here for drinks. Regarding drinks, definitely pricey but its worth it. They have some good cocktails on the menu (i.e. Moscow Mules, etc...) but also has an extensive wine list. The Bartenders have a good working knowledge of wines as well as different types of scotches, whiskey's, etc.. as well. They also have a piano player - although I am not sure of what days they play. Now as far as the steak goes - it was really awesome. The service, presentation, decor all meet the high standards of a great steakhouse. I tend to order the filet mignon and it was perfect. Beware of the chocolate cake dessert - it is huge! I highly recommend this place for both steak and drinks.
(5)Alex C.
Came here with my cousin to try and 1-up the dinner he treated me to last time we hung out. Boy, did I do that. We made reservations and arrived about 5 minutes beforehand to check the place out. It's in a weird location, but don't let this fool you. The inside was beautiful, a very dark, modern looking décor, really cool! We were seated almost immediately and before we knew it our waiter had introduced himself and was giving us the run down of the place, which was very detailed and interesting. He was informative, enthusiastic, and helpful which really enhanced the dining experience. Service was impeccable, couldn't have been much better. My water glass was never less than 75% full. We ordered Oysters Rockefeller to start, which were quality, fresh and delicious even though I'm not really one for seafood. My cousin had a Caesar salad, which he claimed wasn't over or under dressed, like many Caesars can be. We both got steaks, my cousin had the dry aged bone in ribeye Oscar style cooked rare. I opted for the simple filet with red chili rub and a side of gnocchi. Both steaks were cooked, seasoned, prepared and presented perfectly, we were very impressed. Overall, our experience was textbook awesome. I would be at Benny's all the time if I could afford it!
(5)Margaret C.
Perfect steak: seasoned beautifully but let the flavor of the meat itself dominate; done precisely to order; butchered expertly. Got the "natural" strip steak, and it's hands-down the best strip steak I've ever had. Food sides were also delicious. Dessert was almost stupidly good, but beware the carrot cake, a slice of which is literally the size of some whole cakes. Perfect service: your glass is never empty; attitude is refined but not snobby; attentive but not hovering. Perfect ambience: feels expensive but not tacky; warmly lit; real artwork on the walls; gorgeously appointed (from furniture to the luxe washrooms). The wine list, of course--it's a Wine Spectator restaurant--was jaw-dropping. We humble mortals restricted ourselves to the scattering of below-$100 wines, which I was happy to see were as thoughtfully selected and easy to pair with the food as the big guns. Cocktails were quite good. This place is pricey, but right in line with other Chicago steakhouses, and I'd return here rather than to David Burke's or the Firehouse (both also excellent) any day.
(5)S P.
A friend who lives in Chicago, let me in on the secret that Benny's has some of the best burgers in Chicago about 2yrs ago. I have not been to Benny's for dinner, but make time to go there for lunch every time I'm working in Chi-Town. I enjoy eating in the bar area for lunch, but the formal dining is very nice. The bar selection is EXCELLENT. Check out there seasonal cocktails & beer menu. I usually order the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger (Partnered with a stout beer). Reminds me the burgers served at fine brasseries in Paris, but with considerably better tasting beef. Yolk from over-easy egg adds to the succulence. Truffle flavor is evident, but does not overwhelm the burger. I do ask for some fresh ground pepper on top of the egg before diving in. Eating the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger takes practice (very juicy / can be messy), but worth the effort!! Great balance of beef and mushroom flavor. There more traditional hamburgers are also superb. Bar tenders and staff are awesome. Always a hit when I bring potential clients or business partners there for lunch; they have enjoyed most everything ordered off the lunch menu. Bottom line: (Should have 5 stars, but I'm reserving a star for future review - after I eat dinner @ Benny's) For a lunch that is not too pretentious or (not cheap, but not) too expensive - This my go to place when working in Chicago -Recommend Benny's for lunch without any hesitation or reservation.
(4)Karolina S.
We went to Benny's for my birthday this year and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, they put 'Happy Birthday Karolina!' on my personalized menu.... ADORABLE. Sure, I'm generally easily impressed, but that was a REALLY cute touch. Benny's food is impeccable. Benny's strongest asset is the service though. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, professional but nice all at the same time. The birthday desert was some sort of graham cracker s'more thing and it was the best 'free birthday dessert' dessert I've had in my last twenty four years(moms homemade birthday cakes don't count). It was a beautiful experience and perfect for a special occasion. Will definitely return!
(5)Lisa C.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary and it was absolutely amazing...probably one of the best steaks I've had in my life...the dessert was also fabulous...I could not have asked for better service either...would definitely recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Joe F.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sides were nice, steak (bone in dry aged ribeye) was just average. Compared to other fine chophouses where aged meat melts on your mouth, this piece was quite sinewy though still flavorful. I almost wonder if I paid for dry aged and received a regular cut.
(3)Leon W.
Great service, great wine, great dessert and atmosphere. The $59 dry aged steak though was a disappointment. It was ok, but not worth the price. We thought this was a first class place but the steaks are way over priced. I have had better more flavorful steaks at many other places in Chicago. The brick chicken my wife ordered was very fatty without the "crispy skin as promised. We would not return.
(2)Mike H.
My girlfriend (fiance now, because of things like this) took me here for my birthday last year and it definitely did not disappoint. We had a reservation, and when I got there, the hostess wished me a happy birthday...nicely done. We were seated in a both where we sat next to each other, looking out to the dining room floor, which was awkwardly awesome. The menu was also customized to say "Happy birthday Mike" at the top of it. Very simple to do, but very nice touch. For an appetizer we started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which I had never had before. It's a little different, but it was very good. For the main course, I went with the dry aged NY Strip steak, which was cooked to perfection. We got mac and cheese and broccoli with garlic cream for the sides, both were huge portions and really good. The service here is outstanding, and the waiters are very knowledgeable. They went through the run down of wet-aged vs dry-aged steaks for us and were very accommodating to other needs/questions. Others have mentioned this as well, but the staff is not pretentious in any way, which makes you feel better about the money you are spending. I don't know how soon I'll be back as there are many other places in this city to try, but I would definitely recommend it to people.
(5)Joe B.
My wife and I chose Benny's to celebrate our anniversary dinner. It was outstanding choice in every aspect-service, food quality and atmosphere. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and we were seated quickly. As others have noted, the atmosphere is one of a classic steakhouse. Our server, Tom was attentive without being overbearing. He offered recommendations where appropriate. Throughout the meal Tom was available. While some steakhouses use a team approach to providing service, Benny's uses primary service approach which provides a better customer experience in our opinion. Food wise, we started with an assortment of oysters. They were excellent and represented different styles of oysters. For dinner, my wife ordered the surf and turf consisting of a filet and lobster tail-both were delicious. I had the pork chop which was also outstanding. For sides we had the hash browns, mushrooms and maple bacon. Each dish was among the finest side dishes we've had at the Chicago steakhouse tour we are performing. The hash-browns were our favorites but all 3 were exceptional. Although we didn't think we'd have room for desert, we had a strawberry rhubarb "pie" which had a flaky crust similar to a cream puff. Accompanied by a raspberry sorbet the desert was excellent. Based on the combination of service, food quality and atmosphere, Benny's is at the top of our list of steakhouses which consists of Mastro's, Gibson's, David Burke's, Del Frisco's, Chicago Cut and Kiefers. Nicely done.
(5)Nee V.
A great first impression was made by the welcoming and friendly hostess. We were promptly seated to our booth, as I had requested beforehand. Ambiance was dark and romantic. Both of us ordered filets (one with bacon enhancement and Oscar style on the other) and shared a side of mashed potatoes. All of our food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the s'mores cheesecake, but it's worth mentioning the portion size is fairly small and not ideal for sharing. Our server was pretty good and gave us the right amount of attention. Overall, as others have mentioned, slightly overpriced, but it's worth it as a treat!
(4)Bonny S.
Very Very Disappointed, after the pretty decent reviews on 'Check Please',; we had an occasion to stay downtown, and would give this place a whirl. I do think they are trying overly hard, very pretensious, so many people handling you and your food, no one seems to keep track what you are getting, and when the waitress is in the middle of explaining the menu, and says excuse me to go to another table....that is just wrong. Since when do restaurants present a bottle of wine, whisk it away, and then bring it back in a decanter to the table. We refused the decanter and then they brought back a new bottle and presented, opened and decanted at the table, but the interesting thing was they left a good 1 1/2" of wine in bottom of bottle (sedement-was the answer). Told them to pour in...if they felt the wine was going to have much sedament, maybe they should have decanted through a screen. We ordered for a cold appetizer the Chicken Liver Terrine, very good. I ordered a Belgian Endive Salad- which sounded so so good, but can't tell you, never arrived. Then Sea Scallops for my main----never had scallops that tasted so fishy before in my life- you only get four. My husband ordered the Bone-In Filet, very tasty, and Mac & Cheese w/bacon, pretty good, and the Harvest vegies (a special- I believe this is what they were called) so greasy and salty..... Everybody else has given this place very good ratings, but I've had better service at other Steak Houses in Chicago and suburbs.
(3)Kate M.
I'm a big fan of Benny's Chop House. Sitting in the bar, enjoying a gin martini, some buttery oysters, and some fantastic company...sounds like my kind of Wednesday night. In fact, I'd welcome that pretty much any night. The food was really good, the seafood tower was huge for the price (ask them to crack the lobster claws and body for you, it's a lot easier when someone else does it!). The bar food menu looked really good, lots of "sliders" of different varieties. While I would love to snarf half a dozen different kinds of tiny sandwiches...my jeans much prefer I stick with oysters and crab legs. The cocktails were really good. I had a few Hendrick's martinis that were perfect. The service was really good. We were there for about 30 minutes when our server went on her lunch break. The rest of the staff effortlessly picked up the slack. They were so attentive it seemed like we were the only people there, but it wasn't overwhelming. That's a balance to strike. The only thing I didn't love about Benny's was the loud piano. Why does it have to be so loud?! I can't wait to go back to Benny's. Perhaps after an afternoon at Nordstrom (right down the street)....
(5)Ken S.
Went there to celebrate my Father's Birthday(68) with our family. Kids 7 & 9 were present. We had a wonderful meal. Great service. Never once felt rushed to leave on a Saturday night. Loved the atmosphere. The kids were treated nicely as well. Would recommend this to anyone. Great experience! Bacon App was decent. It's more like Pork Belly than Bacon.
(5)Tony M.
Very good job by the host in taking care of the party. We had about 10 people and some were more demanding than others. However, the app we had before the entree was huge. Full of lobster, shrimp, and snow crab it was more food than we needed. Good atmosphere and great wait staff. I would recommend it to you if you in Chicago.
(4)Alexander M.
This was my first time at Benny's Chop House and it was for my Mom's Birthday. I called ahead to make a reservation and let them know there was a birthday. They gave us a wonderful booth for three of us. 1. Service was excellent! Went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect and brought out dessert with a candle for my mom and it was complimentary for her birthday. 2. Décor was very nice. The place was very big and plenty of room to move around unlike many restaurants where you have to knock into other tables to get out of yours. 3. Noise was okay. For the size of the place and the amount of people, the noise level was very acceptable. Sure it was a little noisy, but we could have a nice conversation at the table without feeling drowned by the noise level. 4. Food was Spectacular!!! The Oysters Rockefeller was one of the best I have ever had and we all loved our steaks. The Banana Cream Pie was out of this world! Three of us shared it and it was plenty (it was soooo good though, we could have each had our own). Overall, it was an excellent place and experience. This is now on our top 5 lists of places to go for dinner in the city!
(5)Abdullah I.
Great steak. friendly service
(4)Soyoung S.
The wait staff was incredibly accommodating and extremely pleasant. Great service, they really know how to be amiable to guests :) Truly loved and appreciated that! Especially since I went with a big group of people, we must have been difficult to handle haha But to be honest, the steaks weren't that amazing to me. The scallops on the other hand....WOW. It made me wonder what sad excuse of a scallop that I've been eating for my entire life. Their scallops were other worldly!! So succulent, juicy, and just dripping with flavors that I have never experienced before!! Truly, truly amazing. I highly recommend you try their scallops. WOW!!
(4)Brian C.
In a very competitive space, without the name power of many of their peers, it doesn't take long to realize why Benny's is a strong contender for Chicago's top steak house year in and year out. In our visit, it started with the service, which was outstanding and set the tone for the rest of the evening. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable when it came to ingredients, perpetration, and recommendations. We were in a group of 8 on this specific visit, and not one of us had a bad thing to say about our experience. The group favorites from the menu were the Wedge, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Brussel Sprouts, Garlic Spinach, Dry Aged Bone In, Bone in New York, Scallops, Prime Filet, and Creme Brûlée. Give Benny's a shot, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Elyse D.
Dined here over Labor Day weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late in the evening, probably an hour before closing, and the staff was extremely nice and accommodating. Our server was super attentive and I especially liked that we weren't rushed at all. Great atmosphere and I had the best steak of my life! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Amy P.
Traveling from Texas and looking for a nice place to have dinner one night before a show - and we came across Benny's Chop House. The service is perfect and beyond accommodating to make sure your night goes exactly as you desire. They have specific waiters with the sole purpose of identifying what wine you'd like for the night - which was very helpful and much appreciated! The food was AMAZING. My boyfriend ordered the filet with a lobster tail and both were cooked perfectly. I also ordered a filet and I wish I were still eating it right now... For sides we ordered 1 piece of giant maple bacon which I'm not even going to try to explain the magic in, lobster Mac and cheese (we appreciated the lumps beyond lumps of lobster through out each bite of cheesiness), and the garlic sautéed spinach. Everyone should order the bacon! For desert - we ordered the Chocolate Pudding Cake - which came with toffee ice cream and butterscotch toppings. I highly recommend if you're a chocolate fan! All around great experience and a dinner in Chicago I won't forget!
(5)Fumie K.
Best oyster happy hour in the city! No doubt. 25-cent oysters on Wednesdays. I haven't run into one cheaper than Benny's. Good, quality oysters too. Very impressed!
(5)Teresa S.
Bobby, concierge #HotelPalomar suggested Benny's Chop House for birthday dinner. Erwin our server is 5 stars!!! Enjoyed 16 oz bone in rib-eye oscar style. Kale chips were incredible! Cucumber gin martinis de to perfection. Benny's is a true local Chicago steakhouse dining experience.
(5)Hello M.
Great service, great atmosphere and even better steak. Although pricey, it was worth every cent. Looking forward to going back.
(5)Doug M.
My wife and I had dinner here on a recommendation from our hotel concierge. Looking for a table relatively soon, we could only get into the lounge area. However the lounge was very nice, not too loud and with great views of the city. First off the drink service was very prompt. A good sign. Next, the steaks were excellent and it was nice to see a 7oz cut. Neither of us really need a half pound or more of steak. Perfectly prepared. Very pricey but worth it if you want to splurge.
(4)Kevin M.
The food and service at Benny's was every bit of what we have come to expect from a solid steakhouse, and, thus, was top notch. The plethora of steak options via naturally fed vs traditionally fed, and dry vs wet aged options is a definite plus for anyone who enjoys a good cut of meat. Our steaks were cooked just as we ordered them, which was very refreshing because it's surprising how often reputable steakhouses overcook meat when the diner requests it on the rarer side. We ordered a rather standard array of sides and all were both flavorful and plentiful. The pours on our wine were healthy and the cocktails we ordered were strong. ....We will definitely come back!
(5)Susan L.
We just had a great dinner at Benny's! First, of course, the food: My husband's rib eye (16 oz wet) was cooked to perfection- he ordered it rare and that's how it came. Juicy and melt in your mouth. Only negative might be that it could've used more char. My Australian sea bass with roasted veg sauce and crunchy black garlic just might have been the best fish I've ever had. It was rich and savory and each bite gave me a crunch on the outside followed by flaky flavor on the inside. Delicious. The sides were fairly standard but good- sautéed mushrooms, brussel sprouts in bacon viniagarette, and mac and cheese with bacon (which was the tastiest of the three). Plenty of food- we took home most of the sides. Oh, and the homemade bread assortment accompanied by a white bean dip- let me just say that I could have taken a spoon to the white bean spread and downed it like an ice cream sundae. The service was impeccable. Our server, Tom, was knowledgeable and helpful as well as inobtrusive. He was that special breed of waiter- when he noticed I looked a bit cold, he appeared with a pashima, and offered it to me to wear as he agreed the dining room was a bit chilly. Wow, right? The ambience was good, music in the background that was not at all too loud, tables well spaced apart, white tablecloths and plenty of room to enjoy the delicious food you know is coming soon. All in all...we have been trying Chicago steak houses, from David Burke's, RPM Steak and RPM Italian, Bavettes and more...and while Benny's may not be our number one favorite, it certainly ranks high on our scoreboard. We plan on going back again, and what more can you say about a restaurant than that it tantalized you and satisfied you so much you want to return?
(5)tr y.
Love this place! The seafood tower, as an ap, great chef and food quality, every cut of steak is fantastic. I'm a dry age guy, but I'm also a bit of a meaty. (That's our word. it's for those who enjoy fine meats...like a craft beer snob but different.) I have always had above and beyond service from EVERYONE there, Hostess to Manager. Love the wine list...a lot. Great boozes Great energy Great sides Great gatsby Great chicken...yes great chicken at a steak joint Great fish, their fish is super however the whole Japan nuclear fish thing send me back to the meats. Great service Great burgers Great balls of fire Great deserts Great pork chops Great rigatoni There is a theme of Greatness here. The negatives. It can get busy, reservations are a must on the weekends. Haters gunna hate. A great place to see fellow lovers of life!
(5)Desiree N.
I've dined at Benny's several times in the past, but never written a review. Each time I've dined, I've had an incredible meal. However, tonight I dined again for a work event, and was completely blown away by the food and the service. Service: always consistently good...water glasses never go empty, service staff is knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. Food: the seafood tower is a must try...so fresh and delicious..served with traditional accompaniments.I have pretty much eaten my way through the menu and never disliked a dish. The scallops I enjoyed tonight were cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The sides are creative and meant for sharing. I have attended several private events at Benny's, and each one is clearly thoroughly thought out and perfectly executed. In a city full of steakhouses, Benny's is a gem. I will continue to frequent often.
(5)Jim P.
This was the worst of all occasions for a steak restaurant. We not only had poor service, but the food was just not good!!! To begin with, I was having a casual dinner with a friend and did not really want to be rushed. From the minute we got seated, the waiter was all over us to order. I figured that he would get the hint that we were not going to be a 45 minutes turn of his table, but he never got it. When you are at a restaurant of this caliber, your server usually goes for quality over speed. For a $60 steak, you should be able to dine for a couple of hours. The worst part was that once we got the food, we could not find the server. We wanted to get a cup of coffee and we had to ask the server 4 times to get it. What a miserable experience. Things went from bad to worse when the food arrived. Let's just say that have visited dozens of steakhouses in dozens of cities. I generally have a feel for what a medium rare bone-in rib eye should look and taste like. The temperature of the meat was just fine but almost half of the cut was gristle. It is a rib eye and I knew (and wanted) to have some marbling (fat!), but this was just plain vein-like gristle. It was terrible. You could not cut it with a knife without bearing down on the blade. We did mention something to the server and he did offer the obligatory "you are complaining and I do not know why" dessert, but we left. We were not looking for dessert or a discount on the check. We just wanted to make sure that the kitchen knew. The server just listened and seemed not to really care. That was that. At least the coat check person and valet were nice!!
(1)Cheryl J.
I was taken to Benny Chop House for my 50th Birthday December 6, 2014; as usual the food was very good not excellent just very good. My husband and I were very very disappointed with our service and our waiter(Alex) no offer of fresh pepper for our lobster Bisque, no offer of a dessert menu when the table next to us were offer better attention and service. I would hate to think that it was a "race" thing or maybe, it was just an off night but, my husband still left him a $40.00 tip...LOL
(3)Darcy W.
Benny's was a steak and wine lovers dream! The steak was done to perfection, the Sommelier helped us pick out a nice wine, seriously order the side of bacon! The service was phenomenal! The atmosphere is warm and enjoyable. I was bummed they didn't have live music, but it was late and a Tuesday. It is expensive but worth it!!
(5)Phil F.
The best Chicago steak house I've been to so far. The fillet minion was absolutely amazing, melted in your mouth, juices running out of it. The dry aged rib eye was magnificent, perfect marbling and tender. Sides were done nicely. The dessert was also very good. Have to check out if you love steak.
(5)Nathan G.
Wonderful old traditional steak house. Great steaks, fast service. Perfect!!
(5)Mike M.
We had a lovely Valentines Day dinner here this year. By chance we ate in bar area with some great piano music. The scallops were very good as was my New York strip. The winner was crab lobster Louie and the clubby atmosphere. We will go back for piano bar.
(4)M K.
Incredibly unfair giving it 4 stars, but here's my reason: I'm comparing it to the other elite steakhouses in the Chicago area. If this were the Olympics, Benny's is the 8th place finisher in the 100-meter dash finals. It's absolutely elite, but when you have to choose between the 0.01% of restaurants, this one doesn't make the cut. Let me reiterate - it is absolutely fantastic. The servers should host a clinic for other eateries in town for how efficient and knowledgeable their staff is. The steak, some sides, and dessert were superb. Look, you're not going to go wrong eating here, but if you've enjoyed the chance of eating at some other exceptional steakhouses, you might find yourself wanting more. Maybe this review is more of a testament to the excellent options Chicago offers. Benny's, however, on its own is world-class, and you should most definitely find a reason to come visit.
(4)Kristeen O.
We went for dinner with my bf's parents, and were so impressed we came back a couple days later for lunch and took my dad. I liked the ambiance and service during dinner better, but the food and wine were on-par for both. Best meal in Chicago. Beware of the large desserts, haha! One slice of cake is enough to share with your extended family. The sorbet is heavenly. I will definitely be back.
(5)John L.
Holy smokes! Fantastic stuff. Service and food are superb! I will miss Exec Chef Carlo, but it looks like Roberto is superb too. Price- Higher end, but you pay for quality food. Honestly, relative to some other places, the price is not that bad. Quality- Great. The Maple Bacon was mouth watering and made me appreciate Apostle Peter having a dream about eating animals and Jesus telling him it's okay to eat whatever. The Chocolate pudding was great and super moist (yeah I said it). Steak was so juicy and I appreciate a place that focuses on it's main product and not fluffing it up with add ons. Quantity- I'm stuffed. Atmosphere- Quaint and great to just sit and talk. Staff- Fantastic! Super helpful with setting plans up for my gf's birthday and making accommodations. Great spot that you need to check out.
(5)Laila C.
Come here for lunch. Beat the obnoxious lunch crowd that's usually in most restaurants in River North by coming here. I arranged a lunch for our office with about a dozen people 20 minutes before we wanted the reservation. They had our table ready and waiting with a great serving staff. It was definitely kind of dead...but you know what, I enjoy that over the pushing and shoving of other noisy, busy lunch places. I'm here for a good lunch, not to be seen. My entire lunch party really enjoyed their food, most of us were split between the lobster grilled cheese and the seafood salad. I got the seafood salad (and I usually don't believe in salads) but this was fantastic. Literally it was a plate of deliciously cooked seafood, lobster, octopus, shrimp, etc on a tiny bed of lettuce. In other words...it was a large plate of delicious protein. Those who got the lobster grilled cheese were also very happy with their choice, although basically comatose by the end of lunch. It was a BIG sandwich, add to that the side of fries, you're asking for an unproductive afternoon. If i'm arranging lunch plans again, it will be at Benny's...and given my overly opinionated, type-A personality at my office...it'll probably be next week.
(4)Anthony C.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I'll have to come again to measure consistency, however if it's anything like my first experience, this is far and away the best steakhouse experience I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I say "experience" because it goes far beyond the magnificently marbled and perfectly cooked bone-in ribeye that I enjoyed. The attention to detail and customer experience this place provides is second to none. My server, Nick, was elegant, but not stuffy; conversational, but not intrusive; and extremely knowledge about both the steak and wine, without trying to push or up sell at every possible occasion. He was simply fantastic. As for the wine, living 30min from Napa, I'm admittedly very picky about my Cabernet. On this occasion, I was dining by myself after a business trip so I assumed I would be sadly disappointed by the half bottle and glass of wine selection, however the house Cabernet was a fantastic 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet, it's rare to see this even in the Bay Area. 5 stars, spectacular. I will certainly be coming here on all future trips to Chicago.
(5)Ellen W.
In my opinion, this place is slightly over rated. Service was fabulous. 5 stars for the staff. Food was less than memorable. And for the price you would think it would know my socks off.
(4)Nat M.
great ambience. excellent service - we went for a special occasion and they did many thoughtful things. good cocktails and wine. steak is the best I've ever had - seriously. apps and sides are great too. dessert was a bit typical. otherwise, just an awesome experience
(5)Aris Z.
The location is really convinient jus because is downtown and any kind of transportation is available. When you walk in you feel like you are in an old time classic Chicago restaurant where the building is pretty old too. The paintings on the wall upon each table is pretty awesome and the environment in general is exactly what you need in order to enjoy a nice dinner. I am new in Chicago but it is one of the best choices that I could make for going to dinner. The service was great. Paul was our server where he was really friendly and he had great knolwegde of the menu. We most likely ordered eveyrhing that he suggested and we didn't regret it. everything was delicisious. I would definetely visit this restaurant as soon as I have the budget again for getting the bone ribeye ! It's pricy but it's worth it. .
(5)Draft M.
Easy 4 stars. Definite return. Vibe is just what a Chicago evening calls for. Jazz ensemble...nice wine selection...friendly vibe. Old city...with new touch. Winning.
(4)Steve H.
Enjoyed the service, ambiance and food. Exactly what a Chicago Steakhouse should be; quietly competent and confidently superior. The steak frites allow for choice of cut with good, Euro-style, frites. The appetizers are just right; except for the maple bacon which is over the top in both taste and portion.
(5)Pat P.
Awesome! Lobster cheese sandwich, truffle fries, maple syrup bacon and the best selection of whiskey! Bartenders Sara and Brian complete the experience. Highly recommend.
(5)Leeann B.
I've visiting from D.C. and I asked my concierge at the Fairmont Hotel for a recommendation for a local steakhouse. He recommended Benny's and gave me a map (I walked over--it wasn't too far but Wabash Ave is kind of confusing). The dining room was full (I didn't have a reservation and was expecting a bit of a wait), but the bar/lounge was free. The bar/lounge is mostly high-top tables, which I hate because of my short legs, but the staff was able to find me a regular sized table and the hostess was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The dining room has a live piano player and a lovely view of the city. It really adds to the ambiance of an "Old Chicago" vibe--the only thing it was missing was a gangster or two! Right away I was brought water, a bread basket with an assortment of bread, and a wine list and cocktail list. I went with a lovey Pinot Noir and a tried a bite of the sour dough-tasting bread with the salted butter (the butter and bread were great!). I got caught in a major downpour on the way over, so I ordered the lobster bisque to start in order to warm up a bit. It was a generous portion, but I ate about 1/10 of it. It was a major disappointment. Overall it was flavorless, with tiny bits of overcooked lobster. The dish needed salt--it would have benefited from using some of the stock used to cook the lobster to bring in a bit of that briny sea flavor. Alas, the bisque tasted overwhelmingly of the parsley garnish and the tomato chunks in it. As a New Englander, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my lobster and my clam chowder, so I probably should have known better! My main course was a thousand times better. I ordered the beef short ribs with a side of carrots. The short ribs were melt-in-your mouth perfect and the carrots were probably the best vegetable side dish I've ever had in a restaurant. They were cooked al dente with a buttery, citrus flavor with a touch of rosemary and thyme to them that really complimented the sweetness of the carrots without overwhelming them.. The short ribs came with a mushroom and potato mix and the earthiness of the side complemented the richness of the short ribs. Since my concierge recommended the restaurant, the hostess brought out a complementary side of the crispy kale. I'm not a huge kale fan, but it was quite tasty and crisp with a light, creamy touch of a garlic sauce that brought out the bitterness in the kale. I had a glass of a Russian River Valley Zinfandel with my meal and it complimented the short ribs. I was too stuffed for dessert, but ordered the s'mores cheesecake to go. Definitely a winner with lots of chocolate and delicious toasted marshmallow! Bottom line: If I lived in Chicago, I would make Benny's my "special occasion" restaurant. It's perfect for a romantic date night or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. It wasn't just the food that made this place great, but the impeccable service and the professional, friendly waitstaff. Honestly, if it weren't for the lobster bisque, I wouldn't have taken off a star. If I come back to Chicago, I'd definitely come back!
(4)ami m.
Good sTEAK, good sides, desserts are to die for. the coconut sorbet is fantastic out of this world...and vegan.
(5)Darrell P.
If the food is great and the service blows that away, it must be Benny's Chop House. It was a birthday celebration for me, and I have never been at a restaurant that made it more special. It started while reading the menu. I happened to glance at the top of it and saw my name with Happy Birthday on it addressing me. It only gets better from there. My server, Dan, was as good as you can get. WIth initial disappointment that they didn't carry my favorite rum for a rum and coke, he made a suggestion that was as close as possible, and it tasted great. He also made a great selection for a beer to enjoy with my order. I had the Dry aged bone-in New York Strip. It was cooked to perfection. Dan suggested I cut into the center when it first arrived to make sure it was cooked properly. That was the first time I ever had a waiter suggest that, and I have eaten at many of the top steak establishments in town, along with many of the top-rated steak houses when traveling around the country. To start, my girlfriend and I shared a mushroom tart special with buffalo cheese that was very good that Dan suggested, along with the chop house maple-glazed bacon. That bacon should be illegal because it was so addicting. It just melts in your mouth. As I mentioned, my steak was wonderful, and my girlfriend thoroughly enjoyed her lobster risotto. I should have tried it, but I was too full from everything I had going on in my mouth. There is always room for dessert, and the Smores cheesecake was a wonderful end to an exquisite evening. Did I mention my dessert had a Happy Birthday wish written in chocolate on the plate? Remember that birthday menu I mentioned at the beginning: That was wrapped up as a parting gift for me as I left. I won't soon forget my birthday celebration at Benny's, and I won't forget how Dan could do no wrong. I will be sure to ask for him when I go back, and I suggest you do too. Now if it was my 21st birthday as I joked to Dan when he first came over, things would really be perfect. Going along with the joke, he said he was about to card me. Unfortunately reality makes me a bit older, (okay a lot older), but I have never felt better than I did in Dan's care at Benny's Chop House. It's so nice to write a good review, especially when a place deserves it. If you have a special occasion, or just want a great meal and to be pampered, this is your place. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth every penny!
(5)Kawone H.
This place is among the best of the best in Chicago, as far as steak houses. People are not blowing smoke with the accolades. We will be back very soon. 1. STEAK (Pass): I am a rib eye and porterhouse kind of guy. Benny's serves these up quite magnificently. The dry aged option was perfectly suited for my taste buds. With so many options, in terms of each steak, you can't fail. For chicken lovers, this was tender and juicy. Go for it! 2. SIDE DISHES (Pass): By far, the Mushrooms are a standout. My daughter and I could eat a plate of those for dinner. These were seasoned just right. If you prefer them whole, then opt for another side dish. You won't be disappointed with them sliced. Also, the Truffle Fries run neck-and-neck with David Burke's version. 4. DESSERT (Average). The Chocolate Layer Cake was not special. It was good, but not awesome. 5. AMBIANCE (Pass): Classic. The lighting was just right. 6. SERVICE (Pass): Amazing! We were welcomed by every staff person upon arrival. Our server was the best and received a well-deserved 20% tip. Ask for "Nick" and you will not taken care of quite well. By the the looks of things, however, I anticipate that all of the servers provide the same level of quality service. Hands down, he was the best my family ever experienced.
(5)Alvin Raul C.
Last night I came in for a late business dinner and I was so disappointed in the level of service provided by Charles the Sommelieer. Charles provided the worst service I have ever seen in any restaurant!!! His attitude was uncalled for and his rudeness was very unprofessional!!! When one eats at a restaurant of this caliber one just wants a good meal, a delicious bottle of wine and to enjoy the experience. One would think that at Benny's the staff would be just as passionate about food and wine as its customers are. They are not!!! We came to have a nice meal and talk about business we didn't come to argue over a bottle of wine. I was so embarrassed that I brought my colleague here for dinner. We were so disappointed with the overall lack of passion that we truly could not enjoy our dinner!!! Think twice about going here. There are much better places to spend your money.
(1)Lauren M.
You must get a Manhattan to start! I took clients and several said it was the best meal they've ever had. The bacon appetizer is a must. Most people had steak and several had others had fish or pasta. Everything was top notch and the service was outstanding. I'd recommend this restaurant for any special event.
(5)Jennifer G.
We celebrated dinner there last night while my parents and my in-laws were in town, and the food and service were outstanding. Most of us had steaks - from the fillets to the Bone In New York Strip. All four steaks were delicious and wonderfully seasoned. I had the filet medallions special with prawns in a tomato sauce of some sort. It was wonderful. We also had the short ribs at our table and it was very good. We split the carrot cake and banana cream pie. Both were large portions and very rich and delicious. The other aspect of the meal was the service. Nicole W did a great job and was extremely attentive to our table and made sure we had everything we needed. I would recommend Benny's to anyone. We did have a reservation, but my husband and I have gone in the past and just ate in the bar area listening to the piano player and had a very nice time.
(4)Matt B.
Went here in February after getting my bonus (to be honest that's what it takes to afford this place...however totally worth it!!!). I ordered the bone in ribeye ($60) and lobster tail ($31). The steak was probably the best steak I've ever had. The guy who recommended our wine really knew his stuff and directed us to a great wine that we all loved at a reasonable price ($70 for the bottle). I had a glass of Macallan 15 as well ($25). Total bill was around $170 just for me and over $400 for the three of us. I would definitely recommend this place as I will be going back!! Great steak, great atmosphere! Enjoy!
(5)Cullen B.
WOW! Hands down the best steak I've ever had. I dont think it could have been any better. Our appetizers were very good. Our server was busy and still did a great job. The creme brûlée was not the best, I think it was a little custardy. It should be creamy and light. The restaurant was very friendly and had a good vibe. It was a bit pricey a dinner for four came to about $420.00. But every penny was worth it.
(5)Neal K.
Spent the weekend in Chicago celebrating our 30th anniversary, and chose Benny's for our dinner. What an excellent evening! Made reservations a few days ahead, and James the maitre de lined everything up. Nice booth, personalized menus, everyone seemed to know we were coming, but didn't go overboard, just a nice "congratulations". The food was outstanding! Lobster bisque was very good, subtle, not too heavy on sherry. Very nice vinegar & oil dressing, fresh and light. Meals were halibut and beef ribs, both cooked perfectly. Ribs had a very solid, meaty flavor. And deserts - banana cream pie & creme brulee - were very tasty and way too big. They even threw in a personalized s'mores chocolate dessert. Far too much food. Nice wine selection, though our first choice was not available. Finally, service was outstanding. Alex, our waiter, was always near and attentive, but never in the way. And Claudia was always there keeping everything stocked. Great service, great food, great dinner!
(5)J P.
Took the family to this well-known steakhouse downtown. Very good service but only average food. Pro: very attentive and informed staff Tenderloin was done well. Cons: sides were good size but average, brussell sprouts were not done fish dishes were average at best food was delivered lukewarm too high priced for quality
(3)Paul S.
Stopped here for dinner Saturday evening, fantastic place, nice old fashion steak house decor, they had a piano player in the bar area which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter Tom was very attentive and great. He bought out the flash fried kale complimentary with our meal and this is not something I would have ordered but this was amazing flavor highly recommend trying. The one only complaint I have was we was not in the main dinning room which next time we will make sure to request. This is a solid 5 star restaurant and can't wait to go back.
(5)Amy D.
Went here for our first wedding anniversary and everything was amazing!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and her suggestions were delicious.
(5)Michael R.
Thanksgiving Jerky! My wife and I went to Benny's Chop House for their Thanksgiving Dinner @ $49 per person. The turkey had no flavor and was tough and the pumpkin pie was ice cold! I would have been better off ordering a steak! Benny's, please stick to what you do well and don't waste anyone's time.
(1)Nancy K.
Beautiful bar and great ambiance. Lovely waiter who was extremely attentive. Very disappointed with the 20 oz Rib Eye. The steak was cooked to order (medium rare) but served cold and the texture was less than palatable. The side dishes were well prepared and had nice flavor but also served cold. Nice dessert menu but took almost as much time to serve as to prepare the main meal. Would not recommend as there are so many other steak restaurants to choose in Chicago.
(2)Juan M.
For quick readers: -Low quality food -Had no interest in even finishing the oysters we ordered -Drinks take 10+ minutes to arrive. -Water isn't given to you, you have to ask, if you can track down your server. -They charge for bread in the bar area. -My buddy stepped outside to take a phone call halfway through our meal, came back in and asked where the bathroom was and got scolded by the front staff asking if he was dining here or not. -Drinks are not that good once you finally got them and are overpriced. -Blah. Save your money. For extended readers: Tried this place last night for the 25 cent oyster deal on Wednesdays. They offer 4 different types of oysters, ranging from .25 cents to up to 2-3 dollars a piece. We wound up trying three different types as we started with the 2nd tier and were disappointed and ended up trying their "best" type and were still disappointed. I walked in extremely excited because I absolutely love oysters. Figured I'd eat at least 10! Ate 5 and lost my appetite for them. We decided to see what all the hype was about with some of their other dishes and didn't want to give up on it just yet, so we also ordered the maple glazed bacon, lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries and kale. Maple glazed bacon - what's all the hype about? These are basically rib tips dipped in honey. Super tough, very dry and the sauce is honey with a hint of bbq. Presentation isn't anything special either by any means. I could go to any fast food place and get better quality. Lobster mac and cheese - One of my favorite things to order and I've had it at a handful of restaurants. This had no flavor at all, was more runny than cheesy and we found a whopping total of 3 pieces of lobster in our entire order. If you're used to good steakhouse mac and cheese, don't even bother. If you're used to good late night bar food mac and cheese, I still wouldn't bother. Truffle fries - great flavor, but incredibly soggy. Halfway through the basket down to the bottom was just crumbled pieces of fries that you had to use a fork to eat. Kale - really crunchy and not any flavor at all. All in all I wouldn't come back. Granted, I didn't try the steak, but that was on purpose. If I'm going to spend $150+ on dinner, I want to leave feeling satisfied. We spent $113 and felt like we got ripped off. Maybe it's because we're spoiled and eat out at some really great places so we're used to a higher quality of food, but I wouldn't recommend anyone dine here. Save your money and go to Gibson's for the environment and consistency or Capital Grille for a true steakhouse experience with out of this world food. You'll seriously laugh at how big of a difference there is if you were to try either of the above after dining at Benny's. I know we did, we went to Gibson's after for dessert and had better cocktails that took 3 minutes as opposed to 10, an engaging server that was very attentive and staff that ensured your water was topped off. We left feeling satisfied as opposed to Benny's where we left scratching our heads as to how this place has so many good reviews. My guess is it's primarily tourists or people who haven't had a chance to experience what Chicago steakhouses should be.
(1)Jim K.
Best restaurant we've been to in a long time. Food is excellent - perfectly prepared. Service is brilliant - very attentive and professional. Expensive but for the combo.of food and service they offer - if any restaurant is worth it - this one is. Sit in the lounge area - the windows add a great deal to the atmosphere - doubt we would have enjoyed sitting in the dining room nearly as much.
(5)Kari P.
Went to Benny's this past Sunday (Cinco de Mayo) for our 6 year anniversary and it was excellent. My husband and I tease each other that we act like an old man and woman for many reasons.....I proved this yet again because I made reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday night. Of course we were one of two tables at this time of the early night, which makes it a bit awkward when the amazing service the place provides has nothing else to do but wait on your table. Anywhoosee, we are not fancy people (quite the opposite, in fact) and this was not a problem. We both had jeans on, my husband had a short-sleeved button down and his brown Chuck's on his feet. He also has a very long beard. I did not have make up on (I prefer not to on weekends...too much getting ready during the week for work) and my hair was up in a bun. Neither one of us felt out of place and as the place became busier, I noticed many people dressed similar to us but also middle-age to older people with suits or 'business-casual'. We were not treated any differently either, which is always a plus in my book since I really dislike getting dolled up (as does the husband). I had made reservations a few days earlier via an online service and in the notes, I made a comment that it was our 6 year anniversary. I truly wasn't expecting anything because of this but threw it in there just in case. Benny's did not disappoint as they gave us a free glass of the best champagne I've ever had...not sure of the brand but it was not the typical Korbel cheap stuff. I believe the waiter did tell us the brand but if you read the above, you know we don't care and don't know any better. But being that we don't know any better and I thought this champs was better than I'd ever had, that should give something of a clue. Also, the top of the main menu was printed with "Happy 6 Year Anniversary". We thought that was a nice touch and they asked if we wanted to keep the menus. The food was so good. If I could afford to eat steak at a restaurant at least once per week, I would not get tired of the selection and taste from the options at Benny's. We also had the bone marrow and oysters rockefellar apps. I could east the bone marrow app every single day. I actually liked it better without the bread/toast that came with it (it was a bit too toasted for me). I noticed people ordering the huge $70.00 seafood app but I could tell it looked bigger and more impressive than it probably was as I was able to see a large lump of ice it was sitting on. We didn't order that though so I probably shouldn't even comment. Oh well. For sides, we had lobster risotto and grilled asparagus. The risotto was good...some large lumps of lobster in it, could probably do without as much bacon pieces on the top, but bacon is always good so now this is a run-on sentence. What else...that's about it. We were pleasantly surprised that our bill was well under $200.00 considering we each had a couple cocktails in addition to the champagne. I'd definitely go back and recommend steak lovers to go anytime.
(5)Mary Ann C.
This is a great spot. Fantastic location, between Nordstrom and the Trump Hotel. We dined here for lunch today, and as it was a sunny day, we were lucky enough to sit in the bar, overlooking the street below. Not the best people watching, but certainly a pleasant option in the sleek bar. Our server was nice and adequate. She did not seem overly knowledgeable. For lunch, we had calamari, Benny's burger, and a steak sandwich. All were delicious. My favorite thing was the truffle fries. They are amazing. This is a pleasant restaurant with very good food!
(4)Christopher Y.
For some reason, I always thought Benny's looked unassuming from the outside. But the inside is your typical great Chicago steak house. The food was amazing, one of the best steaks we've had in the city. We ordered the grilled caesar salad, maple bacon, porterhouse, crispy kale and lobster mac & cheese (we didn't eat it all, so don't judge). Everything tasted amazing and the steak was cooked perfectly. There isn't too much seasoning on the steak, it's just really great cuts of meat prepared simply so you can truly taste the great quality. The couple things to note, while their menu is pretty typical for a Chicago steakhouse, they do it better than most and their portions are slightly bigger. The prices were about on par with other steakhouses but the quality and preparation of steaks was better. Our waiter was not only friendly and welcoming, as you would expect, he was extremely knowledgeable about every menu item in regards to how things are prepared, where ingredients are sourced and how the item is different than other restaurants with similar offerings. While it may not look as trendy as a Mastro's on the outside, it's definitely worth the visit. Also, that maple bacon changed my life.
(5)Kristi L.
Our server was attentive and charismatic. The salmon was good. My husband's filet was decent. Now, we are from Oklahoma and are snobbish about our steak, so take that into consideration. The noise level is energetic; you can't have a private conversation here. It's a good place to see and be seen, but I think Chicago has better steak houses.
(3)erica f.
Its dark, comfortable and they have some ridiculous cheesecake. Great spot for winter!
(4)Magglio M.
Absolutely fantastic. I travel a lot for work and have gone to many steakhouses. I'm also a local Chicagoan and have been to many of the Chicago steakhouses. Benny's is expensive but it is worth it on a special occasion. The services was outstanding. They had an incredibly comprehensive wine list. Ordered maple covered bacon appetizer which was great. Oysters were amazing. Steak was cooked perfectly. Awesome spot.
(5)Susan F.
Came here for Thanksgiving. The food was marginal. My Turkey dinner was lukewarm. The stuffing was good. Everything else was just ok. Hubby ordered a ribeye. It was good, but there's no reason to come back here. The experience wasn't memorable. The food wasn't memorable. Chicago has too many great restaurants to spend your time and money on this place.
(2)Tom S.
Attended a wine tasting and dinner last night. Benny's did a nice job managing the wine tasting. We had a perfect table for our group at dinner 10 people round table. Service was what you would expect. Food was on par with any name steakhouse but nothing special. Wine list was a bit overpriced and overall dinner was expensive for what you get. I would go back if invited but wouldn't make it a must frequent location for steaks in Chicago b
(3)Melanie S.
Sadly, I have to deduct a star from my previous review. As I mentioned, after a fantastic lunch at Benny's, I was anxious to return for dinner, and recently, I did just that. My boyfriend and I met some friends here for dinner on Saturday night. Our first stop was the bar while we waited for our table. We arrived at 6:30 and the bar had a nice crowd. After enjoying some drinks, we were shown to our table. The dining room was busy, which was a nice contrast to my previous visit at lunch. We sat down and the busboy immediately came over and offered me a black napkin in lieu of the standard white as I was wearing a black dress. I thought that was a nice touch, because who wants white lint all over their black clothing? The table we were given was right near the kitchen and busser's station, so we asked to move, and we were accommodated. This time, no offer was made to switch my napkin. Oh well. We got comfortable and menus and a wine list were brought. Our server came over a few minutes later but made no mention of drinks which was odd since two people in our party had finished off their cocktails in the bar area. We had to ask him for drinks after several minutes. We discussed appetizers while we were in the bar area so we all pretty much agreed what to order while we decided on our entrees. For our starters we chose carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, smoked salmon and steak tartare (even though the menu spelled it 'tartar', as in tartar sauce). We all enjoyed the appetizers, especially the carpaccio, but agreed that Joe's does better oysters Rockefeller. Next up we ordered our main courses and sides, which we would all get to taste: A filet, veal chop, bone-in ribeye, and a Benny's duo, which was a porterhouse. For sides, we chose sauteed mushrooms, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. We were disappointed that there were no au gratin potatoes or a double baked on the menu as I found their potato choices a little boring. Everything was good, but other than the filet, nothing was a standout. We all agreed that the filet was one of the best we tasted. I tend to not order filets as they can very often be bland, but this one was the most flavorful one I've ever tasted. The bone-in ribeye was on the thin side and doesn't hold a candle to Joe's. After we finished our entrees, my friend ordered another bottle of wine, which she was the only one drinking as the rest of us were finishing a different bottle. She had about half a glass left when she ordered it and knew she wouldn't be finishing so she made sure to ask if they could recork and package the leftover wine and they said they could. Desserts were ordered: strawberry shortcake and praline doughnuts. I loved the shortcake on my previous visit and it was just as good the second time. I didn't try the doughnuts but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. At this point my friend had been waiting a good 30 minutes for her wine and had to track down the server who said he wasn't sure she still wanted it since she still had a couple of sips left and we were concluding our meal. I'm not sure what the miscommunication was since my friend still clearly wanted it. In the end, she said she still wanted it, but the server potentially blew a pricey sale. The dinner was good, but for the same prices, I think the service and food at Joe's is much better. It seemed like there were a lot of people working the dining room, but the service didn't necessarily commensurate. There were periods of long delays as well as a few missteps in service, and at these price points, I think that's unreasonable. For lunch I gave this 4 stars; for dinner, it's 3, so it averages out to a solid 3.5 stars.
(3)Judy F.
While visiting Chicago, we met up with others at Benny's for a nice dinner. As usual, hubby and I arrived early, so we got a seat at the bar and ordered a couple of glasses of wine. The bartender was very funny and made jokes with my husband, which really made us comfortable. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very calming - nice, but not so much such that I felt out of place in my jeans and nice shirt. After being seated, the waitress was also very helpful and had a great personality. She told us a lot about the owners, the chef, and the menu to help us make decisions. I ordered a salad, steak, and kale. The salad was a simple house salad, but I was very happy to see that it was really made by them and had great ingredients. The steak was cooked exactly like I ordered it and was a good sized portion. It was also tender and quite easy to enjoy. The kale was the real surprise here for me - it was crispy and probably my favorite part of the main course. Well prepared and delicious. We did let ourselves be talked into ordering dessert, so hubby and I ordered carrot cake. I think that this could have fed the whole table - it was huge. We were only able to eat about 1/3 of it and ended up taking the rest back to the hotel and eating a little for breakfast (we still didn't finish it, though, it was that huge). This was a good place to enjoy company, as there is a hum of conversation around, but nothing overly loud.
(3)arpan s.
I think tho is my favorite steak house in the city. I was very excited to go tere. Excited to eat. And excited when I left. It was what I expected. Parking was easy also. And they have valet. I ordered the surf and turf. Server knew a lot about the huge selection of wines they offered. Helped us pik a great one. I ordered the surf n turf. Loved it. And the sides. Very flavorful and quality meats. Can't wait to Go back.
(5)Jim M.
replaced a reservation for 3 forks with this one and were delighted! food, service ambiance all wonderful, steaks (NY strip and filet) were both done to perfection, will definitely come again
(5)Kyle P.
I come here for lunch about once a month and really dig the atmosphere and the burgers and fries. It isn't on the best in the city but it is quality for a good price and I have had the steaks and wine and again they are very good but not great or perfect. I do love the service though and there is a great waiter at lunch and bar manager I can't remember her name but she is great as well
(4)J. M.
Came to Benny's for an event. I have to say the steak was AMAZING... like "butta" I don't know how they do it but they do it well.... I'd say this is a perfect setting for a romantic date for any carnivore couple. Impressive. Even met Benny! Yes, apparently there is an actual Benny, I was surprised to. Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)Paul R.
Great food and great service. Visiting for 2 days and this was a great place to grab a drink, lunch, and some great recommendation's from the staff.
(4)Eric B.
Was in Chicago for St. Paddy's weekend and looking for a place to eat dinner Friday night. Most of the places I wanted to try were all booked, so I basically just found something within walking distance of my hotel that took reservations. Benny's ended up being a great find. The food up and down was mostly excellent; the mac and cheese was amazing. Blue cheese croquettes were not quite what I hoped, but decent I guess. Also love a place that serves straight up bacon as an appetizer (although we didn't try it). Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable...when she was around. She seemed to disappear for large amounts of time. It took at least 20-30 mins for her to finally come back to take our food order. Not sure if she was stretched thin or what. I'd definitely recommend this place. It has an old school steakhouse vibe and has a decent location. Also the people watching is....interesting.
(4)Bob D.
In town for the Stadium Series. The Bone in rib eye was fantastic. Server was very good and the Bisque was outrageously good. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll definitely be back.
(5)Lizz M.
Hello and welcome to every Yelpie's favorite week: Restaurant Week. Came here for lunch today with a friend. We were promptly greeted by two hostesses out front and taken to our seats. $22 for a soup or salad, entree and dessert. Don't mind if I do. I had the potato, leek and pesto soup which was perfectly seasoned and had a velvety texture. I could have eaten this soup all day and am already planning on how to recreate it at home. For the entree we had the option between butternut squash risotto, red snapper or a filet with duck fat fries and a glorious, glorious mushroom and wine sauce. I think you can tell which one I got. The portions were perfect, and the dish also came with a small bunch of arugula, which cut the heaviness of the filet perfectly. Lastly, dessert. My dining companion and I thought we had a choice between two items, but it turns out you got a deconstructed banana cream pie, mini creme brulee and chocolate mousse with marshmallows. Seriously delicious. Left (SO) full and happy. As my friend put it, "I want to snuggle the chef" because good lord, what a perfect meal! And our waiters were all friendly, attentive and wonderful.
(5)David W.
Food-very good. Price-high. Service-mediocre. Value for money? Lots of places to get a great meal in the city. This one would stack up if the service was better.
(3)Morris N.
Classy decor, excellent service. You can ask anyone walking by and they will accommodate you not like most places where you get the standard response, let me get your server so I give them five stars for service. Food was amazing. For appetizers we had the calamari, house cured maple glazed bacon and even tried the bone marrow. Entree was bone-in ribeye and sides of asparagus and mash potatoes. Wine list was extensive. I tried the Justin cab which was great with the steak. It is pricey so expect to drop around $150 per person.
(5)Brittany Z.
Went here for my mom's birthday last week and I can happily say it's by far one of the best restaurants in the city. Hands down. Service? Top Notch. Our waitress was phenomenal and the sommelier recommended my new favorite wine. Food? OMG. Amongst the table we ordered: calamari, the crab cake, maple bacon, rib eyes, the skirt steak, the new york strip, and a filet. For sides we had fries, carrots, brussell sprouts, and mashed potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection and melted in our mouth. Blah, blah, blah it was amazing. Ambiance? Lovely. I love, love, loved, the dark decor and amber lighting. It wasn't too loud and I didn't find it hard to hold a conversation. Bonus: Surprise Happy Birthday Smores dessert for my Mom complete with candle. Adorbs. P.S. The creme brulee is good as well. Bottom Line. Go, just go.
(5)Samantha W.
We had originally planned to visit another steakhouse when visiting this past weekend, but when we realized it wasn't open on Sundays, we ventured to Benny's instead. I am glad we made the switch. Service and food were great. Our server (who only identified himself as the sommelier) was very pleasant to talk to (we discussed, at length, about the joys of bacon), had a wealth of knowledge about how each of the steaks were prepared and cooked, and was spot on with his meal recommendations. I had one of the specials, a Cajun-style Tenderloin with bacon & onion reduction and garlic potatoes. I like my meat dead, so I had it cooked Medium Well and it had a great char on the outside but was still incredibly tender. Far from shoe leather. The potatoes were good and came in a generous portion. My boyfriend (who's hard to impress when it comes to food, let alone steak) ordered his Wet Aged Rib Eye Double Rare and, while the server took some liberties and switched it to Blue, he loved it. Server also took some liberties with the whiskey BF ordered since they didn't have regular Jameson, but again was spot on. For dessert, we figured we'd share the S'mores Cheesecake. It was delicious but I definitely could've/should've ordered my own. It's not massive like the Chocolate Layer Cake. Restaurant was lovely. Great mix of customers, young and old -- not an overly stuffy atmosphere like I was expecting.
(5)Megan K.
Benny's, you never displease me when it comes to a classic American steakhouse. I've been to Benny's around five times over the last two years for work dinners as well as for a very nice date out, and I've never had an unpleasant experience. The ambiance is spot on, the service is great and fairly consistent, and the steaks are incredible. All of these items are crucial to a great steakhouse experience, which is why I keep coming back to Benny's over the other offerings in the city (ie Mortons, Gibsons, G&G, etc). My boyfriend and I came here for a Thursday night dinner last night, and we had a great experience. We made a reservation (which is a must and incredibly easy through opentable.com ) for 6pm and the restaurant was just kicking off the evening. We were promptly seated and given a wine menu to look over. Once we made our selection from their large and impressive list, we were asked if we wanted it decanted, which was a nice touch. They brought the decanter over in a matter of minutes and poured two glasses of wine for us while the dinner specials were explained and while we looked over the menu. We had a few questions about some of the sides, which our server effectively answered. After hemming and hawing over what sides we wanted, we finally came to the following conclusion: 1) Appetizer: House Cured and Cut Bacon: I would give this a 4/5 when it comes to bacon. It was thick cut, the right amount of fat to meat ratio, salty and sweet (due to the maple glaze), and it had a great smoky flavor to it. It was pan seared and then grilled, so the flavor profile was fantastic. Also, the portion was HUGE, we both had two very large pieces of bacon that were a meal in and of itself. I'd recommend this appetizer for a larger party, or as a side to your steaks. Although, if you have a large appetite, you could easily devour this as a precursor to the savory steaks. 2) Steaks: We both went with the dry aged bone in New York strip. This is one of the most solid steaks I've had at Benny's, besides the bone in Filet Mignon, and it always hits the mark. The seasonings they use in the dry aging is fantastic and the bone in really makes the steak juicy and flavorful. We got our steaks medium, which was great, but the medium rare presentation of this steak is to die for as it's just more flavorful that way. 3) Sides: This is the reason for knocking off a star, I'm never pleased with the sides here. They're good... just not great. We decided to get the Blue Cheese Croquettes which were essentially thin cut potatoes stuffed with blue cheese, baked, topped with more blue cheese and potatoes, and then baked again. I love blue cheese, but this cheese was really dry, which was a great contrast with the steak, but just not outstanding on their own. I liked them more as the meal went on, but they were still just "meh" in my book. We also got a broccoli/kale type vegetable as a side that was topped with Parmesan, and this was also very lackluster. It was pretty bitter (due to the kale influence) and just hard to cut and eat without looking like a slob. Not a huge fan. 4) Dessert: Chocolate Layer Cake. Need I even go into more detail with this one? It was exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse--huge portions and pumped full of deliciousness. The cake came out cold, which for some reason I'm normally not a fan of cold cake, but it was fantastic! It was rich, but not too sweet, and tasted very dark chocolaty. We managed to put away about 2/3 of this bad boy before raising the white flag. I'll definitely be back to Benny's when I'm willing to splurge a little bit (nearly $300 for a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two steaks, two sides, and a dessert) but it is a fantastic meal that's worth it every now and then for a special occasion. Benny's is spot on with the pacing of the meal, so you never feel rushed or wonder when the next course is coming out. Well done (even though you NEVER want to hear these words uttered in relation to steak) Benny's, well done.
(4)Nancy K.
Read a lot of different reviews of steakhouses in Chicago and decided to try Benny's Chop House for my birthday dinner. I was not disappointed! I love a good rib eye steak and the one I had at Benny's was absolutely fantastic! Cooked to my liking, I enjoyed every bite. Started with Benny's chowder (excellent), rib eye steak, bake potato and finished with the totally awesome banana cream pie! The service was a class act all the way, with greetings at the door and all waite staff. Our server Erwin was absolutely wonderful...thank you! He is not pushy or forgetful, but very attentive and professional. It was a great dining experience. Looking forward to dining at Benny's again. Ps thanks Erwin for the extra "birthday surprise"! Nancy
(5)Kenneth F.
Yelp... you need to include ZERO STARS... we didn't get to the dinner part... We sat and had a drink before dinner and the hostess was lovely, our cocktail waitress was cute and cheery, so we thought everything's on track - WRONG!!! I ordered a $12 Bulleit Rye on the rocks with a twist and we had a nice time listening to some just ok, karaoke style singer.. ok, she was good and it's Chicago so some live music was in order... We get ready to be seated and we get the bill and magically the $12 Bulleit Rye is .... drumroll..... $14 ... really wtf??? I ask the waitress who looked at me like oh this is how we roll in Chicago... "well sir, (still very cheery and polite) when you order the drink with ice or on the rocks, its usually a larger pour..." hmmm really, yeah, never heard of this before.. ... just an FYI... $2 isn't going to break me; it's the principle! Tell us it's $14 and I would have still ordered it... or tell me it's $14 on the rocks - ok, but don't play fast and loose on the menu... where are the asterisks? Ok, So I stop to talk the manager Mitchell, another nice chap - see everyone is really cheery when the commit larceny (sic) - he said the same thing... when you order on the rocks it's a larger pour.... just like when you order a Martini up it's a bigger pour... I said, oh ok, I get it... where does it say this for us non Chicago morons.. where on the menu does it explain this... He looked at me mater of factly and said: "it doesn't sir..." So by this time my wife was seated, and I asked the lovely hostess to kindly get her and that we were leaving... Mitchell didn't know what was wrong and I told him, I didn't want to mistakenly ask for bread and butter or a glass of water "on the rocks" and be charged additional for it...
(1)Dana L.
Awesome wine list Great food and the service was great
(5)Elle C.
I want to love Benny's. I want to love it so much that I keep coming back, but I don't and... This will be my last time. The steak I had tonight... 60$ ribeye. Had no char. Came out over, sent it back and it came out gristly, colorless, and damn near flavorless. The service is always subpar. I wish I could say this was a first, but I've had several less than stellar meals here (for upwards of 250 each). :( I wanted to love you Benny's... But now I can't come back.. Not even for oysters..
(2)Kerry C.
When you are paying this much for drinks and food, you expect superior service and meals. Benny's delivered. The wine list was eye-bugging expensive but their choices were superb. I'm a vegetarian and had a wonderful time with plenty of choices. My boyfriend said it was the best meal of his life (house cured bacon that "melts in your mouth" and bone in rib-eye). My parents are pretty picky and have had their share of nice meals and both said it was one of their best meals in the city. And they live here. Wonderful service- not stuffy, very knowledgeable and fun. Great meal, great time.
(5)Andrew B.
Note this is a review of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and oyster appetizer at a steakhouse; if I were reviewing the steak I suspect this would be a 5/5. Hit up Benny's for their Thanksgiving day dinner, for lunch, with the foreknowledge that I'd also be hitting Chicago Q with GrubWithUs for dinner. Great service! Very attentive, very polite. Great atmosphere. Quiet even after the crowds started filling up tables. Decent turkey -- had an odd sliver of bone hidden in my slices of turkey that was a bit disappointing, not to mention unpleasant to choke on. We had a dozen oysters as an appetizer; they were ok, but the liquor seemed more like ice water to me than a salty oyster liquor. The oyster meat was also not pre-separated from the shells. My dining companion thought they were decent; maybe I'm just spoiled by a recent trip to GT that I need to repeat soon. The cocktail and mignonette sauces Benny serves with their oysters were good, but maybe a bit strong -- perhaps to make up for the mild-flavored oyster meat and liquor. The butternut squash soup that came as part of the dinner was quite good. The wedge salad I ordered separately was a nice variation on a wedge -- it was actually heart of iceberg rather than wedge. The creamy bleu cheese dollops were an excellent compliment to the grape? cherry? tomatoes and bacon bits. And the tomatoes were 100% good, nothing sour, nothing underripe, nothing borderline -- rare anywhere I go, especially once out of season for tomatoes. The mashed potatoes were ok. The sweet potatoes were a bit disappointing. Definitely intend to go back and hit up the steak menu sooner than later; will review again.
(3)Sarah S.
Food was good, as was ambience. Service exceeded expectations. Caesar salad too much dressing. Shrimp special appy, too much seaweed. TBone to share, cooked and seasoned perfectly, but a few bites were tough. Highlight of evening was our Kosta Browne Pinot Noir.
(3)Peter K.
I go here about once a month for lunch. They have an awesome burger that comes with truffle fries for only $10!!! For my money its one of the beast deals in the city. You can easily spend $15 - $20 downtown and not get half as good a burger. I have tried other things on the menu and they have been ok. Nothing really stands out other than the burgers and tacos. The menu gets expensive once you veer off the path of lunch time sandwiches. I have been there for a couple of work functions and got a steak which was done nicely, I also had one of the best, if not THE best Cesar Salad there. I'd recommend if you are in the area, however if you are looking for TOP FLIGHT steakhouses; this is in the top 10, but NOT in the top 5
(3)Christopher R.
This is my favorite steak house in the city. One of the few places to offer natural, dry, or wet aged steaks, Benny's will surely have the cut for you. I usually go for the natural bone in ribeye with truffle mashed! They also have a fantastic wine program and a great selection of scotch. They also have live music in the bar on some nights as well as a private dining room if needed.
(5)B B.
Best steak EVER. Expensive but worth every penny. Attentive and knowledgable staff, and most importantly, fabulous steak!!!
(5)Amelia S.
This meal was worth every penny. Great meal and great service, everything was perfect from start to finish. I can't wait to come back and try the seafood tower.
(5)Evan A.
I went to Benny's last night for my birthday dinner and it was everything that you look for from a high end steakhouse. The server was knowledgeable and attentive but not overbearing. Stiff drinks. The decor was pretty nice. Not amazing, but classic vibe. The food was awesome. I had the dry aged ribeye and tried my mom's lamb chops and dad's wet aged natural rib eye. All were incredible but I liked mine the best. Also had oysters which were very fresh, crispy kale and sorbet. It came out to about $100 a person with drinks, which is pricey but there really were no complaints.
(5)Mar R.
I went there for the first time last week on my bday.. I loved how we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant, I got special bday menu ( I loved it) I got steak with lobster it was really good.. Loved the place super romantic . Will definitely go there again ..
(5)Maisha R.
Benny's Chophouse was a great choice for dinner. Dining with a nice-sized group in a private room, we started with the fried calamari, house cured bacon and mushroom flatbread. While they were all good, the bacon was clearly the stand out! It was sweet, fatty and salty. How could it get any better? Appetizers were followed by the endive salad with walnuts, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette and I chose the ribeye for my main dish. It was flavorful, a hearty portion, cooked perfectly and other than wishing it was a bit more tender, thoroughly enjoyable. The shared side dishes were well...asides. The crispy kale was actually pretty good but the lobster mac and cheese and the broccoli with cheese weren't as good as I'd hoped. I had the s'mores cheesecake which didn't exactly taste how I'd imagined it might based on the waiter's description but I was so full by that point that after a couple of bites, I couldn't have eaten anymore anyway.
(4)Sahar M.
Food and service were great. We tried Benny's burger, bacon, truffle fries and oysters. Everything was delicious. Drinks are grrat, we had Mexican mule and it had generous amount of alcohol (tequila) in it. This how the drinks should be. We loved it! I didn't get a chance to get the bartender's name. He was amazing. Polite, crafty, well mannered and focused on the clients. We asked fir his recommendations, and they were all amazing. Plus, since our burger took more time than usual to be on the table, our bartender sent bacon for free to us. He was great!!!! I wish I knew his name.
(4)Gabe P.
The food was good, the deserts are gigantic. One serving is enough for the whole family. However when you consider the high price of the food I do not think it was worth it. I had the ribeye mr and it was good but not $100 dollars good and the sides and salad were of average quality, not what you would expect when you drop this kind of money.
(3)Josh V.
I have a "Burger To Do List" compiled from three separate Best Burger in Chicago(land) lists. I haven't been very diligent at working on it, so last Friday on my company's "Spring day" holiday (when it was about 30 degrees) I decided to knock one off the ol' list. Hurray for progress! After careful consideration, I went with Benny's as it is a) walking distance from home and b) the burger is allegedly only on their lunch menu, so I wasn't going to accomplish this task during dinner. Benny's is a bit off the beaten path, tucked away on Wabash between Illinois & Hubbard, so that may hurt its business a bit. When I arrived between 12:30 & 1:00 on Friday, it was fairly dead. There were a handful of people in the bar area, and there didn't seem to be a lot of tables occupied. That's a shame. I got a seat at the bar and zeroed in on the burger section of the lunch menu. They had a few options, and I was torn between two of them. Not sure which way to go, I asked the bartender for help. She said the Fried Egg and Truffle Aioli Burger (with black-pepper bacon fries) was her favorite. OK, sold! While waiting for my food, I'll take a moment to describe the space. The restaurant is relatively new, and it looks good. The bar area was large and open, with plenty of seating at the bar and tables, and big windows on two sides. The decor was classy and not overdone. The bar was bright during the day, but the main dining room looked pretty dark. Ah, my burger is here! Time to dig in. Oh look, the fries are served in a little metal frying basket! How cute. OK, this burger is big (10 oz my sources tell me, though it doesn't say so on the menu). And there is an egg sitting atop it. Having learned my lesson trying to eat a burger with an egg at a different Burger List establishment, I cut this one in half and let the yolk run down before digging in. Wow, this burger is GOOD! It seemed to be cooked a bit shy of the medium I requested, but not enough for me to send it back. Anyway, the toppings and the burger worked hand-in-hand to create an amazing taste experience. The truffle aioli certainly packed a flavor punch, but it didn't overshadow the meat. I can't say this is the best burger I've had in my life, but it was certainly the best I've had in recent memory. I think it (barely) beats out the Gage Burger, while being a few dollars cheaper in an equally nice environment. One minor problem was that the bottom bun didn't hold up well to a juicy, egg-topped burger and got soggy fast. The plentiful, thick-cut fries were also tasty, though I didn't really catch much bacon flavor. The whole meal was more than enough food. I'd only eaten a bowl of cereal, hours earlier, and I couldn't finish the fries. The bartender was efficient and helpful. She was friendly, but didn't have much time for chit chat as she was covering the whole bar area. I know my next burger should come from a different spot on my list, but it will be tough to not just go back here. Benny's has raised the burger bar and those other places on my list better bring their A game when I get to them!
(5)Meg X.
I've always wanted to try this place out so my friend and I went when he was doing his Chicago staycation. It's pricey as hell, and since we got there before 6 we could only sit in the bar. They didn't have the rum I like (Bacardi) but the waitress was very nice and checked to see what other clear rum they had. We ordered the blue cheese croquets as an appetizer instead of a side and she was very accommodating about it. The steaks were way out of our price range so we both got pasta. I got the rigatoni, which was completely decent. I wasn't really impressed with the place overall, except for the croquets. Great service, though.
(3)Faith H.
My mom's birthday was this week, and she said she wanted to try out Benny's. The service was great. We got seated right away, and our server, Kirsten, was fantastic. She went over the menu in great detail and was able to answer all of our questions. We never felt rushed. Plus, she gets bonus points for wishing my mom a happy birthday (and giving her a special commemorative menu to take home with her name on it). The food and drinks were awesome. I ordered a specialty cocktail called the State Escape...kind of tasted like a minty mimosa. But, of course, the steak was the star of the show. I opted for a filet mignon. My mom had the same, while my dad had the prime rib and my fiance ordered the surf and turf. We also had three sides to share, which were all delicious -- spinach, seasonal mushrooms and truffle mashed potatoes. We ordered a few desserts to share, which were delicious as well -- carrot cake (which was HUGE), berry cobbler and creme brulee. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm not a big meat eater, but this place was so delicious, and I would definitely come back!
(5)Caroline M.
After 8+ visits, I can say that I truly adore Benny's. Every visit has been consistently wonderful, from the service to their tasty offerings. I really enjoy just sitting at the bar or at a hightop in the lounge. It's a very conversation friendly atmosphere, which I appreciate. Perfect for lengthy girl chats. Next time you're downtown and looking to have a stellar evening, consider Benny's. It's the perfect place to relax, imbibe, and converse.
(5)LOIS B.
This place is a winner. Ambiance is highly desirable. Crisp white table cloths, OUTSTANDING service, and an outstanding wine recommendation from our waiter made for a wonderful meal. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. All desserts are made daily and then the pastry chef gets creative and offers a special of the day. Our cheesecake with lemon curd and blueberry topping was ............... to die for. Oh, and for Restaurant week ~ they have decided to offer their special for lunch, 3 courses for $22. It is offered daily, through the month of February. This is a GREAT deal.
(5)Donna L.
What a great experience! Everything from the service to the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so comfortable and romantic enough for two, but open enough for families. A great place for all ages. We had the corner booth seated right away. Very enlightening waiter with suggestions and education about the specialty cuts of steak. Oysters Rockefeller appetizer were amazing. Mixed with spinach and cheese perfectly. Also started with the Benny's chowder which was a nice blend of seafood and veggies. Entree was a the bone-in ribeye seared halfway between medium and medium-rare. Mouthwatering and delicious. Enjoyed the succulent steak with the truffled mashed potatoes and mac and cheese which were fantastic and way more then enough for the two of us. Dessert was thee best part. Banana cream pie and chocolate pudding cake were our picks and both were so heavenly and decadent. Simple yet satisfying. I have to say overall this place was fantastic in more than just the trendy way like the other steakhouses around. I like a better more comfortable atmosphere rather than a dark swanky wannabe place.
(5)Allen B.
Dear Benny, I just wanted to write you some words of endearment, straight from the heart via the stomach. Though we had only met once, I felt that our time spent together was magical. From the moment our eyes met over a glass of Jamesons, I knew that I had fallen hard for you. Your thinly sliced Carpaccio that I enjoyed at the bar while being welcomed with free drinks from the hosts due to the wait, melted on my tongue and at the same time............ melted my heart. The way your 16oz filet mignon danced around my table accompanied with your special friends, Ms. Hand-cut French Fries and Ms. Sauteed Garlic Spinach put my soul at a blissful eaze. The impeccable customer service by all of your staff was indoubtebly, must I quote the passionate words of wisdom by Drake?.... "....the BEST I've ever had." We will meet again Benny, I gaurantee it. Just please make sure your arms are open wide as I will then run into them without hesitation and with an empty stomach. I love you Benny's Chop House, remember that always. Hugs & Kisses, Allen B.
(5)Trina J.
The menu was pretty limited and they were out of most items. I enjoyed the items I selected but they were not life changing. Worth a try but not at the top of my list
(3)lisa l.
Went to Chicago to celebrate the Mister's 50th birthday and on the recommendation of the concierge landed at Benny's. WOW, WOW, WOW! The service, the food, the ambiance...OUTSTANDING!!! The only negative was the weak cocktail in the lounge...could have been better, but the very friendly wait staff more than made up for it. I ordered a salad with the best white balsamic dressing ever. Followed by an incredible filet mignon and sweet, delicious lobster tail...thought I died and went to heaven with each bite.
(5)H M.
Come for the Steaks! Oh yes, the experience was awesome. We ordered the crab cakes for appetizer, it was nice, and then the short ribs and the skirt steak for the main course. Skirt steak was awesome and the short ribs was just good. The dish would have been better on a cold winter day since it was on the heavier side looking to come from a crock pot. Although very tender and tasty, the skirt steak was a solid 5. We will definitely come back for the rib eye or fillet next! For dessert, they ran out of carrot cake, but it was a blessing in disguise. The angel food cake with rhubarb and strawberries was amazing :) The waitress told us the restaurant recently brought on a new head Chef a few months ago. We thought his food ideas will be what distinguishes this steak house among others, as they are fun and unique. YUM!
(4)Alexandria H.
This is the best place I've found in Chicago for steak this far. Also the wine list is to die for.
(4)Liz K.
I'm new to Chicago and this was the first steakhouse I've been to. My only regret is that I didn't have more room in my stomach to eat more of the delicious food. The waiter was the best kind - there at all the right times, but left us alone to enjoy our food and drinks. The steak was delicious, cooked perfectly. A few of the other dinner guests didn't have their meat prepared with any certain style, so their plates looked a little bare. If we hadn't gotten sides to share at the table, it might not have been enough for them. But, since we did have sides, it was the perfect amount of food. The truffle mashed potatoes were amazing, the lobster mac & cheese could have been a little creamier, and the creamed spinach was just right. Somehow I still managed room for the carrot cake, which was one of the best (and biggest) slices I've ever had. I'm a fiend for the frosting, which was definitely the best part of this one. A lot of times, the cake and frosting together are way too rich, but the cake itself was less sweet (still just as flavorful) and so it wasn't too much to eat all together. My only complaint is that the tables are kind of close together so there's not much space when you need to walk somewhere (like the bathroom) and it gets loud easily. But all in all, super, and I will definitely come back here for special dinners in the future.
(4)Steve G.
Great night out with my brother and other friends... This is a great restaurant and a great reason to go downtown. Nice selection of meats, including three kinds of prime steaks -- dry-aged, aged, and natural -- on the menu. I had the bone-in dry-aged NY Strip. A little tougher than the filets I've been hooked on recently, this was still delicious. Cooked perfectly, too. So, why not more stars? Well, there were some hiccups... We arrived a half-hour early, intending to sit and enjoy a drink before dinner. Despite assurances from the maitre d', after we got our drinks at the bar, the waitress insisted on dropping off the check. We ordered the calamari appetizer as a starter, and it was frankly not that good. It was rubbery, and the breading was soggy, ending up mostly on the dish instead of on the squid. The sides were a mixed bag as well. The creamed spinach was the "best ever" according to my better half, but the bleu cheese croquettes were under-cooked tator tots instead of true croquettes. I did not try the twice-baked potato another friend ordered, but it looked soggy, too. And the mashed potatoes were salty. The wine list we received was out of date (as is the list on their website, I guess). That meant our pre-dinner research was all a waste. The room where we sat appeared to be left for large parties (we had 6 in our party), and that meant the noise level got uncomfortable later in the evening. ...and with a place this expensive, the hiccups are important to me... More positives... The bread bowl was great. Service was nearly impeccable, great wine service -- once we got the right list and the assistance of the sommelier. The desserts are steakhouse HUGE, and all were delicious -- carrot cake, chocolate cake, deconstructed s'more (the last one not so huge). Great valet parking -- for $12 or $14 or something like that... Overall, a sure hit with the beefeating crowd, better than just about any other meat place we've been. Could use a little more work on the details, I guess.
(3)Zach G.
I was so very excited to check out Benny's. I had two weeks of company expense accounts to look forward to, so I decided to splurge before it when I spent the night in Chicago for a cousin's birthday party. As in multiple glasses of single-malt, a filet mignon, some foie gras and a side of asparagus. My experience took place at the bar. First, the staff are phenomenal. All of the guys at the bar were ridiculously attentive, helpful, friendly and fun. I wanted to try a new scotch and they poured me a couple to choose from, so I really appreciate that. It was delicious...ended up having 3 glasses of it and barely remembering my post-meal cab ride :) The steak came out perfectly cooked - medium rare. However, it just wasn't all that great. It didn't pop with flavor like a steak of that caliber and price should. If the steak had been slightly better, I could give this place 4 stars, but...seeing as this is a steak place, the fact that the steak wasn't fantastic means an automatic one-star deduction in my book. The foie gras was tasty and buttery but I felt the portion was rather small for the price. The asparagus tasted fresh and had more flavor than the steak, to be honest. In the end, my bill was $100 with tax which I felt wasn't all that bad...however, I was just quite disappointed by the steak itself, seeing as this is a steak place. With so many other steak places to try downtown, I don't see me being back here in the near future.
(3)Justin P.
If you're celebrating an event, make sure you tell them. this place is all about the little things. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. It's on the pricey side to be sure; but their NY Strip was one of the top 5 I've ever tasted. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Brandon T.
Was feeling like a nice night out, and decided to give Benny's a shot. Overall, it was a great experience just about what I was expecting. I knew everything was going to be good, when we had finished the entire bread basket and drank a glass of wine by the time we ordered. The bread is ridicuoulsy good . Really well cooked steaks. Prime beef, so extremely tender with a really nice flavor. The wine was great. Not a huge selection by the glass, but there are primo glasses that I had the pleasure of enjoying. Really fresh nice salads, and several to choose from. Normally not a fan of grilled romaine, but this was actually well done. Had a few oysters, and had them give some from the east coast, and some from the west. Would have appreciated him telling me where they were from before walking away. He just dropped them, and said "oysters". Thanks, thought it was the salad.... Had a couple of sides: Truffled mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Potatoes were phenomenal, but the asparagus was over-cooked to me. For fish we got the Halibut on the bone. Which was really well cooked, but unfortunately had several (more than 10) pin bones throughout. When saying something to the waiter, he said he would give us a free dessert, but forgot as we ordered two. The desserts were excellent, as almost everything else was. Had the Chocolate pudding cake, which was like a lava cake except better, with some toffee ice cream. Also the apple tart with vanilla ice cream, better than a fresh apple pie. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a nice (expensive) night out.
(4)Izzy N.
Yes. Seriously. Benny's is fantastic! If you're looking to impress, come here. If you're going to do just one quintessential steakhouse in Chicago especially without a budget in mind, I highly recommend this one. The food, atmosphere, service- all made for a wonderful experience. They really know how to take care of you here whether casually dressed or in business attire, it doesn't matter. I see them giving the same attention and enthusiasm with casually dressed guests. There's a lot of places around here, especially the trendier newbs who shall not be named unless you really want names, that should take some notes or get a little tutorial on service from Benny's with the basics. Basics I learned on my first day as a waitress, like timing with interruption and saying shit like excuse my damn reach. But I understand if it's someone's first time waitressing ever. I've been there, I get it but around these parts of the city I feel like service should be on its A game unless you're at McDonald's. It looks rough around there right by the red line Chicago stop. Shank or be shanked. Excellent service never goes out of style. We were very pleased! The food was also great. It's very friendly to those that are gluten free as some were at our table recently and great suggestions were made. The manager is a great salesman. Very persuasive and persistent! Their seafood is pretty awesome here too, their crab and lobster louie starter is really good as is their shellfish tower. The fried calamari wasn't all that though. That's the one thing I wouldn't order again, it's very average. They have dollar oyster wednesdays that the manager suggested- I haven't checked that out yet as I'm a little leery of oysters in the midwest because from my experience they're not as sweet and awesome after a flight or something. Sad face. We will see..... Their chocolate pudding cake is dangerous, with melted, gooey buttery toffee sprinkled on top. I really should have split that :) Great wine list also- I didn't try their Oregon selections but went with red ones from France instead, perfect recommendations as I wanted to go heavy to take the edge off. Shake off that robot zombie clone mode. Worth it.
(5)Rachel F.
Oh man that phrase died and gone to heaven was put into context at this place. Granted it was so incredible that I couldn't stop and almost ate myself into a coma. THE BEST steak I have ever had. I don't say that lightly. And while it was expensive, it wasn't 50 bucks. I think most of them were 28-35ish. I added crab on mine and they brought two massive crab legs. The sauce on it was decadent, yet not overwhelming. The sides we shared were incredible as well. As for apps, the Chicken Satay was one of my favorites. Highly recommend it. I also really, really loved the crab cakes. We tried a few others that lose me right now, because they just weren't as good. I will absolutely be back here next Chi-Town visit.
(5)Chris H.
Heaven! Best steak I've ever had and I've had my fair share. I'm sure there's better out there somewhere, but I've never had it. Had oysters to start off with and then the dry-aged, bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare. It was absolute perfection. The sazeracs from the bar were fantastic as well. Can't wait to go back. Two big thumbs up from this guy!
(5)Heidi J.
I am appalled at the lack of customer service Benny's has. I have been here several times before and live right down the street. I even wrote a 5 star review previously. I decided to come here with my baby one night and upon checking in the hostess says to me "Umm.. you can't eat in the main dining room with a baby and stroller." Umm.. are you serious? Then she tells me "You have to eat in the north lounge bar area".. Since we were already there and had walked in the snow we decided just to eat. Until we realize that they sat us right next to a piano!!! WTF?? Some lady comes over and starts playing and belting tunes and we had to rush out of there rather quickly. Upon leaving I ask for the manager to complain. Since I had been there several times before I know there are tables in the back of the dining room that are in the corner and would have accommodated a stroller just fine. The manager did not really say or do anything and just said "Well I hope you give us a second chance." That's it.. ?? I will definitely not be back. I spent $200 here for what.. to BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?? Good food and crappy, horrible service? What next? Are they going to say people with green eyes or brown hair can't be accommodated in the main dining room? Ludicrous! This is about customer service and respect. This is a high end, upscale restaurant and if you are paying good money to eat here you should be treated with a certain level of respect. I should have just left when we first checked in and the rude hostess said we couldn't eat in the dining room.
(1)Paul C.
I finally had a chance to visit Benny's Chop House with my boo, and have to say we had a great time. The atmosphere is a little classier than the typical Chicago steak house, which makes it great for a date or a group of friends. I was particularly impressed with the oyster selection. I have been very disappointed with the oysters at Chicago steak houses (Morton's I'm looking in your general direction). Most of the time the variety is scant, and the preparation is traditional to the point of boring. Benny's actually had a good variety of both east and west coast oysters. My boo and I polished off 12 and I would have happily gone back for round 2. As far as the rest of the menu, I felt like everything was pretty much what you'd expect from a steak house. My Caesar salad was just ok--I'd probably skip it on a return visit, and my boo wasn't impressed with her lobster bisque which she thought rather bland. The main courses definitely were satisfying. The steak was expertly prepared, and I opted to couple it with some crab legs. Unlike some other places I've visited, Benny's actually gave a sizable portion of crab legs along with the steak. I was quite pleased. My boo was equally pleased with her pork chop--which I didn't try myself, but I will say looked awesome. The dessert menu looked awesome too, but by this time we had to be rolled out of the restaurant. Next time I'll try to save some room, but it's tough when the menu has so many great options. In a city renown for its steaks, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Benny's definitely deserves some attention if you are touring the Chicago steak house scene. Great food, in an environment great for a date, or a group of friends. I would definitely go back.
(4)Zack P.
Disclaimer: I've only ever had lunch or dinner in the bar area, so my review is mostly for them. Discovered Benny's when I moved in next door. After a couple visits, several of their impressive signature drinks, and a few nibbles from the bar menu I fell in love with the bar here. The staff is friendly and welcoming, they make you feel like a regular from the first time you walk in. The bartenders are quick but precise. The wine selection is great. The ambiance is always comfortable and enjoyable. A good mix of regulars, visitors, and after work crowd--I've never gone without someone to chat with. $0.25 oysters on wednesday are always amazing. Beers are all by the bottle or can, but the selection is impressive and worth checking out. For lunch you'd be crazy to not try the lobster grilled cheese. Goes great with an albarino they have by the glass. If you order a salad make sure to get the bread! The biscuits are fantastic. On weekend nights there's usually a pianist or some performer singing. It's a bit cheesy sometimes but usually pretty nice for the atmosphere. Great place for a first date or cocktails before dinner.
(5)Kim H.
So I lose an Oscar party bet with my boyfriend, and I owe him dinner. He selects Benny's Chop House, a spot I've wanted to try for a long time and tonight I paid the bet. Benny's offers the traditional Chicago steakhouse ambience - darkened rooms, low lights, elegant wood furnishings, white linen tables, room to spread out, a piano bar and a wait staff dressed in all black. The service is attentive and highly professional. Although I had water accidentally spilled on me at the table, I applaud the service my man and I received tonight. And the food? Just what you should expect from a fine Chicago steakhouse. We enjoyed a surprisingly nice selection of east and west coast oysters, a Caesar salad and their lobster bisque. My man raved about his 7 oz filet with king crab leg enhancement and I dined on a delectable pork chop. Both were prepared to our satisfaction and delicious. We added truffle mashed potatoes which were a bit too "truffly" for my taste, but I can forgive given the quality of everything else. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert, but perhaps that is a tribute to the dinner. We work close by and will definitely try Benny's again. Thank you for making losing a bet fun and enjoyable.
(4)Whitney K.
Went here on a whim after apartment hunting in August. Father in law was in town and decided he wanted a steak, so he promptly made us walk to Benny's. It was 4 oclock and most steakhouses werent open, and we definitely werent dressed for a nice evening out. However, they were very accommodating, even opened their dining room early for us. We ate, we drank, we laughed. Despite being embarrassed about wearing jeans and sandals, it was one of the best steak meals Ive had in Chicago, and our server was superb (probably bc the rest of the dining room was empty). I still think about it months later. My steak was cooked perfect, the wine recs were on spot, and the carrot cake was the largest thing I've ever seen in my life. Could feed an army with one slice. Will go back for date night one evening.
(4)Carol K.
Seriously. This place is over the top when it comes to taking care of me, the customer. While so many places have seemingly forgot about service, Benny's is all about just that. I had written in my first review that I needed to find a location for a celebratory dinner for a colleague. My first surprise was that the Josh, the manager of Benny's, actually read the review, and then reached out to offer up their services. Now usually for a dinner of this magnitude- I would chose a place that I have been frequenting for years- a place that knows me the second I step in the door by name, and who fawns over me throughout my visit, not a place that I had only ever visited one time. But I had so much faith in Benny's, given the stellar showing they had done on my first visit, unprompted, and the follow up from the management staff thereafter, that I made reservations for our group of 6. My thanks go out to the entire staff at Benny's, for the experience was spectacular. My colleagues said that they had never had such a wonderful time dining out before. Starting with our server Vladi, who was quick with suggestions, who kept things flowing, who was delightful and funny and took it all in stride, the evening was off to a great start. We even had Anthony, the server from my first visit, stop by several times throughout the night to check in on us, even though he was taking care of a private dining group during our visit. Really unexpected! The sommelier, Justin bowled us over as well. He helped pick an amazing bottle of champagne that he then proceeded to "sabre" open (don't try this at home!) I pretty much thought I had seen it all and then this- a perfect start to our celebration. And who doesn't like a man with a sword??? Throughout the meal he was great in suggesting wines that weren't terribly expensive but perfectly met the description of what we liked- pushing us to try some new things (my favorite part of a sommelier as I am always looking to find new favorites!) The food was wonderful as well- the raw bar with it's varietal oysters, fresh crab and chilled lobster and huge shrimp made a great beginning. And if that wasn't enough- the steaks were perfection. All perfectly prepared even the "tomahawk"" cut (if you go- ask to see this interesting cut of ribeye!) The restaurant then brought out a variety of their desserts for us to try. Chocolate cake, cheesecake and a donut type decadence were all amazing! And someone in our group ordered the strawberry shortcake which was fresh and sweet and very calorie worthy! Rarely do I think that Yelp doesn't have enough stars. But in the case of Benny's- I either need to adjust my other 5 star experiences down a notch or give this place the 6th star that it so deserves! Customer service is an art. And Benny's is the "gallery" it's served up in! To go on would be overkill. But in this case, it would certainly be fitting.
(5)Lois A.
Coming here for drinks on a hot day is a great idea. I really enjoy it. You can relax in front of the windows and people watch. They have great bartenders and an extensive selection. Coming here for dinner is something I probably will only do again if it is for business. The steaks are great but they should be for the price. I wasn't super impressed with the sides I've had here and something in general about this place just doesn't really do it for me as a dining destination. Maybe because there are so many other exciting options. I don't even know what it is. If you want a great steak in a classy old style chophouse Benny's will do.
(4)J W.
Came to visit Benny's for an event, our large group was seated in the back meeting room and given an array of small appetizers to start. The room itself can be rented out for conferences/meetings/large groups, etc... the Manager shared all of the techie features the room has to offer- if I needed a room and could afford it I would consider using Benny's for a meeting. The appetizers were pleasant, although I can't remember any offhand right now. What most impressed me was meeting the Executive Chef, Carlo Lamagna, of Perennial Virant fame. He shared his vision to have each meal be individually fresh with seasonal vegetables purchased from local farmers. In my opinion, it's easy to be a steak restaurant and cook meat, but to continually change your offerings to blend with the time of year is really an art. Carlo has a lot of passion and it's evident in each bite. I had scallops and the filet, both were perfectly cooked and delicious. There were beautiful veggies paired with each entree, and each bite was different than the previous. They brought kale to the table as well, LOVE KALE, it was crunchy and not too oily. Their dessert selection is well versed with a nice array of chocolate, nut, and fruit offerings. I would recommend this for date night, corporate meetings, or even family gatherings.
(4)John S.
As steakhouses go, I think this is one of the best. If they have it on special when you go, try the coffee-rubbed steak (I had the Delmonico). Fantastic. Loved the ambience, the staff was really nice.
(5)Stacy F.
Went on a Friday night. Great atmosphere: piano player and live jazz singer in the lounge, great lighting, delicious dirty martinis. Sat down in the restaurant, great service, HUGE wine selection. Great place for special occasions since it is pretty pricey.
(4)John K.
If you love steak, you will love this place. I had the ribeye and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. I will be gong back the next time I'm n town. The service was great as well.
(5)RA V.
The ambiance was a pleasant surprise (except for the faux candle). The curved booth seating was welcome as opposed to the bench-type seating many restaurants are going to. The steak and accompanying sauce were flavorful but my steak was way undercooked from what I specified. The bread basket was very good. The maple bacon was terrible and very bland - I expected something sweet and salty or maybe caramelized, but it was charred, almost flavorless and very very fatty - my least favorite item - not the guilty pleasure I was expecting. Service was efficient at first but then very slow. Had to request drink refills. The caesar salad was good. I didn't like the flavor of the cream corn - I thought I tasted garlic but I'm not sure what the flavor was exactly and it stuck to my teeth - had a few bites and left it. The baby carrots were OK but my significant other who usually loves baby carrots left them also. The desserts were the best part of the meal - banana cream pie and chocolate pudding pie tasted great. Unfortunately, I've had stomach cramps, cold sweats and nausea from that evening after dinner well into the next am causing me to miss my business meeting the next morning. Won't be back.
(1)Mary C.
When in Rome...okay, Chicago! You must try Benny's Chop House! Atmosphere is really nice, food is amazing and our server was very knowledgeable! Must have oysters, seafood salad...oh heck, it's all good! You will spend a little money but it's worth it!
(4)Maureen F.
Amazing from start to finish. Great food, staff and drinks. The steaks are tasty and perfectly cooked, the desserts and salads were great (I really liked my grilled romaine!). Very pricey!!! Worth trying once!
(5)Justin N.
Easily the best steak I've had in the city. I went with the 10 ounce grass fed filet. The bacon appetizer is amazing.
(5)A D.
Other steak houses in the city are over rated. Benny's is not. It is a warm, friendly place and the decor is simple yet, elegant. Oysters were very fresh. Dry aged Strip steak was juicy, flavorful and cooked the way I liked it (medium rare). Wine choices were plenty. Wait staff is well trained and knew everything in the menu. This is really a good place to go to. Other places have become too fancy. Will come back for sure! Make sure you make reservations!
(5)Matt C.
Went during the week for a friend's birthday. Ribeye was comparable to other delicious steaks at various steakhouses around. They put a sauce on it which was good, as compared to other steakhouses which seem to place more emphasis on the natural flavor of the meat. They have a surprising number of craft beers for a steakhouse. Waiter was somewhat pushy in terms of trying to up-sell us food/drink items rather than really seeming to care what we wanted.
(4)Delia M.
Celebrated my husband's 40th bday here last week. It was a FABULOUS experience. I was so thrilled. Martinis, oysters, delicious steaks. Our server, Jeff, took great care of us. Since I'd mentioned the birthday when I made the reservation, he brought a menu to my husband that said "Happy 40th Birthday, Chris" printed across the top! Great touch! He then brought us the bacon appetizer on the house (delicious!!) AND a beautiful dessert with a birthday message after our meal. I am so happy we decided to celebrate at Benny's!!!
(5)S G.
Looking for a good burger? Benny's Blue Cheese Burger could be for you. Toasted bun, cooked to order, good size patty, char broiled, comes with port wine onions (which I had removed), Maytag blue cheese, and fries. Service was excellent, the decor is classic chop/steak house (lot's of wood). Good times for lunch.
(4)Sophie H.
We ate here Christmas eve night - it was awesome. Our server was killer - it was late so we wanted to share a bunch of things and he was great - he coursed it out for us without issue! Wine list was great - had a nice French assortment which we love! We will definitely be back the next time we are in Chicago.
(5)Matt G.
My favorite restaurant in all the world. I've dined all over the country and around the world but THIS place tops them all. The attention to detail, the extra mile they go with the preparation of the food, and the absolutely brilliant cuisine is enough to bring me back time and time again. It's very pricey but you're getting TOP notch service and food. And don't forget the AMAZING $10 burger and truffle fries for lunch. But my fall time fav is the wet aged filet. Bravo Benny's! -A loyal fan.
(5)Michael D.
The bone-in-rib eye was fantastic, as well as the ambiance and quality of the food and service.
(4)Stephanie W.
Benny's was the locale where I first introduced my boyfriend to my parents, so it holds a special, biased place in my heart. I barely remember what anyone ordered on account of the inordinate amount of sweat coming out of my armpits. I do remember the steaks being delightful, our waiter being knowledgeable, and my dad sitting stoically while my mom and I carried the conversation like dehydrated pack mules. Not to worry: a year and a half later, my parents might love him more than me. Thanks Benny (is he a real person?)!
(4)Jim S.
Spent the last week in Chicago for some work and family fun. Went to Benny's on Tuesday night for a work dinner. Loved it so much I had to take my family back again on Friday night. The food was wonderful! And I mean WONDERFUL! The service was incredibly helpful and gracious, and I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Chicago. Well done Benny's, well done.
(5)Samantha H.
My fiancé brought me here for my birthday dinner and the staff at Benny's went above and beyond to make it a great evening. First we hung out at the bar for a cocktail or two and I was introduced to St. Germaine and the Breakfast at Tiffany's cocktail. It was delicious! We then made our way to our table where Candace took outstanding care of us. The oysters were out of this world! The filet mignon and lobster dishes were amazing and my creme brûlée was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. I cannot wait to get back to Chicago and go back to Benny's!
(5)Denise R.
I still love this place and it keeps getting better! I've been here several times since my last review and the service and food continues to impress. They've added some steaks to their menu since when they first opened and they are amazing. Every time I eat steak elsewhere, I find myself comparing it to Benny's.
(5)Danny B.
For a high end restaurant this place relied too much on appearance and service to try to justify a much higher price than half a dozen places that surround it. While the food was great, it was not THAT great to warrant a significantly higher price for the same steak just down the street. Not worth it in my book. If you want to be the creme de la creme, then it has to be unforgettable.
(3)Kennen M.
3 stars for the service, 4 stars for the food = 3.5 stars. After reading the glowing reviews on here for the service, I was expecting impeccable service. Granted it was NYE but the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was pleasant and fine; however at a restaurant of this caliber, I was expecting fabulous treatment. I wasn't wowed or made to feel special here, like others experienced. It didn't help that Alec Baldwin sat next to us, which made our server less attentive. Little things like having someone fold your napkin or push in your chair when you went to the rest room didn't happen for us. The pace of the service wasn't consistent and started off hurried but ended laid back. Again, the service wasn't bad, just not as polished as I hoped. Another service flaw I experience was towards midnight as they were to give out a champagne toast. Servers came around with a champagne menu if we wish to not partake in the Cava they were to serve. Another server came by and asked what champagne we would like to order and we said we will take the Cava they were pouring. The server then said "We will have to discuss that." What do you mean you have to discuss it? It was offered as part of the evening and now you were going to revoke it? Thankfully that gentleman never came back to discuss anything else with us and we received our Cava without issue. The food was very good. As a country girl, I like a good steak. I opted for the natural steak and it was the perfect choice. The aged steaks are too mealy and mush for my liking. I ordered it Oscar-style and I could have easily been pleased without it. Ordered the special spinach salad and was very pleased with it especially after seeing how tiny their iceberg "wedge" salad was. The crab cake ($15 for one) was delicious but an appetite teaser. The gnocchi was a knockout, both light and flavorful. Truffled mashed potatoes were my favorite but be warned, you will be belching truffle for the rest of the night! We ended the evening with an enormous chocolate cake - the best value in the house.
(3)Jordan F.
I went in for the twenty-five cent oysters during a Wednesday happy hour. I sat down at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and helped recommend good east coast beers to go with our oysters. Some of the oysters were kind of small, but some were also really big. For a quarter a piece, it was a pretty legit deal. My friend and I ended up splitting 3.5 dozen by the end with a couple of beers a piece, totally something like $23 a person. Highly recommended if you're an oyster fan.
(4)Billie O.
I went to Benny's last Wednesday and the food was very good and our server was attentive and very nice. The sommelier, however, was not very pleasant. We asked him for a type of wine and after 3 or 4 suggestions that did not sound appealing, he finally said, "You didn't give me much to go on." I didn't understand why he didn't ask more questions if he felt like I did not provide sufficient information. Thereafter I told him I loved a certain maker of wine and a specific bottle. He assured me that the $150 bottle he suggested was very similar. We received the bottle, it was just ok and not at all similar to the one we had discussed. We checked the reviews online for this particular bottle and it was given mediocre reviews. I was very disappointed, I could have returned the bottle but he made me feel like I was a chore. I like Benny's, but I could have gone to Chicago Cut where the wine experts there were nice and easy going.
(2)David G.
Review in a nutshell: Trying Too Hard. The food is excellent. My Veal Porterhouse was done to perfection, and my guests' New York Strip and Salmon fillets received raves. If a restaurant was simply the sum of its food, Benny's would be a five star joint. You know the old expression, stick to what you know? Good advice. Benny's KNOWS food. REALLY well. They don't know service or atmosphere, but damn they're sure trying hard at both. I liked our waitress. Great service, very professional. I didn't like the three? four??? other waiter-cum-bussboys who were hovering around the dozen or so tables in our area. I mean, they were also very professional and tried to give great service, but they got in each others way -and mine. On paper, more wait staff for the same number of tables means more service. In reality, more wait staff means being asked three times by three different people if there's anything you need before your real waitress is able to make it promptly back with your refill. Or having to inform half a dozen people that you would like more butter for your bread. Or being asked three times by different people if you are ready for your plate to be removed. They're trying! SO hard. But it's just not working very well. Benny's features live music. Does anyone actually *enjoy* Nightclub music? Or is it purposeless relic we associate with certain types of nightlife due to social inertia - like Nutcrackers at Christmas? "Oh, we want to be "that kind" of restaurant -better hire a talentless singer and someone to play piano a bass fiddle!" You can tell it's an affectation, because if it were important and something they were proud of, they would place the musicians prominently so everyone could see, hear and enjoy. Instead, they're hidden away in a -very stylish- corner, so as to inflict the least number of guests with direct contact to atonal, arrhythmic pseudo-jazz. The atmosphere is a Feng Shui nightmare. You walk in the front door and Benny's is a "cool and clean" marble palace. Come up the stairs and it changes to a "warm but cluttered" Italian Winery for the bar, which hangs over the "classic and intimate" wood-paneled boardroom of a seating area. Which is then, of course, packed shoulder-to-shoulder full of head-achingly loud Chicagoans. Drink up, because you'll only be comfortable with a buzz. Oh. And if you do decide to come to Benny's -because seriously, the food really was amazing- don't do it without a business credit card to pay for the meal. Trust me on this one.
(3)Lea R.
Betsy in the bar is great. Highly personable and sweet. she noted how we were questioning and on our orders offered info on what had oil and butter and what could be made dry. We really appreciated that as occasionally we encounter servers who seem to find our requests for healthier options like dressing on the side & no oil or butter unreasonable.
(5)Anisa B.
This place has fantastic YUMMY food. I am definitely a regular here because of the well cooked food, but the bigger reason is because of their outstanding service. Sean, who is just so sweet is always accommodating and always has such eagerness to help. Thumbs all the way up!! And the marshmallow chocolate dessert.... well let's just say I have been in there a few times ONLY to order that dessert.
(5)Steve D.
Spent the weekend in the city with family, so we hit up quite a few restaurants. Benny's was our choice for Saturday . This place definitely has an old time, clubby steakhouse atmosphere. Kinda cool. After being seated, we waited and waited for a server to appear to take our drink order. The usual Grey Goose martini for me. The martini came in an old school champagne glass which seemed odd but it tasted just fine. Ordered the bone marrow appetizer along with some salads. The bone marrow appetizer consisted of a bone about 8-10 inches with some caramelized onions and toast for spreading. Big problem. The bone marrow was not cooked through and was cold and solid underneath the top. Gross. Flagged down the server who apologized and went for a replacement. He came back with a properly done one and told us it was taken off of the bill. Nice response. On to the entrees. Had surf and turf, steaks, rigatoni, and salmon. My wife's salmon was way overcooked and she had to send it back. My surf and turf was just perfect. Great tasting lobster, great tasting steak. Was pleased. However, my wife never got her salmon until the rest of us were done with our entrees. They never came back until then. She told them she did not want it now, since the rest of us were done. She sampled some of our dishes and liked them but was not too happy about how her service was handled. If you are going to charge high end prices for your food, you better have the execution from the kitchen each and every time and the service that goes along with it. Too many slip ups here. Take a cue from Gibson's, Joe's, etc. Top end food execution and service needs to accompany top end pricing. One other gripe. $17 for a martini! Really? That is crossing the line on drinks. I would have given this place a much higher rating if the service was there. It wasn't. I enjoy top end steakhouses and the experience but this is not where I will go to spend my money. Sorry. I really wanted to like this place. Cheers to ALL
(2)Matthew C.
3.5 really... Rounding down with stars. Food was actually great really but nothing was exceptional for me. I can't comment on the service because I was with friends who knew everyone. 1 star deduction because the food wasn't exceptional - just very good. Another 1/2 star deduction because the ambiance didn't add anything special either or make me WANT to come back.
(3)Suzanne V.
Came here sometime around midnight on a Friday night, and the place was still open with a few tables full of people enjoying cocktails. At the recommendation of a friend, we came here for one thing and one thing only: chocolate cake. This honkin' piece of chocolate cake was not like some restaurants who call it chocolate but serve a dry, bland, crumbly blob of misery. No, this cake was uber moist, extremely rich, and sinfully decadent. Is your mouth watering yet? Between four of us, we could not finish it, and had to stop short to try the banana cream pie. Our waiter suggested the pie, claiming it was a favorite. I personally don't care for bananas in the slightest, but tried it anyway. It was pretty good, and nothing beats a graham cracker crust. Split four ways, we all ended up paying around $5 or $6 for a substantial amount of cake and pie---not bad at all! I highly recommend rounding off an evening with this place.
(4)Hillary M.
We thought it was everything a steak house should be: low-lit, dark wood decor, hefty portions (and check), friendly service, simple delicious food, downtown Chicago.
(4)Mary d.
My bf brought me here for my birthday, and it was a fantastic place to celebrate! First, the place itself....the interior is very masculine and warm, the perfect environment for steak gluttony. The bar was clean and crisp and chic, and our cocktails were perfectly made. Once we got to our table, the amazing Paul took amazing care of us. We started with a champagne cocktail "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Then jumbo shrimp cocktail. Then a smoky, crisp, and delicious grilled romaine salad. And, now....the steak. We both had the 8 oz filet mignon. Both were cooked to perfection, and we split a side of hollandaise sauce (which was fluffy and lemony bliss!) For our side, we went with the truffled mashed potatoes, featuring large flakes of truffle all throughout and on top of the potatoes. We each had a glass of a great pinot noir from Willamette Valley with dinner. When we finished, Paul brought us champagne. And then....dessert! A deconstructed s'more cheesecake and the Michigan apple tart. A-MAZING! I recommend this place for any occasion. I think business dinners would go over really well because (unlike noisy, crowded Gibson's) it is carpeted and calm. Try to arrange for a booth so as to be above the constant flow of dinner carts and waitstaff.
(4)Sweet W.
Wife & I had some late night eats at Benny's. The USDA Prime steak tartare was amazing, I seriously would rather have a helping of this than a steak. so darn good ! We had a glass of the Benegas Sangiovese from the Medoza region, while the alcohol was strong on the nose, it was a delicous wine for $14 a glass. We then moved onto the seafood tower for two, which contains: 1 Maine lobster, 2 short legs (cut in 1/2) of Alaskan King Crab, 8 jumbo shrimp. Lobster was terrific, while delicious we felt the king crab serving was chinsy, the shrimp lacked flavor and were slighly overcooked. Our waiter said that the shrimp are wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp, but in our opinion the flavor was not there. With the seafood tower we split a 1/2 bottle of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc ($55), which had slight fruit and very nice minerality. We were very pleased with our server, top notch, lots of fun.
(4)Sarah S.
I came here for a business dinner and was very pleased with my experience. The staff was extremely attentative and very helpful. As a starter, I had the crabcake. It was seared to perfection and the mustard it sat upon was delicious! For my main course, I had the rib eye. There were hashbrowns, fries, mushrooms and broccoli for the table. All were very good, but my personal favorite were the french fries. They had grated parmesan...yum! For dessert, I had the vanilla bean cheesecake. The portion size was way too big for one person, but the cake was great. It had fresh cherries and a cherry glaze. I highly recommend it.
(5)Bob S.
Great steaks
(4)Drew S.
25 cent oyster Wednesdays got me in the door and boy howdy was it a classy door. Everything about this place screams classy- the guy playing "Donna Lee" on the piano, the wood and brass work, the wonderful staff...the chef even came by to say hello even though we never ordered anything but oysters and various tasty beverages. They also give you some sort of amazing snacking bits. I can't for the life of me remember what they were but I ate a ton of them.
(5)Jules L.
I randomly wandered into Benny's because I had the taste for an upscale burger, and I'd walked by before and seen the menu on the valet stand. They might have the best host in the city of Chicago. He is so friendly! You feel like you're being greeted by a personal friend who is genuinely happy to see you. I explained that I wanted to order to-go and he led me to the bar with a lunch menu. The decor in the lounge was so inviting--not trendy-modern but not mahogany and overstuffed leather either, instead a nicely stated cross betweeen the two--I was sorry I hadn't left myself enought time to eat in. As it turns out, the lunch menu has a few different burgers, as well as several other tempting sounding dishes. The bartender--Jamie, I think?--was ready with his recommendations, and we have pretty similar tastes. I chose the egg and truffle aioli burger with bacon-pepper fries (throw the word "truffle" at me and I am there!). The prices were quite reasonable as well--I have had more expensive burgers with less creative and upscale ingredients. While I waited, Jamie brought me a small bottle of Fiji water, and my order was ready actually a little faster than I expected. He also packed an additional bottle of Fiji with my order, how thoughtful! When I sat down to eat, I noticed that he had also packed a small bread basket for me. Who eats the bread basket when they ordered a sandwich? ...Well, I do, when the bread is two-biter focaccia, biscuit and whole wheat roll, along with two cheese flatbread crackers that were so light that they almost defied gravity. That bread was too delicious to have been bought; they must bake it from scratch in-house. I did notice that the fried were plain, and did not have bacon or pepper on them, but were still delicious. But that was easily forgiven and forgotten when I bit into the burger-- --And stepped off a cliff into Burger Nirvana. Listen to me. You have to eat this burger. It was cooked to medium rare bloody delicious perfection. It was seasoned subtly enough not to distract from its accompaniments. I almost can't even describe the rich flavor and texture from the egg and aioli. Sometimes you get a fancy burger and it is dry and just too civilized to be a burger. But not this juicy, drippy, fabulous creation on a cheese-covered brioche. Wow, did I enjoy my lunch that day. Benny's, I will be back for the Benny's burger. And for another one of these delights. And for dinner.
(5)Dave G.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, but for the price I was expecting an out-of-this-world steak. It was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. I chose a dry-aged ribeye and they did a fine job, but again, it wasn't anything I couldn't get at any other steakhouse. The service, the hostesses, and the bartender were all A+. They got us seated and taken care of in short order with no reservations, which was nice. When the waiter screwed up on our drink order, the next round was on the house. Good place, and I'd give it another shot if I get the chance. Wish they allowed 3.5 stars...
(3)Hugh A.
We went to Benny´s to celebrate a special occasion. We had told them about it as we reserved a table and they did a fantastic job in helping us celebrate. The food was excellent and the wine out of this world. We had an absolutely wonderful time.
(5)Bill E.
Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Very nice ambience. Overall Definitely a 5 star restsurant
(5)Gary R.
This is the best restaurant that is owned and operated by Benny the Bull. That guy must be so busy with all of his Chicago Bulls commitments, and owning this place. Keep in mind that its the large (possibly obese) Benny we're talking about here. Not the more atheletic "Da Bull." Regardless, the restaurant was quite good. Went for lunch. Had a cheeseburger. It was a quality cheeseburger, possibly made from some of Benny himself. I could tell the meat was from high quality artisans and top ranked butchers. The service was very attentive. The server actually gave me his business card upon the completion of the meal, which was a first. I wasn't sure if that was so that I could email him and tell him what happend to the food once I had consumed it? Lucky for him, I entered him into a drawing to win a free sub at Quiznos. The burgers are good. Didn't love the Kobe Beef carpacio. I imagine Benny doesn't like Kobe anyway, so he probably didn't spend much time on that dish.
(4)Ayca M.
This was easily the best steak I've ever had. I wanted to take my hubs to a nice steak dinner, and when I did some research, Benny's Chop House came up as a Chicago favorite. I'd never heard of it, but we decided to try it out. When I called to make reservations, they asked if there was a special occasion, which I hadn't expected. I told them my husband had just completed his MBA, and that he had also just accepted a job offer. When we arrived, the host offered his congratulations to my husband, which was a nice surprise. A couple minutes after being seated and greeted by our waiter, Kevin, we noticed that our menus said "Congratulations" as well! My husband and I both ordered a glass of wine, grilled asparagus, salads, and two different kinds of steak. Both of ours were out of this world. I'm *very* picky about steak, but there was not a single bite left on my plate after I was done with my meal. We ordered desert as well, which was also very good. Both of us left our meal feeling super content and our bellies were so happy. We accidentally forgot to take our menu with us (they said we could), so they saved a copy for me and I went back a couple weeks later to pick it up. Our waiter was very helpful, everyone was friendly, and the food was superb. We couldn't have asked for a better experience! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)Jessica C.
Service, Food, and Atmosphere are all on point ! Def one the top steakhouses in Chicago.
(5)Chris B.
Stopped in for lunch. Great food, friendly staff. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)Karen M.
I live next to this restaurant and like the food a lot. The service is pretty good. The restaurant is nice and formal. The bar is fun with a couple of TVs to keep my husband busy w his games and me happy with yummy food. It can be pricey but food is good.
(4)Jim B.
An average steak house that can't make up it's mind if it's tragically hip or simply upscale. We were going to go to Gene & Georgettis but opted on Benny's. We were greeted nicely and our waiter Kevin seemed to have a nice sense of humor. We ordered and the shrimp cocktail was good, the wedge salad was good and then, and then, well nothing for a while. I know they had to fillet our sole, but it was a stretch in time. Then they didn't bring out the correct sides. They gave us lobster risotto (which we didn't order), that was above average, but none of the veggies that we had ordered. They got my buddy's spinach eventually but I thought we had been forgotten. We ordered dessert, again my buddy got his brandy in a timely fashion, but my coffee would come out as dessert was being served. Again there was a sizable gap in service and time. The food was good and the service started out good, but at the end of the meal there a 100 other places within a 6 block radius that has better service and comparable food.
(3)Peter M.
$16 martini.....you must be kidding.....never going back.
(1)Craig B.
Sorry Yelp'ers. OVER-RATED. The food was good. But frankly it should be. It's $45 for a steak, and that means good food is a given, so no extra credit there. Skip the house salad; a messy chopped salad too busy to be called a "house salad". The blue cheese chunks in the Wedge deserve special mention however. What killed it for me was the over-sell by the waiter. Did you know his personal favorite is the crab meat and asparagus topped filet. Of course it is! Oh, and the chilled seafood tower is perfect for five. Duh. And did I mention the Wagu beef is also the best steak I ever had. Who would have thought? Spare me the hard sell Benny. This ain't no Applebee's, and I didn't bring my clients so that they could get a steak from a used car salesman. Not impressed.
(2)Kimberly B.
DELICIOUS. We wanted to eat somewhere fancy during our trip here and just had to try this place after reading some of the reviews. There was no wait when we got there around 8pm and were immediately seated. Our server was wonderful and very prompt with our requests. I ordered their 8 oz. petit filet mignon and the husband ordered a rib-eye and filet mignon combo. We shared mashed potatoes and cream of spinach as our sides, which is more than enough! I think we could've done just one side because we were stuffed. It took a little bit longer for our food to come out (even though it didn't seem like a big deal because we kept munching on their delicious bread) but our server presented to us free champagne on the house anyway. Everything was absolutely delicious, and I recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a great-tasting steak during their stay in Chicago.
(5)Keith R.
Benny's is conveniently located about a block from Trump Tower were we were staying so we thought we would give it a try. We normally eat at Joe's steakhouse when in Chicago but wanted to try someplace different on this trip. We should have stuck with Joe's. It's not the place was bad but our overall experience was lacking. We made our reservations last minute on open table with no problem getting a 7:00 seating. We arrived on time and was immediately seated. It was just my wife and I for dinner. The waiter sent over the sommelier to help with the wine selection. We normally go for California Cabs but he insisted we try a Washington selection after we gave him our favorite cabs we normally drink. We did agree to the wine he selected but for $275.00 we were expecting to love it. We were very disappointed. We told him it was just ok and not crazy with the finish. For dinner we ordered the filet and my wife got the lobster. Both were cooked correctly but just tasted ok. I was expecting a better tasting meat. For sides we ordered mac and cheese, sweet potato, roasted Brussels sprouts and Rigatoni pasta. Yes we tried them all. The best were the rigatoni and Brussels sprouts. We loved both. The worst was the mac and cheese they just not very special. We finished dinner with a banana cream pie. It was delicious. We could only eat half of the serving. When the bill arrived the sommelier took $40.00 off the wine without us asking for it. That was a nice jester but for what we paid for the bottle he could have switched it out when we tasted it. On our next trip back to Chicago I think we will just stick with Joe's. We eaten there over 10 times and have never been let down.
(3)Lester A.
My wife coudln't stop talking about this place when she ate here late last year so of course I had high expectations. We came here with two of our friends that she came with the last time she ate here so I was the rookie at Benny's. This place met and exceeded all those expectations by dessert. We ordered a dozen west coast oysters, blue cheese croquettes and calamari to start. If the appetizers were a sign of what's to come for dinner then I was ready because everything was amazing. We all ordered the bone-in ribeye and had the seasoned mushrooms and sauteed garlic spinach for sides. The best bone-in ribeye I ever had. I could see what my wife was talking about, food so good you smile as you chew. The sauteed spinach was really good but the seasoned mushrooms were just ok, looked like they came out of a can. For dessert we ordered the carrot cake and chocolate souflee. I'm not a big fan of that much chocolate but the souflee was really good, I enjoyed the souflee much more than the carrot cake. Carrot cake was too sweet for me. We only finished half of the carrot cake and asked them to box it up for us and we're not sure if it was a mistake or not but when we got back to our friend's place there was a whole slice of carrot cake in the box. Score! For as much as we paid, the food was well worth it. Quite the dining experience.
(5)Tiffany K.
I rounded up a group of friends and had a super late lunch during restaurant week. I ordered from the restaurant week menu. It was ok. I started off with the spinach salad that was topped with 2 strips of bacon and a poached egg. That was all right. dover sole with leeks and almond bread pudding with butter. presentation was nice but i did not know what went with what as everything was separate on the plate. that was all right. at last, dessert! i had the chocolate souffle. mmmm! i love chocolate. it was warm, gooey and tasty. Our server was helpful and kind. The restaurant is very upscale, clean and bright. I was a little disappointed because I've heard so many great things about Bennys! Sadly, I didn't order any drinks. BUT if you're ever ordering drinks at the bar, look for Crystal the bartender (we used to work together and she makes some meannnn drinks!) and tell her Tiffany sent ya. ;) I'm definitely going to come back, order from the regular menu and grab a few drinks. =) As you know.. the restaurant week menus can be a hit or miss.
(3)Andres R.
I came to Benny's while on a business trip in Chicago. I've eaten at the Morton's, Fleming's, and Smith & Wollensky's across the country; Benny's kicks their butt top to bottom. Our waiter was extremely attentive and sociable. I had the Benny's ribeye (I've never had anything this good for $30 - fantastic value), along with the sauteed mushrooms and spinach. The sommelier - dressed in a flashy (but cool) suit and bowtie - recommended a great malbec. Overall great experience and would return!
(5)Dan K.
Gotta say, this was a terrific steak house. Actually, I'd give it four-and-a-half stars. The bone-in ribeye was delicious. I asked for it medium rare but well-charred on the outside and that was delicious! My wife had the standard medium-rare, and while she's not a regular beefeater, she devoured the whole affair! We had a wonderful dessert: a very rich cinnamon-caramel apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream that was to die for. The service was excellent. While the restaurant says it's dressy, many people (myself included) were wearing much more casual dress, given the heat and humidity outside. Everyone here seemed to really enjoy themselves. I'd certainly recommend this place.
(4)DeeJay O.
Coat service? you know you're about to have a good dining experience. Our server was Kevin and he was really cool and friendly. The food was fantastic. I had the 2 cut Rib Eye (bone out) and man, it was melting in my mouth. The towels/napkins in the bathroom had a "B" etched onto them, which told me "you're out of your element....." Danny.....lol but still, extremely top notch service,...they folded my napkin everytime I got up and left my seat. They accomodated our delay in our reservation schedule (after waiting 1 1/2 hours at McCormick Place for a taxi) and seated us immediately. Overall, this was a good place to eat after a long days work.
(4)Jeff R.
We dined at Benny's last evening with our family and friends and stated simply, enjoyed a perfect meal! The ambiance was refined but not stuffy, the service was professional but not overbearing, and the steaks were just about the best we have all ever had: flavorful, prepared to our specifications and joined by the best crispy kale in the world. I know, it's kale, but it was really worth mentioning. We capped the meal with 2 great chocolate desserts. All in all, a great night!
(5)Eden O.
was in chicago for work and was looking for a good steakhouse. gibson's was booked and bennys was close. let me start by saying the service was extremely attentive, borderline stalker for me. but im sure some people like this? is it wrong that overly nice people get on my nerves? the waiter was helpful and picked what each of us would like based on our appearance, luckily for him, he ordered perfectly (i think this couldve easily backfired). the drinks were actually very good. i had a variation of a bellini (breakfast at tiffany's i think its called) and also a moscow mule which is one of my new favorite drinks. the food however was not very impressive. we ordered a couple apps and each different kinds of steaks. our favorite part of this $300 meal was the salad. to me thats not a great sign...
(3)Tu'ens N.
Nothing egregious about their failures, just a lot of unanswered questions. Such as, "why would a person go here instead of the many better steakhouses?" I have no answer to that question. I went because Joes was too packed and I didn't want to wait and this place was sort of new so I wanted to give it a shot. Maybe you are having the same thoughts and that's why you are reading this review (?). Walking in it is clear they missed the point on almost all levels. The decor is just clunky and poorly thought out. It looks like it belongs in the parking lot of a mall in the outskirts of a mid-sized city in the Midwest (I'm thinking fancy version of Chili's at Madison East Mall). Not in basically the heart of steakhouse row in the steakhouse capital. Its just not there. The food really is pretty sad. We got a blue cheese, red onion & tomato salad -- something I often get when I go to one of the many good steakhouses in Chicago. This was a TOTAL miss. The onion was waaay to strong (soak it in cold water, guys, anyone who watches Chopped knows that). The tomatoes were fine, not particularly good but whatever. The cheese though -- what was that? I have never seen "gorgonzola" like that in my life. It was like this weird spongy all white stuff, like a mix between play-dough and butter, with zero flavor whatsoever. The steak can be called "OK", but in Chicago (and at the same prices as top quality steakhouses), its just not good enough to be OK. There is a SIGNIFICANT and undeniable difference in flavor , texture, marbling and overall quality between this place and say Joe's or Primehouse for example, or even global chains like Ruth's Chris (yes!). And they all cost the same. Good: It does serve as a nice decoy to loosen up space in good steakhouses. Bad: Its existence hurts our rep.
(1)Megan W.
When I found this place it was like finding a hidden treasure! A great place to take clients or for a date. The bar area has a fantastic 2 piece jazz band that's very entertaining and really gives it that Chicago-feel. I've only had their seafood dishes and everything was de-lish!
(5)Eugene H.
very well trained staff, good food, and wonderful atmosphere
(4)David T.
First let me disclaimer that my star rating has more with the service than the quality of the food. A group of us went to have dinner at Benny's and had a knowledgeable and courteous waiter who took our orders. When the food came out, all but one of us had their entree. Initially dismissed this as a timing discrepancy, however we quickly realized that our colleague's main course had been forgotten. The waiter and manager responded quickly and appropriately and offered an entree in an expedient manner, on the house of course. As far as the food was concerned, it was excellent. My Benny's duo which was a petit filet and a petit rib-eye, was cooked exactly to order. It was seasoned well and a very good cut of meat. Try the macaroni casserole and mashed potatoes. The grilled asparagus was not seasoned and very pedestrian. Overall the steaks were excellent, but the forgotten entree was a mistake not to overlook for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)Arleen E.
Dined at Benny's with a few friends upon the recommendation of our hotel Concierge. No regrest there! The casual yet sophisticated interiors with dark stained wood panels, is dimly-lit and cozy. Walking in without reservations on a Saturday night with the first annual Windy City Smokeout happening across the street, the restaurant was busy so we sat at the bar. I started with the Beet Salad - I love beets so I could not have gone wrong with that choice. The portion size was good enough to share, however, that was not happening tonight! For the entree, I chose to go with the Pork Chop (with housemade apple sauce) and a side of Sauteed Garlic Spinach. The chop was thick and tender - probably the best chop I have ever had. The sauteed spinach was creamy and was (again) good enough for two people to share. The food is amazing and the service impeccable. I highly recommend dining at Benny's when in Chicago. We will the definitely be back!
(5)Gerry J.
Charles made the best (perhaps the most exotic) Kentucky Margarita I've ever had! Monette provided local color. Ribeye Duo was cooked to medium perfection. Creme brûlée was as good as that time in Montreal.
(5)Megan B.
One of the best steaks I've ever had! Medium rare, Oscar-style. If you don't like crab meat, just pairing your steak with Bearnaise sauce will do. Easily the best Bearnaise sauce...very lemon-y. The warm tomato and burrata salad is worth the price. The blue cheese croquettes are good, but do not live up to their reputation, in my opinion. Domestic beers are surprisingly affordable here, considering it's Chicago. A nice finish with a cappuccino... I highly recommend Benny's Chop House, especially for a dinner with business customers. Only downside...very expensive.
(5)jan d.
Loved that they serve natural beef here, no hormones or abx. No rush enjoyed our cocktail before looking at the menu, large wine list had the wine som. pick it out, great job by the way Dan. Staff and host was very warm and friendly. beautiful food presentation of the beet salad, crab cakes full of crab- if you know what I mean if you have had bad crab cakes, and the meat was soooo good. Dare I say best filet I have ever had? maybe, close to it. Quite formal atmosphere nice adult night out.
(5)Sbh H.
Excellent food! Steak, salads and sides are delicious. Service a tad slow, but they try to not rush you through dinner. We enjoyed!
(5)Jayci G.
Down to Earth wait staff, deeelicious meal! Go sit at the bar and talk to Diedra...she's incredible!
(5)Leang E.
We came here for Easter brunch, and I was surprised at how relatively empty it was considering I could not put in reservations for 6 no earlier than noon. I suppose they only just open a half an hour before. In any case, our waiter was quite smart and cheeky which we surely appreciated for the noon hour. I had a bloody mary to start my morning out right. I ordered the Crab and Lobster Louie and a side of brussel sprouts, bacon and cheese. The food was delicious, and I have to say that the portions are not very big. I understand it's lunch, but still. Surprise surprise that my mom ate most of my side dish while she enjoyed the lamb special. At least I got a couple of pieces of the brussel sprouts, which were very good. We split the S'mores Cheesecake and the molten lava chocolate special dessert that day, and it was all very rich and decadent. The prices are a bit higher for me considering the portion of the meal and all the items that were ordered, but it was a very nice experience.
(4)Tommy M.
If Yelp needs a reason to add a 6th star, it's because of places like this. Not one detail was missed. When we arrived, the place settings were so meticulously set on the table - this is a good indicator that the service will be top-notch. The staff was at the ready to seat us. One of the guys saw my dad take an ice cube from his water and put it in his martini, and brought a glass of ice within seconds. Our server, Nick, knew everything. He really knew his stuff, from the different cuts to the different kinds of oysters they have. Like oysters? They have three kinds of oysters, and get this: They are alive until about 10 minutes before you eat them. Wow! They won't be any fresher than that, unless you're hand picking them right out of the ocean. He asked when we wanted each dish, before/during the main course, etc. It's such a simple question, you would think more restaurants would think to do this. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye, medium rare. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. I used to think most steaks were pretty much the same, but it had so much flavor it was unbelievable. Four of us split a chopped salad, which was just enough. Very fresh and tasted great. We also ordered an entree-size bowl of imported Torchietti pasta to have with our main course, it was so good! Growing up in an Italian family and eating pasta 3 nights/week - trust me, I know good pasta. This was, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever had. Oh, and save some room for dessert, especially the key lime pie or bread pudding.
(5)Steve S.
Excellent place for dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is refined yet sleek. I noticed there was a nature theme as you enter the place. There is a bar/lounge area where you can gather prior to your meal or even after work. Our group sat down and had a few drinks prior to our meal and the cocktail server was friendly and prompt. We had an excellent server during our meal. He was able to answer all of our questions regarding the menu and was also gracious/patient when one of my friends started to become a wise-ass. Our water glasses and wine glasses were always full and our silverware replaced as needed. Our table was also "crumbed" prior to our espressos. To start, there was a nice selection of various breads/biscuts. For apps we had the wagyu carpaccio, the fish salad and the jumbo prawns. The prawns were indeed very large and grilled just right. The wagyu was tasty as well. My favorite was the fish salad and it is a must try for seafood lovers. There were large chunks of shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia (cuttlefish). I also like the simple dressing that allowed for the taste of the seafood to really shine. Most seafood salads use mayo but this one only had lemon juice and garlic. The ceasar and iceberg salads were also well prepared. The leafs did not have any wilted edges and I liked how they chose a dry roquefort instead a wet blue cheese for my iceberg salad. Everyone enjoyed their steaks. I had the prime rib eye which was cooked properly and juicy. The other cuts tried at my table were filet and a strip steak. However, make sure to ask for any sauce on the side if you do decide to choose one because it is a bit much according to one friend. The creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes complimented our steaks. Benny's is a great place for a steak dinner that offers a new venue outside of what you'd find in chain steak restaurants.
(5)Dan R.
OK, I have a bias, I love Volare and this is Benny's newest venture. It's what I would expect as a steak house version of Volare: great food, great service and a wonderful wine selection. Need I say more?
(5)Brooke B.
My friend and I just stumbled into this place in order to avoid the cold wind but my god it was the best accident ever. The place was nice and the quality of food was fantastic. Also we had gone during Restaurant Week and the deal was so good with perfect proportions. The potato leek soup was superb with its fine smooth taste. Also the fillet mignon was so delicious and filling. It wasn't tough or too bloody, it was just right. The dessert was the best part. It had three small things: creme brulee, banana cream pie, and s'mores. it was so good! The s'mores was the best and my friend and I kept going on and on about how much we love it. Really, it's a place to check out :)
(4)Tammy L.
Staying close by celebrating my birthday I chose Bennys simply because their menu sounded better than all other steak houses. We called at 530 and made a reservation for 6 and walked over. Upon arriving it immediately makes you think of the 1940s and 50's era. The wait staff are impeccably dressed and our server Wen Ling was exceptional. She rattled off the specials like a pro, recommended a few things and knew exactly how every dish was prepared, she was amazing and we were just as amazed to find out she had been there less than a month. We started eith the maple bacon appetizer even though i was very skeptical but I neednt had worried because that was the best thing I have eaten in years. It was melt in your mouth delicious and we could have eaten plate after plate full of it. We ordered two filets to be cooked medium rare and upon arrival they were cooked perfectly! They were delicious much better than anything ruth chris cooks up and they didnt need to hide it in melted butter. All the alacarte items we had were just as delicious and bigger sizes than other alacartes we have had at other steak houses. My favorite was the creamed corn. Upon sitting down our server noticed we had a 'happy birthday' doughnut and asked who had a birthday and we told her on the walk over we had stopped at a doughnut shop and picked one up for my bday. After our meal she brought us a complimentary dessert the smores cheesecake which was the cutest take on smores with a long stick of chocolate used to simulate the skewer. That was unexpected and most appreciated. This is now my favorite steak house and we will be back when in town. Bathrooms were just as nice with tiny washcloths to dry your hands instead of paper towels, classy! This is my first ever 5 star review!!!
(5)Odranre B.
great steakhouse joint - the seafood is equally good...the desserts are ok...beautiful ambience...plenty of elbow rooms...interesting wall paintings...good place to take that special someone to impress...all these greatness doesn't come cheap so make sure you have enough balance on your credit card...seafood tower is recommended for starter...servers knowledge of wine to match the wide selection...hard to find parking so valet instead...our server resembles the morph son of carlton banks and lieutenant commander geordi la forge - look for him and tell him captain picard is needed on the bridge...but don't ask him to do the carlton...
(5)Hien N.
I came here for the 25 cent happy hour oysters they have on Wednesday afternoons. Ended up ordering 4 dozen oysters to savor. They delivered. **THE CATCH was that there was a 2 drink minimum per person, which I was not expecting. I felt that 1 drink minimum was more reasonable, but TWO? Well let me tell you, for someone on the smaller side, the booze went straight to my head after ordering the second drink and I sadly fell asleep at the concert I attended after coming here.
(3)Rosanna L.
I normally go in order with my reviews, but Benny's Chop House is an exception. I easily made reservations through open table for 2 to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was called the day of (I think the day before as well) to ask for my boyfriend's name, which I didn't think much of and just thought oh, they'll probably use it on the dessert plate. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated within minutes at a spacious booth that could of easily fit four. We were offered water by the busser then greeted by our server who present the boyfriend with his own personalized menu and wished him a happy birthday! KUDOS to Benny's for making the night extra special by doing something simple as printing a personalized menu for the guests. We had a surprise dinner guest join us whom they easily accommodated. Our server, Dan F., was fantastic, he shared with us the current specials that they had going on and gave us his opinion on what to sides to ordered with our meals because we couldn't make up our mind, which we ended up ordering! He always checked on us and made sure our entrees was cooked to our liking and our waters were always filled. I decided to give their house merlot a try and enjoyed it, even though I'm not a red wine drinker. It was a good pick for the skirt steak I was about to have. We started off with the Tuna Carpaccio, which was refreshing, but lack a bit of flavorful. The lobster bisque and clam chowder are both more of a orange/red soup not your typical white/cream. Of the two we thought the clam chowder was the winner with tender clams and flavorful broth. For our entrees I had the wagyu skirt steak with frites (french fries, essentially). Just thinking the word wagyu has me drooling. It was cooked to perfection: rare to medium rare, great portion and juicy. The frites didn't do much for me, a bit too salty, I would of preferred some sort of potato instead. I'm having leftovers for lunch and the flavor is so tasty I don't even need a glaze or sauce. The boyfriend and surprise guest both had the bone-in filet mignon, one with bleu cheese topping. Their eyes were popping out of their sockets upon seeing what a generously thick cut piece of meat they were getting. They both claim it was the best steak they've ever had; tender, juicy, melt in your mouth cuts. Our sides were the perfect fit: seasonal mushrooms (shitake) and mac and cheese with smoked bacon. In a dream world this is exactly how I would want my steak dinner, absolutely delicious. The mushrooms added great flavorful to the steak, although bit over powering while the mac and cheese had a tasty smokey flavorful thanks to the bacon and was just the right blend of cheese and gooey-ness. Our bellys were completely on cloud 9 once we stuffed ourselves. The birthday boy even opted for no dessert, but Dan insisted on getting him something small based on what kind of dessert he liked so he said ice cream. Out came a personalized plate saying happy birthday with 3 different scoops of ice cream: chocolate, coffee and vanilla. I think the birthday boy enjoyed it because the plate was completely cleaned! Thank you Benny's Chop House for making this birthday extra special by going out of your way. We will definitely be back on our next celebratory occasion!
(5)Eric C.
it's a 5 star steak house coming from a business traveler whose eaten all over the country including the best steakhouse in the USA - Manny's in MN. Benny's is awesome and a great treat for a special occasion or wooooowing clients. If you're in the windy city, come here and get blown away! p.s. keep the 80's tunes blasting!
(5)Basil D.
LIMITED REVIEW: THIS IS THE HIDDEN PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN. I know the valets because I walk my dog by the restaurant and they always give me the heads up of what power broker is dining there that night. Can't drop names, but it's an impressive list. I am not much of a "steakhouse" kinda guy. It's not that I don't like a good steak every now and then, but when i choose to eat somewhere, I prefer something a little more creative. That said, I appreciate and truly love a great steak. But, truth be told, I'm here to write about their burger. The decor is perfectly matched to the ambience and food. It is transitional decor, a healthy combination of traditional fine steakhouse with a dash of modern, but not extreme at all. They have a well stocked bar with an incredible selection of cognacs, bourbons, whiskies, and scotch. The bartenders are clearly experts in their field and can tell you the story behind every label. They are happy to give you a lesson in any of the spirits. I had the fried egg truffle burger. How can you not order a burger titled this way?? It is without exaggeration, the finest burger I've ever tasted. I think it's only available at the bar, but it is fantastic. AH-MAZING!! They make a thick burger precisely to your liking. The quality of meat is excellent, it's got some fat for taste but not too much, just enough. The truffle aioli is abundant and evident in every bite. Subtle, with just enough sharpness to to let you know it's there. Gruyère Cheese!!! OHHHHHHHH Gruyère Cheese! Marvelous, wonderful, tasty and incredible gruyère!! It is the finest of all cheeses for a burger. If Thomas Aquinas' "Five Proofs for the Existence of God" doesn't make you believe in God, then gruyère should do the trick. All the rest: Their lobster bisque is very tasty and credible. It could use a bit more lobster the two times I ordered it. The crab cake is exceptional. Large lump crab that's fresh. The seasonings are very mild but evident. As much as I like Old Bay Seasonings, it's not overly present here (or it's equivalent). Save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is incredible. A large piece of triple (or is it quadruple?) layer of chocolate cake with a quality ganache-type frosting. I'm not much of a fan of carrot cake, but this is exceptionally good. Steak isn't my forte, however Benny's is definitely worth a trip for everything else they serve, and I'm sure the steak is excellent too.
(4)Elizabeth Y.
Dined at Benny's last night to celebrate our anniversary and it truly could not have been more memorable. The service was impeccable: attentive, anticipatory, yet not intrusive. Our server, Kelly, made wonderful suggestions regarding each course that were spot on and allowed us to sample the full range of the menu. We dined on the (half-size) seafood tower, Kobe filet, maple-glazed bacon, and the truffle-topped doubled baked potato. The sommelier-suggested wine was the best we've ever had and perfectly matched our chosen steaks. Finally, Kelly went above and beyond when she surprised us with a special dessert to recognize our anniversary. Highly recommend.
(5)Julie Y.
Came here for restaurant week with my sister and it was great! Decided to grab a couple cocktails which were all very good. The Moscow mule was amazing and my bourbon.. Well you can never go wrong with good bourbon.. Ordered the pate plate on the normal menu for an appetizer which came with a bunch of different sides and spicy peppers and pickles which I highly recommend. Then some stuff from the restaurant weeks menu which I don't remember much of but the dessert was sooooooooooo good! Defiantly will be coming back here to try some other stuff on the menu.. Have some drinks and eat some good dessert! Service was also outstanding!
(4)Lisa K.
We went to Benny's to celebrate our anniversary and it just wasn't impressive. Things I Liked: 1. The drinks. "You put the lime in the coconut" was VERY tasty. 2. The ambiance. It was dark and moody and our booth was very comfortable. 3. The maple bacon appetizer. This is what makes this restaurant a 2 star instead of 1 star. This very thick-cut bacon was delicious. It could have been a meal on its own! 4. The burrata salad was tasty. Not out of this world, but a good substitute for caprese. 5. We were able to pay for street parking right out front due to its slightly off-path destination. Things I didn't Like: 1. I am the world's worst cook, but I make a short rib that is nearly identical to the one I got at Benny's and - surprisingly - mine is better. Their short rib was just a smidge too dry. 2. My husband got the 20 oz. bone-in sirloin and said that it was also a little dry, despite being cooked medium rare. 3. My husband always orders the lobster bisque and he said Benny's was one of his least favorites. He said it wasn't particularly creamy. 4. When we sat down our waiter brought over a wine menu and a cocktails menu. I'm still puzzling over him handing me the cocktail menu and saying, "This one is for you. It's easier to read." It was just super awkward. 5. Despite feeling like our meal was mediocre at best, the prices were high end. There are better steak places in Chicago and I recommend checking out Gibson's, Harry Caray's or even Ruth's Chris before Benny's.
(2)Michael A.
There are some things this place does very well, unfortunately, steak is not one of them. Very disappointied in the dry-aged bone in New York as was one of my colleagues. It was tough and flavorless, and I only ate half of it. The dry-aged bone in rib eye wasn't as tough, but equally flavorless. The concensus in our large group of physicians, from various parts of the country, was that the meat was "nothing special". When you pay $60 for a steak you expect more than that. On the positive side, the maple smoked bacon is out of this world. Oysters and salsa also very tasty.
(2)Kenny R.
The service was good and the food was also good. Not the best filet I've ever had but it was very good. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because we were there with a large party and when we asked to separate the bill they acted as if we had just killed a member of their family. Because of the server acting like a baby over the separation of the bill I will not be returning. There are 100's of other steak restaurants in Chicago with food that is just as good that treat there customers respectfully and have no problem separating the bill.
(3)Diana C.
There were 5 of us in our party, and we had early-ish reservations (5:30). We found the location easily, and Benny's is beautifully appointed, which made the experience more memorable. We were seated and attended to quickly. Our main server was efficient, friendly without being overly familiar, albeit the run-down of specials, etc., was somewhat robotic and we lost interest in them. The entire staff is very attentive, quick to respond and clearly knowledgable. The menu is varied, clear, and well laid out. Drinks were fantastic, great bartender. We had a Sidecar, a Manhattan, and Vodka/Cranberry. We had their house Maple Glazed Bacon, which was over the top. It's a chef's specialty, and for the bacon lovers at the table it was a treat. For me it was too much of a good thing (although everyone should try it once at least!) We ordered Charcuterie, (Prosciutto di Parma and Cheese Selection) which unfortunately came as 2 separate ($17 each) plates, rather than one. Both were good. Not sure they were that exceptional. Beet Salad also left me wanting. Not enough of anything to make it worth eating: flavor or quantity-wise. Bread basket selection was nice, but no plain butter, which would have been a nice option to the spread. The meals:(1) Filet Mignon-very good (1)18 oz Bone in New York Strip-good (2)12 oz New York Strip- very good (1) 16 oz New York Strip- very good Sides: Gnocchi: not recommended Macaroni & Cheese: OK Sauteed Garlic Spinach: barely OK Glazed Carrots: mine are better As our last dinner in Chicago, it was a nice dinner experience. The drinks, steaks, ambience, and service were good enough to off-set the surprisingly poor sides, salad, and appetizers. I would stick to the steak and drinks.
(4)Wen H.
Great atmosphere and the live music was the icing on the cake!! The oysters are excellent. Calamari with the hot peppers have just the right kick, and the sweetness from the cocktail sauce has the perfect start to our meal. Overall the food is 3-1/2 stars but the with ambience gives a 4. Definitely would return to this place.
(3)Lindsay Y.
Stopped in for a early dinner with a girlfriend and wasn't very impressed with the service, although the food was great, per usual. Our server was rude, slow and unfriendly. Not sure what her problem was, maybe she was just having a horrible day?! My friend Mistey was managing (to my surprise) and sent out the most delicious piece of banana creme pie ever! Perfect way to end our meal!
(4)Jay K.
This was my second time to Benny's, 14 months apart, and it was outstanding both times. Benny's understands service and consistently executes a predictable, exceptional and authentic experience from the moment patrons walk inside the restaurant to the flawless table service to being thanked by name by the maitre d' when you exit the building. In the interest of brevity I won't review Benny's outstanding fare but suffice to say it's top shelf all the way. Put Benny's right up there with Chicago's finest and most notable steakhouses.
(5)Cindy W.
Troy is the best waiter here. He was professional and courteous. The smoke bacon was delicious. What made it special is the waiter and the wine was delicious as well.
(5)Alex S.
This review is not quite a week late but trust me: if you do it right, you will need a week to digest, mentally and physically, your Benny's experience. You can tell in the walk up the plush steps right off the foyer that this place plays for keeps, and what I mean by that is the simple fact that you will not look at certain dining options the same way ever again after eating here. But that's a great thing, and as these other 300+ reviews can attest, customer satisfaction is the top priority here. Before even walking in, Benny's impressed me as we received a phone call two days before showing up asking us to confirm our reservation. Not an automated call. Not a generic "form" e-mail. An actual person asking us if we were good on our reservation. You can call that pretentious but I look at it like a form of good will, like they value your business. It's a strange concept in the 21st century, I know. So we walk in and a trio of hostesses greet us at the top of the steps this Saturday night. One whisks us away past a bar and through a row of tables before we are seated near a junction between the various dining rooms. This was a fortuitous turn of events as it was the perfect spot to hear the pianist in another room tinkling the ivories, as well as MGMT's "Time to Pretend" being piped into still another dining room. The pianist won the battle of good taste this evening. Speaking of good taste, our waiter was over in seconds flat, and the man was encyclopedic in his knowledge of refined tastes as it related to everything from wine to maple glazed bacon. And yes, you read the last part of that sentence correctly. Jie was accommodating, friendly, frequently hilarious when our eyes became bigger than our stomachs, and understood the societal importance of me taking pictures of my drink at the table so that I may post it to Facebook and fulfill my hipster quota for the evening (more on that in a second). Jie was just one of many outstanding staffers, from the food runners who help each other out to the other servers who are never too busy to extend a quick refill to those looking parched. I foolishly started with the lobster bisque, which is both good and bad. It's good because it was absolutely delicious, and I ate it all. It's bad because I ate it all and was already filling my stomach to capacity. The maple bacon appetizer, which should be illegal in 48 states for tasting too good, came next and I was feeling the fatigue. My folks loved their regular 8-oz. filet and halibut, and I made it through my dry age 16-oz. bone-in ribeye with ease, despite it becoming difficult to breathe. You just have to think "If I pass out here on the table, I'm going to enter into a euphoric food coma and it will be okay." Because it will. The food here is divine, with a hash brown (I know, I know... trust me when I say they're good) and creamed corn side dishes to satisfy everyone. Because my parents wisely paced themselves, they enjoyed a delectable selection of ice cream for dessert. Me? I went with the J.W. Lees Harvest Ale dessert beer. I know what you're wisely thinking: "dessert beer" should not technically exist, and I admit, I only ordered it to try it, take a picture of it, and then brag to everyone back home via Facebook about it. Trust me when I say do not order this. It's something to try, sure, but it tastes like a freak combination of scotch, coffee, room temperature beer and a candle. I'm not about to turn down a drink but it would take some serious convincing to get me to order this again. Still: bragging rights for finishing it! Look, Benny's is a phenomenal place to dine. You'll see all kinds here, from the country club elite, to the kid trying to impress his date he took home from college, not to mention businessmen, businesswomen and people who talk way too loud to the point where we cannot mind their business since they are sharing it with everyone. You get what you pay for and that should be enough to justify those five stars at the top of this review.
(5)Steph U.
Overrated and expensive. I came here for a birthday and we were a pretty large group, so we ordered two bottles of wine and most of us ordered different steaks and one person ordered a pork chop (she doesn't eat steak). I got the clam chowder with had fresh clams, but it was definitely not something to rave about. It was also very small, but the presentation was nice I liked my boyfriend's beet salad, but I think Michael Jordan's has a better beet salad. I also got the filet mignon, which yes it was very tender, but also incredibly tiny and not that good. I mean it was a decent steak, but definitely not comparable to other steaks that I have had and it was extremely more costly than other places I have had. On top of this, since we came on a weeknight, business was fairly slow. We ended up finishing dinner around 11, and I'm not sure what time they close on Mondays, but we could tell they wanted us to go. They turned down the heat so it was freezing and our valet guy came in to see what was taking so long for us to come outside. It felt rude and like our service was not appreciated. Oh also, the breakdown of the meal was ridiculous with the wine costing about $30 PER GLASS (whattttt?!). Overall, I did not enjoy my time here much and would not come back. I think you're better off going to places like Tango Sur or Gibson's, as these are more worth your money and have better tasting food. I liked the music though.
(2)Ca C.
While you are saving up your coins to enjoy a fine dining experience at Primehouse, voted America's #2 steakhouse, give consideration to Benny's Chop House as well. My wife and I were in Chicago and happened to catch a segment on America's best steakhouses. We added Primehouse to our restaurant lineup, but due to reservation availability and dress code, we changed to Benny's at the last minute. I am so happy we did. I cannot slight Primehouse, as we did not dine there, but I can tell you that Benny's is more than worthwhile. Their service and food was impeccable. Let's start with service: We arrived about five minutes early for our 8:30 reservation. The friends were meeting had arrived about 8:15. Our table was not ready and we were seated for a brief wait in the bar area, where we were able to enjoy the live music. After about five minutes, I was becoming a little antsy (I mean, who makes a reservation at an elite restaurant and has to wait?). Management must have noticed, as someone approached our bar table, explained that the previous party departed late, and that our table would be ready shortly. Within a few minutes, the same gentleman approached, inquired if anyone in our party had allergies and asked if we liked alcohol. We when did arrive at our table, complimentary champagne and calamari awaited us to compensate for our delayed table. Nice touch! Food: Our friends both ordered scallops; my wife had the filet and I, the rib-eye with cajun seasoning. The scallops were nicely prepared. The Rib-eye was cooked to perfection. The best steak I've had ever. My wife is not particularly a steak eater but she really enjoyed her filet.
(5)Sergio C.
Had the filet with marrow topping that was phenomenal. The carrots and mash potatoes we very tasty. Nice and comfortable atmosphere.
(5)Laura C.
It's quite unfortunate I feel the need to give Benny's a two star view based solely on my experience with our server. Yup, that's how sour of a taste she left in my mouth. Look, girl, I get it, working in the bar section during twenty-five cent oyster Wednesday won't always score you the best tips. Either grin and bear it or get a job at one of the 29084284 other steakhouses in Chicago. We were greeted with a smile and the bar area had plenty of seating available. The live music (piano) that began during the end of our meal ("meal") was fantastic. The oysters themselves were delightful. But our server was so overwhelmingly unhappy, rude, slow, and inconsiderate I left almost speechless. The best part was receiving the $85 bill (for two people) after deliberately asking "which oysters are on the twenty-five cent special?" and receiving "all of them" as an answer before ordering. When we asked her why the bill was so much and the oysters were so expensive, she rolled her eyes, exhaled, put down her book at the bar, and told us we misunderstood. All of the oysters are on "special" (some as cheap as $4 a pop, what a deal), only one type were a quarter each. Uhhhhh, okay. No apology for the confusion. No 10% pity discount. Nothing. I've worked in hospitality and I understand how to manage client relationships. This is not how. I won't even begin to touch on the other aspects of the poor service we received. This was disappointing. Sadly I will not be returning. Ugh. Over it.
(2)Willson M.
We had a group of 10 go to Benny's Chophouse and they were absolutely fantastic with our group. The majority of us had either the bone-in ribeye (including myself) or the filet mignon. We also ordered the truffle fries, brussels sports with bacon, and Mac and cheese with lobster and bacon. The appetizers were delicious, especially the truffle fries! But seriously the bone-in ribeye...that bone-in ribeye! Absolutely delicious! Cooked medium rare (of course) and to juicy perfection! I can't say enough about the steak - it's dry aged and tender from marinating itself. It pairs extremely well with a nice red wine as well! And also the Run of the Mill - really delicious and warm (especially on a cold windy day). I don't know what else to say except that the service is great and the food is delicious. You owe it to yourself to give it a try if you're in Chicago!
(5)John B.
I went here with a some friends as we had a friend in from Singapore that is only back home once a year. It was a great intimate dinner. The server recognized my friends dad and sent out a gratis order of bacon to start. We order oysters on the shell and oyster Rockefeller to start followed by a 7 oz filet with lobster mac n cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onion rings. The dessert we ordered was the banana creme pie and smores cheesecake. I had never heard of this restaurant but was knocked out at the quality and service. It really stands out for me in a city that is known for steak joints.
(5)Justin B.
While I was hoping for more at Benny's, you could tell that the Restaurant Week menu is not completely indicative of the talent level of the kitchen when it comes to a normal night...especially since Benny's isn't even offering a dinner version of their selections. Lunch was fine--I tried the cauliflower bisque, the sole with couscous, and the dessert sampler. The s'mores portion of the sampler was a standout, but overall the food was just average; nothing special, although kudos to the Benny's team for providing good food and not going overboard on the portion size. The sole on the bed of "confetti" couscous was tasty but the amount of fish on the dish was very, very small (I'm not even sure there were two ounces of cooked fish on the couscous). The bisque was light and the other two desserts on the sampler--a chocolate cupcake and a banana cream cup--were just okay. Thankfully, the server gave us a free slice of maple-glazed bacon...at least, I think it was maple glazed, but the point was that this "slice" was a freakin' monster of a slice of bacon, very hefty. It helped round out the portion sizes. Our hostess, manager, waiter and lead server were all great and were very loud and enunciated clearly when speaking to all of us...this seemed like a point of emphasis since all four people I interacted with were loud enough to be heard across a crowded dining hall. I appreciated this, but it was still a little strange. Maybe there are many older diners that hit this place? Not sure what to make of that one. Perfect for a business lunch and the normal menu prices didn't make my eyes bleed, so if you are on an expense account this is a great place to take a client and spend less than $50 for lunch for sure.
(3)Gary V.
We popped in for what turned out to be very expensive cocktails and onion rings on a Friday. The service was excellent, and the bar itself was very nice. The onion rings were quite tasty, but they were a little tepid upon delivery. That probably saved me from the classic bite into an onion ring and lavaesque grease scalds your mouth scenario. Next time we are in town we might give the dinner menu a try.
(4)Seth F.
Been meaning to try Benny's for a couple years, seems like the only steakhouse I haven't been in Chicago. Food was great. Dry-Aged ribeye was very well executed and a nice piece of meat. Huge wine list, friendly service.
(4)Jack W.
Disappointed. Pricey menu. Thought it was a high end steak house. My $61 ribeye was ok. Broccoli au gratin was under cooked. Key lime pie tasted like a store bought dessert. Service was polite and efficient but with a dash of attitude. Overall I felt we walked into a tourist trap.
(2)Michael C.
Came in for lunch and sat at the bar area for a quick lunch. The bartender serving us was friendly and was as attentive as we needed her to be. Truffle Burger - I found the burger to be pretty bland with not even a hint of truffle on the burger or the truffle spread that was provided. While the burger was cooked perfectly, it was also messy because it was too big to reasonably eat. This is also probably partly due to the egg on it as well. Luckily I ordered the supplement of truffle fries, those were amazing. At times I thought if I wanted to add the truffle flavor by throwing a few of those fries inside my burger. Get the fries, skip the burger.
(2)Karma K.
So Chicago certainly has a plethora of steakhouses but Benny's stands out to me for a few reasons. Staff: They have the friendliest, non-pretentious staff for a pricey steakhouse. I was impressed. Sides: Unlike most steakouse that give you huge ass servings of starch and asparagus (always asparagus, why is that?), Benny's puts much creative thought into their sides. The result is fantastic tasting sides that I could make a meal out of. They are also presented beautifully. They welcome children: Hubs and I dined here with another couple sans kids but I thought is was cool that they have a kids menu. Some tables had some very well mannered and well dressed eating dinner with their parents. Warmed my heart to see that. Their main dishes are very, very good. I didn't have dessert but understand they are all made in house. Nice! Benny's has taken over 3 Forks has my fav steakhouse.
(5)Jordan S.
The ambiance here is true old school steak house, and I love them for it. Right off the magnificent mile, the location is easy to get to, and reservations were obtainable. We started our meal with a couple of gin martini's, some stone crab claws and some oysters. All of it was fantastic. For the entree, I went with a 22oz T-Bone with some broccoli and asparagus on the size. The steak was seasoned and cooked properly, the service was fantastic, the meal was just excellent. We finished the meal with some chocolate pudding cake and some of their grappa (I now know I don't like Grappa...but I can't tell you if this was good/bad grappa). Overall, I could not have asked for a better meal in a better place.
(5)Chuck M.
It just isn't routine for me to dine at a 5-star restaurant...as a business owner, I don't need to stay within a budget or even a per-diem allowance, but I am not frugal either...my tastes and comforts are simple. Yesterday evening, recommended by a friend, it was decided that the time was at hand to experience dinner at this Chicago landmark...wow... Arriving around 6:45, the restaurant was packed...glad to have a reservation. Seated in a nice area, immediately served...a few different appetizer items were selected...a Bluefin Tuna Tartare, calamari, onion straws, and marinated pork belly...holy smokes, the flavors were remarkable. The menu is diverse, with entrée from steaks, chops, seafood...to quite a number of sides, and items in between. After relaxing with a nice cocktail, I ordered the Ribeye, with a couple sides...sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, and buttered corn. Each dish arrived promptly, was cooked properly..and dang, that ribeye was awesome. Service was fantastic...my meal was remarkable...the bill, don't ask...LOL. Let's just say that you will spend more here than at many other establishments. But then again, you don't come here every week. The price was quite acceptable. So next time you treat that special person, or even yourself...consider Benny's Chop House...this is most certainly a five star establishment worthy of consideration...!!!
(5)Scott G.
Impeccable service and outstanding food. We started with 1/2 dozen of fresh shucked oysters from the east coast. Beautifully sweet and gorgeous brine. We actually skipped the salad anticipating the meat. The selection is wonderful. The ability to choose from either dry-aged, wet-aged or grass-fed natural prime beef will satisfy any taste. We decided to "go for broke" literally. I ordered the 48 oz bone-in "tomahawk" wagu beef served medium-rare. Although pricey ($155) it was worth every penny. This steak would feed 3-4 people which it easily fed 3 of us. It was perfectly marbled and was buttery delicious. Sides of Mac-and-cheese, creamed spinach and gigantic baked potato were a nice traditional complement to the beef. Ah, the beef the beef the beef. The one gigantic steak and a scallop dinner fed 4 people in my party. Don't forget the banana cream pie. Feeds 4 people. With drinks and tip the $400 price tag was a lot, but would do this again in a cholesterol filled heartbeat. Best beef I've had in my life.
(5)Bill J.
I had the grilled caesar salad, 8 oz. filet and split the lobster mac and cheese. Dinner also came with a bread basket and what seemed to be roasted garlic. All were on par with what you would expect at a high end steak house. Service was very professional and the location is just steps away from Michigan Ave. Definitely worth putting on your list of steak places to try in Chicago.
(4)Courtney B.
Excellent!! Highs recommend!! For guests with birthdays, they personalize the menu and kindly say Happy Birthday. Food amazing! Relatively large portions. Sommelier very helpful. Hostess and server fantastic! Live music in the lounge very fun atmosphere.
(5)Berto F.
So being from Austin I researched this place before leaving. I wasn't disappointed with what I found. First from 3 - 7pm on Wednesday they do $.25 oysters from Delaware. They have other oysters as well. Then I had what apparently is not on the dinner menu I looked at which was a lobster grilled cheese with truffle fries for $18.99 that Brian the bartender suggested. (By the way if you meet Brian tell him the guy from Austin sent ya.) When he found out I was from Austin he said well then you have to try our maple glazed thick cut bacon. So I did and holy crap was it a game changer. He said come back for bacon Thursdays where they do a bar and food menu inspired by bacon but unfortunately I won't be here.
(5)John G.
Benny's Chop House hmmm word spreads all around about this place being the best of the best and I'll have to admit the filet was exceptional, dare i say the finest I've partaken in? It really seems that way. Seating arrangement is nicely placed. Booth seating perfect fit the mood for me and my lady to enjoy a lovely meal, converse, and be affectionate. Service was professional where I had to compliment the staff personally. Expect to see me again.
(5)Tim M.
Met the boss for dinner in Chicago so that meant a steak house. Benny's looked decent and was walkable from the Sheraton so I booked it. On the day of we need to move the reservation back an hour and they gladly accomodated us. Everything about the restaurant was good - the drinks, the beer selection (though nothng on tap), the steak, the grilled asparagus, the gazpacho, and the service. The only things that weren't good were the cheesecake (the boss got the molten chocolate cake and didn't like it either), and the reception on the last TV in the bar/lounge - maybe with satellite reception so the action in the Lakers/Celtics game was jerky. I would definitely come here again if I were in the mood for steak
(4)Char Y.
We came here for lunch on a week day during restaurant week. We were seated immediately. We weren't impressed by the restaurant week menu so we ordered from the normal lunch menu. fried egg truffle aioli burger - ok. The bun was soggy and the beef unflavored. The fries were over fried. main lobster roll - great bun, but no lobster chunks? totally did not live up to expectation. Our server, Brett, was courteous and helpful. We were quite disappointed at the food, maybe come back for dinner?
(2)Sunil D.
Its a good steakhouse, but in a city filled with GREAT steakhouses it needs to work on its consistency. The steaks were well priced and phenomenal, the menu seemed to be a notch cheaper many of the other options in the area. Service was sketch at best, granted I did go when it first opened. The server was really pushy on the upsell, insisting everyone get a salad/soup or extra appetizers. I understand recommending enough to feed the party, but there reaches a point where persistence is not needed. They also brought me out the wrong steak, so I had to wait for 20 minutes while my original order was prepared. I understand mistakes happen, so I'm not holding that against them. The appetizers and side dishes were all run of the mill, nothing that stood out. Salads were subpar and the spacing in the room made everyone feel cramped. The steaks made up for a lot of that, the porterhouse that is deconstructed before cooking. This method led to two perfectly cooked pieces of meat. With that said, some tweaking needs to be done to the service and menu if it wants to maintain a prescence longer term in a city full of 5 star steak houses.
(3)S S.
Love the seafood tower! Great steaks and fish. Traditional steak/seafood restaurant atmosphere. Very attentive service.
(3)Liza G.
We went there expecting great service. Waiter was rude and though a party of 7 (3 couples, 1 single) was out of line to asked for separate checks. Only fair for those not drinking. Waiter was disappointed because we didn't want a few bottles of wine and just by the glass. Then said it was going to take about 5+ minutes to split the check. Really that hard, whatever! Then when he finally brings over the check he stood there waiting for everyone to finish signing. Stood over us waiting and not that I was double checking when I looked up he was holding the full bill and said "I got the full bill here so double check if you want" waving the bill like if we were counting our fingers or something. Have to say for the bad service I couldn't remember the food enough to say I'd go back. We went there for a celebration for all of us out of town people for running the Chicago Marathon. Next time we'll head back elsewhere for a nice steak dinner. Crappy service ruined the food experience.
(1)Darrell B.
A very beautiful restaurant. The dining room offers a romantic setting for two or a perfect place for an elegant night out with friends. All of the wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful in all things. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming. Everything we tried was amazing and cooked to perfection. The bar area is a bit more casual and a lot more fun. The bartenders are friendly and speedy with service.
(5)Larisa B.
We went here today for Restaurant Week and it was one of the best RW picks ever. I changed, canceled, rescheduled, then settled on Bennys just last week after reading something in Time Out about it being one of the best and it was the truth. They had a prix fixe menu for lunch, my picks - Spinach salad w/ poached egg, sole filet with almond brown butter and the chocolate souffle. I finished every moursel of everything. The salad was a perfect size and the egg made it. The almond brown butter for the fish was so great to on the side for both the fish and the side of bread pudding. The finale of the souffle was perfect. I've heard how difficult it is to make and we had to wait a few extra minutes during our lunch to get it, but it was worth every minute. Paired with a chocolate sauce on the side, it was an amazing ending. I also got to try and taste of the barley soup, the braised short rib and the lemon souflee. I would easily go back and do it again for lunch tomorrow to do the 3rd dishes also. Great waiter and staff too! I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Yelp M.
It's lost a little luster. If someone invited me to go, I'd be there in a second but given the prices, the entrees were just good. At those prices, you need them to be great.
(3)Agnes F.
In a town that suffers no shortage of steakhouses, Benny's proved to be a surprise hit sat at the bar with my friend last week, i had a nice vodka martini with blue cheese olives as well different wines (all were good) it was their oyster specials night so i had a couple dozen of oysters to start and they were fresh and yummy we also shared some foie gras, steak tartare, salad, gnocci, mac and cheese, everything was good and the service was attentive and hey, they have a live pianist too!! all in all, a great place to hang out after work definitely have to come back to try the steak
(4)Carol S.
Elegance and great food. Truffle oil fries, lobster cob salad, Benny's burger, salmon salad, and fried egg burger were all amazing. Great service on a smokingly hot day. Great views out of the half moon windows. Regulars were warmly acknowledged by the staff.
(5)Shadi N.
5 STARS, 6 STARS, 7 STARS... ALL THE STARS IN THE FRICKIN SKY... this place is out of this world. I chose this place based on their extensive beer menu to take my friend to celebrate his birthday and made a special request to have some sort of beer pairing with our meal. They staff and sommelier went above and beyond to create lavish extensive amazingly relevant beer pairing with our food. I truly enjoyed my experience here and will recommend it to anyone who wants to get steak in Chicago. The meat and food were exceptional as well, my filet was crusted perfectly and cooked exactly how i had ordered it.
(5)Adam K.
Bennys was a great restaurant. In a city filled with a million steakhouses, Bennys is definitely one I would return to! Upon arriving we were almost immediately seated at a very nice table towards the middle of the room. We were presented our menus and asked if we wanted to take a look at the wine list. I agreed and almost as quickly as the list appeared so did the Sommelier. He quickly asked us what our preferences were and then the all important budget question. He suggested a nice wine from Australia and even included a nice little story about the vineyard. The wine was superb and everyone at the table agreed. The food at Bennys was also very good. It's a pity our waiter was so batshit stupid, he definitely took away from the experience. For starters he screwed up our appetizer order. My friend ordered this plate of tomato-nonsense which was the special but instead he brought something else. I would say my table was a bit "high maintenance" but still....a fancy restaurant should be used to this. Anyways, I enjoyed the Ribeye duo and this was one of the top 5 steaks I have ever had. I truly wish I could give Bennys 5 stars but I just can't. The service experience was just not up to par. Even though we were unlucky (with the service), I would still recommend Benny's to anyone that wants to try a newer steakhouse in town.
(4)Ryan B.
Very smooth atmosphere. Pianist and vocalist in the background. I had a light dinner - lobster bisque, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. Everything tasted fresh and well balanced. Excellent service at the bar and my drink was made just right.
(4)C. M.
Probably, no definitely the best service we've had at a restaurant and the food was great! The appetizers main and side dishes were all cooked to perfection. Very pleased with my steak (natural rib eye) as was my wife with her tenderloin. Vibrant lively crowd, and welcoming atmosphere. Pricey, but worth it.
(5)Dina I.
Still my favorite steak joint in Chicago. But, I haven't visited Jordan's new spot or Cut yet...
(5)mary b.
Very good quality bar bites. Trio of sliders includes truffle burger, crab cake on bun and mini lobster roll. Also had the truffle mushroom flatbread--soo good! nice place to a grab a couple drinks after works and nosh on some delicious bar bites. Atmosphere is classy and low-key and close enough to walk to from the loop. My new fave happy hour. Will also check it out for lunch and dinner, the menu looks really fantastic and delicious!
(4)Meg D.
Fabulous, that's all I can say. In all respects. Wonderful atmosphere, our server Daniel was delightful and professional. The food was terrific. We had as an app. an entire King crab which was so Delicious. Not salty as they usually are. But was different was that it was the entire crab. Hugh. I don't eat steak but those at had them said the dry rub was out of this world. They have the traditional seafood tower, so fresh and tasty. I would defiantly be a regular if I lived in Chicago. Can't wait to go back. I can't say enough. Request for Daniel as your server.
(5)#NAME?
I walk by this area often when shopping and noticed there was a new place to try out-What made me want to come here was the Lobster Ravioli on the menu- Had to make reservations early, 5:30, but were seated right away when we walked in-The restuarant is very nice, great finishings, great bar area that looks onto Wabash- Wait staff is very attentative, you will never have an empty water glass or dirty plate in your way as well you get asked if you want a black napkin, love that they do this-The menu is explained in great detail and our server made sure all our questions were answered- One thing I must comment on was how unique it was to see an entire cart wheeled around for a table that orders wine, and a blue light is on the table so they wine can be seen when poured, no spillage... so if you want a big production when ordering a bottle of wine you will be pleased here- FOOD: For an appetizer I ordered the crab cake, they aren't as big as Hugo's or Joe's, but tasted "lighter" a good seasoning, placed on a bed of mustard sauce-The sauce is good, at first it has a kick, then it just mellows out-I loved the subtle crust on the outside, not from breadcrumbs but from being seared-I wish we could have had the option of having more of the sauce, it really was nice and at the end of the crabcake there was no mustard sauce at all- I just had a lot of dental work done yesterday and could only eat soft food, so I ordered the small plate of Lobster Ravioli-I had reservations about it when I saw it was in a tomato sauce, but decided to try it out-(You have the option of ordering small or adding $10 for large portion) When it came out I was so glad I got the small portion, 4 large ravioli's were on the plate-Now here is where I was bummed, it didn't taste like lobster at all, honestly like some ricotta cheese with tomato sauce-I was expecting a preparation such as Tavern at the Park serves or Catch 35 or any other lobster ravioli I've had in the past, but it wasn't-When my husband tried a bite he asked "didn't you order lobster?" So I will not order that again-A child could eat it and think he/she was getting some pasta, nothing fancy, very plain-I don't know why it's even called Lobster Ravioli- Now my husband got the filet, it was cooked to a perfect Rare + nice cut of meat, but could do without the upside down roll on the plate, it was not tastey, as well he got a side of asparagus which he enjoyed- We passed on the dessert menu, nothing caught our eye for the evening-They had a Key Lime pie, but was hesitant on it, many really don't serve true Key Lime, maybe I'll find out next time- I would come back and try something else, or sit in the bar and get an appetizer-One thing that was odd, they had a Southern Fried Lobster....being born and raised in Florida, Southern part of the state I might add, I've never in my life seen anyone fry lobster but it is on the menu-Maybe it's for the senior citizens, but who would ever fry a lobster? I know this review sounds harsh, but honestly I was so damn excited about Lobster Ravioli :( Maybe next time will be a 4-5 star experience for me-
(3)Felicia W.
We came in specifically for desert. Let me tell you..... It was absolutely AMAZING! I had the s'mores cheesecake. Anything else I eat from now on will just be subpar. After I finished eating, I was very tempted to lick the plate. It is orgasmic....literally. Emily, our server, did such a great job. She was fast and made sure we didn't need anything. There's nothing better than a proactive server. I will definitely be returning.
(5)Charlie J.
I'm thankful to have a visiting buddy of mine to pick up the tab...because I know it was hefty and i probably wouldn't have felt it was worth it. Having said that, the service is really good and they have a great cut of meat. I had the bone in dry aged ribeye which was good but I was hoping it would have been a bit more succulent - and I ordered it medium rare. Their "cajun" spin on it wasn't the best, but it sufficed. We started with their seafood tower or whatever it's called. That was well worth it. Their cesar salad with anchovies They have an amazing wine list, but I have to say it seemed a bit over-priced. Their sommelier was very good, though.A good steak is a good steak and you can get one here. I'd say it's worth a visit..at least once.
(3)Barbara S.
Benny's was excellent! We went there for dinner and the steak and seafood items exceeded our expectations. The service was phenominal. Our waiter was friendly and welcoming; in addition he was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Although it doesn't look like much on the outside its one of the best steakhouse's in Chicago - quality & quantity - what more can you ask for?!?! I'll definately be returning to Benny's.
(5)Michele p.
Great steak selections. Great service. You get what you paid for. Will come again in the future
(5)Mike C.
Went to Benny's for New Years Eve dinner and it was a great start to the night. It's a pretty nice place with a nice atmosphere. We started out with some cocktails that were made pretty well. I had their cheapest steak (I already spent too much on my New Years Party Ticket), the skirt steak, while most of my friends had the filet mignon. My steak tasted excellent. It was perfectly juicy and tender. We also ordered some side dishes. The potato gnocchi was good. However, I thought the portions of the side dishes were on the small side. I was expecting some salad or soup to start out with that came with the meal, but this wasn't the case. As a result, I wasn't as full as I wanted to be. Our waitress was nice, and the rest of the service was very quick and responsive. It's nice when my water is never more than half empty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Benny's, and I'll probably be back eventually.
(4)Michael P.
Went to this place very last minute with a group of 8 on a Saturday. They were able to seat us within a few minutes which was great. Service was top notch. Waiter was very attentive and explained the menu in sections as we ordered. I had a Waygu Carpaccio for an Appetizzer which was fantastic and a bone in Filet for an entree which was cooked to a perfect Medium just the way I asked. The table shared an assortment of sides which I couldnt complain about any of them. The mac n cheese being my favorite side. No dessert as we couldnt fit anymore food in, but saw the table next to us order a few and they looked incredible. Will definitely put Benny's on the Chicago Steakhouse list.
(5)Kassie C.
Great time! We started with drinks at the bar-cool bar area. The food was deeeelish! Awesome crab cakes and lobster! Definitely will go back.
(5)J I.
Came here for Restaurant week with the boyfriend. We ordered from both the restaurant week menu and the regular menu. We ordered - Spinach Salad with Sunny-Side Egg and Bacon Vinaigrette - 6 ounce Natural USDA Prime Filet with Duck Fat Fries, King Mushrooms and Sauce Bordelaise - Trio of Sliders (chose Prime Benny's Burger onions, provolone Lobster Roll scallion, tarragon Crab Cake) - Trio Plate of Milk Chocolate S'mores, Petite Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée, Banana Cream "Pie" The food here was awesome. The biscuit from the bread basket was really good. I'm sure it's made with a lot of butter but it's really really good. Our server was kind enough to bring me more biscuit while I waited for the boyfriend to arrive. The spinach salad was lighted warmed and drizzled with the right amount of vinaigrette. The prime filet was a little dry, not mind-blowing (like the rest of our meal). It's just a regular piece of prime filet that you would get at another steakhouse. The trio of sliders was special. I couldn't quite decide which one I liked best. If I really had to choose, I might choose the crab cake just because I've never had a slider made of crab cake. The lobster roll was served with a warmed roll a bit crunchy on the outside. The DESSERT trio!!! Milk chocolate mousse cake with cream on the side added up to a s'more. Creme brulee and banana cream pie weren't very sweet. It was good because it didn't didn't make us feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It was an awesome meal. Would definitely come back. I definitely enjoyed my lunch here more than I did at Joe's Seafood.
(4)Tom D.
The best carrot cake on Earth. Service was wonderful. The staff is friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Dwayne J.
My wife & I went to Benny's on 6-16 to celebrate our anniversary and had an excellent time. Our waiter, Eric, was knowledgeable and funny. His recommendations were on the money. We both ordered the surf-n-turf and several appetizers. Everything was delicious & flawlessly prepared. The filet mignon was outstanding and the lobster was the freshest & tastiest we have ever had in Chicago. PS - I ordered 1 dozen roses from flowerpetal.com which were delivered to Bennys. The flowers were perfect.
(5)Janet B.
We're from Napa, California, and the last two years we have vacationed in Chicago. On a recommendation, we went to lunch at Benny's Bar for their hamburger special. They use prime beef for their hamburger and it is delicious. For $10 you get a hamburger with fries. I ordered the classic, my husband ordered one with blue cheese, port wine onions, and truffle fries. Great location, close to the Trump Tower. I know nothing about the dinner menu except they do not serve the hamburger. We think it is one of the best deals in Chicago for lunch.
(4)Mihir G.
The Holy Trinity fulfilled: Great Scotch - check Great Service - check Great Food- check My buddy and I got to the bar a few minutes before our reservation and chatted up the bartender to decide what scotch to start with. The bartender (Deidre) suggested and allowed us to sample some great, out-of-the way scotches (and that she was equally disappointed that they didn't have Sheep Dip was a plus). After selecting the right starter, we engaged Justin, the sommelier that everyone rightly brags about, in a hearty conversations about scotches. Instead of wine pairings through dinner, he suggested that we do a scotch tasting. After understanding our tastes and preferences, he rolled out a cart and proceeded to serve us an 8-scotch progression that, in a word, was magnificent and educational. Three words. Own it. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet. Shellfish tower was exceptionally fresh, the mac n cheese was predictably delicious, and special Wagyu was a close second to the steak I had at Sankyu (Roppongi).
(5)Pamela S.
Not great food for the price! I found hair in my seafood appetizer but no apologies were made by the waiter or management! Horrible!! For the prices they charge this should not happen ! Horrible!! Dont go!!!
(1)Greg R.
Best Steak Ever! Get the Dry Aged Strip and you will be blown away!
(5)Bianca S.
Can't say enough great things about this restaurant. I'm on a mission to eat at every steakhouse in Chicago....well my boyfriend is on that mission....I get the salmon. But I digress. Everything from atmosphere, service, & quality of food is amazing. I started with a wedge salad - perfect portion. I had the salmon and my boyfriend had the 22 oz steak served median well. We shared the truffled mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. You could taste the truffles. Mmmm..... Since it was my boyfriends birthday we received a free smores' dessert. Don't let the looks fool you this thing is incredible. They mash graham crackers with butter for the best tasting concoction even if it wasn't pleasant to look at.
(5)Jay B.
Dry aged bone in anything = happiness
(5)Linsey R.
So, after the previous review the chef e-mailed me to come back to the restaurant, which we really appreciated. Our second visit was exactly what we had expected on the first. The service was extremely professional and accommodating. The food was great, especially the scallops and dessert!
(4)Angela W.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! First class all the way. Went there for our anniversary & they started us with a comp glass of champagne, dinner was great & s'mores dessert was incredible!!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Mo H.
Phenomenal food, phenomenal service. My boyfriend the meat lover says the steaks are second to none, and I, the vegetarian have plenty of delicious options. And why not sit at the bar? Ian, Jackie, Natalie and Xavier are a blast: they are fun, know the menu and make great recommendations. And you don't have to dress to the nines, which I appreciate. This place is our new home base.
(5)Justin O.
I ate at Benny's for the first time and was impressed by the food. I had the braised beef short rib. The presentation was perfect and every bite delicious. I also had the opportunity to try the lobster risotto and one of the pastas on the menu, both of which were done very well. Benny's offers some great food. I thought the service was on par. The dining room was half full when we got there on a Friday night, but quickly filled with patrons and the noise level rose just as quickly (however, not unbearable).
(5)Alex G.
Suggested Benny's to my brother and his wife along with another couple. We arrived early for cocktails and was assured by the maitre d' that our table would be ready when we were. Why, especially with a restaurant of this caliber do they insist on closing the bill at the bar before you have dinner? Why can't the tab just be added to the overall check? Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. The mashed potatoes now have truffles but they were happy to serve them without (I'm kind of picky about my taters). And someone asked about double baked potatoes and they were happy to oblige even though it wasn't offered on the menu. If you intend to peruse the wine selection ahead of time, better call and confirm they actually have your choices in stock. While I understand that wine cellars can be somewhat dynamic, we found most of our selected wines unavailable although listed on the web site. Fortunately the person responsible for picking the wines worked with the sommelier and recovered nicely. The chocolate cake for dessert was outstanding. Bread selections were outstanding (don't miss the mini-biscuits). Overall noise levels were much higher this time which was due to the loud group sitting close by. Not much the restaurant could do about it. Still a welcome addition to the Chicago steakhouses.
(4)Sharon K.
We went here for our one-year anniversary and had the best steak ever. The service was great-- there was a little mix up in the kitchen which led to a 30 minute wait for the souffle, but we got drinks on the house for that!
(5)Dustin S.
Excellent meat, excellent service, mediocre sides. Pros: - the meats were fantastic, expensive, but you get what you pay for - the service was fantastic, our waiter knew what he was talking about and relatively quickly learned each of our tastes for recommendations throughout the night - the beer list was pretty good too Cons: - the sides weren't great. they had potential but never made it - bleu cheese tater tots!?!?! could be amazing, right? nope. how they screwed it up I have no idea, but the potatoes were mushy and the cheese wasn't that great. - price, if you can't handle $80-$100/per person for a satisfying meal w/ a drink or two, don't go here
(4)Steve B.
I dropped in to Benny's for lunch because it was the closest place that looked equipped to provide an above average steak. The stake was great. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that someone at the table was a vegetarian. To my relief, she was as pleased with the meal as anyone. Everything was enjoyable here. I particularly liked the cocktails and the service was a compliment to the meal.
(5)Samantha H.
I take my steak houses very seriously. I had heard mixed reviews about Benny's, namely regarding the steak (which was always awesome) and the service (which I've heard wasn't great). So I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I want to say I went on a Monday when it wasn't croweded so this isn't for a packed Saturday or anything, but Steve was our waiter and the service was actually impeccable. We started with the steak tartare, which is a unique flavor profile. I consider myself a tartare expert (mildly joking, but we do get it pretty much everywhere and make it at home), and this was not the typical flavors you'd expect. That being said, it worked. It was a heavy mustard flavor, though not overwhelming. They serve it with waffle potato chips, which are light and crispy. I liked it because sometimes when you put tartare on bread, the bread can overwhelm the meat itself, but the thin chips really make the meat the star. My husband got the ribeye and I got the filet, both of which were ordered medium-rare; both of which came perfectly medium-rare. We both enjoyed our steak a great deal. I had mine prepared oscar style and would highly recommend it. Going into a steakhouse, I felt the obligation to order a steak, but when I return I honestly think I'm getting the crablegs. Up until now my favorite crablegs were at Bob Chinns in Wheeling (if you haven't been, go...now). But I'd have to get an entire order of these bad boys to see if they're really as good as the tease that was the oscar style portion. Apparently they pride themselves in the freshness of their seafood stating that everything is consumed within 24 hours of receipt. I just have to say that the crab was amazing! The steak was amazing. The wine list was amazing (our discussions with Steve led him to bring us out some Nickel and Nickel for us to try, just for kicks). The service was amazing. The huge free chocolate cake (it was my birthday) with a personalized bday greeting on it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)Dee K.
delicious dry-aged steak, the best! White fish dish was huge, just ok... the soup was average but if you come here for dry-aged steak, so YUMMY! delicioso.....buono.... service was good but nothing out of the ordinary....
(4)Rebecca S.
Great caesar salad and the desserts were worth the trip itself!! Try the banana cream pie and s'mores...delicious!
(4)Jeffrey M.
I decided to go all out here, and I had a great experience. I started with the foie gras appetizer. The dish as a whole didn't blow me away, but the foie gras itself was of an excellent quality. Then I had the best steak I've ever had: the dry aged 32oz. porterhouse. On the side I had the jumbo bleu cheese tots. The flavor was very deep. I requested wine pairings for each dish and they were brilliant. For dessert I had the apple pie, and to my relief it was a reasonably sized portion. Can't wait to go back!!
(4)Amy K.
We picked this restaurant for a special lunch out based on other reviews. Unfortunately we did not have the same experience as others. Customer service was atrocious from the second we walked in, and the food was subpar. We waited 20 minutes to see a server and only had one come by because we asked, then 15 minutes later received bread but no silverware or plates to eat it with. We then waited 30 minutes for our appetizer (calamari), the one bright spot-it was good. Another 20-30 minutes, and someone came by to check on us (not our server). We asked about our order, as we had ordered simple dishes and others who came in later had received their entrees. After we inquired, our order came out. My Dad was warned to be careful of his piping hot plate. He had ordered a cold salad...I had ordered wild boat ragu, ok but over salted. My Dad's salad could have come out of a school cafeteria. The chicken was bone dry. As he said, Gordon Ramsey would have been appalled! When the random guy who was not our waiter checked on us, I vented to him and asked to talk with a manager. Then there was a 5-10 minute pow wow of a few people who I can only guess were drawing straws to determine who would pretend to be a manager. One of them came up and casually asked what was up, and I asked that they replace my Dad's salad with a bowl of clam chowder. Another 5-10 minutes and out came the chowder. It was not any better than the salad. Who knows what kind of "extra touches" may have been included...we asked for the check and were told our lunch would be comped, that they were sorry for the experience, they were not properly prepared for Saturday lunch traffic and hoped we would give them another chance some time. I have only written a negative review one other time and I rarely complain but felt like I had to write one. One star for the calamari and comped lunch...
(1)Caitie W.
We just ate here tonight for dinner and WOW was it good. The service was amazing from start to finish. Our waiter was very personable and knew everything there was to know about the menu. We started with salads. I had the wedge, which was really good. The blue cheese dressing was light and yummy. My husband had the grilled romaine. It too was very good. Then, I had the butternut squash tortellini. It was very yummy! The husband had the NY strip. It was cooked perfectly. We ended the meal with the Smore cheesecake, which was a perfect size and also amazing! We will be going back here soon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Dar Q.
Staying at The Amalfi a few blocks away we were delighted to know that Bennys was just around the block. Thanksgiving dinner at Bennys was not very good. Thought I would for go the Turkey for a Steak and Baked Potato and my husband thought he would do the same given the reviews were so good on Bennys steaks. Big mistake!!! The service was mediocre at best, the steak was served cold on cold plates, the potato was hard and cold. Benny should be ashamed to send something like that to a table. When they send out a cold steak like that it speaks volumes that they are not a well run restaurant. If I need to send a steak back because its served cold they won't get my bussiness again. First class place I thnk not, not when you can't even get the food to table hot. I like staying at the Amalfi and will continue to patronize the local restraunts, staying away from Bennys.
(1)Robin D.
The only reason I did not give this place zero stars is because of 2 things. The ambiance is beautiful, great date place, romantic and classy. The service is not so bad either. However, for the price of the food, this place doesn't hit the mark. My uncle ordered the rib eye medium rare and it was chewy and he had to tell them to cook it again so he can eat it. It was one awful rib eye. Go to David Burke for better ribeye. I ordered crab cake for appetizer and it was another failure, you taste so many flavors that mask the actual crab taste. For 15 bucks for a small crab cake i was expecting superb taste. For my main dish I ordered the pork chop, I suggest go to Sepia for good pork chop. The food in this place just doesnt match the great steak places like Mortons, Gibson, Capitol Grill and even David Burke. Not worth the money. I would grab a drink by the bar and enjoy the ambiance but not spend my money on food here.
(2)Ani S.
Benny's is a great traditional steak house, very welcoming. Great wine list, attentive service and excellent food!
(4)Beth P.
I took my bf here for his birthday this year and SNAP it's damn good! If you wanted to be treated like a king or queen, come here. We started off with the Shellfish Tower which is basically a huge silver bowl thingy full of lobster claws, crab, HUGE shrimp and lemons. It was seriously dreamy. I felt like royalty in our private booth with the dish sitting on our table. It was fresh and sooo good. We then had steaks; I had the filet oscar and he had the bone-in strip. It was awesome. We shared a side and had several glasses of wine; he opted for a scotch. The bf's menu even had a special, "Happy Birthday" message on it, which I thought was a nice touch ..because everyone deserves to feel extra special on their birthday! While my bf was using the restroom, the waiter asked what type of dessert he'd like and they surprised him with the biggest piece of chocolate cake in the whole world with a little candle in it. There was no corny singing, thankfully. It was a really nice experience. They treat you very well...escorting you personally to the restroom, making sure you are happy and full. It was an expensive meal, but we were celebrating so it was fine. I will definitely be going back, if not just for the shellfish tower and cake :)
(5)Gfiddy F.
I had a big ol' feast here and it was damned good.
(5)Barton K.
Best Steak I've ever had. Seriously the meat just melts in your mouth. A lot of interesting appetizers as well. They had a macaroni and cheese that was soooo cheesy I thought my head would explode (in a good way). They also have fancy liquor and wine lockers for Big Ballers (I noticed a couple of members of the Chicago Bears had lockers). It's a little pricey but you go into a place like this expecting that and it is worth the price. Every time I go back to Chicago I intend to make a stop.
(5)Chandu C.
Considering the number of great steakhouses in Chicago, you would think Benny's would have a tough time competing. It will not have a difficult time competing. We ordered some oysters that were very fresh and their sashimi tuna was fresh with a flavorful searing with a kick to it. We ordered the Wagyu special, the bone-in filet, and Sole that was deboned table side. They were all top notch. Hint: Medium-rare is on the rare side especially on the bone-in. The steaks were a little rarer than we were expecting, but delicious. The sides were flavorful, but probably a step below Gibson's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's or Capital Grill. The service was not just outstanding, it was an experience. The sommelier came out and talked to us for about 30 minutes. Getting this kind of knowledge tableside is invaluable and added the rare 5th star. He recommended our after dinner drinks which were spot on for our varied palettes, offered me a free gin tasting, and poured us some vermouth the way it should be. I now view martinis differently after years of consuming them the wrong way. And I am on the hunt for some of the mind blowing Miller's gin. If you want a great drink made right, great food, and don't mind spending for an experience, you will not be disappointed at Benny's.
(5)Paul M.
Not a great steak place, but good and a good value. Very friendly and courteous staff, good steak (I had the petite fillet and really enjoyed it). The sides are well priced and so was the steak. Nice new interior. The sommelier steered us to a very nice bordeaux, which added so much to dinner. Benny's is worth trying and count on it for a good meal at a good price.
(4)Kwoky L.
Never mind their fancy steakhouse decor. Looking at their menu, I have to admit, I can't really afford a piece of steak there. But their 25 CENTS oysters won me over. We had three dozens in total and they came with a half portion of lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette slushie sauce. It's not the best oysters that I've ever had but it's fresh and of very good quality for that price. I would definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)Steven N.
Dined here with out of town guests/family the weekend of 7/15/11. I was very impressed. We were greeted in a very friendly manner and the host was so accommodating; letting us choose what table we would like (we were in kind of early). The food was wonderful from start to finish. Bleu cheese croquettes as an appetizer were indulgent and delicious, so was the lobster mac & cheese. The grilled romaine salad was not like a salad I have ever had before, very light, awesome flavor. I'd definitely recommend trying it! Our waiter was completely unpretentious and very knowledgeable and professional, recommending things that we ended up really enjoying. I ordered my filet oscar style and there was more crab meat than I have ever seen given w/ a steak served oscar, and huge fresh asparagus, too (i'm going to upload a photo I took). The steak itself was cooked to perfection at medium, the way I ordered it. The atmosphere is very nice, classic steak house looking. I'd definitely recommend this spot to people- there's a lot of steak houses in Chicago and so far this is one of my favorite.
(5)Joel A.
Had a totally enjoyable dinner last night with friends who came in from CA. Dan Forsythe was our server, and he did a fine job in introducing us to the restaurant, its food and its wine. Most delightful
(4)lisa l.
I really love this place. For an excellent steak, no where else is comparable. Try the Ribeye Duo and the hashbrowns for a traditional steak and potato dinner. If you are a fan of butter, this place has the best butter in the world. It's encrusted with some kind of lava sea salt...yummy. I was very surprised by the flank steak. It's probably the best value on the menu.
(5)Naum N.
Been meaning to go here since the place opened. Finally made it for lunch. Was skeptical that another steak house in Chicago would be the best idea for a restaurant. Came here for a quick bite at lunch time, around 1130 not knowing what to expect. Well was pleasantly surprised! Overall the service was impeccable - the maître d' seated us pronto and was very accommodating. The waitress had the right level of attentiveness and ensured everything went smoothly. Onto the food. The truffle fries are pretty amazing. The sliders were prepared just right and the overall there was nothing that could be faulted. The Benny burger was made as requested (medium) though the bun was a bit too moist and somewhat fell apart when picked up. Slight oversight, though nothing major. Overall, would recommend bringing business contacts here for lunch and for the occasional splurge with coworkers.
(5)Tom K.
Went here with a few friends and overall enjoyed. The side items were all average but the steak was cooked perfect which is of course why one would come here.
(3)Sally D.
We stopped by Benny's Chop House on a Friday night after work for cocktails. The bartender (Jackie) was friendly and very knowledgeable about wine, beer and liquor. She introduced us to brands that we had not tried before, that have since become new favorites. We had an appetizer size of the gnocchi, which was incredible and a side of their mac and cheese that was very good. We then had the chocolate pudding cake, which was out of this world; I thought my boyfriend was going to lick the plate! We were so impressed with the service and the food we went back the next night to have dinner. They have a nice selection of items on the menu, dry-aged, wet-aged and all natural USDA Prime steaks. They also have chops, seafood and pasta entrées. I had the dry- aged bone in ribeye and it was probably the best steak I have ever had. We also ordered the appetizer size of the pasta Rigatoni which was delicious! The atmosphere at Benny's is very nice. Old school Chicago steakhouse feel but up-to-date decor. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that they don't try to crowd tables into their dining room. Many times have I gone to nice restaurants and felt like I was sitting on top of table next to me. The service in the dining room is just as it was the night before in the bar, outstanding, the right mixture of decorum and friendliness. Obviously I can't say enough good things about Benny's. We have been to a lot of steakhouses in Chicago, Tavern on Rush, Mastro's, David Burke, etc and Benny's is our new favorite. We already have our next reservation.
(5)Marcus J.
This place really sucks typical decor bad management.... i truly believe they hire there staff to write reviews
(1)Julee M.
I too would have added the 6th star for our dinner last night. Our sommelier was also incredible. He picked the perfect wine for our dinner at a very reasonable price point. I think his name was Justin and he's worth asking for. Enjoy!
(5)Ericka R.
Went to Benny's last week for a Looking glass theatre event they had in the lounge/bar and it was swonderful. The service was great as we were a needy and thirsty bunch and the food was delish. We only had appetizers and desserts but everything was fast, hot and tasty The oysters Rockefeller and calamari being my favorites. They had a drink special with some very inventive cocktails created just for our party and whoever the mixologist was, they got it right which tells me the bartenders must be awesome as well. And the dessert cheesecake lollipops and chocolate brownie bites"!!!!!!" The atmosphere is really upscale and sexy. Would love to go back for dinner and maybe convince the bartender to make me 1 more "straight on till morning"!
(4)Ronin S.
Love the food. Steaks are perfect. the only thing is... what's up with the martinis being served in a small ass margarita glass???? Come on BENNY!!! A steakhouse martini gotta be right!!!!!!
(4)Brett C.
Thanks to Yelp we brought a customer to Benny's while in town for a trade show, what an experience. The waitress (Candace) was very informative and steered us in the direction of the Dry Aged 16 oz. Bone in Strip, great choice. They cooked it to perfection and the wine (2007 Frank Family Cab) complimented our meal nicely. The restaurant wasn't stuffy, but relaxing with a great vibe. From the dining room you could still hear the piano player in the bar which was a treat. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll make sure I go to Benny's again.
(5)B L.
We went there after attending the Chicago Theatre performance. I asked for a "house cabernet". I did not expect to spend $17 for a glass of "house" wine. Sorry, I can go $10 or $12 a glass, but $17 ?????? There was a very very limited appetizer menu available in the bar (you can forget ordering something not fatty or hi carb --- no salad option or fruit option was available). The restaurant decor is lovely but I won't go back. Not a tightwad, but I just want a better selection of evening appetizers and a more reasonably priced glass of wine.
(2)Jordyn V.
Benny's chophouse is a wonderful steakhouse with dark wood and a modern feel to the decor. Our waiter was nice and attentive. I had the Filet mignon. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't cooked quite enough for me so they sent it back and when it came back it was cooked to perfection! The sides where really good. To top it off, we saw a Chicago bear player dining as well.
(4)Al C.
Family was in town last weekend and we were craving some good cow. After reading a lot of great reviews about Benny's, we excitedly decided to give it a go... The restaurant and bar are truly aesthetically gorgeous! The service on the other hand, not so good. I know this place just opened a few months ago and maybe they haven't gotten their kinks out, but our waitress Candace sucked the big one. She was awkward, long-winded, horrible at remembering requests (extra glass of ice for our vodka on the rocks....had to ask twice and finally just asked a bus boy to bring it over), slooooooow to come back to our table and take our order. it was quite painful. Meanwhile, it seemed like there were service people (looked like secret service dudes in suits) roaming around EVERYWHERE.....everywhere but our table. the most responsive service we received the whole night was when she brought us our check. oh yeah, and a TOTAL pet peeve. I was sitting at our table while the rest of the party was in the rest room, our signed bill was inches away from me and i was checking my phone. She comes by and just grabs it without a word. TACKY TACKY TACKY. APPS: Grilled romaine salad (decent), Chopped salad (REALLY good), Calamari (decent) MAINCOURSE: i had filet mignon med rare (it was cooked rare, but it was really tasty) and father in law had dry aged new york (pretty good). others in party had white fish (awesome) and bass (delish). SIDES: mac and cheese (not too rich, it was really tasty), sauteed broccoli (really really good), hashbrowns (yum). Benny even made the rounds and said "hello" to everyone. that was cool. Overall i'd have to say that Benny's is a pretty good steak house, not AMAZING, but definitely solid. THe major issue was service. One of our friends also ate here recently and shared our opinion on the crappy ass service. You can't purport to have a high-end restaurant and have such horrible service.
(3)Nikki P.
Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambiance, just a bit chilly! The Marriott suggested we try this place just down the street. Being a very chilly winter night we said okay and made our way over to Benny's. The decor is gorgeous! They greeted and seated us promptly in a nice corner. The sommelier saw we were browsing the wine menu and made some suggestions and took our order. The focaccia in the bread basket had to be ordered again ( Cheddar crust was yummy). We started with the Calamari which was spike with litttle pepperoncinis. It was good but i perfer the Calamari at Devon Seafood Grill as my all time favorite. I had the special a Cajun crusted beef with a lobster ravioli and my friend had the porterhouse for our main course. The was a draft where we were sitting and our food did get cold quickly but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and would definitely return for another special occasion. We enjoyed some chocolate cake and muscato for dessert. The muscato was not what I had expected maybe a little missed communication. All in all a place to visit and experience. All the servers and exceptional!
(4)Mary D.
I would give more stars for food only (Madagascar shrimp excepted) but prices are way out of line for what you get. Went there a week ago on a Thursday night. Live piano music was too loud to talk so we decided not to have a drink in the bar and instead were seated right away without reservations. Extremely attentive service to the point of being overbearing, scant pours on the wine and wine list not impressive in its glass offerings. I ordered a special (Madagascar shrimp) that was described without a price and now I know why - $45 for 2 very large dried out shrimp - about the size of prawns - that I suspect were boiled then finished on a grill except no signs of grill. Lobster mac and cheese was good but portion was extremely small. My companion's steak was very good, but small and also overpriced compared to the other good steakhouses in Chicago.
(3)Jeff M.
Excellent experience. Came for my b'day with a total of 5 couples. Service was fantastic...........they really took care of us. We all loved our food and sommalier (sp???) picked out some good vino for us. I have been to almost all the big steakhouses in chgo and this was as good or better than the rest. Would totally come back for another special occasion. Not cheap...............but well worth it for a special event. They even put my name on the menu which was a nice touch.
(5)Jacksin W.
Good Service, food ok, overpriced steak.
(3)John O.
My wife and I had one of the most memorable meals and experiences ever. Food was fabulous, service was even better.
(5)Dean B.
Meh. I had to send the steak back because it was overcooked, the second time was ok. The steak (dry aged bone in ribeye) was fine but not great -- not much rind which is the best part, and it seemed squished, ie, not very thick. I just ate at MJ's the other day and it was much better. Sides were nothing special - lobster risotto and macaroni and cheese. Creme brûlée was ok but not great - wide and flat as seems to be the trend in the states... I prefer the traditional ramekin shape which gives a better Creme to brûlée ratio. To summarize, the only thing that was memorable was the price which I would rate as $$$$, not $$$.
(3)Debbi R.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Went for lunch and from walking into the place it felt special. Everyone working there made us feel special. Shaun, Charles and Kevin, you are the best! My husband and I will be back!
(5)sandra m.
Went for birthday dinner with 7 close friends. The service was great but the food was okay. Had the calamari and it was a little rubbery, my husband had the prime and they over-cooked it. The drinks were overpriced, A glass of pinot $26, a glass of syrah $15 and this was by the glass, more then my entree. I order the special salad and wasn't told it had shell-fish (deathly allergic) so I sent it back and was still charged for it. $650.00 later and would have expected a better dining experience for that amount of money. I would recommend you go to Chicago Chop House instead.
(2)michael r.
Took a client to Benny's last night for dinner. I like the atmosphere. The bar is a great place to have a few post-work drinks. The wine list is extensive if not a little pricey. We had the steak tartar, crab cakes, lobster bisque, calamari for starters and all were pretty decent. Actually I'd skip the bisque as it was a bit bland. I had the Colorado Lamb Chops for my entree and the were fantastic. My fiance had the Skate which I sampled, and it was quite good. My client seemed to enjoy his steak. For dessert I tried some of the strawberry shortcake, which I wasn't a huge fan of since it seemed they used frozen strawberries in syrup, and the molten chocolate cake which I really enjoyed. All in all I'd definitely recommend trying Benny's and it's a good alternative if you can't get a table at Joe's.
(3)Brian M.
A person I work with suggested this restaurant. That is the only reason why we tried it. With so many great Steak Houses in Chicago (Gene & Georgetti's, Morton's, Gibson's, Chicago Cut - I am a fan of all of these restaurants) I should have just stuck with one of them....We will never go back...the food was not good at all but it was just as pricey as the best steak houses. Avoid at all costs.
(1)John H.
Dined here with a party of three. One quest ordered halibut, another ordered a daily special, Cajun beef tips, and I ordered the 16oz dry-aged ribeye, with a side of asparagus. A cold appetizer, the seafood salad, was ordered for the table and proved to be an exceptional choice. The halibut was exceptional and best among the three entrees. The Cajun beef was over- seasoned, but quite tender and properly cooked. The worst of the lot was the dry-aged ribeye. The steak was properly prepared, but the the meat contained more connective tissue than anticipated. In fact, at one point I had to remove a mouthful of steak as it became impossible to chew sufficiently to swallow -- I can't recall having been placed in such a position in recent memory or in a restaurant, particularly one purported to be classy. In addition, the asparagus was stringy and tough, particularly in the butt ends, which might have been either pealed or removed altogether. Service was professional, although responses to inquires appeared to be well-rehearsed, canned responses. In sum, there are too many alternate restaurant choices offering this cuisine and in this price range to justify my return to Benny's Chop House. I will select an alternative in the future.
(2)Barry M.
Took 4 colleagues to dinner at Benny's and had an absolutely stellar experience. I had been to Benny's several times for lunch (which was always enjoyable, but I was eager to try out dinner and it did not disappoint). The restaurant itself is simply beautiful, the service was just right and the food truly outstanding. There was a bit of everything on our table (loved the smoked salmon and gnocci appetizers, by the way) and we agreed that the meal was one of the best we've had in recent memory. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of its caliber and we can't wait to go back. Another great Chicago chop house is born!
(5)David S.
Met a friend here for dinner. Atmosphere is typical steakhouse - think Ruths Chris or Morton's. We each had salads, shared sides of spinach, asparagus and sweet potatoes. Sides were ok but not great. I had a grass fed KC strip that was fantastic - tasty, tender and perfectly prepared. My friend reported the same of his filet. I would summarize Benny's as great steaks, ok sides and an atmosphere perfect for business or good conversation with friends.
(4)Allen M.
I am giving Bennys 4 stars for the food alone! The food was amazing but the service was off! The blonde server was cold and seemed rushed. She wasn't friendly at all and she even took my boyfriends plate before he was finished. Go for the food and do not expect the service to be anything less than stellar!
(4)Soumeya B.
Your typical run of the mill high end steakhouse, no fluff or funfare, just perfect steaks and solid sides. I feel like writing a detailed review isn't worth it, every steak cut our table got (party of 7) was very good. No complaints from anyone. We ordered one of each side on the menu and all were passabable. The service was good but not perfect. None of the waiters had any personality, they all seem to be the same, robotic. Since this was a birthday party we ordered desert as well. The desert was your usual steakhouse fare, high sugar, low taste. Those are all the reasons this place gets a four star rating, nothing special to write home about. What's so earth shattering about cooking a steak right? Ruth Chris does it, Capitol Grill does it, the Palm does it, Morton's does it...who needs another steakhouse? very boring indeed! And they have nothing special in the menu that declares "I am chicago". again, very blah.
(3)Sarah S.
Over-rated. We had a bit of a disappointing experience. I thought the interior design was clunky at best, but to be frank what really killed it for me was the steak. It only compares with Joe's or Mastro's in price, not flavor...
(2)Mally S.
So, my office has a dinner at Benny's mid-November, but my sister was in town and wanted to have steak. I made the reservation and warned my sister about the price. When we arrived on a very busy Friday night, they immediately knew who I was (and that I had booked our office dinner), and treated us like the royalty we wished we were. We went all out on dinner: me with a KC strip with side of au poivre sauce, hubby with the Prime Rib duo oscar-style, and sister with the filet and foie gras. We even had apps of carpaccio and prosciutto. The carpaccio stole the show. Holy goodness. All of our dinners were simply amazing and we really wanted to lick the plates clean, but this is a fine establishment. Oh well. We had the chocolate layer cake and carrot cake for dessert. They were huge pieces and were divine even the next day (we were stuffed!). These guys don't mess around here, they know their menu, their wine list and their beer list. The food was amazing, the service awesome and the value for money well spent was definitely there too. Thanks Benny's!!!
(5)Jane N.
Compeltly agree with the other reviews! Great food, great service. Sure it is expensive but NOT overpriced. I am a big fan of Volare too. Whoaa!
(5)Dancer Dreamer T.
this place is great, very tastefully done decor wise. went in on the oyster night special not knowing and the place was swamped, i guess 25 cent oyster can do that. also had an oyster beer that was very good and complimented the oysters wonderfully. Had the chopped salad that was very tasty and finished with beef carpaccio which was also very good. I didn't have a full dinner so i can't fairly rate my visit, but what I did experience (on one of thier busiest days up to now) was very good. will definitely try it again.
(4)daisy J.
this place is fantastic. my sister and i split the bone-in ribeye and the 8 oz filet and while both were excellent, surprisingly, the win goes to the filet! the sides are all delicious - the fries especially! for 5 people, 3 sides was PLENTY - so don't fall for one side per person they suggest! the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because the dessert left something to be desired. creme brulee is standard, so i wasn't surprised that it was good. however, the michigan apple tart was not the greatest. the tart seemed a bit overcooked, yet soggy at the same time. not sure if i'd order dessert again from there. additionally, their house salad with balsamic was uninspired and a bit flavorless. even given the flaws, i would put benny's up there with some of my other favorite places (joe's and capital grille).
(4)David H.
Our initial waitress was nothing short of rude and unaccomodating. We requested another wait person and got a great guy who took good care of us. The food is very average and there are many other steak houses in Chicago that are much better. The prices were quite high as well.
(2)D. I.
Nice atmosphere, slow service, food was mediocre at best. Scallops were very fishy which tells me that they're old! The steak was USDA Choice at best. Definitely not USDA Prime like they claim. The service was bad. Not worth the price.
(2)D P.
I've walked by this place many times and heard good things about the burgers so we decided to try it out. Good lounge atmosphere and solid beer list. The burger was very respectable, especially for the price. The service left a lot to be desired (drinks took a while, never received any water, and didn't receive a side of veggies we ordered)...but it was a very busy Saturday night so I'll give the server the benefit of the doubt. I plan to try the restaurant side and hope for just as good of food but better service.
(3)Sean C.
Very nice lunch menu. The dinner menu is standard Chicago steakhouse fare. No surprises, but not in a bad way. This place was very classy, extensive beer list, amazing cocktails.
(3)bridget j.
Overpriced. Husband and I went for anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is nice, but better for business meetings versus a date. The wait staff was great and the place has an amazing wine selection. Husband ordered the aged strip and it was fatty and not good, especially for $45. I had the filet with blue cheese. Cooked exactly as requested, but still left a little to be desired. The sides of sweet potatoes are amazing. Also had the fired has browns and it's exactly what you get...like diner food. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. Just not for the price. With those prices, I expect the same quality as a Smith & W.
(2)Brian L.
Ok so here is the true skinny on this place! Warm, inviting, decour is awesome. Everyone who works there is awesome. Waiter was indeed super attentive, and was way too involved for my likings. That's me personally and I know that some people want that. When i sit down, within 10 seconds of being there he is bringing us out a $99.00 steak that is a special cut to show us. I get it, sell the big stuff. Salads and Apps were the best part of the meal. Proscuitto w/ Apples and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese w. balsalmic was fantastic, and the grilled romaine salad was great. Steaks were OK. I had the 18 oz bone in filet and my buddy had the 16 oz bone in ribeye. Neither were top 5 steaks we have eaten. The average person who is going out to a nice dinner and looking for the total package will love this place, but for a man who truly cares about the finer details of the meal (specifically the steak), this place is just not on par with the top top top steakhouses. Lobster Mac and Cheese had very little lobster. Asparagus were awesome.
(3)Odranre B.
great steakhouse joint - the seafood is equally good...the desserts are ok...beautiful ambience...plenty of elbow rooms...interesting wall paintings...good place to take that special someone to impress...all these greatness doesn't come cheap so make sure you have enough balance on your credit card...seafood tower is recommended for starter...servers knowledge of wine to match the wide selection...hard to find parking so valet instead...our server resembles the morph son of carlton banks and lieutenant commander geordi la forge - look for him and tell him captain picard is needed on the bridge...but don't ask him to do the carlton...
(5)Hien N.
I came here for the 25 cent happy hour oysters they have on Wednesday afternoons. Ended up ordering 4 dozen oysters to savor. They delivered. **THE CATCH was that there was a 2 drink minimum per person, which I was not expecting. I felt that 1 drink minimum was more reasonable, but TWO? Well let me tell you, for someone on the smaller side, the booze went straight to my head after ordering the second drink and I sadly fell asleep at the concert I attended after coming here.
(3)Tammy L.
Staying close by celebrating my birthday I chose Bennys simply because their menu sounded better than all other steak houses. We called at 530 and made a reservation for 6 and walked over. Upon arriving it immediately makes you think of the 1940s and 50's era. The wait staff are impeccably dressed and our server Wen Ling was exceptional. She rattled off the specials like a pro, recommended a few things and knew exactly how every dish was prepared, she was amazing and we were just as amazed to find out she had been there less than a month. We started eith the maple bacon appetizer even though i was very skeptical but I neednt had worried because that was the best thing I have eaten in years. It was melt in your mouth delicious and we could have eaten plate after plate full of it. We ordered two filets to be cooked medium rare and upon arrival they were cooked perfectly! They were delicious much better than anything ruth chris cooks up and they didnt need to hide it in melted butter. All the alacarte items we had were just as delicious and bigger sizes than other alacartes we have had at other steak houses. My favorite was the creamed corn. Upon sitting down our server noticed we had a 'happy birthday' doughnut and asked who had a birthday and we told her on the walk over we had stopped at a doughnut shop and picked one up for my bday. After our meal she brought us a complimentary dessert the smores cheesecake which was the cutest take on smores with a long stick of chocolate used to simulate the skewer. That was unexpected and most appreciated. This is now my favorite steak house and we will be back when in town. Bathrooms were just as nice with tiny washcloths to dry your hands instead of paper towels, classy! This is my first ever 5 star review!!!
(5)Julie Y.
Came here for restaurant week with my sister and it was great! Decided to grab a couple cocktails which were all very good. The Moscow mule was amazing and my bourbon.. Well you can never go wrong with good bourbon.. Ordered the pate plate on the normal menu for an appetizer which came with a bunch of different sides and spicy peppers and pickles which I highly recommend. Then some stuff from the restaurant weeks menu which I don't remember much of but the dessert was sooooooooooo good! Defiantly will be coming back here to try some other stuff on the menu.. Have some drinks and eat some good dessert! Service was also outstanding!
(4)Matt Z.
Delicious Maple Glazed Bacon (Pork Belly) and the Tenderloin salad was delicious, but I gave 3 stars due to the fact that Bennys is steak house, and I ordered a steak salad. I ordered the steak medium rare and it came out well done, like hockey puck. Then they took my salad back and came out with cold blue center RARE, not medium rare, but RARE, cold in the center. Steak house that can't properly cook a steak, you get 2 stars.
(2)Rosanna L.
I normally go in order with my reviews, but Benny's Chop House is an exception. I easily made reservations through open table for 2 to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I was called the day of (I think the day before as well) to ask for my boyfriend's name, which I didn't think much of and just thought oh, they'll probably use it on the dessert plate. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated within minutes at a spacious booth that could of easily fit four. We were offered water by the busser then greeted by our server who present the boyfriend with his own personalized menu and wished him a happy birthday! KUDOS to Benny's for making the night extra special by doing something simple as printing a personalized menu for the guests. We had a surprise dinner guest join us whom they easily accommodated. Our server, Dan F., was fantastic, he shared with us the current specials that they had going on and gave us his opinion on what to sides to ordered with our meals because we couldn't make up our mind, which we ended up ordering! He always checked on us and made sure our entrees was cooked to our liking and our waters were always filled. I decided to give their house merlot a try and enjoyed it, even though I'm not a red wine drinker. It was a good pick for the skirt steak I was about to have. We started off with the Tuna Carpaccio, which was refreshing, but lack a bit of flavorful. The lobster bisque and clam chowder are both more of a orange/red soup not your typical white/cream. Of the two we thought the clam chowder was the winner with tender clams and flavorful broth. For our entrees I had the wagyu skirt steak with frites (french fries, essentially). Just thinking the word wagyu has me drooling. It was cooked to perfection: rare to medium rare, great portion and juicy. The frites didn't do much for me, a bit too salty, I would of preferred some sort of potato instead. I'm having leftovers for lunch and the flavor is so tasty I don't even need a glaze or sauce. The boyfriend and surprise guest both had the bone-in filet mignon, one with bleu cheese topping. Their eyes were popping out of their sockets upon seeing what a generously thick cut piece of meat they were getting. They both claim it was the best steak they've ever had; tender, juicy, melt in your mouth cuts. Our sides were the perfect fit: seasonal mushrooms (shitake) and mac and cheese with smoked bacon. In a dream world this is exactly how I would want my steak dinner, absolutely delicious. The mushrooms added great flavorful to the steak, although bit over powering while the mac and cheese had a tasty smokey flavorful thanks to the bacon and was just the right blend of cheese and gooey-ness. Our bellys were completely on cloud 9 once we stuffed ourselves. The birthday boy even opted for no dessert, but Dan insisted on getting him something small based on what kind of dessert he liked so he said ice cream. Out came a personalized plate saying happy birthday with 3 different scoops of ice cream: chocolate, coffee and vanilla. I think the birthday boy enjoyed it because the plate was completely cleaned! Thank you Benny's Chop House for making this birthday extra special by going out of your way. We will definitely be back on our next celebratory occasion!
(5)Eric C.
it's a 5 star steak house coming from a business traveler whose eaten all over the country including the best steakhouse in the USA - Manny's in MN. Benny's is awesome and a great treat for a special occasion or wooooowing clients. If you're in the windy city, come here and get blown away! p.s. keep the 80's tunes blasting!
(5)Basil D.
LIMITED REVIEW: THIS IS THE HIDDEN PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN. I know the valets because I walk my dog by the restaurant and they always give me the heads up of what power broker is dining there that night. Can't drop names, but it's an impressive list. I am not much of a "steakhouse" kinda guy. It's not that I don't like a good steak every now and then, but when i choose to eat somewhere, I prefer something a little more creative. That said, I appreciate and truly love a great steak. But, truth be told, I'm here to write about their burger. The decor is perfectly matched to the ambience and food. It is transitional decor, a healthy combination of traditional fine steakhouse with a dash of modern, but not extreme at all. They have a well stocked bar with an incredible selection of cognacs, bourbons, whiskies, and scotch. The bartenders are clearly experts in their field and can tell you the story behind every label. They are happy to give you a lesson in any of the spirits. I had the fried egg truffle burger. How can you not order a burger titled this way?? It is without exaggeration, the finest burger I've ever tasted. I think it's only available at the bar, but it is fantastic. AH-MAZING!! They make a thick burger precisely to your liking. The quality of meat is excellent, it's got some fat for taste but not too much, just enough. The truffle aioli is abundant and evident in every bite. Subtle, with just enough sharpness to to let you know it's there. Gruyère Cheese!!! OHHHHHHHH Gruyère Cheese! Marvelous, wonderful, tasty and incredible gruyère!! It is the finest of all cheeses for a burger. If Thomas Aquinas' "Five Proofs for the Existence of God" doesn't make you believe in God, then gruyère should do the trick. All the rest: Their lobster bisque is very tasty and credible. It could use a bit more lobster the two times I ordered it. The crab cake is exceptional. Large lump crab that's fresh. The seasonings are very mild but evident. As much as I like Old Bay Seasonings, it's not overly present here (or it's equivalent). Save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is incredible. A large piece of triple (or is it quadruple?) layer of chocolate cake with a quality ganache-type frosting. I'm not much of a fan of carrot cake, but this is exceptionally good. Steak isn't my forte, however Benny's is definitely worth a trip for everything else they serve, and I'm sure the steak is excellent too.
(4)Elizabeth Y.
Dined at Benny's last night to celebrate our anniversary and it truly could not have been more memorable. The service was impeccable: attentive, anticipatory, yet not intrusive. Our server, Kelly, made wonderful suggestions regarding each course that were spot on and allowed us to sample the full range of the menu. We dined on the (half-size) seafood tower, Kobe filet, maple-glazed bacon, and the truffle-topped doubled baked potato. The sommelier-suggested wine was the best we've ever had and perfectly matched our chosen steaks. Finally, Kelly went above and beyond when she surprised us with a special dessert to recognize our anniversary. Highly recommend.
(5)Lisa K.
We went to Benny's to celebrate our anniversary and it just wasn't impressive. Things I Liked: 1. The drinks. "You put the lime in the coconut" was VERY tasty. 2. The ambiance. It was dark and moody and our booth was very comfortable. 3. The maple bacon appetizer. This is what makes this restaurant a 2 star instead of 1 star. This very thick-cut bacon was delicious. It could have been a meal on its own! 4. The burrata salad was tasty. Not out of this world, but a good substitute for caprese. 5. We were able to pay for street parking right out front due to its slightly off-path destination. Things I didn't Like: 1. I am the world's worst cook, but I make a short rib that is nearly identical to the one I got at Benny's and - surprisingly - mine is better. Their short rib was just a smidge too dry. 2. My husband got the 20 oz. bone-in sirloin and said that it was also a little dry, despite being cooked medium rare. 3. My husband always orders the lobster bisque and he said Benny's was one of his least favorites. He said it wasn't particularly creamy. 4. When we sat down our waiter brought over a wine menu and a cocktails menu. I'm still puzzling over him handing me the cocktail menu and saying, "This one is for you. It's easier to read." It was just super awkward. 5. Despite feeling like our meal was mediocre at best, the prices were high end. There are better steak places in Chicago and I recommend checking out Gibson's, Harry Caray's or even Ruth's Chris before Benny's.
(2)Michael A.
There are some things this place does very well, unfortunately, steak is not one of them. Very disappointied in the dry-aged bone in New York as was one of my colleagues. It was tough and flavorless, and I only ate half of it. The dry-aged bone in rib eye wasn't as tough, but equally flavorless. The concensus in our large group of physicians, from various parts of the country, was that the meat was "nothing special". When you pay $60 for a steak you expect more than that. On the positive side, the maple smoked bacon is out of this world. Oysters and salsa also very tasty.
(2)Cindy W.
Troy is the best waiter here. He was professional and courteous. The smoke bacon was delicious. What made it special is the waiter and the wine was delicious as well.
(5)Alex S.
This review is not quite a week late but trust me: if you do it right, you will need a week to digest, mentally and physically, your Benny's experience. You can tell in the walk up the plush steps right off the foyer that this place plays for keeps, and what I mean by that is the simple fact that you will not look at certain dining options the same way ever again after eating here. But that's a great thing, and as these other 300+ reviews can attest, customer satisfaction is the top priority here. Before even walking in, Benny's impressed me as we received a phone call two days before showing up asking us to confirm our reservation. Not an automated call. Not a generic "form" e-mail. An actual person asking us if we were good on our reservation. You can call that pretentious but I look at it like a form of good will, like they value your business. It's a strange concept in the 21st century, I know. So we walk in and a trio of hostesses greet us at the top of the steps this Saturday night. One whisks us away past a bar and through a row of tables before we are seated near a junction between the various dining rooms. This was a fortuitous turn of events as it was the perfect spot to hear the pianist in another room tinkling the ivories, as well as MGMT's "Time to Pretend" being piped into still another dining room. The pianist won the battle of good taste this evening. Speaking of good taste, our waiter was over in seconds flat, and the man was encyclopedic in his knowledge of refined tastes as it related to everything from wine to maple glazed bacon. And yes, you read the last part of that sentence correctly. Jie was accommodating, friendly, frequently hilarious when our eyes became bigger than our stomachs, and understood the societal importance of me taking pictures of my drink at the table so that I may post it to Facebook and fulfill my hipster quota for the evening (more on that in a second). Jie was just one of many outstanding staffers, from the food runners who help each other out to the other servers who are never too busy to extend a quick refill to those looking parched. I foolishly started with the lobster bisque, which is both good and bad. It's good because it was absolutely delicious, and I ate it all. It's bad because I ate it all and was already filling my stomach to capacity. The maple bacon appetizer, which should be illegal in 48 states for tasting too good, came next and I was feeling the fatigue. My folks loved their regular 8-oz. filet and halibut, and I made it through my dry age 16-oz. bone-in ribeye with ease, despite it becoming difficult to breathe. You just have to think "If I pass out here on the table, I'm going to enter into a euphoric food coma and it will be okay." Because it will. The food here is divine, with a hash brown (I know, I know... trust me when I say they're good) and creamed corn side dishes to satisfy everyone. Because my parents wisely paced themselves, they enjoyed a delectable selection of ice cream for dessert. Me? I went with the J.W. Lees Harvest Ale dessert beer. I know what you're wisely thinking: "dessert beer" should not technically exist, and I admit, I only ordered it to try it, take a picture of it, and then brag to everyone back home via Facebook about it. Trust me when I say do not order this. It's something to try, sure, but it tastes like a freak combination of scotch, coffee, room temperature beer and a candle. I'm not about to turn down a drink but it would take some serious convincing to get me to order this again. Still: bragging rights for finishing it! Look, Benny's is a phenomenal place to dine. You'll see all kinds here, from the country club elite, to the kid trying to impress his date he took home from college, not to mention businessmen, businesswomen and people who talk way too loud to the point where we cannot mind their business since they are sharing it with everyone. You get what you pay for and that should be enough to justify those five stars at the top of this review.
(5)Lisa S.
Dinner for two! Only giving it four stars because I have had food this good for cheaper in other cities. The food was amazing but I get uncomfortable spending $250 on dinner. We had the shrimp cocktail and split a salad for appetizer. Dry aged ribeye and a by strip for entree with bro au gratin and a twice baked potato, key lime pie for dessert. It was all absolutely tasty but was it worth $250 after tax and tip... Ehhh? Idk prob not. The potato was the only bit that shocked and awed us. It was not your standard cheese and bacon bits. It had some other kind of cheese and black truffles on top. Different and delicious. Other than that, everything else was what was expected.
(4)Diana C.
There were 5 of us in our party, and we had early-ish reservations (5:30). We found the location easily, and Benny's is beautifully appointed, which made the experience more memorable. We were seated and attended to quickly. Our main server was efficient, friendly without being overly familiar, albeit the run-down of specials, etc., was somewhat robotic and we lost interest in them. The entire staff is very attentive, quick to respond and clearly knowledgable. The menu is varied, clear, and well laid out. Drinks were fantastic, great bartender. We had a Sidecar, a Manhattan, and Vodka/Cranberry. We had their house Maple Glazed Bacon, which was over the top. It's a chef's specialty, and for the bacon lovers at the table it was a treat. For me it was too much of a good thing (although everyone should try it once at least!) We ordered Charcuterie, (Prosciutto di Parma and Cheese Selection) which unfortunately came as 2 separate ($17 each) plates, rather than one. Both were good. Not sure they were that exceptional. Beet Salad also left me wanting. Not enough of anything to make it worth eating: flavor or quantity-wise. Bread basket selection was nice, but no plain butter, which would have been a nice option to the spread. The meals:(1) Filet Mignon-very good (1)18 oz Bone in New York Strip-good (2)12 oz New York Strip- very good (1) 16 oz New York Strip- very good Sides: Gnocchi: not recommended Macaroni & Cheese: OK Sauteed Garlic Spinach: barely OK Glazed Carrots: mine are better As our last dinner in Chicago, it was a nice dinner experience. The drinks, steaks, ambience, and service were good enough to off-set the surprisingly poor sides, salad, and appetizers. I would stick to the steak and drinks.
(4)Wen H.
Great atmosphere and the live music was the icing on the cake!! The oysters are excellent. Calamari with the hot peppers have just the right kick, and the sweetness from the cocktail sauce has the perfect start to our meal. Overall the food is 3-1/2 stars but the with ambience gives a 4. Definitely would return to this place.
(3)Lindsay Y.
Stopped in for a early dinner with a girlfriend and wasn't very impressed with the service, although the food was great, per usual. Our server was rude, slow and unfriendly. Not sure what her problem was, maybe she was just having a horrible day?! My friend Mistey was managing (to my surprise) and sent out the most delicious piece of banana creme pie ever! Perfect way to end our meal!
(4)Amelia Z.
My friend and I have made a tradition out of coming to Benny's for Restaurant Week for lunch since we work nearby. Sadly, It has lost its luster year over year. Service is still great and attentive but I remember years ago I was saying that Benny's had some of the best steak I've ever had and after having the medallions today, I wasn't wowed. I understand RW is only a sample of their menu, but usually it's a great way to earn customers and have them come back during non promo-weeks. I love Volare, but Benny's is starting to feel out of date.
(3)Ashley K.
Best steak house I have ever been to! The service was absolutely great and the food was amazing. Highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Steph U.
Overrated and expensive. I came here for a birthday and we were a pretty large group, so we ordered two bottles of wine and most of us ordered different steaks and one person ordered a pork chop (she doesn't eat steak). I got the clam chowder with had fresh clams, but it was definitely not something to rave about. It was also very small, but the presentation was nice I liked my boyfriend's beet salad, but I think Michael Jordan's has a better beet salad. I also got the filet mignon, which yes it was very tender, but also incredibly tiny and not that good. I mean it was a decent steak, but definitely not comparable to other steaks that I have had and it was extremely more costly than other places I have had. On top of this, since we came on a weeknight, business was fairly slow. We ended up finishing dinner around 11, and I'm not sure what time they close on Mondays, but we could tell they wanted us to go. They turned down the heat so it was freezing and our valet guy came in to see what was taking so long for us to come outside. It felt rude and like our service was not appreciated. Oh also, the breakdown of the meal was ridiculous with the wine costing about $30 PER GLASS (whattttt?!). Overall, I did not enjoy my time here much and would not come back. I think you're better off going to places like Tango Sur or Gibson's, as these are more worth your money and have better tasting food. I liked the music though.
(2)Ca C.
While you are saving up your coins to enjoy a fine dining experience at Primehouse, voted America's #2 steakhouse, give consideration to Benny's Chop House as well. My wife and I were in Chicago and happened to catch a segment on America's best steakhouses. We added Primehouse to our restaurant lineup, but due to reservation availability and dress code, we changed to Benny's at the last minute. I am so happy we did. I cannot slight Primehouse, as we did not dine there, but I can tell you that Benny's is more than worthwhile. Their service and food was impeccable. Let's start with service: We arrived about five minutes early for our 8:30 reservation. The friends were meeting had arrived about 8:15. Our table was not ready and we were seated for a brief wait in the bar area, where we were able to enjoy the live music. After about five minutes, I was becoming a little antsy (I mean, who makes a reservation at an elite restaurant and has to wait?). Management must have noticed, as someone approached our bar table, explained that the previous party departed late, and that our table would be ready shortly. Within a few minutes, the same gentleman approached, inquired if anyone in our party had allergies and asked if we liked alcohol. We when did arrive at our table, complimentary champagne and calamari awaited us to compensate for our delayed table. Nice touch! Food: Our friends both ordered scallops; my wife had the filet and I, the rib-eye with cajun seasoning. The scallops were nicely prepared. The Rib-eye was cooked to perfection. The best steak I've had ever. My wife is not particularly a steak eater but she really enjoyed her filet.
(5)Sergio C.
Had the filet with marrow topping that was phenomenal. The carrots and mash potatoes we very tasty. Nice and comfortable atmosphere.
(5)Laura C.
It's quite unfortunate I feel the need to give Benny's a two star view based solely on my experience with our server. Yup, that's how sour of a taste she left in my mouth. Look, girl, I get it, working in the bar section during twenty-five cent oyster Wednesday won't always score you the best tips. Either grin and bear it or get a job at one of the 29084284 other steakhouses in Chicago. We were greeted with a smile and the bar area had plenty of seating available. The live music (piano) that began during the end of our meal ("meal") was fantastic. The oysters themselves were delightful. But our server was so overwhelmingly unhappy, rude, slow, and inconsiderate I left almost speechless. The best part was receiving the $85 bill (for two people) after deliberately asking "which oysters are on the twenty-five cent special?" and receiving "all of them" as an answer before ordering. When we asked her why the bill was so much and the oysters were so expensive, she rolled her eyes, exhaled, put down her book at the bar, and told us we misunderstood. All of the oysters are on "special" (some as cheap as $4 a pop, what a deal), only one type were a quarter each. Uhhhhh, okay. No apology for the confusion. No 10% pity discount. Nothing. I've worked in hospitality and I understand how to manage client relationships. This is not how. I won't even begin to touch on the other aspects of the poor service we received. This was disappointing. Sadly I will not be returning. Ugh. Over it.
(2)Willson M.
We had a group of 10 go to Benny's Chophouse and they were absolutely fantastic with our group. The majority of us had either the bone-in ribeye (including myself) or the filet mignon. We also ordered the truffle fries, brussels sports with bacon, and Mac and cheese with lobster and bacon. The appetizers were delicious, especially the truffle fries! But seriously the bone-in ribeye...that bone-in ribeye! Absolutely delicious! Cooked medium rare (of course) and to juicy perfection! I can't say enough about the steak - it's dry aged and tender from marinating itself. It pairs extremely well with a nice red wine as well! And also the Run of the Mill - really delicious and warm (especially on a cold windy day). I don't know what else to say except that the service is great and the food is delicious. You owe it to yourself to give it a try if you're in Chicago!
(5)Andy G.
This place is phenomenal. It was one of theeee best meals I've ever had. Amy was the best. All of her recommendations were perfection. If you go here ask for her. The sommelier Jay was awesome too. Every wine he recommended was excellent. They were very attentive and respectful. This is my new favorite Chicago restaurant!
(5)Christopher M.
I went in here for lunch the other day. I had been told that the burgers were really good and had seen Benny's featured on "Check Please" so I wanted to give it a shot. The burger was delicious and quite large. I also paid a little extra to get the truffle fries which were amazing. I was so full that I didn't have any room for dessert which looked incredible. The table next to me wanted waffle fries but the waiter told them that they were no longer on the menu but he would see if they could still make them. They did the special order for them and those patrons were quite happy. The service is what, to me, really set Benny's apart. Everyone working was SUPER friendly. I believe that almost everyone working at some point stopped by my table to see how I was doing.
(5)Justin B.
While I was hoping for more at Benny's, you could tell that the Restaurant Week menu is not completely indicative of the talent level of the kitchen when it comes to a normal night...especially since Benny's isn't even offering a dinner version of their selections. Lunch was fine--I tried the cauliflower bisque, the sole with couscous, and the dessert sampler. The s'mores portion of the sampler was a standout, but overall the food was just average; nothing special, although kudos to the Benny's team for providing good food and not going overboard on the portion size. The sole on the bed of "confetti" couscous was tasty but the amount of fish on the dish was very, very small (I'm not even sure there were two ounces of cooked fish on the couscous). The bisque was light and the other two desserts on the sampler--a chocolate cupcake and a banana cream cup--were just okay. Thankfully, the server gave us a free slice of maple-glazed bacon...at least, I think it was maple glazed, but the point was that this "slice" was a freakin' monster of a slice of bacon, very hefty. It helped round out the portion sizes. Our hostess, manager, waiter and lead server were all great and were very loud and enunciated clearly when speaking to all of us...this seemed like a point of emphasis since all four people I interacted with were loud enough to be heard across a crowded dining hall. I appreciated this, but it was still a little strange. Maybe there are many older diners that hit this place? Not sure what to make of that one. Perfect for a business lunch and the normal menu prices didn't make my eyes bleed, so if you are on an expense account this is a great place to take a client and spend less than $50 for lunch for sure.
(3)Gary V.
We popped in for what turned out to be very expensive cocktails and onion rings on a Friday. The service was excellent, and the bar itself was very nice. The onion rings were quite tasty, but they were a little tepid upon delivery. That probably saved me from the classic bite into an onion ring and lavaesque grease scalds your mouth scenario. Next time we are in town we might give the dinner menu a try.
(4)Seth F.
Been meaning to try Benny's for a couple years, seems like the only steakhouse I haven't been in Chicago. Food was great. Dry-Aged ribeye was very well executed and a nice piece of meat. Huge wine list, friendly service.
(4)Jack W.
Disappointed. Pricey menu. Thought it was a high end steak house. My $61 ribeye was ok. Broccoli au gratin was under cooked. Key lime pie tasted like a store bought dessert. Service was polite and efficient but with a dash of attitude. Overall I felt we walked into a tourist trap.
(2)Jay K.
This was my second time to Benny's, 14 months apart, and it was outstanding both times. Benny's understands service and consistently executes a predictable, exceptional and authentic experience from the moment patrons walk inside the restaurant to the flawless table service to being thanked by name by the maitre d' when you exit the building. In the interest of brevity I won't review Benny's outstanding fare but suffice to say it's top shelf all the way. Put Benny's right up there with Chicago's finest and most notable steakhouses.
(5)Karma K.
So Chicago certainly has a plethora of steakhouses but Benny's stands out to me for a few reasons. Staff: They have the friendliest, non-pretentious staff for a pricey steakhouse. I was impressed. Sides: Unlike most steakouse that give you huge ass servings of starch and asparagus (always asparagus, why is that?), Benny's puts much creative thought into their sides. The result is fantastic tasting sides that I could make a meal out of. They are also presented beautifully. They welcome children: Hubs and I dined here with another couple sans kids but I thought is was cool that they have a kids menu. Some tables had some very well mannered and well dressed eating dinner with their parents. Warmed my heart to see that. Their main dishes are very, very good. I didn't have dessert but understand they are all made in house. Nice! Benny's has taken over 3 Forks has my fav steakhouse.
(5)Jordan S.
The ambiance here is true old school steak house, and I love them for it. Right off the magnificent mile, the location is easy to get to, and reservations were obtainable. We started our meal with a couple of gin martini's, some stone crab claws and some oysters. All of it was fantastic. For the entree, I went with a 22oz T-Bone with some broccoli and asparagus on the size. The steak was seasoned and cooked properly, the service was fantastic, the meal was just excellent. We finished the meal with some chocolate pudding cake and some of their grappa (I now know I don't like Grappa...but I can't tell you if this was good/bad grappa). Overall, I could not have asked for a better meal in a better place.
(5)Chuck M.
It just isn't routine for me to dine at a 5-star restaurant...as a business owner, I don't need to stay within a budget or even a per-diem allowance, but I am not frugal either...my tastes and comforts are simple. Yesterday evening, recommended by a friend, it was decided that the time was at hand to experience dinner at this Chicago landmark...wow... Arriving around 6:45, the restaurant was packed...glad to have a reservation. Seated in a nice area, immediately served...a few different appetizer items were selected...a Bluefin Tuna Tartare, calamari, onion straws, and marinated pork belly...holy smokes, the flavors were remarkable. The menu is diverse, with entrée from steaks, chops, seafood...to quite a number of sides, and items in between. After relaxing with a nice cocktail, I ordered the Ribeye, with a couple sides...sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, and buttered corn. Each dish arrived promptly, was cooked properly..and dang, that ribeye was awesome. Service was fantastic...my meal was remarkable...the bill, don't ask...LOL. Let's just say that you will spend more here than at many other establishments. But then again, you don't come here every week. The price was quite acceptable. So next time you treat that special person, or even yourself...consider Benny's Chop House...this is most certainly a five star establishment worthy of consideration...!!!
(5)Scott G.
Impeccable service and outstanding food. We started with 1/2 dozen of fresh shucked oysters from the east coast. Beautifully sweet and gorgeous brine. We actually skipped the salad anticipating the meat. The selection is wonderful. The ability to choose from either dry-aged, wet-aged or grass-fed natural prime beef will satisfy any taste. We decided to "go for broke" literally. I ordered the 48 oz bone-in "tomahawk" wagu beef served medium-rare. Although pricey ($155) it was worth every penny. This steak would feed 3-4 people which it easily fed 3 of us. It was perfectly marbled and was buttery delicious. Sides of Mac-and-cheese, creamed spinach and gigantic baked potato were a nice traditional complement to the beef. Ah, the beef the beef the beef. The one gigantic steak and a scallop dinner fed 4 people in my party. Don't forget the banana cream pie. Feeds 4 people. With drinks and tip the $400 price tag was a lot, but would do this again in a cholesterol filled heartbeat. Best beef I've had in my life.
(5)Bill J.
I had the grilled caesar salad, 8 oz. filet and split the lobster mac and cheese. Dinner also came with a bread basket and what seemed to be roasted garlic. All were on par with what you would expect at a high end steak house. Service was very professional and the location is just steps away from Michigan Ave. Definitely worth putting on your list of steak places to try in Chicago.
(4)Courtney B.
Excellent!! Highs recommend!! For guests with birthdays, they personalize the menu and kindly say Happy Birthday. Food amazing! Relatively large portions. Sommelier very helpful. Hostess and server fantastic! Live music in the lounge very fun atmosphere.
(5)Berto F.
So being from Austin I researched this place before leaving. I wasn't disappointed with what I found. First from 3 - 7pm on Wednesday they do $.25 oysters from Delaware. They have other oysters as well. Then I had what apparently is not on the dinner menu I looked at which was a lobster grilled cheese with truffle fries for $18.99 that Brian the bartender suggested. (By the way if you meet Brian tell him the guy from Austin sent ya.) When he found out I was from Austin he said well then you have to try our maple glazed thick cut bacon. So I did and holy crap was it a game changer. He said come back for bacon Thursdays where they do a bar and food menu inspired by bacon but unfortunately I won't be here.
(5)John G.
Benny's Chop House hmmm word spreads all around about this place being the best of the best and I'll have to admit the filet was exceptional, dare i say the finest I've partaken in? It really seems that way. Seating arrangement is nicely placed. Booth seating perfect fit the mood for me and my lady to enjoy a lovely meal, converse, and be affectionate. Service was professional where I had to compliment the staff personally. Expect to see me again.
(5)Emily W.
Part of me hopes nobody reads this so they don't find out about Benny's awesome happy hour. We come here on Wednesdays for 25 cent oysters. Eating cheap oysters in the middle of the country doesn't seem like the best idea on paper. Trust me, we thought so too. The oysters at Benny's are always fresh, and they typically have 5-6 varieties (ranging from $3 to 21 per dozen) so you can expand your oyster knowledge. The wine / beer pairing they recommend goes really well with the oysters, but the cocktails are quite good as well. The atmosphere is nice (sometimes there is live piano music) and the service has always been friendly, if a little slow at times. I would come every week if I could. But you don't have to take my word for it. Seriously, just stay home.
(5)I. C.
Worse than McDonald's and terribly over-priced. This is one of those moments when you realize why wealthy people commit suicide. They have to eat in places like these to keep up social face, but the food is so awful, it might be turned away by the homeless. The lobster mac and cheese tasted like water and noodles. We tried 3 different steaks. None less than $37.00 ea. They were all very bland and extremely small. The restaurant was practically empty. The room we were seated in was freezing, but they refused to seat us in a warmer area because it was late at night and they were "phasing out waitors" whatever that means. I guess it was too difficult for a waiter to walk to a different part of the restaurant? 《Sarcasm》 So here we are in this expensive "class A" restaurant and the waitress sets up a space heater next to us. Which was not working or heating anything. So everyone was so cold, we literally had to eat in our coats. I saw another review on being rushed out of here and we had the same experience. Over zealous inquiries by two different waiters on if we have everything we need. The final bill was over 400 and i felt like i was just the victim of some elaborate con. My aunt ordered vegetarian pasta. Even that was over 27 dollars and looked like some hamburger helper dish I could have made at home. I truly don't get this place. People who rate it high are probably just trying to look high society. But trust me when I tell you. Don't buy the hype. One of the worst steak houses in Chicago. If you want real delicious steak, with bountiful portions. Do not come here.... ..... unless eating tiny unseasoned beef portions in Tundra conditions is the new upper elite rave thing to do, darling. Yelp should add one more dollar sign to give an accurate depiction of pricing. It's far more expensive than Ruth's Chris or Gibson's. If it were not my sister's birthday, we would have walked out when they refused to seat use in a warmer area. I need a support group after this experience.
(1)Frank J.
The food at Benny's was very good but the service was phenomenal. I cannot say enough about them. Highly recommend.
(4)John B.
I went here with a some friends as we had a friend in from Singapore that is only back home once a year. It was a great intimate dinner. The server recognized my friends dad and sent out a gratis order of bacon to start. We order oysters on the shell and oyster Rockefeller to start followed by a 7 oz filet with lobster mac n cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onion rings. The dessert we ordered was the banana creme pie and smores cheesecake. I had never heard of this restaurant but was knocked out at the quality and service. It really stands out for me in a city that is known for steak joints.
(5)Mark L.
To be honest, this had to be one of the worst meals that I have ever been served in a steak house of this caliber. To start things off, we ordered a 3 inch bone in 45 day dry aged prime rib eye. First off, it was far from being dry aged, and didn't even come close to being prime either. I spoke to Natalie the GM the day after and she said that sometimes the meat doesn't come out quite right. Poor answer by the way. Well in knowing this, shouldn't the chef have tested the meat before it was served? Could the steak have possibly been wet aged vs. dry aged? Just looking at the meat raw, someone should have caught the fact that the meat wasn't of the stated quality. When serving a $159 piece of steak, I think any decent steak house would have the proper controls in place to assure that this does not happen. Lastly, we ordered the steak cooked medium, and it came to the table (overly) rare, almost "black and blue". Secondly, my guest ordered a piece of fish. He mentioned that it was slimy. That means that it was under cooked. Next we ordered onion rings, and they were white, undercooked, soggy, and cold. Same for the french fries they were soggy, undercooked, and not at all freshly fried. 4 meals, served terribly undercooked, and did not at all represent what was presented on the menu. Lastly, I ordered the same thing at David Burke's Prime House the following evening. And the difference in the steak, fries and onion rings were like night and day. I bet Longhorn Steak House would give Benny's Chop a run for their money, and at 1/4 of the cost. Sorry Benny's but you failed so hard that I will never return and only share my horrible experience with family, friends and co-workers. You don't even deserve one star here on Yelp, but I am feeling generous today. Quality Control Disaster as it best!
(1)Stormie Y.
This food was horrible! The setting was terrible. Seemed like a place older men go for business trips to sit there and do nothing. The service could have been a lot better as well. I also felt the server we had was rude and racist. Long story short I will never go here again.
(1)Manu A.
This is second time I come here, and I have to say they have the best bacon. So bacon lovers this is a must, they even have a bacon menu. In addition, the meat is outstanding, and even better than RPM and Chicago Chop House (my humble opinion). The banana cream pie is great! Finally, there is live piano and the bar has a window with view to the City.
(5)Matt H.
When you ask people in Chicago what their favorite steakhouse is, you'll usually get a mix of Gibson's, Morton's, David Burke's, Mastro's, etc. For whatever reason, Benny's just isn't as popular, and it usually isn't in the mix... which is odd because it is every bit as good (if not better) than the others! The dining room's atmosphere is everything a great steakhouse should be, and the service is among the best in the steakhouse category. Most impressive though was our waitress' 10 minute dissertation she gave us on the difference between dry and wet aged steaks when a friend asked her to explain it for him. The staff really knows their stuff! My wife also contends that the steak she had at Benny's was her favorite steak ever.
(5)David B.
Having been on quite the tour of Chicago steakhouses lately, I didn't think Benny's could meet my expectations. I was wrong. Very wrong. Elegant, dark-ish, classy decor, with impeccable service from start to finish. We began with a great bottle of wine off their extensive list. Then, two appetizers for the group of four: the house-smoked maple glazed bacon and one of their specials, the salmon tartare. The bacon was: 1) incredible; 2) a much bigger portion than we ever imagined; 3) could have been a meal by itself. The salmon tartare was excellent as well - served with a lemon oil vinaigrette, resting on a bed of creme fraiche (I think) and avocado, and top with five different types of caviar. On to the entrees. I'd been thinking filet until I saw them bring another table the red-wine braised short ribs. Our waitress discouraged the change and told me to stick with the filet. I did - and was very happy. The natural 10 oz. was amazing - tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked at medium rare. Three of the four of us got filets and everyone was quite satisfied. Sides: broccolini with cannellini beans (special - good), blue cheese croquettes (a favorite of one of the people with me; they were fine but nothing special); truffle fries with parmesan (not bad...but nothing to write home about); and crisped kale (very good!) Then, we decide to split two desserts: the carrot cake and the s'mores cheesecake. The carrot cake was extremely decadent - moist, flavorful, and an enormous slice and with an incredible cream cheese frosting/filling and topped with walnuts. The other one was a "deconstructed" s'more. Milk chocolate cheesecake, topped with a homemade marshmallow and then covered in "graham cracker mud" - melted milk chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. Very good - although I enjoyed the carrot cake more. Best part of dessert? Taking some of the carrot cake's cream cheese frosting and eating it with a bite of the milk chocolate cheesecake. Yum!
(5)Diane W.
This was our third great dinner out here in "food heaven" Chicago. This restaurant is beautiful in both decor and food presentation. The hostesses and food runners are impeccably dressed ,our waitress was friendly and very knowledgable on all the various cuts of beef and presentations. Our waitress was just the right mix of attentive and not annoying. Our party had the maple bacon appetizer-WOW!!!! Delicious and worth every bite! Filet mignon-very good/however not the best I've ever had. Rib-eye: my date had this. Very tasty and a nice large portion Brussels sprouts- nicely prepared and tasty Spinach-Meh... Would not order it again
(4)Thomas C.
For years Gibson has been my favorite Chicago steakhouse .... uh oh .... what's up Bennys? They have a fantastic restaurant week menu, and the burger is phenomenal. Tonight for our anniversary we dined for dinner. We're on cloud nine. They personalized a menu for us ... they have a great selection of small champagne house champagne. The service right down to the greeting was special .... The space well appointed. But at the end of the day the issue is and only is .... how is the strak. How is the steak? Uh oh .... Gibson 's you're in trouble. Dry aged rib eye was too good for words. I am not going to swear off my old favorite ... but Bennys is better by a nose. We were celebrating our anniversary and on top of everything else, we now have personalized menu's which we ordered off of for our meal ... very, very nice touch, that will see us coming back for more.
(5)Suzanne N.
We came here for a birthday party, which I set up with an event person in advance. We arrived promptly and it took an additional 30 min before we got seated. So we ordered drinks from the bar...well they were out of both the wine we saw listed and my husbands favorite beer. Not starting off too well and the bartender was nice, but not particularly helpful. Finally a sommelier(? not sure) person came over and helped us out. She remembered my requests and contract, and actually had one of the servers go out and get the beer we requested (which was on their menu online and the one posted at the bar). Once we were seated the food thankfully made up for initial encounter. The food was all excellent, and the wine they offered instead of the one we wanted was really good. The birthday cake they made was awesome too. They printed a personalized menu for the birthday boy and even put candles on the cake. I think I would come back, but maybe with only a small group.
(3)Danny W.
Pretty sure Benny himself is going to beat the living shuck out of me once I post this on social media, but their Wednesday night special is too re-donk-u-lous to not share with everyone. From 4-7pm their oysters are as low as a quarter each and if you believe the urban legends that basically adds up to the equivalent of a couple Viagras for about 6 bucks. We're not talking doughnuts here either so don't worry about them being day olds. It's the same quality you'd get on a normal night only at about one twelfth of the price. The servers are super cute too asl if you needed additional inspiration. Hit them up for one of the happiest hump days you'll ever have!
(5)Michael M.
I'm a big believer that dining in a restaurant is as much about the experience as it is the food. Benny's provides good food and absolutely the best service. Our server was Nick. He was attentive, charismatic, extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu, wine list, and drink options. In short, he provided the best service of any wait staff of any restaurant I've ever dined at. For the food, I ordered the 20 oz dry aged bone in ribeye. I can say that is one impressive steak. Cooked perfectly and one of the best steaks I've ever had. My wife had the chicken which she enjoyed (she isn't a steak person, she goes for my birthday once a year ;) For sides we had the mashed potatoes and the white asparagus. The asparagus was nice. The potatoes were also nice. There just wasn't anything special about either of these side items. I expected a bit more flavor (especially from the potatoes). We finished with creme brûlée which was provided on the house to celebrate my birthday. I would have liked this a bit warmer (the custard was still a bit cool). Overall this was just a wonderful dining experience. Tip: Benny's offers half pours on glasses of wine which is nice if you aren't going to buy a bottle or want a different wine for a different course.
(5)Lloyd M.
Went back to Benny's on Tuesday after a visit last year. Have been testing all of the top 32 Chicago steak houses and Benny's was unintentionally the first one I had visited, so wanted to go back now that I had a chance to experience many of the others. I had remembered it as quite good but the memory was not as powerful as some of the other great steak houses. Turns out that Benny's is clearly top-5 and can compete for #1. Was with some friends and had an incredible appetizer, their maple cured bacon. I have had the bacon appetizer at some other steak houses, can't really miss on it, but this was probably the best. The bacon, better described as pork belly, was fantastic. We were four people and could not finish it, and believe me all of us have big appetites. We also had a salmon tartare appetizer with 5 types of caviar that was great. My entree was the natural prime bone-in NY strip. I normally go ribeye but a review in Chicago mag prompted me to go crazy and try this. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was fantastic. Cooked exactly as i requested, very flavorful but also perfectly tender, almost ribeye-esque. It comes with a sauce, which was okay but don't know why you ever would use a steak sauce with a great steak. The sides were awesome, or 2/3 were. My strongest memory of the my first trip to Benny's was the blue cheese potato croquettes and they did not disappoint. If you like blue cheese, these are awesome. I also loved the crisp kale. No idea what to expect and tried it just to find out. May have been my favorite part of the meal. It had a nice citrus flavor and was almost like potato chips. The one disappointment was the truffle fries. The fries were not particularly crispy (which is normally how I like them) and even the truffle flavor was not that powerful. We had two desserts and I don't consider myself that qualified to comment on them, as I am not a big dessert guy. Everyone loved the huge piece of carrot cake, and the icing was fantastic. Also, an interesting decomposed smore as a cheesecake entree. Overall, a fantastic meal and solid contender for best steak house in Chicago.
(5)Lucia C.
We definitely had a good time and enjoyed our dinning experience here. Awesome steaks, fresh oysters, tasty desserts, and warm service. Highly recommended!
(5)Michael C.
Came in for lunch and sat at the bar area for a quick lunch. The bartender serving us was friendly and was as attentive as we needed her to be. Truffle Burger - I found the burger to be pretty bland with not even a hint of truffle on the burger or the truffle spread that was provided. While the burger was cooked perfectly, it was also messy because it was too big to reasonably eat. This is also probably partly due to the egg on it as well. Luckily I ordered the supplement of truffle fries, those were amazing. At times I thought if I wanted to add the truffle flavor by throwing a few of those fries inside my burger. Get the fries, skip the burger.
(2)Michael H.
House-cured maple glazed bacon. Wow! It's a meal in itself. I tired the Colorado Lamb Chops which were tender and seasoned perfectly. Not a huge portion for the big eaters out there. She had the Faroe Island salmon which was just ok. Try the brussels sprouts. I really liked the atmosphere as well. Took awhile for the staff to assign a permanent server to our table, but once it was figured out it was smooth sailing from there.
(4)Cindy H.
This was the ultimate fine dining experience. Took my boyfriend here for his 28th birthday and I am glad I did. We had reservations at 8PM on a Saturday and were seated promptly. The restaurant was moderately busy and immediately I noticed that everyone seemed to be all smiles, dressed to the nines and just overall having a great time. This was one of the best parts of the dining experience- everyone was actually talking to one another rather than hovering over their cell phones boasting the great time they're having on social media instead of actually having that good time. Benny's sets us up for this. A dining experience so fine from service to wine that you can't help but take in every moment. My boyfriend was well attended to by Deborah who reviewed the wine menu with him, made suggestions for oysters (which were so simple, the way they should be, but delicious). The lobster risotto I had was creamy and rustic. My boyfriend's filet mignon was cooked medium rare instead of medium but it was so tender and juicy, we didn't mind. For dessert we had more oysters! Wow that says a lot.. I am loyal to a fault for chocolate.. not this time. The meal was - oysters rockefeller, 2 dozen cold oysters, lobster risotto, filet mignon, truffle fries (like regular fries but in a cool basket), 5 glasses of wine all together, two shots of 43 liquer with whipped cream and espresso =ing $327 w/ tip. HAPPY FRICKEN BIRTHDAY!
(5)Adam B.
Benny's is a must visit when in Chicago - but only if you're on an expense account!!! I had the bone in filet. It was cooked perfectly. Probably the best steak I've ever had. The maple bacon app is absolutely brilliant. As is the seafood appetizer bowl. I hope to visit again soon. If you go then you need to make sure you're prepared - they don't mess around. Huge portions, top quality, great service.
(5)Leslie B.
Went here for a dinner with our agency. Every single thing we ate was phenomenal. Service is excellent. I had a sea bass that was described by our waiter as "angelic" and it indeed was. Highly recommended for a special night out.
(5)Paul M.
Tomahawk bone-in ribeye steak aged 45 days was ridiculously good. Came here with a bunch of friends on a short trip to Chicago and was not disappointed. We changed our reservations last minute, they accommodated us. We lingered at our table past closing, they have no prob with it. When I asked for a drink recommendation at the bar, the guy made an incredible Meyer lemon infused drink with top shelf rye. Overall very pleased. If I had to nitpick I'd say the kale chips side was kinda like eating salt flavored paper. Get the bacon Mac n cheese.
(5)Chris W.
This place is a solid 5 start steak house. Absolutely incredible. From start to finish their customer service was extremely good. Their wine menu is very large but their servers are very knowledgeable. Their menu choices are incredible. I highly recommend their bone in rib-eye. Make sure to share the sides, they are all huge! Will be back for sure next time I am in Chicago!
(5)Stephanie M.
Simply incredible steaks! The waiting staff is super knowledgeable about the meat as well as the wine. I recommend getting the marrow butter on top of the steak - it's the perfect enhancement without over-powering the steak itself. The cocktails are exquisite and the wine selection goes perfect with any cut of meat you should choose. The only thing I could say that was a bit disappointing was their lobster bisque. It was a bit on the bland side. One of the best parts about this place is that it is not stuffy in the least. There's a range of people in their business suits, some in polos and khakis and some people dressed to the nines. It's a lovely place that I no doubt will visit again and again.
(5)Shannon R.
oh my goodness.. I had one of the best meals of my life here. The food is absolutely exquisite. I ordered the filet mignon.... and what made it so insanely good was the addition of bone marrow butter on top of the steak!!!!!! Great atmosphere and very knowledgable wait staff. Very impressive restaurant and a MUST GO if you are in Chicago.
(5)Ryan G.
Took my wife here for her 30th birthday. Drinks were good, and the appetizers were good.. (Had crab legs and crab cakes) Then the meal. I ordered a steak and my wife had a white fish. They bring the fish out to debone it in front of you. (Ohh Fancy) Of course when they did this, they realized the fish smelled of something fierce. They immediately took it back and decided that they couldn't serve it and started a new fish. Im glad they caught that and didn't serve it.. but here I am with a steak and my wife is staring at me. I cut into my steak to find a thick strip of purple (Very Rare) and I ordered medium rare. So I send this back. (BTW, this is the first steak Ive ever sent back) Comes back 5 minutes later to my liking. The steak is one of the lowest quality pieces of meat Ive had in a long time. Very tough and not very flavorful - and still no fish. Done with my steak and the fish comes out. My wife loved it but ruined our whole experience. This place is quite pricey for just average food.. Would not recommend.
(2)June A.
I was there Feb '15 The food was FANTASTIC and the service was very accommodating. We will be returning every time we go to ChiTown...love love love this spot
(4)Krystina R.
I took my bf out to Benny's for his birthday and it was AMAZING! We shared lobster bisque, which was to die for! It was so creamy and had just the right amount of lobster. I enjoyed a hefty juicy piece of ribeye and my bf tried the skirt steak. WOW! I expected my ribeye to be great, but his skirt steak was phenomenal! I am Mexican so I have had my fair share of arrachera (skirt steak) but this was beyong great! For dessert, we tried the ginormous chocolate cake. Again, SO GOOD. I cannot wait to go back. Can't say enough great things :)
(5)Jon E.
I live next door to Benny's, so I was pretty excited when I had my first opportunity to try it. I went for lunch and took advantage of the Restaurant Week menu. I promise I am not exaggerating when I say the steak just wasn't good. They served me super salty beef tournedos. It was overbearingly salty. I don't normally complain, so I thought I would at least mention it to the waiter. He listened, apologized, and took my plate away. Then he brought back a fully unseasoned version of the dish. This was kind of insulting because it was saying that my taste was off, which wasn't the case. I just didn't want the steak that they had accidentally dropped a handful of salt on. At this point, I just didn't want the steak to go to waste, so I told the guy I would just use the table salt as needed. The beef was cooked OK. It certainly looked about right, but it somehow wasn't tender. Perhaps this is because the cut is from the end of the tenderloin... not sure. It just wasn't good. The service was decent, and the waiter said he hoped I would be back. I just can't see myself returning, though, because I don't trust that they know how to cook a steak. After 2 failures, I don't see reason to give it another shot, especially since there are so many other options in this city.
(2)Laura P.
Came here for a romantic early Christmas dinner and it was great! We made reservations about a week ahead of time but could only get in really early or really late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was the holidays but I would recommended booking as you can. We are night owls anyway so it wasn't an issue. My boyfriend and I both love food so needless to say we ate a lot, We each got our own appetizer. I had the tuna tataki (It was really good) and he got a Caesar salad. For dinner he got a New York strip steak. We eat a lot of steak and he said it was one of the best he has ever had. I decided to keep to my seafood streak and got the scallops which I highly recommend! I wish we could have had dessert but we were too full. Service was great, he didn't hover over us but checked in from time to time to be sure we enjoyed everything.
(5)Veronica H.
We went there for my 14th yr Anniversary with a party of 18. They were nothing short of AMAZING!!!! They had personalized menus with my name and my husbands name and Happy Anniversary. The service was not lacking at all, which usually is when you have a large party like we had. They sat us promptly as well as were attentive to all our needs. The food ... OMG the food. Again .... the bacon .. you will read this in just about all the reviews... trust me GET THE BACON. We ended up ordering 3 plates and calamari. The risotto is to die for as well as the lobster bisque. I had the bone in rib eye Oscar style...... hands down .. the best. Literally the best. Service ... they did not miss a beat. They have my business from now on. We plan on taking my father in law there for his retirement dinner next month and we know we will not be disappointed. The restaurant was packed, but they made us feel like we were the only ones there :-)
(5)Will S.
Both the food and the service are absolutely fantastic at Bennys. My family is in town on a little vacation, and we wanted a great Chicago steakhouse. Bennys takes reservations, which is a huge plus. The interior is classy, and the service is beyond helpful. I can't recommend the dry-aged rib-eye enough. Make sure you save room for dessert, as they really are spectacular.
(5)Brian S.
Maybe it's unfair, but I judge my steakhouses against Keen's in NYC. By this standard, Benny's was one step above a tourist trap. I will say that they cooked everything perfectly. The problem was that everything was missing something. The biggest miss was the dry aged steak, which I'm convinced was not dry aged but something off of the regular menu. These are dry aged twice as long as what Whole Foods does, but when I grill the Whole Food steak, it has a much more concentrated beef flavor. The calamari with calabrese peppers needed either more peppers or maybe an infused pepper oil, as what you get is not enough to get spice in every bite. The seasonal mushrooms needed some herbs to give it a deeper depth of flavor, and the hash browns were underseasoned. Even my cocktail, their take on a sazerac, was bland. They couldn't even get flavor out of the spiced rim! Finally, I found the wine service somewhat shady. The 30+ page wine list has less than 10 wines by the glass. Granted most people are ordering bottles (as we did), but you'd think that with that many wines, they could offer a little more variety. But the shady part is the service. One of the sommeliers (I did not see ours do this) would open the wine at a stand away from the tables. She would pour herself a sample, try it, then bring the bottle to the table. I have never heard of a sommelier sampling a customer's wine without the customer's permission. I asked a manager if this was their standard practice, and she said not only was it standard, it was encouraged. If that's the case, why aren't customers made aware of this? They still bring the bottle to your table and have you try it, as if they don't already know if it's corked or not. What if you thought it was corked, will they argue with you? Anyway, the sommelier was pouring herself samples large enough that she had a taste before serving the bottle, and then another after the bottle was served. It's not like she was giving herself a full pour, but I still think this is wrong on a lot of levels. As an aside, I think she noticed us watching her sampling the bottles she was serving, because when we left and I spoke to a manager at the front of the restaurant (not anywhere close to customers she could be serving), she magically appeared and lingered next to our conversation while she pretended fold a napkin or some such thing. Which is kind of funny when you think about it, because as the manager told us, they encourage the sommeliers to do this. I just think customers should be made aware that this is the way they serve wine. We were really excited to have a great Chicago steakhouse experience, and we were severely disappointed. There are plenty of other options out there that you don't need to go to Benny's.
(2)Jay W.
Excellent dining experience. The cocktails were made to perfection, followed by amazing food. The service was spot on as well. You will definitely see us again.
(5)Eric B.
Excellent food. We had the salmon and the ribeye on the bone medium rare. A bottle of D2 cab and oysters on the half shell. Couldn't have asked for a better meal for Valentine's Day. Our server Kelly was amazing and so was the guy who recommended our wine (never got his name). If you're looking for a great steakhouse, I recommend Benny's.
(5)Lily G.
This place deserves 5 stars for sure! The steak wasn't as amazing as I have had at other places (Grille 23) however the side orders, staff, and ambiance bring it all in for a home run! I had the Filet which was pretty standard compared to other steak houses. My boyfriend had the Dry Aged Bone in Rib Eye, which he says was the best steak he has ever had. For sides, we got the specialty bacon, which succulent! I literally have dreams about this bacon. It's not always there, but when it is it's a must for sure! Our drinks were fantastic and our waiter made the experience feel unique and he made us feel as though we were the only ones there. Overall an exceptional dining experience!
(5)kurt s.
Paul is a master. Red carpet, velvet glove treatment from the get-go. Anticipated needs and intuited recommendations beyond the scope of my typical dining horizon. His confidence is well-placed; the fare was of the highest quality, justifying his enthusiasm and the tab. My best surf-n-turf experience in this town thus far. The heavyweight champs of presentation and execution. This place scratched the itch I've had for six years. Bravo!
(5)Garry W.
Good service, lousy food Heirloom tomato salad was nothing more than supermarket tomatoes, a thick (overpowering) slice of onion, some blue cheese crumbles and balsamic. I've had better from Applebee's... Dry aged New York was mediocre at best, nothing special and certainly not a $50 steak. Lamb was fatty, small and overpriced as well. Wine list is way overpriced for California wines. I would not eat here again for 1/4 the price, don't understand the attraction. So many great places in Chicago, why bother with this place.
(1)Candice C.
Visited Benny's on Tuesday before heading to a hawks game. Food was yummy and very satisfying. But the real reason I am posting is because of our waitress. I can't remember her name and I'm sure that's my own fault but she was so helpful and attentive. All of her suggestions (especially bacon appetizer) were great. Very rarely do you see people take the time to make sure you enjoy your experience and do it with a smile these days. Im in the industry as well and want to give credit where credit is due. If all your servers are like her Id come back based on the service alone. Two thumbs up from us!
(4)Wendy W.
This was the restaurant our concierge recommended and was it a great recommendation. We waltz into this fancy restaurant looking like bums (aka tourists) with shorts and sandals but they treated us with dignity and class. The menu is quite expansive offering a little something for everyone. Benny's offers both wet-aged and dry aged USDA steaks. The steak was cooked beautifully and perfectly seasoned. Any restaurant that doesn't act pretentious and stuffy is aces in my book.
(4)Mandy M.
As a vegetarian I can say going to a steakhouse is not my first option. I agreed to dinner with a friend of mine here. From the moment we walked in I felt good here, the hosts were nice & seated us at a booth promptly. Our server was very attentive & the busboys too were all great. I got the roasted cauliflower which was very good 5 out 5 stars my friend got East/West coast oysters which she gave 4 out 5 stars The cheese platter was okay the Brie cheese & toasted bread were the best on it My friend got the all natural Filet Mignon she loved it 5 out 5 stars t She also got crab legs which she thought were dry & hard 2/5 I ordered a sides of seasonal mushrooms sooo delicious 5/5 Brussels sprouts they were okay 3/5 Creamed spinach 4/5 Our desserts were awesome, we are fat kids at heart & ordered 3 desserts to share lol!! My friend loves Hugo's frog bar especially their Crème Brûlée she said it's not fair she can never eat Hugo's Crème Brûlée again, Benny's topped Hugo's for sure.5/5 I got the S'mores Cheese Cake which was great 5/5 We also got the banana cream pie which was amazing, amazing, & amazing. 5/5 it was huge portion definitely for 2 or 3 people. we would definitely go back but especially for the price for 2 people I think everything we ate should be 5 stars worth.
(4)Yen L.
We decided to splurge for my husband's 30th birthday and took a stab at Benny's. We had a great experience. We were seated promptly, and the hostess even brought a birthday card for my husband. Nice touch. What I like about Benny's is that, while it is obviously a more spendy place, it isn't pretentious and so quiet that all you hear is the clink of silverware. Diners were comfortable and all clearly enjoying themselves. There was a very fun and comfortable atmosphere. I prefer that over something quiet and pristine. The food was all excellent, and service was pretty spot-on. We did have a little wait when we were done with our food and waiting for the bill, but it was so busy by that point, we were sure it was due to that. The only thing...and this is just personal preference, not a reflection on the restaurant itself...was that about halfway through our time, a large party was brought in and seated near us, and from that point I felt a bit like I was in a sports bar during a Bears vs. Packers game. It got a lot harder for us to converse, and my ears hurt from the volume. It was a little harder to enjoy my meal from that point, but still, I would recommend Benny's for a special occasion. I really enjoyed our time there.
(4)Paul S.
Stopped here for dinner Saturday evening, fantastic place, nice old fashion steak house decor, they had a piano player in the bar area which was nice atmosphere. Our waiter Tom was very attentive and great. He bought out the flash fried kale complimentary with our meal and this is not something I would have ordered but this was amazing flavor highly recommend trying. The one only complaint I have was we was not in the main dinning room which next time we will make sure to request. This is a solid 5 star restaurant and can't wait to go back.
(5)Amy D.
Went here for our first wedding anniversary and everything was amazing!! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and her suggestions were delicious.
(5)Cory L.
Visited Benny's with four friends from Boston. Awesome atmosphere, dark wood and dim lighting. Has an "old Chicago" feel. We started with cocktails; I'd recommend the Lakeshore Lemonade, absolutely delicious. We ordered the thick cut maple glazed bacon as an appetizer. It was amazing. For my steak I ordered the 22oz, bone-in, 30 day dry aged ribeye. Absolutely fantastic. Not my first aged steak, but definitely the best. Super juicy, cooked perfectly. I wish I had gotten the bone marrow butter on top though. The sides are shared. We ordered the macaroni and cheese, truffle fries, mashed potatoes and asparagus. The macaroni and cheese was excellent. Truffle fries (french fries fried in truffle oil) were interesting and tasty. Mashed potatoes were pretty basic, and no one was impressed by the asparagus. For desert we all got a scoop of ice cream made in house, served with some fruit. Nice end to the meal. After seeing the banana cream pie though, I wish I had gotten a smaller steak. The service was outstanding. Very well dressed, prompt and polite staff. Kelly was our server. She was funny, charismatic and very knowledgeable. As five guys in our mid twenties; we came to Chicago to visit friends, explore the city, and get drunk, to be completely honest. However, after the amazing food and absolutely outstanding service; we all agreed our meal with friends at Benny's was the highlight of our trip.
(5)Mike O.
You wouldn't necessarily think that Benny's could be classified as a good value. After all, you can drop over a Benjamin on a dry-aged porterhouse. Yet at lunchtime, you can get a Top-10-in-Chicago grade burger for $10 (including fries). It's crazy. I'm not talking a glorified slider. This is a 3/4 lb. patty with some excellent toppings. I got the Benny's burger, which features onions sauteed in port wine paired with Blue Cheese, and served with truffle fries on the side. All of the toppings work conspiratorially to disintegrate the bun after a few minutes, so I suggest eating determinedly, with few set-down breaks. My burger, cooked medium to order, was exceptionally juicy and flavorful. Service was accommodating and friendly. My jeans and casual sweater raised nary an eyebrow from the staff. I sat in the well-lighted bar area. Plasma TVs with no sound (ESPN) were visible from most of the tables. I still can't believe the burgers are priced so competitively for lunch. By comparison, a Five Guys cheeseburger and regular fries will run you about $9.30. For an extra $0.70, you can get a much larger burger that is infinitely more refined and tasty (and I like Five Guys). If I worked down the street from Benny's, I'm pretty sure my waistline would suffer. Highly recommended.
(5)Michael D.
Place is very good but not mind blowing. The only reason for the 4 stars was my expensive dry aged rib eye was very good but not great, my friends bone in dry aged NY strip was slightly better. The waitress seemed a bit disturbed that we elected not to order dessert. She kinda gave us a little attitude... That dessert menu was amazing but we were stuffed and all of us weren't big dessert eaters... The sides were amazing! We got Brussels sprouts, spinach and mushrooms (since we all got steak). The bar was fantastic, great cocktails and great wine list. I would go here people! Try out a different place...
(4)Kim K.
Whenever my husband and I want to celebrate a special occasion, steak is the first thing that comes to mind. And when we want steak, Benny's is our first choice. We have been here so many times and have never once been disappointed. Our most recent visit was no exception. Before I talk about the food, I want to mention the service. Wow! These people really know what they are doing and the service alone completes the whole fancy steakhouse experience....now, on to the food... We both started out with the iceberg wedge salad. It is topped with a generous portion of blue cheese and bacon...two foods that are my lifeblood. I definitely recommend this classic. For our entree we both got the dry aged, bone in rib eye. Talk about PERFECTION! Seasoned perfectly, cooked perfectly, so juicy and so much flavor. The most perfect choice for any steak lover. The sides are all shareable, and we got the macaroni and cheese with bacon and the blue cheese croquette. Both very rich and decadent choices. We have been here so many times that we have tried just about all of the sides at one time or another, and they are all amazing. On to the desserts....oh, the desserts...Their dessert chef started out at Charlie Trotter's. Everything is amazing. The carrot cake and the chocolate layer are gigantic, rich and a great value for the money. I have also had the s'mores cheesecake in the past. My only regret in life, is that this visit I didn't save room for dessert. But don't worry, my husband and I like to pop in from time to time, sit at the bar and order a dessert when we feel like having a decadent snack. Over all Benny's is great. Top notch food and service. It is definitely a wonderful experience for those special occasions.
(5)Christopher G.
I took three friends here for a birthday dinner. It was my choice and I regret it. My steak was undercooked (compared to two other people who ordered theirs the same way) and when I asked for a few more minute in the broiler I was treated to several smart ass comments. Then when my friend ordered a glass of wine (our third or fourth) he received a "less than full" pour and again treated with smart ass comments about their machine and it being a full pour (obviously wasn't when lined up to our other two glasses of wine). Sides were good, white asparagus was interesting, and drinks were cool. Place has potential but really screwed up the service and the steak which is the only reason to go to a steakhouse. I wouldn't go back
(2)Carl C.
Our office team hosted our dinner for the holidays here in December. An amazing experience and the food was first class. I think the quality is better and it doesn't seem as cramped as some other popular steakhouses. They are on open table so making reservations was easy.
(5)Margarita And Edward M.
Just had to write a review about this place. WE LOVE IT! We've been here a few times now and we haven't been disappointed yet! Great atmosphere! Looks like it should be a really snobby place, with its panio bar, and beautiful staff and decor. But no, everyone treats you like an honored guest! Its wonderful. So here's the breakdown! 1. Great Food! We've never had a bad steak here. Perfectly seasoned and cooked 2. The service is AWESOME! Friendly and they really know their stuff. From food to Wines! 3. The decor is outstanding! So comfortable, and feels old Chicago. Its great! Will always be the first place we recommend to friends that ask where to go for a great steak! Yummmmmmmm!
(5)Neil R.
I actually lived very close to this place and really enjoyed going here for drinks. Regarding drinks, definitely pricey but its worth it. They have some good cocktails on the menu (i.e. Moscow Mules, etc...) but also has an extensive wine list. The Bartenders have a good working knowledge of wines as well as different types of scotches, whiskey's, etc.. as well. They also have a piano player - although I am not sure of what days they play. Now as far as the steak goes - it was really awesome. The service, presentation, decor all meet the high standards of a great steakhouse. I tend to order the filet mignon and it was perfect. Beware of the chocolate cake dessert - it is huge! I highly recommend this place for both steak and drinks.
(5)Alex C.
Came here with my cousin to try and 1-up the dinner he treated me to last time we hung out. Boy, did I do that. We made reservations and arrived about 5 minutes beforehand to check the place out. It's in a weird location, but don't let this fool you. The inside was beautiful, a very dark, modern looking décor, really cool! We were seated almost immediately and before we knew it our waiter had introduced himself and was giving us the run down of the place, which was very detailed and interesting. He was informative, enthusiastic, and helpful which really enhanced the dining experience. Service was impeccable, couldn't have been much better. My water glass was never less than 75% full. We ordered Oysters Rockefeller to start, which were quality, fresh and delicious even though I'm not really one for seafood. My cousin had a Caesar salad, which he claimed wasn't over or under dressed, like many Caesars can be. We both got steaks, my cousin had the dry aged bone in ribeye Oscar style cooked rare. I opted for the simple filet with red chili rub and a side of gnocchi. Both steaks were cooked, seasoned, prepared and presented perfectly, we were very impressed. Overall, our experience was textbook awesome. I would be at Benny's all the time if I could afford it!
(5)Margaret C.
Perfect steak: seasoned beautifully but let the flavor of the meat itself dominate; done precisely to order; butchered expertly. Got the "natural" strip steak, and it's hands-down the best strip steak I've ever had. Food sides were also delicious. Dessert was almost stupidly good, but beware the carrot cake, a slice of which is literally the size of some whole cakes. Perfect service: your glass is never empty; attitude is refined but not snobby; attentive but not hovering. Perfect ambience: feels expensive but not tacky; warmly lit; real artwork on the walls; gorgeously appointed (from furniture to the luxe washrooms). The wine list, of course--it's a Wine Spectator restaurant--was jaw-dropping. We humble mortals restricted ourselves to the scattering of below-$100 wines, which I was happy to see were as thoughtfully selected and easy to pair with the food as the big guns. Cocktails were quite good. This place is pricey, but right in line with other Chicago steakhouses, and I'd return here rather than to David Burke's or the Firehouse (both also excellent) any day.
(5)S P.
A friend who lives in Chicago, let me in on the secret that Benny's has some of the best burgers in Chicago about 2yrs ago. I have not been to Benny's for dinner, but make time to go there for lunch every time I'm working in Chi-Town. I enjoy eating in the bar area for lunch, but the formal dining is very nice. The bar selection is EXCELLENT. Check out there seasonal cocktails & beer menu. I usually order the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger (Partnered with a stout beer). Reminds me the burgers served at fine brasseries in Paris, but with considerably better tasting beef. Yolk from over-easy egg adds to the succulence. Truffle flavor is evident, but does not overwhelm the burger. I do ask for some fresh ground pepper on top of the egg before diving in. Eating the Fried Egg-Truffle Burger takes practice (very juicy / can be messy), but worth the effort!! Great balance of beef and mushroom flavor. There more traditional hamburgers are also superb. Bar tenders and staff are awesome. Always a hit when I bring potential clients or business partners there for lunch; they have enjoyed most everything ordered off the lunch menu. Bottom line: (Should have 5 stars, but I'm reserving a star for future review - after I eat dinner @ Benny's) For a lunch that is not too pretentious or (not cheap, but not) too expensive - This my go to place when working in Chicago -Recommend Benny's for lunch without any hesitation or reservation.
(4)Karolina S.
We went to Benny's for my birthday this year and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, they put 'Happy Birthday Karolina!' on my personalized menu.... ADORABLE. Sure, I'm generally easily impressed, but that was a REALLY cute touch. Benny's food is impeccable. Benny's strongest asset is the service though. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, professional but nice all at the same time. The birthday desert was some sort of graham cracker s'more thing and it was the best 'free birthday dessert' dessert I've had in my last twenty four years(moms homemade birthday cakes don't count). It was a beautiful experience and perfect for a special occasion. Will definitely return!
(5)Lisa C.
My husband and I went here for our anniversary and it was absolutely amazing...probably one of the best steaks I've had in my life...the dessert was also fabulous...I could not have asked for better service either...would definitely recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Joe F.
Nice atmosphere and good service. Sides were nice, steak (bone in dry aged ribeye) was just average. Compared to other fine chophouses where aged meat melts on your mouth, this piece was quite sinewy though still flavorful. I almost wonder if I paid for dry aged and received a regular cut.
(3)Leon W.
Great service, great wine, great dessert and atmosphere. The $59 dry aged steak though was a disappointment. It was ok, but not worth the price. We thought this was a first class place but the steaks are way over priced. I have had better more flavorful steaks at many other places in Chicago. The brick chicken my wife ordered was very fatty without the "crispy skin as promised. We would not return.
(2)Mike H.
My girlfriend (fiance now, because of things like this) took me here for my birthday last year and it definitely did not disappoint. We had a reservation, and when I got there, the hostess wished me a happy birthday...nicely done. We were seated in a both where we sat next to each other, looking out to the dining room floor, which was awkwardly awesome. The menu was also customized to say "Happy birthday Mike" at the top of it. Very simple to do, but very nice touch. For an appetizer we started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which I had never had before. It's a little different, but it was very good. For the main course, I went with the dry aged NY Strip steak, which was cooked to perfection. We got mac and cheese and broccoli with garlic cream for the sides, both were huge portions and really good. The service here is outstanding, and the waiters are very knowledgeable. They went through the run down of wet-aged vs dry-aged steaks for us and were very accommodating to other needs/questions. Others have mentioned this as well, but the staff is not pretentious in any way, which makes you feel better about the money you are spending. I don't know how soon I'll be back as there are many other places in this city to try, but I would definitely recommend it to people.
(5)Joe B.
My wife and I chose Benny's to celebrate our anniversary dinner. It was outstanding choice in every aspect-service, food quality and atmosphere. We arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and we were seated quickly. As others have noted, the atmosphere is one of a classic steakhouse. Our server, Tom was attentive without being overbearing. He offered recommendations where appropriate. Throughout the meal Tom was available. While some steakhouses use a team approach to providing service, Benny's uses primary service approach which provides a better customer experience in our opinion. Food wise, we started with an assortment of oysters. They were excellent and represented different styles of oysters. For dinner, my wife ordered the surf and turf consisting of a filet and lobster tail-both were delicious. I had the pork chop which was also outstanding. For sides we had the hash browns, mushrooms and maple bacon. Each dish was among the finest side dishes we've had at the Chicago steakhouse tour we are performing. The hash-browns were our favorites but all 3 were exceptional. Although we didn't think we'd have room for desert, we had a strawberry rhubarb "pie" which had a flaky crust similar to a cream puff. Accompanied by a raspberry sorbet the desert was excellent. Based on the combination of service, food quality and atmosphere, Benny's is at the top of our list of steakhouses which consists of Mastro's, Gibson's, David Burke's, Del Frisco's, Chicago Cut and Kiefers. Nicely done.
(5)erica f.
Its dark, comfortable and they have some ridiculous cheesecake. Great spot for winter!
(4)Magglio M.
Absolutely fantastic. I travel a lot for work and have gone to many steakhouses. I'm also a local Chicagoan and have been to many of the Chicago steakhouses. Benny's is expensive but it is worth it on a special occasion. The services was outstanding. They had an incredibly comprehensive wine list. Ordered maple covered bacon appetizer which was great. Oysters were amazing. Steak was cooked perfectly. Awesome spot.
(5)Bonny S.
Very Very Disappointed, after the pretty decent reviews on 'Check Please',; we had an occasion to stay downtown, and would give this place a whirl. I do think they are trying overly hard, very pretensious, so many people handling you and your food, no one seems to keep track what you are getting, and when the waitress is in the middle of explaining the menu, and says excuse me to go to another table....that is just wrong. Since when do restaurants present a bottle of wine, whisk it away, and then bring it back in a decanter to the table. We refused the decanter and then they brought back a new bottle and presented, opened and decanted at the table, but the interesting thing was they left a good 1 1/2" of wine in bottom of bottle (sedement-was the answer). Told them to pour in...if they felt the wine was going to have much sedament, maybe they should have decanted through a screen. We ordered for a cold appetizer the Chicken Liver Terrine, very good. I ordered a Belgian Endive Salad- which sounded so so good, but can't tell you, never arrived. Then Sea Scallops for my main----never had scallops that tasted so fishy before in my life- you only get four. My husband ordered the Bone-In Filet, very tasty, and Mac & Cheese w/bacon, pretty good, and the Harvest vegies (a special- I believe this is what they were called) so greasy and salty..... Everybody else has given this place very good ratings, but I've had better service at other Steak Houses in Chicago and suburbs.
(3)Kate M.
I'm a big fan of Benny's Chop House. Sitting in the bar, enjoying a gin martini, some buttery oysters, and some fantastic company...sounds like my kind of Wednesday night. In fact, I'd welcome that pretty much any night. The food was really good, the seafood tower was huge for the price (ask them to crack the lobster claws and body for you, it's a lot easier when someone else does it!). The bar food menu looked really good, lots of "sliders" of different varieties. While I would love to snarf half a dozen different kinds of tiny sandwiches...my jeans much prefer I stick with oysters and crab legs. The cocktails were really good. I had a few Hendrick's martinis that were perfect. The service was really good. We were there for about 30 minutes when our server went on her lunch break. The rest of the staff effortlessly picked up the slack. They were so attentive it seemed like we were the only people there, but it wasn't overwhelming. That's a balance to strike. The only thing I didn't love about Benny's was the loud piano. Why does it have to be so loud?! I can't wait to go back to Benny's. Perhaps after an afternoon at Nordstrom (right down the street)....
(5)ami m.
Good sTEAK, good sides, desserts are to die for. the coconut sorbet is fantastic out of this world...and vegan.
(5)Bill G.
The best dinner I have ever had in downtown Chicago. Food excellent and service great This will be a standard dinner option for me Each time I visit Chicago
(5)Alexander M.
This was my first time at Benny's Chop House and it was for my Mom's Birthday. I called ahead to make a reservation and let them know there was a birthday. They gave us a wonderful booth for three of us. 1. Service was excellent! Went out of their way to make sure everything was perfect and brought out dessert with a candle for my mom and it was complimentary for her birthday. 2. Décor was very nice. The place was very big and plenty of room to move around unlike many restaurants where you have to knock into other tables to get out of yours. 3. Noise was okay. For the size of the place and the amount of people, the noise level was very acceptable. Sure it was a little noisy, but we could have a nice conversation at the table without feeling drowned by the noise level. 4. Food was Spectacular!!! The Oysters Rockefeller was one of the best I have ever had and we all loved our steaks. The Banana Cream Pie was out of this world! Three of us shared it and it was plenty (it was soooo good though, we could have each had our own). Overall, it was an excellent place and experience. This is now on our top 5 lists of places to go for dinner in the city!
(5)Abdullah I.
Great steak. friendly service
(4)Soyoung S.
The wait staff was incredibly accommodating and extremely pleasant. Great service, they really know how to be amiable to guests :) Truly loved and appreciated that! Especially since I went with a big group of people, we must have been difficult to handle haha But to be honest, the steaks weren't that amazing to me. The scallops on the other hand....WOW. It made me wonder what sad excuse of a scallop that I've been eating for my entire life. Their scallops were other worldly!! So succulent, juicy, and just dripping with flavors that I have never experienced before!! Truly, truly amazing. I highly recommend you try their scallops. WOW!!
(4)Brian C.
In a very competitive space, without the name power of many of their peers, it doesn't take long to realize why Benny's is a strong contender for Chicago's top steak house year in and year out. In our visit, it started with the service, which was outstanding and set the tone for the rest of the evening. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable when it came to ingredients, perpetration, and recommendations. We were in a group of 8 on this specific visit, and not one of us had a bad thing to say about our experience. The group favorites from the menu were the Wedge, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Brussel Sprouts, Garlic Spinach, Dry Aged Bone In, Bone in New York, Scallops, Prime Filet, and Creme Brûlée. Give Benny's a shot, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Susan F.
Came here for Thanksgiving. The food was marginal. My Turkey dinner was lukewarm. The stuffing was good. Everything else was just ok. Hubby ordered a ribeye. It was good, but there's no reason to come back here. The experience wasn't memorable. The food wasn't memorable. Chicago has too many great restaurants to spend your time and money on this place.
(2)Susan L.
We just had a great dinner at Benny's! First, of course, the food: My husband's rib eye (16 oz wet) was cooked to perfection- he ordered it rare and that's how it came. Juicy and melt in your mouth. Only negative might be that it could've used more char. My Australian sea bass with roasted veg sauce and crunchy black garlic just might have been the best fish I've ever had. It was rich and savory and each bite gave me a crunch on the outside followed by flaky flavor on the inside. Delicious. The sides were fairly standard but good- sautéed mushrooms, brussel sprouts in bacon viniagarette, and mac and cheese with bacon (which was the tastiest of the three). Plenty of food- we took home most of the sides. Oh, and the homemade bread assortment accompanied by a white bean dip- let me just say that I could have taken a spoon to the white bean spread and downed it like an ice cream sundae. The service was impeccable. Our server, Tom, was knowledgeable and helpful as well as inobtrusive. He was that special breed of waiter- when he noticed I looked a bit cold, he appeared with a pashima, and offered it to me to wear as he agreed the dining room was a bit chilly. Wow, right? The ambience was good, music in the background that was not at all too loud, tables well spaced apart, white tablecloths and plenty of room to enjoy the delicious food you know is coming soon. All in all...we have been trying Chicago steak houses, from David Burke's, RPM Steak and RPM Italian, Bavettes and more...and while Benny's may not be our number one favorite, it certainly ranks high on our scoreboard. We plan on going back again, and what more can you say about a restaurant than that it tantalized you and satisfied you so much you want to return?
(5)tr y.
Love this place! The seafood tower, as an ap, great chef and food quality, every cut of steak is fantastic. I'm a dry age guy, but I'm also a bit of a meaty. (That's our word. it's for those who enjoy fine meats...like a craft beer snob but different.) I have always had above and beyond service from EVERYONE there, Hostess to Manager. Love the wine list...a lot. Great boozes Great energy Great sides Great gatsby Great chicken...yes great chicken at a steak joint Great fish, their fish is super however the whole Japan nuclear fish thing send me back to the meats. Great service Great burgers Great balls of fire Great deserts Great pork chops Great rigatoni There is a theme of Greatness here. The negatives. It can get busy, reservations are a must on the weekends. Haters gunna hate. A great place to see fellow lovers of life!
(5)Desiree N.
I've dined at Benny's several times in the past, but never written a review. Each time I've dined, I've had an incredible meal. However, tonight I dined again for a work event, and was completely blown away by the food and the service. Service: always consistently good...water glasses never go empty, service staff is knowledgeable and extremely accommodating. Food: the seafood tower is a must try...so fresh and delicious..served with traditional accompaniments.I have pretty much eaten my way through the menu and never disliked a dish. The scallops I enjoyed tonight were cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth. The sides are creative and meant for sharing. I have attended several private events at Benny's, and each one is clearly thoroughly thought out and perfectly executed. In a city full of steakhouses, Benny's is a gem. I will continue to frequent often.
(5)Jim P.
This was the worst of all occasions for a steak restaurant. We not only had poor service, but the food was just not good!!! To begin with, I was having a casual dinner with a friend and did not really want to be rushed. From the minute we got seated, the waiter was all over us to order. I figured that he would get the hint that we were not going to be a 45 minutes turn of his table, but he never got it. When you are at a restaurant of this caliber, your server usually goes for quality over speed. For a $60 steak, you should be able to dine for a couple of hours. The worst part was that once we got the food, we could not find the server. We wanted to get a cup of coffee and we had to ask the server 4 times to get it. What a miserable experience. Things went from bad to worse when the food arrived. Let's just say that have visited dozens of steakhouses in dozens of cities. I generally have a feel for what a medium rare bone-in rib eye should look and taste like. The temperature of the meat was just fine but almost half of the cut was gristle. It is a rib eye and I knew (and wanted) to have some marbling (fat!), but this was just plain vein-like gristle. It was terrible. You could not cut it with a knife without bearing down on the blade. We did mention something to the server and he did offer the obligatory "you are complaining and I do not know why" dessert, but we left. We were not looking for dessert or a discount on the check. We just wanted to make sure that the kitchen knew. The server just listened and seemed not to really care. That was that. At least the coat check person and valet were nice!!
(1)Cheryl J.
I was taken to Benny Chop House for my 50th Birthday December 6, 2014; as usual the food was very good not excellent just very good. My husband and I were very very disappointed with our service and our waiter(Alex) no offer of fresh pepper for our lobster Bisque, no offer of a dessert menu when the table next to us were offer better attention and service. I would hate to think that it was a "race" thing or maybe, it was just an off night but, my husband still left him a $40.00 tip...LOL
(3)Darcy W.
Benny's was a steak and wine lovers dream! The steak was done to perfection, the Sommelier helped us pick out a nice wine, seriously order the side of bacon! The service was phenomenal! The atmosphere is warm and enjoyable. I was bummed they didn't have live music, but it was late and a Tuesday. It is expensive but worth it!!
(5)Phil F.
The best Chicago steak house I've been to so far. The fillet minion was absolutely amazing, melted in your mouth, juices running out of it. The dry aged rib eye was magnificent, perfect marbling and tender. Sides were done nicely. The dessert was also very good. Have to check out if you love steak.
(5)Nathan G.
Wonderful old traditional steak house. Great steaks, fast service. Perfect!!
(5)Mike M.
We had a lovely Valentines Day dinner here this year. By chance we ate in bar area with some great piano music. The scallops were very good as was my New York strip. The winner was crab lobster Louie and the clubby atmosphere. We will go back for piano bar.
(4)M K.
Incredibly unfair giving it 4 stars, but here's my reason: I'm comparing it to the other elite steakhouses in the Chicago area. If this were the Olympics, Benny's is the 8th place finisher in the 100-meter dash finals. It's absolutely elite, but when you have to choose between the 0.01% of restaurants, this one doesn't make the cut. Let me reiterate - it is absolutely fantastic. The servers should host a clinic for other eateries in town for how efficient and knowledgeable their staff is. The steak, some sides, and dessert were superb. Look, you're not going to go wrong eating here, but if you've enjoyed the chance of eating at some other exceptional steakhouses, you might find yourself wanting more. Maybe this review is more of a testament to the excellent options Chicago offers. Benny's, however, on its own is world-class, and you should most definitely find a reason to come visit.
(4)Kristeen O.
We went for dinner with my bf's parents, and were so impressed we came back a couple days later for lunch and took my dad. I liked the ambiance and service during dinner better, but the food and wine were on-par for both. Best meal in Chicago. Beware of the large desserts, haha! One slice of cake is enough to share with your extended family. The sorbet is heavenly. I will definitely be back.
(5)John L.
Holy smokes! Fantastic stuff. Service and food are superb! I will miss Exec Chef Carlo, but it looks like Roberto is superb too. Price- Higher end, but you pay for quality food. Honestly, relative to some other places, the price is not that bad. Quality- Great. The Maple Bacon was mouth watering and made me appreciate Apostle Peter having a dream about eating animals and Jesus telling him it's okay to eat whatever. The Chocolate pudding was great and super moist (yeah I said it). Steak was so juicy and I appreciate a place that focuses on it's main product and not fluffing it up with add ons. Quantity- I'm stuffed. Atmosphere- Quaint and great to just sit and talk. Staff- Fantastic! Super helpful with setting plans up for my gf's birthday and making accommodations. Great spot that you need to check out.
(5)Laila C.
Come here for lunch. Beat the obnoxious lunch crowd that's usually in most restaurants in River North by coming here. I arranged a lunch for our office with about a dozen people 20 minutes before we wanted the reservation. They had our table ready and waiting with a great serving staff. It was definitely kind of dead...but you know what, I enjoy that over the pushing and shoving of other noisy, busy lunch places. I'm here for a good lunch, not to be seen. My entire lunch party really enjoyed their food, most of us were split between the lobster grilled cheese and the seafood salad. I got the seafood salad (and I usually don't believe in salads) but this was fantastic. Literally it was a plate of deliciously cooked seafood, lobster, octopus, shrimp, etc on a tiny bed of lettuce. In other words...it was a large plate of delicious protein. Those who got the lobster grilled cheese were also very happy with their choice, although basically comatose by the end of lunch. It was a BIG sandwich, add to that the side of fries, you're asking for an unproductive afternoon. If i'm arranging lunch plans again, it will be at Benny's...and given my overly opinionated, type-A personality at my office...it'll probably be next week.
(4)Anthony C.
This place is absolutely phenomenal. I'll have to come again to measure consistency, however if it's anything like my first experience, this is far and away the best steakhouse experience I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. I say "experience" because it goes far beyond the magnificently marbled and perfectly cooked bone-in ribeye that I enjoyed. The attention to detail and customer experience this place provides is second to none. My server, Nick, was elegant, but not stuffy; conversational, but not intrusive; and extremely knowledge about both the steak and wine, without trying to push or up sell at every possible occasion. He was simply fantastic. As for the wine, living 30min from Napa, I'm admittedly very picky about my Cabernet. On this occasion, I was dining by myself after a business trip so I assumed I would be sadly disappointed by the half bottle and glass of wine selection, however the house Cabernet was a fantastic 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet, it's rare to see this even in the Bay Area. 5 stars, spectacular. I will certainly be coming here on all future trips to Chicago.
(5)Ellen W.
In my opinion, this place is slightly over rated. Service was fabulous. 5 stars for the staff. Food was less than memorable. And for the price you would think it would know my socks off.
(4)Nat M.
great ambience. excellent service - we went for a special occasion and they did many thoughtful things. good cocktails and wine. steak is the best I've ever had - seriously. apps and sides are great too. dessert was a bit typical. otherwise, just an awesome experience
(5)Aris Z.
The location is really convinient jus because is downtown and any kind of transportation is available. When you walk in you feel like you are in an old time classic Chicago restaurant where the building is pretty old too. The paintings on the wall upon each table is pretty awesome and the environment in general is exactly what you need in order to enjoy a nice dinner. I am new in Chicago but it is one of the best choices that I could make for going to dinner. The service was great. Paul was our server where he was really friendly and he had great knolwegde of the menu. We most likely ordered eveyrhing that he suggested and we didn't regret it. everything was delicisious. I would definetely visit this restaurant as soon as I have the budget again for getting the bone ribeye ! It's pricy but it's worth it. .
(5)Draft M.
Easy 4 stars. Definite return. Vibe is just what a Chicago evening calls for. Jazz ensemble...nice wine selection...friendly vibe. Old city...with new touch. Winning.
(4)Steve H.
Enjoyed the service, ambiance and food. Exactly what a Chicago Steakhouse should be; quietly competent and confidently superior. The steak frites allow for choice of cut with good, Euro-style, frites. The appetizers are just right; except for the maple bacon which is over the top in both taste and portion.
(5)Pat P.
Awesome! Lobster cheese sandwich, truffle fries, maple syrup bacon and the best selection of whiskey! Bartenders Sara and Brian complete the experience. Highly recommend.
(5)Leeann B.
I've visiting from D.C. and I asked my concierge at the Fairmont Hotel for a recommendation for a local steakhouse. He recommended Benny's and gave me a map (I walked over--it wasn't too far but Wabash Ave is kind of confusing). The dining room was full (I didn't have a reservation and was expecting a bit of a wait), but the bar/lounge was free. The bar/lounge is mostly high-top tables, which I hate because of my short legs, but the staff was able to find me a regular sized table and the hostess was incredibly sweet and accommodating. The dining room has a live piano player and a lovely view of the city. It really adds to the ambiance of an "Old Chicago" vibe--the only thing it was missing was a gangster or two! Right away I was brought water, a bread basket with an assortment of bread, and a wine list and cocktail list. I went with a lovey Pinot Noir and a tried a bite of the sour dough-tasting bread with the salted butter (the butter and bread were great!). I got caught in a major downpour on the way over, so I ordered the lobster bisque to start in order to warm up a bit. It was a generous portion, but I ate about 1/10 of it. It was a major disappointment. Overall it was flavorless, with tiny bits of overcooked lobster. The dish needed salt--it would have benefited from using some of the stock used to cook the lobster to bring in a bit of that briny sea flavor. Alas, the bisque tasted overwhelmingly of the parsley garnish and the tomato chunks in it. As a New Englander, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to my lobster and my clam chowder, so I probably should have known better! My main course was a thousand times better. I ordered the beef short ribs with a side of carrots. The short ribs were melt-in-your mouth perfect and the carrots were probably the best vegetable side dish I've ever had in a restaurant. They were cooked al dente with a buttery, citrus flavor with a touch of rosemary and thyme to them that really complimented the sweetness of the carrots without overwhelming them.. The short ribs came with a mushroom and potato mix and the earthiness of the side complemented the richness of the short ribs. Since my concierge recommended the restaurant, the hostess brought out a complementary side of the crispy kale. I'm not a huge kale fan, but it was quite tasty and crisp with a light, creamy touch of a garlic sauce that brought out the bitterness in the kale. I had a glass of a Russian River Valley Zinfandel with my meal and it complimented the short ribs. I was too stuffed for dessert, but ordered the s'mores cheesecake to go. Definitely a winner with lots of chocolate and delicious toasted marshmallow! Bottom line: If I lived in Chicago, I would make Benny's my "special occasion" restaurant. It's perfect for a romantic date night or to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. It wasn't just the food that made this place great, but the impeccable service and the professional, friendly waitstaff. Honestly, if it weren't for the lobster bisque, I wouldn't have taken off a star. If I come back to Chicago, I'd definitely come back!
(4)Nee V.
A great first impression was made by the welcoming and friendly hostess. We were promptly seated to our booth, as I had requested beforehand. Ambiance was dark and romantic. Both of us ordered filets (one with bacon enhancement and Oscar style on the other) and shared a side of mashed potatoes. All of our food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the s'mores cheesecake, but it's worth mentioning the portion size is fairly small and not ideal for sharing. Our server was pretty good and gave us the right amount of attention. Overall, as others have mentioned, slightly overpriced, but it's worth it as a treat!
(4)Darrell P.
If the food is great and the service blows that away, it must be Benny's Chop House. It was a birthday celebration for me, and I have never been at a restaurant that made it more special. It started while reading the menu. I happened to glance at the top of it and saw my name with Happy Birthday on it addressing me. It only gets better from there. My server, Dan, was as good as you can get. WIth initial disappointment that they didn't carry my favorite rum for a rum and coke, he made a suggestion that was as close as possible, and it tasted great. He also made a great selection for a beer to enjoy with my order. I had the Dry aged bone-in New York Strip. It was cooked to perfection. Dan suggested I cut into the center when it first arrived to make sure it was cooked properly. That was the first time I ever had a waiter suggest that, and I have eaten at many of the top steak establishments in town, along with many of the top-rated steak houses when traveling around the country. To start, my girlfriend and I shared a mushroom tart special with buffalo cheese that was very good that Dan suggested, along with the chop house maple-glazed bacon. That bacon should be illegal because it was so addicting. It just melts in your mouth. As I mentioned, my steak was wonderful, and my girlfriend thoroughly enjoyed her lobster risotto. I should have tried it, but I was too full from everything I had going on in my mouth. There is always room for dessert, and the Smores cheesecake was a wonderful end to an exquisite evening. Did I mention my dessert had a Happy Birthday wish written in chocolate on the plate? Remember that birthday menu I mentioned at the beginning: That was wrapped up as a parting gift for me as I left. I won't soon forget my birthday celebration at Benny's, and I won't forget how Dan could do no wrong. I will be sure to ask for him when I go back, and I suggest you do too. Now if it was my 21st birthday as I joked to Dan when he first came over, things would really be perfect. Going along with the joke, he said he was about to card me. Unfortunately reality makes me a bit older, (okay a lot older), but I have never felt better than I did in Dan's care at Benny's Chop House. It's so nice to write a good review, especially when a place deserves it. If you have a special occasion, or just want a great meal and to be pampered, this is your place. It's not cheap, but it's definitely worth every penny!
(5)Kawone H.
This place is among the best of the best in Chicago, as far as steak houses. People are not blowing smoke with the accolades. We will be back very soon. 1. STEAK (Pass): I am a rib eye and porterhouse kind of guy. Benny's serves these up quite magnificently. The dry aged option was perfectly suited for my taste buds. With so many options, in terms of each steak, you can't fail. For chicken lovers, this was tender and juicy. Go for it! 2. SIDE DISHES (Pass): By far, the Mushrooms are a standout. My daughter and I could eat a plate of those for dinner. These were seasoned just right. If you prefer them whole, then opt for another side dish. You won't be disappointed with them sliced. Also, the Truffle Fries run neck-and-neck with David Burke's version. 4. DESSERT (Average). The Chocolate Layer Cake was not special. It was good, but not awesome. 5. AMBIANCE (Pass): Classic. The lighting was just right. 6. SERVICE (Pass): Amazing! We were welcomed by every staff person upon arrival. Our server was the best and received a well-deserved 20% tip. Ask for "Nick" and you will not taken care of quite well. By the the looks of things, however, I anticipate that all of the servers provide the same level of quality service. Hands down, he was the best my family ever experienced.
(5)Alvin Raul C.
Last night I came in for a late business dinner and I was so disappointed in the level of service provided by Charles the Sommelieer. Charles provided the worst service I have ever seen in any restaurant!!! His attitude was uncalled for and his rudeness was very unprofessional!!! When one eats at a restaurant of this caliber one just wants a good meal, a delicious bottle of wine and to enjoy the experience. One would think that at Benny's the staff would be just as passionate about food and wine as its customers are. They are not!!! We came to have a nice meal and talk about business we didn't come to argue over a bottle of wine. I was so embarrassed that I brought my colleague here for dinner. We were so disappointed with the overall lack of passion that we truly could not enjoy our dinner!!! Think twice about going here. There are much better places to spend your money.
(1)Lauren M.
You must get a Manhattan to start! I took clients and several said it was the best meal they've ever had. The bacon appetizer is a must. Most people had steak and several had others had fish or pasta. Everything was top notch and the service was outstanding. I'd recommend this restaurant for any special event.
(5)Jennifer G.
We celebrated dinner there last night while my parents and my in-laws were in town, and the food and service were outstanding. Most of us had steaks - from the fillets to the Bone In New York Strip. All four steaks were delicious and wonderfully seasoned. I had the filet medallions special with prawns in a tomato sauce of some sort. It was wonderful. We also had the short ribs at our table and it was very good. We split the carrot cake and banana cream pie. Both were large portions and very rich and delicious. The other aspect of the meal was the service. Nicole W did a great job and was extremely attentive to our table and made sure we had everything we needed. I would recommend Benny's to anyone. We did have a reservation, but my husband and I have gone in the past and just ate in the bar area listening to the piano player and had a very nice time.
(4)Matt B.
Went here in February after getting my bonus (to be honest that's what it takes to afford this place...however totally worth it!!!). I ordered the bone in ribeye ($60) and lobster tail ($31). The steak was probably the best steak I've ever had. The guy who recommended our wine really knew his stuff and directed us to a great wine that we all loved at a reasonable price ($70 for the bottle). I had a glass of Macallan 15 as well ($25). Total bill was around $170 just for me and over $400 for the three of us. I would definitely recommend this place as I will be going back!! Great steak, great atmosphere! Enjoy!
(5)Cullen B.
WOW! Hands down the best steak I've ever had. I dont think it could have been any better. Our appetizers were very good. Our server was busy and still did a great job. The creme brûlée was not the best, I think it was a little custardy. It should be creamy and light. The restaurant was very friendly and had a good vibe. It was a bit pricey a dinner for four came to about $420.00. But every penny was worth it.
(5)Neal K.
Spent the weekend in Chicago celebrating our 30th anniversary, and chose Benny's for our dinner. What an excellent evening! Made reservations a few days ahead, and James the maitre de lined everything up. Nice booth, personalized menus, everyone seemed to know we were coming, but didn't go overboard, just a nice "congratulations". The food was outstanding! Lobster bisque was very good, subtle, not too heavy on sherry. Very nice vinegar & oil dressing, fresh and light. Meals were halibut and beef ribs, both cooked perfectly. Ribs had a very solid, meaty flavor. And deserts - banana cream pie & creme brulee - were very tasty and way too big. They even threw in a personalized s'mores chocolate dessert. Far too much food. Nice wine selection, though our first choice was not available. Finally, service was outstanding. Alex, our waiter, was always near and attentive, but never in the way. And Claudia was always there keeping everything stocked. Great service, great food, great dinner!
(5)J P.
Took the family to this well-known steakhouse downtown. Very good service but only average food. Pro: very attentive and informed staff Tenderloin was done well. Cons: sides were good size but average, brussell sprouts were not done fish dishes were average at best food was delivered lukewarm too high priced for quality
(3)Michael R.
Thanksgiving Jerky! My wife and I went to Benny's Chop House for their Thanksgiving Dinner @ $49 per person. The turkey had no flavor and was tough and the pumpkin pie was ice cold! I would have been better off ordering a steak! Benny's, please stick to what you do well and don't waste anyone's time.
(1)Christopher Y.
For some reason, I always thought Benny's looked unassuming from the outside. But the inside is your typical great Chicago steak house. The food was amazing, one of the best steaks we've had in the city. We ordered the grilled caesar salad, maple bacon, porterhouse, crispy kale and lobster mac & cheese (we didn't eat it all, so don't judge). Everything tasted amazing and the steak was cooked perfectly. There isn't too much seasoning on the steak, it's just really great cuts of meat prepared simply so you can truly taste the great quality. The couple things to note, while their menu is pretty typical for a Chicago steakhouse, they do it better than most and their portions are slightly bigger. The prices were about on par with other steakhouses but the quality and preparation of steaks was better. Our waiter was not only friendly and welcoming, as you would expect, he was extremely knowledgeable about every menu item in regards to how things are prepared, where ingredients are sourced and how the item is different than other restaurants with similar offerings. While it may not look as trendy as a Mastro's on the outside, it's definitely worth the visit. Also, that maple bacon changed my life.
(5)Kristi L.
Our server was attentive and charismatic. The salmon was good. My husband's filet was decent. Now, we are from Oklahoma and are snobbish about our steak, so take that into consideration. The noise level is energetic; you can't have a private conversation here. It's a good place to see and be seen, but I think Chicago has better steak houses.
(3)Juan M.
For quick readers: -Low quality food -Had no interest in even finishing the oysters we ordered -Drinks take 10+ minutes to arrive. -Water isn't given to you, you have to ask, if you can track down your server. -They charge for bread in the bar area. -My buddy stepped outside to take a phone call halfway through our meal, came back in and asked where the bathroom was and got scolded by the front staff asking if he was dining here or not. -Drinks are not that good once you finally got them and are overpriced. -Blah. Save your money. For extended readers: Tried this place last night for the 25 cent oyster deal on Wednesdays. They offer 4 different types of oysters, ranging from .25 cents to up to 2-3 dollars a piece. We wound up trying three different types as we started with the 2nd tier and were disappointed and ended up trying their "best" type and were still disappointed. I walked in extremely excited because I absolutely love oysters. Figured I'd eat at least 10! Ate 5 and lost my appetite for them. We decided to see what all the hype was about with some of their other dishes and didn't want to give up on it just yet, so we also ordered the maple glazed bacon, lobster mac and cheese, truffle fries and kale. Maple glazed bacon - what's all the hype about? These are basically rib tips dipped in honey. Super tough, very dry and the sauce is honey with a hint of bbq. Presentation isn't anything special either by any means. I could go to any fast food place and get better quality. Lobster mac and cheese - One of my favorite things to order and I've had it at a handful of restaurants. This had no flavor at all, was more runny than cheesy and we found a whopping total of 3 pieces of lobster in our entire order. If you're used to good steakhouse mac and cheese, don't even bother. If you're used to good late night bar food mac and cheese, I still wouldn't bother. Truffle fries - great flavor, but incredibly soggy. Halfway through the basket down to the bottom was just crumbled pieces of fries that you had to use a fork to eat. Kale - really crunchy and not any flavor at all. All in all I wouldn't come back. Granted, I didn't try the steak, but that was on purpose. If I'm going to spend $150+ on dinner, I want to leave feeling satisfied. We spent $113 and felt like we got ripped off. Maybe it's because we're spoiled and eat out at some really great places so we're used to a higher quality of food, but I wouldn't recommend anyone dine here. Save your money and go to Gibson's for the environment and consistency or Capital Grille for a true steakhouse experience with out of this world food. You'll seriously laugh at how big of a difference there is if you were to try either of the above after dining at Benny's. I know we did, we went to Gibson's after for dessert and had better cocktails that took 3 minutes as opposed to 10, an engaging server that was very attentive and staff that ensured your water was topped off. We left feeling satisfied as opposed to Benny's where we left scratching our heads as to how this place has so many good reviews. My guess is it's primarily tourists or people who haven't had a chance to experience what Chicago steakhouses should be.
(1)Jim K.
Best restaurant we've been to in a long time. Food is excellent - perfectly prepared. Service is brilliant - very attentive and professional. Expensive but for the combo.of food and service they offer - if any restaurant is worth it - this one is. Sit in the lounge area - the windows add a great deal to the atmosphere - doubt we would have enjoyed sitting in the dining room nearly as much.
(5)Kari P.
Went to Benny's this past Sunday (Cinco de Mayo) for our 6 year anniversary and it was excellent. My husband and I tease each other that we act like an old man and woman for many reasons.....I proved this yet again because I made reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday night. Of course we were one of two tables at this time of the early night, which makes it a bit awkward when the amazing service the place provides has nothing else to do but wait on your table. Anywhoosee, we are not fancy people (quite the opposite, in fact) and this was not a problem. We both had jeans on, my husband had a short-sleeved button down and his brown Chuck's on his feet. He also has a very long beard. I did not have make up on (I prefer not to on weekends...too much getting ready during the week for work) and my hair was up in a bun. Neither one of us felt out of place and as the place became busier, I noticed many people dressed similar to us but also middle-age to older people with suits or 'business-casual'. We were not treated any differently either, which is always a plus in my book since I really dislike getting dolled up (as does the husband). I had made reservations a few days earlier via an online service and in the notes, I made a comment that it was our 6 year anniversary. I truly wasn't expecting anything because of this but threw it in there just in case. Benny's did not disappoint as they gave us a free glass of the best champagne I've ever had...not sure of the brand but it was not the typical Korbel cheap stuff. I believe the waiter did tell us the brand but if you read the above, you know we don't care and don't know any better. But being that we don't know any better and I thought this champs was better than I'd ever had, that should give something of a clue. Also, the top of the main menu was printed with "Happy 6 Year Anniversary". We thought that was a nice touch and they asked if we wanted to keep the menus. The food was so good. If I could afford to eat steak at a restaurant at least once per week, I would not get tired of the selection and taste from the options at Benny's. We also had the bone marrow and oysters rockefellar apps. I could east the bone marrow app every single day. I actually liked it better without the bread/toast that came with it (it was a bit too toasted for me). I noticed people ordering the huge $70.00 seafood app but I could tell it looked bigger and more impressive than it probably was as I was able to see a large lump of ice it was sitting on. We didn't order that though so I probably shouldn't even comment. Oh well. For sides, we had lobster risotto and grilled asparagus. The risotto was good...some large lumps of lobster in it, could probably do without as much bacon pieces on the top, but bacon is always good so now this is a run-on sentence. What else...that's about it. We were pleasantly surprised that our bill was well under $200.00 considering we each had a couple cocktails in addition to the champagne. I'd definitely go back and recommend steak lovers to go anytime.
(5)Elyse D.
Dined here over Labor Day weekend and had a great experience. We arrived late in the evening, probably an hour before closing, and the staff was extremely nice and accommodating. Our server was super attentive and I especially liked that we weren't rushed at all. Great atmosphere and I had the best steak of my life! I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Amy P.
Traveling from Texas and looking for a nice place to have dinner one night before a show - and we came across Benny's Chop House. The service is perfect and beyond accommodating to make sure your night goes exactly as you desire. They have specific waiters with the sole purpose of identifying what wine you'd like for the night - which was very helpful and much appreciated! The food was AMAZING. My boyfriend ordered the filet with a lobster tail and both were cooked perfectly. I also ordered a filet and I wish I were still eating it right now... For sides we ordered 1 piece of giant maple bacon which I'm not even going to try to explain the magic in, lobster Mac and cheese (we appreciated the lumps beyond lumps of lobster through out each bite of cheesiness), and the garlic sautéed spinach. Everyone should order the bacon! For desert - we ordered the Chocolate Pudding Cake - which came with toffee ice cream and butterscotch toppings. I highly recommend if you're a chocolate fan! All around great experience and a dinner in Chicago I won't forget!
(5)Fumie K.
Best oyster happy hour in the city! No doubt. 25-cent oysters on Wednesdays. I haven't run into one cheaper than Benny's. Good, quality oysters too. Very impressed!
(5)Teresa S.
Bobby, concierge #HotelPalomar suggested Benny's Chop House for birthday dinner. Erwin our server is 5 stars!!! Enjoyed 16 oz bone in rib-eye oscar style. Kale chips were incredible! Cucumber gin martinis de to perfection. Benny's is a true local Chicago steakhouse dining experience.
(5)Hello M.
Great service, great atmosphere and even better steak. Although pricey, it was worth every cent. Looking forward to going back.
(5)Doug M.
My wife and I had dinner here on a recommendation from our hotel concierge. Looking for a table relatively soon, we could only get into the lounge area. However the lounge was very nice, not too loud and with great views of the city. First off the drink service was very prompt. A good sign. Next, the steaks were excellent and it was nice to see a 7oz cut. Neither of us really need a half pound or more of steak. Perfectly prepared. Very pricey but worth it if you want to splurge.
(4)Kevin M.
The food and service at Benny's was every bit of what we have come to expect from a solid steakhouse, and, thus, was top notch. The plethora of steak options via naturally fed vs traditionally fed, and dry vs wet aged options is a definite plus for anyone who enjoys a good cut of meat. Our steaks were cooked just as we ordered them, which was very refreshing because it's surprising how often reputable steakhouses overcook meat when the diner requests it on the rarer side. We ordered a rather standard array of sides and all were both flavorful and plentiful. The pours on our wine were healthy and the cocktails we ordered were strong. ....We will definitely come back!
(5)Tom S.
Attended a wine tasting and dinner last night. Benny's did a nice job managing the wine tasting. We had a perfect table for our group at dinner 10 people round table. Service was what you would expect. Food was on par with any name steakhouse but nothing special. Wine list was a bit overpriced and overall dinner was expensive for what you get. I would go back if invited but wouldn't make it a must frequent location for steaks in Chicago b
(3)Mary Ann C.
This is a great spot. Fantastic location, between Nordstrom and the Trump Hotel. We dined here for lunch today, and as it was a sunny day, we were lucky enough to sit in the bar, overlooking the street below. Not the best people watching, but certainly a pleasant option in the sleek bar. Our server was nice and adequate. She did not seem overly knowledgeable. For lunch, we had calamari, Benny's burger, and a steak sandwich. All were delicious. My favorite thing was the truffle fries. They are amazing. This is a pleasant restaurant with very good food!
(4)Nancy K.
Beautiful bar and great ambiance. Lovely waiter who was extremely attentive. Very disappointed with the 20 oz Rib Eye. The steak was cooked to order (medium rare) but served cold and the texture was less than palatable. The side dishes were well prepared and had nice flavor but also served cold. Nice dessert menu but took almost as much time to serve as to prepare the main meal. Would not recommend as there are so many other steak restaurants to choose in Chicago.
(2)Judy F.
While visiting Chicago, we met up with others at Benny's for a nice dinner. As usual, hubby and I arrived early, so we got a seat at the bar and ordered a couple of glasses of wine. The bartender was very funny and made jokes with my husband, which really made us comfortable. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very calming - nice, but not so much such that I felt out of place in my jeans and nice shirt. After being seated, the waitress was also very helpful and had a great personality. She told us a lot about the owners, the chef, and the menu to help us make decisions. I ordered a salad, steak, and kale. The salad was a simple house salad, but I was very happy to see that it was really made by them and had great ingredients. The steak was cooked exactly like I ordered it and was a good sized portion. It was also tender and quite easy to enjoy. The kale was the real surprise here for me - it was crispy and probably my favorite part of the main course. Well prepared and delicious. We did let ourselves be talked into ordering dessert, so hubby and I ordered carrot cake. I think that this could have fed the whole table - it was huge. We were only able to eat about 1/3 of it and ended up taking the rest back to the hotel and eating a little for breakfast (we still didn't finish it, though, it was that huge). This was a good place to enjoy company, as there is a hum of conversation around, but nothing overly loud.
(3)arpan s.
I think tho is my favorite steak house in the city. I was very excited to go tere. Excited to eat. And excited when I left. It was what I expected. Parking was easy also. And they have valet. I ordered the surf and turf. Server knew a lot about the huge selection of wines they offered. Helped us pik a great one. I ordered the surf n turf. Loved it. And the sides. Very flavorful and quality meats. Can't wait to Go back.
(5)Melanie S.
Sadly, I have to deduct a star from my previous review. As I mentioned, after a fantastic lunch at Benny's, I was anxious to return for dinner, and recently, I did just that. My boyfriend and I met some friends here for dinner on Saturday night. Our first stop was the bar while we waited for our table. We arrived at 6:30 and the bar had a nice crowd. After enjoying some drinks, we were shown to our table. The dining room was busy, which was a nice contrast to my previous visit at lunch. We sat down and the busboy immediately came over and offered me a black napkin in lieu of the standard white as I was wearing a black dress. I thought that was a nice touch, because who wants white lint all over their black clothing? The table we were given was right near the kitchen and busser's station, so we asked to move, and we were accommodated. This time, no offer was made to switch my napkin. Oh well. We got comfortable and menus and a wine list were brought. Our server came over a few minutes later but made no mention of drinks which was odd since two people in our party had finished off their cocktails in the bar area. We had to ask him for drinks after several minutes. We discussed appetizers while we were in the bar area so we all pretty much agreed what to order while we decided on our entrees. For our starters we chose carpaccio, oysters Rockefeller, smoked salmon and steak tartare (even though the menu spelled it 'tartar', as in tartar sauce). We all enjoyed the appetizers, especially the carpaccio, but agreed that Joe's does better oysters Rockefeller. Next up we ordered our main courses and sides, which we would all get to taste: A filet, veal chop, bone-in ribeye, and a Benny's duo, which was a porterhouse. For sides, we chose sauteed mushrooms, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. We were disappointed that there were no au gratin potatoes or a double baked on the menu as I found their potato choices a little boring. Everything was good, but other than the filet, nothing was a standout. We all agreed that the filet was one of the best we tasted. I tend to not order filets as they can very often be bland, but this one was the most flavorful one I've ever tasted. The bone-in ribeye was on the thin side and doesn't hold a candle to Joe's. After we finished our entrees, my friend ordered another bottle of wine, which she was the only one drinking as the rest of us were finishing a different bottle. She had about half a glass left when she ordered it and knew she wouldn't be finishing so she made sure to ask if they could recork and package the leftover wine and they said they could. Desserts were ordered: strawberry shortcake and praline doughnuts. I loved the shortcake on my previous visit and it was just as good the second time. I didn't try the doughnuts but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. At this point my friend had been waiting a good 30 minutes for her wine and had to track down the server who said he wasn't sure she still wanted it since she still had a couple of sips left and we were concluding our meal. I'm not sure what the miscommunication was since my friend still clearly wanted it. In the end, she said she still wanted it, but the server potentially blew a pricey sale. The dinner was good, but for the same prices, I think the service and food at Joe's is much better. It seemed like there were a lot of people working the dining room, but the service didn't necessarily commensurate. There were periods of long delays as well as a few missteps in service, and at these price points, I think that's unreasonable. For lunch I gave this 4 stars; for dinner, it's 3, so it averages out to a solid 3.5 stars.
(3)Jim M.
replaced a reservation for 3 forks with this one and were delighted! food, service ambiance all wonderful, steaks (NY strip and filet) were both done to perfection, will definitely come again
(5)Kyle P.
I come here for lunch about once a month and really dig the atmosphere and the burgers and fries. It isn't on the best in the city but it is quality for a good price and I have had the steaks and wine and again they are very good but not great or perfect. I do love the service though and there is a great waiter at lunch and bar manager I can't remember her name but she is great as well
(4)J. M.
Came to Benny's for an event. I have to say the steak was AMAZING... like "butta" I don't know how they do it but they do it well.... I'd say this is a perfect setting for a romantic date for any carnivore couple. Impressive. Even met Benny! Yes, apparently there is an actual Benny, I was surprised to. Go. Eat. Enjoy.
(4)Paul R.
Great food and great service. Visiting for 2 days and this was a great place to grab a drink, lunch, and some great recommendation's from the staff.
(4)Ken S.
Went there to celebrate my Father's Birthday(68) with our family. Kids 7 & 9 were present. We had a wonderful meal. Great service. Never once felt rushed to leave on a Saturday night. Loved the atmosphere. The kids were treated nicely as well. Would recommend this to anyone. Great experience! Bacon App was decent. It's more like Pork Belly than Bacon.
(5)Tony M.
Very good job by the host in taking care of the party. We had about 10 people and some were more demanding than others. However, the app we had before the entree was huge. Full of lobster, shrimp, and snow crab it was more food than we needed. Good atmosphere and great wait staff. I would recommend it to you if you in Chicago.
(4)Jim H.
I received a gift card for this place so my fiancé and I decided to check it out. They aren't kidding when they put $$$$ next to their name. I'm really glad I had the gift card! The food was good. Our waiter was great...he even ran down the street chasing after us when we left our credit card there (we were in a rush trying to catch a show). I wish I could remember his name.
(4)Kenny R.
The service was good and the food was also good. Not the best filet I've ever had but it was very good. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because we were there with a large party and when we asked to separate the bill they acted as if we had just killed a member of their family. Because of the server acting like a baby over the separation of the bill I will not be returning. There are 100's of other steak restaurants in Chicago with food that is just as good that treat there customers respectfully and have no problem separating the bill.
(3)Eric B.
Was in Chicago for St. Paddy's weekend and looking for a place to eat dinner Friday night. Most of the places I wanted to try were all booked, so I basically just found something within walking distance of my hotel that took reservations. Benny's ended up being a great find. The food up and down was mostly excellent; the mac and cheese was amazing. Blue cheese croquettes were not quite what I hoped, but decent I guess. Also love a place that serves straight up bacon as an appetizer (although we didn't try it). Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable...when she was around. She seemed to disappear for large amounts of time. It took at least 20-30 mins for her to finally come back to take our food order. Not sure if she was stretched thin or what. I'd definitely recommend this place. It has an old school steakhouse vibe and has a decent location. Also the people watching is....interesting.
(4)Bob D.
In town for the Stadium Series. The Bone in rib eye was fantastic. Server was very good and the Bisque was outrageously good. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll definitely be back.
(5)Lizz M.
Hello and welcome to every Yelpie's favorite week: Restaurant Week. Came here for lunch today with a friend. We were promptly greeted by two hostesses out front and taken to our seats. $22 for a soup or salad, entree and dessert. Don't mind if I do. I had the potato, leek and pesto soup which was perfectly seasoned and had a velvety texture. I could have eaten this soup all day and am already planning on how to recreate it at home. For the entree we had the option between butternut squash risotto, red snapper or a filet with duck fat fries and a glorious, glorious mushroom and wine sauce. I think you can tell which one I got. The portions were perfect, and the dish also came with a small bunch of arugula, which cut the heaviness of the filet perfectly. Lastly, dessert. My dining companion and I thought we had a choice between two items, but it turns out you got a deconstructed banana cream pie, mini creme brulee and chocolate mousse with marshmallows. Seriously delicious. Left (SO) full and happy. As my friend put it, "I want to snuggle the chef" because good lord, what a perfect meal! And our waiters were all friendly, attentive and wonderful.
(5)David W.
Food-very good. Price-high. Service-mediocre. Value for money? Lots of places to get a great meal in the city. This one would stack up if the service was better.
(3)Morris N.
Classy decor, excellent service. You can ask anyone walking by and they will accommodate you not like most places where you get the standard response, let me get your server so I give them five stars for service. Food was amazing. For appetizers we had the calamari, house cured maple glazed bacon and even tried the bone marrow. Entree was bone-in ribeye and sides of asparagus and mash potatoes. Wine list was extensive. I tried the Justin cab which was great with the steak. It is pricey so expect to drop around $150 per person.
(5)Brittany Z.
Went here for my mom's birthday last week and I can happily say it's by far one of the best restaurants in the city. Hands down. Service? Top Notch. Our waitress was phenomenal and the sommelier recommended my new favorite wine. Food? OMG. Amongst the table we ordered: calamari, the crab cake, maple bacon, rib eyes, the skirt steak, the new york strip, and a filet. For sides we had fries, carrots, brussell sprouts, and mashed potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection and melted in our mouth. Blah, blah, blah it was amazing. Ambiance? Lovely. I love, love, loved, the dark decor and amber lighting. It wasn't too loud and I didn't find it hard to hold a conversation. Bonus: Surprise Happy Birthday Smores dessert for my Mom complete with candle. Adorbs. P.S. The creme brulee is good as well. Bottom Line. Go, just go.
(5)Samantha W.
We had originally planned to visit another steakhouse when visiting this past weekend, but when we realized it wasn't open on Sundays, we ventured to Benny's instead. I am glad we made the switch. Service and food were great. Our server (who only identified himself as the sommelier) was very pleasant to talk to (we discussed, at length, about the joys of bacon), had a wealth of knowledge about how each of the steaks were prepared and cooked, and was spot on with his meal recommendations. I had one of the specials, a Cajun-style Tenderloin with bacon & onion reduction and garlic potatoes. I like my meat dead, so I had it cooked Medium Well and it had a great char on the outside but was still incredibly tender. Far from shoe leather. The potatoes were good and came in a generous portion. My boyfriend (who's hard to impress when it comes to food, let alone steak) ordered his Wet Aged Rib Eye Double Rare and, while the server took some liberties and switched it to Blue, he loved it. Server also took some liberties with the whiskey BF ordered since they didn't have regular Jameson, but again was spot on. For dessert, we figured we'd share the S'mores Cheesecake. It was delicious but I definitely could've/should've ordered my own. It's not massive like the Chocolate Layer Cake. Restaurant was lovely. Great mix of customers, young and old -- not an overly stuffy atmosphere like I was expecting.
(5)Megan K.
Benny's, you never displease me when it comes to a classic American steakhouse. I've been to Benny's around five times over the last two years for work dinners as well as for a very nice date out, and I've never had an unpleasant experience. The ambiance is spot on, the service is great and fairly consistent, and the steaks are incredible. All of these items are crucial to a great steakhouse experience, which is why I keep coming back to Benny's over the other offerings in the city (ie Mortons, Gibsons, G&G, etc). My boyfriend and I came here for a Thursday night dinner last night, and we had a great experience. We made a reservation (which is a must and incredibly easy through opentable.com ) for 6pm and the restaurant was just kicking off the evening. We were promptly seated and given a wine menu to look over. Once we made our selection from their large and impressive list, we were asked if we wanted it decanted, which was a nice touch. They brought the decanter over in a matter of minutes and poured two glasses of wine for us while the dinner specials were explained and while we looked over the menu. We had a few questions about some of the sides, which our server effectively answered. After hemming and hawing over what sides we wanted, we finally came to the following conclusion: 1) Appetizer: House Cured and Cut Bacon: I would give this a 4/5 when it comes to bacon. It was thick cut, the right amount of fat to meat ratio, salty and sweet (due to the maple glaze), and it had a great smoky flavor to it. It was pan seared and then grilled, so the flavor profile was fantastic. Also, the portion was HUGE, we both had two very large pieces of bacon that were a meal in and of itself. I'd recommend this appetizer for a larger party, or as a side to your steaks. Although, if you have a large appetite, you could easily devour this as a precursor to the savory steaks. 2) Steaks: We both went with the dry aged bone in New York strip. This is one of the most solid steaks I've had at Benny's, besides the bone in Filet Mignon, and it always hits the mark. The seasonings they use in the dry aging is fantastic and the bone in really makes the steak juicy and flavorful. We got our steaks medium, which was great, but the medium rare presentation of this steak is to die for as it's just more flavorful that way. 3) Sides: This is the reason for knocking off a star, I'm never pleased with the sides here. They're good... just not great. We decided to get the Blue Cheese Croquettes which were essentially thin cut potatoes stuffed with blue cheese, baked, topped with more blue cheese and potatoes, and then baked again. I love blue cheese, but this cheese was really dry, which was a great contrast with the steak, but just not outstanding on their own. I liked them more as the meal went on, but they were still just "meh" in my book. We also got a broccoli/kale type vegetable as a side that was topped with Parmesan, and this was also very lackluster. It was pretty bitter (due to the kale influence) and just hard to cut and eat without looking like a slob. Not a huge fan. 4) Dessert: Chocolate Layer Cake. Need I even go into more detail with this one? It was exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse--huge portions and pumped full of deliciousness. The cake came out cold, which for some reason I'm normally not a fan of cold cake, but it was fantastic! It was rich, but not too sweet, and tasted very dark chocolaty. We managed to put away about 2/3 of this bad boy before raising the white flag. I'll definitely be back to Benny's when I'm willing to splurge a little bit (nearly $300 for a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two steaks, two sides, and a dessert) but it is a fantastic meal that's worth it every now and then for a special occasion. Benny's is spot on with the pacing of the meal, so you never feel rushed or wonder when the next course is coming out. Well done (even though you NEVER want to hear these words uttered in relation to steak) Benny's, well done.
(4)Nancy K.
Read a lot of different reviews of steakhouses in Chicago and decided to try Benny's Chop House for my birthday dinner. I was not disappointed! I love a good rib eye steak and the one I had at Benny's was absolutely fantastic! Cooked to my liking, I enjoyed every bite. Started with Benny's chowder (excellent), rib eye steak, bake potato and finished with the totally awesome banana cream pie! The service was a class act all the way, with greetings at the door and all waite staff. Our server Erwin was absolutely wonderful...thank you! He is not pushy or forgetful, but very attentive and professional. It was a great dining experience. Looking forward to dining at Benny's again. Ps thanks Erwin for the extra "birthday surprise"! Nancy
(5)Kenneth F.
Yelp... you need to include ZERO STARS... we didn't get to the dinner part... We sat and had a drink before dinner and the hostess was lovely, our cocktail waitress was cute and cheery, so we thought everything's on track - WRONG!!! I ordered a $12 Bulleit Rye on the rocks with a twist and we had a nice time listening to some just ok, karaoke style singer.. ok, she was good and it's Chicago so some live music was in order... We get ready to be seated and we get the bill and magically the $12 Bulleit Rye is .... drumroll..... $14 ... really wtf??? I ask the waitress who looked at me like oh this is how we roll in Chicago... "well sir, (still very cheery and polite) when you order the drink with ice or on the rocks, its usually a larger pour..." hmmm really, yeah, never heard of this before.. ... just an FYI... $2 isn't going to break me; it's the principle! Tell us it's $14 and I would have still ordered it... or tell me it's $14 on the rocks - ok, but don't play fast and loose on the menu... where are the asterisks? Ok, So I stop to talk the manager Mitchell, another nice chap - see everyone is really cheery when the commit larceny (sic) - he said the same thing... when you order on the rocks it's a larger pour.... just like when you order a Martini up it's a bigger pour... I said, oh ok, I get it... where does it say this for us non Chicago morons.. where on the menu does it explain this... He looked at me mater of factly and said: "it doesn't sir..." So by this time my wife was seated, and I asked the lovely hostess to kindly get her and that we were leaving... Mitchell didn't know what was wrong and I told him, I didn't want to mistakenly ask for bread and butter or a glass of water "on the rocks" and be charged additional for it...
(1)Dana L.
Awesome wine list Great food and the service was great
(5)Elle C.
I want to love Benny's. I want to love it so much that I keep coming back, but I don't and... This will be my last time. The steak I had tonight... 60$ ribeye. Had no char. Came out over, sent it back and it came out gristly, colorless, and damn near flavorless. The service is always subpar. I wish I could say this was a first, but I've had several less than stellar meals here (for upwards of 250 each). :( I wanted to love you Benny's... But now I can't come back.. Not even for oysters..
(2)Kerry C.
When you are paying this much for drinks and food, you expect superior service and meals. Benny's delivered. The wine list was eye-bugging expensive but their choices were superb. I'm a vegetarian and had a wonderful time with plenty of choices. My boyfriend said it was the best meal of his life (house cured bacon that "melts in your mouth" and bone in rib-eye). My parents are pretty picky and have had their share of nice meals and both said it was one of their best meals in the city. And they live here. Wonderful service- not stuffy, very knowledgeable and fun. Great meal, great time.
(5)Andrew B.
Note this is a review of a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and oyster appetizer at a steakhouse; if I were reviewing the steak I suspect this would be a 5/5. Hit up Benny's for their Thanksgiving day dinner, for lunch, with the foreknowledge that I'd also be hitting Chicago Q with GrubWithUs for dinner. Great service! Very attentive, very polite. Great atmosphere. Quiet even after the crowds started filling up tables. Decent turkey -- had an odd sliver of bone hidden in my slices of turkey that was a bit disappointing, not to mention unpleasant to choke on. We had a dozen oysters as an appetizer; they were ok, but the liquor seemed more like ice water to me than a salty oyster liquor. The oyster meat was also not pre-separated from the shells. My dining companion thought they were decent; maybe I'm just spoiled by a recent trip to GT that I need to repeat soon. The cocktail and mignonette sauces Benny serves with their oysters were good, but maybe a bit strong -- perhaps to make up for the mild-flavored oyster meat and liquor. The butternut squash soup that came as part of the dinner was quite good. The wedge salad I ordered separately was a nice variation on a wedge -- it was actually heart of iceberg rather than wedge. The creamy bleu cheese dollops were an excellent compliment to the grape? cherry? tomatoes and bacon bits. And the tomatoes were 100% good, nothing sour, nothing underripe, nothing borderline -- rare anywhere I go, especially once out of season for tomatoes. The mashed potatoes were ok. The sweet potatoes were a bit disappointing. Definitely intend to go back and hit up the steak menu sooner than later; will review again.
(3)Sarah S.
Food was good, as was ambience. Service exceeded expectations. Caesar salad too much dressing. Shrimp special appy, too much seaweed. TBone to share, cooked and seasoned perfectly, but a few bites were tough. Highlight of evening was our Kosta Browne Pinot Noir.
(3)Peter K.
I go here about once a month for lunch. They have an awesome burger that comes with truffle fries for only $10!!! For my money its one of the beast deals in the city. You can easily spend $15 - $20 downtown and not get half as good a burger. I have tried other things on the menu and they have been ok. Nothing really stands out other than the burgers and tacos. The menu gets expensive once you veer off the path of lunch time sandwiches. I have been there for a couple of work functions and got a steak which was done nicely, I also had one of the best, if not THE best Cesar Salad there. I'd recommend if you are in the area, however if you are looking for TOP FLIGHT steakhouses; this is in the top 10, but NOT in the top 5
(3)Christopher R.
This is my favorite steak house in the city. One of the few places to offer natural, dry, or wet aged steaks, Benny's will surely have the cut for you. I usually go for the natural bone in ribeye with truffle mashed! They also have a fantastic wine program and a great selection of scotch. They also have live music in the bar on some nights as well as a private dining room if needed.
(5)B B.
Best steak EVER. Expensive but worth every penny. Attentive and knowledgable staff, and most importantly, fabulous steak!!!
(5)Amelia S.
This meal was worth every penny. Great meal and great service, everything was perfect from start to finish. I can't wait to come back and try the seafood tower.
(5)Evan A.
I went to Benny's last night for my birthday dinner and it was everything that you look for from a high end steakhouse. The server was knowledgeable and attentive but not overbearing. Stiff drinks. The decor was pretty nice. Not amazing, but classic vibe. The food was awesome. I had the dry aged ribeye and tried my mom's lamb chops and dad's wet aged natural rib eye. All were incredible but I liked mine the best. Also had oysters which were very fresh, crispy kale and sorbet. It came out to about $100 a person with drinks, which is pricey but there really were no complaints.
(5)Mar R.
I went there for the first time last week on my bday.. I loved how we were seated as soon as we walked in the restaurant, I got special bday menu ( I loved it) I got steak with lobster it was really good.. Loved the place super romantic . Will definitely go there again ..
(5)Gabe P.
The food was good, the deserts are gigantic. One serving is enough for the whole family. However when you consider the high price of the food I do not think it was worth it. I had the ribeye mr and it was good but not $100 dollars good and the sides and salad were of average quality, not what you would expect when you drop this kind of money.
(3)Faith H.
My mom's birthday was this week, and she said she wanted to try out Benny's. The service was great. We got seated right away, and our server, Kirsten, was fantastic. She went over the menu in great detail and was able to answer all of our questions. We never felt rushed. Plus, she gets bonus points for wishing my mom a happy birthday (and giving her a special commemorative menu to take home with her name on it). The food and drinks were awesome. I ordered a specialty cocktail called the State Escape...kind of tasted like a minty mimosa. But, of course, the steak was the star of the show. I opted for a filet mignon. My mom had the same, while my dad had the prime rib and my fiance ordered the surf and turf. We also had three sides to share, which were all delicious -- spinach, seasonal mushrooms and truffle mashed potatoes. We ordered a few desserts to share, which were delicious as well -- carrot cake (which was HUGE), berry cobbler and creme brulee. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm not a big meat eater, but this place was so delicious, and I would definitely come back!
(5)Caroline M.
After 8+ visits, I can say that I truly adore Benny's. Every visit has been consistently wonderful, from the service to their tasty offerings. I really enjoy just sitting at the bar or at a hightop in the lounge. It's a very conversation friendly atmosphere, which I appreciate. Perfect for lengthy girl chats. Next time you're downtown and looking to have a stellar evening, consider Benny's. It's the perfect place to relax, imbibe, and converse.
(5)Josh V.
I have a "Burger To Do List" compiled from three separate Best Burger in Chicago(land) lists. I haven't been very diligent at working on it, so last Friday on my company's "Spring day" holiday (when it was about 30 degrees) I decided to knock one off the ol' list. Hurray for progress! After careful consideration, I went with Benny's as it is a) walking distance from home and b) the burger is allegedly only on their lunch menu, so I wasn't going to accomplish this task during dinner. Benny's is a bit off the beaten path, tucked away on Wabash between Illinois & Hubbard, so that may hurt its business a bit. When I arrived between 12:30 & 1:00 on Friday, it was fairly dead. There were a handful of people in the bar area, and there didn't seem to be a lot of tables occupied. That's a shame. I got a seat at the bar and zeroed in on the burger section of the lunch menu. They had a few options, and I was torn between two of them. Not sure which way to go, I asked the bartender for help. She said the Fried Egg and Truffle Aioli Burger (with black-pepper bacon fries) was her favorite. OK, sold! While waiting for my food, I'll take a moment to describe the space. The restaurant is relatively new, and it looks good. The bar area was large and open, with plenty of seating at the bar and tables, and big windows on two sides. The decor was classy and not overdone. The bar was bright during the day, but the main dining room looked pretty dark. Ah, my burger is here! Time to dig in. Oh look, the fries are served in a little metal frying basket! How cute. OK, this burger is big (10 oz my sources tell me, though it doesn't say so on the menu). And there is an egg sitting atop it. Having learned my lesson trying to eat a burger with an egg at a different Burger List establishment, I cut this one in half and let the yolk run down before digging in. Wow, this burger is GOOD! It seemed to be cooked a bit shy of the medium I requested, but not enough for me to send it back. Anyway, the toppings and the burger worked hand-in-hand to create an amazing taste experience. The truffle aioli certainly packed a flavor punch, but it didn't overshadow the meat. I can't say this is the best burger I've had in my life, but it was certainly the best I've had in recent memory. I think it (barely) beats out the Gage Burger, while being a few dollars cheaper in an equally nice environment. One minor problem was that the bottom bun didn't hold up well to a juicy, egg-topped burger and got soggy fast. The plentiful, thick-cut fries were also tasty, though I didn't really catch much bacon flavor. The whole meal was more than enough food. I'd only eaten a bowl of cereal, hours earlier, and I couldn't finish the fries. The bartender was efficient and helpful. She was friendly, but didn't have much time for chit chat as she was covering the whole bar area. I know my next burger should come from a different spot on my list, but it will be tough to not just go back here. Benny's has raised the burger bar and those other places on my list better bring their A game when I get to them!
(5)Meg X.
I've always wanted to try this place out so my friend and I went when he was doing his Chicago staycation. It's pricey as hell, and since we got there before 6 we could only sit in the bar. They didn't have the rum I like (Bacardi) but the waitress was very nice and checked to see what other clear rum they had. We ordered the blue cheese croquets as an appetizer instead of a side and she was very accommodating about it. The steaks were way out of our price range so we both got pasta. I got the rigatoni, which was completely decent. I wasn't really impressed with the place overall, except for the croquets. Great service, though.
(3)LOIS B.
This place is a winner. Ambiance is highly desirable. Crisp white table cloths, OUTSTANDING service, and an outstanding wine recommendation from our waiter made for a wonderful meal. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. All desserts are made daily and then the pastry chef gets creative and offers a special of the day. Our cheesecake with lemon curd and blueberry topping was ............... to die for. Oh, and for Restaurant week ~ they have decided to offer their special for lunch, 3 courses for $22. It is offered daily, through the month of February. This is a GREAT deal.
(5)Donna L.
What a great experience! Everything from the service to the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so comfortable and romantic enough for two, but open enough for families. A great place for all ages. We had the corner booth seated right away. Very enlightening waiter with suggestions and education about the specialty cuts of steak. Oysters Rockefeller appetizer were amazing. Mixed with spinach and cheese perfectly. Also started with the Benny's chowder which was a nice blend of seafood and veggies. Entree was a the bone-in ribeye seared halfway between medium and medium-rare. Mouthwatering and delicious. Enjoyed the succulent steak with the truffled mashed potatoes and mac and cheese which were fantastic and way more then enough for the two of us. Dessert was thee best part. Banana cream pie and chocolate pudding cake were our picks and both were so heavenly and decadent. Simple yet satisfying. I have to say overall this place was fantastic in more than just the trendy way like the other steakhouses around. I like a better more comfortable atmosphere rather than a dark swanky wannabe place.
(5)Allen B.
Dear Benny, I just wanted to write you some words of endearment, straight from the heart via the stomach. Though we had only met once, I felt that our time spent together was magical. From the moment our eyes met over a glass of Jamesons, I knew that I had fallen hard for you. Your thinly sliced Carpaccio that I enjoyed at the bar while being welcomed with free drinks from the hosts due to the wait, melted on my tongue and at the same time............ melted my heart. The way your 16oz filet mignon danced around my table accompanied with your special friends, Ms. Hand-cut French Fries and Ms. Sauteed Garlic Spinach put my soul at a blissful eaze. The impeccable customer service by all of your staff was indoubtebly, must I quote the passionate words of wisdom by Drake?.... "....the BEST I've ever had." We will meet again Benny, I gaurantee it. Just please make sure your arms are open wide as I will then run into them without hesitation and with an empty stomach. I love you Benny's Chop House, remember that always. Hugs & Kisses, Allen B.
(5)Trina J.
The menu was pretty limited and they were out of most items. I enjoyed the items I selected but they were not life changing. Worth a try but not at the top of my list
(3)lisa l.
Went to Chicago to celebrate the Mister's 50th birthday and on the recommendation of the concierge landed at Benny's. WOW, WOW, WOW! The service, the food, the ambiance...OUTSTANDING!!! The only negative was the weak cocktail in the lounge...could have been better, but the very friendly wait staff more than made up for it. I ordered a salad with the best white balsamic dressing ever. Followed by an incredible filet mignon and sweet, delicious lobster tail...thought I died and went to heaven with each bite.
(5)Maisha R.
Benny's Chophouse was a great choice for dinner. Dining with a nice-sized group in a private room, we started with the fried calamari, house cured bacon and mushroom flatbread. While they were all good, the bacon was clearly the stand out! It was sweet, fatty and salty. How could it get any better? Appetizers were followed by the endive salad with walnuts, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette and I chose the ribeye for my main dish. It was flavorful, a hearty portion, cooked perfectly and other than wishing it was a bit more tender, thoroughly enjoyable. The shared side dishes were well...asides. The crispy kale was actually pretty good but the lobster mac and cheese and the broccoli with cheese weren't as good as I'd hoped. I had the s'mores cheesecake which didn't exactly taste how I'd imagined it might based on the waiter's description but I was so full by that point that after a couple of bites, I couldn't have eaten anymore anyway.
(4)Sahar M.
Food and service were great. We tried Benny's burger, bacon, truffle fries and oysters. Everything was delicious. Drinks are grrat, we had Mexican mule and it had generous amount of alcohol (tequila) in it. This how the drinks should be. We loved it! I didn't get a chance to get the bartender's name. He was amazing. Polite, crafty, well mannered and focused on the clients. We asked fir his recommendations, and they were all amazing. Plus, since our burger took more time than usual to be on the table, our bartender sent bacon for free to us. He was great!!!! I wish I knew his name.
(4)Gary R.
This is the best restaurant that is owned and operated by Benny the Bull. That guy must be so busy with all of his Chicago Bulls commitments, and owning this place. Keep in mind that its the large (possibly obese) Benny we're talking about here. Not the more atheletic "Da Bull." Regardless, the restaurant was quite good. Went for lunch. Had a cheeseburger. It was a quality cheeseburger, possibly made from some of Benny himself. I could tell the meat was from high quality artisans and top ranked butchers. The service was very attentive. The server actually gave me his business card upon the completion of the meal, which was a first. I wasn't sure if that was so that I could email him and tell him what happend to the food once I had consumed it? Lucky for him, I entered him into a drawing to win a free sub at Quiznos. The burgers are good. Didn't love the Kobe Beef carpacio. I imagine Benny doesn't like Kobe anyway, so he probably didn't spend much time on that dish.
(4)Sbh H.
Excellent food! Steak, salads and sides are delicious. Service a tad slow, but they try to not rush you through dinner. We enjoyed!
(5)Jayci G.
Down to Earth wait staff, deeelicious meal! Go sit at the bar and talk to Diedra...she's incredible!
(5)Ayca M.
This was easily the best steak I've ever had. I wanted to take my hubs to a nice steak dinner, and when I did some research, Benny's Chop House came up as a Chicago favorite. I'd never heard of it, but we decided to try it out. When I called to make reservations, they asked if there was a special occasion, which I hadn't expected. I told them my husband had just completed his MBA, and that he had also just accepted a job offer. When we arrived, the host offered his congratulations to my husband, which was a nice surprise. A couple minutes after being seated and greeted by our waiter, Kevin, we noticed that our menus said "Congratulations" as well! My husband and I both ordered a glass of wine, grilled asparagus, salads, and two different kinds of steak. Both of ours were out of this world. I'm *very* picky about steak, but there was not a single bite left on my plate after I was done with my meal. We ordered desert as well, which was also very good. Both of us left our meal feeling super content and our bellies were so happy. We accidentally forgot to take our menu with us (they said we could), so they saved a copy for me and I went back a couple weeks later to pick it up. Our waiter was very helpful, everyone was friendly, and the food was superb. We couldn't have asked for a better experience! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)Jessica C.
Service, Food, and Atmosphere are all on point ! Def one the top steakhouses in Chicago.
(5)Chris B.
Stopped in for lunch. Great food, friendly staff. Can't wait to go back for dinner.
(5)Jim B.
An average steak house that can't make up it's mind if it's tragically hip or simply upscale. We were going to go to Gene & Georgettis but opted on Benny's. We were greeted nicely and our waiter Kevin seemed to have a nice sense of humor. We ordered and the shrimp cocktail was good, the wedge salad was good and then, and then, well nothing for a while. I know they had to fillet our sole, but it was a stretch in time. Then they didn't bring out the correct sides. They gave us lobster risotto (which we didn't order), that was above average, but none of the veggies that we had ordered. They got my buddy's spinach eventually but I thought we had been forgotten. We ordered dessert, again my buddy got his brandy in a timely fashion, but my coffee would come out as dessert was being served. Again there was a sizable gap in service and time. The food was good and the service started out good, but at the end of the meal there a 100 other places within a 6 block radius that has better service and comparable food.
(3)Peter M.
$16 martini.....you must be kidding.....never going back.
(1)Craig B.
Sorry Yelp'ers. OVER-RATED. The food was good. But frankly it should be. It's $45 for a steak, and that means good food is a given, so no extra credit there. Skip the house salad; a messy chopped salad too busy to be called a "house salad". The blue cheese chunks in the Wedge deserve special mention however. What killed it for me was the over-sell by the waiter. Did you know his personal favorite is the crab meat and asparagus topped filet. Of course it is! Oh, and the chilled seafood tower is perfect for five. Duh. And did I mention the Wagu beef is also the best steak I ever had. Who would have thought? Spare me the hard sell Benny. This ain't no Applebee's, and I didn't bring my clients so that they could get a steak from a used car salesman. Not impressed.
(2)Kimberly B.
DELICIOUS. We wanted to eat somewhere fancy during our trip here and just had to try this place after reading some of the reviews. There was no wait when we got there around 8pm and were immediately seated. Our server was wonderful and very prompt with our requests. I ordered their 8 oz. petit filet mignon and the husband ordered a rib-eye and filet mignon combo. We shared mashed potatoes and cream of spinach as our sides, which is more than enough! I think we could've done just one side because we were stuffed. It took a little bit longer for our food to come out (even though it didn't seem like a big deal because we kept munching on their delicious bread) but our server presented to us free champagne on the house anyway. Everything was absolutely delicious, and I recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a great-tasting steak during their stay in Chicago.
(5)Keith R.
Benny's is conveniently located about a block from Trump Tower were we were staying so we thought we would give it a try. We normally eat at Joe's steakhouse when in Chicago but wanted to try someplace different on this trip. We should have stuck with Joe's. It's not the place was bad but our overall experience was lacking. We made our reservations last minute on open table with no problem getting a 7:00 seating. We arrived on time and was immediately seated. It was just my wife and I for dinner. The waiter sent over the sommelier to help with the wine selection. We normally go for California Cabs but he insisted we try a Washington selection after we gave him our favorite cabs we normally drink. We did agree to the wine he selected but for $275.00 we were expecting to love it. We were very disappointed. We told him it was just ok and not crazy with the finish. For dinner we ordered the filet and my wife got the lobster. Both were cooked correctly but just tasted ok. I was expecting a better tasting meat. For sides we ordered mac and cheese, sweet potato, roasted Brussels sprouts and Rigatoni pasta. Yes we tried them all. The best were the rigatoni and Brussels sprouts. We loved both. The worst was the mac and cheese they just not very special. We finished dinner with a banana cream pie. It was delicious. We could only eat half of the serving. When the bill arrived the sommelier took $40.00 off the wine without us asking for it. That was a nice jester but for what we paid for the bottle he could have switched it out when we tasted it. On our next trip back to Chicago I think we will just stick with Joe's. We eaten there over 10 times and have never been let down.
(3)Lester A.
My wife coudln't stop talking about this place when she ate here late last year so of course I had high expectations. We came here with two of our friends that she came with the last time she ate here so I was the rookie at Benny's. This place met and exceeded all those expectations by dessert. We ordered a dozen west coast oysters, blue cheese croquettes and calamari to start. If the appetizers were a sign of what's to come for dinner then I was ready because everything was amazing. We all ordered the bone-in ribeye and had the seasoned mushrooms and sauteed garlic spinach for sides. The best bone-in ribeye I ever had. I could see what my wife was talking about, food so good you smile as you chew. The sauteed spinach was really good but the seasoned mushrooms were just ok, looked like they came out of a can. For dessert we ordered the carrot cake and chocolate souflee. I'm not a big fan of that much chocolate but the souflee was really good, I enjoyed the souflee much more than the carrot cake. Carrot cake was too sweet for me. We only finished half of the carrot cake and asked them to box it up for us and we're not sure if it was a mistake or not but when we got back to our friend's place there was a whole slice of carrot cake in the box. Score! For as much as we paid, the food was well worth it. Quite the dining experience.
(5)Tiffany K.
I rounded up a group of friends and had a super late lunch during restaurant week. I ordered from the restaurant week menu. It was ok. I started off with the spinach salad that was topped with 2 strips of bacon and a poached egg. That was all right. dover sole with leeks and almond bread pudding with butter. presentation was nice but i did not know what went with what as everything was separate on the plate. that was all right. at last, dessert! i had the chocolate souffle. mmmm! i love chocolate. it was warm, gooey and tasty. Our server was helpful and kind. The restaurant is very upscale, clean and bright. I was a little disappointed because I've heard so many great things about Bennys! Sadly, I didn't order any drinks. BUT if you're ever ordering drinks at the bar, look for Crystal the bartender (we used to work together and she makes some meannnn drinks!) and tell her Tiffany sent ya. ;) I'm definitely going to come back, order from the regular menu and grab a few drinks. =) As you know.. the restaurant week menus can be a hit or miss.
(3)Andres R.
I came to Benny's while on a business trip in Chicago. I've eaten at the Morton's, Fleming's, and Smith & Wollensky's across the country; Benny's kicks their butt top to bottom. Our waiter was extremely attentive and sociable. I had the Benny's ribeye (I've never had anything this good for $30 - fantastic value), along with the sauteed mushrooms and spinach. The sommelier - dressed in a flashy (but cool) suit and bowtie - recommended a great malbec. Overall great experience and would return!
(5)Dan K.
Gotta say, this was a terrific steak house. Actually, I'd give it four-and-a-half stars. The bone-in ribeye was delicious. I asked for it medium rare but well-charred on the outside and that was delicious! My wife had the standard medium-rare, and while she's not a regular beefeater, she devoured the whole affair! We had a wonderful dessert: a very rich cinnamon-caramel apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream that was to die for. The service was excellent. While the restaurant says it's dressy, many people (myself included) were wearing much more casual dress, given the heat and humidity outside. Everyone here seemed to really enjoy themselves. I'd certainly recommend this place.
(4)DeeJay O.
Coat service? you know you're about to have a good dining experience. Our server was Kevin and he was really cool and friendly. The food was fantastic. I had the 2 cut Rib Eye (bone out) and man, it was melting in my mouth. The towels/napkins in the bathroom had a "B" etched onto them, which told me "you're out of your element....." Danny.....lol but still, extremely top notch service,...they folded my napkin everytime I got up and left my seat. They accomodated our delay in our reservation schedule (after waiting 1 1/2 hours at McCormick Place for a taxi) and seated us immediately. Overall, this was a good place to eat after a long days work.
(4)Jeff R.
We dined at Benny's last evening with our family and friends and stated simply, enjoyed a perfect meal! The ambiance was refined but not stuffy, the service was professional but not overbearing, and the steaks were just about the best we have all ever had: flavorful, prepared to our specifications and joined by the best crispy kale in the world. I know, it's kale, but it was really worth mentioning. We capped the meal with 2 great chocolate desserts. All in all, a great night!
(5)Karen M.
I live next to this restaurant and like the food a lot. The service is pretty good. The restaurant is nice and formal. The bar is fun with a couple of TVs to keep my husband busy w his games and me happy with yummy food. It can be pricey but food is good.
(4)Eden O.
was in chicago for work and was looking for a good steakhouse. gibson's was booked and bennys was close. let me start by saying the service was extremely attentive, borderline stalker for me. but im sure some people like this? is it wrong that overly nice people get on my nerves? the waiter was helpful and picked what each of us would like based on our appearance, luckily for him, he ordered perfectly (i think this couldve easily backfired). the drinks were actually very good. i had a variation of a bellini (breakfast at tiffany's i think its called) and also a moscow mule which is one of my new favorite drinks. the food however was not very impressive. we ordered a couple apps and each different kinds of steaks. our favorite part of this $300 meal was the salad. to me thats not a great sign...
(3)Tu'ens N.
Nothing egregious about their failures, just a lot of unanswered questions. Such as, "why would a person go here instead of the many better steakhouses?" I have no answer to that question. I went because Joes was too packed and I didn't want to wait and this place was sort of new so I wanted to give it a shot. Maybe you are having the same thoughts and that's why you are reading this review (?). Walking in it is clear they missed the point on almost all levels. The decor is just clunky and poorly thought out. It looks like it belongs in the parking lot of a mall in the outskirts of a mid-sized city in the Midwest (I'm thinking fancy version of Chili's at Madison East Mall). Not in basically the heart of steakhouse row in the steakhouse capital. Its just not there. The food really is pretty sad. We got a blue cheese, red onion & tomato salad -- something I often get when I go to one of the many good steakhouses in Chicago. This was a TOTAL miss. The onion was waaay to strong (soak it in cold water, guys, anyone who watches Chopped knows that). The tomatoes were fine, not particularly good but whatever. The cheese though -- what was that? I have never seen "gorgonzola" like that in my life. It was like this weird spongy all white stuff, like a mix between play-dough and butter, with zero flavor whatsoever. The steak can be called "OK", but in Chicago (and at the same prices as top quality steakhouses), its just not good enough to be OK. There is a SIGNIFICANT and undeniable difference in flavor , texture, marbling and overall quality between this place and say Joe's or Primehouse for example, or even global chains like Ruth's Chris (yes!). And they all cost the same. Good: It does serve as a nice decoy to loosen up space in good steakhouses. Bad: Its existence hurts our rep.
(1)Megan W.
When I found this place it was like finding a hidden treasure! A great place to take clients or for a date. The bar area has a fantastic 2 piece jazz band that's very entertaining and really gives it that Chicago-feel. I've only had their seafood dishes and everything was de-lish!
(5)Eugene H.
very well trained staff, good food, and wonderful atmosphere
(4)Sarah S.
I came here for a business dinner and was very pleased with my experience. The staff was extremely attentative and very helpful. As a starter, I had the crabcake. It was seared to perfection and the mustard it sat upon was delicious! For my main course, I had the rib eye. There were hashbrowns, fries, mushrooms and broccoli for the table. All were very good, but my personal favorite were the french fries. They had grated parmesan...yum! For dessert, I had the vanilla bean cheesecake. The portion size was way too big for one person, but the cake was great. It had fresh cherries and a cherry glaze. I highly recommend it.
(5)Bob S.
Great steaks
(4)Drew S.
25 cent oyster Wednesdays got me in the door and boy howdy was it a classy door. Everything about this place screams classy- the guy playing "Donna Lee" on the piano, the wood and brass work, the wonderful staff...the chef even came by to say hello even though we never ordered anything but oysters and various tasty beverages. They also give you some sort of amazing snacking bits. I can't for the life of me remember what they were but I ate a ton of them.
(5)David T.
First let me disclaimer that my star rating has more with the service than the quality of the food. A group of us went to have dinner at Benny's and had a knowledgeable and courteous waiter who took our orders. When the food came out, all but one of us had their entree. Initially dismissed this as a timing discrepancy, however we quickly realized that our colleague's main course had been forgotten. The waiter and manager responded quickly and appropriately and offered an entree in an expedient manner, on the house of course. As far as the food was concerned, it was excellent. My Benny's duo which was a petit filet and a petit rib-eye, was cooked exactly to order. It was seasoned well and a very good cut of meat. Try the macaroni casserole and mashed potatoes. The grilled asparagus was not seasoned and very pedestrian. Overall the steaks were excellent, but the forgotten entree was a mistake not to overlook for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)Arleen E.
Dined at Benny's with a few friends upon the recommendation of our hotel Concierge. No regrest there! The casual yet sophisticated interiors with dark stained wood panels, is dimly-lit and cozy. Walking in without reservations on a Saturday night with the first annual Windy City Smokeout happening across the street, the restaurant was busy so we sat at the bar. I started with the Beet Salad - I love beets so I could not have gone wrong with that choice. The portion size was good enough to share, however, that was not happening tonight! For the entree, I chose to go with the Pork Chop (with housemade apple sauce) and a side of Sauteed Garlic Spinach. The chop was thick and tender - probably the best chop I have ever had. The sauteed spinach was creamy and was (again) good enough for two people to share. The food is amazing and the service impeccable. I highly recommend dining at Benny's when in Chicago. We will the definitely be back!
(5)Gerry J.
Charles made the best (perhaps the most exotic) Kentucky Margarita I've ever had! Monette provided local color. Ribeye Duo was cooked to medium perfection. Creme brûlée was as good as that time in Montreal.
(5)Megan B.
One of the best steaks I've ever had! Medium rare, Oscar-style. If you don't like crab meat, just pairing your steak with Bearnaise sauce will do. Easily the best Bearnaise sauce...very lemon-y. The warm tomato and burrata salad is worth the price. The blue cheese croquettes are good, but do not live up to their reputation, in my opinion. Domestic beers are surprisingly affordable here, considering it's Chicago. A nice finish with a cappuccino... I highly recommend Benny's Chop House, especially for a dinner with business customers. Only downside...very expensive.
(5)jan d.
Loved that they serve natural beef here, no hormones or abx. No rush enjoyed our cocktail before looking at the menu, large wine list had the wine som. pick it out, great job by the way Dan. Staff and host was very warm and friendly. beautiful food presentation of the beet salad, crab cakes full of crab- if you know what I mean if you have had bad crab cakes, and the meat was soooo good. Dare I say best filet I have ever had? maybe, close to it. Quite formal atmosphere nice adult night out.
(5)Leang E.
We came here for Easter brunch, and I was surprised at how relatively empty it was considering I could not put in reservations for 6 no earlier than noon. I suppose they only just open a half an hour before. In any case, our waiter was quite smart and cheeky which we surely appreciated for the noon hour. I had a bloody mary to start my morning out right. I ordered the Crab and Lobster Louie and a side of brussel sprouts, bacon and cheese. The food was delicious, and I have to say that the portions are not very big. I understand it's lunch, but still. Surprise surprise that my mom ate most of my side dish while she enjoyed the lamb special. At least I got a couple of pieces of the brussel sprouts, which were very good. We split the S'mores Cheesecake and the molten lava chocolate special dessert that day, and it was all very rich and decadent. The prices are a bit higher for me considering the portion of the meal and all the items that were ordered, but it was a very nice experience.
(4)Tommy M.
If Yelp needs a reason to add a 6th star, it's because of places like this. Not one detail was missed. When we arrived, the place settings were so meticulously set on the table - this is a good indicator that the service will be top-notch. The staff was at the ready to seat us. One of the guys saw my dad take an ice cube from his water and put it in his martini, and brought a glass of ice within seconds. Our server, Nick, knew everything. He really knew his stuff, from the different cuts to the different kinds of oysters they have. Like oysters? They have three kinds of oysters, and get this: They are alive until about 10 minutes before you eat them. Wow! They won't be any fresher than that, unless you're hand picking them right out of the ocean. He asked when we wanted each dish, before/during the main course, etc. It's such a simple question, you would think more restaurants would think to do this. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye, medium rare. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. I used to think most steaks were pretty much the same, but it had so much flavor it was unbelievable. Four of us split a chopped salad, which was just enough. Very fresh and tasted great. We also ordered an entree-size bowl of imported Torchietti pasta to have with our main course, it was so good! Growing up in an Italian family and eating pasta 3 nights/week - trust me, I know good pasta. This was, without a doubt, the best meal I have ever had. Oh, and save some room for dessert, especially the key lime pie or bread pudding.
(5)Char Y.
We came here for lunch on a week day during restaurant week. We were seated immediately. We weren't impressed by the restaurant week menu so we ordered from the normal lunch menu. fried egg truffle aioli burger - ok. The bun was soggy and the beef unflavored. The fries were over fried. main lobster roll - great bun, but no lobster chunks? totally did not live up to expectation. Our server, Brett, was courteous and helpful. We were quite disappointed at the food, maybe come back for dinner?
(2)Steve S.
Excellent place for dinner and drinks with friends. The interior is refined yet sleek. I noticed there was a nature theme as you enter the place. There is a bar/lounge area where you can gather prior to your meal or even after work. Our group sat down and had a few drinks prior to our meal and the cocktail server was friendly and prompt. We had an excellent server during our meal. He was able to answer all of our questions regarding the menu and was also gracious/patient when one of my friends started to become a wise-ass. Our water glasses and wine glasses were always full and our silverware replaced as needed. Our table was also "crumbed" prior to our espressos. To start, there was a nice selection of various breads/biscuts. For apps we had the wagyu carpaccio, the fish salad and the jumbo prawns. The prawns were indeed very large and grilled just right. The wagyu was tasty as well. My favorite was the fish salad and it is a must try for seafood lovers. There were large chunks of shrimp, calamari, octopus and sepia (cuttlefish). I also like the simple dressing that allowed for the taste of the seafood to really shine. Most seafood salads use mayo but this one only had lemon juice and garlic. The ceasar and iceberg salads were also well prepared. The leafs did not have any wilted edges and I liked how they chose a dry roquefort instead a wet blue cheese for my iceberg salad. Everyone enjoyed their steaks. I had the prime rib eye which was cooked properly and juicy. The other cuts tried at my table were filet and a strip steak. However, make sure to ask for any sauce on the side if you do decide to choose one because it is a bit much according to one friend. The creamed spinach, sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes complimented our steaks. Benny's is a great place for a steak dinner that offers a new venue outside of what you'd find in chain steak restaurants.
(5)Dan R.
OK, I have a bias, I love Volare and this is Benny's newest venture. It's what I would expect as a steak house version of Volare: great food, great service and a wonderful wine selection. Need I say more?
(5)Brooke B.
My friend and I just stumbled into this place in order to avoid the cold wind but my god it was the best accident ever. The place was nice and the quality of food was fantastic. Also we had gone during Restaurant Week and the deal was so good with perfect proportions. The potato leek soup was superb with its fine smooth taste. Also the fillet mignon was so delicious and filling. It wasn't tough or too bloody, it was just right. The dessert was the best part. It had three small things: creme brulee, banana cream pie, and s'mores. it was so good! The s'mores was the best and my friend and I kept going on and on about how much we love it. Really, it's a place to check out :)
(4)Tim M.
Met the boss for dinner in Chicago so that meant a steak house. Benny's looked decent and was walkable from the Sheraton so I booked it. On the day of we need to move the reservation back an hour and they gladly accomodated us. Everything about the restaurant was good - the drinks, the beer selection (though nothng on tap), the steak, the grilled asparagus, the gazpacho, and the service. The only things that weren't good were the cheesecake (the boss got the molten chocolate cake and didn't like it either), and the reception on the last TV in the bar/lounge - maybe with satellite reception so the action in the Lakers/Celtics game was jerky. I would definitely come here again if I were in the mood for steak
(4)Sunil D.
Its a good steakhouse, but in a city filled with GREAT steakhouses it needs to work on its consistency. The steaks were well priced and phenomenal, the menu seemed to be a notch cheaper many of the other options in the area. Service was sketch at best, granted I did go when it first opened. The server was really pushy on the upsell, insisting everyone get a salad/soup or extra appetizers. I understand recommending enough to feed the party, but there reaches a point where persistence is not needed. They also brought me out the wrong steak, so I had to wait for 20 minutes while my original order was prepared. I understand mistakes happen, so I'm not holding that against them. The appetizers and side dishes were all run of the mill, nothing that stood out. Salads were subpar and the spacing in the room made everyone feel cramped. The steaks made up for a lot of that, the porterhouse that is deconstructed before cooking. This method led to two perfectly cooked pieces of meat. With that said, some tweaking needs to be done to the service and menu if it wants to maintain a prescence longer term in a city full of 5 star steak houses.
(3)S S.
Love the seafood tower! Great steaks and fish. Traditional steak/seafood restaurant atmosphere. Very attentive service.
(3)Liza G.
We went there expecting great service. Waiter was rude and though a party of 7 (3 couples, 1 single) was out of line to asked for separate checks. Only fair for those not drinking. Waiter was disappointed because we didn't want a few bottles of wine and just by the glass. Then said it was going to take about 5+ minutes to split the check. Really that hard, whatever! Then when he finally brings over the check he stood there waiting for everyone to finish signing. Stood over us waiting and not that I was double checking when I looked up he was holding the full bill and said "I got the full bill here so double check if you want" waving the bill like if we were counting our fingers or something. Have to say for the bad service I couldn't remember the food enough to say I'd go back. We went there for a celebration for all of us out of town people for running the Chicago Marathon. Next time we'll head back elsewhere for a nice steak dinner. Crappy service ruined the food experience.
(1)Darrell B.
A very beautiful restaurant. The dining room offers a romantic setting for two or a perfect place for an elegant night out with friends. All of the wait staff was extremely friendly and helpful in all things. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming. Everything we tried was amazing and cooked to perfection. The bar area is a bit more casual and a lot more fun. The bartenders are friendly and speedy with service.
(5)Meg D.
Fabulous, that's all I can say. In all respects. Wonderful atmosphere, our server Daniel was delightful and professional. The food was terrific. We had as an app. an entire King crab which was so Delicious. Not salty as they usually are. But was different was that it was the entire crab. Hugh. I don't eat steak but those at had them said the dry rub was out of this world. They have the traditional seafood tower, so fresh and tasty. I would defiantly be a regular if I lived in Chicago. Can't wait to go back. I can't say enough. Request for Daniel as your server.
(5)Larisa B.
We went here today for Restaurant Week and it was one of the best RW picks ever. I changed, canceled, rescheduled, then settled on Bennys just last week after reading something in Time Out about it being one of the best and it was the truth. They had a prix fixe menu for lunch, my picks - Spinach salad w/ poached egg, sole filet with almond brown butter and the chocolate souffle. I finished every moursel of everything. The salad was a perfect size and the egg made it. The almond brown butter for the fish was so great to on the side for both the fish and the side of bread pudding. The finale of the souffle was perfect. I've heard how difficult it is to make and we had to wait a few extra minutes during our lunch to get it, but it was worth every minute. Paired with a chocolate sauce on the side, it was an amazing ending. I also got to try and taste of the barley soup, the braised short rib and the lemon souflee. I would easily go back and do it again for lunch tomorrow to do the 3rd dishes also. Great waiter and staff too! I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Yelp M.
It's lost a little luster. If someone invited me to go, I'd be there in a second but given the prices, the entrees were just good. At those prices, you need them to be great.
(3)Agnes F.
In a town that suffers no shortage of steakhouses, Benny's proved to be a surprise hit sat at the bar with my friend last week, i had a nice vodka martini with blue cheese olives as well different wines (all were good) it was their oyster specials night so i had a couple dozen of oysters to start and they were fresh and yummy we also shared some foie gras, steak tartare, salad, gnocci, mac and cheese, everything was good and the service was attentive and hey, they have a live pianist too!! all in all, a great place to hang out after work definitely have to come back to try the steak
(4)Carol S.
Elegance and great food. Truffle oil fries, lobster cob salad, Benny's burger, salmon salad, and fried egg burger were all amazing. Great service on a smokingly hot day. Great views out of the half moon windows. Regulars were warmly acknowledged by the staff.
(5)Dave G.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, but for the price I was expecting an out-of-this-world steak. It was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. I chose a dry-aged ribeye and they did a fine job, but again, it wasn't anything I couldn't get at any other steakhouse. The service, the hostesses, and the bartender were all A+. They got us seated and taken care of in short order with no reservations, which was nice. When the waiter screwed up on our drink order, the next round was on the house. Good place, and I'd give it another shot if I get the chance. Wish they allowed 3.5 stars...
(3)Hugh A.
We went to Benny´s to celebrate a special occasion. We had told them about it as we reserved a table and they did a fantastic job in helping us celebrate. The food was excellent and the wine out of this world. We had an absolutely wonderful time.
(5)Bill E.
Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Very nice ambience. Overall Definitely a 5 star restsurant
(5)Adam K.
Bennys was a great restaurant. In a city filled with a million steakhouses, Bennys is definitely one I would return to! Upon arriving we were almost immediately seated at a very nice table towards the middle of the room. We were presented our menus and asked if we wanted to take a look at the wine list. I agreed and almost as quickly as the list appeared so did the Sommelier. He quickly asked us what our preferences were and then the all important budget question. He suggested a nice wine from Australia and even included a nice little story about the vineyard. The wine was superb and everyone at the table agreed. The food at Bennys was also very good. It's a pity our waiter was so batshit stupid, he definitely took away from the experience. For starters he screwed up our appetizer order. My friend ordered this plate of tomato-nonsense which was the special but instead he brought something else. I would say my table was a bit "high maintenance" but still....a fancy restaurant should be used to this. Anyways, I enjoyed the Ribeye duo and this was one of the top 5 steaks I have ever had. I truly wish I could give Bennys 5 stars but I just can't. The service experience was just not up to par. Even though we were unlucky (with the service), I would still recommend Benny's to anyone that wants to try a newer steakhouse in town.
(4)Ryan B.
Very smooth atmosphere. Pianist and vocalist in the background. I had a light dinner - lobster bisque, crab cakes, and lobster ravioli. Everything tasted fresh and well balanced. Excellent service at the bar and my drink was made just right.
(4)C. M.
Probably, no definitely the best service we've had at a restaurant and the food was great! The appetizers main and side dishes were all cooked to perfection. Very pleased with my steak (natural rib eye) as was my wife with her tenderloin. Vibrant lively crowd, and welcoming atmosphere. Pricey, but worth it.
(5)Dina I.
Still my favorite steak joint in Chicago. But, I haven't visited Jordan's new spot or Cut yet...
(5)Matthew C.
3.5 really... Rounding down with stars. Food was actually great really but nothing was exceptional for me. I can't comment on the service because I was with friends who knew everyone. 1 star deduction because the food wasn't exceptional - just very good. Another 1/2 star deduction because the ambiance didn't add anything special either or make me WANT to come back.
(3)Kassie C.
Great time! We started with drinks at the bar-cool bar area. The food was deeeelish! Awesome crab cakes and lobster! Definitely will go back.
(5)Suzanne V.
Came here sometime around midnight on a Friday night, and the place was still open with a few tables full of people enjoying cocktails. At the recommendation of a friend, we came here for one thing and one thing only: chocolate cake. This honkin' piece of chocolate cake was not like some restaurants who call it chocolate but serve a dry, bland, crumbly blob of misery. No, this cake was uber moist, extremely rich, and sinfully decadent. Is your mouth watering yet? Between four of us, we could not finish it, and had to stop short to try the banana cream pie. Our waiter suggested the pie, claiming it was a favorite. I personally don't care for bananas in the slightest, but tried it anyway. It was pretty good, and nothing beats a graham cracker crust. Split four ways, we all ended up paying around $5 or $6 for a substantial amount of cake and pie---not bad at all! I highly recommend rounding off an evening with this place.
(4)Hillary M.
We thought it was everything a steak house should be: low-lit, dark wood decor, hefty portions (and check), friendly service, simple delicious food, downtown Chicago.
(4)Denise R.
I still love this place and it keeps getting better! I've been here several times since my last review and the service and food continues to impress. They've added some steaks to their menu since when they first opened and they are amazing. Every time I eat steak elsewhere, I find myself comparing it to Benny's.
(5)Mary d.
My bf brought me here for my birthday, and it was a fantastic place to celebrate! First, the place itself....the interior is very masculine and warm, the perfect environment for steak gluttony. The bar was clean and crisp and chic, and our cocktails were perfectly made. Once we got to our table, the amazing Paul took amazing care of us. We started with a champagne cocktail "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Then jumbo shrimp cocktail. Then a smoky, crisp, and delicious grilled romaine salad. And, now....the steak. We both had the 8 oz filet mignon. Both were cooked to perfection, and we split a side of hollandaise sauce (which was fluffy and lemony bliss!) For our side, we went with the truffled mashed potatoes, featuring large flakes of truffle all throughout and on top of the potatoes. We each had a glass of a great pinot noir from Willamette Valley with dinner. When we finished, Paul brought us champagne. And then....dessert! A deconstructed s'more cheesecake and the Michigan apple tart. A-MAZING! I recommend this place for any occasion. I think business dinners would go over really well because (unlike noisy, crowded Gibson's) it is carpeted and calm. Try to arrange for a booth so as to be above the constant flow of dinner carts and waitstaff.
(4)mary b.
Very good quality bar bites. Trio of sliders includes truffle burger, crab cake on bun and mini lobster roll. Also had the truffle mushroom flatbread--soo good! nice place to a grab a couple drinks after works and nosh on some delicious bar bites. Atmosphere is classy and low-key and close enough to walk to from the loop. My new fave happy hour. Will also check it out for lunch and dinner, the menu looks really fantastic and delicious!
(4)Sweet W.
Wife & I had some late night eats at Benny's. The USDA Prime steak tartare was amazing, I seriously would rather have a helping of this than a steak. so darn good ! We had a glass of the Benegas Sangiovese from the Medoza region, while the alcohol was strong on the nose, it was a delicous wine for $14 a glass. We then moved onto the seafood tower for two, which contains: 1 Maine lobster, 2 short legs (cut in 1/2) of Alaskan King Crab, 8 jumbo shrimp. Lobster was terrific, while delicious we felt the king crab serving was chinsy, the shrimp lacked flavor and were slighly overcooked. Our waiter said that the shrimp are wild Gulf of Mexico shrimp, but in our opinion the flavor was not there. With the seafood tower we split a 1/2 bottle of Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc ($55), which had slight fruit and very nice minerality. We were very pleased with our server, top notch, lots of fun.
(4)Jules L.
I randomly wandered into Benny's because I had the taste for an upscale burger, and I'd walked by before and seen the menu on the valet stand. They might have the best host in the city of Chicago. He is so friendly! You feel like you're being greeted by a personal friend who is genuinely happy to see you. I explained that I wanted to order to-go and he led me to the bar with a lunch menu. The decor in the lounge was so inviting--not trendy-modern but not mahogany and overstuffed leather either, instead a nicely stated cross betweeen the two--I was sorry I hadn't left myself enought time to eat in. As it turns out, the lunch menu has a few different burgers, as well as several other tempting sounding dishes. The bartender--Jamie, I think?--was ready with his recommendations, and we have pretty similar tastes. I chose the egg and truffle aioli burger with bacon-pepper fries (throw the word "truffle" at me and I am there!). The prices were quite reasonable as well--I have had more expensive burgers with less creative and upscale ingredients. While I waited, Jamie brought me a small bottle of Fiji water, and my order was ready actually a little faster than I expected. He also packed an additional bottle of Fiji with my order, how thoughtful! When I sat down to eat, I noticed that he had also packed a small bread basket for me. Who eats the bread basket when they ordered a sandwich? ...Well, I do, when the bread is two-biter focaccia, biscuit and whole wheat roll, along with two cheese flatbread crackers that were so light that they almost defied gravity. That bread was too delicious to have been bought; they must bake it from scratch in-house. I did notice that the fried were plain, and did not have bacon or pepper on them, but were still delicious. But that was easily forgiven and forgotten when I bit into the burger-- --And stepped off a cliff into Burger Nirvana. Listen to me. You have to eat this burger. It was cooked to medium rare bloody delicious perfection. It was seasoned subtly enough not to distract from its accompaniments. I almost can't even describe the rich flavor and texture from the egg and aioli. Sometimes you get a fancy burger and it is dry and just too civilized to be a burger. But not this juicy, drippy, fabulous creation on a cheese-covered brioche. Wow, did I enjoy my lunch that day. Benny's, I will be back for the Benny's burger. And for another one of these delights. And for dinner.
(5)J I.
Came here for Restaurant week with the boyfriend. We ordered from both the restaurant week menu and the regular menu. We ordered - Spinach Salad with Sunny-Side Egg and Bacon Vinaigrette - 6 ounce Natural USDA Prime Filet with Duck Fat Fries, King Mushrooms and Sauce Bordelaise - Trio of Sliders (chose Prime Benny's Burger onions, provolone Lobster Roll scallion, tarragon Crab Cake) - Trio Plate of Milk Chocolate S'mores, Petite Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée, Banana Cream "Pie" The food here was awesome. The biscuit from the bread basket was really good. I'm sure it's made with a lot of butter but it's really really good. Our server was kind enough to bring me more biscuit while I waited for the boyfriend to arrive. The spinach salad was lighted warmed and drizzled with the right amount of vinaigrette. The prime filet was a little dry, not mind-blowing (like the rest of our meal). It's just a regular piece of prime filet that you would get at another steakhouse. The trio of sliders was special. I couldn't quite decide which one I liked best. If I really had to choose, I might choose the crab cake just because I've never had a slider made of crab cake. The lobster roll was served with a warmed roll a bit crunchy on the outside. The DESSERT trio!!! Milk chocolate mousse cake with cream on the side added up to a s'more. Creme brulee and banana cream pie weren't very sweet. It was good because it didn't didn't make us feel super stuffed at the end of the meal. It was an awesome meal. Would definitely come back. I definitely enjoyed my lunch here more than I did at Joe's Seafood.
(4)Tom D.
The best carrot cake on Earth. Service was wonderful. The staff is friendly. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Dwayne J.
My wife & I went to Benny's on 6-16 to celebrate our anniversary and had an excellent time. Our waiter, Eric, was knowledgeable and funny. His recommendations were on the money. We both ordered the surf-n-turf and several appetizers. Everything was delicious & flawlessly prepared. The filet mignon was outstanding and the lobster was the freshest & tastiest we have ever had in Chicago. PS - I ordered 1 dozen roses from flowerpetal.com which were delivered to Bennys. The flowers were perfect.
(5)Janet B.
We're from Napa, California, and the last two years we have vacationed in Chicago. On a recommendation, we went to lunch at Benny's Bar for their hamburger special. They use prime beef for their hamburger and it is delicious. For $10 you get a hamburger with fries. I ordered the classic, my husband ordered one with blue cheese, port wine onions, and truffle fries. Great location, close to the Trump Tower. I know nothing about the dinner menu except they do not serve the hamburger. We think it is one of the best deals in Chicago for lunch.
(4)Mihir G.
The Holy Trinity fulfilled: Great Scotch - check Great Service - check Great Food- check My buddy and I got to the bar a few minutes before our reservation and chatted up the bartender to decide what scotch to start with. The bartender (Deidre) suggested and allowed us to sample some great, out-of-the way scotches (and that she was equally disappointed that they didn't have Sheep Dip was a plus). After selecting the right starter, we engaged Justin, the sommelier that everyone rightly brags about, in a hearty conversations about scotches. Instead of wine pairings through dinner, he suggested that we do a scotch tasting. After understanding our tastes and preferences, he rolled out a cart and proceeded to serve us an 8-scotch progression that, in a word, was magnificent and educational. Three words. Own it. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet. Shellfish tower was exceptionally fresh, the mac n cheese was predictably delicious, and special Wagyu was a close second to the steak I had at Sankyu (Roppongi).
(5)Pamela S.
Not great food for the price! I found hair in my seafood appetizer but no apologies were made by the waiter or management! Horrible!! For the prices they charge this should not happen ! Horrible!! Dont go!!!
(1)Greg R.
Best Steak Ever! Get the Dry Aged Strip and you will be blown away!
(5)Bianca S.
Can't say enough great things about this restaurant. I'm on a mission to eat at every steakhouse in Chicago....well my boyfriend is on that mission....I get the salmon. But I digress. Everything from atmosphere, service, & quality of food is amazing. I started with a wedge salad - perfect portion. I had the salmon and my boyfriend had the 22 oz steak served median well. We shared the truffled mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. You could taste the truffles. Mmmm..... Since it was my boyfriends birthday we received a free smores' dessert. Don't let the looks fool you this thing is incredible. They mash graham crackers with butter for the best tasting concoction even if it wasn't pleasant to look at.
(5)Jay B.
Dry aged bone in anything = happiness
(5)Linsey R.
So, after the previous review the chef e-mailed me to come back to the restaurant, which we really appreciated. Our second visit was exactly what we had expected on the first. The service was extremely professional and accommodating. The food was great, especially the scallops and dessert!
(4)Angela W.
This place is AMAZING!!!!! First class all the way. Went there for our anniversary & they started us with a comp glass of champagne, dinner was great & s'mores dessert was incredible!!! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Mo H.
Phenomenal food, phenomenal service. My boyfriend the meat lover says the steaks are second to none, and I, the vegetarian have plenty of delicious options. And why not sit at the bar? Ian, Jackie, Natalie and Xavier are a blast: they are fun, know the menu and make great recommendations. And you don't have to dress to the nines, which I appreciate. This place is our new home base.
(5)Justin O.
I ate at Benny's for the first time and was impressed by the food. I had the braised beef short rib. The presentation was perfect and every bite delicious. I also had the opportunity to try the lobster risotto and one of the pastas on the menu, both of which were done very well. Benny's offers some great food. I thought the service was on par. The dining room was half full when we got there on a Friday night, but quickly filled with patrons and the noise level rose just as quickly (however, not unbearable).
(5)Alex G.
Suggested Benny's to my brother and his wife along with another couple. We arrived early for cocktails and was assured by the maitre d' that our table would be ready when we were. Why, especially with a restaurant of this caliber do they insist on closing the bill at the bar before you have dinner? Why can't the tab just be added to the overall check? Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. The mashed potatoes now have truffles but they were happy to serve them without (I'm kind of picky about my taters). And someone asked about double baked potatoes and they were happy to oblige even though it wasn't offered on the menu. If you intend to peruse the wine selection ahead of time, better call and confirm they actually have your choices in stock. While I understand that wine cellars can be somewhat dynamic, we found most of our selected wines unavailable although listed on the web site. Fortunately the person responsible for picking the wines worked with the sommelier and recovered nicely. The chocolate cake for dessert was outstanding. Bread selections were outstanding (don't miss the mini-biscuits). Overall noise levels were much higher this time which was due to the loud group sitting close by. Not much the restaurant could do about it. Still a welcome addition to the Chicago steakhouses.
(4)Sharon K.
We went here for our one-year anniversary and had the best steak ever. The service was great-- there was a little mix up in the kitchen which led to a 30 minute wait for the souffle, but we got drinks on the house for that!
(5)Dustin S.
Excellent meat, excellent service, mediocre sides. Pros: - the meats were fantastic, expensive, but you get what you pay for - the service was fantastic, our waiter knew what he was talking about and relatively quickly learned each of our tastes for recommendations throughout the night - the beer list was pretty good too Cons: - the sides weren't great. they had potential but never made it - bleu cheese tater tots!?!?! could be amazing, right? nope. how they screwed it up I have no idea, but the potatoes were mushy and the cheese wasn't that great. - price, if you can't handle $80-$100/per person for a satisfying meal w/ a drink or two, don't go here
(4)Steve B.
I dropped in to Benny's for lunch because it was the closest place that looked equipped to provide an above average steak. The stake was great. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that someone at the table was a vegetarian. To my relief, she was as pleased with the meal as anyone. Everything was enjoyable here. I particularly liked the cocktails and the service was a compliment to the meal.
(5)Samantha H.
I take my steak houses very seriously. I had heard mixed reviews about Benny's, namely regarding the steak (which was always awesome) and the service (which I've heard wasn't great). So I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, I want to say I went on a Monday when it wasn't croweded so this isn't for a packed Saturday or anything, but Steve was our waiter and the service was actually impeccable. We started with the steak tartare, which is a unique flavor profile. I consider myself a tartare expert (mildly joking, but we do get it pretty much everywhere and make it at home), and this was not the typical flavors you'd expect. That being said, it worked. It was a heavy mustard flavor, though not overwhelming. They serve it with waffle potato chips, which are light and crispy. I liked it because sometimes when you put tartare on bread, the bread can overwhelm the meat itself, but the thin chips really make the meat the star. My husband got the ribeye and I got the filet, both of which were ordered medium-rare; both of which came perfectly medium-rare. We both enjoyed our steak a great deal. I had mine prepared oscar style and would highly recommend it. Going into a steakhouse, I felt the obligation to order a steak, but when I return I honestly think I'm getting the crablegs. Up until now my favorite crablegs were at Bob Chinns in Wheeling (if you haven't been, go...now). But I'd have to get an entire order of these bad boys to see if they're really as good as the tease that was the oscar style portion. Apparently they pride themselves in the freshness of their seafood stating that everything is consumed within 24 hours of receipt. I just have to say that the crab was amazing! The steak was amazing. The wine list was amazing (our discussions with Steve led him to bring us out some Nickel and Nickel for us to try, just for kicks). The service was amazing. The huge free chocolate cake (it was my birthday) with a personalized bday greeting on it was amazing. Highly recommend!
(5)Dee K.
delicious dry-aged steak, the best! White fish dish was huge, just ok... the soup was average but if you come here for dry-aged steak, so YUMMY! delicioso.....buono.... service was good but nothing out of the ordinary....
(4)Rebecca S.
Great caesar salad and the desserts were worth the trip itself!! Try the banana cream pie and s'mores...delicious!
(4)Jeffrey M.
I decided to go all out here, and I had a great experience. I started with the foie gras appetizer. The dish as a whole didn't blow me away, but the foie gras itself was of an excellent quality. Then I had the best steak I've ever had: the dry aged 32oz. porterhouse. On the side I had the jumbo bleu cheese tots. The flavor was very deep. I requested wine pairings for each dish and they were brilliant. For dessert I had the apple pie, and to my relief it was a reasonably sized portion. Can't wait to go back!!
(4)Amy K.
We picked this restaurant for a special lunch out based on other reviews. Unfortunately we did not have the same experience as others. Customer service was atrocious from the second we walked in, and the food was subpar. We waited 20 minutes to see a server and only had one come by because we asked, then 15 minutes later received bread but no silverware or plates to eat it with. We then waited 30 minutes for our appetizer (calamari), the one bright spot-it was good. Another 20-30 minutes, and someone came by to check on us (not our server). We asked about our order, as we had ordered simple dishes and others who came in later had received their entrees. After we inquired, our order came out. My Dad was warned to be careful of his piping hot plate. He had ordered a cold salad...I had ordered wild boat ragu, ok but over salted. My Dad's salad could have come out of a school cafeteria. The chicken was bone dry. As he said, Gordon Ramsey would have been appalled! When the random guy who was not our waiter checked on us, I vented to him and asked to talk with a manager. Then there was a 5-10 minute pow wow of a few people who I can only guess were drawing straws to determine who would pretend to be a manager. One of them came up and casually asked what was up, and I asked that they replace my Dad's salad with a bowl of clam chowder. Another 5-10 minutes and out came the chowder. It was not any better than the salad. Who knows what kind of "extra touches" may have been included...we asked for the check and were told our lunch would be comped, that they were sorry for the experience, they were not properly prepared for Saturday lunch traffic and hoped we would give them another chance some time. I have only written a negative review one other time and I rarely complain but felt like I had to write one. One star for the calamari and comped lunch...
(1)Caitie W.
We just ate here tonight for dinner and WOW was it good. The service was amazing from start to finish. Our waiter was very personable and knew everything there was to know about the menu. We started with salads. I had the wedge, which was really good. The blue cheese dressing was light and yummy. My husband had the grilled romaine. It too was very good. Then, I had the butternut squash tortellini. It was very yummy! The husband had the NY strip. It was cooked perfectly. We ended the meal with the Smore cheesecake, which was a perfect size and also amazing! We will be going back here soon. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Dar Q.
Staying at The Amalfi a few blocks away we were delighted to know that Bennys was just around the block. Thanksgiving dinner at Bennys was not very good. Thought I would for go the Turkey for a Steak and Baked Potato and my husband thought he would do the same given the reviews were so good on Bennys steaks. Big mistake!!! The service was mediocre at best, the steak was served cold on cold plates, the potato was hard and cold. Benny should be ashamed to send something like that to a table. When they send out a cold steak like that it speaks volumes that they are not a well run restaurant. If I need to send a steak back because its served cold they won't get my bussiness again. First class place I thnk not, not when you can't even get the food to table hot. I like staying at the Amalfi and will continue to patronize the local restraunts, staying away from Bennys.
(1)Robin D.
The only reason I did not give this place zero stars is because of 2 things. The ambiance is beautiful, great date place, romantic and classy. The service is not so bad either. However, for the price of the food, this place doesn't hit the mark. My uncle ordered the rib eye medium rare and it was chewy and he had to tell them to cook it again so he can eat it. It was one awful rib eye. Go to David Burke for better ribeye. I ordered crab cake for appetizer and it was another failure, you taste so many flavors that mask the actual crab taste. For 15 bucks for a small crab cake i was expecting superb taste. For my main dish I ordered the pork chop, I suggest go to Sepia for good pork chop. The food in this place just doesnt match the great steak places like Mortons, Gibson, Capitol Grill and even David Burke. Not worth the money. I would grab a drink by the bar and enjoy the ambiance but not spend my money on food here.
(2)Ani S.
Benny's is a great traditional steak house, very welcoming. Great wine list, attentive service and excellent food!
(4)Beth P.
I took my bf here for his birthday this year and SNAP it's damn good! If you wanted to be treated like a king or queen, come here. We started off with the Shellfish Tower which is basically a huge silver bowl thingy full of lobster claws, crab, HUGE shrimp and lemons. It was seriously dreamy. I felt like royalty in our private booth with the dish sitting on our table. It was fresh and sooo good. We then had steaks; I had the filet oscar and he had the bone-in strip. It was awesome. We shared a side and had several glasses of wine; he opted for a scotch. The bf's menu even had a special, "Happy Birthday" message on it, which I thought was a nice touch ..because everyone deserves to feel extra special on their birthday! While my bf was using the restroom, the waiter asked what type of dessert he'd like and they surprised him with the biggest piece of chocolate cake in the whole world with a little candle in it. There was no corny singing, thankfully. It was a really nice experience. They treat you very well...escorting you personally to the restroom, making sure you are happy and full. It was an expensive meal, but we were celebrating so it was fine. I will definitely be going back, if not just for the shellfish tower and cake :)
(5)Gfiddy F.
I had a big ol' feast here and it was damned good.
(5)Barton K.
Best Steak I've ever had. Seriously the meat just melts in your mouth. A lot of interesting appetizers as well. They had a macaroni and cheese that was soooo cheesy I thought my head would explode (in a good way). They also have fancy liquor and wine lockers for Big Ballers (I noticed a couple of members of the Chicago Bears had lockers). It's a little pricey but you go into a place like this expecting that and it is worth the price. Every time I go back to Chicago I intend to make a stop.
(5)Chandu C.
Considering the number of great steakhouses in Chicago, you would think Benny's would have a tough time competing. It will not have a difficult time competing. We ordered some oysters that were very fresh and their sashimi tuna was fresh with a flavorful searing with a kick to it. We ordered the Wagyu special, the bone-in filet, and Sole that was deboned table side. They were all top notch. Hint: Medium-rare is on the rare side especially on the bone-in. The steaks were a little rarer than we were expecting, but delicious. The sides were flavorful, but probably a step below Gibson's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's or Capital Grill. The service was not just outstanding, it was an experience. The sommelier came out and talked to us for about 30 minutes. Getting this kind of knowledge tableside is invaluable and added the rare 5th star. He recommended our after dinner drinks which were spot on for our varied palettes, offered me a free gin tasting, and poured us some vermouth the way it should be. I now view martinis differently after years of consuming them the wrong way. And I am on the hunt for some of the mind blowing Miller's gin. If you want a great drink made right, great food, and don't mind spending for an experience, you will not be disappointed at Benny's.
(5)Paul M.
Not a great steak place, but good and a good value. Very friendly and courteous staff, good steak (I had the petite fillet and really enjoyed it). The sides are well priced and so was the steak. Nice new interior. The sommelier steered us to a very nice bordeaux, which added so much to dinner. Benny's is worth trying and count on it for a good meal at a good price.
(4)Kwoky L.
Never mind their fancy steakhouse decor. Looking at their menu, I have to admit, I can't really afford a piece of steak there. But their 25 CENTS oysters won me over. We had three dozens in total and they came with a half portion of lemon, cocktail sauce, and mignonette slushie sauce. It's not the best oysters that I've ever had but it's fresh and of very good quality for that price. I would definitely be back for happy hour.
(4)Steven N.
Dined here with out of town guests/family the weekend of 7/15/11. I was very impressed. We were greeted in a very friendly manner and the host was so accommodating; letting us choose what table we would like (we were in kind of early). The food was wonderful from start to finish. Bleu cheese croquettes as an appetizer were indulgent and delicious, so was the lobster mac & cheese. The grilled romaine salad was not like a salad I have ever had before, very light, awesome flavor. I'd definitely recommend trying it! Our waiter was completely unpretentious and very knowledgeable and professional, recommending things that we ended up really enjoying. I ordered my filet oscar style and there was more crab meat than I have ever seen given w/ a steak served oscar, and huge fresh asparagus, too (i'm going to upload a photo I took). The steak itself was cooked to perfection at medium, the way I ordered it. The atmosphere is very nice, classic steak house looking. I'd definitely recommend this spot to people- there's a lot of steak houses in Chicago and so far this is one of my favorite.
(5)Joel A.
Had a totally enjoyable dinner last night with friends who came in from CA. Dan Forsythe was our server, and he did a fine job in introducing us to the restaurant, its food and its wine. Most delightful
(4)lisa l.
I really love this place. For an excellent steak, no where else is comparable. Try the Ribeye Duo and the hashbrowns for a traditional steak and potato dinner. If you are a fan of butter, this place has the best butter in the world. It's encrusted with some kind of lava sea salt...yummy. I was very surprised by the flank steak. It's probably the best value on the menu.
(5)Naum N.
Been meaning to go here since the place opened. Finally made it for lunch. Was skeptical that another steak house in Chicago would be the best idea for a restaurant. Came here for a quick bite at lunch time, around 1130 not knowing what to expect. Well was pleasantly surprised! Overall the service was impeccable - the maître d' seated us pronto and was very accommodating. The waitress had the right level of attentiveness and ensured everything went smoothly. Onto the food. The truffle fries are pretty amazing. The sliders were prepared just right and the overall there was nothing that could be faulted. The Benny burger was made as requested (medium) though the bun was a bit too moist and somewhat fell apart when picked up. Slight oversight, though nothing major. Overall, would recommend bringing business contacts here for lunch and for the occasional splurge with coworkers.
(5)Tom K.
Went here with a few friends and overall enjoyed. The side items were all average but the steak was cooked perfect which is of course why one would come here.
(3)Shadi N.
5 STARS, 6 STARS, 7 STARS... ALL THE STARS IN THE FRICKIN SKY... this place is out of this world. I chose this place based on their extensive beer menu to take my friend to celebrate his birthday and made a special request to have some sort of beer pairing with our meal. They staff and sommelier went above and beyond to create lavish extensive amazingly relevant beer pairing with our food. I truly enjoyed my experience here and will recommend it to anyone who wants to get steak in Chicago. The meat and food were exceptional as well, my filet was crusted perfectly and cooked exactly how i had ordered it.
(5)Charlie J.
I'm thankful to have a visiting buddy of mine to pick up the tab...because I know it was hefty and i probably wouldn't have felt it was worth it. Having said that, the service is really good and they have a great cut of meat. I had the bone in dry aged ribeye which was good but I was hoping it would have been a bit more succulent - and I ordered it medium rare. Their "cajun" spin on it wasn't the best, but it sufficed. We started with their seafood tower or whatever it's called. That was well worth it. Their cesar salad with anchovies They have an amazing wine list, but I have to say it seemed a bit over-priced. Their sommelier was very good, though.A good steak is a good steak and you can get one here. I'd say it's worth a visit..at least once.
(3)#NAME?
I walk by this area often when shopping and noticed there was a new place to try out-What made me want to come here was the Lobster Ravioli on the menu- Had to make reservations early, 5:30, but were seated right away when we walked in-The restuarant is very nice, great finishings, great bar area that looks onto Wabash- Wait staff is very attentative, you will never have an empty water glass or dirty plate in your way as well you get asked if you want a black napkin, love that they do this-The menu is explained in great detail and our server made sure all our questions were answered- One thing I must comment on was how unique it was to see an entire cart wheeled around for a table that orders wine, and a blue light is on the table so they wine can be seen when poured, no spillage... so if you want a big production when ordering a bottle of wine you will be pleased here- FOOD: For an appetizer I ordered the crab cake, they aren't as big as Hugo's or Joe's, but tasted "lighter" a good seasoning, placed on a bed of mustard sauce-The sauce is good, at first it has a kick, then it just mellows out-I loved the subtle crust on the outside, not from breadcrumbs but from being seared-I wish we could have had the option of having more of the sauce, it really was nice and at the end of the crabcake there was no mustard sauce at all- I just had a lot of dental work done yesterday and could only eat soft food, so I ordered the small plate of Lobster Ravioli-I had reservations about it when I saw it was in a tomato sauce, but decided to try it out-(You have the option of ordering small or adding $10 for large portion) When it came out I was so glad I got the small portion, 4 large ravioli's were on the plate-Now here is where I was bummed, it didn't taste like lobster at all, honestly like some ricotta cheese with tomato sauce-I was expecting a preparation such as Tavern at the Park serves or Catch 35 or any other lobster ravioli I've had in the past, but it wasn't-When my husband tried a bite he asked "didn't you order lobster?" So I will not order that again-A child could eat it and think he/she was getting some pasta, nothing fancy, very plain-I don't know why it's even called Lobster Ravioli- Now my husband got the filet, it was cooked to a perfect Rare + nice cut of meat, but could do without the upside down roll on the plate, it was not tastey, as well he got a side of asparagus which he enjoyed- We passed on the dessert menu, nothing caught our eye for the evening-They had a Key Lime pie, but was hesitant on it, many really don't serve true Key Lime, maybe I'll find out next time- I would come back and try something else, or sit in the bar and get an appetizer-One thing that was odd, they had a Southern Fried Lobster....being born and raised in Florida, Southern part of the state I might add, I've never in my life seen anyone fry lobster but it is on the menu-Maybe it's for the senior citizens, but who would ever fry a lobster? I know this review sounds harsh, but honestly I was so damn excited about Lobster Ravioli :( Maybe next time will be a 4-5 star experience for me-
(3)Felicia W.
We came in specifically for desert. Let me tell you..... It was absolutely AMAZING! I had the s'mores cheesecake. Anything else I eat from now on will just be subpar. After I finished eating, I was very tempted to lick the plate. It is orgasmic....literally. Emily, our server, did such a great job. She was fast and made sure we didn't need anything. There's nothing better than a proactive server. I will definitely be returning.
(5)Barbara S.
Benny's was excellent! We went there for dinner and the steak and seafood items exceeded our expectations. The service was phenominal. Our waiter was friendly and welcoming; in addition he was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Although it doesn't look like much on the outside its one of the best steakhouse's in Chicago - quality & quantity - what more can you ask for?!?! I'll definately be returning to Benny's.
(5)Michele p.
Great steak selections. Great service. You get what you paid for. Will come again in the future
(5)Mike C.
Went to Benny's for New Years Eve dinner and it was a great start to the night. It's a pretty nice place with a nice atmosphere. We started out with some cocktails that were made pretty well. I had their cheapest steak (I already spent too much on my New Years Party Ticket), the skirt steak, while most of my friends had the filet mignon. My steak tasted excellent. It was perfectly juicy and tender. We also ordered some side dishes. The potato gnocchi was good. However, I thought the portions of the side dishes were on the small side. I was expecting some salad or soup to start out with that came with the meal, but this wasn't the case. As a result, I wasn't as full as I wanted to be. Our waitress was nice, and the rest of the service was very quick and responsive. It's nice when my water is never more than half empty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Benny's, and I'll probably be back eventually.
(4)Michael P.
Went to this place very last minute with a group of 8 on a Saturday. They were able to seat us within a few minutes which was great. Service was top notch. Waiter was very attentive and explained the menu in sections as we ordered. I had a Waygu Carpaccio for an Appetizzer which was fantastic and a bone in Filet for an entree which was cooked to a perfect Medium just the way I asked. The table shared an assortment of sides which I couldnt complain about any of them. The mac n cheese being my favorite side. No dessert as we couldnt fit anymore food in, but saw the table next to us order a few and they looked incredible. Will definitely put Benny's on the Chicago Steakhouse list.
(5)Brett C.
Thanks to Yelp we brought a customer to Benny's while in town for a trade show, what an experience. The waitress (Candace) was very informative and steered us in the direction of the Dry Aged 16 oz. Bone in Strip, great choice. They cooked it to perfection and the wine (2007 Frank Family Cab) complimented our meal nicely. The restaurant wasn't stuffy, but relaxing with a great vibe. From the dining room you could still hear the piano player in the bar which was a treat. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll make sure I go to Benny's again.
(5)B L.
We went there after attending the Chicago Theatre performance. I asked for a "house cabernet". I did not expect to spend $17 for a glass of "house" wine. Sorry, I can go $10 or $12 a glass, but $17 ?????? There was a very very limited appetizer menu available in the bar (you can forget ordering something not fatty or hi carb --- no salad option or fruit option was available). The restaurant decor is lovely but I won't go back. Not a tightwad, but I just want a better selection of evening appetizers and a more reasonably priced glass of wine.
(2)Sally D.
We stopped by Benny's Chop House on a Friday night after work for cocktails. The bartender (Jackie) was friendly and very knowledgeable about wine, beer and liquor. She introduced us to brands that we had not tried before, that have since become new favorites. We had an appetizer size of the gnocchi, which was incredible and a side of their mac and cheese that was very good. We then had the chocolate pudding cake, which was out of this world; I thought my boyfriend was going to lick the plate! We were so impressed with the service and the food we went back the next night to have dinner. They have a nice selection of items on the menu, dry-aged, wet-aged and all natural USDA Prime steaks. They also have chops, seafood and pasta entrées. I had the dry- aged bone in ribeye and it was probably the best steak I have ever had. We also ordered the appetizer size of the pasta Rigatoni which was delicious! The atmosphere at Benny's is very nice. Old school Chicago steakhouse feel but up-to-date decor. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that they don't try to crowd tables into their dining room. Many times have I gone to nice restaurants and felt like I was sitting on top of table next to me. The service in the dining room is just as it was the night before in the bar, outstanding, the right mixture of decorum and friendliness. Obviously I can't say enough good things about Benny's. We have been to a lot of steakhouses in Chicago, Tavern on Rush, Mastro's, David Burke, etc and Benny's is our new favorite. We already have our next reservation.
(5)Marcus J.
This place really sucks typical decor bad management.... i truly believe they hire there staff to write reviews
(1)Julee M.
I too would have added the 6th star for our dinner last night. Our sommelier was also incredible. He picked the perfect wine for our dinner at a very reasonable price point. I think his name was Justin and he's worth asking for. Enjoy!
(5)Ericka R.
Went to Benny's last week for a Looking glass theatre event they had in the lounge/bar and it was swonderful. The service was great as we were a needy and thirsty bunch and the food was delish. We only had appetizers and desserts but everything was fast, hot and tasty The oysters Rockefeller and calamari being my favorites. They had a drink special with some very inventive cocktails created just for our party and whoever the mixologist was, they got it right which tells me the bartenders must be awesome as well. And the dessert cheesecake lollipops and chocolate brownie bites"!!!!!!" The atmosphere is really upscale and sexy. Would love to go back for dinner and maybe convince the bartender to make me 1 more "straight on till morning"!
(4)Ronin S.
Love the food. Steaks are perfect. the only thing is... what's up with the martinis being served in a small ass margarita glass???? Come on BENNY!!! A steakhouse martini gotta be right!!!!!!
(4)Al C.
Family was in town last weekend and we were craving some good cow. After reading a lot of great reviews about Benny's, we excitedly decided to give it a go... The restaurant and bar are truly aesthetically gorgeous! The service on the other hand, not so good. I know this place just opened a few months ago and maybe they haven't gotten their kinks out, but our waitress Candace sucked the big one. She was awkward, long-winded, horrible at remembering requests (extra glass of ice for our vodka on the rocks....had to ask twice and finally just asked a bus boy to bring it over), slooooooow to come back to our table and take our order. it was quite painful. Meanwhile, it seemed like there were service people (looked like secret service dudes in suits) roaming around EVERYWHERE.....everywhere but our table. the most responsive service we received the whole night was when she brought us our check. oh yeah, and a TOTAL pet peeve. I was sitting at our table while the rest of the party was in the rest room, our signed bill was inches away from me and i was checking my phone. She comes by and just grabs it without a word. TACKY TACKY TACKY. APPS: Grilled romaine salad (decent), Chopped salad (REALLY good), Calamari (decent) MAINCOURSE: i had filet mignon med rare (it was cooked rare, but it was really tasty) and father in law had dry aged new york (pretty good). others in party had white fish (awesome) and bass (delish). SIDES: mac and cheese (not too rich, it was really tasty), sauteed broccoli (really really good), hashbrowns (yum). Benny even made the rounds and said "hello" to everyone. that was cool. Overall i'd have to say that Benny's is a pretty good steak house, not AMAZING, but definitely solid. THe major issue was service. One of our friends also ate here recently and shared our opinion on the crappy ass service. You can't purport to have a high-end restaurant and have such horrible service.
(3)Nikki P.
Great Food, Great Service, Great Ambiance, just a bit chilly! The Marriott suggested we try this place just down the street. Being a very chilly winter night we said okay and made our way over to Benny's. The decor is gorgeous! They greeted and seated us promptly in a nice corner. The sommelier saw we were browsing the wine menu and made some suggestions and took our order. The focaccia in the bread basket had to be ordered again ( Cheddar crust was yummy). We started with the Calamari which was spike with litttle pepperoncinis. It was good but i perfer the Calamari at Devon Seafood Grill as my all time favorite. I had the special a Cajun crusted beef with a lobster ravioli and my friend had the porterhouse for our main course. The was a draft where we were sitting and our food did get cold quickly but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and would definitely return for another special occasion. We enjoyed some chocolate cake and muscato for dessert. The muscato was not what I had expected maybe a little missed communication. All in all a place to visit and experience. All the servers and exceptional!
(4)Mary D.
I would give more stars for food only (Madagascar shrimp excepted) but prices are way out of line for what you get. Went there a week ago on a Thursday night. Live piano music was too loud to talk so we decided not to have a drink in the bar and instead were seated right away without reservations. Extremely attentive service to the point of being overbearing, scant pours on the wine and wine list not impressive in its glass offerings. I ordered a special (Madagascar shrimp) that was described without a price and now I know why - $45 for 2 very large dried out shrimp - about the size of prawns - that I suspect were boiled then finished on a grill except no signs of grill. Lobster mac and cheese was good but portion was extremely small. My companion's steak was very good, but small and also overpriced compared to the other good steakhouses in Chicago.
(3)Jeff M.
Excellent experience. Came for my b'day with a total of 5 couples. Service was fantastic...........they really took care of us. We all loved our food and sommalier (sp???) picked out some good vino for us. I have been to almost all the big steakhouses in chgo and this was as good or better than the rest. Would totally come back for another special occasion. Not cheap...............but well worth it for a special event. They even put my name on the menu which was a nice touch.
(5)Jacksin W.
Good Service, food ok, overpriced steak.
(3)John O.
My wife and I had one of the most memorable meals and experiences ever. Food was fabulous, service was even better.
(5)Dean B.
Meh. I had to send the steak back because it was overcooked, the second time was ok. The steak (dry aged bone in ribeye) was fine but not great -- not much rind which is the best part, and it seemed squished, ie, not very thick. I just ate at MJ's the other day and it was much better. Sides were nothing special - lobster risotto and macaroni and cheese. Creme brûlée was ok but not great - wide and flat as seems to be the trend in the states... I prefer the traditional ramekin shape which gives a better Creme to brûlée ratio. To summarize, the only thing that was memorable was the price which I would rate as $$$$, not $$$.
(3)Debbi R.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS RESTAURANT! Went for lunch and from walking into the place it felt special. Everyone working there made us feel special. Shaun, Charles and Kevin, you are the best! My husband and I will be back!
(5)Jordyn V.
Benny's chophouse is a wonderful steakhouse with dark wood and a modern feel to the decor. Our waiter was nice and attentive. I had the Filet mignon. I ordered medium rare, and it wasn't cooked quite enough for me so they sent it back and when it came back it was cooked to perfection! The sides where really good. To top it off, we saw a Chicago bear player dining as well.
(4)michael r.
Took a client to Benny's last night for dinner. I like the atmosphere. The bar is a great place to have a few post-work drinks. The wine list is extensive if not a little pricey. We had the steak tartar, crab cakes, lobster bisque, calamari for starters and all were pretty decent. Actually I'd skip the bisque as it was a bit bland. I had the Colorado Lamb Chops for my entree and the were fantastic. My fiance had the Skate which I sampled, and it was quite good. My client seemed to enjoy his steak. For dessert I tried some of the strawberry shortcake, which I wasn't a huge fan of since it seemed they used frozen strawberries in syrup, and the molten chocolate cake which I really enjoyed. All in all I'd definitely recommend trying Benny's and it's a good alternative if you can't get a table at Joe's.
(3)Brian M.
A person I work with suggested this restaurant. That is the only reason why we tried it. With so many great Steak Houses in Chicago (Gene & Georgetti's, Morton's, Gibson's, Chicago Cut - I am a fan of all of these restaurants) I should have just stuck with one of them....We will never go back...the food was not good at all but it was just as pricey as the best steak houses. Avoid at all costs.
(1)John H.
Dined here with a party of three. One quest ordered halibut, another ordered a daily special, Cajun beef tips, and I ordered the 16oz dry-aged ribeye, with a side of asparagus. A cold appetizer, the seafood salad, was ordered for the table and proved to be an exceptional choice. The halibut was exceptional and best among the three entrees. The Cajun beef was over- seasoned, but quite tender and properly cooked. The worst of the lot was the dry-aged ribeye. The steak was properly prepared, but the the meat contained more connective tissue than anticipated. In fact, at one point I had to remove a mouthful of steak as it became impossible to chew sufficiently to swallow -- I can't recall having been placed in such a position in recent memory or in a restaurant, particularly one purported to be classy. In addition, the asparagus was stringy and tough, particularly in the butt ends, which might have been either pealed or removed altogether. Service was professional, although responses to inquires appeared to be well-rehearsed, canned responses. In sum, there are too many alternate restaurant choices offering this cuisine and in this price range to justify my return to Benny's Chop House. I will select an alternative in the future.
(2)Barry M.
Took 4 colleagues to dinner at Benny's and had an absolutely stellar experience. I had been to Benny's several times for lunch (which was always enjoyable, but I was eager to try out dinner and it did not disappoint). The restaurant itself is simply beautiful, the service was just right and the food truly outstanding. There was a bit of everything on our table (loved the smoked salmon and gnocci appetizers, by the way) and we agreed that the meal was one of the best we've had in recent memory. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of its caliber and we can't wait to go back. Another great Chicago chop house is born!
(5)sandra m.
Went for birthday dinner with 7 close friends. The service was great but the food was okay. Had the calamari and it was a little rubbery, my husband had the prime and they over-cooked it. The drinks were overpriced, A glass of pinot $26, a glass of syrah $15 and this was by the glass, more then my entree. I order the special salad and wasn't told it had shell-fish (deathly allergic) so I sent it back and was still charged for it. $650.00 later and would have expected a better dining experience for that amount of money. I would recommend you go to Chicago Chop House instead.
(2)David S.
Met a friend here for dinner. Atmosphere is typical steakhouse - think Ruths Chris or Morton's. We each had salads, shared sides of spinach, asparagus and sweet potatoes. Sides were ok but not great. I had a grass fed KC strip that was fantastic - tasty, tender and perfectly prepared. My friend reported the same of his filet. I would summarize Benny's as great steaks, ok sides and an atmosphere perfect for business or good conversation with friends.
(4)Allen M.
I am giving Bennys 4 stars for the food alone! The food was amazing but the service was off! The blonde server was cold and seemed rushed. She wasn't friendly at all and she even took my boyfriends plate before he was finished. Go for the food and do not expect the service to be anything less than stellar!
(4)Soumeya B.
Your typical run of the mill high end steakhouse, no fluff or funfare, just perfect steaks and solid sides. I feel like writing a detailed review isn't worth it, every steak cut our table got (party of 7) was very good. No complaints from anyone. We ordered one of each side on the menu and all were passabable. The service was good but not perfect. None of the waiters had any personality, they all seem to be the same, robotic. Since this was a birthday party we ordered desert as well. The desert was your usual steakhouse fare, high sugar, low taste. Those are all the reasons this place gets a four star rating, nothing special to write home about. What's so earth shattering about cooking a steak right? Ruth Chris does it, Capitol Grill does it, the Palm does it, Morton's does it...who needs another steakhouse? very boring indeed! And they have nothing special in the menu that declares "I am chicago". again, very blah.
(3)Sarah S.
Over-rated. We had a bit of a disappointing experience. I thought the interior design was clunky at best, but to be frank what really killed it for me was the steak. It only compares with Joe's or Mastro's in price, not flavor...
(2)D P.
I've walked by this place many times and heard good things about the burgers so we decided to try it out. Good lounge atmosphere and solid beer list. The burger was very respectable, especially for the price. The service left a lot to be desired (drinks took a while, never received any water, and didn't receive a side of veggies we ordered)...but it was a very busy Saturday night so I'll give the server the benefit of the doubt. I plan to try the restaurant side and hope for just as good of food but better service.
(3)Mally S.
So, my office has a dinner at Benny's mid-November, but my sister was in town and wanted to have steak. I made the reservation and warned my sister about the price. When we arrived on a very busy Friday night, they immediately knew who I was (and that I had booked our office dinner), and treated us like the royalty we wished we were. We went all out on dinner: me with a KC strip with side of au poivre sauce, hubby with the Prime Rib duo oscar-style, and sister with the filet and foie gras. We even had apps of carpaccio and prosciutto. The carpaccio stole the show. Holy goodness. All of our dinners were simply amazing and we really wanted to lick the plates clean, but this is a fine establishment. Oh well. We had the chocolate layer cake and carrot cake for dessert. They were huge pieces and were divine even the next day (we were stuffed!). These guys don't mess around here, they know their menu, their wine list and their beer list. The food was amazing, the service awesome and the value for money well spent was definitely there too. Thanks Benny's!!!
(5)Jane N.
Compeltly agree with the other reviews! Great food, great service. Sure it is expensive but NOT overpriced. I am a big fan of Volare too. Whoaa!
(5)Dancer Dreamer T.
this place is great, very tastefully done decor wise. went in on the oyster night special not knowing and the place was swamped, i guess 25 cent oyster can do that. also had an oyster beer that was very good and complimented the oysters wonderfully. Had the chopped salad that was very tasty and finished with beef carpaccio which was also very good. I didn't have a full dinner so i can't fairly rate my visit, but what I did experience (on one of thier busiest days up to now) was very good. will definitely try it again.
(4)daisy J.
this place is fantastic. my sister and i split the bone-in ribeye and the 8 oz filet and while both were excellent, surprisingly, the win goes to the filet! the sides are all delicious - the fries especially! for 5 people, 3 sides was PLENTY - so don't fall for one side per person they suggest! the only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because the dessert left something to be desired. creme brulee is standard, so i wasn't surprised that it was good. however, the michigan apple tart was not the greatest. the tart seemed a bit overcooked, yet soggy at the same time. not sure if i'd order dessert again from there. additionally, their house salad with balsamic was uninspired and a bit flavorless. even given the flaws, i would put benny's up there with some of my other favorite places (joe's and capital grille).
(4)David H.
Our initial waitress was nothing short of rude and unaccomodating. We requested another wait person and got a great guy who took good care of us. The food is very average and there are many other steak houses in Chicago that are much better. The prices were quite high as well.
(2)D. I.
Nice atmosphere, slow service, food was mediocre at best. Scallops were very fishy which tells me that they're old! The steak was USDA Choice at best. Definitely not USDA Prime like they claim. The service was bad. Not worth the price.
(2)Sean C.
Very nice lunch menu. The dinner menu is standard Chicago steakhouse fare. No surprises, but not in a bad way. This place was very classy, extensive beer list, amazing cocktails.
(3)bridget j.
Overpriced. Husband and I went for anniversary dinner. The atmosphere is nice, but better for business meetings versus a date. The wait staff was great and the place has an amazing wine selection. Husband ordered the aged strip and it was fatty and not good, especially for $45. I had the filet with blue cheese. Cooked exactly as requested, but still left a little to be desired. The sides of sweet potatoes are amazing. Also had the fired has browns and it's exactly what you get...like diner food. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. Just not for the price. With those prices, I expect the same quality as a Smith & W.
(2)Brian L.
Ok so here is the true skinny on this place! Warm, inviting, decour is awesome. Everyone who works there is awesome. Waiter was indeed super attentive, and was way too involved for my likings. That's me personally and I know that some people want that. When i sit down, within 10 seconds of being there he is bringing us out a $99.00 steak that is a special cut to show us. I get it, sell the big stuff. Salads and Apps were the best part of the meal. Proscuitto w/ Apples and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese w. balsalmic was fantastic, and the grilled romaine salad was great. Steaks were OK. I had the 18 oz bone in filet and my buddy had the 16 oz bone in ribeye. Neither were top 5 steaks we have eaten. The average person who is going out to a nice dinner and looking for the total package will love this place, but for a man who truly cares about the finer details of the meal (specifically the steak), this place is just not on par with the top top top steakhouses. Lobster Mac and Cheese had very little lobster. Asparagus were awesome.
(3)Emann B.
Meh. Service was fine, but if I'm paying $56 for a ribeye, it needs to be more flavorful. It was nice, but no better then a good supermarket find. The kale was quite good though.
(3)Larry S.
The Perfect Manhattan and then it got better.. Business trip and asked the concierge for a recommendation, did not miss a beat an suggested a classic Chicago Steak House - locally owned and recently opened. From the outset you see the big chairs, leather booths, dark wood and you know your in a steak house, Staff everywhere - everyone focused on service. An extensive menu with specials offered as well. We chose the lamb chops which were perfect, and the strip steak, which was no so perfect, But this is what makes a difference, no issues, no problem - not happy - lets bring out a nice filet asap. Everyone is happy. Enjoyed the experience, the ambiance and the food! I would say, given a retrun visit to Chicago - I would go back here!
(4)Raffaela W.
We went for a good steak experience and got exactly that. It has to be mentioned that we visited Benny's with a baby stroller and the ladies at the reception did a very fine job finding us a good spot in the restaurant. The atmosphere is a bit to much of sports bar meets steakhouse for our taste, but the food was good. oysters and shrimp as appetizers, both good quality. The steaks were cooked exactly as we wanted and came with a classic baked potato. If you want a fairly low key good steak house experience, this is the place.
(4)Michael V.
I was really looking forward to eating at Bennys... one of the great steak places in Chicago. The service was absolutely top notch and our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about the cuts and even the mean purveyors themselves, which was impressive. I took a chance and ordered the pricey Tomahawk bone-in ribeye. Honestly, was slightly disappointed. Ordered it medium rare, per my usual, but it came out underdone, and warm. More rare. Not my favorite choice. Also, the cut was extremely fatty. I'm very used to a little fat in rib-eye, but there were vast chunks of fat that I had to eat around, which was pretty disappointing. Despite that. the rest of the meal, and the filet my friend got with the foie gras butter was one of the best things I've ever tasted!
(3)SteakOnAPlate.com - Adam ..
steakonaplate.com/steakh… 12/13/2014 Steak: 5.0...Bone in with Maine Sea Scallop "steak enhancement" brought a tear to the eye! Drinks: 5.0: Going big paid off. Well done John Anthony! Ambiance: 4.0...Service was great and the sommelier was amazing! Not a huge wow factor from a decor/energy standpoint. Sides: 4.5...Lobster mac off the charts, oyster variety was a nice intro, mushrooms delicious, and the crisped kale was a great outside of the box selection.
(5)Greg T.
Quite disappointed in this place. Ordered the regular ribeye. We were brought the bone in ribeye ($20 more). These steaks were way too fatty. On a positive note, the lobster mac and cheese was excellent. Overpriced and not quite as good as it should've been.
(2)Carl Y.
An upscale bar and cafe. Good for an afternoon tea in the freezing winter. It is quite costly but the food is delicately cooked traditional American and the server is nice enough.
(4)John G.
The meal started with great service from Kristen. Everyone was very attentive. We started with oysters that were plump and fresh. I had a choice of east or west coast. The horseradish could have had more kick. The grilled Caesar salad was very good. The lettuce is lightly grilled which gives it a nice smokey flavor. It's big so split it. The Manhattan clam chowder came with clams in the dish and then the chowder was added. A nice presentation. The main courses were wonderful. The beef tournedos with truffle sauce were perfectly cooked. The Wagyu filet was remarkably tender and bursting with more flavor than I have ever had from a filet. The Dover sole was almost to big a serving but very good. The banana cream pie was huge and delicious. The Carmelized bananas on the side made the dish. It was a delicious and enjoyable evening.
(5)H M.
Come for the Steaks! Oh yes, the experience was awesome. We ordered the crab cakes for appetizer, it was nice, and then the short ribs and the skirt steak for the main course. Skirt steak was awesome and the short ribs was just good. The dish would have been better on a cold winter day since it was on the heavier side looking to come from a crock pot. Although very tender and tasty, the skirt steak was a solid 5. We will definitely come back for the rib eye or fillet next! For dessert, they ran out of carrot cake, but it was a blessing in disguise. The angel food cake with rhubarb and strawberries was amazing :) The waitress told us the restaurant recently brought on a new head Chef a few months ago. We thought his food ideas will be what distinguishes this steak house among others, as they are fun and unique. YUM!
(4)Alexandria H.
This is the best place I've found in Chicago for steak this far. Also the wine list is to die for.
(4)Liz K.
I'm new to Chicago and this was the first steakhouse I've been to. My only regret is that I didn't have more room in my stomach to eat more of the delicious food. The waiter was the best kind - there at all the right times, but left us alone to enjoy our food and drinks. The steak was delicious, cooked perfectly. A few of the other dinner guests didn't have their meat prepared with any certain style, so their plates looked a little bare. If we hadn't gotten sides to share at the table, it might not have been enough for them. But, since we did have sides, it was the perfect amount of food. The truffle mashed potatoes were amazing, the lobster mac & cheese could have been a little creamier, and the creamed spinach was just right. Somehow I still managed room for the carrot cake, which was one of the best (and biggest) slices I've ever had. I'm a fiend for the frosting, which was definitely the best part of this one. A lot of times, the cake and frosting together are way too rich, but the cake itself was less sweet (still just as flavorful) and so it wasn't too much to eat all together. My only complaint is that the tables are kind of close together so there's not much space when you need to walk somewhere (like the bathroom) and it gets loud easily. But all in all, super, and I will definitely come back here for special dinners in the future.
(4)Steve G.
Great night out with my brother and other friends... This is a great restaurant and a great reason to go downtown. Nice selection of meats, including three kinds of prime steaks -- dry-aged, aged, and natural -- on the menu. I had the bone-in dry-aged NY Strip. A little tougher than the filets I've been hooked on recently, this was still delicious. Cooked perfectly, too. So, why not more stars? Well, there were some hiccups... We arrived a half-hour early, intending to sit and enjoy a drink before dinner. Despite assurances from the maitre d', after we got our drinks at the bar, the waitress insisted on dropping off the check. We ordered the calamari appetizer as a starter, and it was frankly not that good. It was rubbery, and the breading was soggy, ending up mostly on the dish instead of on the squid. The sides were a mixed bag as well. The creamed spinach was the "best ever" according to my better half, but the bleu cheese croquettes were under-cooked tator tots instead of true croquettes. I did not try the twice-baked potato another friend ordered, but it looked soggy, too. And the mashed potatoes were salty. The wine list we received was out of date (as is the list on their website, I guess). That meant our pre-dinner research was all a waste. The room where we sat appeared to be left for large parties (we had 6 in our party), and that meant the noise level got uncomfortable later in the evening. ...and with a place this expensive, the hiccups are important to me... More positives... The bread bowl was great. Service was nearly impeccable, great wine service -- once we got the right list and the assistance of the sommelier. The desserts are steakhouse HUGE, and all were delicious -- carrot cake, chocolate cake, deconstructed s'more (the last one not so huge). Great valet parking -- for $12 or $14 or something like that... Overall, a sure hit with the beefeating crowd, better than just about any other meat place we've been. Could use a little more work on the details, I guess.
(3)Zach G.
I was so very excited to check out Benny's. I had two weeks of company expense accounts to look forward to, so I decided to splurge before it when I spent the night in Chicago for a cousin's birthday party. As in multiple glasses of single-malt, a filet mignon, some foie gras and a side of asparagus. My experience took place at the bar. First, the staff are phenomenal. All of the guys at the bar were ridiculously attentive, helpful, friendly and fun. I wanted to try a new scotch and they poured me a couple to choose from, so I really appreciate that. It was delicious...ended up having 3 glasses of it and barely remembering my post-meal cab ride :) The steak came out perfectly cooked - medium rare. However, it just wasn't all that great. It didn't pop with flavor like a steak of that caliber and price should. If the steak had been slightly better, I could give this place 4 stars, but...seeing as this is a steak place, the fact that the steak wasn't fantastic means an automatic one-star deduction in my book. The foie gras was tasty and buttery but I felt the portion was rather small for the price. The asparagus tasted fresh and had more flavor than the steak, to be honest. In the end, my bill was $100 with tax which I felt wasn't all that bad...however, I was just quite disappointed by the steak itself, seeing as this is a steak place. With so many other steak places to try downtown, I don't see me being back here in the near future.
(3)Justin P.
If you're celebrating an event, make sure you tell them. this place is all about the little things. Great food, great atmosphere, great service. It's on the pricey side to be sure; but their NY Strip was one of the top 5 I've ever tasted. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Izzy N.
Yes. Seriously. Benny's is fantastic! If you're looking to impress, come here. If you're going to do just one quintessential steakhouse in Chicago especially without a budget in mind, I highly recommend this one. The food, atmosphere, service- all made for a wonderful experience. They really know how to take care of you here whether casually dressed or in business attire, it doesn't matter. I see them giving the same attention and enthusiasm with casually dressed guests. There's a lot of places around here, especially the trendier newbs who shall not be named unless you really want names, that should take some notes or get a little tutorial on service from Benny's with the basics. Basics I learned on my first day as a waitress, like timing with interruption and saying shit like excuse my damn reach. But I understand if it's someone's first time waitressing ever. I've been there, I get it but around these parts of the city I feel like service should be on its A game unless you're at McDonald's. It looks rough around there right by the red line Chicago stop. Shank or be shanked. Excellent service never goes out of style. We were very pleased! The food was also great. It's very friendly to those that are gluten free as some were at our table recently and great suggestions were made. The manager is a great salesman. Very persuasive and persistent! Their seafood is pretty awesome here too, their crab and lobster louie starter is really good as is their shellfish tower. The fried calamari wasn't all that though. That's the one thing I wouldn't order again, it's very average. They have dollar oyster wednesdays that the manager suggested- I haven't checked that out yet as I'm a little leery of oysters in the midwest because from my experience they're not as sweet and awesome after a flight or something. Sad face. We will see..... Their chocolate pudding cake is dangerous, with melted, gooey buttery toffee sprinkled on top. I really should have split that :) Great wine list also- I didn't try their Oregon selections but went with red ones from France instead, perfect recommendations as I wanted to go heavy to take the edge off. Shake off that robot zombie clone mode. Worth it.
(5)Rachel F.
Oh man that phrase died and gone to heaven was put into context at this place. Granted it was so incredible that I couldn't stop and almost ate myself into a coma. THE BEST steak I have ever had. I don't say that lightly. And while it was expensive, it wasn't 50 bucks. I think most of them were 28-35ish. I added crab on mine and they brought two massive crab legs. The sauce on it was decadent, yet not overwhelming. The sides we shared were incredible as well. As for apps, the Chicken Satay was one of my favorites. Highly recommend it. I also really, really loved the crab cakes. We tried a few others that lose me right now, because they just weren't as good. I will absolutely be back here next Chi-Town visit.
(5)Brandon T.
Was feeling like a nice night out, and decided to give Benny's a shot. Overall, it was a great experience just about what I was expecting. I knew everything was going to be good, when we had finished the entire bread basket and drank a glass of wine by the time we ordered. The bread is ridicuoulsy good . Really well cooked steaks. Prime beef, so extremely tender with a really nice flavor. The wine was great. Not a huge selection by the glass, but there are primo glasses that I had the pleasure of enjoying. Really fresh nice salads, and several to choose from. Normally not a fan of grilled romaine, but this was actually well done. Had a few oysters, and had them give some from the east coast, and some from the west. Would have appreciated him telling me where they were from before walking away. He just dropped them, and said "oysters". Thanks, thought it was the salad.... Had a couple of sides: Truffled mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Potatoes were phenomenal, but the asparagus was over-cooked to me. For fish we got the Halibut on the bone. Which was really well cooked, but unfortunately had several (more than 10) pin bones throughout. When saying something to the waiter, he said he would give us a free dessert, but forgot as we ordered two. The desserts were excellent, as almost everything else was. Had the Chocolate pudding cake, which was like a lava cake except better, with some toffee ice cream. Also the apple tart with vanilla ice cream, better than a fresh apple pie. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a nice (expensive) night out.
(4)Chris H.
Heaven! Best steak I've ever had and I've had my fair share. I'm sure there's better out there somewhere, but I've never had it. Had oysters to start off with and then the dry-aged, bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare. It was absolute perfection. The sazeracs from the bar were fantastic as well. Can't wait to go back. Two big thumbs up from this guy!
(5)Heidi J.
I am appalled at the lack of customer service Benny's has. I have been here several times before and live right down the street. I even wrote a 5 star review previously. I decided to come here with my baby one night and upon checking in the hostess says to me "Umm.. you can't eat in the main dining room with a baby and stroller." Umm.. are you serious? Then she tells me "You have to eat in the north lounge bar area".. Since we were already there and had walked in the snow we decided just to eat. Until we realize that they sat us right next to a piano!!! WTF?? Some lady comes over and starts playing and belting tunes and we had to rush out of there rather quickly. Upon leaving I ask for the manager to complain. Since I had been there several times before I know there are tables in the back of the dining room that are in the corner and would have accommodated a stroller just fine. The manager did not really say or do anything and just said "Well I hope you give us a second chance." That's it.. ?? I will definitely not be back. I spent $200 here for what.. to BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?? Good food and crappy, horrible service? What next? Are they going to say people with green eyes or brown hair can't be accommodated in the main dining room? Ludicrous! This is about customer service and respect. This is a high end, upscale restaurant and if you are paying good money to eat here you should be treated with a certain level of respect. I should have just left when we first checked in and the rude hostess said we couldn't eat in the dining room.
(1)Paul C.
I finally had a chance to visit Benny's Chop House with my boo, and have to say we had a great time. The atmosphere is a little classier than the typical Chicago steak house, which makes it great for a date or a group of friends. I was particularly impressed with the oyster selection. I have been very disappointed with the oysters at Chicago steak houses (Morton's I'm looking in your general direction). Most of the time the variety is scant, and the preparation is traditional to the point of boring. Benny's actually had a good variety of both east and west coast oysters. My boo and I polished off 12 and I would have happily gone back for round 2. As far as the rest of the menu, I felt like everything was pretty much what you'd expect from a steak house. My Caesar salad was just ok--I'd probably skip it on a return visit, and my boo wasn't impressed with her lobster bisque which she thought rather bland. The main courses definitely were satisfying. The steak was expertly prepared, and I opted to couple it with some crab legs. Unlike some other places I've visited, Benny's actually gave a sizable portion of crab legs along with the steak. I was quite pleased. My boo was equally pleased with her pork chop--which I didn't try myself, but I will say looked awesome. The dessert menu looked awesome too, but by this time we had to be rolled out of the restaurant. Next time I'll try to save some room, but it's tough when the menu has so many great options. In a city renown for its steaks, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Benny's definitely deserves some attention if you are touring the Chicago steak house scene. Great food, in an environment great for a date, or a group of friends. I would definitely go back.
(4)Zack P.
Disclaimer: I've only ever had lunch or dinner in the bar area, so my review is mostly for them. Discovered Benny's when I moved in next door. After a couple visits, several of their impressive signature drinks, and a few nibbles from the bar menu I fell in love with the bar here. The staff is friendly and welcoming, they make you feel like a regular from the first time you walk in. The bartenders are quick but precise. The wine selection is great. The ambiance is always comfortable and enjoyable. A good mix of regulars, visitors, and after work crowd--I've never gone without someone to chat with. $0.25 oysters on wednesday are always amazing. Beers are all by the bottle or can, but the selection is impressive and worth checking out. For lunch you'd be crazy to not try the lobster grilled cheese. Goes great with an albarino they have by the glass. If you order a salad make sure to get the bread! The biscuits are fantastic. On weekend nights there's usually a pianist or some performer singing. It's a bit cheesy sometimes but usually pretty nice for the atmosphere. Great place for a first date or cocktails before dinner.
(5)A D.
Other steak houses in the city are over rated. Benny's is not. It is a warm, friendly place and the decor is simple yet, elegant. Oysters were very fresh. Dry aged Strip steak was juicy, flavorful and cooked the way I liked it (medium rare). Wine choices were plenty. Wait staff is well trained and knew everything in the menu. This is really a good place to go to. Other places have become too fancy. Will come back for sure! Make sure you make reservations!
(5)Carol K.
Seriously. This place is over the top when it comes to taking care of me, the customer. While so many places have seemingly forgot about service, Benny's is all about just that. I had written in my first review that I needed to find a location for a celebratory dinner for a colleague. My first surprise was that the Josh, the manager of Benny's, actually read the review, and then reached out to offer up their services. Now usually for a dinner of this magnitude- I would chose a place that I have been frequenting for years- a place that knows me the second I step in the door by name, and who fawns over me throughout my visit, not a place that I had only ever visited one time. But I had so much faith in Benny's, given the stellar showing they had done on my first visit, unprompted, and the follow up from the management staff thereafter, that I made reservations for our group of 6. My thanks go out to the entire staff at Benny's, for the experience was spectacular. My colleagues said that they had never had such a wonderful time dining out before. Starting with our server Vladi, who was quick with suggestions, who kept things flowing, who was delightful and funny and took it all in stride, the evening was off to a great start. We even had Anthony, the server from my first visit, stop by several times throughout the night to check in on us, even though he was taking care of a private dining group during our visit. Really unexpected! The sommelier, Justin bowled us over as well. He helped pick an amazing bottle of champagne that he then proceeded to "sabre" open (don't try this at home!) I pretty much thought I had seen it all and then this- a perfect start to our celebration. And who doesn't like a man with a sword??? Throughout the meal he was great in suggesting wines that weren't terribly expensive but perfectly met the description of what we liked- pushing us to try some new things (my favorite part of a sommelier as I am always looking to find new favorites!) The food was wonderful as well- the raw bar with it's varietal oysters, fresh crab and chilled lobster and huge shrimp made a great beginning. And if that wasn't enough- the steaks were perfection. All perfectly prepared even the "tomahawk"" cut (if you go- ask to see this interesting cut of ribeye!) The restaurant then brought out a variety of their desserts for us to try. Chocolate cake, cheesecake and a donut type decadence were all amazing! And someone in our group ordered the strawberry shortcake which was fresh and sweet and very calorie worthy! Rarely do I think that Yelp doesn't have enough stars. But in the case of Benny's- I either need to adjust my other 5 star experiences down a notch or give this place the 6th star that it so deserves! Customer service is an art. And Benny's is the "gallery" it's served up in! To go on would be overkill. But in this case, it would certainly be fitting.
(5)Mary C.
When in Rome...okay, Chicago! You must try Benny's Chop House! Atmosphere is really nice, food is amazing and our server was very knowledgeable! Must have oysters, seafood salad...oh heck, it's all good! You will spend a little money but it's worth it!
(4)Maureen F.
Amazing from start to finish. Great food, staff and drinks. The steaks are tasty and perfectly cooked, the desserts and salads were great (I really liked my grilled romaine!). Very pricey!!! Worth trying once!
(5)Justin N.
Easily the best steak I've had in the city. I went with the 10 ounce grass fed filet. The bacon appetizer is amazing.
(5)Kim H.
So I lose an Oscar party bet with my boyfriend, and I owe him dinner. He selects Benny's Chop House, a spot I've wanted to try for a long time and tonight I paid the bet. Benny's offers the traditional Chicago steakhouse ambience - darkened rooms, low lights, elegant wood furnishings, white linen tables, room to spread out, a piano bar and a wait staff dressed in all black. The service is attentive and highly professional. Although I had water accidentally spilled on me at the table, I applaud the service my man and I received tonight. And the food? Just what you should expect from a fine Chicago steakhouse. We enjoyed a surprisingly nice selection of east and west coast oysters, a Caesar salad and their lobster bisque. My man raved about his 7 oz filet with king crab leg enhancement and I dined on a delectable pork chop. Both were prepared to our satisfaction and delicious. We added truffle mashed potatoes which were a bit too "truffly" for my taste, but I can forgive given the quality of everything else. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert, but perhaps that is a tribute to the dinner. We work close by and will definitely try Benny's again. Thank you for making losing a bet fun and enjoyable.
(4)Whitney K.
Went here on a whim after apartment hunting in August. Father in law was in town and decided he wanted a steak, so he promptly made us walk to Benny's. It was 4 oclock and most steakhouses werent open, and we definitely werent dressed for a nice evening out. However, they were very accommodating, even opened their dining room early for us. We ate, we drank, we laughed. Despite being embarrassed about wearing jeans and sandals, it was one of the best steak meals Ive had in Chicago, and our server was superb (probably bc the rest of the dining room was empty). I still think about it months later. My steak was cooked perfect, the wine recs were on spot, and the carrot cake was the largest thing I've ever seen in my life. Could feed an army with one slice. Will go back for date night one evening.
(4)Lois A.
Coming here for drinks on a hot day is a great idea. I really enjoy it. You can relax in front of the windows and people watch. They have great bartenders and an extensive selection. Coming here for dinner is something I probably will only do again if it is for business. The steaks are great but they should be for the price. I wasn't super impressed with the sides I've had here and something in general about this place just doesn't really do it for me as a dining destination. Maybe because there are so many other exciting options. I don't even know what it is. If you want a great steak in a classy old style chophouse Benny's will do.
(4)Matt C.
Went during the week for a friend's birthday. Ribeye was comparable to other delicious steaks at various steakhouses around. They put a sauce on it which was good, as compared to other steakhouses which seem to place more emphasis on the natural flavor of the meat. They have a surprising number of craft beers for a steakhouse. Waiter was somewhat pushy in terms of trying to up-sell us food/drink items rather than really seeming to care what we wanted.
(4)J W.
Came to visit Benny's for an event, our large group was seated in the back meeting room and given an array of small appetizers to start. The room itself can be rented out for conferences/meetings/large groups, etc... the Manager shared all of the techie features the room has to offer- if I needed a room and could afford it I would consider using Benny's for a meeting. The appetizers were pleasant, although I can't remember any offhand right now. What most impressed me was meeting the Executive Chef, Carlo Lamagna, of Perennial Virant fame. He shared his vision to have each meal be individually fresh with seasonal vegetables purchased from local farmers. In my opinion, it's easy to be a steak restaurant and cook meat, but to continually change your offerings to blend with the time of year is really an art. Carlo has a lot of passion and it's evident in each bite. I had scallops and the filet, both were perfectly cooked and delicious. There were beautiful veggies paired with each entree, and each bite was different than the previous. They brought kale to the table as well, LOVE KALE, it was crunchy and not too oily. Their dessert selection is well versed with a nice array of chocolate, nut, and fruit offerings. I would recommend this for date night, corporate meetings, or even family gatherings.
(4)John S.
As steakhouses go, I think this is one of the best. If they have it on special when you go, try the coffee-rubbed steak (I had the Delmonico). Fantastic. Loved the ambience, the staff was really nice.
(5)Stacy F.
Went on a Friday night. Great atmosphere: piano player and live jazz singer in the lounge, great lighting, delicious dirty martinis. Sat down in the restaurant, great service, HUGE wine selection. Great place for special occasions since it is pretty pricey.
(4)John K.
If you love steak, you will love this place. I had the ribeye and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had. I will be gong back the next time I'm n town. The service was great as well.
(5)RA V.
The ambiance was a pleasant surprise (except for the faux candle). The curved booth seating was welcome as opposed to the bench-type seating many restaurants are going to. The steak and accompanying sauce were flavorful but my steak was way undercooked from what I specified. The bread basket was very good. The maple bacon was terrible and very bland - I expected something sweet and salty or maybe caramelized, but it was charred, almost flavorless and very very fatty - my least favorite item - not the guilty pleasure I was expecting. Service was efficient at first but then very slow. Had to request drink refills. The caesar salad was good. I didn't like the flavor of the cream corn - I thought I tasted garlic but I'm not sure what the flavor was exactly and it stuck to my teeth - had a few bites and left it. The baby carrots were OK but my significant other who usually loves baby carrots left them also. The desserts were the best part of the meal - banana cream pie and chocolate pudding pie tasted great. Unfortunately, I've had stomach cramps, cold sweats and nausea from that evening after dinner well into the next am causing me to miss my business meeting the next morning. Won't be back.
(1)Delia M.
Celebrated my husband's 40th bday here last week. It was a FABULOUS experience. I was so thrilled. Martinis, oysters, delicious steaks. Our server, Jeff, took great care of us. Since I'd mentioned the birthday when I made the reservation, he brought a menu to my husband that said "Happy 40th Birthday, Chris" printed across the top! Great touch! He then brought us the bacon appetizer on the house (delicious!!) AND a beautiful dessert with a birthday message after our meal. I am so happy we decided to celebrate at Benny's!!!
(5)S G.
Looking for a good burger? Benny's Blue Cheese Burger could be for you. Toasted bun, cooked to order, good size patty, char broiled, comes with port wine onions (which I had removed), Maytag blue cheese, and fries. Service was excellent, the decor is classic chop/steak house (lot's of wood). Good times for lunch.
(4)Sophie H.
We ate here Christmas eve night - it was awesome. Our server was killer - it was late so we wanted to share a bunch of things and he was great - he coursed it out for us without issue! Wine list was great - had a nice French assortment which we love! We will definitely be back the next time we are in Chicago.
(5)Matt G.
My favorite restaurant in all the world. I've dined all over the country and around the world but THIS place tops them all. The attention to detail, the extra mile they go with the preparation of the food, and the absolutely brilliant cuisine is enough to bring me back time and time again. It's very pricey but you're getting TOP notch service and food. And don't forget the AMAZING $10 burger and truffle fries for lunch. But my fall time fav is the wet aged filet. Bravo Benny's! -A loyal fan.
(5)Michael D.
The bone-in-rib eye was fantastic, as well as the ambiance and quality of the food and service.
(4)Stephanie W.
Benny's was the locale where I first introduced my boyfriend to my parents, so it holds a special, biased place in my heart. I barely remember what anyone ordered on account of the inordinate amount of sweat coming out of my armpits. I do remember the steaks being delightful, our waiter being knowledgeable, and my dad sitting stoically while my mom and I carried the conversation like dehydrated pack mules. Not to worry: a year and a half later, my parents might love him more than me. Thanks Benny (is he a real person?)!
(4)Jim S.
Spent the last week in Chicago for some work and family fun. Went to Benny's on Tuesday night for a work dinner. Loved it so much I had to take my family back again on Friday night. The food was wonderful! And I mean WONDERFUL! The service was incredibly helpful and gracious, and I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Chicago. Well done Benny's, well done.
(5)Samantha H.
My fiancé brought me here for my birthday dinner and the staff at Benny's went above and beyond to make it a great evening. First we hung out at the bar for a cocktail or two and I was introduced to St. Germaine and the Breakfast at Tiffany's cocktail. It was delicious! We then made our way to our table where Candace took outstanding care of us. The oysters were out of this world! The filet mignon and lobster dishes were amazing and my creme brûlée was so good my mouth is watering thinking about it. I cannot wait to get back to Chicago and go back to Benny's!
(5)Kennen M.
3 stars for the service, 4 stars for the food = 3.5 stars. After reading the glowing reviews on here for the service, I was expecting impeccable service. Granted it was NYE but the restaurant was not full at all. Our server was pleasant and fine; however at a restaurant of this caliber, I was expecting fabulous treatment. I wasn't wowed or made to feel special here, like others experienced. It didn't help that Alec Baldwin sat next to us, which made our server less attentive. Little things like having someone fold your napkin or push in your chair when you went to the rest room didn't happen for us. The pace of the service wasn't consistent and started off hurried but ended laid back. Again, the service wasn't bad, just not as polished as I hoped. Another service flaw I experience was towards midnight as they were to give out a champagne toast. Servers came around with a champagne menu if we wish to not partake in the Cava they were to serve. Another server came by and asked what champagne we would like to order and we said we will take the Cava they were pouring. The server then said "We will have to discuss that." What do you mean you have to discuss it? It was offered as part of the evening and now you were going to revoke it? Thankfully that gentleman never came back to discuss anything else with us and we received our Cava without issue. The food was very good. As a country girl, I like a good steak. I opted for the natural steak and it was the perfect choice. The aged steaks are too mealy and mush for my liking. I ordered it Oscar-style and I could have easily been pleased without it. Ordered the special spinach salad and was very pleased with it especially after seeing how tiny their iceberg "wedge" salad was. The crab cake ($15 for one) was delicious but an appetite teaser. The gnocchi was a knockout, both light and flavorful. Truffled mashed potatoes were my favorite but be warned, you will be belching truffle for the rest of the night! We ended the evening with an enormous chocolate cake - the best value in the house.
(3)Jordan F.
I went in for the twenty-five cent oysters during a Wednesday happy hour. I sat down at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and helped recommend good east coast beers to go with our oysters. Some of the oysters were kind of small, but some were also really big. For a quarter a piece, it was a pretty legit deal. My friend and I ended up splitting 3.5 dozen by the end with a couple of beers a piece, totally something like $23 a person. Highly recommended if you're an oyster fan.
(4)Billie O.
I went to Benny's last Wednesday and the food was very good and our server was attentive and very nice. The sommelier, however, was not very pleasant. We asked him for a type of wine and after 3 or 4 suggestions that did not sound appealing, he finally said, "You didn't give me much to go on." I didn't understand why he didn't ask more questions if he felt like I did not provide sufficient information. Thereafter I told him I loved a certain maker of wine and a specific bottle. He assured me that the $150 bottle he suggested was very similar. We received the bottle, it was just ok and not at all similar to the one we had discussed. We checked the reviews online for this particular bottle and it was given mediocre reviews. I was very disappointed, I could have returned the bottle but he made me feel like I was a chore. I like Benny's, but I could have gone to Chicago Cut where the wine experts there were nice and easy going.
(2)David G.
Review in a nutshell: Trying Too Hard. The food is excellent. My Veal Porterhouse was done to perfection, and my guests' New York Strip and Salmon fillets received raves. If a restaurant was simply the sum of its food, Benny's would be a five star joint. You know the old expression, stick to what you know? Good advice. Benny's KNOWS food. REALLY well. They don't know service or atmosphere, but damn they're sure trying hard at both. I liked our waitress. Great service, very professional. I didn't like the three? four??? other waiter-cum-bussboys who were hovering around the dozen or so tables in our area. I mean, they were also very professional and tried to give great service, but they got in each others way -and mine. On paper, more wait staff for the same number of tables means more service. In reality, more wait staff means being asked three times by three different people if there's anything you need before your real waitress is able to make it promptly back with your refill. Or having to inform half a dozen people that you would like more butter for your bread. Or being asked three times by different people if you are ready for your plate to be removed. They're trying! SO hard. But it's just not working very well. Benny's features live music. Does anyone actually *enjoy* Nightclub music? Or is it purposeless relic we associate with certain types of nightlife due to social inertia - like Nutcrackers at Christmas? "Oh, we want to be "that kind" of restaurant -better hire a talentless singer and someone to play piano a bass fiddle!" You can tell it's an affectation, because if it were important and something they were proud of, they would place the musicians prominently so everyone could see, hear and enjoy. Instead, they're hidden away in a -very stylish- corner, so as to inflict the least number of guests with direct contact to atonal, arrhythmic pseudo-jazz. The atmosphere is a Feng Shui nightmare. You walk in the front door and Benny's is a "cool and clean" marble palace. Come up the stairs and it changes to a "warm but cluttered" Italian Winery for the bar, which hangs over the "classic and intimate" wood-paneled boardroom of a seating area. Which is then, of course, packed shoulder-to-shoulder full of head-achingly loud Chicagoans. Drink up, because you'll only be comfortable with a buzz. Oh. And if you do decide to come to Benny's -because seriously, the food really was amazing- don't do it without a business credit card to pay for the meal. Trust me on this one.
(3)Lea R.
Betsy in the bar is great. Highly personable and sweet. she noted how we were questioning and on our orders offered info on what had oil and butter and what could be made dry. We really appreciated that as occasionally we encounter servers who seem to find our requests for healthier options like dressing on the side & no oil or butter unreasonable.
(5)Anisa B.
This place has fantastic YUMMY food. I am definitely a regular here because of the well cooked food, but the bigger reason is because of their outstanding service. Sean, who is just so sweet is always accommodating and always has such eagerness to help. Thumbs all the way up!! And the marshmallow chocolate dessert.... well let's just say I have been in there a few times ONLY to order that dessert.
(5)Steve D.
Spent the weekend in the city with family, so we hit up quite a few restaurants. Benny's was our choice for Saturday . This place definitely has an old time, clubby steakhouse atmosphere. Kinda cool. After being seated, we waited and waited for a server to appear to take our drink order. The usual Grey Goose martini for me. The martini came in an old school champagne glass which seemed odd but it tasted just fine. Ordered the bone marrow appetizer along with some salads. The bone marrow appetizer consisted of a bone about 8-10 inches with some caramelized onions and toast for spreading. Big problem. The bone marrow was not cooked through and was cold and solid underneath the top. Gross. Flagged down the server who apologized and went for a replacement. He came back with a properly done one and told us it was taken off of the bill. Nice response. On to the entrees. Had surf and turf, steaks, rigatoni, and salmon. My wife's salmon was way overcooked and she had to send it back. My surf and turf was just perfect. Great tasting lobster, great tasting steak. Was pleased. However, my wife never got her salmon until the rest of us were done with our entrees. They never came back until then. She told them she did not want it now, since the rest of us were done. She sampled some of our dishes and liked them but was not too happy about how her service was handled. If you are going to charge high end prices for your food, you better have the execution from the kitchen each and every time and the service that goes along with it. Too many slip ups here. Take a cue from Gibson's, Joe's, etc. Top end food execution and service needs to accompany top end pricing. One other gripe. $17 for a martini! Really? That is crossing the line on drinks. I would have given this place a much higher rating if the service was there. It wasn't. I enjoy top end steakhouses and the experience but this is not where I will go to spend my money. Sorry. I really wanted to like this place. Cheers to ALL
(2)Danny B.
For a high end restaurant this place relied too much on appearance and service to try to justify a much higher price than half a dozen places that surround it. While the food was great, it was not THAT great to warrant a significantly higher price for the same steak just down the street. Not worth it in my book. If you want to be the creme de la creme, then it has to be unforgettable.
(3)