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Name: Chicago Chop House
Address: 60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654
Telephone: (312) 787-7100
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.44

Chicago Chop House

60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654

(312) 787-7100
Store is closed

Chicago Chop House Menu

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g

Big Buford® 230g

Bacon Buford® 255g

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g

Checkerburger® 170g

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g

Cheese Double Cheese 190g

Chili Cheeseburger 135g

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g

Double Decker 215g

Rallyburger® 170g

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g

Smokehouse Buford® 265g

Triple Cheeseburger 250g

Healthy Meal suggestions for

Burgers

Kid?s Burger 110g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 570, Saturated Fat (ms) : 6, Calories: 280, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Kid?s Cheeseburger 120g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Cheddar Burger 125g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 29, Sodium (s): 730, Saturated Fat (ms) : 9, Calories: 370, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Bacon Double Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 1340, Saturated Fat (ms) : 20, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 6 ]

Big Buford® 230g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1090, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 570, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Buford® 255g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1510, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 680, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Bacon Swiss Buford® 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 28, Sodium (s): 1310, Saturated Fat (ms) : 21, Calories: 660, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® 205g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 490, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Champ® with Cheese 225g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 930, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 580, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

1/4 LB. Bacon Cheese Champ® 235g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 35, Sodium (s): 1230, Saturated Fat (ms) : 18, Calories: 630, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® 280g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 1030, Saturated Fat (ms) : 25, Calories: 740, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

1/2 LB. Double Champ® with Cheese 300g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 34, Sodium (s): 1360, Saturated Fat (ms) : 28, Calories: 790, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Checkerburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Checkerburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Cheese Double Cheese 190g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 1140, Saturated Fat (ms) : 17, Calories: 510, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Chili Cheeseburger 135g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 620, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 320, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Chili Cheeseburger 180g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 30, Sodium (s): 760, Saturated Fat (ms) : 14, Calories: 460, Sugar (ms): 3 ]

Double Decker 215g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 31, Sodium (s): 720, Saturated Fat (ms) : 13, Calories: 480, Sugar (ms): 4 ]

Rallyburger® 170g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 32, Sodium (s): 680, Saturated Fat (ms) : 8, Calories: 390, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Rallyburger® with Cheese 179g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 810, Saturated Fat (ms) : 12, Calories: 420, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Triple Cheeseburger 250g [ Carbohydrates (ms): 33, Sodium (s): 1450, Saturated Fat (ms) : 23, Calories: 690, Sugar (ms): 5 ]

Healthy Meal suggestions for CheckersRally

Burgers

Smokehouse Buford® 265g [ Sodium (s): 1610, Calories: 650, Sugar (ms): 15 ]

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Clarice G.

I visited the Chop House for Mother's Day in 2009 with my family and I loved it! There were 9 of us so we all shared two seafood platters. The platter had crab cakes, jumbo shrimp, crab legs and lobster tails...my oh my were those lobster tails tasty! That was my first time having such good lobster and I was very pleased with it here. The crab legs were good, the crab cakes were mediocre and I did not like the shrimp. I did not have a drink since I was pregnant at the time, but my family members seemed to like their daiquiris. For dinner my husband and I shared lamb chops and filet mignon. The lamb was wonderful, but a little bit greasy. I have had better filet at home so I would pass on it here. Everyone else had steaks or chicken and seemed to enjoy them very well. For dessert I shared carrot cake with my mother. First of all, you are served a HUGE slice of cake. It is sweet, delicious and moist. Oh so yummy! I can't remember if I had any side items but the lobster was definitely something to remember. Our bill came to about $1000+ so dining with a smaller party is recommended, but not bad for special occasions. Service was great. Water glasses filled, fresh pepper ground onto salads, my shared dinner was already split in half for us, no complaints. The menu was a little confusing, as there were two of them. Take your time when looking them over so you won't miss out on the less expensive items. Overrall I would say go for the lobster tail, lamb chops and definitely save room for the carrot cake!
(4)
Ed S.

Not sure what all the bad reviews are about. I've eater here at least a dozen times. It always delivers. I prefer to eat in the bar area near the piano bar. If you have an out of town guest or a business associate demand they get the tomahawk. They will pull out their phone and take a picture of the delicious beast of a steak before they eat it. They will remember the experience for a life time. Great Chicago steak house. Highly recommended.
(4)
Rafael Y.

Yuk. How very disappointing my dinner was. Although service was excellent, the food was merely mediocre -- I expected more. Glad I was not paying the bill. I was told the Rib-eye steak was hormone-free and touted as the most flavorful...it was bland and tough. The starter crab cake was cold and tasted more of soggy bread crumbs than tender crab. The supposedly "amazing chocolate cake" tasted generic and store-bought -- and was closer to german chocolate cake with coconut frosting -- not real chocolate cake. Side veggies seemed frozen and microwaved...kinda chewy not in a good way. The wedge salad with blue was the best part of the meal. My friend had the filet mignon and was happy with her cut. The decor was outdated and needed to be refreshed. Overrated.
(2)
Jonathan H.

Took my wife there for our Anniversary. I was impressed with the "house layout" and the different rooms that offered a different dining experience. I'm a fan. Had the NY Strip. I eat it everywhere so I have a basis of comparison (and so I can clog my arteries faster). The steak and the side dishes were all superb. We had great service from out drinks to dessert.
(5)
Angela P.

WOW.WOW.WOW!! One of the best dining experiences I have ever had, only second to my fave Maui spot, and that's saying A LOT! =] Fred and I went here for our 4 year/13 year anniversary after wanting to come in since high school! I am so mad we waiting this long...it was THAT good! We were seated only a few minutes after our reservation time and we weren't seated in my first or second choice seating area, but that was very quickly forgotten. Our server was prompt to ask us what we want to drink and to explain the amazingness that is their dry aged steaks. Let me just say...he was AWESOME!! He made the whole experience for me! We then told him what we wanted to order based on some of his suggestions he had to make our experience the best ever. He helped up decide the order at which stuff arrived to the table and then we waited for the goodness to come. We got the lobster bisque, chop salad, wedge with thousand island, porterhouse (sliced off the bone), sauteed mushrooms with spinach and garlic, au gratin potatoes and a potato pancake. Yeah...wed had a food experience to say the least! Everything was perfection, but the two standouts for us were the bisque and the steak. Wow and wow. There really are no words for the perfection that was this meal. It was SO good and at $237...a TOTAL STEAL!!! I can't rave more about this place and CANNOT wait to go back and bring some friends and family!! Love you CCH!! =]]
(5)
Raquel D.

This is old school Chicago dining for sure. Looking at all the pics on the walls keeps your eyes wide open as the aroma causes you to float up those stairs. You almost feel like you're gonna see an italian mob dining once you get up there. Cool. But onto the food - excellent steaks for excellent prices. They explain diff cuts and stuff, but I usually get a filet and hubby gets prime rib. I begged him to get medium rare, but he got medium well. Sigh. It didn't matter tho - both steaks were equally juicy and full of flavor. And you actually get sides with the price. whoa. Good deal, folks. Oh and lobster bisque is excellent! I enjoyed it here and hope to come back soon.
(4)
C M.

My boyfriend and I went here tonight (it's pretty much our usual steakhouse at this point) to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We got there and proceeded to wait 50 minutes before being seated (we were a bit early for our reservations, and they ran 30 mins late). We had to sit in the cold room off of the restaurant where everyone walks in because it was so crowded-which for a Monday, I don't really understand. Anyway. We finally get seated and the food is great as usual, but I was freezing the entire time. It seems the Chop House has yet to discover the art of heat. It was noisy and cold and not quite the experience I was hoping for on such a special night. I left pretty disappointed. I know they'll never read this, and perhaps if I weren't so annoyed I would have mentioned it to a manager, but: I emplore you, Chop House, to learn what it means to turn the heat on when it's 46 degrees out! Having the fans on does *not* help, fyi. Next time, I am literally going to call ahead and make sure the heat is on before we have dinner there. We didn't spend more than $100 there to freeze.
(3)
Kairo C.

AMMMMAAAAZZZING GRACE AMAZING STEAK! wowser, i think of steak from this place and i drool. the wine pairing was great too. the impression is lasting.... and apparently the dent it will put in your wallet too. i didnt pay (phew) as it was a romantic treat from the significant other of that time. he didn't snear at the price either because he had plenty of money to waste on an extravagant dinner, he had a 5-star impression himself to justify his wealthy donation, and a job promotion worth celebrating - this made for a guiltless gnosh! though if you dont have $$$$$ to waste, i would not say it is worth the splurge; there are certainly other GREAT steakhouses in Chicago i could suggest that would not give you a financial stroke. if i was fronting the bill, i would likely not be singing this same tune. if the budget yields, go when you have a MAJOR milestone to celebrate and treat is as a reward. IF money is not an issue you will NOT be disappointed. the steak was SUCCULENT. exquisitely prepared. i think i got the surf in turf filet and he got the bone in filet or some specialty steak at the time... his was the highlight of the show. i mean mine was amazing but his was a unique steak that i haven't tasted quite like it anywhere else. i forgot the sides, but they were overshadowed by the amazingness of the steaks. and definitely pair it with a decent wine; your already gonna spend a lot so what's a lil more at this point? only downfall i remember is the table we sat at was small, tall and oddly against the wall (and no i didn't aim to make that rhyme). i forgot about that though when i got all starry eyed over great wine and steak. the decor was classic; i don't typically dig the pics on the wall of big names and such but they had classic big names like Capone on their walls that gave it a coolness vibe. be assured: 5 primarily for the food and wine alone...
(5)
Nir A.

Although expensive - this is one of the BEST steak I ate in years. I sat on the bar and travel in time to the 20s, pretending the chicago gang were just around the corner. The bartender was very professional and I had a wonderful chicago style fun.
(5)
Tanner B.

Expensive? Yes. Absolutely breath taking food? Yes. I think people are over stating the prices a bit here - its what you would expect to pay for a very high end steak, and thats exactly what you are getting. My eyes did widen a bit when I saw the prices, but that steak was simply one of the best I have ever had. Two people can easily share a ribeye and a side or two (for a $10 sharing fee).
(4)
Kari O.

EXPENSIVE AND NOT WORTH IT. Our server was only a salesman and extremely annoying. I think he talked to our table for a longer period of time that we all talked to another. I understand that the $100 steaks are dry aged for 75 days, blah, blah, blah and the Kobe meat comes from cows massaged all day in Pitsburgh, Texas. I don't need a $140 steak. All in all. I got a Prime Filet with scallops, and a couple sides. Good, but not memorable at all.
(2)
Greg M.

Most expensive dinner ever Unfortunately it wasn't close to being worth it Attended a bachelor party steak dinner at the Chop House.. Overall, can't complain about the food.. it was excellent. The main reason Chop House received a 2 star from me was the absolutely ridiculous prices.. and the insidious and slimy way the wait staff attempted (and succeeded) in getting us to order the incredibly overpriced food. While there is a certain buyer-beware responsibility on our part, a greater than $700 appetizer, and overall $3600 food bill for 10 people, when we really only wanted a good steak, a glass or two of good wine, and an app. I've been to many expensive restaurants.. While the food was great, this restaurant didn't come close to earning its price tag for the meal. Advice: if you have to go to the Chop House, buyer beware: note everything and every price your server attempts to sell you up on before agreeing to the suggestion.
(2)
Carolyn U.

Overall rating: -1 (Please disregard number of stars shown above) Food Rating: 3 Better alternatives: Kinzie Street Steak House, Gibson's, The Rosebud Prime, Morton's. We dined at The Chop House last night with close friends and their family from LA. Overall this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I have ever had. The only thing saving this special evening was the company. My husband and I would have been more assertive about demanding better service but our attention was on our dining companions and our congenial get together. DO NOT be talked into going to The Chop House by someone who has romantic memories of what it once may have been. MOVE ON. Waitstaff: rookie mistakes; experienced but more apropos to a pizza parlor; truly atrocious, but friendly :) Our waitstaff was a team of two, a woman and her "partner." We were greeted warmly and my husband ordered an iced tea and I asked for a glass of water. Fifteen minutes later, a server offered me two types of bottled water but did not bring me a glass of water. After the remaining 5 members of our party arrived about 10 minutes later, we were again offered bottled water. It took them about 30 minutes to serve me a glass of water. No apologies no excuses given. Subtract one star. I was the first person in the rotation to order a beverage which wasn't served to me until after our food orders were taken. I am still scratching my head over this one. It was so simple. Waitress says she's taking beverage orders. She addresses me first. I ask for a glass of prosecco. She moves on. Prosecco never comes. Finally I ask her partner for a glass of prosecco and about five minutes later, viola, I am served. No apologies, no excuses given. Subtract one more star. I am served two dishes over the course of the evening: a humble green salad and my main entree; both are HANDED to me to place on the table before me, a charming custom at possibly my local pizzeria. No apology, no excuses. I am now hep to the do it yourself nature of their dining experience. The room is set up for poor service but more on the atmosphere in another section. Subtract one more star. After dinner, I order coffee which was served hot and in a timely manner but prior to serving dessert. Just after dessert was served, my coffee cup was empty and I was never offered more coffee or anything for that matter. Subtract one more star. The moment of truth, the bill arrives. We are charged a 20-30% premium for dry aged beef which no one in our group ordered, no small error considering the 18% automatic obligatory gratuity. The staff corrected the error. Since no one in the party ordered or was served dry aged beef why the "error?" Makes me wonder. I will be watching my platinum Amex statements very carefully. So after an evening of playing tag for a glass of water and a glass of wine, we also had to play restaurant bill auditor. Subtract one more star Atmosphere: very disappointing The Chop House claims to be "located in an immaculately restored, century-old Victorian brownstone." The term "immaculately restored" clearly means different things to different people; perhaps this was a reference to their perfectly functioning and tidy toilet facilities on the second floor. The entire restaurant reminded me of a neighborhood tavern's "party room." Walls were stained plywood with stained molding. No art on the walls, And yes, while the bathrooms were clean, there were none of the amenities that most high end restaurants provide, e.g., attendant making sure everything is spotless, hand towels, etc. I was actually embarrassed by the low rent furnishings and decor. I hope our younger LA guests will not leave believing that top Chicago dining is this throwback to cheesy backwater "fine dining." Subtract one more star. Room was rectangular and was set up for three groups of 7-10 people. Tables were long and rectangular reminiscent of many school lunchrooms. While the room was not excessively loud, the set up was not conducive to a good social experience for our group of 7. Can't truly blame the The Chop House for this. As you read my review, you may ask, but what of the food, isn't that what restaurants are all about? The beef was well prepared for five of six beef eaters in our party. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass which was mostly well prepared, except in the center where is was not fully cooked The soup, dinner salad and sides were just okay. Food rating: 3 stars. Yep that's it. For the record our party spent nearly $750 for 7 people (5 adults and two non-drinking, underage young people). Five adults each ordered one alcoholic beverage. Overall rating: -1STARS.
(1)
A W.

I used to love this place but my last few visits within the last year were real disappointments. I think they're changing to compete with all new steak places in town but I miss the old days. I don't want the raw meat platter with the 15-min speech on all the cuts of meat and how the cows were treated when I've already told you that I've been here before. The caprese salad used to be a nice simple thing now it's two giant mozzarella balls swaddled in prosciutto resting on the blandest tomatoes and drowning in so much balsamic that it overwhelms everything on the plate. The worst part was my steak, not only was it over cooked but it was gristly and greasy. It sad that has come to this but I'm sure the folks that run this place don't care because the old school sales guys will keep bring clients here
(2)
BOB M.

Resting on Laurels in my opinion. The Lobster Bisk was just OK. The Bone in Tomahawk was good and cooked as rare as I asked but for the $$$ I felt Scalped! and everything was a sales pitch. Dont think I'll be returning any time soon.
(3)
Erika L.

This is one of the most expensive steak houses I've ever been to and the least impressive all the way around. If you are looking to spend some cash on really special night, this is the LAST place I would go. Atmosphere was stuffy and just not fun. The service was too overbearing and up selling us around ever corner. Not just regular friendly up selling but obvious jam it up your ass up selling. It's like....Look we are already spending $140 on 1 steak, give us a break and let us order what WE WANT. The thing about the service that was really grinding on my nerves was first that he spoke at million miles an hour, for way too long on several occasions. The last thing was that they brought a drink that I clearly didn't order then charged us for it at the end of the meal. Then when I approached him about it, he said, well I already took it off the bill, and I said well we only ordered 3 between the 4 of us and you charged us for 4. He gave me the most attitude and began to accuse everyone at the table that they had more then 1 drink. I mean, what the hell is $10 on an already $600 bill. Give me a break buddy. This left a bad taste in our mouths leaving this place. The steak was spectacular, we had the Kobe Porterhouse, I will give them that, BUT the sides were nothing more then I could make at home and service killed it for me. Bottom line: nothing about this place is worth the cost.
(1)
Leigh R.

Overpriced! There are so many options to choose from when you want a great steak in Chicago. I used to be a huge fan of the Chicago Chop House but after having experienced many more steak houses this one fell to the bottom. I went there most recently with my parents who saved their money to splurge on a nice dinner here. I was embarrassed when it turned out to not be worth it. No wine bottle was less than $65, my scallop appetizer (which I had for dinner) was $50! Just way over priced and not worth it. The steaks are good but don't compare to other places. What is great is the location, the atmosphere and the service, but after all it should be for what you pay! This place is also bubbling over with tourists and since I'm a local I like to go off the beaten path a bit and dine with my fellow Chicagoans. I say - skip this place and go to Chicago Cut, Carmichael's, Erie Cafe, or Gene and Georgettis! Happy Steak eating.
(2)
Lee W.

I thought this place was a really solid steakhouse. I ordered a 10oz filet with diver scallops. First, the filet itself was pure perfection and the scallops were sweet and tender. Our server was professional and very attentive. Overall a good dining experience.
(4)
Kian J.

Aged steaks is where the flavor is If you go to a place like this, you should not be worried about your wallet pay the price and enjoy the steak
(5)
Kristopher B.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! I got a reservation for a co-worker and I at 7:30, no problem - but there's a reason why. The menu given to us was completely different from the menu online. The prices were nearly $50 more expensive in the restaurant than what the online menu said ($79 - $120 for a piece of meat is absurd). The ambiance was dull and too brightly lit. After giving us a 20 minute spiel about the restaurant the waiter tried selling us practically everything in the restaurant. This was followed by another 20 minute overview of the menu. He wouldn't leave the table! I can't tell you if the food is good or not because I was so turned off in the short period of time I was there that we left for another steak house. Go to Benny's Chop House. It's right up the street. Wait staff was great. Food was delicious and priced how you would expect. The ambiance was modern, clean, and romantic. We ended up eating at a high top in the bar, which was perfect, because Benny's, unlike Chicago Chop House, was understandably completely booked for the night.
(1)
Kait G.

I'm a big fan of off-peak dining, the service is always better, the mayhem and noise not there and I find the food better too as the chefs take time. We hit the Chop House on Saturday night at 5:00 pm and owned the place. The hostess seated us in at a window-side table and we stared with escargot appetizer and sliced beefsteak tomatoes, onions salad with crumbled blue cheese. Both were great. I only eat beef on special occasions and so I went for the 24 oz bone in prime rib and my dining companion had the aged tomahawk steak. Both were amazing, perfectly cook and a great balance of marbling and meat. My side was truffle mac and cheese which was great. Dessert was six layer German chocolate cake, fab x2! The waitstaff was attentive but not overly "in your face because I want a big fat tip" and the place was relatively quiet because of our timing. It would have been a 5 star experience except for this, I ordered wine Chardonnay, Leeuwin Estate 2006..yes a white wine with steak. The waitress asked me if I was "sure" I wanted that wine. I asked did she have an alternative recommendation and she recommended a meaty Merlot. I then asked what "white" she would recommend with a steak and she blanched saying "we never recommend white with steak". Ah...I've got her! Folks, there are whites that are not fruity and sweet that go great with rich steaks.I had specifically chosen a white that I knew could stand up to the richness of a prime rib and not have the heaviness of a red. I stand by my selection and hence the tinging of one star. If you're not a wino or even if you are (they have an amazing list!) I highly recommend the chop house!
(4)
David S.

I was pretty disappointed with Chicago Chop House. For the amount of money this place costs, I was expecting more. I ordered the lamb lollipops. The waitress said they were lamb rib chops cooked medium rare with a port reduction sauce and some onion strings on top. When the appetizer arrived, it was four 1/4" lamb chops that were all well done (I'm not sure you could cook a piece of meat that thin medium rare). It was smothered in fried onions (which admittedly were tasty). I also ordered the dry aged tomahawk ribeye steak, medium rare. The steak was cooked to the right temperature but it lacked the intense buttery, beefy flavor I expect from a dry aged steak. Recently, I had had a dry aged steak at another good Chicago steak house, which was truly excellent, which I remembered well and the steak here, which was $20 more paled in comparison. I'm giving it two stars because the service was excellent.
(2)
D H.

I ate here on 7/30. I am positively astounded by the negative reviews. I have eaten multiple times at: Flemings, Smith and Wollensky, Morton's, and Grill 23 (the lattermost is exclusive to Boston, I believe). I have grilled countless steaks of countless varieties - American raised Wagyu, Prime, Grass-fed, Dry-Aged, Choice, what-have-you. This place blew them all clear out of the water. I had the 55-day dry aged ribeye, 24oz, bone-in. It was divine. It was literally the best steak I have ever had in my life. Well, possibly. Some time ago I tracked down fresh Kobe Wagyu strip steaks and prepared them at home. Those were possibly as good as the dry-aged ribeye. Perhaps the problem is that people did not try the dry-aged cuts. The winelist, like the steak, is pricey. A $40 retail bottle of Stag's Leap, Artemis runs $149. But, this is a fancy steak place, and that's what fancy steak places do. For what it's worth I had a Hess vineyards meritage. Very good. Was somewhere near $70. I cannot recommend this enough. I will definitely return if I again find myself in Chicago. (We also had Blue Point oysters, which were quite good). Also, I note that someone has complained that someone ordered two seafood towers, which cost $550 in total. A couple points here: 1. Seafood in fancy steak houses is always obscenely expensive. So are the steaks. This is because of the word "fancy" in the first sentence of this point. 2. If you are shown a menu that lists steaks for $59 to $99, you should assume that anything without a listed price is also going to be expensive. This is common sense.
(5)
Nick L.

5 star for the steak. 3 star for the price. This place holds a special meaning as this is where we went for dinner after I popped the question. Having been to numerous steakhouses, I kinda know that it won't be a cheap night that doesn't do the day justice. My eyes did bulge when I saw the prices here! And to share a steak (the wifey has a big heart and thus smaller stomach!) would cost extra because they would have to give us another plate. The pianist was also a nice addition. The steak we got was fantastic (some kobe cut - not so important as I am sure all the steaks will taste good) and up there with the other places I have eaten steaks. I feel this place should be tried at least once and then it's up to each individual to work out where his go to steak place is!!
(4)
Steve S.

Decent but damn glad I was not picking up the tab! Seriously $69-89 steaks??
(3)
Robert H.

Unfortunately, this is one of the few Chicago steakhouses I have been to. Steak was okay. Wine list is extensive. That said, service is horrible and non-steak food items are disappointing. I have never felt so much pressure by servers to order ridiculous amounts of food, not to mention the dirty looks when I passed on ordering another drink. This restaurant clearly tries to squeeze their customers for as much money as they can. Doesn't make for a fun dining experience, no matter how good the steak is.
(1)
Danielle C.

So where do you go with old friends to celebrate a father's 60th? He chose the Chop House- his favorite. And since he (the father) flew his whole family in from the OC to celebrate, we were looking forward to it! We had two tables. Our party of 16 was a bit large to cram around one. We were seated in the downstairs by the bar, not a problem with us. As usual, despite the fact that some of us are now in our 30s, we had a kids an an adults table- It worked well. The food was pretty spectacular. And I do not give praise for restaurants in this area lightly. I am a bit of a snob in that manner. We had the lake perch, calamari, and mushrooms for appetizers. I did not care for the perch, but everyone else RAVED about it. The calamari ROCKED! For dinner, we had quite an assortment. The strip, the surf and turf, the fillet Mignon, the crab legs, and more. The CRAB LEGS WERE AWESOME! They were huge, they were cut down the middle for easy consumption, they were awesome! I don't say this easily- and neither do my west coast friends. We all loved them! The steaks were also very good. The asparagus was large, well, not my favorite type. But other than that- this meal was something to remember! Service was pretty spectacular. They were on top of their game and put up with some antics from the "adult" table. The kids table? We were perfect- of course!
(4)
M H.

Hmmm I had a hard time deciding how many stars I should give... The steak was good but I don't know much about the service and the overall experience there. We waned to order the prime rib but the waiter told us that It was completely sold out. Because of that, we had to go with the more expensive options. When he was taking our orders, he made it sound like soup or salad was included (well, we didn't read the menu carefully... so not entirely his fault)... it's only when we got our bills, we noticed that soup or salad was not included and we had to pay for those... wish he could mention that it's NOT included. Another annoying thing was that we were pressured to finish our food. Our steak came before we finished our salad/soup... This is so rude!!!! It ended up being a very $$$ meal... I will never go back to this place.
(2)
M M.

Not a good experience. Had an issue with my steak being tough and dry, mentioned to the waiter...his response, you should have told me earlier. He was non existent for 20 min, probably due to the sales pitch he told me they are required to do. I mentioned to the manager as I was leaving , he apologized. I won't be back not can I recommend in good to clients or friends with a good conscious. I was bringing a couple from Brazil, there food was great.
(1)
Angela D.

The NY STRIP was amazing tender and juicy and flavorful. No need for sauce, just extra juices because it was so yummy! The Caesar Salad was gross, just get the normal salad that comes with the meal. I would definitely go back here if I am in Chicago again.
(4)
Carol K.

I had heard mixed reviews about the Chicago Chop House. But I am here to tell you that they delivered on their promise of a great steak house experience in Chicago on a recent Thursday night. We got there and I was surprised that the place was so busy at 9pm on a weeknight. We had a choice of where to sit and while the first floor bar area with the live piano music called to me- I really preferred to sit at a table rather than a high top to eat dinner so up to the 3rd floor we went. We were seated immediately and had a couple of martinis. Perfectly shaken- our night was off to a good start. I had been hankering for some oysters so 12 beautiful Blue Points found their way to our table and were devoured in an instant. We also had a mixed greens salad that came with our steaks. As for entrees, I had the NY strip and my friend had the most beautiful cut of prime rib I had seen in a while. A little hint- get the prime rib the regular way. They also offer it up in their special way which puts it under the broiler for a minute but sometimes can be a little dry when done that way. These two pieces of meat were done to perfection! As for sides- the mushrooms, loaded baked potato and mashed potatoes with gravy were all delicious- although I think the mashed potatoes edged out the others, if by just a bit. Service was great, the ambiance typical Chicago steakhouse, and the food is worth writing about. Oh and ladies? If you are wondering where all the men are on a Thursday night in Chicago- they are obviously out eating steak as there wasn't another woman within sight. We've got a lot of steakhouses here in Chicago. But only one with the name of our fair city in it. And that ought to tell you something.
(4)
Ron L.

If you've ever picked up an in flight magazine, no doubt you've seen Chicago Chop House listed as one of the best steak places to dine in the US. That's what initially drew me in, but it's the Chop House Prime Rib that keeps me coming back. Imagine a 24 ounce bone in cut of deliciously marbled prime, cooked rare, then finished off on the grill. Crusty on the outside, pink on the inside. Last time one of the owners paused at my table, pulled up a seat, and gave me a history of the place. This guy was good and knew how to make his customers feel at home. Next time you're in Chicago, make sure you save your appetite and pay a visit to the best steak in town. You'll thank me later.
(5)
Molly G.

Easily the most expensive meal I've ever had, and definitely not the best meal i've ever had. The waiter didnt bring any menus, and asked what we'd like for appetizer...knowing we'd never eaten there before. Hard to believe that the price point is more than double that of Ruth's or Flemings, and not nearly as nice. I would not go again.
(1)
Mike P.

Hi, welcome to Chicago, would you like to eat half a cow and a giant crab? You would, well, head over to Chicago Chop House and let them set you up. In all my years here, I have never been to the chop house. I avoid Tourist-Town like a meth-head avoids the dentist. I'd definitely head back down for this joint though. Everything was spot-on. The fillet was tender and the crab legs huge. The chocolate cake was so amazing that my diabetic father even had a few bites. Pricey? Sure, but you get your money's worth. Plus, I think the guys at the next table were in the mob. Authenticity - Huzzah!
(5)
Sean H.

I brought my Dad here, having heard so much good about it. Dad ordered the Filet and I ordered the NY Strip, both medium rare. When we eventually got the beast, it was tough as rubber. Better to have eaten shoe leather. The gristle in these steaks was awful. The vegetable were so over cooked, they almost fell through the fork. The sevice was ok however. As we were leaving, the Maitre d asked how everything was. I was glad he asked and I told him. He just giggled and thanked us for coming. The whole scenario was improperly handled. Nobody was looking for a free meal but the whole event was a let down. Nice bathroom however.
(1)
Bill M.

There are lots of famous steakhouses in the city, but the Chicago Chop House is the one known for the Christmas tree displayed in front of its building year-round. The steaks are top-notch, and the cheesecake is rich if you still have room.
(4)
Briana J.

This is a nice steak house in the city. Not the best, but far from the worst. We made reservations but were still seated at the bar 20 mins after our reservations. The service was great, although the waiter was clearly stressed and seemed impatient as I asked a few questions. The best advice I can give you is to try the creamed spinach. I was sad I agreed to split the dish because it was so good. I also ordered the N.Y strip- medium well. It was tasty. Well, there is really nothing that sets this place apart from other steak houses, except the spinach. I would recommend this place for an older crowd- perhaps a place to take your parents when they come to town.
(3)
Mitch Kim D.

I got the new york strip-cheaper version not aged, but it was still very good. The waitress suggested a sauce on the side. The sauce was good but the steak did not need it. Was not given a steak knife and was a little concerned until i cut into the steak. the dinner knife was enough. The steak was excellent and properly prepared. Started off with the wedge salad with real bacon bits. Sat down in the lounge area near the piano man and he was incredible. not too loud and not too quiet. the only down side was that i was seated by the coat check in area and sometimes the line gathered around my table. Could have caused a problem if i was not dining alone. You do not want to sit there if you are trying to impress your boss or your date. Overall a very good experience and will go back when i am in town again.
(4)
Patti B.

We were in the area last weekend and had no reservation, but were seated immediately since we just barely beat the dinner crowd. The prime rib here is phenomenal - I'd give 5 stars for that alone! I've never had any meat so delicious and tender, and I don't know how anyone could have trouble finishing it on their own. The reason for the 4 star rating is the dish my boyfriend ordered, which was the lobster and filet mignon combo. His was definitely not as good as mine, and even though my prime rib was medium, it was still more tender than his filet medium rare. It was nice to have side dishes although don't expect anything fancy - the baked potato is just that and the mashed potatoes don't have anything added to them. But we'll be back, and next time we'll both order the prime rib.
(4)
Jeff N.

I've been in Chicago 30 years and FINALLY made it to CCH. It was pretty much as I expected; masculine, old-school, not contemporary, and sprinkled with corporate types trying to impress their clients. But alas, the meat. My wife ordered the regular Prime Rib and I ordered the Special Prime Rib which is supposed to taste like a Rib-eye (which they don't offer on the menu). Her Prime Rib was good, not great. My Special Prime rib was outstanding. My wife and I differed on how good the Creamy Garlic dressing was; she was more complimentary than I was. The Sauteed Mushrooms were quite good. Bottom line, we are infrequent eaters of BIG MEAT, so it will be a very long time before we return here, rather opting for other highly rated steakhouses like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or whatever Yelp or Chicago Magazine tells me I should be trying.
(3)
Jason R.

I went here on the recommendation of friends (we were in town for the big food convention in Chicago). Supposively, this restaurant has the #2 rated Prime Rib in America. I don't normally order Prime Rib, but with that rating, I had to check it out. The steak was served with a butter knife -- and that was all you needed to cut the steak. I've never had a better Prime Rib. It is for that reason alone that I give it 5-stars. Worth the money and visit.
(5)
Todd V.

Loved it. After being seated at a table on the third floor (which was pretty awful), they moved us to a new table on the first floor. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. When you make a reservation, request this floor to listen to the live piano. The food was excellent. Our waitress was awesome too. Forget her name, but she had been there forever and was really fun. Cheaper than, say, Ruth's Chris. Definitely will go back when I am in town again.
(5)
Chris F.

Formerly my hands-down favorite steakhouse in Chicago. Everything others have said is true: ownership changed in November 2008, the wait staff goes for the hard sale every time, and the prices are at all time highs in spite of what the newspapers say is a severe downturn in steakhouse world. I'm really sorry to say I won't be back.
(2)
Nick C.

I wanted to love this place, if you have read my other reviews you'll know I always pull for local restaurants. Unfortunately, my experience at The Chop House was tainted by poor service, but even more so, bad luck. Our food was cooked incorrectly (one steak undercooked and one over), it took a long time for our waitress to acknowledge we had ever arrived. Our appetizers were not correct and no apologies were made for any of this... When the check came, I felt like I had been robbed haha. I would go back and try again, if I weren't paying... too risky for me to foot the bill again.
(2)
James C.

havne't been here since the last time they changed management. It's completely off my radar for steak... what happened? it used to be so good. =(
(3)
Z K.

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(4)
ShelleyandBrian B.

We don't eat steak very often and especially not out in the middle of the touristy part of Chicago, but the parents were in town and that is where you go. We did not make reservations but scored a great table downstairs by the piano. My dad really enjoyed looking at the old pictures of Chicago and the feel of the place makes you feel like you are in old Chicago. We all ordered steaks and all four were perfect. One steak we got the horseradish crust and it was amazing. We also got the four cheese potatoes and asparagus and again, all great. The best part of the whole night was that my mother left her jacket in her seat. We did not realize it and was four blocks away when we heard someone yelling. It was the head host chasing us down with my mom's jean jacket. Great service and we will be going back for our annual "parent's in town" steak dinner next year!
(5)
Justin R.

Overpriced, bland steaks, that were definitely not worth the money I paid. I got the surf and turf, and it wasn't a great portion either. If you want a real steak, go to Gibsons!
(2)
Big M.

Went here before a Chris Rock show. The atmosphere was nice and the prices were reasonable compared to NY. The fillet was ok. It's a good tourist experience.
(3)
JOHN T.

This was a big mistake and was probably the worst experience I have had eating in a restaurant. At some point in the dinner we just wanted to get up and leave. I wish I had read reviews. We got a table almost as soon as we got there but then the waiters just stood around hovering over us making it very uncomfortable. Then the waiter who was in charge of Our table came over and gave us a long lecture on dry meats, moisture etc and would not bring out the menu. We ask for water to start with and she would bring out Pellegrino. Finally caving to pressure we get a bottle of water. We ask to see a wine list...way over priced (10 -15 times the price)- cheapest wine $80. We decide to get a glass each ($20). By this time their game was clear and we avoided getting the appetizers. Upto this point they would not bring out the menu. After asking for it a few times we get the menu. The meats were overpriced(cheapest being $69.) and the most of the good cuts around $99.00. We did not have the guts to get up and leave but that would have been the right response to all their ridiculous behavior. The meat came out and it was tasty but surely nothing was in there to justify the price ( the kobe beek filet mignon 10 oz $79)..One of us ordered NY steak($69) and it was average. She also sold us 2 sides.($20). At that point we thought that we had a bad waiter and if she had not spoiled it for us then it would have been good. But after reading many reviews now I am convinced that it is part of their culture and they basically shame you into spending money. If you want to go to a place and then come out feeling small, robbed or cheated then go to this place but if you want to save your dignity don't go there. The height of cheapness was when after our waiter had given the menu as a memento(Yes , it was a piece of paper) the maÃ®tres d'hÃ´tel (on our way out) asked us whether it would be okay if she made a xerox copy of the menu and gave the copy instead of the menu(original) that we were carrying. We explained that Our waiter had given it to us and she accepted our explanation. We just spent about $400 (with tips) in this place and she can't let us have this piece of paper ? A place with more class would not be asking such questions. The hardest part of everything was the waiter taking fast and right over us. It was deceitful to be honest. You keep hearing demi-glaze, the chef recommends etc etc over and over. We did not want to penalize the waiter but she deserved $0 in tips for the service. We ended up giving 15.7 %. We will NEVER be back. We hope people don't go there no matter how good the steak is. They seem to win all these accolades (best steak in Chicago etc etc) but I think it is a classic case of "the emperor has no clothes". .
(1)
Charles L.

To sum it up, Chicago Chop House is certainly not one of the better well-known steakhouses I have visited. My first disappointment came when I've noticed that they don't have rib-eye steak on their menu. Come on! What steakhouse does not have rib-eye? Waitress was kind enough to point me towards NY strip, which apparently is the cut that they are known for. So being the sucker I am, I said "NY strip, medium please." A tower of seafood appetizer (which was great) and a few glasses of wine later, here come my NY strip. Wow! It was one bold-ass looking steak. Man, it looked soooo good. I cut into that thing like a samuri decapitating his opponent and see it was perfectly cooked. Nice red/pink inside with nice charred crust on the outside.... Popped it into my mouth...@$%%@$ Oh man... Is this beef? It looks like beef, feels like beef, but it doesn't have ANY taste!!! There was a big group of Japanese radiologists in the table near us in town for the RSNA convention and a few of them were passing around a bottle of Kikoman soy sauce looking all embarassed. "Brothers! Don't be embarassed passing around your own condiment that you brought in your back pack to this upscale restaurant. You my friend are the wise ones!" I really wanted to ask them if they can pass that bottle to our table too but I didn't want the restaurant to steal their ingenius idea and make it a standard offering. The reason this places gets two stars instead of one is because i) our waitress was nice ii) we enjoyed their atmosphere iii) the bathroom was nice.
(2)
Steve O.

I've eaten here several times over the years, I go about once a year. The meat has always been good, but the sides have been iffy. Last week I made my annual trek, and it was the best I've had there. We started in the bar with drinks and I ordered a martini with a twist. I'm not a martini drinker. In fact I hate them. I've never had a martini that I've like. They all taste like lighter fluid to me. Well, this was a good martini. I may start drinking them if they all come out like this one did. Then we were seated. Started with shrimp cocktail. Very nice. Dinner was a bone-in filet - outstanding. I'm a strip guy, but this filet was wonderful. Also got a side of lobster tail and it was great. The creamed spinach was good (in past years its been downright mealy). You'll find better at other steakhouses, but again it was good this year. They must have seen the review on "Check, Please." The asparagus was huge but still delicate. Definitely improved from the last few years. Potato pancakes were great also. After dinner we ordered a bottle of port. Last year the top bottle they had was about $40. This year it was $320. Read what you want into that. On the whole an enjoyable time and a five-star evening, lowered to four stars based on poor side dishes I've had in past years.
(4)
Ms T.

I hate steak. Abhor it. However, I like the Chicago Chop House. The staff was very nice to me- being the only one in the party who was not into their signature dishes instead opting for the sides and salad. However, everyone that I was with really enjoyed their meats and were very happy. I didn't feel awkard here because of my food choices so they are on my good list. This is a place where I WOULD take clients when I wanted to impress them. 5 stars from someone who hates steak. Who knew?
(5)
Kevin L.

This place used to be one of my favorite steak houses in Chicago, which is saying a lot given the ever-growing number of quality high-end steak options in this city. I went back recently for the first time in several years...yikes. I don't know if it's under new management or what, but my steak was terrible. I ordered the bone-in kobe/wagyu/ tomahawk steak which was pushed by our server and in my experience from other steakhouses is quite possibly the best cut of meat known to humankind. Not here. What I got was a thin piece of meat about as thick as a skirt steak, with a layer of char and ash on top. Under the char, what little meat existed was medium-rare as ordered, but was so grissly and tough that I couldn't even hack through it with a steak knife. I'm honestly not positive it was even beef. The staff clearly knew they were serving garbage, as the minute I paused to contemplate whether this meal had lived it's previous life as a shoe or a donkey, I had 4 runners surround me and ask if they could clear it. The server came by to ask how the meal was AFTER the runners had cleared it, and "just wished she had known there was a problem earlier but now it's too late for her to give a refund, blah blah blah." Yeah right. No wonder this place was 3/4 empty at 9PM on a Friday during the holidays. I give it 6 months before this place is out of business with a tarnished legacy of what used to be a fine steak house.
(1)
Pete S.

I really wanted to love this place. Had the in-laws in town, and 'dad' suggested the Chop House. I love a great steakhouse, but it wasn't meant to be. Great ambiance. Nice servers, but definitely pushing the upsell. I had the NY Strip...taste was just meh.. My wife had the filet & crab legs... Filet was ok, crab legs were not good at all... Next time 'dad' wants a good steak, we are headed to Gibson's.
(2)
erika s.

i love this place and always will. it's full of "chicago history" sure, but really for me it's my chicago history. i'll never forget going here for the first time with my mom--we thought it was going to be a dive from the outside. boy were we wrong. i have been here twice since that day and both times it was pretty stellar. i love how much seafood is on their menu--i didn't have the steak the first time actually as i was so head-over-heels for the fact that they had crab legs. they are seriously amazing here and totally date appropriate--they split them in half so they're not messy at all like some places. their caesar salad here is fantastic. they have blue point oysters that are pretty good--although this round they didn't do mignonette which made them a bit lack luster for the price. the calamari has a spicy marinara sauce that is so spicy it's almost inedible even for someone that loves a kick. the steaks are definitely pricey, but i'll be honest in saying that i think they're the best in the city. i've been to several other places and they really can't compare. the service here is also fantastic. if they don't have something on the menu they can do a combo--for instance last night i got crab and a filet and we decided what size of filet, how much crab etc. it's fantastic for someone like me that can't always make a decision. oh, and they did a little birthday dessert for me--which is always nice.
(5)
Frank D.

I had the Filet and a lobster tail and thought the place was very good. The filet was cooked to medium rare perfection and the lobster tail went great. We also met some very nice people and ended up hanging with them for awhile. Great atmosphere.
(4)
Zaid A.

I am an equal opportunity flesh eater. Being severely in need of mass quantities of beef, my poor wallet took the hit and my and a posse of meat eating boys rolled into Chicago Chop House to part ways with our money Atmosphere: I would rec getting reservations because this place was packed on Friday night. We got "bar level" seats which basically means you are on "high chairs" at a table, not a problem. This is a cramped yet cozy space with Chicago style "gansta decore" and TV to watch the game. Service: Pretty friendly, though since our friend was 30 minutes late we kept getting some evil eyes about putting in our orders. Food: I got the "Surf 'n' Turf" which is either filet mignon or prime rib with a 5 oz lobster tail, cook to perfection. This also came with a side potato and a chef salad. All in all very very good, and my friend who had the NY strip also had positive things to say. Mommy Factor: A place to bring the folks if you want to blow all your college tutition in one night....not really....but its worth several textbooks. Date Factor: He/She won't think you are a cheap-ass for sure. Bling: My Steak and Lobster came out to be about $40, including all the sides. Steak ranged from 25-70 dollars, with obvious price changes for size and cut. There were also a couple of chicken and fish options for those not of the Beef Persuasion. For everything including a modest "Shrimp" appetizer each of us spent around 65-70 total for our meal. Upshot: Nice steak house, bit pricey, but it will cure any protein deficiency you may have.
(4)
Mark V.

While in Chicago last year visiting a college buddy, he took us to the Chop House. I had the bone in filet and some side. Steak was amazing. But this place as a whole was wonderful. My buddy was a bit of a regular at the House so we got great service from door to door. Still to this day one of the best steaks I have had.
(5)
Eric S.

My friends from Chicago brought me to the Chop House for dinner when I came visit. A very charming place. I had the Chop House Prime Rib Special which was cooked perfectly. Probably one of the best steakhouse I have had.
(4)
Carolyn E.

went to celebrate a special birthday on october 30, 2013. to say it was a disappointment is a complete understatement!!! was greeted upstairs by man who made inappropriate comments to me, after we requested a quite table we were seated in a traffic path despite the empty tables all around and he couldn't even be bothered to wear a jacket. one of our servers was wonderful the other awful! the 12 oz lobster tail we ordered for our appetizer consisted of 5 over cooked rubbery bites. the house potatoes had dried up oversized chunks of bacon and too much cheese an overall gloopy, disgusting mess. the bone in rib-eyes were thinly cut(too thin) but how can a rib-eye be bad...the drinks were very good (2 side cars). the bill for two was over 300 and i am sorry to say the eating and dining experience was an overall disappointment; can see why there were so many empty tables!!! wish i had gone to gene and georgetti's, ruth chris, morton's, anywhere else!!!
(1)
ken h.

Let me tell you all something. I lived in Chicago my whole life until moving to Vegas a year ago and I have frequented the Chop House on many occasions. With all of that being said; my friends and I decided to go to Chop House while I was in town after a Sat. night Cubs VS Sox game. I recomended it since we were in the mood for steak and I remembered how great their food was. I had heard they changed owners but I figured I'd give it a try anyway. We sit down and of course the "big scam" our waiter said "now you gentlemen look like you don't need menus". The waiter quickly suggested prongs for the table and we agrred. One of my friends oredered her dinner and I asked to see a menu. I know why they don't want you to see the menu, sweet Jesus! Trust me folks years ago I would go there with my girlfriend and two Ribeyes with a bottle of wine, an appitizer and soup would run about 170 to 200 before tip, which is about what you'd expect from a high end steak joint. Aftrer looking at the menu this time I saw my friend ordered a one hundred ten dollar steak and I myself ordered the cheapest 65 dollar steak. Our prongs were over eighty dollars and we got four of them! Now our food was very good, don't get me wrong but for three of us I paid the Bill of 539 dollars before tip! It's all like a used car sale from the minute you sit down, with waiters telling you don't worry about the menu and suggesting to bring things out for the table. I cracked up when our waiter said" we don't have steak knives all of our steaks can be cut with a butter knife" Oh really, same goes for Mortons or Ruth Chris or even when I cook a prime steak properly at my house. I have eatin at Mortons, Ruth Chris's and Magnums my whole life. I love great steak houses. But the chop house is not what I remembered. I felt bamboozeled. I felt like a moron suggesting the place to my friends which is why I picked up the bill. Folks the food is excellent but I'd suggest Mortons before the chophouse these days. The steak is about as good as are the appitizers and the you won't feel raped by the time the bill comes. I'm so angry with the Chophouse. This was a once famous spot in Chicago with great food. It was always pricey as every great steak house is, but this was more than the Kobe Room in Vegas, there is no excuse for this. 3 people and our bill was 539 before tip! An outrage, because of the price yes, but even more so with the disgustingly juvinille way they try to hide the prices from you before you eat.! Stay away, go to Morton's, or Ruth Chris!
(1)
Randy H.

Dined here while attending a seminar with a co-worker. Perhaps the best service of my life, ever. Escorted and accommodated like royalty. DÃ©cor was heavily themed, old-style Chicago. Nice for an out of towner such as myself. And the steak was fabulous. A true first-class experience.
(5)
Keith T.

Always fantastic, courteous and personal service. Great food too.
(4)
Em J.

When dining out with your mob friends, this is the place for steak in Chicago. Great drinks. Great food. And great atmosphere of a bygone era. This place is Chicago. Go any place else for steaks in Chicago? Fuggedaboutit!
(5)
Thiago B.

I've lived here 12 years and knew about this place, walked by it many times, but haven't known the details until we just walked in on Friday. Much to our initial surprise, the thing that caught our attention the quickest were the prices of the dinner specials...not one steak under 60 bones. Seriously? Does dry-aged meat really need to cost that much? After 15 minutes of savoring our wines and determining if we should dine and dash, the lovely waitress came up with the regular menu. Steaks were more reasonable at no less than 40 bucks each. So, what did we do? Wifey got a $60 filet mignon and I got a $89 dry-aged porterhouse. I don't know if we were guilted into it, but whatever. Das how we do. Cheah. Overall, the place was fantastic, and the food was very good, and my steak (the porterhouse) did have a great taste, regardless of preparation, and maybe I'm just over-talking to it because I paid $4/oz (including bone). I'm a steak lover, and any place I've gone to for steak has been very good, so while I wasn't blown away, I don't think anyone can ever expect to not be satisfied and satiated and content.
(3)
Penm H.

They don't care much for plating, but simply stated, it is Hands Down the best PRIME RIB I have ever had. What kills me is that they didn't even consider it their specialty. I had their specialty steak and the prime rib put it to shame. Sheez, I don't even like prime rib!
(5)
Ahna P.

This is a must when I'm in Chicago. I L-O-V-E the New York rare. Yes, mid-west rare. Its good to go when its dark out, so you don't notice it in the dimly lit dining room. A must is one of their house specials, its a whitefish pan fried with lemon. It's a small starter and is SO GOOD.
(5)
Bob B.

Consistently great experiences each time I've visited the Chop House. Wonderful steaks, cooked the way you like them. The grilled prime rib is a particular favorite. Service has always been top notch. While I have not tried other well known Chicago steak houses, this one has never disappointed.
(4)
Tim C.

Being a dedicated meatatarian I had to try the Chicago Chop House when I visited Chicago. I was nor disappointed. The restaurant is in a three story building with dining on all floors and a nice bar on the first level. We were seated fairly quickly even with no reservations and then the fun begins. Chicago is rightfully known for its meat and the Chop House is one of the really good meat places. The wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese was good, pretty standard steak house fare. The Porterhouse was excellent though 3 lbs. of red meat, aged and cooked perfectly. My dining companion had the escargot which she loved and the filet again a winner. I like the older steak houses and this was definately worth the trip.
(4)
Elaine B.

This is by far THE best steak restaurant I've been to. It came highly recommended by my sister, and I was a bit skeptical at first. But the steak was EXCELLENT and the service superb!! I would return in a heartbeat!
(5)
Susan G.

Average steak for a such a popular steak house
(3)
Lauren K.

I consider myself a carnivore and steak connoisseur....however, I must keep in mind that I am particular on how I like it cooked and the quality expectations I hold. Chicago Chop House did nothing to meet my criteria. I think my favorite part of the meal was the house salad, b/c the vinaigrette was tasty. The steaks, I had the NY strip (supposedly they are famous for this cut) and my boyfriend went with the larger cut filet. The NY was cooked medium, so I asked....although served closer to very medium well. I was surprised at this cut, it was thicker than I would have thought a strip to be, and I am convinced this awkwardness made it tough. We requested the filet cooked medium well, butterflied and low on char- it was more tender than the NY but nothing to write home about- heavy on the char as well. I think what "erks" me most is the price you pay to be disappointed. I went out of my way to try a non-chain steak house, but I suppose I need to think more like a ganster and stay far away from the hard rock/ rock and roll mcdonalds block!
(3)
Candace M.

Class A service and great steak, even the salad was delicious. Very cozy restaurant, one of my favorites.
(5)
Ron L.

I'm a huge steak fan and flying out from SF I figure we go and have a damn good steak as I hear that there are great steakhouses in Chicago. Off to the Chicago Chop House it is. Rumor has it this is the suppose to be a good place. So, the first thing that was rather strange was that they presented the "special" menu with all the higher priced items ahead of the normal menu (which we were provide probably 10 minutes or so later). This hasn't happen at any other upscale place that I have been to before. I don't mind a place trying to up sell their pricier items, but I was taken aback by this particular strategy. Truth is we were going to look at the pricier stuff anyways Maybe this is the norm for Chicago steakhouses...?? I wouldn't mind finding out if someone would be kind enough to comment. Anyways, on to the meal. The gents had the dry aged kobe ribeye, the dry aged tomohawk, and dry aged kobe NY strip. The ladies the tuna and the sea bass. For the steaks, since we ordered the top of the line stuff, so we were expecting some really good steaks. Stuff that would really make you go "wow". Well, we were in for some disappointment. If this was a normal steak it was decent, but still not spectacular. Then on top of it the steaks were suppose to be kobe, but it sure didn't come out that way. Other kobe steaks we had were melt in your mouth good. Not so here. For $90 a pop, the steaks were below the level at which they should be. Turns out in the end the favorite dish was the tuna.... Can't say that I will be coming back here for more steak.
(2)
Anastasia Beaverhausen I.

Well, this place was a pleasant surprise. In between running between stores on the mag mile this past holiday , i made a pit stop on the suggestion from a friend for lunch. Decor is very old Chicago, service was good, and the menu for lunch was surprising. I DIE for oyster Rockefeller's which i was surprised to see on their lunch menu. I was about to order that but in light of the recession, i opted for the $19.99 fillet Mignon! How can you beat that? A small house salad, fillet, and a side of mash for $20! What a deal! Been back twice since then after on my afternoon shopping trips. If you're like me, you throw in a glass of wine to accompany the steak and you're looking at a 30 dollar tab for a great lunch. WOO HOO!!!
(4)
Ric E.

Steak was pretty damn good! The wait was quite long though but it was worth it. The steak was cooked to perfection. The staff was very attentive and even the manager came up to say hi. I had the RibEye Bone In cooked Charred Rare. My FiancÃ© had the Fillet which was very tender and juicy. This place is for someone who wants to taste the meat. All you need is salt and pepper and a glass of wine sets it off!
(4)
Blake H.

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! My sirloin was cooked perfectly and was so tender. The sides were unbelievable, leading the charge were the au gratin potatoes and are a must get. The desert definitely didn't disappoint as we ordered the white chocolate bomb and the German chocolate cupcake, which were both unreal. All that being said, the best part of the experience by far was the service. We were taking a few urban youth as part of a mentorship program. It was one of the kids birthday and he's interested in a career in the culinary arts. The were so GREAT to us! The head chef came out to talk to the kids. The server did a great job of engaging the kids and describing the food in a way where they'd appreciate it. And the floor manage spent some time telling us the history of the restaurant. They even gave us a personal tour of the kitchen where the chef talked the kids through what it takes to get into the business. I was so impressed how they went above and beyond for our youth. We didn't know any of the staff there, I simply mentioned what we were doing for the kids when we scheduled the reservation and they took care of the rest. This is a place with a big heart for our Chicago youth and should be supported! If your hosting clients or planning a special night out and are looking for superior service this is the place to call. I'll definitely be a regular from now on.
(5)
Rachel K.

Last year we went to Chop House for my boyfriend's birthday and had an amazing evening. This year I made our reservation 3 weeks in advance to make sure that we'd get the time/day we wanted. When we showed up 15 minutes early, they politely said that that our table wasn't ready yet and offered to find us at the bar when it was. The bar was packed so we ended up standing outside... for an HOUR. The crowds were awful - they were at least 60 minutes behind on ALL reservations that night. When people asked for updates on their reservation, how much longer the wait would be, etc the host told them "5 minutes." Repeatedly, regardless of how long the wait was. No apologies, no explanations, no honesty. It almost ruined his birthday. Luckily another steakhouse was able to seat us and we left. I suggest calling to see if there will be a wait before showing up for your reservation.
(2)
Esther Y.

The best thing about this place, aside from the great server who gave us free desserts jus b/c, was the special. It was AMAZING. That house prime rib gets me every time.....
(4)
Gfiddy F.

Supermasculine - superawesome.
(5)
Jessica G.

The wait staff & bussers are really attentive.. ours last night.. wasn't but i'm here to mainly talk about the food! I'll give them a star for the bread..I did some research, we wanted a good steak place for our anniversary..and for the money and the reputation..it just did not live up to my expectations.. The filet had NO flavor or seasonings(and also not cooked to the temp i requested).. the Cesar salad was watery and the dressing was gross.. and the mashed potatoes were like what they would give out in grade school.. I'm trying Gibsons next time.. actually J Alexanders serves up better all around..
(1)
Andy M.

I went with 2 others on 9/5. I had the 18 ounce prime rib, cooked standard. It was very good. They offer a seared version too. The salad with blue cheese was tasty. The calamari was very tasty. The service was very good and staff was abundant. They offer a 64 ounce porterhouse. I thought that was funny. I guess they want something Jabba the Hutt would like if he showed up.
(4)
Mitch T.

I just had dinner at the Chicago Chop House on a Saturday night. The filet mignon was excellent, as was the lobster bisque. I had creme brÃ»lÃ©e cheesecake. The service was excellent as the waiter checked with me about every 5 minutes to see if everything was OK. The steak melted in my mouth. I cut it into small pieces to savor the flavor for as long as possible. The only thing negative about the experience was the cost. It is probably the most expensive meal I have ever paid for. For a one-time experience, if you can afford it, I highly recommend the Chicago Chop House.
(4)
Chris B.

On my recent work trip to Chicago, I noticed that every one of my colleagues who lives there has an opinion on which steakhouse is the best. After much back and forth, we decided to have a nice expense account dinner at Chicago Chop House. The place oozes old-school Chicago history, and I can picture Al Capone in my head chomping down on a fat steak. We were seated in the upstairs area, and were treated to a very delightful meal. The warm seafood platter was a great appetizer, the wedge salad was great, and the steaks were really good. I ordered a special of the night, which was a bone-ion fliet. I don't know if I'd go as far as saying it was the best steak I've ever had, but it was pretty damn good nonetheless. The wine list was pretty good too with a nice mix of varietals and regions. The sides fell a little short, hence the 4-star, but definitely try the potato pancakes. Delicious!
(4)
Andrew Y.

doesnt get anymore old school than this..from the carpeting, the tables, to the pictures on the wall....this place made me feel right at home with my italian culture... only one way to go at this place...bone in prime filet..its off the hook..no kidding..they have their own way of preparing this..first off its medium rare..the only way a steak should be...they cook it like a prime rib..then they char it on the grill....its unreal..the bone in flavor to die for...i dont even remember the sides that we had..i really dont care..its all about that bone in prime filet afterwards hit up the red head piano bar and creep around on the lovely middle aged ladies
(5)
Magda S.

So I surprised my boyfriend with a dinner at Chicago Chop House.... boy was he surprised... so we were seated and greeted by the friendliest server, Kristina... Being that this was our first time here we weren't sure of the process here. So she showed us the way, and made EXCELLENT recommendations, accomodated our needs, and even adjusted our orders so that it wasn't too much food. First we ordered prawns, scallops, and yellow fin tuna... Of which was the most divine! My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of seafood, but he sure ate it all... then I had the dry aged bone in filet with the boursin cheese over grilled onions... so delicious... being that it was a birthday dinner, the birthday boy went all out and ordered kobe steak from Japan, starts with an "M" oscar style... with the au gratin potatoes and the broccolini, I'm still so glad Kristina adjusted our appetizers to half, as we would not have been able to enjoy our steaks... and luckily my subtle hints to someone's birthday were caught and a chocolate birthday cake was presented. Just such a great great great time... Kristina is the best, ask for her, she'll make you feel like you're dining in great company with great knowledge, and make you feel like you received the best of the best, and you'll come back for her excellent service and great friendly, and happy attitude.
(5)
John K.

Caveat: Do not go to the CCH for anything except beef. Do not expect it to be Charlie Trotter's or for God's sake Moto. Do not go expecting it to be quite or romantic, trendy or fashionable or anything except for an old fashioned steak house. Now with that out of the way things are simple, order an oversized martini (two if you are bold but be prepared for your eyes to cross while you are waiting on your dinner)... get the "special" of the Chop House Prime Rib (it is a special that has been on the menu every night since it opened consisting of a 18-22oz dry aged prime rib slow roasted then seared on the grill so it has the flavor of a rib-eye and the texture of prime rib) rare or at the most medium rare... drink a glass (or split a bottle) of a really robust red (I would go with maybe a Silver Oak Cabernet)... have a port to finish up as you really can't eat anything else... loosen the waist band of your pants and take a cab home because you really shouldn't be driving after 2 martini's and 1/2 bottle of wine. If this does not sound like a perfect evening go someplace else because you will be disappointed.
(5)
Monica B.

Me likey!! The steak was good. And the menu is not ala carte which I prefer. I was seated on the 3rd floor, so it got kind of hot. The waiter was kind of dumb because we ordered a bottle of pinot grigio, and he brought a bottle of pinot noir. BUT it was still good and we still drank it all so no harm I suppose. I would go back, but would like to try some of the other steak houses in the Chi. Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pictures of the old school gangsters in the hallway!! I love me some gangsters :)
(4)
A B.

Ever have THE perfect meal in every single way? This was it for us when we visited the Chop House about a year and half ago, my friends and I still talk about how amazing it was. Everything from the salad, to the appetizer, to the food, the service, everything was hands down ridiculously perfect in every way. Best steak and lobster I've ever had.
(5)
John L.

in the midst of rockin' roll mcdonalds... rain forrest cafe... hard rock cafe (they're still in business?)... and the largest (then) sport mart i've ever seen... lies a small little building on ontario... the place that was deemed my last meal in chicago before heading out west. ok... i was just trying to be dramatic for nothing.... anyways. i ate the 48oz porterhouse (medium rare) to its bone. porterhouses were my favorite back then i think due to its sheer size... but now i'm a ribeye man because it's much more flavorful. so if i go back... i'll give that a try. i hear the prime rib is amazing so if you like prime rib... try it here. i like the fact that the steak actually comes with a potato and salad! geez... at most places you have to pay extra for that. if you're ever in town... gotta give this place a try.
(4)
Allyson C.

My NY strip was delicious and I liked the atmosphere. The house is cozy and the pictures of old Chicago are really interesting. We sat in the bar area with live piano music playing so that was really nice too. Service was very impressive and I wish I could remember the cab I had because it was perfect. They had a really great wine list.
(3)
Allison B.

Typical Chicago steakhouse - old boy network feel, dark wood paneling, comprehensive menu but nothing new or innovative. So why two stars? My husband's steak, which he ordered medium-rare, came medium-well! At the very least, a top steakhouse should be able to get the steak right. There are many better steakhouse options in the city - try Kinzie's, Ruth Chris, Morton's, Smith & Wollensky's.
(2)
Bryan R.

After reading all the rave reviews on here I was quite let down that the food just wasn't that impressive. The house salad didn't seem fresh and the dressing was overly sour. The prime rib was very very tender but it had a lot of tendons in it that made cutting it without a steak knife (I have no idea why don't give you a steak knife at a steak house) and chewing it in your mouth damn near impossible. Don't get me wrong it was good and flavorful but I was expecting to be floored and just wasn't. Rosebud's has MUCH BETTER prime rib with no tendons in the meat. I also ordered the king crab legs and they were just so overcooked and dry I didn't even finish it. I don't think I'll be returning here anymore for any special occasions as the food and atmosphere was very very average.
(3)
Tim V.

Can't get much more old school / old boys than this. Just sit back and enjoy the phenomenally good beef and classic steakhouse experience. This is SO Chicago. Just don't expect much menu innovation which, in this case, is a beautiful thing. Also, I've heard the seared prime rib is good, but haven't had that yet.
(5)
Jeremiah Z.

This place, along with Gibson's, sits atop the apex of the steakhouse food chain here in Chicago. The steaks are as good as any I've ever had anywhere and the service is wonderful. The restaurant itself is classy and there is alot of hardwood everywhere you look. Lots of people dressed in suits and cocktail dresses, but its not uptight and actually quite comfortable inside. I went with another couple and everyone agreed it was a great experience. We had the crab cake & salad to start...both great. I got a NY Strip medium-rare and my mouth is watering just remembering it. I also tried their filet and T-bone and both were excellent as well. Yes its expensive, but its a top quality steakhouse so you should expect to pay.....you're not getting out of this place for $50/person. That being said, I truly believe you're getting something special here for your money and I would def recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Tom C.

I was at "The House" as I call it today for lunch. I got the bone in NY Strip medium rare. The steak was amazing and it was even better that my friend was buying me lunch. I got the mashed potatoes with gravy on the side and they were status quo. Not as good as Gibson's but not many are. The overall experience was good but Gibson's is still my favorite steak house in the city. This place is great if you are looking for variety but if you are looking for the best overall steakhouse in town head over to Gibson's.
(4)
Deena D.

Where the city that works, EATS. But on a side note, wow it looks like a lot of people have definitely been turned off by the "Always be Closing" attitude of the servers. Yes I agree they definitely put on an intense full court press here but if you know that going in then whatever, just have fun with it. My good girlfriend had just graduated grad school (GO GIRL) and her parents wanted to take her out for a celebratory dinner, so luckily I got to step in as her plus 1. I really liked this spot, very old school charming and eloquent vibe, you can tell this is such an old school politician spot in the city. Our waiter definitely looked for every opportunity to sell us side salads, aps, wine, etc. Overall I thought what we ordered was pretty well cooked. We tried the scallops in bacon (YES), au gratin potatoes (YES), asparagus (YES), fried onion rings (YES) and I went for the "bottom of the barrel" NY Strip which I thought was still pretty darn good. They'll try to push Kobe on you or their top notch steaks but at the end of the day I was happy with my cut. So two notches off the belt later you've experienced a full steak house meal and are ready to go into hibernation. So back to the prices, yes this place is wicked expensive but definitely a right of passage in the city. I would recommend trying it at least once, just stand your ground with the wait service hopefully they'll take Yelp to heart and smarten up on their aggressiveness.
(4)
Mike H.

Had a great dinner here, the food and service was exceptional. My wife pronounced it the best salad she had ever had, and that was even before steaks arrived. I like the entertainment, not everyone is a fan of the piano bar but I thought it was great and set a nice mood.
(4)
David M.

Time for an update...... Well, they took away my blue cheese dressing. It was replaced with something that was not as pungent. So, I gotta take back previous comments about that. On this trip to the chop house, they had something entirely new. They now have a sub menu to the main menu. This is smaller in size and lists the premium steaks they offer. Well, I thought the food here was always great, steaks were always wonderful. In fact, they have a nice porterhouse on the menu for $45. But tonight, this special menu had a similar porterhouse for double the price, $90. What could cause a steak to cost this much? First, this was a prime porterhouse. Second, it was dry aged a whopping 55 days. I had to take the plunge and try this top end porterhouse. Well, the meal was great. I won't talk about the au gratin potatoes or fresh stir friend corn. They were very good. The steak though took things to a whole new level. I have never in my life had such a steak. The taste and tenderness were amazing. The meat was pungent, in a good way. It absolutely blew my mind. I have been to many of the fine steakhouses in the US. including Mastros, Peter Lugers, III Forks, etc. I gotta give the best steak award to this steak at The Chop House. It was that good. We finished the meal with a hot fudge sundae with candied pecans and a nice port. The meal was so good I got the GM involved to thank him. They get this specialty meat from Allen Brothers in Chicago. Truly a memorable steak.
(5)
Rosie H.

The Real Deal. Old time, lively but not rushed atmosphere. Strong drinks. Deliciously aged beef. Knowledgeable, attentive wait staff. The ribeye long bone dry aged was the best, most succulent beef ever! Mushrooms and green beans sides were so perfectly cooked and delicately spiced. A special night of satisfying indulgence.
(5)
Steve C.

I should have known better. Shame on me. I had guests in from out of town that wanted a steak. I've had a good steak here before and good service but it was never a place to trust. Sure enough, I ended up looking like an idiot because of a server named JEN. We opted to sit in the lounge because the piano player is fun and creates a great vibe. When our server (JEN) approached the table we were courteous and asked her how her night was and she looked at her watch and said "It's almost over!" That was probably the most informative she was all night. Other than when I asked her for a menu and she replied "We have a proceedure here and I will bring it to you after you get your drinks." She neglected to tell me that the steak I ordered (Bone-In-Ribeye) was smothered in cajun spices. She neglected to explain anything from the menu. She was unprofessional and rude. She recognized that we were dissatisfied and ingored the table entirely from that point on. She was the WORST server I have encountered in Chicago. Other than my rub-ruined rib-eye, the food was good. All temperatures were good, the prep was fine. It may have been a three star experience and not a nightmare had we not had such poor service. Management took care of the rib-eye after I prompted them by telling them I was not going to pay for it, (I had about four bites!). The support staff was on top of everything. This was the last time I will go to CCH. If you can allow someone as bad as JEN to be a server it is your fault for the bad service. If you don't realize how bad she is, you shouldn't be in the position you're in.
(1)
Daniel L.

Yet another business trip so we indulged in the signature dish! Tomahawk streak dry aged & most expensive cut on the menu! It was delish and you could cut it with a butter knife. Cooked to perfection at 1300 and had a nice char/crust. For the side we shared the potatoes Au Gratin which was an amazing sidekick. Smothered with bacon and chives it was no doubt the best i have had. I peeped the blue cheese wedge salad as well but passed due to the fact that i was trying to pace myself. It did look good. the service was great. We had a large group and drank a lot so he was smart to keep following up with us. We sat by the gangster wall under a quote that states: "I gave birth to the underworld" LOVE IT!
(4)
Colin E.

Ignore the price. Some people need to read up on these type of restaurants before popping in. Come in knowing that you are going to drop some money and you will have a great experience. The waiter was (overly?) friendly and very knowledgable on the wine list and dinner menu. After discussing the specials and dinner options, I decided to go with the Mishima filet (14 oz boneless) and a side of the au gratin potatoes. My girlfriend ordered the standard filet with the broccolini. I was a bit skeptical on the $45 price difference between the two filets ($45 for the standard 10 oz filet and $90 for my 14 oz Mishima). The steaks came out and my 14 oz filet appeared to be at least 18 oz. The first bite had me hooked. It was unbelievably delicious. Incredibly tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The comparison to the standard filet was the biggest shocker. While her's was also excellent, the difference in taste was crazy. I am all about this rare piece of meat and will be back in the future for it. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. On a side note, the au gratin potatoes were enough for two people. Overall, I was very impressed with the Chop House, but likely for two main reasons. 1) I read that it was expensive beforehand and didn't care about the money I was about to drop. 2) Get the Mishima. It's outstanding.
(5)
Otis D.

So, before last night, Chicago Chop House would have been a five star. I don't get to Chicago much and when I do I try to mix in a dinner here since it is great. But this time. Made my reservation 9 days in advance and said "I do not want to sit downstairs" to the hostess who took my call. So 8pm res, arrive at 7:45. at 8:20 I'm told my table is ready. In the bar! O.K. I do NOT want to eat in the bar. "Well, if you would like to wait about 20 minutes we can "find" you a table upstairs." Not polite either. So what went wrong with my res chop house? Then the waiter was a dick. 8:35, a wine list, no menus. I flagged the waiter and requested menus. "Just relax." Really! You're telling me to relax. Do your f'in' job. I'm not exagerating, He told me to relax and when he came with the menus snottily informed me that he wanted to keep a flow to the evening. F.U. Your flow doesn't mean I wait 15 minutes to read a menu and 25 to order. Food was excellent as always. The wine list prices are obscene but I knew that going in. ($70 retail wine listed at $430 is way out of line for high-end establishment mark-up.) But service wise, Chop house needs to step it up in a big way. I'm O.K. dropping $500-700 for a great dinner for three, but I need the wait staff to be competant and minimally polite in the process. And the managers wearing bluetooths should know from the hostess that I'm already pissed and make sure my waiter kisses my ass for the rest of the night. If you're not getting up-to-the-minute info on that bluetooth and responding accordingly, then it's not a business tool, it's only making you look like a tool. You're in the service business. Craptacular evening! If there had been anything even slightly off in the food department, I'd never return. But they're just on my sh** list, not my hate list.
(2)
Hope B.

I am joining the folks who are in shock over the new prices at Chicago Chop House. I now understand why they don't show their prices on their website menu. I believe I got the cheapest steak on the menu at $59. I have no idea how much they charged us for a couple of appetizers (since they hadn't given us a menu....and I'm not sure the "specials" were even on the menu). They definitely lead you to believe something is included ("Would you like soup or salad?" worded and intonated exactly like you need to choose one or the other.) Luckily, I confirmed for the group that neither was included. Bottom line, the steaks were good, but not worth what they're charging (50% and up compared to Gibson's prices)!! There were 11 of us and we each had to shell out $200 for a dinner. Probably double what we paid a couple of years ago. NEVER AGAIN!!! It is a huge ripoff even compared to all the other steakhouses in Chicago.
(1)
Chad M.

While our service was outstanding (and I tipped accordingly) I could not have been more disappointed with my Prime Tomahawk Bone-in Ribeye. Ordered medium-rare and it arrived medium. There was no red. The steak was chewy. We ordered the Lobster Bisque and found it's main seasoning to be salt (this is coming from a guy who's not afraid of a little salt either) and too much of it. My wife's filet was good, but not above average for a similar steakhouse. I would try any other place out again in case it was an off night, but due to the insane prices here there's no chance of that happening. I fully expect to pay steakhouse prices at a great place, but these guys almost double what I've had at other top notch steakhouses. The only real brightside was our server - (Paul?). Too bad too, the Chop House had great reputation that's going to be fading fast.
(2)
Jimmy P.

This is tough - I hadn't been here for four years and it used to be a favorite. The servers are over the top friendly and I kinda hate that. They start by explaining the first menu where all prices are outrageous - every item over $100. I believe the "dry aged" porterhouse was $140 or some other ridiculous amount. If i pay that much for a steak it better blow my mind, or better yet, something else. Then they bust out the "cheap" menu - where the prices are still way below the value. They make you feel like you're poor if you order off this menu - where a steak will easily run you $70. My biggest beef - and the thing everyone needs to know - the servers will do everything in their power to trick you into spending too much money. If salads or soups aren't included, you should remind people. If the tiny appetizer that you just spent 5 minutes talking up is almost $100, you better mention the price. If "upgrading" my steak to dry aged will cost me an addition $80 - and you don't say anything - you're a worthless twit. It ain't worth it kids - Chicago is loaded with great food and there's nothing original or break taking about Chop House. Alinea can charge huge prices because they bring something new to the table. Chop House just cooks steaks. Get over yourself.
(2)
Erudito C.

This is an incredible place ,the meat ,wine ,menu ,desserts are the best ever! Our waiter Paul was so incredible I want it come back every single day just to have him serve us! The chocolate cake is an experience ,highly recommend this place!
(5)
Amanda C.

I need to write an update. I haven't been back to the Chop house but my boyfriends parents went for Valentines day last week. I was excited to hear about their experience, because ours had been so wonderful. They told us they ordered an appetizer, each had a glass of wine and a filet. When they left their total came to $380 dollars. That is almost twice as much as what we paid 2 years ago. Although it was a really delicious meal, I wouldn't go back and pay $400 for 2 of us, sorry. I guess they have raised their prices recently. They even said the side vegetables listed were "market price." That's just ridiculous. I'm sad that I wont ever return, but price gouging will cause loss of business to anyone, even my favorite steak house.
(3)
Chris K.

My husband and I have not dined at the Chicago Chop House for over ten years. We went on Sunday, 6/6/10. Our waitress who was wonderful kept telling us that there is a "new owner." She has worked there for 12 years. We got the feeling that she thought the new owner was not as good as the original. Our food was pretty good, but not spectacular, and certainly not worth the price. My husband had a wet-aged 16 oz. NY strip steak, baked potato, wedge salad, martini, and hot fudge sundae. I had 6 lamb chops, heirloom tomato salad and cheesecake with strawberries. I ordered iced tea, but when I tasted the flowery taste, I sent it back. The waitress said the "new owner" changed the tea. Bad idea - yuppie floral tea does not go with meat. Anyway, our total bill was $181! Definitely overpriced by about a $100. My cheesecake was $12! I swear the menu said $8. The heirloom tomoto salad was $12. And, I swear that there was only one heirloom on the plate and the rest were ordinary red hot house grown hybrids. My lamb chops were meh. I make better on my grill at home. The steak was pretty good. All in all, we will not be returning to the Chicago Chop House. Next time we will go to Smith and Wollensky or Morton's.
(2)
Phil V.

The Chicago Chop House was our jaunt into fine Chicao dining. I haven't been to a really nice steak place in, approximately 3 years. my girl friend and I wanted to go to a nice place during our stay in Chicago and after much research and inquiries, we ended up here. Not a bad decision. The food was plentiful and tasty. I had the bone-in new york strip oscar style and she has the bone-in prime rib chard. She isn't usually a fan of meat, but she found it tasty and tender despite her request for it to be done. We also order a wedge to share which was rather small. But the sides for the steaks were good portions. We had the season vegetable, which was roasted corn and the onion rings. Both were tasty. The service was great. The server was nice and friendly. She was very helpful when we asked for suggestions and input. The rest of the staff was very attentive and quick. They would constantly fill-up our waters and take away empty plates and clean our table. Would I go back? Maybe, not because there food isn't good, but rather due to the fact that there are so many other nice places to go to.
(4)
Katherine P.

Come here if you love steak. NY strip steak, filet mignon, prime rib, it's got all the classics! This place is a total steakhouse, from top to bottom. Enter the foyer into the woodsy, very adult and dark building. Muted lighting, portraits of the mobster 'allies' and 'enemies' on the walls, portraits of the past mayors, a top and bottom floor totally packed, and a live piano player, fingers dancing on the keys. This place was serious business. A line of hosts/attendants lined the stairs and waited to usher you to your seat. After being seated, my table ordered the following: 1) Prime rib, medium rare: This was my dish. It was very delicious. Juicy, tender, well prepared and came bone in. It was huge (24 oz!). The meat really did cut like butter. It was very tender, but I wish the au jus had been slightly more flavorful. 2) NY strip steak, medium rare: My friend's steak was crispy and had that smoky flavor on the outside, but the inside was red and tender. 3) Bone in filet mignon: This was such a treat. It was a special on the menu, and it is pretty hard to find bone in filet mignon on steakhouse menus regularly. The only place I know that serves it all the time (except when they run out) is Boboquivari in SF. This place, the filet mignon was very tender, getting even more so the closer it got to the bone. It cut like butter! So good! Not as deeply flavorful as Bobo's, but pretty dang good! 4) Mashed potatoes with gravy: Pretty standard, I was also surprised it was offered with steak, since usually at steakhouses you don't have many sides offered with steak. 5) Potato pancakes: It's kind of like a giant hashbrown, but not as crispy and flavorful. It came with an apple sauce like sauce that was interesting 6) House salads: This comes drenched in dressing, so unless you like eating lettuce with your dressing, I suggest you get it on the side. We all loved the food, and it was a real treat to have steak in Chicago at one of the most well known steakhouses =)
(5)
Laura G.

This is by far my fathers favorite restaurant. Every year we go here for his Birthday, since well, I can't even remember. Anyways, They raised their prices at least $15 from last year. When I looked at the menu, I thought I was looking at some special priced menu and was looking around for the real one. I could not believe the prices. Last year your steak came with a choice of side. This year their sides are $10. I don't really understand the price jump. Maybe because it's in a touristy area they can get away with it? Who knows, all I know is that after at least 10 years of coming here we wont return next year. Sad. Now, the food. Well, it's good. Definitely good. Outstanding, probably not. They did however get rid of my favorite dish, The Lobster and Filet Mignon. Boo. Their au gratin potatoes were delicious! Those were definitley new. They under cooked my steak, which is the first time anything has ever gone wrong at the Chop House. The place is cute, has that old time Chicago feel. But is it worth the price of their food. Not anymore.
(3)
Paul B.

Admittedly the Kobe filet was quite expensive, it was without a question, the most tender and flavorful steak I have ever had. Options for meat include Wet aged, dry aged, and Kobe. I thought I had reached the pinnacle during my last trip to the Chicago Chop House with the Dry Aged Tomahawk Ribeye, but alas the Kobe Filet took it one step higher. Service was excellent and never over bearing. Wish I could afford to eat here more...
(5)
Joe I.

CHECK THE BILL CAREFULLY!!!! At dinner last night, they "padded" with an extra bottle of wine and an extra glass of wine. The prices are outrageously high ( dinner for 5 people was over $800.00) and they still need to "pad the bill" to screw customers? I will NEVER return. There are so many great Steak Houses in Chicago . . . don't let these guys screw you
(1)
James R.

Good steak, not great. Pushy car salesman-like waiters shoving waaaay overpriced aged steaks. Basically a tourist trap. Several other top notch choices for literally half the price.
(1)
Ro B.

A must go to restaurant for steaks when in Chicago. The Kobe Rib Eye dey aged for 57 days was absolutely delicious. Melts in your mouth. The portion is huge. Skip the appetitizers, the place is well know for their steaks the appetizers are just a waste of space. Be prepared to spend big $$$$ for their steaks.
(4)
Jeff H.

I'm probably going to have eggs thrown at me from other Yelpers for this review, but I accept that. This was the most expensive, overrated steak experience of my nearly 40 years on earth. Now, granted it was 2001 when I ate there last (full disclosure), but the memory still haunts me. Everyone babbling on about how great it was, so I went with a bunch of coworkers from my consultancy, all of us just as excited as can be. Food was mediocre, given the ridiculous final tab, most of which was not alcohol. But the worst part was getting the check. Manners, our elitist server, brought us the bill, his nose just slightly above the 10th parallel. We are all on separate expense accounts and our company was a pain in the ass about itemizing things. Chicago people, I know you frown on this, but cut us some slack: we asked Manners if he could give us separate checks for this reason. Come one, Manners, we just ran up half a grand in a small group. Humor us. Manner's response (imagine an English Butler's voice): "We don't DO that here." For that snotty reason alone, I'll never go back or recommend this place.
(2)
Sharon S.

Hands down my favorite restaurant of all time. Service - immaculate Bar Area - fun, crowded and prompt service Customers - well to do, mostly business people Steak - OMG, the best I've ever had The only downside is that the tables are very close together. It should also be noted that I haven't been there in about 5 years so it may have changed.
(5)
Julie L.

This was extremely disappointing. This was supposed to be a celebratory dinner that was completely ruined by the excessive pricing. I understand that Chicago steakhouses are generally expensive, but I have been to two others (Gibson's and David Burke's Primehouse) that were less expensive and were certainly much better, both in the taste of the food, attitude, ambiance and service. I had lobster bisque and the 16 oz NY Strip (which at $49 is the least expensive steak on the menu). The bisque was ok, but too thick and I have had better and for cheaper ($13.95 for a bowl). My steak was ok, but again, nothing to write home about. There are many great choices for fine steakhouse dining in Chicago. This is not one of them. Take your money elsewhere.
(1)
Frank C.

DO NOT EAT HERE!!! This place is a joke. It's a hard sell from the moment you sit down through desert. the first thing they do is seat you and offer you flat or sparkling water. You have to ask for tap. Then they try to sell you on a seafood appetizer with out having you look at the menu. The best part is the description of the Wagyu beef... Classical music in the background to keep them stress free, feeding them beer. I never laughed so hard in my life. I should have known at that point we were getting snowed. My wife ordered the Wagyu, I ordered the aged rib eye, both were tomahawk cuts. I don't mind trying anything once. However, I hate being lied too. The extra amount of bone is supposed to add flavor to the steak. I don't see how when most of the bone is not even touching the steak. It's just a stupid gimmick that we fell for. Shame on us, as we should have known better. Considering I had Wagyu the night before, and I tried my wife's steak. This was at best a cut you could buy in the supermarket for a fraction of the cost and cook at home. I mean how they can serve this less than mediocre cut of beef and call it Wagyu is criminal. My steak tasted no different from my wife's. I have eaten many aged rib-eyes There is a distinct flavor that comes from aging. It has almost nutty like quality and a concentrates the beef flavor. This cow was slaughtered yesterday. When I asked the waitress to verify that mine was aged and not the same steak as my wife's, all she could say was that the shape of our plates indicated the cuts. I just left it alone realizing that no matter what I said or did, I would not get a straight answer. The steaks were over seasoned with whatever rub they use. Clearly this was to mask the flavor of the steaks they were serving. I have never had a steak at a steakhouse that was treated this way. It was awful and not to mention so salty, that it was barely edible. The only reason this place is getting a star is because my friend liked his steak. The sides were no better. We got the Au Gratin and sauteed vegetables. Both were over seasoned and the Au Gratin was something that could be served at KFC. Lastly, when we saw the pricing, we were not shocked. However, this was the first time we had seen steaks priced this high. They are nearly double the price of excellent steak houses like Capital Grille. This is part of their game. The steaks are priced higher leading you to believe that these are probably the best steaks you will ever consume. It is just another marketing ploy. The term is called Cognitive Dissonance. You see the price and you think "that's too expensive I probably should not get that." But you come up with a reason to make yourself feel better for making the purchase and quell the dissonance. It's a very smart ploy from a really bad steak house. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO EAT ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)
Greg G.

Stopped here on a business trip. What can I say, unbelievable place to take a client. Perfect service, perfect wine and cocktails, and the food was as good as it gets. Short and sweet but I highly recommend. G
(5)
Kim K.

On a whim we decided to go to chop house for an early dinner in the bar. Awesome food was fantastic but the service was stellar Scott was more than helpful it was like having your mom take care of your every need. We recently took my daughter to fultons for her high school graduation although the view was beautiful there was no comparison to the quality of food and service. If your looking for the best steak place this is it!!
(5)
Paul Y.

Walked right in through a busy restaurant & sat at the last spot at the bar! This original bone-in prime rib was 1.25 inch thick-cut, but oh so light it melts in the mouth. The bartender advised to avoid the "char" style and he was right-on! Every bite was full of flavor, even the center section, which tends to be devoid of flavor at lesser establishments. Didn't feel weighed down or enter into a meat-coma afterwards, but felt alive and kinda high. I felt an urge to go out and run. Me thinks my cholesterol just went down. But, it is still just slightly shy of that mythical perfect prime rib that existed only at Jake O'Shaughnessy's (Bellevue, WA), which closed 15 years ago, but this is the best prime rib I've had since. And only because of that, I reserve a perfect score for the legendary Jake, and give 4.5 to Chop House. (4.5/5) The side was Vegan veggies, broccolini, sauteed to perfection with olive oil and garlic. (5/5) The atmosphere was akin to a dimly lit ivy league college pub with sports on two TV screens, except it was populated by businessmen. (3/5)
(4)
Jan K.

Great steak. I had the bone-in dry aged ribeye - rare! Really really flavorful. It was so huge, I could only finish half and didn't have room to enjoy our sides. Friendly staff. The dining room is a little dark, but I guess this place is all about the steak - not the lighting right? Fun Chicago experience since I'm from California.
(4)
Socal E.

I had really high expectations for this place, and waited all weekend to enjoy a late night dinner on Sunday. Called at 9:45 PM to make a 10PM walk-in reservation, only to be told that "The kitchen closes at 9PM and the restaurant closes at 10PM." Even though their website claims to have a piano bar open until 10:30PM on Sunday, and Fine-Dining available until 11PM. Even their Online Reservations allow booking up until 10:30PM on Sundays." I CALL BULLSHIT! Update your Yelp profile and Website if you're going to cheap out in the middle of July. What a let-down, not planning to come back after this.
(1)
Darrell L.

Had an excellent dinner here last night. Steak was phenomenal, be sure and try the Mac n cheese and au gratin potatoes for sides. Pricey, but worth it. Service was top notch as well.
(5)
Pete P.

This is a great restaurant - for people who have no idea what a steakhouse should be like. Just because its expensive does not mean its worth it. Quite the opposite, in the case of the Chicago Gouge House. My $85 steak should have been awesome. Instead, it was about the quality of something I could grill at home for about a third of the cost. I do not want some smarmy waiter pretending to be my best friend so I will spend more. This is not what professional service is about. It is crucial to date-sort the reviews of this place. You'll notice it got much much worse when they changed owners a few years back. I went here in about 2008 for the first time and they had great food, great service and reasonable prices. The new owners have turned this into a tourist trap. In summary, this place is nowhere near worth the extortionately high prices. ANY other Chicago steakhouse provides a better experience at a lower price. Eating here is just a total waste of money.
(1)
Kevin C.

I really can't wrap my head around how they are still in business. This place serves mediocre dry aged steaks at extravagant prices. I went for a visit with three friends and walked out of the place with a $170 tab (per person). We each got a steak, shared two sides, had a dessert, and had one drink each. The fillet that I ordered was decent but did no way dictate the $80 price tag for this entree. My friends and I will never come back to this establishment again and would never recommend it to anyone unless they wanted their wallet assaulted by this sub-par and tired establishment.
(1)
Brenda P.

LOVED IT! Everything was cooked and served beautifully. The portions and sizes on some of these dishes were a little absurd! (on the big side) Service was top notch. Decor is a little dated, library-ish with dark woods and evergreens all around but you don't even notice it because the dining experience is just superb! (and I am an interior designer lol) Went 10 years ago with some friends who lived there and again this last October while celebrating my husband's 40th birthday. Still great! Nice location too. Right by the House of Blues and the Hotel Palomar which is where we stayed (walking distance)
(5)
Kate M.

Eh, I'm not in love with the Chicago Chop House. I'm not a huge steak fan, but I can appreciate a good steak house. Chicago Chop House just didn't deliver as well as some of the others in Chicago. The service was very, um, talkative. I don't like having a menu read to me, it's annoying. I don't need a 15 minute break down on the names of the divers that caught the scallops and how the Kobe cows enjoy porn and a few sakes before they're dispatched. It's just not necessary information, nor is it enjoyable to smile and nod at the server for the 15 minutes it takes her to tell us all this. Please, put it on the menu if you want me to know it. I promise, if I care, I'll read it. The food was just eh. Not so great food coupled with a big price tag and a server that talks to me more than my date (and that isn't a slight against my date)? That's not a great experience. I had the cedar plank salmon. The name says it all. It was salmon, on a plank of cedar, cooked. Now, when I'm paying $40, ok, fine..when *he's* paying $40 for a hunk of salmon the least you can do is make it easy to eat. Put that fancy little plank of cedar wood on a plate it fits on so when I attempt to peel the dry salmon off it doesn't go sliding around. Really? C'mon. This isn't hard. The steak wasn't that great. I don't know how much it cost, but it wasn't amazing and it better be at least pretty darn good at those prices. I don't mind paying a lot for great food, but I don't like paying a lot for mediocre food. I have one more complaint, what's with the funky tables? I know I'm tall for a woman, therefore my legs are on the long side of the spectrum, but seriously, this must be annoying for others too. Why are the table legs just planks of wood?? I went to cross my legs, or even cross my ankles, and encountered a solid wall in the middle of the table. Seriously?! So, no footsie then, huh? Cross that off my list of "you're gettin some later" moves for the night. If I have to listen to 15 minutes of how the lobster was coaxed out of the sea with love songs and that bed time stories are read to the dry aged beef every night I'd like to at least be able to nudge my date under the table during. That's a simple request. So, in summation; just "ok" food at a high price, lots of server interaction, and no under the table shenanigans. If that's your idea of a good time...you'll enjoy Chicago Chop House.
(3)
Jonathan C.

This is a once in a lifetime experience for me because I'm not willing to send any more money at this place more than I already have. This place is incredibly expensive but they have the quality to back it up. If you come here, don't go cheap like one of my dinner guests did. If you do, you'll regret it completely. Their steaks under $50 taste like you can get it at a nice middle class restaurant, but anything above that is absolutely delicious. Come here if you're ready to blow some money. The atmosphere is moderately lit and when we were seated upstairs we were crammed into a small room. There is no privacy and it's hard not to eavesdrop into other table conversation. The staff was very knowledgeable and gave us plenty of information about our steaks with it's pairings and what not, but we tried to spend as little as possible and still came out $600 check. Side dishes are great for sharing and delicious to boot. The mushrooms were my favorite but again on the costly side. In summary: If you can't recognize a top notch steak, or would prefer something like sizzlers because of their price, avoid this place altogether. Otherwise, save up two months worth of pay and take a girl out for a nice dinner.
(4)
Lyle F.

Damn good steaks. Food AAAA plus. Staff ok.
(5)
K M.

Wow! I guess I didn't expect the best since it is an older establishment and has so much competition, but I really loved it! I love the older decor, and especially the bar downstairs! I'd love to return to the bar sometime to admire all the old photos again! While our server did seem a little pushy, and the need to up sell, I guess we look too young to spend $, but we definitely spent a big chunk of change, and had 2 fabulous meals. Her service was great in the end, and I will definitely return!
(5)
David G.

Given what the Chop House is supposed to be - a high end Chicago style steak house - and basing my review upon a comparison of other steak houses both in Chicago and in other cities world wide, I would not really recommend the Chicago Chop House. First, the decor is fairly typical, which was not really the issue. I just really did not understand the layout of the restaurant. There is a small section of very small two-top tables in the downstairs area. There is also a piano in the same area. I get that it is Chicago and space is limited so you have to make use of every square inch, but still the layout was just weird. I'm probably not doing my description much justice, but if you go in the restaurant you'll see what I mean. In the upstairs area, the restaurant spreads out a bit more wide open although there is a bar stuffed over in the corner and feels a bit out of place / taking up too much space. Next, we'll tackle the wait and support staff. Our particular server was very good at some things and less so at other things. She had a bit of a difficult time describing the specials from memory which seems a little off for a high end place. But, she did act in a professional manner the entire dinner. The support staff, oh, the support staff... way too many of them and way too much hovering... way too much hovering. We all agreed that it felt like we had this huge audience watching us eat and critiquing the way we chewed our food or cut our meat. It was very weird - super weird. And, we did not like it... at all. Finally, the food hits the chopping block (*drum roll for cheesey pun please*). Seriously overpriced steaks that were not cooked terribly well. And side items that were not all the good, and several were oversalted. The steak that I shared with someone (and got hit with a plate charge on top of the already like $80+ steak) was some big T-bone cooked allegedly at medium rare. First, the steak had virtually no flavor but perhaps that is because they definitely cooked it at least medium if not medium well. But, given how long we waited for 8 steaks to come out (understandably) and how hungry I was, my colleague and I ate it anyway. Net, net: The Chop House just wasn't that good and I would likely not return in the future if given the choice.
(2)
Crys A.

Tremendous prime rib. Huge, delicious, great with an ice cold martini and the requisite crab cake appetizer. They have a ginormous 64oz porterhouse as well which I am always tempted to order, irrespective of the fact that it might be a legitimate deadly sin to do so and also, potentially unsexy. This place is a Chicago staple. I've been taken on dates a few times; never disappointed, always a class move on the part of the guy. Eat upstairs, play downstairs at the bar listening to live music, who can go wrong? Great crowd. Spendy but worth it. If you're an unabashed carnivore, try and enjoy.
(5)
Brent M.

My buddy from Toronto and I were looking for a unique and memorable Chicago steakhouse experience, and this place was one of 3 places we chose from (Ditka's and Del Frisco's were the other two). A decision well made, despite not knowing how much it would cost us, until we arrived there and opened our menus. Aside from the initial sticker shock, we both decided to pay full price for the experience, which we both eventually enjoyed without regret. They have Valet ($9 - quite reasonable for the area), but the pay-metered parking was more convenient and surprisingly close. It was just behind the restaurant, and behind Walgreen's. It was also convenient to be seated right away, no waiting on a Friday night. We both ordered the non-aged boneless New york strip with peppercorn sauce. I regret ordering my steak medium-well (should've ordered it cooked medium). Nonetheless I did enjoy what I ordered. Perhaps for a more melt-in-my-mouth experience, I will try the Fillet Mignon next time.... The side dishes were very good. We both shared their version of "fries" and the broccolini. Both perfectly cooked. Well, wouldn't you expect perfection if you paid $6 for a side of fries? I will travel the distance for great customer service, and I believe we received it that night. From the time we left our table to the moment we exited the restaurant, 6 different staff members greeted us on the way out. While eating, we had 5 different people interacting with us to ensure we had a personal and classy experience. The 4 start rating out of 5 is because I had high expectations for my first Chicago steak experience which has yet to be met. I still remember the steak I ate 12 years ago during a bachelor party night in Toronto (the Barbarian Restaurant). I was hoping that this steakhouse experience would be something i'd remember for another 12 years, but it isn't. I can definitely see myself returning to his restaurant, but only after trying the other landmark steakhouses like Lowry's, Capital Grill, Gibson's, Harry Carey's, and Ditka's
(4)
Natasha A.

This is by far the best dry-aged steak I have ever eaten (and yes I have eaten a few). It is pricey but I thought it was worth every penny. Extensive wine list, super fresh Blue Point oysters, friendly and knowledge service completed the evening.
(5)
Manda V.

Prices are through the roof. The servers are very knowledgable, going in there as a young couple is always daring, and to see the type of service we get at alot of upscale places is interesting. $398 bill for two steaks, and sides, along with a bottle of wine, and cheesecake to share. Cheesecake was amazing paired with a sweet dessert wine that our server suggested. Overall place is amazing, pricey but you know this walking in.
(4)
Crystal T.

Amazing food. Amazing service. Worth the money. Mac n cheese was incredible.
(5)
Kelly O.

this is the priciest steak house we've been to and I must say, it's definitely not worth it. first of all, we called to make reservations and they said they were completely booked but were able to take our reservation. yet when we got there half the tables in our room were open. right when we sat down the waiter pushed the ahi tuna appetizer. didn't even have a menu yet and he hasn't asked for our drink order. the entire time it felt like the waiter was pushing for us to get the most expensive items. the tuna is around 60 dollars. more than the steak. we ordered the crab cakes and Cesar salad to start. boyfriend said the Cesar salad at outback steak house is 10x better. the croutons were obnoxiously large. the crab cakes tastes like potato pancakes. which ironically were on the menu. I ordered the New York strip. the waiter assumed I wanted it dry aged ($10 more) so I made it apparent that I wanted the wet one. boyfriend got the filet dry aged. both tasted bland. We didn't see the difference in aging. the filet tasted better even though the New York strip is what they're known for. we couldn't figure out which sides to get so we wanted to get two small ones. the waiter of course convinced us to get two regular sized as it will be "more bang for your buck" - you mean more tip in your pocket. then we got the key lime pie. it was very thick like cheesecake. my boyfriend loves key lime but was very angry to see they drizzled green sugary sauce all over the cake. he called it "jollyrancher sauce" because that's what it tasted like. it kind of ruined the pie. all in all. I don't recommend coming here. it's very expensive, not good quality food, and pushy service. we spent less money at Mastros - where we got more food, the ahi tuna, and a bottle of wine. don't waste your money or ruin your mood.
(1)
Kenny S.

Old time Chicago steak house. Really cool decor with some great history. Its all about the steaks. Dry aged bone-in. Absolutely fantastic. Salads and sides. All in all a fantastic evening. It is a little pricey but that is due to the dry aging, and the extensive cuts of meat. I would highly recommend.
(5)
Michael O.

This place is amazing! It is, by far, my favorite steakhouse. I ordered the crab cakes (appetizer), dry-aged Ribeye (main course), and the 'Dessert of the Day'. Each course was exceptional. The steak was a perfect medium-rare. The service was excellent from the people at the door to the waitress & staff serving our table. The place was packed, but we didn't wait long for our food. As someone who has eaten at both the Chicago Chop House and Peter Luger's (NYC), the Chicago Chop House is far better. This place knows how to cook a steak!!!
(5)
Dan M.

Alright so In Chicago for two months for business and naturally while being in Chicago there are two things I must try. Deep dish pizza and a bangerang steak. Thankfully my co worker from NYC was a huge steak person so he had a running list of places we had to visit. Chicago Chop House was one of the spots we wanted to try given the reputation of it being a high end steakhouse. So we stroll down N State St and take a left right onto W Ontario St and see the big sign that says "Chop house" Our anticipation is rising as we get closer. We step inside and personally I was confused by the environment. It had an old school feel to it with a piano right as you walk in and then tables downstairs with a bar in the center of the room. I believe there is an upstairs area but I haven't had the opportunity to go upstairs so all I could see was where we were sitting. My coworker and I start tackling the menu and man is it extensive. Both of our prime choice is always a ribeye but of course I wanted to peruse the menu to see if there were other items that I would be more inclined to. The wait staff at first seemed very attentive as they came over and asked a few times if they could help in any way to facilitate our orders. We asked a few questions about what was the best to go and as I listened to the waiter I realized he was just an "up seller". Now I completely just made that term up I think, but basically my point is that he was just saying that the most expensive items on the menu were the best tasting. Bleh.... How I hate that. So after he tries to sell us everything expensive on the menu and walks away I turn to Google to understand if what he said about the "Mishima steak" was truly accurate. So what we understood the mishimia tomahawk ribeye was that it was a grade above Kobe and of course to two steak lovers that just sounds like jackpot. So despite being unhappy with the up sell, we do end up ordering Mishima tomahawk ribeyes with Creamed spinach and the Chop house Mac and cheese. Now the ribeyes come out and as it is carried out it literally is a scene out of a movie where this guy falls in love with a girl at first sight with sappy music in the background. These look amazing. I literally take my knife and drop it into the steak and it just cuts perfectly with minimal effort. The meat is tender and just the right amount of pink on the inside. Man I dive into my mishima and it is just as amazing as it looks. I take a bite into the creamed spinach and again a solid side as always but nothing amazing I would say but unfortunately for me the Mac and cheese sucked. Not a big fan at all so much to the point where both my coworker and I left the majority of it untouched. So as we devour our steaks my co worker and I justify the insanely expensive (100 +) steak saying it was quite an experience and something that was just worth having. Now this is a bit unorthodox and I would normally not do this but I feel it is important. I am going to bridge my second visit to the chop house along with this first wonderful experience into this one review. My co worker and I loved this place so much that we came back a week later and ordered the exact same thing. The creamed spinach was still just okay and this time we ordered the four cheese au gratin potatoes. Again sides I don't think is the strong point so don't make that your primary focus. We are pumped as we wait for our second Mishima's to come out. Same fanfare as it comes out but as I bite into it, I notice that it is vastly different in taste and how well it is cooked from the week prior to. We did not feel the same joy from the steak and felt if anything it was subpar which was hugely disappointing. Unfortunately for me this is a red flag. Given the price that we were paying I would expect a classy steakhouse to have consistency and the fact that they were unable to do so for both of our steaks was a huge disappointment and something that leaves me skeptical about Chicago Chop house. I think I would prefer capital grille or Chicago cut steakhouse that is more consistent and not as extravagant in price. With that said, I know i would return if i could guarantee consistency but as that is not the case it will be hard to rationalize this restaurant in the future.
(3)
Kurt H.

I was alone on business and sat at the bar with Christina. What a great experience. Always quality food and wine list here. No wonder they have been here for 25 years. Christina and her midwest charm reaffirmed why CCH is my favorite hometown steak place and where else do they serve Nickel & Nickel wines by the glass. Make sure you bring a lot of cash though, its worth it.
(5)
Leah L.

First of all we were starving and I knew the place was supposed to open at 4:00.....two different signs on the building said so too. We waited at the Hard Rock for them to open.....we got there at 4:10 and the doors were still locked. Then we were told the bar opens at 4:00 and the restaurant at 4:30....meanwhile, the first table in the restaurant and we had to wait til 5:00! This was my 5th and last trip here......I've eaten at the bar before and thought they may have a separate menu.....but was told not true, one menu. Apparently the prices jumped quite a bit....as I'd never have suggested a place for expensive, yet boring food. I ordered a filet.....was flavorless and barely charred......boring for $45. My date had a $49 strip.....$5 extra for a sauce....which I saw on the menu, but he did not and the waiter never mentioned it. It was $9 for a side of mushrooms, which the ones I cook at home taste twice as good! We also ordered a side of potatoe pancakes for $6.....overcooked and the same as you get in WI for free with any fish fry! The service was good, but I would never go back. There are too many new places to try. For people that say it's good, I'd say they really need to get out more!
(2)
Andre W.

Make sure you are ready to burn some serious coin here..lol I got the Kobe Beef New York Strip Steak and my girl got the Filet Mignon Mine was good, but her steak was better. The Filet melted in my mouth as I took a bite. I actualy wanted to trade steaks while she wasn't looking, but I think she would have noticed the size difference. Very nice, classy joint as it has 3 levels. The bar area is on the lowest level while dining is on the 2 upper floors. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff as my server was able to break every steak down to a science. Most steaks range from $50-$120, so as I said earlier, come with your wallet open. I would definitely come back as the food, atmosphere and service is on point.
(4)
Katie J.

We went for my husband's birthday because we had been wanting to try it despite the mixed reviews. We find ourselves as one of many who were immensely disappointed with the food! It was bogusly overpriced and the flavors were not there. Also we paid $17.50 for my husband's birthday dessert that tasted like a frozen reheated weight watchers diet option! I do have to give major points to the service though. They were extremely attentive and knowledgable. There was never a moment of searching for anyone but were not intrusive on the dining experience. Overall we've had much better at chain steakhouses for half the price... We will not be back for a second try!
(2)
K C.

EXTREMELY overpriced! Save yourself the $$ and go to Gibsons! If you do end up here, be sure to ask for prices of the daily "specials" before orderi
(1)
William P.

I love steak and I'm ok with the price point but I was very underwhelmed by the food. Service was very slow even with two servers.
(1)
Lisa O.

Amazingly disappointing. I went in late one evening because the restaurant was close to my hotel. I saw the menu outside with no prices listed and knew this place would be expensive. But I saw the piano player in the window and decided to go ahead and go in and get something on the lighter side. I was greeted warmly and my coat and scarf were taken to be hung up. I was offered the alcohol menu and declined. The server offered other non-alcoholic beverages and I ordered. Upon looking at the menu I saw the steaks were between $49 and upwards of $79. And everything else was a la carte. The server explained several offerings well, but I was leaning towards either a tuna or lamb appetizer with a salad and a potato pancake. The waiter told me that this restaurant had received many awards for its steaks and told me about several including the mishima beef. I decided to try it and ordered the petite mishima filet at $59.00. A side set of two things was $9.00. I got sauteed mushrooms and a potato pancake. (I was just in the mood for one). The bread that arrived was warm and yummy. When the steak arrived I cut into and tried it. It was dry and lacking in flavor. I ordered the filet medium rare, too. I took another bite. Same thing. I thought to myself, "this is a $59.00 steak? This is NOT worth it." The lady who met me at the hostess stand was very sweet and offered to take my photo when she saw I was taking a picture of the meal. (I am one of those who likes to take pictures of food, sometimes). The server came back and asked me what I thought. I commented that I did not think it all that great, really. I was very unimpressed so far. He replied that it was the best kind of meat. So I decided to keep cutting towards the middle and trying. In between I had the mushrooms which were fantastic. As I ate the piano man played "I will Survive" and other fun songs. I hoped I would survive this steak. As I got closer to the middle it certainly got better. I could detect a different favor. It was softer and more tasty. But still, I was underwhelmed. The server did not come back until I was finished. I decided to eat the whole thing since it looked like I was gonna pay for it. When the server came back he took my plates and was very nice, asking if I wanted dessert, but not asking me about the steak again. No dessert, thank you. I tipped the piano player. I had really enjoyed his music. As I left I told the lady at the hostess stand, who might have been an owner, when she asked me to recommend them, that I could not do that. I explained that I had been disappointed. She said that she wished I would have told her and she would have brought me something else. I told her that I told the waiter. She said he had not told her. I explained that I have had many good cuts of meat before and this one just wasn't that good and certainly not worth $59.00. Again she said she wished I would have told her. Again I said I told the server and, in fact, he never asked me at the end of the meal how I enjoyed it overall. I said, "I don't think he wanted to know what I had to say." I waited for her to say something like, "Well, I am very sorry, let me give you a certificate for a free dessert on your next visit" or something. Instead she said again that she was sorry I had not told her. So many missed opportunities for superior service. I did survive. I am now out $100.00, though. But the music was nice and the mushrooms were great.
(2)
Chris D.

Place was phenomenal. Service was excellent. Food was perfect. I ordered the crab cake appetizer and the dry-aged Ribeye for my 2nd with sauteed spinach and the amazing au gratin potatoes. The wine was a fantastic Argentinian Red. Each course was exceptional. Well done!!!! I will be back.
(5)
David L.

I was taken here by a client. The build out of the place was fantastic. The food was pretty good, but very, very expensive. How expensive? We're talking Ferrari expensive. Or put differently, if you have to ask what things cost, then you cannot afford it. The steak I had was okay, but not great...a bit bland. Our waiter somewhat sneered at my customer and I for asking how much an appetizer was. The service was good, but his level of service went down sharply after that. Without drinks, I believe he paid roughly $160 for the two of us, and we went sparingly, too. The place is nice inside, just as I imagined it would be. In summary, I like the place, however when paying this much for food, I expect the service to be excellent, the food to be excellent, and the restaurant to be excellent. I think that Chicago Chop House earned 2 out of 3 of the criteria, but because the food was 'meh', 3 stars is appropriate.
(3)
Jason A.

Ate there last night, I still can't figure out why any local under 60 would go here. The food is ok but nothing special. The prices are just outrageous. There are two sizes: "petite" and grand cut (I had a petite wet aged NY Strip; plenty big). You can choose from wet aged, dry aged, or their Mishima cuts. Each size is separated by $10 and so is each cut. So a Mishima grand cut is about the same price as a used car. Seriously though, they have a dry aged grand cut porterhouse on their menu for $169. Outside of the trendiest and best restaurants, who does that? The whole thing is ridiculous. While they were friendly at all times, it felt like the servers were constantly trying to upsell us. Try a Yelp search for steakhouses, there are over a dozen better options in downtown Chicago. The others have more stars for a reason.
(2)
Eric S.

I always find myself here when im in Chicago. Its not the best Steak house in the city but it's consistent. Good quality steak as fair prices. The wait staff has been hit or miss, last year they weren't very good this past weekend they weren't excellent. The dry-aged tomahawk ribeye is wonderful
(4)
Leigh H.

Best steak and service I have ever had in Chicago. Pricey but delicious.
(5)
MVfoodguy S.

One star is pushin it for this place. I only added a star for the ambiance. Even though they have only been in business for 25 years or so it has the feel of an old time steak house. We had six in our group last night. I think everyone was disappointed in the place. They really try to sell you on the expensive steaks. I mean $129 ! Two of us got that and I have literally had better at Ruth Chis or Flemmings. To me everything was over the top expensive. $1200 for six people to eat with only two rounds of drinks each. Then we went downstairs to the bar and had a drink. You would think maybe after wackin us for over a G for dinner they would have said hey guys have a drink on the house. Nope, and 50 bucks. I would not recommend this place not will I go there again. Oh yea and the cows supposedly listen to classical music at night so they don't get stressed out. Give me a break. mvfoodguy.com
(1)
Bunny B.

Ok, so we don't generally give out 5 stars...but if you're going to the Chicago Chop House, they say you GO BIG OR GO HOME... and they go big out there in Chicago when it comes to steak! 5 stars! The place was so classic Chicago. I felt like so much history has gone down there....celebrities hob nobbing, big time business transactions being made, men proposing to their women... you can tell it's a place that everyone should go at least once. We were trying to decide what to order... it's pretty pricey, $100+ steaks and the kind of place where you have to also order all your own sides... but let us say, the steak is worth it. It's the Tomahawk all the way. Just do it, you won't regret it. We should have just split the tomahawk, it was plenty of food for both of us, but we ordered a filet as well, it was good, but next to the Tomahawk it was flank steak. We had the french style green beans which were phenomenal. Chris loves his green beans and next to the Beetlenut in San Francisco, these were off the charts, garlicky and buttery with almond slivers to make it crunch, fantastic. We also ordered the au gratin potatoes which were fab. The service was good, the wine list is awesome, seriously just order some of the less expensive bottles bc they're ALL good. We ordered a bottle less than $50 and it was great. Funny that we ordered a steak which was more expensive then the wine, nonetheless both were fantastic. The one sort of bummer moment was when we got the bill and saw that this tiny little appetizer of two little shimps and two scallops was $50. The actual appetizer tasted underwhelming and certainly not worth that price. Don't even bother with the apps, you're there to eat steak... stick with that. Oh... and we couldn't finish it all... it was in our hotel in the fridge and we ate it cold the next day with our hands... SOOOOOO good!
(5)
Adam L.

This was at a time one of the top steakhouses in the city and in the country, but the quality has decreased in recent years. The switch to wet-age to dry-age was a mistake (it matters!), and the steaks were overcooked. My expectations were high after the rave reviews and a previous visit, but they have a lot of work to do to catch up to other establishments in the city. Still delicious however, just didn't meet my expectations. And the service is a bit tricky; appetizers will rob you as the waitstaff recommended the au gratin special which ended up being over $30! That's bit high for potatoes.
(3)
ben w.

On top of screwing me out of my Gift Certificate, they blatantly lied to the State's Attorney about solving this matter, claiming that they offered me the previous owner's info. No, they just told me to fuck off. Too bad there's a State Statute saying they have to honor this-"Any gift certificate issued prior to January 1, 2008 that is subject to an expiration date must contain a statement clearly and conspicuously printed on the gift certificate stating the expiration date. The statement may appear on the front or back of the gift certificate in a location where it is visible to any purchaser prior to the purchase. Does not apply to any gift certificate issued prior to January 1, 2008 that contains a toll free phone number and a statement clearly and conspicuously printed on the gift certificate stating that holders can call the toll free number to find out the balance on the gift certificate, if applicable, and the expiration date." Most RESPECTABLE restaurants would work with a customer to resolve the issue, these THIEVES just resort to blatant lies. Pay up Assholes.
(1)
Dan W.

This one star is for how good, I'm sure it was, in 1980. Unfortunately it hasn't changed since and the quality has only deteriorated. Took my dad here for his birthday so I hope he never reads this but I really want to warn people. As everyone has said; the place is a tourist trap, the servers are douchey, the wine list is only for the frivolously wealthy, it's pretty sparse on customers and they relentlessly up-sell you. So pissed we didn't check this place out more before coming. The saddest thing was that they charged my wife and I a split plate fee of $12 on a $420 check. How classless. They clearly don't understand how to treat people. You charge a split plate fee when two people come in and spend half of your PPA. Not $100 per person. Greedy, classless place. I should have asked my family if they were ok with leaving right then and there. I'm sure they would have despite the circumstance. And so I begin my work on a time machine.
(1)
Lindsay D.

Over hyped. My husband and I ate here about two months ago and for the prices we paid I was expecting a much better meal. Our service was fair although we were forgotten about for close to 25 minutes when a large table was seated. Also, the waiter poured my husbands beer incorrectly twice even though my husband stated he would do it himself resulting in majority foam. We tried the dry aged steak as it was highly recommended. There was so much oil in the plate it was served that it was practically unedible. For $75 I expect a great cut of meat with flavor that comes from the meat and not from the pool of butter beneath it. I have eaten at much better steak houses in Chicago and will most likely not return. However, they did have an amazing desert. Some "alaskan" chocolately, marshmallowy goodness
(3)
Paul B.

Chicago Chop House is easily the worst restaurant I've been to in Chicago. We didn't have reservations for dinner and after calling several other steakhouses in the area we finally found Chicago Chop House to not be booked up. When we walked in there weren't many people and that was the first sign of trouble. The aged steaks tasted mildewy, and this was compounded by the fact that I didn't even order an overpriced aged steak - the waiter decided to charge me $20 extra for the upcharged steak despite me ordering an un-aged steak. And he neglected to Oscar it as ordered, too. I love leftovers and I've grown to count on them for weekend lunches (I eat my wife's and mine!). I only ate a couple of bites of my terrible steak at the restaurant and I threw out the gross leftovers, too. We were with family and instead of causing a scene I put up with the terrible food and didn't complain about the bill. Mistake made, lesson learned, and from now on I will stand up for myself even if it risks killing the mood. This place is a tourist trap and our unpreparedness cost us big time. Other reviewers indicated at how overpriced CCH is ... overpriced is an understatement. Chicago is full of steak and chop houses - stay away from this tourist pit trap!
(1)
Beatrix K.

This place sucks so bad. The star I give is for the pianist and that's it. This one server guy working there is a complete bunghole. It took forever for him to even come over even though we knew he saw us but would just disappear. This made us feel increasingly awkward as still nobody approached us and it was as though everyone else in the restaurant receiving attention and various dishes at their tables noticed it too. Grrrr... whatever. When he did pop back into view, he would continue taking circuitous routes through the restaurant, around the bar, not appearing to be busy with anything but blatantly avoiding us like he was wanting and waiting for us to leave. Finally he came over to try to impress us with his extensive knowledge about the steaks and so on and so forth blah blah blah, skip the pretense, you're a dick for not coming over sooner. We still don't even have any drinks at this point. I shit you not. Uhm? Weird. For such a nice place with what should be really good food (at least I hope it is for what the prices indicate but I guess I'll never actually know) why does the service suck? Just when I think we might be able to finally get a drink order in (and hell the food too if it would help quicken things, geez) bungholio then proceeds to interrupt himself mid-explanation of the menu so he could excuse himself to go run food to another table. Wow. Ok, dude. You made it quite apparent how much you really don't care about us. I don't know if it's because of our outward appearance (young, Asian couple) and you don't find us worth your time, but either way, establishments should never allow this kind of treatment to be bestowed upon their patrons under any circumstances. Part of me wanted to stay in order to spite this bunghole server and even tip well the way I always do just to show him that he should regret having made assumptions based on a first glance, but something about that upon further consideration just didn't sit well with me. Give HIM... more of MY money...to demonstrate a point/teach him a lesson that he shouldn't disrespect me? Uhhh...no. That would make no sense. So I swallowed my pride and left before he could get the chance to impart any more rudeness towards us/continue ignoring us/etc.
(1)
Nishan P.

My passion for red meat has led me to various Chicago establishments but none more frequently than the Chop House. Occupying a freestanding old Victorian brownstone a few blocks west of Michigan Avenue, the restaurant offers the classic Chicago steakhouse experience. The first floor includes a bar area which often features a pianist. This is my favorite part of the restaurant to dine in. Be warned that it sometimes gets a little loud close to the pianist. The upper two floors are more typical of a Chicago steakhouse with dark wood paneling and black and white photographs chronicling the Windy City's history. The atmosphere is not quite as vibrant as downstairs. The Chop House does extremely well what a steakhouse should do: they prepare excellent steaks. My favorite is the bone in filet. Though I am also a big fan of the standard Chop House filet mignon, the bone in filet seems to be just that much more flavorful. The restaurant does have a dress code: smart casual. Though they may look the other way when it comes to jeans, they do not tolerate any head attire. If I were to dock the Chop House a star, it would be for the pretentious waiters. Not all of them are snooty but I have encountered my fair share there. Unlike several other Chicago steakhouses, the Chop House includes a salad and mashed potatoes in the price of the steak. The meat, be it a filet, New York strip, Porterhouse or prime rib, has been consistently good. For their incredibly well prepared steaks, I am willing to tolerate the snobby waiters.
(5)
Dave L.

This is try number two on this review... my last one was removed, so I toned this one down... The worst thing was, we had no clue we were going to be *smurfed* really hard (and with no lube!!) I mean really, no clue at all. At least if you know it's coming, maybe you can prepare yourself, but in this case it was all smiles, menu suggestions, and laughter from Jodi B. Our bachelor party of eight ordered our steaks and wine, and a couple of "suggested" appetizers called the Kings Platter. After the apps, we gobbled up our Kobe, dry-rubbed, bone-in steaks for $100 each, and drank up the just-as-overpriced wine as well. When the bill came for $2,535.69 we were shocked. We knew what we were doing for the most part, but the real groin-kick was the "suggested" Kings Platter appetizer. For two of them it was $538! Gee, I wonder why she didn't tell us how much they were when she suggested them. Of course she had a nice automatic 18% gratuity which totaled $386. That's way more than I make an hour, how about you? (see the photo of the bill I included in this review: yelp.com/biz_photos/chicâ€¦ ) Jodi, way to up your tip and perhaps get a kickback as well! I guess this job is the opposite of your last one, where now your customers are the one's who get smurfed instead of you!!! The Chop House was the gift that kept on giving. Later that night, I had to stop our limo and run to the nearest restaurant to find a bathroom. I immediately had a kobe, wet-rubbed, explosion, and literally flushed my $317 share of dinner down the can. Chicago Chop House, you get two *smurf-fingers* UP! WAY UP!!!
(1)
Joe B.

Where I intended to swing in for a quick drink, I accidentally tripped though a time warp and landed in a prohibition-era speakeasy. The speakeasy would, nearly a century later, be called the Chicago Chop House. I don't actually know the history of the space, but this garden-level, River North, low-lit, wood-paneled, compact venue certainly channels something from Chicago's past. Further burrowing itself into Chitown's history book, CCH has every mayor's portrait on the wall, along with Capone artifacts, and other various "tributes" to Chicago's bygone movers and shakers. Oh, and the service was great, as was my whiskey.
(4)
Robin S.

So disappointing The restaurant came highly recommended by a friend who has been there any times over the years. The servers SELL SELL SELL and then have an attitude when you do not want every single course and item they recommend. We were a group of women and clearly not big eaters. However when we passed on courses the servers walked away with attitude. I had a $79 steak that was worth about $20 at a sports bar. 3 of the 4 steaks at the table were not cooked to the temperature ordered. Not good for a steak restaurant . The final issue was when the server brought the dessert tray and we declined dessert as we were all very full. She took the tray away on a huff and then brought the check and told us to have a safe trip "back home". As if we were not Chicagoans and couldn't appreciate a good meal . Which does not apply to me as I frequent some of the best restaurants in the country and this ranks as the worst steakhouse I have ever been to. The side dishes were not even that good. Mostly the selling attitude of the servers and the attitudes at a $700 check as if that was not good enough. Why should we but more fi than we will eat and mediocre and over priced food..... I think not. Don't waste your. Money and time
(2)
Eric B.

The good book advises us to honor our parents, but is characteristically vague as to the whys and wherefores. Permit me the privilege of explication. If you love your parents and they love you, they will treat you to Chicago Chop House, and for that gift you will thank them eternally. Why? Well primarily because it is gold plated pricey here, as most chops are $60 and up. But I found that the the cuts delivered on flavor and earned their gold plated price point. I had the tomahawk ribeye rare and it was to die for - bloody steak flavor presented with an eight inch Frenched bone perfectly carved and ideally designed to stave off any unwanted intruders. My steak was dry aged for 55 or so days and spent its time wandering the wilderness well - it had a deep earthy flavor that is superior to many other steak houses in Chicago. In addition to the usual dry aged chops, the Chop House also has a selection of Kobe Beef steaks. The servers are not shy about trumpeting the flavor profiles of these steaks, but what you should know is that the Kobe beef served here is quite good - my wife had the Kobe filet and it was delectable - very buttery and possessive of a much richer in flavor than the usual filet. What impressed me most about the service is that they did not sell the Kobe necessarily - I offered them the opportunity to upsell my cowboy ribeye as a Kobe, but because I wanted mine rare she said it was not necessary. I appreciated that. Furthermore, the sides here were no mere afterthought. We sampled their prawns wrapped in prosciutto and it was fantastic - succulent and meaty, with a creamy butter sauce. The au gratin potato side was rich and savory, as well. Finally, the lobster bisque, which could have been a throwaway starter, was instead rich, creamy, and full of chunks of lobster, a delicious rustic take on a classic soup. The only minus I would throw at the Chop House is at their sommelier - he repeatedly tried to upsell me $100 to $150 on my preferred selections, and I did not appreciate that. There is no need to spend $250 on a bottle of wine here when you can get a delicious Bordeaux for under $100. It is easy to fall into the temptation to spend a lot of money on wine when your entrees are well over $50, but there are affordable and excellent options on the list if you look for them; stand your ground, my friends.
(4)
Danielle S.

We were the idiots walking around place to place on a Saturday night because we didn't think to make reservations for dinner. Everywhere we stopped at was a 2 to 3 hour wait. This was the only restaurant we could find without a ridiculous wait... and I can understand why. The atmosphere was really stuffy. Service was pretty good - a little pushy, but otherwise good. I was willing to drop a good chunk of money on a nice dinner out, but I was literally floored at the prices here. $60 for ahi tuna? $72 for a lobster tail?! I guess it'd be one thing if it were a memorable meal, but I have had way, way better for a much more reasonable price. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Laura H.

I am not cheap about food. This place was like eating lemons in a used car lot. Travel schedules had us in the restaurant for an early dinner and the staff outnumbers us 2:1. That works in places where they can fill your water glass without knocking you in the head. But not here. The wine list was outrageously priced for those who know what they are drinking. The staffing ratio meant we had 2 waiters pushing, hurrying us to order. I knew from yelp not to get the overpriced seafood appetizer and I wish I had known that the sides were disappointing too. The potatoes were under seasoned and the grease separating from the casserole. The steaks were good, but these were Michelin ratings prices for an unpleasant experience all around. This is not the Chop House of 2 years ago.
(1)
Laura H.

I am so disappointed in Chicago Chop House from my visit there three years ago. I had invited 6 friends out to dinner to celebrate the end of my unemployment based on the wonderful experience I had there three years ago. I do not want to be redundant, for so many stated it - they have raised the prices so much, I was embarrassed I suggested it. I will leave it at that
(1)
Rick N.

The Chicago Chop House is my favorite steakhouse in the city. This was the first place that I ate upon returning to the states from a tour of duty in Iraq and where my wife and I recently celebrated our anniversary. The ambiance is great, the downstairs bar and upstairs dining room have the cozy feel of a north side two-flat with the decor that makes you feel like you are embraced by Chicago's treasured past. The service is professional and very knowledgeable with the food choices and pairing as well as with wine and spirits. The Wagyu beef is out of this world. Make sure you come hungry because the portions are big. Dessert was complimentary for our special occasion. Don't get hung up on the prices, this is not a restaurant to penny-pinch in but rather to enjoy the whole evening and dining experience. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
James J.

My four friends all ordered the giant wagyu steaks that they keep coming back for. I went with the dry aged Filet and the lobster tail, as I think all wagyu is overrated. They steamed my lobster as I requested, even though it is usually broiled. Not usually discussed, but they have one of the best lobster tails in the city. My filet was about as tender as a steak can get. I could have used a butter knife to cut through it, as it was as soft as butter and the flavor was amazing. I enjoyed the woman's review who did not eat here herself and is complaining that her husband was tricked into spending too much money on the seafood platter that her husband got at a bachelor party dinner. Lady, do you think you husband and his friends racked up a huge tab on alcohol and used that as an excuse so you wouldn't be pissed off that he spent that much. You didn't eat here, so you shouldn't give it 1 star. You are a fool!
(5)
Dave L.

Chicago Chop House has been on my to-do list for a long time. Finally got a chance to eat here this week. We sat on the second floor near a bunch of photos of Chicago stockyard owners. The waitress explains that all the photos are of famous Chicagoans, but not sports and movie stars, but people who have contributed to Chicago in some way and are a part of the history. Very cool. The service overall was very good and everyone was extremely friendly. For food I had an awesome caprese salad where the mozzarella was wrapped in prosciutto. For the steak I got a ridiculously sized dry-aged porterhouse. The filet side of the porterhouse was unbelievable and I don't recall actually chewing it. The rest of the steak was pretty damn good as well, just not quite as good as the other side. Overall good experience, I'm glad I finally got to eat here.
(4)
Amador A.

Back in the windy city for work. Being in a carnivorous mood - a friend and I decide to do it up nice and proper... We started out with the Seared Ahi Tuna. The corners of the plate provided a mango salsa drizzled with a wasabi sauce. The combination of the three was awesome. You had the subtle saltiness with ocean flavor of the ahi, the tanginess of the mango salsa, and the up-the-nose spiciness from the wasabi. Great combination... unfortunately, I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures before we pulled a Houdini and made it disappear. Next were a dozen Blue Point Oysters. Beautiful, meaty, large... just like an oyster should be. I could have done 2 more dozen... The next thing that came out silenced our table... all talking stopped. You had to be careful of getting too close for fear of getting your hand stabbed with a fork... 55 Day Dry Aged Kobe Beef Tomahawk Bone-In Rib-Eye Steaks??? Yes please... Just a tad smaller than a ping-pong paddle... this beautiful piece of meat came to us cooked medium rare, almost rare. A cross section of the meat revealed the most marbling of fat and meat that I have ever seen in a steak... this fat cow truly lived a happy pampered life. ...you know... before it was cut up and turned into my food... Thank you Mr. Moo Moo... you were truly delicious. Dinner concluded with a perfect sized Lava Cake, no ice cream, no extra sauce on mine please... just pure chocolate love. And cake was washed down with a shot of espresso, garnished with a rock-candy stir stick. James (our server) was awesome... friendly, quick, and always there when we needed him without getting in our way. Great chop house experience... definitely not one you can do too often unless you're independantly wealthy... but a nice treat if you can afford it.
(5)
Kevin A.

GET YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER READY Because Chicago Chop House has gotten so expensive they may have to run a credit check on you before you order your meal. I recently went for a work dinner after a brief hiatus and was shocked to see how much the prices have gone up. But it's a steakhouse, you're thinking... of course it's going to be expensive. Yes, I expect a steakhouse to be expensive, but $80-$110 just for the steak (non-Kobe) is a little excessive, especially in a town with so many great steak options. Hell, it makes Cut and Peter Luger seem like a steal. The steak, atmosphere, and service are all still good, but I left feeling like I didn't get my moneys worth.
(3)
Noelle J.

The World According to Noelle Allergic Girl's Guide to Life Our Experience Reservations were made. We decided to use the valet services. It was a snowy and extremely cold Chicago evening. Upon entering we were escorted upstairs to the second floor. Our table was near the window with a view of the Hard Rock Cafe and surrounding areas. The entire restaurant was packed. We both ordered the potato pancakes, Prime Rib, our sides were mashed potatoes and broccolini. We brought our own champagne, there was a small but reasonable corkage fee. For dessert we shared the creme brulee cheesecake. Details Our server was personable and prompt. The prime rib was mediocre. The side dishes were expensive, small and blah tasting. I was extremely disappointed in the mashed potatoes (how does one mess this easy dish up?). The dessert was gross. Sad to say - the potato pancakes while very delish were the only memorable part of our meal/experience at the Chop House. We came here at the end of December 2009. Noelle's Notes Skip the experience and expense. The Met Grill in Seattle is still the best.
(2)
Gerard M.

I dined here one month ago. I wanted to refrain from a review until I was certain that I wouldn't be clouded by the feeling I had when we realized that we had been 'pocket raped'. This meal should have come with a morning after pill because I felt dirty and violated by the time we left. The service wasn't great, but it wasn't really too bad either and we did tip our server generously. The food was acceptable, with the exception of the Au Gratin potatoes. They were a horrible mess of potatoes with cheese and sour cream and butter and all sorts of things. The thing that stood out was that they were COLD. These potatoes = Epic failure. Now, The steaks were pretty good and I think appropriately priced. We had 3 steaks: $59 NY Strip; $79 bone-in rib eye and a $89 bone-in filet. Great steaks! Now, I will get to the 6 un-eventful, run-of-the-mill scallops that we ordered as an appetizer. We didn't feel they were at all worth $49. They would have been over-priced at $29...at $49, you're just down right gouging and fleecing especially since the server heavily pushed this at our table. I wonder why. Ome of us ordered a Appletini made with stoli vodka. It was about a 5 oz. drink and the cost: $26 For a stoli drink??? TWENTY SIX DOLLARS? Nowhere are they charging $26 for a Appletini. 2 grey goose & soda: $36 That's about double any other restaurant's price for the same drink. Oh, those horrible potatoes as a side dish for 3 people: $32 3 people with a check of $530.00 PLUS tip and we had a total of 4 alcoholic beverages and a very modest meal. I can get the same and better steaks without the unnecessary over-charging that you offer. I would never be back.
(1)
Korn D.

Ordered from the small menu and got the Aged Kobe Filet Mignon. This was one of the highest quality steaks I have ever had. 1. USDA Prime 2. Aged 3. American Kobe 4. Filet Mignon Not the tastiest steak I've had, but the inside was perfectly red but not raw. Outside was slightly crispy. Easy enough to cut with my butter knife. They also had a bone-in option as well which can add more flavor. The only way you could have made this better was using Japanese Kobe. The by the glass selections were ok. Lots of great steak selections. Service was very attentive. Ambiance was just ok (to me). It's probably not the best place for kids.
(4)
Chicago T.

DISAPPOINTMENT! $49.00 for a shrimp cocktail? Seriously! The waitress described the 4 Crustacean as prawns. I'm sure they were, but looked like nothing more than jumbo shrimps. Shame on me for not asking the price, shame on CCH for not informing the customer. Russ's American Fries used to be a treat to look forward to. Well seasoned and a generous mound of sauteed white onions. The texture was there, but the potatoes were bland and the onions were a mere garnish and some burnt. The steak temperatures were perfect, but the steak experience was mediocre. I'm glad we got the gravy on the side. The taste of uncooked flour over whelmed the taste of the gravy which would never be categorized as haute cuisine; it was nasty. Ordered the 16 oz NY Strip. It was more like a 14 oz. Servers were very attentive, but what seemed to be a never ending history lesson of the $89.00 Waygu beef rib chop, was painful. The carrot cake was an unpalatable wedge of paste, like it had been frozen. Novice out-of-towners may find the show intriguing until they get the bill. Ask for the price of any item not listed. Veteran Chicago carnivores can do better elsewhere with all of the great steak houses Chicago has to offer. I should have gotten the hint when the previous time we ate there, our waiter who was not attentive, altered the tip from 18% to 20%. I didn't complain because i didn't want to jeopardize his job in these economic times. After many years, we are totally done with CCH, Chicago Calamity House! Too bad.
(1)
Gary D.

Ate there a couple of years ago. Great food, great service, and a good dining experience. Worth the money. My steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Sides were excellent.
(4)
Fred P.

Have eaten here several times and each one was better than the last. For those of you who had "sticker shock" about the price you either A) didn't research this place enough or B) don't live in reality. Yes it is expensive and you should go in there knowing what to expect and that you're going to drop some serious money here. If you go here without researching it first or asking for pricing, it's on you when you get hit with the bill. The waiter was very nice and explained everything to us. Nothing was "pushed" on us or forced down our throats. He made suggestions (very temptingly worded I might add) and we chose whether to have them or not. If you don't want something, tell them...it's that simple. With that being said, for me it is worth every penny. We started off with an appetizer that consisted of a prawn wrapped in prosciutto, a wonderful diver scallop and some delicious tuna. Everything was cooked marvelously. The steaks are fabulous. These aren't the kind you find in the trendy large chains; these are quality steaks. I had the Kobe filet mignon and savored every bite. The side of potatoes was to die for and for dessert I had the chocolate cake that blew me away. Was really surprised at the negative reviews and the "surprise" over the prices. If you want cheap steaks that you can get anywhere, don't come here. If you want quality food, service, and ambiance this is the place for you.
(5)
Aaron T.

Wine List - Not Bad, but Smith and Wollensky is better. Steak - The Best Prime Filet in the USA for sure. Side definitely the AuGratin potatoes. Totally great accompaniment. Very good service, exceptional steak.
(5)
Jeffrey S.

I was really excited to come here with a group of friends from out of town. We arrived and were the only ones upstairs (granted it was an early reservation). Great, quick service and incredible wine selection. I ordered the ribeye (just the regular, short bone ribeye, as I've had their wagyu beef before and it was good, but not worth the price). My ribeye got here and it was surprisingly thin. I cut into the steak (which was supposed to be ordered medium rare plus) - it was brown all the way through - far from medium rare plus. They kindly took it back to prepare me a new one. They quickly brought a fresh one out and I was thrilled to see that it was a thicker cut. I cut into my steak and saw that it was much more tender than the first had been so I declared it to be ok. Boy was I wrong. I took my first bite and the steak was cold. Then I felt the center and it was refrigerator cold. I'm not the dramatic type, but cooking a steak shouldn't be that hard of a task for a place that claims to be one of the best steakhouses in Chicago. The service and the sides were both great, so I didn't want to give it only 1 star, however, being so far from correct on a steak twice is simply unacceptable. I won't be back.
(1)
Maggie V.

After moving down into the city from Evanston, my boyfriend and I embarked on a steakhouse tour of Chicago whenever he visited. Chicago Chop House is absolutely our favorite. The old school ambiance is tough to beat, we loved the wait staff and how they made the dining experience memorable. The food was just awesome from the mac n'cheese, creamed spinach and carrot cake... but of course more importantly the steaks. Have yet to find a truly better steak in Chicago. The wagyu cuts melt in your mouth and the standard menu is tough to beat. If you are looking for a true Chicago steak house experience and want to pay for good quality, I would absolutely recommend Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Courtney W.

I've been coming here since I was a wee lassie fresh off the boat from South Florida. My stepdad had a thing for a good steak and he taught me to order it raw, cold, and a little bloody. Doesn't sound too appealing? You need to order it at the right place. This joint is so charming and old school, you feel like you have gone back in time. I haven't had a steak I didn't like here but the filet mignon is my personal favorite but they offer so many cuts, it's good to experiment a bit. The mashed potatoes are also excellent. The service here? Exactly what you would expect at a place like this. I've never had a bad server and after awhile a lot of the servers knew exactly who we were. It can get loud here at times and if you don't have a reservation, the wait times can soar depending on the night or what's going on in the area. They do a great job of hosting large parties, so consider this place for an event or a birthday party. This place is 100% Chicago and I haven't been to a steakhouse like this anywhere else in this fine city of ours.
(4)
Jason Y.

MAN, has this place gone DOWNHILL!! We went a few years back and had some phenomenal Prime Rib, better than Lawry's.. for about 50 a head.. give or take. cut to 2011. Half empty dining room, staff lined up and down the stairway and entrance (awaiting invisible customers, I assume) dirty carpet and a mean looking manager grampa-type that denied my guest and I a square table in the center of the dining area. He wanted us to sit in a nook beside the stairway that was half the size of all the tables around us. Did I mention the place was 40 percent full?! I confronted him about this, after all, other couples were sitting at four top tables and frankly, at $90 for NY Strip, we should be able to sit wherever we wished! We weren't being unreasonable or rude, but it really felt like discrimination so we decided to go to Gibson's. Got a seat at Gibson's within 10 minutes and had the best prime rib ever, at a comfy table. Apparently, Chop House has changed owners and has changed the way they do business. On another note, if there are 15 plus employees just standing alongside the stairway greeting cutomers, who do you think is paying for this?!! The customers are paying a premium for their over-staffing not because of high food costs.
(1)
Randall K.

Totally disappointing experience. First flag: When we arrive, hostess tells us to wait at bar for our reserved table and after 45 minutes, they forget to call us. I walk up to hostess, she tells us, 'oh, I thought you were cock-tailing'. Really? Second flag: Our appetizers arrived cold or room temp. Scallops and crab cakes. Had to send back, and when the replacements came back they tasted microwaved. Oh, and the waiter asked if we wanted our originals heated up. Unbelievable. Third Flag: Salads were bad. I ordered a caprese and it came doused in balsamic that tasted from a bottle you could get at Dominick's. Fourth flag: Steaks arrived 30 minutes later ... Too be fair, the Kobe steaks were terrific. As was the mushroom spinach side, but there was little spinach to the order. Pass on this place, too bad.
(1)
Dean F.

The reviews for CCH are really mixed and I suspect that many of the people who come here expecting a culinary experience or not expecting the high prices will be disappointed. Suffice to say that this is a unique Chicago experience. The service level was great and yes, it's kind of scary looking at all the service personnel lurking but we just ignored it. We had the lobster bisque and the Caprese Salad. Both were good but mediocre by the high standards of a top-end steak house. I had the Tomahawk Rib Eye, dry-aged and it was excellent. Easily the best part of the meal and for $80 it should have been, My wife ordered the 12oz lobster tail which turned out to be just a few bites. For the $90 tab, it wasn't worth it. Tasty but ridiculously over-priced. The 4-cheese potato dish was very good. I say go to CCH for the experience. The service will be great - just ignore the upsells - and so will the steaks, Just know you're going to drop $$$. If you're not good with that then go elsewhere,
(4)
Greg A.

Clearly, the people complaining about food costs here need to go to the supermarket and buy a $12.00 box of No-Name Steaks because you get what you pay for. The chop house has top of the line meats, staff and cheffs. You pay for the food and experience. Of course, it could be a hit to the pocketbook if you ate here daily...but this place is like a fine cognac,,,induldge on occasion and be glad you did.
(5)
Jay B.

While the Chop House interior celebrates Chicago's old ways, it has only been open for 23 years. If time permits, people really need to check out the walls of this establishment. Photos celebrate past Chicago mayors, Capone supporters and enemies, 1800's Chicago street scenes, and of course Chicago gangsters. Being from California, I was expecting the sound of Kusik's "Speak Softly Love" echoing through the dank walls as we made our way up to the 3rd floor Skybox Dining Room and imagining visions of severed horse heads and Tommy gun mobsters flickering in and out of existence. But instead, the third floor was closed and we sat in the livelier first floor with the live tapping of ivory piano keys and the drunken stupor of patronage that echoed throughout the restaurant due to the centralized bar. But that really wasn't a bad thing - The Chicago ambiance is alive and well. Dress code: Armani - check... was it necessary? No, people were in jeans, some in shorts. But the cool people were stylin'! Reservations: A week in advance - check... was it necessary? Maybe... it started to fill up by the time we left so probably still good to plan in advance. Drink-in-hand: Belvedere Dirty Martini - check... was it necessary? - Hell yes! Here's what we had: - As an appetizer: Prosciutto-wrapped crisply-braised Asparagus sparing doused with balsamic vinaigrette. This was the start of a 5 star beef-out. The main courses came with small house salads which were mediocre at best, but I usually expect that in a chop house. The bread was fresh and steaming hot; crisp on the outside; moist and spongy on the inside - perfect for butter spreadin'. - 16 oz New York Strip enhanced with crushed peppercorns - spicy, meaty, and full of flavor that rivaled any good rib-eye. This was the smallest size, but plenty for any well-mannered meat-eater (comes in 20 oz with bone and 24 oz de-boned). - 18 oz Original Roast Prime Rib. Juicy, tender, au jus heaven. - The Chop House Platter, which consisted of broiled Lamb chop, broiled pork chop, and what was claimed to be the best Fillet Mignon ever... Pretty darn close in my opinion. The lamb and pork chops however did not meet expected standards. But I'm a beef person so when it comes to beef - all other meats stand aside. - Sides of mash potatoes and gravy. - Sweet beer-battered 1 inch thick onion rings. - SautÃ©ed mushrooms - not too much butter but each button contained an explosion of succulent flavor. - Dessert: Nothing - are you kidding me? Did you read everything we had above? Give me a break... The most memorable thing about his place: The table knives. The knives are the standard butter-type knife, but they must have sharpen them constantly over the years and they now look like stiletto picks - sharp and impressive. I gotta do this at home! All-in-all, a great intro to the quality of Chicago-style meats. Thanks to Brett (It's not a boy's name) for the recommendation ;) The service was quite exceptional and attentative. Water was always filled without asking. While the "special menu" was there, there was no pressure to order from it, and the regular menu was given without needing to ask for it (So did not experience what other yelpers mentioned in previous reviews.)
(5)
Ken K.

(I can't believe there are actually 1-star ratings for this place. WHAT IN THE WORLD?!) The ambience and the service were well above average. The sides, I admit, weren't really anything to rave about (but certainly deserving of at least a star). The point is... the chargrilled prime rib: To. DIE. For. It was SO tender that my fork could hardly hold it in place while I cut it w/ my knife... not that a knife was even needed. It was cooked PERFECTLY. The flavor was SPECTACULAR. This is truly one of those things in life that doesn't need to be improved upon. I recommended this place to all my friends and it did not disappoint a SINGLE time. You NEED to TRUST me on this one. Try it and I DARE you to tell me it wasn't amazing. (Do you need me to capitalize any more words?!) Chargrilled prime rib. That's all you need to know. *Edit* My good friends in Chicago have informed me of a managerial change here, and since then, the quality of the food (yes, that includes my beloved prime rib) has gone WAY down. This has been confirmed to me by multiple (trustworthy) people multiple times. So my review is likely no longer a legitimate review. For those of you who weren't able to enjoy CCH in its prime, my condolences; your life will never be as good as it could have been. :(
(5)
Thomas O.

Our waiter should be selling used cars. He started out selling what turned out to be a overpriced and mediocre appetizer. When we did not bite on his other offers he disappeared for an hour. The steaks were good but vastly overpriced even compared to other Chicago steak houses. The Chop House defines the phrase "tourist trap" .
(2)
Susan M.

We tried to go to a Rick Bayless restaurant but they're all closed on Sunday. So we went to Chicago Chop House because it was open. We were very early, 5:30 pm on a Sunday, so the place was almost empty. Here's what we had. One $99 bone in rib steak. It was $89 but we split it so we had to pay a $10 charge. One 10 oz. filet. One big piece of salmon. 3 salads. 2 cups of lobster bisque. Asparagus in hollandaise, spinach in oil and a ton of garlic, potatoes au gratin. And 1 piece of chocolate cake to share. The total was around $350 not including tip. I have no problem paying $100 a person for a special meal. But I want some skill, some pizzazz for my hundy. This wasn't that kind of meal. For $99 a steak should fill you with awe, not meh. This was a very average tasting steak. We ordered it charred rare. It should have been cold in the middle, but it was cooked through and just not very flavorful. Our waitress made it sound like the second coming of Christ but it was just okay. The salads were good; fresh and crisp and flavorful. But everything else seemed like it was cooked by a tech school grad who was told to add cream and butter until people actually die in their chairs. I love cream and butter. I really do. But I don't understand why steakhouses from coast to coast have the same menu. Why not celebrate the sacrifice of a cow by serving fresh vegetables prepared without heavy hollandaise sauce? Mix it up a little, folks. This is the meal my great-grandfather ate in the gilded age. Our server was friendly and enthusiastic and a good up-seller. I just wish she'd had something unique or truly memorable to sell.
(2)
L. A.

I went here on a Saturday night with reservations. We had no wait. They initially put us near the piano bar but moved us to the upstairs dining room at our request. The service was great-excellent. I had a spinach salad to start- excellent. We each had a filet mignon with different options: blue cheese, black pepper or horseradish & shared two sides which were great but too much. All filets were outstanding with the blue cheese being all of our favorites. Chicago has so many great steakhouses and this is now one of my favorites.
(5)
Meagan F.

Another weekend, another steakhouse in the grand quest to find the best steakhouse in Chicago by my husband and me! The lowdown: Ambiance: Great! Clean, crisp linens, big wine glasses, lots of dark woods. This is a traditional Chicago steakhouse (much more my taste for steakhouses as opposed to David Burke's). Service: Pretty good. My problem with our server was that 1) he was super-schmarmy and rehearsed. He had obviously been doing this for a while. And 2) He tried to pressure us into buying the most expensive sides, cuts of beef, bottles of wine, etc. I don't like pushy servers. Let me know my options, and I will ask for your opinion if I want it, thanks! You will be getting a huge tip from our $300 meal, you don't need to be pushy. When he didn't speak, he was very attentive. His supporting staff was fantastic. Another problem with our server was the way he treated the group of people next to us from Europe. He distinctly reminded them that no tip was pre-added to the check because they were foreign. I thought that was slimy. Wine: Great selection. Expect to pay 2.5x the price of general retail. We chose the Charles Krug Cab- one of our favorites for steak, and the cheapest Cabernet on the menu by the bottle. It was GREAT. Always is. Food: For starters, we had the tomato salad and spinach and bacon salad specials. They were fantastic! We followed the salads with the crab cake- eh. So-so. As for sides- THEY DON'T HAVE MASHED POTATOES!!!! I love mash with my steak! I was heart broken. We had the fried (it says sauteed on the menu, they're not. They're deep-fried) potatoes. Get something else. As for steak, my husband and I both ordered the wet-aged NY strip (we don't like the dry-aged steaks). They were very good. Nice crust, well-trimmed, perfectly cooked. Not shockingly great, but very good. Dessert was the carrot cake. Order something else if you can stomach dessert. Overall: Eh, OK. For the price, we like Morton's and Gibson's better. This place (being on Ontario) is pretty touristy, and I think they gouge the tourists because they don't know better. We won't be back, but I'm glad we went.
(3)
Anne W.

Great place. I loved the piano bar and decor. The prime rib was excellent and it comes with a free salad (it wasn't awesome.. but it's free) I remember. I wasn't crazy about the creamed spinach.. I think I don't like nutmeg in mine. Service was excellent. If you can only go to one steak place in Chicago.. I'd put this on your list (along with Morton's).
(5)
Greg W.

The amazing food and service combined at this old-school Chicago themed restaurant, and accompanied by live piano playing, makes for a truly pleasant experience. I got the Tomahawk Rib-eye steak accompanied by the Nickle Merlot, both recommendations from the waiter. Although the most expensive items on the menu, it was totally worth it. The steak was phenomenal prepared Au Poivre, peppercorn charred with a mushroom demi glaze. I thouroughly enjoyed every bite. On the side, we ordered the green beans, spinach, and potatoes au gratin. the potatoes were amazing, and the vegetables bursting with flavor. Our waiter, was very knowledgeable and was able to lure me into every piece of food we ordered. His descriptions made me salivate. My only stigma about the Chophouse is that it's a little on the expensive side. My steak cost $89 and the glass of wine was $19. They have less expensive items, but the steak and the waiters' description was way to good to pass up. I'll certainly be back, just as soon as I get a pay bump, or I'm in the mood to splurge. Live well and eat well :) GW
(5)
Jason P.

I know, I know, what kind of vegetarian goes to a steakhouse? I had a couple of friends come into town and they really wanted steak so we ended up here. We were about to order a bottle of wine, but then the 3 figure price tags made us reconsider and go by the glass instead. The waitress was very helpful and probably a little shocked when I ordered a "meal" that didn't include steak. Well technically it included beefsteak tomatoes, but that is not really the same. I had a caprese salad with these growth hormone looking slices of tomatoes as well as American fries. I am not sure if it was due to it being a few days before July 4th or if they are just like this normally, but when I accidentally ordered french fries, they quickly corrected me saying they did not serve french fries. My friends both had steak and enjoyed their meals to the fullest, though the one that ordered the crazy filet did say that he probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between the crazy filet and the normal chophouse filet.
(4)
Shawn H.

So many things already said here, that I just want to add my opinion without being redundant. One of the premiere steak houses in Chicago. It was very good and has an excellent atmosphere. Almost like a gangster movie. I remember this steak not being as complex as some of my favorite steak houses. However, it was not a disappointment.
(3)
Stephanie T.

READ REVIEWS BEFORE DINING HERE! I wish I did. Instead, I was trapped by the time I actually got to see a menu (at least 20 minutes in and of course, after drinks ordered and wine opened). Here's the ugly: 1. Smug waiters who make you feel cheap in many ways. IE- water selection, trying to sneak in a soup/salad without mentioning they are not included, and the constant up sell attempts. I will say this- we had two servers for a party of 6, the male very unpleasant and the female very nice. She is the only reason we did not dispute the included gratuity (not that we'd have gotten anywhere as we later discovered). He must of picked up the dislike vibes I was putting down as he never returned after his 10 minute monologue about the "special" ($269) appetizer and the 15 minute boring speech about beer drinking cows getting sake massages (only he could make that boring). 2. Ridiculous prices. My steak was on the cheap end at $69. I expect to order a la carte and am prepared and willing to pay for a higher priced steak at a good steakhouse. But when the cheapest cut is around $60, for steak only, there is a problem. More of a problem when my $69 bone-in filet was good, but not great. Not exceedingly flavorful. I've had much better elsewhere and for way less. Underwhelming which was surprising when you factor in the price and how talked up this meat is. Guess my cow preferred hard liquor. 3. Major miscommunication and indifferent attitude. We brought our own wine as we have great selections and know we are going to pay a markup of at least 300% in a restaurant such as this. Obviously, we realize that we will have to pay a corkage fee. So my boyfriend called ahead of time to make sure this was OK and to see what the corkage fee was. He was told $25. Perfect. After lugging 2 bottles in (one a magnum), we are then told that since one of the bottles is on their wine list, we will have to pay 33% cost of the wine. Restaurant price. Which for this bottle was $125. So great, I'm paying you that much to drink my own wine. Why wasn't this point forewarned over the phone? Never was it mentioned that if it was on their list, it would be more than the standard $25. And then somehow our other bottle ended up costing us $33 instead of $25. One manager seemed shocked at this ruling, but then disappeared and did nothing. The other acted smug, and said since we agreed to open it, there wasn't going to be any further problems (in a vaguely threatening manner). Basically, the managers give the impression that they don't care or feel they actually have to do anything about it since this place obviously does not have to rely on repeat business. After a phone call the next day, we were told by a different manager that their policy actually is that if a wine brought in is on their list, they will not open it. So, our waiter apparently made up this 33% rule on the spot since he did not consult with anyone before opening it. We are still awaiting her promised call back. In hindsight, I wish we would have paid for our drinks, which were shockingly reasonably priced compared to everything else, and left after opening those menus. And yes, as other reviewers mention, what is with the mini-menu? And the sense that if you order from the big one instead, you are somehow less intelligent and low-class. Overall, I felt uncomfortable all night and that we were viewed as the "cheap" table since we didn't each order an appetizer, soup/salad, steak and 2 sides. And gasp- one in our party only had a salad as an entree! (not a red-meat or seafood eater) This was my birthday dinner, and my first (and last) time at the Chop House. My boyfriend, who selected this restaurant based on past good experiences, felt like a real a** for inviting others to a dinner where they are forced to spend about $100 per person. I felt bad he ended up spending so much on a so-so dinner made worse by the uninviting and uncomfortable atmosphere. I don't know in what universe one should ever be made to feel cheap for spending $800 on one dinner, but you can find it at the Chop House. I will never return.
(1)
Jason R.

Delicious steak and wonderful sizes. A little pricey, but you pay for the amazing steak.
(4)
Jason K.

Actually pretty good. I dined on a busy Saturday night and the service was, if not friendly, at least efficient. My strip steak was perfectly charred on the outside and a juicy medium-rare inside. The baked potato had to be at least two pounds, and was delicious. See, it doesn't take too much to make me happy. Take that, Gene and Georgetti's!
(4)
Dave L.

"OooohhhhhhhhhhhOOOOOOHHHHHH." The birds chirped. The clouds parted. The sun burst forth. With his first bite of Chicago Chop House's signature prime rib, my friend had an orgasm in his mouth for the very first time. I looked at him jealously. What did he do to deserve such a gift? Good looking people always get the best in life. Motherfuckers. But then, my own signature prime rib was placed in front of me. I was already drooling, ruining the perfect searing on a succulent and massive piece of meat. "OooohhhhOOOHHHH." That's right, I got one too. I was about to raise my fork hand and my knife hand in victory, but the remaining 21.9 ounces beckoned me. "Eat me. Eat me now. Please, I need to you to eat me." Who am I to argue? So the remaining bites of the steak weren't as incredible as that first one, and I'm not exactly sure if it was 22 or 32 ounces cuz size is not important to me, but man was that first bite worth every penny of that $33. Someone else in our group got the filet mignon, which she thought wasn't as good as Morton's, and another person got the signature New York Strip, which was the first time he ever enjoyed a NY strip. My seared bone-in prime rib steak was perfection. Juicy, tender, flavorful. From now on, every time I visit Chicago I'm having a dinner at Chicago Chop House. The service was top notch - I made reservations for a party of 12 twenty minutes beforehand, our server gave us excellent suggestions for appetizers (get the potatoes!), and everyone was extremely friendly. The decor - awesome cozy old school vibe, like I was hanging out in a upscale gangster den. There were some old dudes hanging out at the bar in the middle of the restaurant with some young women, I imagined they must have very very interesting lives. But the only thing that really matters about Chicago Chop House is the meat. I want it so bad. I can't wait to go back. Just like Kevin A said, the signature seared prime rib will haunt my dreams forever. There's nothing like your first time.
(5)
Michael B.

We went with a large group and sat in a private room upstairs. The service was good with three people dedicated to our table. I had the new york strip and was very pleased with the result. Only complaint-it is VERY expensive and with all of the options in Chicago I don't think it is worth the additional $25/head. Also, the wine list was great, but PRICEY!
(4)
Veence K.

My first time here was an amzing experience. I remember using a knife with no serrated edges and the steak was so tender and juicy it cut perfectly. I have to say its one of my favorite steakhouses. The second time I went, I heard the owner changed and whenever owners switch.. Im very skeptical. The second time I had their steaks, I was pleased, but could tell it has slightly changed. Regardless the steak was good and very tender and juicy. I always get my steaks medium rare and have to say it was quite good. I left the joint fat dumb and happy. lol.
(4)
Justine K.

I really wish I could give the Chicago Chop House 5 stars but I just cannot and absolutely will not do it. I will start off with the good and say that we made reservations weeks in advance so it was nice that we were seated promptly and probably in one of the best seats in the house - in a little corner by the window facing the street. That was appreciated because I can't stand when you make reservations and you still have to wait! What's the point, ya know? The amazing food came out pretty quickly, in fact, a bit too quickly because we were still eating our salads when our steaks came out. Not that big of a deal. This steakhouse truly does deserve 5 stars for their delicious steaks, which is obviously most important but if you're anything like me and horrible service can ruin your meal - then think twice before coming here. The service wasn't horrible in the sense that it was slow or even unknowledgeable. It was quite the opposite, however, it was the extremely annoying and constant "sales pitch", if you will, that we experienced ALL NIGHT from our waitress. From the time they brought the water "choices" out, all the way to the dessert, our server was CONSTANTLY trying to sell us the most expensive option. Incredibly uncomfortable and completely TACKY! I understand, like any restaurant, it is a business just trying to make that extra dollar but when you're going to an establishment that already offers some of the most lavish steaks ($40-80 per) - is it really necessary to push the most expensive option for everything else you order?! I took my boyfriend there to celebrate his birthday. It was my first time and his second. He swears he does not remember it being this bad when he was there a few years back. Perhaps, with this new economy some restaurants will start pushing the "sales pitch" approach more than ever before and if that's the case - I swear I will eat out less or find a way to say to the server form the start that he or she can cool it on the pitch! I honestly would feel nothing but sympathy for the occasional table that gets easily fooled by this kind of "tactic". I'll give a few examples as proof, as well as a warning for anyone planning to still give this place a shot: 1) Before barely even being greeted we were shown 2 bottles of water - Evian and Pellegrino, of course. Not even being given plain ole' tap water as a choice. Luckily that didn't fool us. 2) Thankfully my boyfriend is the type to look at the menu online about a dozen times before attending a restaurant so we knew that when a smaller "specials" menu came to us with steaks being offered for no less than $60, something was strange. We had to ASK for their regular menu to be brought to us!! Yikes! Imagine if we didn't know this! What scam artists! 3) When we learned that the steaks came with a side of mash potatoes and a house salad we were thrilled! That's rare for Chicago and a steakhouse! However, when our server learned that is what we planned on - the FREE choices - she had to use words like, "ok, but just so you know the mashed potatoes is just a very small dollop" and "you're ok with the plain and simple house salad"?? Ugh! We felt like saying, "Yes, we are! Now shut up and just go put in our order"!! 4) We were honestly there to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I even mentioned that when placing the reservation. To my surprise - we couldn't even get a measly discount on the slice of chocolate cake we ordered! As a matter of fact - she said it came "a-la-mode" but surprise, surprise; the scoop of ice cream was an extra $4! Haha! We couldn't even get a scoop of ice cream for free! I'm shocked they didn't charge us for the candle! Unbelievable. We go to a different steakhouse for each of our birthdays every year and we've ALWAYS gotten the desert for the birthday person for free! So, I've been rambling, I know, but I just had to get this out on paper. I called and spoke with a manager the next day that basically offered up nothing. Rambled on and on and saying sorry once or twice. He said, "well, if you come back again, let me know and I'll see about getting you your free dessert". I'll tell him what he can do with that dessert! All in all, our bill was $200 with tip and we were probably considered the "cheap table" for the night. And BEWARE, because for that price, all we got fooled with was that scoop of ice cream...
(2)
Eric B.

What can I say? I had a pretty good steak here. I qualify that by the fact that I didn't have to put any salt or pepper on it... I met up with co-workers here while in Chicago for work. When I walked in I was a bit surprised by how buys and loud it was. The piano play, whom reminded me of Peter Tork from the Monkees didn't help that either. The space was crowded, but I managed to squeeze between the tables to meet my group. I kept thinking to myself that the way out would be harder after having added a few pounds. The waiter was more than cheery, obviously an actor or at least someone with a passion for serving steak. He had the kind of smile, chipperness and charm that Mario Lopez or Scott Baio were known for. While his attentiveness was unparalled I was annoyed at the fact that he didn't seem to head to my questions for wine suggestions...when I inquired about a wine he would write it down as I was making a declarative statement saying that is what I wanted. The food was out in good time and all tasted really good. I wish my steak was served warmer but as mentioned it didn't require any help in the flavor department to satisfy my taste requirements. I'll probably go back, hopefully not during peak piano playing time. It made conversation difficult
(3)
Tom I.

Awesome steak...I had aged kobe rib eye and they tasted exactly what meat supposed to taste. Yes they were expensive ($70 range) but I would be happy to pay $90 for that dish. Old chicago feeling wall and photos add great taste, and welcomes out of towners like us. It was just SO DAMN GOOD! (BTW, valet parking was nice guys. they advised me to take the gps out, etc, good customer service skills. it is very busy street and these guys work hard...hope they also get a piece of meat)
(5)
Allan F.

Excellent food. It loses a star for leaving us with a cheap crusty paper menu with outrageous prices. If you expect me to consider an $80 steak, it better not be off some card stock you threw in the HP printer. When the REAL menu came (after the drinks) it looked solid and reasonably priced. Otherwise, great food. Similar to a Ruth's Chris experience.
(4)
Al I.

This isn't the same place as in years past. As others have noted, the prices have gone up, crazily so. Far more expensive than even Morton's or Ruth's Chris. And the food, sadly, is not any better than either. There's lots of better steak experiences to be had in Chicago, both chains and not chains.
(2)
Jeff L.

Food was good, but service was annoying. Waiter "suggested" a $260 bottle of wine, and the number of choices below $100 were few. The greatest annoyance was when, for 3 people, we ordered 3 appetizers, 1 48 oz steak and 2 sides and were told that there would be a $10 plate charge since they "felt" the 48 oz steak was only for 2 people (and we couldn't finish what we did order). Bill was about $250. I would strongly suggest you look for another steak place in Chicago. There are plenty that will thrill you for that price.
(2)
B. S.

Bring a full wallet! Went here for my "Dirty 30" and ordered the big boy steak. it was a $75 steak and was over cooked, the took it back and gave me a filet replacement. Great service (cause you pay for it) and good food.
(4)
Carolyn B.

Food is utterly fantastic BUT.... Service is very odd, detracting from the excellence of the food. The waiters are apparently trained to spend 10 minutes after you,sit tellimg you about the signature cocktails and the appetiser specials and REALLY pushing them (all without telling you the price - let's face it, you're here to lay down some cash probably for the steak so knowing a cocktail will cost $17 might be useful imfo) then hovering for you to come back with some decision before you're ever given a menu for food or drinks. Hard sell aplenty, and quite strange. Once that ordeal was over, everything else was fantastic - steaks on a par with David Burke's Primehouse (ie equivalent best in Chicago versus all the other steak houses we've tried, which is most I think) and good atmosphere
(4)
Angela F.

There are so many great steak houses in Chicago, do NOT waste your time and money at the Chicago chop house. The oysters were warm, the shrimp were slimy and probably at the tail end of their freshness, no wonder they provide a huge amount of spicy cocktail sauce : to cover up the zero taste. The bread was good but who messes up bread? We split a $69 ribeye and requested medium which should come dark pink in the middle. Nope. It's was overdone and covered In a lot of weird spices. If u have a great piece of meat, it should stand on its own without the need for extras. We even had to ask for Bernaise sauce t help with the flavor, it never showed up. The place was absolutely empty on a Friday night before Christmas which should be the busiest time of the year. It was so bright in the downstairs room/bar it was blinding. What ever happened to mood lighting? We saw a number of people walk up look in the windows and then walk away. It's pretty depressing actually. It used to be a great place. No more. Go to Bavettes, maestros Chicago cut, David Burke, capital grill, even gibsons is better despite all the hookers. What a waste of a great night and 250 bucks
(1)
Shannon L.

Our dinner here was delicious, but I wasn't blown away by the filet mignon and lobster. Both were tasty, but a bit tougher than I normally like. The sides were tasty, but again for a steakhouse, I wasn't impressed. Their berry dessert with coconut icecream was extremely memorable. It was satisfying and perfect for someone with a full stomach. It was light and sweet- I still think about it!
(4)
Ben S.

I have to agree with several other negative reviewers on this one. Service is a big problem. The entire show is less entertaining/cool steakhouse personality and service and much more like walking into Washington Square Park looking to make an illegal purchase. I also felt cheap only willing to pay $70.00 for a strip b/c I was unwilling to purchase the $90.00 version. Prices are simply out of control. The food was rather boring. Steaks were fine . . . absolutely nothing interesting or special but still good. Apps, shrimp, small, boring. Mac n cheese side . . . still not sure how they made that boring. Atmosphere is drab. This place is done.
(2)
Kevin T.

Underwhelmed. I don't get the hype. Got the porterhouse which was cooked unevenly, some parts well, some medium, some med-rare as I had asked for med-rare. Sides were ok. Overall I haven't been impressed by Chicago Steakhouses. I'll keep giving them a shot. Maybe I just caught the Chop House on an off night.
(3)
David Z.

I read the reviews on this place before going last night and they seemed to be either excellent or horrible, so payed close attention to be able to judge for myself. I arrived with a group of five early and they seated us right away. The waiter was friendly. He went through the list of meats but did not suggest any king appetizers or prawns, although I did hear one of the waitresses doing this from a distance. The atmosphere was excellent with old school Chicago gangster decor and pianist playing and singing in the background. The tables are close together which can be either good or bad. The wines are marked up about 400%. The waiter voluntarily commented on the outragous prices and suggested a more reasonable one. I had the dry aged tamohawk, mainly because it was the manliest sounding. The steak was great but not the best I've had. The seafood combination appetizer with lobster tail, tuna, crab cakes and oysters rokefeller was excellent. After appetizers, two bottles of wine, salads, a round of dry aged steaks, dessert, a round of ports, the bill came to about $1500 which is in line with what I was expecting. I would probably go again.
(4)
Christine O.

My favorite restaurant outside of Paris... and worth EVERY penny. The atmosphere and decor is just the beginning, but an important one for me. I love older feeling places that are cozy with low lighting. I prefer the basement/bar to the upstairs dining which felt cramped on Valentine's Day. The service was amazing, both times. At Valentine's Day we had two servers, in October on my birthday we had one. Recommendations and descriptions are spot on. I always start with the *Heirloom Tomato Salad. I do not like tomatoes. I do not. I love this salad. The dressing is just right, the tomatoes are perfectly firm and not too gooey. Unfortunately, they were out of it on Valentine's Day. I was so disappointed I almost want to dock them a star for it. The simple tasted boyfriend gets the *Cesar Salad and eats it without complaint. For dinners, I recommend nothing less than *The Tomahawk. I ate the ENTIRE steak by myself for my birthday. It was perfectly fatty, flavored, aged, and cooked with a bit of char. Seriously, this was an act of perfection. I made the mistake of ordering the regular *Ribeye the second time and it just didn't not compare. The boyfriend got the *Filet Mignon and *Bone-In Prime Rib and preferred the Filet. The previous waiter we had mentioned that the Prime Rib was not very good since the former chef left... he was right. It wasn't juicy for Medium-Rare nor flavorful enough. The *Filet on the other hand was flavorful and tender- "like eating steak butter." Roy's (yes, it's a Hawaiian restaurant) is comparable though, and cheaper, if you want a good Filet. Sides, the *Loaded Baked Potato- it's hard to do this wrong. For dessert, I had the *Strawberry Sorbet which was WAY too hard and too sweet. I almost wish it had been taken off the bill. The boyfriend had an *Ice Cream Sundae with the same hardness, but managed to eat it all. I have also had the *Berries and Ice Cream dessert and recall it being amazing. We drop a lot of money here when we go, but it's our favorite special occasion place and will remain so long as I have a say! Enjoy the Tomahawk at least once in your life! For cheaper, try Roy's. Comparable food and atmosphere for much less, but not a steakhouse.
(5)
Jeanne L.

I think this is just one of those places you might want to try before you die, but after coming here recently for my company's Christmas dinner, I thought it was just alright. All the servers and managers here are really snotty. Our server also put his face WAY too close to mine, i'd say only 5 to 6 inches away (and everyone else he talked to) when he was talking to me. I think he spit in my mouth while talking once. Ugh. Manners, anyone? Please respect my personal space. As many other reviewers have described, they really ARE very sneaky about the way they take your order and serve you, in order to get as much money out of you. First, they take your drink orders, and it's later that you realize a simple diet coke without refills is $5 or something because they only serve them in those fancy dancy special glass coke bottles. UGH! They also don't serve tap water (you probably have to ask) but upon your arrival immediately start serving expensive glass bottled water (pelligrino, perrier, etc) without asking if you wanted it or not. Then, unless you don't ask for the wine list, they're gonna suggest you the most expensive bottles of wine they have (of course...). Following that, the waiter "suggested", more like told us, what he would like to serve us as appetizers. Now these appetizers were good, ahi tuna steaks, diver scallops, the prosciutto wrapped prawns were just ok, but we didn't get to hear the price or see the menu before he basically ordered that for us. Then he went around asking everyone what kind of salad and soup they'd like, as though it was included in the steak price. NOPE! Expect EVERYTHING to be separate, even the vegetable "sides" with your steak. Then later as we're having a good time, chatting while enjoying our appetizers, he interrupts us loudly to tell us about their steaks. Some people try to finish their conversation, so he starts to talk EVEN LOUDER to shout over them. He was rude... in case you didn't catch my drift yet. Ok so he goes over their cash-tastic steaks. Dry aged... blah blah... better than wet aged yadda yadda. After he finally finishes I ask for a menu, which he then gets. I promise you, if you don't ask for menus, you will not get any. Then at the end of your meal you may puke up all that you ate when you look at your receipt. Dry aged steaks... tomohawk style (just a big long bone in the steak, OK? It's really not that big of a deal people....) $139 each. Most people at our table order this, because they don't look at the menu first (all horrified when I tell them the price the next week in the office) - that's fine, it's a Christmas dinner and we had a great year. However, most comment that the meat isn't all that special. It's just really really fatty. I got the prime cut (cheaper I guess) but still $40. My boyfriend leans over and says "I could make this at home". Agreed. Then with dessert, and coffee, and 1 bottle of red wine (I know they were disappointed we didn't booze it up more. We would have if it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg), the final bill is about 3.5K+. All in all, if you really want to try it go ahead. Otherwise PASS. We love steak, and most of us said we'd rather have Wildfire. Never had a bad meal there, and it's not ridiculously priced. Better yet, I vote Ruth's Chris. Their steak is so worth it and they don't nickel and dime you. They really act like they want you to have a good time. Chicago Chop House waiters just kept interrupting and trying to get more money out of us. Pass pass pass.......
(2)
Sarah B.

I have to say that I was very impressed with the Chop House on my recent visit. My lovely friend had a huge gift certificate to burn so we spent a few hours blowing those bucks away. We had a bit of a wait so we asked the bartender to recommend a wine for us and damn it, that was a effing good bottle of wine, indeed. We were seated soon thereafter and our server was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and a little bit of a smart-ass..which I loved. Now, Im not a big meat-eater, which means that the Chop House is probably not the best place for me to eat. That being said, I told my server what Iike and dont like about steak and he suggested the best option for me. Very helpful and the meal was delicious. I cannot say enough about the service..very classy. Turns out, the night we were there, the Chop House was changing ownership so there was a bit of a farewell party going on. Movers and Shakers in the restaurant world were all there to see it go down. It was fun being in the middle of it and my friend and I had some drinks with some of these fine gentlemen..and had some great networking opportunities. A great time, delicious food, good company.
(4)
Carmella M.

Recently went there for a lunch on a business meeting and it is truley amazing... The lunch special's are huge portions. Our server Angelo was magnificent in recommending dishes and verbal description. I went with the smoked salmon and was not wrong. Staff and enviroment are great.
(5)
Sam F.

I used to love the Chicago Chop House, and always recommended it to out of town guests as "the real Chicago steakhouse experience"... It saddens me to say I will never be back now, and recommend that everyone does the same. The restaurant is under new ownership, and it's almost as if they're intentionally trying to bring down this once venerable Chicago Institution. I went last night with three friends... We sat down and ordered drinks, and were not given menus until we specifically requested them about 20 minutes later. Odd, but no big deal. We immediately noticed that the prices on the menu had gone through the roof since the last time we had been there (under the previous ownership), but it didn't stop us from ordering a ton of food. Again, there were four of us in total, an we proceeded to each order an appetizer, four entrees, and four sides... Our entrees consisted of a $109 rib eye, some other $70 to $80 steak who's name I can't recall, a lobster tail, and a $50 order of scallops (which wound up consisting of 4 measly scallops on a small plate). Now this next part is where it really gets good... After finishing our appetizers, the waiter stopped by to let us know we would be charged two $10 sharing charges because our scallop and lobster orders would not technically count as entrees, so we'd be charged extra for splitting our incredibly overpriced steaks. Are you f'ing kidding me?! We asked for the manager and explained to him that we had ordered around $500 worth of food and were shocked to hear they planned on tacking on an extra $20 in charges. He said he couldn't do anything about it, but would send over the head manager... So this other guy comes over and goes into this whole speech about how he's proud to say that under the new ownership they've increased the average per person dining charges from $50 or $60 to over $100! He was actually boasting about it... Weird! He even proudly told us that they now charge $2 extra if you want to share one of their so-so salads. We said we'd pay the extra $20 they were demanding, but would never ever be back... He then said he'd have to go check with the chef and see what he could work out. I was like why do you need to check with the chef about charging us extra, you're the manager? He replied with something along the lines of "well, the chef does like to keep his food costs down, so it's really his call." Huh? You call this fine dining... It felt so corporate and off-putting. So the manager comes back and starts acting like he's now going to be able to totally hook us up by not charging us the extra $20 because he got the OK from the chef. I'm like buddy, you're not hooking us up... We're actually having to sit here and argue with you for you to only charge us for what we ordered during what should be a nice meal! We actually had to spend about 20 minutes or so negotiating for them to not overcharge us! What a joke this place has become. I should also add that they really try to up-sell you on more expensive items while reviewing the menu... That never feels good as a diner. Also, all the management staff now walk around with these bluetooth earpieces in that look odd & somewhat comical... Are you guys guarding the president, or just doing a good job operating a friendly local steakhouse? My guess is neither. In hindsight, we should have paid for what we had already eaten and gotten up and left before the rest of our food came out. We were all planning on drinking more, but didn't order anything else out of protest. Our overpriced steaks & seafood were alright... nothing spectacular, and they took forever to come out following our appetizers (my guess is that they do that intentionally so people will order more drinks in the meantime... Likely the same thing with the delay in giving you the menu after you're seated). We got the bill, and it was nearly $600 with tip! Our sides were crazy expensive... We were charged for "family style" sides, which all appeared to be normal sizes... A little bowl of mushroom caps was $15, our order of a broccolini (which consisted of a few thin sprigs) was $22, etc. The vodka martinis two of us had ordered were $15 each! They asked us if we would be ordering dessert and I said it depends, would you charge us each an extra $10 if we a shared a piece of pie? There are far better steakhouses in this city, and for much less money. To name one, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab on Grand Street is a much better choice in terms of value, services, and food quality. I can't say how strongly I recommend avoiding the Chicago Chop House... It was the worst overall (and most expensive) dining experience I've had in a very long time. If you go, prepare to be nickel & dimed for food that's just "pretty good".
(1)
Edwin L.

The Chicago Chop House is a place that takes pride of the rich and ageing steak. This elite steak house is truly the best in the city. My number ONE steak house in Chicago! Their menu has a wide variety of cuts and variations. The steak is always so fresh and high quality, that you really never need to order anything above medium-rare. Can't say enough about the wait staff, which is second to none, truly supreme service! I love their decor as it is screaming "Chicago-style" from the wood trimming, green walls, and various pictures of famous Chicago celebrities. It is everything what you expect a steak house should be.
(5)
Colin K.

I give three stars... but let me start with the positives: Incredible Steak. Huge steak. Delicious. The steak came with a non-serrated knife. The onion rings were incredible. The mushrooms were well-seasoned and different than the usual sauteed style. Au gratin potatoes with thick cut bacon was incredible. You don't really need an appetizer if you're eating because it was big enough. The negatives: A pushy waitress and she definitely fibbed at one point. She seemed relatively disinterested in us ordering unless we were ordering top notch. Our table was very close to rubbing chairs with our neighbors and I felt I was walking through people's dinners when passing through the restaurant to our table. Overall: The steak is incredible. The service is far better elsewhere too (Morton's and maybe Gibson's). I see this more as a group place than I do a celebratory date place.
(3)
Sean N.

So.... this place is great if: 1. You like eating in very dimly lit places 2. You love three fingers of Glenlivet with your $65 uber bloody steak 3. You are part of a boys club, or want to be invited to one I wasn't a huge fan of the steak, price, crowd, or ambiance.... But my opinion can probably be swayed. During my business trip here, I (sadly) ate alone on a quiet Tuesday night -- not really under ideal circumstances. The attentive service was the highlight during my visit. I may come here again, but as they say, there's nothing like first impressions. Not on the top of my list for Chicago steakhouses -- just OK.
(3)
Eric r.

Best steak you will every have. This was my first time here. I can deal with the multiple stairs/ levels to get to my cramped table if it means I can have one of these steaks again. An old Chicago feel with food that is amazing, but a price tag that is too.
(4)
Nikki F.

I was on a business trip and taking out clients a few nights in a row, we ate beef, we ate a lot of beef. While I found the service impeccable (great handle on a large, demanding group) the steak wasn't great. The prosciutto wrapped prawns appetizer were so sweet, little jewels! I had the dry-aged bone in filet, and it was over cooked. Medium-rare, should be deep red in the middle, not pink. 4 of the guys with me had Kobe bone in ribeye, and 2 of them were undercooked for what was ordered. I expect a lot more when we are eating $100 steaks. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be back, because a steak house needs to know how to cook a steak. Gibson's for me.
(3)
Kristen D.

Pops was in town this week which means I got to enjoy a really nice dinner! Awesome food! I had a filet mignon that was delicious, not quite at the David Burke or Mastro's level, but still very tasty. Both of our sides were great, potatoes au gratin and the sautÃ©ed spinach. One healthy and one that will clog your arteries in five minutes flat. Great service, very enjoyable meal. One thing I didn't like, they had a pour line on the wine glass. I have never encountered this before and found it to be really tacky!
(4)
Carol L.

I love my meat :) Came here with my friend, where we split a dry-aged new york steak (medium rare), an order of spinach, and an order of mac 'n cheese. We cleaned all three plates clean. Our glass of water was always full, and the waitress was so so nice! She told us to never hang our purses on the back of our chairs. Steak: so flavorful and tender, grilled (?) perfectly. Crispy outside layer, juicy tender meat inside. Served with half an oven-roasted garlic. Mac n cheese: cheesy. Good texture. Yum. Spinach: nicely sauteed, with a half lemon. I found this incredibly good actually, drizzling lemon on top of nicely seasoned spinach.
(5)
S C.

Most expensive steakhouse in Chicago and doesn't rank in the top ten in taste. The waiter up sold everything, was not sure if I was eating dinner or buying a car. Worst King Crab I've had. I have eaten at nearly every steakhouse in Chicago and stayed away from CCH because of the reputation. Now I know why. Go to Joe's or Mastro's.
(1)
Marcos G.

One Star? If there was ever an instance when I thought Yelp should consider creating a "half of one star" rating, this is it. Allow me to explain. Perhaps I should begin my assessment by evaluating this restaurant relative to all of the other finer steak houses located throughout the city, most of which are located in the near north/downtown area. While I will not compare the Chicago Chop House (CCH) to other steak houses, I think it is important to note that at 50 something years of age, I have been going to steak houses form many years and therefore I have a good perspective as to what the ideal steak house should be. Probably what troubles me most are the prices. The current ownership is relatively new. Perhaps they over paid. Perhaps they over financed. Perhaps there is merely an element of greed, but uniformly, from the steaks, to the salads, to the side dishes or appetizers, the prices are significantly higher than they should be relative to the prices for similar products at other steak houses. Working of the presumption that all steak houses have a 9 or 10 ounce, as well as a 16 oz fillet, and a 16 oz NY Strip, and a 24 Oz Rib Eye or T bone, and all of which are Prime either dry or wet aged, there really should not be any real difference in price. Yet, of all of the fine steak houses within a few miles of this place, CCH's prices are substantially higher than the others. The sides, whether it be a large Idaho baked potato, or a side of steamed broccoli, also are significantly higher than the same places I am referring to for comparison purposes. I find this particularly astonishing considering other restaurants have taken quite a hit in this economy and are now offering "specials" and other promotions to lure people back in spite of these rough times. The service is adequate. The waiter forgot my salad, and when it did arrive at had the wrong dressing. When I called it to his attention, but instead of promptly removing it and replacing it, he let sit there until someone else came to remove it and bring me the salad with the correct dressing almost 10 minutes later. Does it take that long to prepare a salad, especially given the prior problems? You should know the food is good....to very good. If you order your steak medium rare, that is what you will get. At least I always did. A fillet that is charred rare is a real experience and quite tasty. You will savor it for sure. However, the same can be ordered at any other steak house with a similar environment for far less money. I also like the dress code. While men are not required to wear a jacket and tie, jackets are common place. Jeans are the exception. And don't even think of walking in with shorts and a t shirt on, looking like you just came from the beach. So, between the savory and consistent taste, as well as the dress code they earn their one star. That said however, the prices are high for what they offer. You can do better elsewhere and stay almost within walking distance of the CCH. Maybe this review will motivate the ownership to adjust their prices. I tend to think not however because those television commercials seem to be popping up more and more these days. Someone has to pay for them. I know one thing. It will not be me.
(1)
C M.

There is very little persuasion or doubt that Chicago Chop House offers impeccable service to it's dining patrons. Unfortunately, the service is all they conduct well! After a horrendous display in preparation of a 28 oz. Porterhouse from Gibson's (during my first visit), I opted to give Chicago Steak a second shot. Why not take the party to the Chicago Chop House? The decor of the restaurant is not much note worthy, in terms of the ambiance. The House is filled with various celebrity and scenic photographs, thus aiding to it's home like atmosphere. Patrons will find that the decor @ Chop House is friendly, unpretentious, and inviting. In a way, dining @ this establishment made it feel as though I was having a Steak dinner @ home. The Food... The Crab Cake: Nothing to write home about, if anything, the platter was executed with crab meat scraps rather than that of Jumbo Lump. Patrons tasting this appetizer will find that the majority substance used in this dish is that of bread crumbs. More importantly, the tangy mayo used as the binding agent overwhelms the delicate nature of this dish. Shrimp Cocktail: This was hands down the best part of the evening (spoiler for Steak), the Shrimp was not only massive, but the tenderness of the crustacean was welcoming. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, thus possessing a juicy texture and not that of a rubbery body. NY Strip Steak, Medium Rare: This is the part where I tell the Steak Chef @ Chop House to try not to fool its patrons by serving an overcooked steak and attempting to pass it for Medium Rare! For starters, the Steak was MEDIUM! When the internal temperature of your NY Strip exceeds 125, it is MEDIUM, not MEDIUM RARE! Please try not to pass me a piece of steak that was left in the broiler too long and call it MEDIUM RARE! Even after 4 glasses of your second rate Rosso Di Montalcino, I can tell your Steak isn't prepared properly. The taste and texture of the Steak failed to live up to it's reputation. If CCH's Steak is labeled as USDA Prime, then why does the Steak have the texture of that of USDA Choice? To add to the above mentioned, the rough texture of the steak indicates the Steak contained very minimal marbling. All this added together with a lack of heat in the broiler process, made this Steak one that is without praise and lacks all merit for which it's yielded! I will not go as far to say that I would never eat @ Chop House again. What I would throw on the table is that for my next visit, I may try the Porterhouse instead. Still, the lack of impressive presentation and tasteless Steak makes one ponder whether any of Chicago's Steak Houses can top NY's Premier Steak Houses!
(2)
Ray C.

I tried: Rib eye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon For the prices, this place isn't that great. Their rib eye and filet were both average. Nothing really special about the meat. Their new york strip however, was fantastic and I would certainly go back (and have gone back) for it. Their sides are just ok, but what makes this place special is the ambiance. You really feel like you are back in the days when the gangsters would meet in Chicago and the saloon girls would be readily available. I know that they have a fantastic history, but I don't remember at this point. Go or not, you have my blessing for either, but if I were you, I'd head over to Morton's, David Burkes, or Lawry's down a few blocks.
(3)
beto g.

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Bachelor party with 10 guys. I have been here before and had a good experience, but this time around.. it was rough. Our server Jodie was nice, but I feel we should have had 2 servers.. We all made our choices quite rapidly, then some starters were suggested by the staff.. we said sure, and they brought something called the King's plate.. prawns and lobster.. They were fairly nice and filling- so much that I was full after eating the starters. II ordered the Dry aged Kobe beef Tomahawk Rib-eye.. yes, it was as good as it sounds!! For wine wee had some Kenwood that was weak and the Catena Malbec which was very good. Overall, the dinner was nice and I feel everyone was satisfied with the quality of the food.. Now, to my surprise, the bill came to $3,000 for 10 guys.. yes 3K. While this was not the most expensive dinner ever (Per se in NYC was 350 a plate...) When looking for the culprits, It was not the steak, nor the wine, the starters were $300 each which I thought was beyond reasonable and more so because they did not care to mention the prices when they suggested the plates..
(1)
Tom L.

No doubt the steak is phenomenal here. We had the porterhouse, the bone in fillet, and the tomahawk ribeye all of which were awesome! Great wine selection as well! The 3 stars are because the sides are super small; we were disappointed because we had ben advised to share two sides for our entire table. The creamed spinach had great flavor but i could have used two more bowls of it and the au gratin was pretty bland and greasy.
(3)
Jenny L.

I picked Chicago Chop House for my steak experience in Chicago since I wanted a place within walking distance of our hotel and didn't want to eat at the normal chain steakhouses (Morton's, Lawry's, etc) I've had before. Plus the idea of dining in this old building with the old Chicago vibe was a great way to check get to know the city. For our meal, we ordered one each of the normal prime rib and the chop house prime rib. For our sides, we had mashed potatoes, house potato pancakes, and sauteed mushrooms. My prime rib, which I ordered medium rare, was somewhat chewy and hard to cut and chew. The chop house prime rib, which the bf ordered, was cooked until rare like normal prime rib and then seared on both sides until it was medium. The unique way of cooking the prime rib gave it a different flavor and texture that was interesting to try. The mashed potatoes tasted like KFC's...which is a good thing for me. The mushrooms were a little salty but good and the potato pancakes were a little too crunchy and thin for my taste. Didn't taste like anything special. It was nice to see this restaurant because it's definitely a unique space but the food was just ok. If you're looking for good prime rib in the area I would recommend Lawry's english cut medium rare with a side of creamed corn. If you want good filet, go to Morton's. Or there's always David Burke's...I didn't have dinner there but the filet served in my American Dim Sum brunch was delicious!
(3)
Kari H.

Everyone knows that when you go to a Chicago steakhouse you have to bring an armored truck full of $ as they are not inexpensive. We have been to a number of the big names-- Maestros, Sullivan's, Ruth Chris, Joe's etc Although the food at Chop House was good the high prices were not. $18 for a Cosmo, hard to find a steak under $50', sides at $21 for some potatoes ! Place is rather tired with little ambiance. We won't be returning.
(3)
Angela N.

Food here's great for groups. Appetizers and desserts can be shared family-style. Wine list is decent, too. The ribeye special is the real reason to come, though. Save your appetite and get your own.
(4)
Vickie L.

This place is always on people's "best steak" places so we gave it a try and took a visiting coworker here. The steaks were pretty good, not as good as Morton's or Ruth's Chris, but above average. Service was just okay, I've definitely had better service elsewhere, and lower class restaurants. What disappointed me the most was the desserts - they didn't have anything that was a standout dessert, i.e. Morton's chocolate lava cake. The ice cream sounded good as a nice "light" refresher, but it was $7 and it tasted like =they served out of what was probably a 10 gallon food service container. I do give props for the cool layout, it's in a 3-4 story old house, we ate on the 3rd floor and it felt like the restaurant kept going and going. Considering I had high expectations for this place, everything fell flat. Spend your well earned money on a steak dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Chris A.

My experience here was near perfection. Brightly lit this restaurant is a historical gem. It has been a visit for me each time I travel to Chicago. The waiter upselled with style and the wine list is extensive. I had the classic wedge salad which is done to perfection and a shrimp and rare tuna appetizer which I could have had two of. The best way to describe the steak quality is the filet which I have to order as a specialty at most steak places comes always as an option with the "bone in" which gives the most tender cut of steak the flavor of a TBone. Highly recommended.
(4)
tracy r.

Awesome food, great service, fantastic wine. Le Cigar Volare is a great value. I love this place, but if you do wine and appetizers, don't expect to get out under $500...but it's totes worth it.
(5)
Lola L.

After a day at taste you'd think that the last thing on our minds would be food, right? Well you must not know my family then. Knowing that 'taste' wouldn't be offering steaks to our liking we booked a reservation here in advance. I mean no offense to the steaks served in San Francisco but since the best meat come from the midwest Chicago has a little advantage. Try the crab cakes or shrimp to tease your palate. I've had their bone-in NY strip and fillet mignon and both times the steak was cooked to perfection. As I cut into the tender meat the juices flow and cover the white plate, I know nothing but goodness will follow. Ok the salad is not the best but did you really come here for the salad? I have yet to walk away from this place unsatisfied. As if serving some of the best steaks in Chicago isn't enough they give you an impressive wine list. The dessert menu is just ok (I guess they assume you'd be too full to consider dessert). It consists of ice cream, pies and cheesecakes. I'd recommend the hot fudge sundae. The chop house is situated in an old building. The wall are lined with old photos the allow you to look at Chicago's past. This is a must eat when in Chicago.
(5)
Brent G.

Me: 5'6" 140 lbs My Girlfriend: 5'1" skinny (she would be pissed if I actually listed her weight.) The Task: Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail 2 side salads 1 48oz Porterhouse 2 baked potatos Why we ordered so much food is a mystery but at the time it made a lot of sense. Needless to say when we left, we were thoroughly stuffed. The Shrimp: In these old style joints, shrimp cocktail does not change much. Shrimp: Check, Cocktail Sauce: Check and Horseradish: Check. I will say that they really do mean Jumbo though. Porterhouse: Good but not great. The filet side was quite tender but the flavor was a bit flat for a dry aged steak and I had to douse the strips in the residual butter to get any good flavor out of it. Nonetheless we finished all of our food. I had to losen my belt a couple notches but afterwards we felt a sense of victory over the once daunting bovine strip. After dinner: Me: 145lbs My Girlfriend...???
(3)
Don T.

A classic steahouse experience. I overhead one of the staff members mention that the Chop House recently changed ownership. The new owners must not have missed a beat, as the experience was all you could ask for in an established steakhouse. My New York Steak was among the best I have had - juicy, very flavorful, and it felt like I was cutting through butter. It was interesting to note how unusually fast the food was ready. Also, be careful about the minor add-ons the waiter offers to inlcude with your steak(peppercorn, etc), as they are pricey, and definitely not inlcluded in the price of the steak.
(4)
MELEK L.

I LOVE THE CHICAGO CHOPHOUSE! I am not afraid to admit to you or to anyone else that this is my favorite steakhouse in Chicago hands down. You want an authentic Chicago experience? This is it. I would only suggest eating in the pit downstairs. This is where their personality lies. I love checking out all of the old pictures on the walls. They have a live pianist/singer on occasion. And the bartenders can be down right entertaining. Don't even think about NOT getting a steak!! They are cooked to perfection and you literally can cut it with a butter knife. TOTAL HEAVEN! I can think of nothing better. Now these aren't just any steaks. They are steaks accompanied by warm toasty bread, a simple crispy salad, and a potato! No "a la rip off" here! They will try to upsale you to a bone-in steak, but it's just not necessary. They are THAT good. Save room for dessert if you can. I dare you!!
(5)
Christa R.

It really was not as good as I thought it would be. It's a steakhouse in an old converted three flat. Definitely cool looking but a little cramped. The waitstaff is extremely well educated but the up-selling became annoying. They tried to get you to add something on at any chance they got. Do you want proscuitto on your side salad? Do you want to top your steak with bernaise? Do you want an appetizer for your appetizer? I get it, but it was pretty annoying. The food was pretty good but for the money, you may as well go to Gibson's. With two cocktails a piece, two entrees and two sides, we paid about $300.
(3)
Tracey G.

Filet was probably the best I ever had. . .crablegs were a joke. This is a VERY pricey restaurant, probably the most expensive I've ever seen. I think you could get a great steak at Wildfire or Carmichael's. . .or just about ANYWHERE in the city for a much more reasonable price. Wait staff was very good, but the price is hard to justify in my opinion.
(3)
Jelly C.

I am sooo happy I finally got to visit a popular Chicago steak house. Red meat isn't really my thing so I never recommend dinner at one but my boyfriend's uncle came to town so I had an excuse for going. It has such a tiny dining room. I'm not sure if there was another floor, but the main floor was crazy crowded. I didn't mind it much, it contributed to the warmth and atmosphere of the place. For appetizers, we order crab cakes and calamari. Both were very mediocre but its a chop house, I won't hold them against the seafood they serve. But the raw clams were absolutely delicious.. fresh and o so sweeet! We all ordered some variety of cow for our entrees. I ordered the crab legs and filet mignon. The filet mignon was nicely seasoned and cooked to perfection. My boyfriend's filet mignon was nothing compared to the taste and texture to Lawry's prime rib. He ended up trading dishes with his sister who had the prime rib special (I think it was seared or something like that). The uncle didn't really say much. I don't blame him... The meat was prepared well, but I could get the same kind of meal at 2 dozen other places around the area. Not to mention, I make a hell of a good steak myself... Overall, fun place. Would consider bringing my out of town visitors here. Definitely would come back for some raw clams.
(3)
Lisa F.

I wanted to go somewhere nice for our Anniversary. Unfortunately I waited, cough, assumed the hubby had made reservations somewhere, but I was wrong. The morning of the big day, I tried our usual places and well this one was open for the time that would work for us. I was okay with that fact, we'd get to try somewhere new! We were seated on the third floor. The bread was great. The salad was good. The steak was perfectly cooked. It was seared just right and moist like it ought to be, but.....bland bland bland. Where's the flavor?! I wanted to salt the bad boy it was so tasteless but I thought that'd be beyond tacky. Our waiter had forgotten my baked potato so it came out a bit later, but that was well worth it. The dessert was great. The hubby had a hot fudge sundae and that hot fudge was amazing. Total with tip, $199. We won't be going back. I've had better steak. If I had to go back, I'd do bread, salad, potato and ice cream, ha. We agree Harry Caray's still has a better steak and it was cheaper.
(3)
Jason P.

They sure make a beautiful steak here. More for special occasions. I enjoyed the history of meat in chicago, which is posted up on the walls through pictures of how it used to be. I had the grilled prime rib. I've never had a grilled prime rib, but it was amazing. Well done, perfect seasoning. The shrimp were as big as my fists and the sampler we had was incredible. The only disappointment was our service. We waited way too long between our courses to be served. This place would get 5 stars based on food quality alone, but I have to take one away becuase we were not treated fairly.
(4)
Donato C.

Hands down the best steak I've had thus far in Chicago. It is a little pricey, but it's completely worth it. I started with a half-dozen blue point oysters, then had a decent Caesar salad. My main course was a filet mignon (rare) on the bone with a side of sauteed spinach. My dessert was a very respectable apple pie a la mode. The filet was perectly cooked, with a fantastic flavor and the quality of the beef was very high. The ambience is exactly what an old-school steak house should be. Dark wood, uniformed, courteous wait-staff, and a very good selection of red wine, even by the glass. I loved it!
(5)
Gina G.

Extraordinary experience! Steak is the only way to go here. Start off by selecting your preferred cut of prime beef. Rest assured that this is the finest USDA prime made available to only a few of the finest restaurants. Next pare that off with a great bottle of wine from their wine list of over 650 selections from all over the globe. All the steaks are hand-cut on the premises. Each steak is charred to a succulent perfection. Even med-rare lovers with not need a knife to cut their steak. Classic historical atmosphere found in the charming three-level Victorian brownstone. The loyal and professional management team will promise you a wonderful experience. PS: You must stop and sing some classic standards at the piano. Perfect evening. PSS: Take out is available for lunch only
(5)
Marc H.

There was little not to like about this high-end steakhouse in Chicago. First, while it was a bit clubby, it wasn't filled with obnoxious power brokers smoking cigars and feeling good about themselves. It was actually a mix of couples, mostly mellow business folks, and laid-back old money types. Second, the waiter was a total hoot; he sounded a little like James Cagney and I thought he was going to say that the special was "pork chops and applesauce, see?" Third, the filet mignon that I had there was easily the best I have ever had. And fourth, the prices weren't out of sight; many items on the menu were under $40, including mine. I would love to head back here on any future trips to Chicago. I definitely recommend it to any steak lover out there.
(5)
steve l.

lots of people told us go to here, so I made a reservation downstairs so we could listen to the piano, we hate quite dinners. On arrival the host and the manager told us they had nothing downstairs for us and we couldnt even wait. I am so glad I told them to stuff it. the place was so stuck up and run down it needs a bad face lift. The good reviews on this place was before it got taken over by a new owner and raised the prices. We went to Mastros and had the best dinner of our lives. It was the grand opening weekend and the service was the best and the steaks- WOW. Everyone was so nice to us at Mastros......Unlike the Chicago chop house
(1)
Samantha F.

To be fair the commercial doesn't live up to its message. The steaks were plain, so were the sides...Lobster is the best way to go in this steak house. Bill was way too large for the quality of food. Good place for drinks and the piano. That's all!
(2)
Clifford S.

This was the best steak I ever had. By far. Service was great and the steak was spectacular. There was a few issues, but the quality of the steak made up for it. Still give it 5 stars, but here are the issues I had * Wine was way over priced. 3-5 times markup. If it was older bottles, maybe, but thee were bottles you could get at a good wine shop. That being said, the wine we got was great with the steak * The Potatoes au Gratin were too rich to balance the steak. Too rich and overpowering. It sat at the table for us.
(5)
monica m.

Went to the Chop House this past weekend and the place was pretty packed. Since we were out of towners, we liked the old photos on the walls. The service was also very prompt and courteous. We ordered the bone in rib eye which was TASTY. Very juicy and for that alone, we would have given the place 4 stars. HOWEVER (yes, there is a however), even though everything was great, it was NOT worth the price! The rib eye was $65 (which was the cheapest steak on the menu), plus a split meal fee of $10, plus the sides, plus tip (no drinks!) equaled to about $120. And that was only for one split meal! Craziness. Food was good. But it wasn't worth the price.
(3)
Winnie L.

Steak was good. The oysters were huge but they have no taste to them... like they soaked them in water. We ordered half a dozen and we ate two. The waitress came by to move the plate to fit other appetizers and we told them we were done. She did not ask if there was something wrong with them... I don't think that's the service we should have gotten for paying $70 bucks for a steak. I wanted a drink with pear fusion vodka... she suggested all these other flavors... They should have a bigger selection for drinks!
(3)
J R.

It is so refreshing to come to a stand alone, original steak house. Not that I would ever turn down a chop from the Capital Grille. It's just that I get burned out on chains that have commoditized the steak house experience than build a thousand carbon copies. There is just no soul. This place is great just because it is an old school example of an american steakhouse. Be ready to spend some cash here. The waiters are career waiters and, if allowed, will take you on a gastronomical tour. Prime is good. They sear the cut a little bit and claim it is "their thing". I usually go with a special steak of the day. Nice wine list.
(4)
Jack S.

With so many great steak houses why anyone would go here beats me. Poor service and outdated decor.....this place needs Restaurant Impossible. If they go that route hope they fire the entire crude management staff.
(1)
Trent C.

When first moving here, the Chicago Chop House was everyone's go-to place for steak. I'm still wondering why. Don't get me wrong, the food is good but it is not truly great. I've given this place a couple of tries but I would rather go to Gibsons, Morton's or Gene and Georgetti's. Since this place is famous to the locals, expect it to be busy and don't bother showing up without reservations. This place is known for their steaks and they are good. I've given the Prime Rib and Chop House NY Strip a try. The steaks are tender and aged well. When asked for your favourite preparation, expect it to be perfectly cooked. The side dishes are good as well but the creamed spinach fell a little short both times. Both the German Chocolate Cake and the Cheesecake were very good ways to round out the evening. I know most will probably disagree with me but, while the food was either good or very good, I always leave the Chicago Chop House wanting something more. I can't be sure whether I've just had bad luck and picked the wrong nights or not. I'm always open to giving it another try to see if I can move it up to 4-stars.
(3)
Tara L.

Oh, this was tasty. I was here doing like Jeff N said, being a corporate type trying to impress clients. Hopefully they were impressed, I know I was. I had the NY strip, as I always do in steak houses. It was gooood. Perfectly cooked. Y'know what else is good about this place? Unlike most other steak houses in the city, you actually get a side and a salad with your steak! I got the baked potato but i hardly ate it in order to reserve stomach space for the beef. Our waitress was real nice too. I can't remember her name, but she was from wisconsin and she was funny. I love when you get good servers.
(4)
Jessica W.

Best steakhouse in Chicago! This used to be our go to steakhouse when we lived in Chicago last year. We've been here a bunch of times and every meal has been fantastic and the service is among the best in the city. The staff is always friendly and knowledgable. The atmosphere is fun and upscale yet not stuffy. One entree that might be overlooked is the rack of lamb. It's amazing and has more flavor than other restaurant's steaks. Other reviews have commented on how it's overpriced, but when you compare it to similar places in Chicago (Mortons, Gibsons, Smith & Wollenski) the Chop House's prices are definitely in line. When talking about high prices, other reviewers must have been comparing it to an Outback Steakhouse. You won't be disappointed if you come here!
(5)
Scott R.

My last meal here was an extreme disappointment. While steak houses are not usually a source of originality, they tend to be good at what they do. Here however we had a typical steak house experience (noisy, crowded, loud, and by the end of the meal drunk customers, mediocre service) without the benefit of the upside. The salads were tired, appetizers nothing special. The blackened rib eye which had been a standout previously was uninspired. Other steak entrees were serviceable. I've had mixed experiences at other steak houses, including Gibsons, so maybe it was an off night. But it was way off.
(2)
Chris B.

This was the first time I ate at the Chop Since since the ownership has changed, and it has definitely gone downhill. I wanted to try the Dry-aged Kobe beef sirloin, a $99 steak, thinking it must be amazing because there aren't many steakhouses that can charge $100 for an a la carte steak. I received a salad with it, that was drenched in dressing and didn't seem very fresh. The steak than came, which I ordered medium, and it was more a combination of rare and well done when I cut it in half. The flavor was good, but probably worth about $50, NOT $99. I paid $140 for just myself, and truly should have not paid more than $75 for this meal. It was a huge disappointment to me and I will not go back and will no longer recommend this restaurant for people searching for a good steakhouse.
(1)
Jennifer B.

If you are the type that absolutely loves a good steak but doesn't appreciate the pretense behind it, then Chicago Chop House is the place for you! This steakhouse is tops in Chicago. It incorporates everything Chicago: great people (the servers are phenomenal and really knowledgeable about the cuts of meat and the fish), amazing food, and history (the walls are lined with old photos of Chicago). This isn't like one of the newer steakhouses...where you are smashed between power players....or you ARE a power player and you are just there to be seen. At the Chicago Chop House, it is evident that everyone is there for a great meal. It is expensive, especially the add-ons...as others have written. But those add-ons (sauces, etc) really do add to the meal. The wine list is top-notch and really, with whatever you order you won't go wrong!
(4)
Kathleen P.

A very lovely place as far as decor and atmosphere. The wait staff was very attentive and we wanted for nothing and our tip reflected this. However the prices were very expensive and I felt like I was nickle and dimed to death. The food was good and the dessert was excellent but I have had better Tuna Tataki for a third of the price and just as good if not better at home. The Fillet was also good but not for the price I paid. Everything is a la carte which I found unbelievable in this economy. However I did like the family style servings and the green beans were outstanding. I also highly recommend the dessert menu. The raspberry ice cream cake was excellent and worth the price and large enough to be shared. I understand Chicago is expensive and we had a wonderful time in the windy city and what a beautiful city it is but save your money and find a more wallet friendly Chop House.
(2)
Molly G.

Start with the food: excellent cuts every time I have been. Temperatures perfect. Salads that come with entrees are nothing special (giant glob of dressing over top iceberg, cukes & toms). Sides are typical (creamed spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, etc.), but they are surprisingly good. Now for service...friendly, but not exactly on point. We waited for ten minutes before a wine order was taken...and we were the only table in the restaurant, with about seven staff members huddled in a corner having a conversation. We ordered a big wine (more than $200) and when it came time to be served, the server awkwardly carried the wine, a decanter and two stems WITHOUT a tray! It's not like we were in a hurry...take your time and show some etiquette (stems on a tray first, wine and decanter second). I watched it happen at about five more tables. Just seems like service is an afterthought, but I am a stickler for details...they are what make or break a restaurant. Anyway, our server was friendly and at the end of the day, I guess that's what matters. I just think it could be a bit more polished, given the fact that it is the best steakhouse in Chicago at the moment.
(4)
Gerard G.

what needs to be said? its Chicago + Steak/ Rack of Lamb + Wine + a Lady = Satifaction... that'll last even the morning after. My constant staple is the rack of Spring Lamb with a side of mint jelly. one I asked is they would frika'Z ( I know the spelling/grammer's way off, but it was easier ha!) blue chese, mushrooms and fresh mint with a hint of cumin and jasmine, and right before they take my lamb off the fire place the blue cheese mushroom mint onto the lamb and let it crisp... I nearly fell out my chair when I ate... it was all perfect... but what made the diner experience was watching my lady scarff down a humongus porterhouse steak.... Ha! it was great swear she didn't eat for a week... ok so maybe you didn't need to know that.. but it's a memorable place with great food and good wine!
(5)
Brian V.

I may never be allowed to touch down in Chicago again after this tidbit of a piece, however, 3 stars for the legendary Chicago Chop House. Going on a trip to Chicago with my mates, we wanted to go somewhere special on our very night. You see, on our 3 day trip, the last 2 had been filled with hazy memories...being blasted to a point of blacking out on the Viagra Triangle. It was a most glorious vacation, however, being the sophisticated individuals that we are, decided we needed to go somewhere where a button up shirt was the norm. We found this place quite on accident...walking by it while we were site-seeing. Seeing the pamphlet enshrined in a glass case that marked its legendary status, we made reservations. Spitting in my hand to soothe the cowlicks in my hair, we got ready and made haste. Walking in, we were immediately greeted by our host and were led upstairs. The first level was at capacity. I saw many red faced men (this is a steakhouse for pete's sake) skewering their steaks, cheeks a tint of rouge signifying a healthy buzz, laughing and slapping each other on the backs. The decor was very old school...a lot of wood..rustic in nature. Walking upstairs, we were seated and introduced to our waiter...if he could be called that. He was a scientist, with a P.H.D. in steak. Alas, what an archaic major. He spent nearly half an hour talking the different cuts and colors of marble and truth be told, it went in one ear and passed out my ass in the form of gas. I occupied that half hour by looking down my girlfriend's shirt as she was looking quite ravishing. Jk jk. I just closed my eyes in truth. I ordered the 64 oz. Porterhouse steak and Russ's American Fries. I replied negatory to the waiter's inquiry of adding a sauce to my steak for $10 extra bucks. My steak was already $60 bucks...geezus. When our table was served, I nearly cried when I saw my side of mashed potatoes. It was literally 2 spoonfuls and it was gone. I cannot lie though, it was delicious. My fries were not even fries. They were potatoes cut in halves with various spices. My steak, medium rare, looked beautiful and was very tender when I cut it, however, the taste did not make the hairs on my neck stand. This may have the Chicago Yelp task force rise against me with pitchforks however, this steak tasted like that of a $30 steak at Angus. If I anger you steak connoisseurs, blame my head and not my heart. I do not mean to give you an irregular heartbeat...however, I was very disappointed. You may ask what does a newly minted college graduate know about Porterhouse steak and I will honestly tell you not much, however, I know my truths. I have to deduct another star for the waiter/waitresses. They seemed very elitist, as if they were professors of meat. They were very knowledgeable however I will not apologize for not knowing different cuts. I will never apologize for living. They frowned down upon our questions and I also felt they treated us different because we were young college students...aka...don't have deep pockets. I noticed that they took care of the adjoining table very well and were prompt to the raise of their fingers or click of the tongue. Water was not poured in a timely manner and they were rather brisk with us. However, that is the reality of life. I will say that the steaks are rather abominations in size and you can get them to go and they pack them in a very cool doggy bag. I have never seen that before in California. After our meal, when our party did our own clapping of the backs and the usual pleasantries of, "what do you think of the food", I am ashamed to say it was, "very good...best steak ever". Everyone agreed. The truth has a funny way of always emerging and I could no longer hide my falsity. In confided in my friend that i was very disappointed and he retorted the same. I was not the only one. So there you have it...my review of Chicago Chops House. If you read my review and it angers you, try a new method for 2010. Send me a complement. If i put a frown on your face, know that your simple act will put a smile on mine.
(3)
Jane C.

One of those great old-fashioned steakhouses. I had the Chicago House New York Strip and inhaled it! The fries, potato pancakes, and creamed spinach were excellent sides. Don't forget to close with a chocolate triple play!
(4)
Worlowitz W.

Chop House served me the finest steak i've eaten in Chicago. their specialty, a prime rib cut grilled to order, bowled this Texan raised on steak houses over. the other half of this reviewing team usually tries a bite when we go out for steak (never ordering meat, usually sticking to fish) but i was cutting off bite after bite for her because it was amazing. everything about this place was great. the server was very knowledgeable about th food and wine, making expert suggestions. the salads were generous and delicious as were the sides (potatoes, spinach). this place is what Chicago steakhouses should strive to be: simple and straightforward with an air of formality and history while providing incredible and inspired food that's traditional while incorporating modern touches.
(5)
Molly D.

I don't yelp too often and only really do when I adore a place or want to warn other potential customers. With that said, I went with my husband to Chicago Chop House on Valentine's Day - overall the whole experience was just so-so. While our waitress and her assistant were pleasant & knowledgeable - it was slightly awkward to watch them bumble over each other in the limited space on the second floor. (I will add, the lower floor appears to have a little more ambiance than the second, with dimmer lighting and live music.) Overall - when two people pay $250 bucks for dinner, you'd like to walk away satisfied, happy you invested the dough in a great meal. We did not feel such emotions. He ordered the strip and I ordered the fillet minion. I wouldn't put either steaks in a very memorable category. Both were totally forgettable, flavor was mediocre and the strip was actually a bit dry. We ordered the creamed spinach as a side and it was great, although not a tough side to perfect. The 4 cheese potatoes were fine, nothing fantastic. Also, they rushed our meal. How can you order two $60 steaks and be in and out, with salads & drinks prior to the meal, in less than a hour and half? Perhaps it was just that it was Valentine's day? Either way, we didn't think the quality of the meal was there - I can't believe the prices they charge for the food they offer. We will spend our money elsewhere on better steaks at better prices.
(2)
John D.

My wife took me for my birthday and I was excited because I want to eat at all the top ten Chicago steakhouses. We get there only 5-10 minute wait for our table and bartender was cool, then we go upstairs and I tell my wife this setting here in the restaurant is more for 35+ year olds. We felt we were too young to be there everyone staring at us lol...but besides the old school at grandmas house for the holidays setting the service was excellent. The food was average, I had the porterhouse while the steak was good could of had some seasoning on it, my mash potatoes tasted like it was one of those ready flake potatoes from the box that u pour in the milk and water and ur done in 5 minutes. In other words your paying for the name,it wasn't a bad experience but we expected more. And that's why Gibsons will always be king
(3)
Stephen R.

If you want a great steak , you go to Chicago Chop House. Been to all the steak joints in Chicago and other cities and this one hands down always has delivered the goods. Grade A quality prime steaks. This is the number one steak house in the universe. Anyone who says its over priced is a moron.
(5)
C. S.

I love a good steak and don't mind paying the price, but I felt totally ripped off when I dined at this steak house. $100.00 for a steak is an OUTRAGE! I don't care if it was aged 50 days. 4 of us dined here and not one of us loved our meal. None of the sides I would have ordered again either. Go somewhere else, pay less and enjoy more!
(1)
Kris A.

You should definately try this place. It's fun, bursting with local flavor, and you'll never leave hungry, as the portions are absolutely huge! The steaks are solid. Not the best I've had in the Windy City, but very good. I'm a filet gal, and I avoid fatty steaks like the plague, so these weren't completely up my alley. If a little fat doesn't send you running, you'll probably like them. Weirdly, my favorite part of the meal were the Russ's American Fries - it's a side dish and I'll be damned if they weren't some of the most mouth-watering potatoes I've ever had. All the sides are great; the crabcakes are solid; and they actually - get this - GIVE YOU a potato and a salad with your meal. Imagine that! Kudos, Chop House! It's a good time; make the trip! I saw one of the comments describe the decor as "scuzzy Chicago Italian" or something along those lines - - but I didn't get that vibe at all - maybe a little old-school/boys-club-esque, but not scuzzy. I think the atmosphere was the best part! And you should try to sit upstairs.
(4)
Hui C.

If you like steak, check out the Chop House next time you're in the Windy City. It's located near city center, not too far from Michigan Ave. Come hungry. Succulent prime rib and fantastic porterhouse! All served with a little bit of veggies for health. lol. Situated inside an old brick building, the place has a classic Chicago feel to it. Come hungry and bring your wallet. It's not cheap..especially if you decide to try the 96 ouncer. Good luck!
(4)
David G.

Queue the theme song from The Godfather. Perhaps I was living too much into the moment, but I got this historic Chicago mobster vibe when eating there. I went there for lunch with friends and we were the only ones sitting at a table. The regulars were corralled around the bar enjoying their meals while watching the Cubs vs Black Sox game. I didn't wanna infuriate the locals when asked, so I just told them I wanted Chicago to win. A lot of the patrons in here were portly seasoned gentleman in suits and suspenders with their jackets hanging on the chairs. Pin strips and double breasted coats seemed to be the defining uniform. Along with the decor of the chop house and their guests, it was easy to visualize how it'd be like to live in the day of your favorite mobster movie. The staff was attentive and we were seated promptly. The steaks were suberb. I had the blackened ribeye which was a very tender and fatty cut. My friends and I were all sharing a slice of each other's steak since everyone seemed to like what they ordered. While most of us had wine, I did manage to have my first taste of Goose Island Honker's Ale. Pretty good stuff that I've yet to find anywhere else. This place is a must see for any one making a stop in Chicago.
(5)
Audrey C.

I feel like I have been had. I am not lying that a dinner for two cost over 300 dollars (no appetizer or dessert), and it wasn't that great. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary, and ordered our food, but our waiter wouldn't accept what we ordered. He kept saying he didn't bring the "special card" with the good steaks. We finally relented to his suggestions, to find out we had just ordered 90 dollar steaks. And trust me, they were not worth 90 dollars. I left this restaurant in tears. I also ordered a bottle of wine that was 52 dollars, but lists at 18. I felt uncomfortable and pressured the entire time. If I had had a nice experience, I could possibly feel differently. But all I felt was bullied and ripped off. I could not be more disappointed.
(1)
Bob J.

My thoughts on Chicago Chop House: - Great prime rib. One of the best prime rib I've tasted anywhere - Very reasonably priced for the meal - Knowledgeable wait staff - Terrific wine selection I loved the pictures of the old pictures of chicago, especially their meat packer hall of fame. It symobolizes the history of the city and the tradition of their restaurant. I really enjoyed their prime rib and the wait staff was terrific. It is worth your time to check this restaurant out while in Chicago.
(4)
Michael R.

What a waste of time and money on this place. Over priced everything and really not very good. Ala carte everything and for those prices, why? Even an added $10 charge to split a enormous entree. What a rip off. I would rather go to Trotters or NoMi. At least there I would have had incredible food and an incredible dining experience. Never again, what was I thinking!
(1)
Sam V.

This was not the best steak I ever had by any means, but everything else is is great and the service is very old-school. What really shines here is the atmosphere - all the old photos and memorabilia from old Chicago along with the ambiance of the structure itself - it makes for a fun and entertaining dinner. It's almost one of those places you have to go because "you weren't in Chicago if you didn't". I am not much of a fan of the seating in the lower level (bar area) it's really cramped and you have to raise your voice over the piano guy. So if you're going here on a date or in my case, a business dinner, ask for a table upstairs, where it is decidedly less crowded and quieter.
(3)
A L.

My parents and I decided to try this chop house which was located right behind the place I am staying at. Don't get me wrong, it's pricey and frankly, I was a bit surprised my dad actually said that we should all eat there. But I wasn't about to argue!!!!! :) The food is EXCELLENT!!! This was the best prime rib and strip that my dad has had. And he is hard to please! I got the Strip Steak on the bone, grilled, and medium rare. Good for what it was, but as expected, still going to be a little chewier. At least it actually was medium rare!!! My dad got the Prime rib bone-in, with grilling at the end (one of the specials), medium --- this was SOOO good! definitely the winner of the night. My mom just got the prime rib, plain and simple. Good, but dad's was just divine. My dad gives this place a 4.5 (amazing rating for him) and my mom gives it a 5. I gave it a 5 too! I think this place is a winner for the parents should they ever make it back to Chicago. P.S. The 2004 Santa Ema Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon at $24 a bottle was surprisingly decent. (I am pretty darn picky about my wine too)
(5)
Aleksandra S.

I agree with the previous review: Good, but i definitely had better steaks. It was our last night in the United States and we wanted to celebrate it in a very special Steak House. First we wanted to go to David Burkes but then we said "Ah, Chop House is supposed to be traditional and has excellent steaks too", so we gave it a shot. First strange thing: They would not take reservations for 5.30, they were booked out except at 4 and 10. So we just went there and hoped we would be lucky for a table around 6. As we arrived, and also at the time when we left, the restaurant was half empty....No waiting time at all for a table... My steak (T Bone) was without a doubt good, the price was probably also cheaper as at David Burkes, but looking back i probably should have spent 10 bucks more, just to get a real memorable,last steak experience.
(3)
Jeff P.

The Chop House is home to my favorite steak, the bone in fillet. I have been here two times now and this steak never ceases to amaze me. I first tried the steak after our server was hyping it up to my family. He told us that it has much more flavor due to the bone being attached. I was a little hesitant since I hate any connective tissue on my meat. So he said that they would cook it with the bone in and then cut it off before they brought it to the table. Ok, sold. So when the steak came I was in pure enjoyment. I didn't think a piece of meat could have this much flavor. I did feel like a little kid having them cut the bone off Though. Oh well, price to pay for excellence.
(5)
Justin S.

Brought my parents and grandparents here on the weekend of my college graduation. The food was spectacular, and everyone was happy with what they ordered. My step-dad and I both ordered the special prime rib, which is prime rib that is then grilled - both medium-rare. Mom ordered a steak medium-well but specified exactly how cooked she did want it. Steaks were cooked perfectly. The prime rib was divine. Yeah, the salad wasn't all that great, but who cares? The reason for the 1* deduction is that I expected more of the atmosphere/crowd. It seemed to be a nice enough dressy kind of place, but about three tables away there was a party dressed in t-shirts and shorts, one of whom was obviously intoxicated and screaming his entire conversation. Every other word out of his mouth was the "F" word. Thankfully, my grandparents are hard of hearing enough that they didn't hear it, but it still detracted from the overall experience.
(4)
Eliot G.

I would never go back here again! Food was average at best and was more than 2 times as expensive as any other steak house, aka Ruth Chris, Morton's, Capital Grill, etc. Steaks were about $90 each and were chewy and not properly cooked, side dishes $22! Came out room temperate or cold. Restaurant packs people in very closely. Food might have been good years ago but it feels like a typical tourist trap restaurant. Overpriced and disappointing food.
(1)
Gavin N.

During my summer 06' road trip from D.C. - Seattle. I had a planned stop in Chicago, which I heard is a great place for steaks. So I made reservations about a week early for Chicago Chop House (I decided that I wanted to stay away from anywhere that was a chain). Anyway as I've wrote before in other steakhouse reviews. when it comes to a PRIME steakhouse, they all don't differ much. Great 21-28 dry-aged PRIME beef, covered lightly with salt and pepper, grilled to perfection. The only way to really distinguish them is atmosphere, how extensive the wine list is, service, quality of side dishes, and of course price. Of the different Prime steakhouses I've been too Chicago chophouse was not the best, but don't get me wrong..It was still a very delicious steak melt-in-your mouth 64 ounce porter house. The sides i.e. salad & baked potato again were not the best I've had, but they tasted great as well. The atmosphere was a definite plus as the first floor was more of a lounge feeling with a pianist, while the second floor (where we were seated) was more cozy and our table by the window was quite nice. The service was very good as well, quick, friendly, efficient. *kudos* the server displayed chivalry as he served my girlfriend first for most things (either that or he was hitting on her). Anyway so why 5 stars fir Chicago Chop House..because it's a good PRIME steak joint..Yes it's prime..the idiot who wrote they serve "Choice" could've checked the website. But most importantly because of overall value...The prices for Chicago Chop House..although not cheap by any means..is very cheap in regards to ounce/$ ratio. (I.e. where else can you find a 64 ounce porterhouse prime steak for only $99). I will definitely be visiting this place next time I'm in Chicago. ~G
(5)
Laura D.

YIKES!!! If I could give this dump a negative star I would. New owners there. WE gave them a good try and they should be sued for BAD food, service and management. I also know from food purveyors that they are now ordering inferior products to save money; hence, the crap on a plate. Actually, a very small portion of crap for a very large price. The side dishes should be the meal on a kid's menu. I've had larger tapas! Service and management is all about selling. Wine with every course was pushed on us. Too bad our waiter didn't really know the wine. He also said he had never tasted any of the wines by the glass. We were actually "unofficially" told that it wasn't included in the training! That made us wonder if he truly knew the food they were serving?! Hmm? To be fair to the waiter, he seemed nice and conscientious just stressed with his job. We understood. Many of us were waiters once. Management was all about intimidating their servers in front of their guests and not tending to their customers when there is a problem, even if the problem is small. They were probably worried we'd expect something for nothing. WRONG. We still have spending accounts! We merely wanted some genuine descriptions of a couple bottles of wine we were curious about. They do have an award winning wine list that is very large. We didn't want fabricated salesmanship (bulls---) but real knowledge. I guess they bought the Chicago Chop House but cannot afford to train their staff properly or hire a sommelier for the evenings to talk to the people. Sell sell sell up-sell, lie and/or exaggerate, is not such a great policy in a no-nonsense town like Chicago, a city of patronage. They will no longer have any of us as patrons. Oh, and we WILL be telling our friends, family and work colleagues about this very bad restaurant. Most of us live in the city, work in the city, AND for the City of Chicago. Also, we will convey this information to our friends in the upscale hotels that refer their guests to the Chgo Chop House. Other Chicago steak houses still use superior quality products and managers/staff that possess character. Shame on them if they think they're merely ripping off the tourists. Tourists pay your bills pal, and so do the locals! We would have stayed with you as regulars for many more years to come.
(1)
Gino D.

Chicago chop house is unreal!!!! One of the best steaks I ever had!!! The reason I do not give it 5 stars us because it is very pricey. Only one bottle of wine under 100.00 is silly. Great food and good service.
(4)
Gabe F.

After trying to go to Gibson's on a Tuesday night where the wait was an hour and a half, we decided to try this place instead. We were pleasantly surprised with a 5 minute wait and great service. It didn't break the bank and they have a few great specialties including bone-in New York Strip. Without repeating what everyone has said, this place definitely will not break the bank. I paid $40 for my steak, $5 per side and $10 for a glass of excellent cab sauv (A to Z was the name, from Oregon). Overall, I was VERY happy with the steak and meal. The bread is absolutely delicious and fluffy. Loved this place!
(5)
Barry Z.

I used to go to the Chop House as a special occasion, back in the day, because it was such a fantastic value - they had this bone-in prime rib, with sides and awesome bread, for about $37. I've never had anything like that prime rib steak. Admittedly, it's been a few years, but this yr decided to go there for my birthday after we were unable to make it into Frontera on a Tuesday at 8:30 (If anyone knows how to actually get a table at Frontera, please do point it out in a review). Anyway, long story short: waited 45 minutes, got lousy seats. Waiter was stiff and preachy about the wine. Wine list only has $80 bottles on it. I think there are two $30 choices, which he of course declared unworthy to drink. Definitely got the hard upsell from him, which I think others have noted. Steaks were good-quality meat and cooked right, but take note (I confirmed this with the waiter): the chef who made all their signature dishes is retired. And he took his recipes with him. This is a more than just a change of management - it's a completely different restaurant now. They are obviously shooting for high-end. With prices to match, and service designed to make you feel awkward if you don't spend a ton. Everything was expensive, which really makes the cheesy Chicago tourist theme here less tolerable. I mean, this place always attracted the out of towners, given its location, but the white-male-jerk quotient (common enough in steakhouses, unfortunately) seems to have gone up here. I suppose if I was in town for a molded plastics convention with clients in tow and an expense account handy, I would eat here before returning to my hotel and ordering a prostitute for the evening. The main problem is whatever made this place is unique is long-gone. High quality steaks, a la carte pricing on everything, and a wine list slanted upwards: Chicago has simply too many options for this place to stick out. Frankly, I wish we had gone to Ruth's Chris. I know, I know, it's a chain. But we would have spent less on equivalent food, had a better wine selection, and received better service. And damnit, I may be a Philistine, but there's nothing wrong with serving everything in a sizzling pool of butter. There. I said it. In sum, I hope the old chef is happily retired somewhere on a bed of money. You can tell he brought a lot to the old Chicago Chop House, which is now a distant memory.
(2)
Nicholas W.

Meat and potatoes at their best.
(4)
Gary S.

Go at night and watch the show. This is a place that after work on a Friday fill with the beautiful people. More of a state of mind then actual beauty. It's ok. That's it.
(3)
Karinkano L.

OLD SCHOOL!! but gosh it's such a beautiful place. =) lots of history over in this building. I went with the Bf on a Saturday night at 10pm and it was packed! still! I am from Los Angeles, so ... I was surprised out of my socks to know that people can smoke inside! I lit up my cigar and sip some bourbon right away! I'm totally gangster...hahaha. Wonderful yummy steak but definitely make a reservation. If not, you'll be like me. Waited for 1.5 hours just to get a cramp little seat by the door upstairs (minus 1 star). So we got 1 bottle of wine, and porterhouse, filet, and 2 appetizers for about $220. definitely a good celebration place.
(4)
Barbara D.

When I was on my 'best chicago steak' searching adventure and would go from one steak joint to another around this city, trying to find my favorite....this place stood out. Hands down they know what do do with a cow. The atmosphere leaves a little to be desired....but I kind of have a crush on it. It's packed with beer guzzling businessmen and a bit rowdy but it's sort of cool. It reminds me of OLD CHICAGO with all its glory.
(4)
Guy P.

As someone who frequently enjoys fine steaks from restaurants such as Smith & Wollensky, Sullivan's, Flemming's, Eddie Merlot's, St. Elmo's, and Morton's, I must say that I am thoroughly underwhelmed by my experience at the Chicago Chop House. I had decided to come here to celebrate my birthday here with a friend of mine. Here is our experience: -We shared 2 bottles of wine, which the waitier served us with judgement as I chose not to order one of the most expensive bottles on the menu (Median bottle price is $75) -We ordered a shrimp cocktail, and after placing the order, changed our minds, deciding that we would like fresh oysters instead. When I brought this to the waiter's attention a mere 5 minutes later, he dismissed my request stating the chef had already prepared the shrimp cocktail. He was more than happy to offer the oysters in addition to the shrimp cocktail, though. The appetizer did not arrive for a good 10 minutes after that. -My companion ordered the filet mignon and crab legs combination (website menu says $38, actual price $51), which she requested to be prepared medium well. I ordered the 16 oz dry aged NY Strip to be prepared rare ($64). We also ordered the "famous" 4 cheese au gratin potatoes, since potato and salad are not included, as stated by the website menu. The filet to be cooked medium well came out blue, the NY strip came out medium well, and the potatoes were still raw. When we tried to send the food back to the kitchen, something I never do, the waiter demanded I cut my steak in half to prove to him that it was not prepared to my liking. While waiting for our food to be prepared again, the waiter brought our second bottle of wine, which he set on the table without opening it and walked away. After he checked on his other tables, he came back to realize he had left our table for 10 minutes with no wine, water, or even bread on it. We waited approximately 35 minutes from the time we sent our food back until we received our meals. When it arrived, I was asked to again cut my steak in the middle, by the manager this time to prove the preparation. -When the bill arrived, there were no concessions in the bill. This was unacceptable, considering both entries, and one of two sides had to be sent back. At this point we were both disgusted by our experience and could not wait to get out of the restaurant. When the waiter brought the credit card slip, he said to my friend, "I know you have had a lot to drink, please sign between the red Xs," as if we had never used a credit card before. Amazingly enough, there were 2 extremely large Xs (about 1.5 inches tall) in red which took up the lower half of the slip. Again, judgment was unwarranted, considering we each drank one bottle of wine over the course of about 3 hours. -On our way out of the restaurant, we stopped at the hostess stand, and spoke to a gentleman who identified himself as a manager. We started to explain our concerns, to which he stopped me mid-sentence, and said he was going to get the vice president of the building. The vice president escorted us outside into the cold, when it was raining to talk with us. Upon explanation of our concerns, he seemed more bothered by us than willing to listen. He asked us for a business card, and neither one of us had one, since this was a dinner of pleasure and not business. He took us back inside, and asked for my name and phone number. When I tried to spell my last name to him, he said it was too difficult, and that my first name was enough. He was also unwilling to provide any compensation for our terrible experience. -Some positives: the beefsteak tomato and onion salad was fantastic and fresh, as was the steamed asparagus. My NY Strip, when it finally arrived prepared was flavorful, yet highly overpriced. The doormen are very friendly. Bottom line: The Chicago Chop House has wrested on its laurels and history for too long, and does not measure up to other restaurants in its class.
(1)
Stuart W.

I used to love this place before the new owners took over. The steaks here are wonderful and not overpriced. I love the location believe it or not. It's small and quaint. Hopefully the new owners will make the necessary changes to improve this gem.
(3)
Brad G.

For $129, one would expect the dry-aged tomahawk Kobe ribeye to be spectacular. Instead, it was tough and flavorless. The service was also sub-par. Never once did the waiting staff refill the wine glasses at our table. There are a hundred steakhouses in Chicago that are exponentially better than this place. I would absolutely not come here again.
(1)
Don R.

I had a date recently with a truly beautiful women recently. Her name was the Chicago Chop House. I picked her up at her house and within the first twenty minutes we were together she told me most of the men in her life told her she was one of the most beautiful women they ever saw. She told me the jewlery she had on was worth over $10,000 and the dress she was wearing was a designer dress flown in from Paris. Her shoes were Italian and wearth more than my car. Her last date took her to all the best clubs in Chicago in a limo. I had plans of a great movie and popcorn. The food at the Chop House was second to none. The steaks were wonderful, the service was curt but attentive. It was the attitude that was completely off. I have never left a restaurant feeling quilty of only spending almost $400 for 3 people in my life. The upsell pressure was just too much. We all felt if we didn't order the al a carte $109 Kobe steak, we just were not experiencing the true Chop House steak. At $21.00 for a caprese salad featuring 2 tomato slices, did not seem to satisfy our two servers. No desert--how dare you. Perhaps the best was the reply to someone at our table when he asked about the rack of lamb and the server saying "well it is okay, but you know you are at the Chicago Chop House". Perhaps a wise tip, but the condsending tone was over the top. This place has to realize that when 3 people leave this establishment spending $400 they need to feel appreciated. Not so here. When I took the beautiful women home she gave me a kiss with those georgous lips. Would I be calling her for a second date? I don't think so. There are so many good looking women in Chicago with much better personalities.
(2)
Slipangle K.

Unbelievable service! Exceptional steaks! The only downside is that they do not dry-age their steaks. Other than that, everything about this true Chicago style steakhouse is outstanding. I highly recommend the Filet.
(5)
Diana S.

It was a disappointing Valentine's Day for hubby and me, thanks to the Chop House. First of all, I absolutely LOVE the prime rib here. I've been here many times, and each time has been great, except for this time. We had late reservations on Valentine's Day. We had just gone to a play and I was eagerly awaiting prime rib. We were seated and given these paper menus that were different than the usual ones. The items looked pretty much the same except the prices were about 40% more expensive. I was definitely not expecting that. I could understand if there were a special Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, but this was the same a la carte steaks but much more expensive. Despite the prices, we first ordered a round of drinks and pondered the menu more. Then the waitress came by to take our dinner order and I ordered the prime rib (OF COURSE!), and to my dismay, she told me they were out of it! That was the only thing that I wanted. My heart and stomach literally sank. I wish she had mentioned that when we were seated or before our drink orders, because I would have just left. It's like going to Giordano's and finding out they are out of deep dish pizza. I really wanted to leave, but my hubby didn't want our night to be ruined. We told to waitress to come back and when she did I ordered a salad and my hubby ordered a steak. He told her that I was just going to have a bite of his. She then told us there would be a $10 sharing fee. At that point I was extremely annoyed. The one thing I wanted, they didn't have and then they want to charge extra for have a bit of something that I didn't want. I was shocked especially since it was Valentine's Day. If it were not for my hubby, I definitely would have left. This was an extremely disappointing night. It's really unfortunate because I used to love this place. I would suggest never going on Valentine's Day.
(1)
Oscar A.

I think the chop house blows all the other steak houses away (gibsons, mortons, ruth chris, etc). When I want to eat steak, this is the place I go.
(4)
Greg A.

In one word: unimpressive. It's billed as the best steak house in Chicago, but I have no idea why. It certainly has the classic touches of a steak house: big steaks, walls covered with pictures. But, it lacks the one thing a good steak house needs: good steak. For the cost (about $30-$35/steak), it drastically underdelivers. My New York Strip was incredibly fatty--about 4 onces on a 16 ounce steak--and tasted closer to prime rib than new york strip. It lost its heat immediately and was luke warm only 1/3 of the way into it. I would never go back.
(1)
Joshua M.

Decor: typical Chicago scuzzy Italian mob stuff... we ate downstairs... upstairs perhaps is nicer. High top tables and chairs were not comfortable. Service: Insane waitress rattled off food descriptions like a droid. Food: Pretty good. Insane portions. In fact I really almost don't like portions this size, I feel like the Ugly American with this immense plate of food I won't finish while the rest of the world starves.
(3)
Ang R.

Only my second experience in a steakhouse, and it was pretty darn good. The steak was like butter (I had the filet) and tasted damn good. I also LOVE that your dinner comes with salad and potato, and I know, I know, that's not the steakhouse way, but damn it, that's what I want. Great vinegarette on the salad, and the sour cream on the potato was like crack. I could've probably licked the sour cream serving bowl, it was so good. The atmosphere is fine, if a little bit generic. I understand that it's kind of a touristy place, but you know, that's okay. The food is good, and they really rushed the food for two members of our party who were off to a show, which is nice. I'm not sure if I can afford to pay this much for steaks, but I'd go again if someone I knew wanted to take me there; or if it was a special occasion and the special person wanted to eat steak. But I'm also looking forward to trying other Chicago institutions.
(4)
Mark J.

The Chop House is not for the faint of heart with their wallet. It's gonna cost you--no debate. This was my second visit, the last 18 months ago. We were here on travel then and now. Although the last visit was great, I briefly departed and went to another renowned steak house; however, it was so loud there and no service 20 minutes after being seated, we left and were so glad the Chop House could still accommodate us. The service was spot on and our waiter funny and friendly, Team D. The atmosphere calm and refined. We had dry aged and Japanese tomahawk ribeyes, crablegs, au gratin potatoes, and snap peas. Amazing meal. Shame on me for thinking I could beat this.
(5)
Melanie B.

Being seated at the large table in the front window, and dang if I didn't remember to bring my spare pulley. --Must be in my other handbag. The booth seats at that particular table are so high off of the ground, and since they don't offer a pulley system, I had to crawl across the seat in a dress, at a business function no less. --My feet were nowhere near the floor! Yes, I am short, but everyone in our party had to do the same. It was impossible for anyone to seat themselves in a dignified manner. By the time I crawled to my place at the table, my dress was thoroughly twisted around me, and yet I couldn't stand up to fix it. I had to lift myself up by my palms on my seat and my husband had to unwrap my dress from my thighs. I mean, that's not awkward at all in public. We had 6 people seated at our table, three of whom are very tall. Nobody could reach the floor when seated. I felt like Humpty Dumpty ALL night. The two month dry rubbed filet was fantastic. Most steaks are cured for a month, but their two month cure causes the meat to shrink, which intensifies the flavor and breaks the steak down significantly. --very tender. I'm afraid my love ends there though. Although, it was a work dinner, we're good friends and there's no pretense, so we ordered family style. To go with our steaks, we ordered the Onion Rings, Four Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes w/ Applewood Smoked Bacon and the Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce. Onion Rings were large and good. The potatoes would have tasted better with some more caramelization. That's just a fact. The asparagus was the thin, limpy kind. --no girl wants to see that. Give me asparagus I can sink my teeth into. It was all okay, but completely forgettable. --I honestly think the prices are exorbitant for what you get. Chicago has some fantastic steakhouses and you can get far better for less money. At the end of the night, I was very happy that I wore a full skirted dress with a decently high neckline, since I had to crawl out again. --I wasn't showing everybody everything God had given me. But, unfortunately, I had chosen very high heels that night, not expecting I'd have to perform acrobatic moves to exit our booth. I know Playboy Magazine ranked this place one of the "12 best steakhouses in America", but me thinks that Playboy should just stick to what they know. And food is not it.
(2)
Digger O.

There is nothing wrong with the food, but the atmosphere and service are both terrible. Our waiter was absolutely outrageous with up selling our food choices. We didn't even have the menu yet when he insisted on us getting the two most expensive appetizers. After that kept on talking up the personal sides instead of just suggesting family style which was much more affordable. For steak, all of his favorites where the most expensive he was noticeably upset when some opted for the petite cuts which was still plenty of food. The bread came right when the steak came out, no doubt to not miss out on any second course selections. To top it off , there was 8 of us and they charged 50 extra dollars for a private room, the place was empty anyways and after spending over 1000 dollars you would think they could throw that in. Would not go back.
(2)
Nicole S.

Wow. Just wow. Best steak I have every had. Simple, juicy, amazing. Let me start this review by saying those who complain about the price shouldn't come to an expensive steak house. Moving on. They use some of the best dry/wet age steaks here and get the best quality cuts. This place is top notch and you must know you will be dropping big bucks when dining here. SERVICE Phenomenal. Our server was Jaron and he was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu including the wines. He really cares to know what he is talking about and the food he is serving. FOOD Appetizer - We had the Lake Perch ($13) which is a white flaky fish. It came with 5 or 6 bite-sized pieces and that were cooked in a lemony sauce slightly resembling a francese but lighter and the fish was not battered. Definitely recommend this dish. For our meals, my boyfriend ordered the Bone-In Dry Aged Filet Mignon and I ordered the center cut 5 ounce filet. Both were delectable. So simply cooked but so perfectly cooked. They didn't have much seasoning but that was a great thing. They were garnished with parsley and very juicy and seemed to only have salt and pepper to taste. You can really taste and enjoy the steak this way as it is not smothered in sauce or seasonings. I ordered mine Medium Rare and it was cooked exactly as I wanted it. I couldn't say enough good things about this meal. It was very pricy, but I have no regrets. Worth every penny. I hope to visit Chicago again in the future and I would love to come back to the historic Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Lin C.

Valentine's day 2015 impromptu dinner. We walked into the restaurant at around 8:45 PM. We were a little upset that the valet was full, but I guess that's what happens when it's a holiday of sorts. We didn't have reservations, but we were warmly greeted and was able to sit at the piano! Jim was behind the piano tonight and he does wonders with the music. Tip this man well. He really sets the mood for the whole place. Our server for the night was Robert. He has quite the personality. It kind of reminded me of that loud uncle that is always a hoot to be around when there's a family gathering. Now, this wasn't our first visit here and we were familiar with the menu. Robert wasted no time to get our drink order, go over the specials for the night, and did a friendly banter about our Chop House knowledge. Lobster Bisque @ $13.00: Of all the Lobster bisque I have tried, I always compare it to the one at Chop House. I know there is a lot of hate on the reviews lately here about it being too sweet or whatever. Let me just say, right when I ordered it, the server was so kind to remind me that they use a sherry in the bisque so that it will be sweeter than most places, heavy cream in the soup will make it thicker, and as always, a drizzle of truffle oil on top. I knew what I was getting myself into. This soup is amazing and I love the chunks of sweet lobster in my soup. Mishima Petite Filet with a small lobster tail @ $98: Why is it ridiculously more expensive than the regular filet? The Mishima cattle is a smaller cow, from the Mishima island of Japan. This cattle has not been cross bred with the western cattle, therefore it's like the purebred of beef. Kobe and Wagyu is the larger cattle from Japan. The treatment of the cattle is the same, they get fed champagne and massaged daily. This was their special for the night and it was delicious. The beef had a nutty flavor, melt in your mouth tenderness, and was seared beautifully on the grill with the right touch of seasoning. The lobster tail was cooked to perfection with the right amount of seasoning on top. It was so decadent that there was no need for butter. Mishima Grand Cut @ $72: Still amazing. Truffled Mac N Cheese @ $9.00: The single portion was large enough to share. IT was melty, googey, hot, and rich in flavor. I always forget to ask what kind of cheese are used in this mac, but the small layer of toasted buttery breadcrumbs gives it a perfect balance to that cheesiness. You have the option to get it with bacon, which I don't recommend. I know everyone would argue that bacon makes everything better, but trust me. The steak is the perfect pairing to this mac. You don't need chunks of bacon on top of your mac. Cream of Spinach @$9.00: So we actually ordered the family size portion and got the family size portion of the cream of spinach. We had to send it back because we thought it was a little on the watery side. Usually it's super creamy. However because they were super busy that night, the batch we got was a fresh made batch and it didn't have time to cook off all the liquids. We settled and asked for it back and ate it. The taste is still delicious. It was just texture wise, it was not creamy enough. So because we raised the small complaint, we were charged the small order instead of the large order. Homemade Flourless Chocolate Cake @ $12: No. Just No. I love my desserts. I honestly believe that everyone has a 2nd stomach for desserts. I had wanted CrÃ©me BrulÃ©e. But this was not an item served here. So I actually opted for the Kiwi Sorbet. However, our server talked us into this cake. He said it will hit the spot because it has that creamy texture that I had wanted with the CrÃ©me BrulÃ©e, but in chocolate form. Ohh... I should have gone with my gut instinct to say no, but he was so persuasive! The problem I had with the cake was that it was so rich, it was almost chocolate ganache like. It wasn't cakey. The vanilla ice cream and homemade whip cream didn't do very well to cut the richness. If you are a chocolate lover, then this might be your thing, but after a super heavy meal, this was a little over the top, even for me.
(4)
Chris M.

Service was very nice. White table cloth, vested servers. Very formal. I had dry aged tomahawk ribeye medium rare, assorted vegetables, and Mac and cheese. She had filet, with lobster bisque. . Steaks were both done correctly. I got no additions and was satisfied. Way Too much bacon, I know that sounds like heresy, on Mac n cheese. Also 'Pinot noir' was 24 a glass. Not bad, but tell me what I'm drinking don't just hand me a bill and expect me to say Okay. Single sides are enough for two. Avoid appetizers. 2 glasses of wine, a disarrono sour, mac, sautÃ©ed veggies, wet filet and tomahawk ribeye was 300 after tip. Your call..
(3)
Tiffany M.

Overpriced, pushy customer service, small portions for the amount paid compared to other local steak restaurants. Our steaks were also a tad bit salty. The kicker was our leftovers brought out in Thank You plastic grocery store tan bags. We just spent $250 for two people really I cant receive a decent chop house brown paper bag for my take home food.
(1)
Phoebe Z.

Decided on Chicago Chop House due to the 'old-school' atmosphere - was dining with a visiting parent so didn't want go to one of the more trendy steak houses. Unfortunately, it's right across the street from a bunch of really hideous chains, so its quaint vibe is somewhat compromised by the neon tackiness. Not CCH's fault, just saying it's not that cute to have to deal with Hard-Rock-McDonald's row. The major problem at CCH was that all of our steaks were under temp, especially parent steak. Parent returned steak, but not before a terribly awkward exchange with the server who instructed parent to remove her single bite of steak and portion of potato/veg sides off of her plate, which resulted in parental scraping of food on to side plates, awful - and then, as the server removed the plate, phrased it as though it was our fault the steak wasn't cooked properly ("I'm sorry you felt that you needed your steak cooked a little bit more.") There were no feelings involved: the steak was delivered rare, but ordered medium. End of story. After returning the steak, it came back 3 minutes later on a searing hot plate, which indicated to me that they just put the entire plate under the salamander - not the proper way to bring a bone-in filet up to temp. I doubt they even put it back on the grill at all. Our guest was too polite to complain further, but this was a big disappointment. The steak remained rare, with a slightly more charred exterior and a 'died in the window' searing hot plate. Heads up, CCH: your primary job as a kitchen is to cook steaks properly. Everything else you do/serve is mediocre, do not be confused. Everyone knows that you serve boring oysters, overpriced appetizers, overcooked/improperly sauced vegetables, and 1980's desserts. We tolerate all of this, because we are there for the steaks. Get it right.
(2)
David O.

This place is a institution when it comes to steaks. They have 3 methods of aging which are dry, wet, and Mishima. I've only had dry-age but it is the most flavorful taste of steak I've ever had. The prices are high, but it's definitely a experience. However, if you know someone that likes their steak well-done don't take them here. You lose all the aging process and flavor. I've taken people there and they ordered a NY strip well-done and complained it was dry and the price didn't help. Take these kinds of people to Outback you'll save money and grief. If you want a nice cut of beef and a scotch on the rocks this is the place.
(5)
Dawn D.

Wonderful meal.... It was an event! Service was excellent, food perfect... Loved coming back!
(5)
Lisa F.

Definitely our favorite meal in chicago and honestly we ate at several great spots ! Our server jaron was superb ! The warm home baked bread is enough to pull you in and keep you ( would be fantastic with some tapenade actually) however everything was good! The filet was delicious, the mushrooms are to die for and the corn was good. I like my own grilled corn off the cob better but it was still tasty. The service was really top notch and if I lived locally, would most certainly be back !!!
(5)
Susan H.

We ate at this restaurant 8 years ago but I wasn't Yelping back then. Recently, we made a second visit here. Before coming the second time, we made a reservation because, previously, we noticed that when we made a reservation, it was really necessary. Even though we ate an early dinner, back then the place filled up quickly. This time we discovered that we really didn't need that reservation. We came here around 4:30 p.m. Our reservation was acknowledged and we were seated in the first floor bar which remained just about empty the whole time we were there. The menu had changed somewhat in the interim. Now you can get your steaks either wet aged, dry aged or mishima style. Of the 3, the wet aged is the cheapest while the mishima is the most expensive. Here is a link that describes Chicago Chop House's mishima style steak: chicagomag.com/Chicago-Mâ€¦ Our waiter was prompt, friendly and efficient. He knew the menu quite well. Of course, there was a lot of upselling that was attempted. To drink, I tried a "cherry cosmopolitan". This drink tasted kind of like a maraschino cherry but with tart undertones. I found it to be just okay. My husband had a local beer and I can't remember the name of it. I started with their lobster bisque. After tasting it, I didn't care for it as it was on the bitter side. I'm guessing that they were heavy handed with the sherry. Yet, there was a generous amount of lobster in it. My husband had the shrimp cocktail---and he raved about it! It consisted of 7 jumbo shrimp. He later remarked that it was almost like eating a main course as the shrimp were truly jumbo. We decided to order one 7 oz. dry aged filet mignon and one 7 oz. mishima style one. Our plan was for each of us to have half of each. The waiter really waxed poetic about the mishima style one saying that it was Kobe beef plus it was really tender and flavorful. For a side dish to share, we ordered one of the vegetables of the day, sauteed sugar snap peas. These were really well prepared as they were tender crisp with a hint of garlic flavor. As for the steaks---we both preferred the dry aged one over the mishima. I guess that is heresy...but...the dry aged one was actually more tender than the mishima. We also didn't care for the flavor of the mishima as, to us, it was odd tasting---and I can't quite place my finger on what exactly it was about the flavor that made it unappealing. The dry aged one, on the other hand, had great beef flavor and was quite tender. For what it's worth, we got both steaks medium-rare due to the waiter's recommendation. Dinner certainly wasn't cheap. Before the tip, it cost $217 + change. The cost didn't shock us as we did plan for one splurge of a meal during this Chicago visit. Yet...we were both extremely full and could barely finish it all! We would consider going again should we once again visit Chicago. However, I think that we will stick with the dry aged steak.
(4)
Michael N.

Good. I've been to maybe 10 steakhouses in the downtown area and this one is in the top half for the steak. Charming interior built into an old turn-of-the-century house similar to Gene and Georgetti's. Felt like they were pushing the "a Chicago institution" card overmuch, but okay I get it. I had the "tomahawk" chop which was giant as advertised and it was delicious. Perfectly aged and cooked. Others at my table all liked or loved their steaks though I don't remember orders. I do remember that no one was impressed with the sides, something other houses do much better. A good place for steak, but seems overpriced and I've had a few much better.
(3)
Jordan S.

This place has gotten some rough reviews lately, but we swung by while in town for work, and had a good time. The food was great. For an appetizer, I went with the Trio for One at the recommendation of our waiter (great guy, although I forget his name). Everything was well seasoned, well cooked, and presented well. I split a tomato and blue cheese salad with my dinner partner, which was a good decision, as with an app, it would have been WAY too much food by the end, I could skip this next time and be happy, but it was really good. For my main course, I went with the dry aged Long Bone Tomahawk cooked medium rare. It was cooked to the proper temperature in all parts, the bone was cleaned well, and the seasoning was fantastic. (I was actually talked down from the mishima option on this, which was nice considering many of the reviews complained about up selling) it was a good call, the steak had a great meat flavor, with just the right amount of fat. For sides, we split the broccoli, asparagus, and 4 cheese (Actually 5 cheese) potatoes. The sides again were great, but between 3 of us, there were WAY too many, so maybe just 2 sides next time. Overall, this was a really good experience, they had a live pianist on the first floor where we ate, the only thing I didnt like was our table was on wheels and moved some, but that was minor considering how good the food was.
(4)
Caily T.

What a pleasure it was to sit at the bar and enjoy a fantastic meal at this cool Chicago establishment. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed wonderful salads, steak and crab legs. All cooked to perfection. The drinks were excellent too but I have to say, what really made our night was our awesome bartender! This guy was working hard serving a full bar of patrons but still took time to chat it up with us. As visitors to the area it was cool to get some ideas of other places we could go. I can't tell you what a tremendous difference an awesome staff makes. I'd highly recommend stopping by and giving this place a try!
(4)
Henry R.

This place is absolutely magnificent it's a must do if you visit Chicago. We dined at the restaurant last night I had a bone in filet with a loaded baked potato it was absolutely amazing. The service was also impeccable if you visit this establishment ask for "George "he was great!
(5)
Christina B.

Delicious steak dinner by no other place than Chicago Chop House.. Definitely on the pricy end, but they offer fine collection of steaks and wines. Our waiter Jarren seemed to serve us hand and foot, and enhanced our experience here (might I add he was devilishly handsome!) Food was quite delicious, and the restaurant had that quaint, historic, antique type vibe.. Especially in a chilly night in Chicago. If you're looking to impress some guests or need someplace to have a business dinner, visit Chicago Chop House. Send a postcard home too!
(5)
EOEater J.

We were a formidable group - 10 in all, plus a child, and it was late. Set in a charming building, the service and food were both outstanding. Yes, there was a lot of upselling, but we did want everything to run smoothly so we did accept them. They even brought out a plate of fries for my toddler even before we could order our drinks. The Chop House is not cheap. But great steaks are never cheap. Even at the chain restaurants, steaks are not cheap. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye. It was THE BEST ribeye I've EVER had. Ever. Hands down. It was perfectly cooked, succulent, savoury, sublime. I don't know what other superlatives I can use, but it really was very, very, very good. Our server was excellent as well - and dealt with us with patience and grace. I'm sure we'll go back again, should the opportunity arise.
(5)
Kat G.

Fantastic experience. Absolutely enjoyed dining here!! We had reservations for 6 on a Monday night and were seated promptly in the Michigan Room. Our servers and all the waitstaff were awesome--very attentive and set a great tone. We never felt rushed in any way and wound up savoring a fantastic meal over 3.5 hours! Appetizers: scallops (table favorite!), seared tuna, lemon perch. Salads: blue cheese wedge, house salad, Caesar. All delicious. Soup: lobster bisque. I did not have any, but those who did enjoyed it very much. My entree: petite dry-aged filet mignon. Terrific! Others ordered the long tomahawk ribeye (impressive!) and New York cuts. All were pleased. Sides: four cheese au gratin (table favorite!), sweet corn, creamed spinach. Yummy. Dessert: baked alaska, molten lava cake, creme brulee cheesecake. Lovely finish! Everything was amazing. The food was very special, and the meal also created a fabulous setting and atmosphere for cherished family time and conversation. A perfect night! :)
(5)
Anthony M F.

Wow! One amazing restaurant. First class service. Wonderful food with amazing steaks. I had the rib eye and it was perfect. Amazing side dishes. Mac and cheese with bacon was incredible. Highly recommended it but you will spend some serious cash to eat here. 4 of us with 2 bottles of wine, beers, a few side dishes, a few deserts, and great steaks was over 1000.00. A great experience is the company is paying for it.
(5)
Randy C.

The staff was nice but for $79 you would think they Would know how to prepare a steak. Longhorn has better meat.
(2)
Stephan K.

A lot of upselling. It got annoying after the 4th attempt to upsell items you wanted to order. Client profiling. For example, different tables were offered lemon drops vs bottles of wine. The seafood trio, lobster bisque, and spinach/bacon salad were so good. The dry aged, Mishima Tomahawk steak was above average. Lots of flavor but some of the tastey ribeye grisel was lacking after all the processing. Truffel Mac and cheese and sauteed spinach and mushrooms were good, too full to enjoy by the end of the meal. The ambiance looked classic. The old country club carpet looks old and gross.
(3)
Jason R. S.

The food was very good, maybe a tad over priced but within reason. Our waiter was so committed to selling every item and expounding on every item that it became a distraction. All 4 of us had the tomahawk (long bone in ribeye); one of had ordered the New York strip and was brought the wrong order (was brought the tomahawk). After the discovery the waiter offered no remorse or consolation to correct or amend the mistake. I do not expect a restaurant of this caliber to offer nothing, even after we mentioned to the waiter of the dissatisfaction we had in their mistake, to do nothing. Food was good, service was over selling- talked to fast- and made mistakes. I was visiting Chicago and do not think on another visit I will be coming back. There are other chop houses in Chicago that have great service and equally good food.
(3)
P B.

I was here recently for a dinner bought for me as a customer of theirs. As someone else had said, this was a nice place to go after a McCormick show. Some were dressed there in nice dinner suits, but we probably notched the place down in our "trade show wear" Anyways, shortish review- they do the whole song and dance here- bring out the uncooked cuts, explain them, then read you the menu in part. I wasn't paying, so that wasn't my concern, but it IS a very pricey place. The hostess was mildly friendly and a little pushy. Our waitress, though, was very friendly and helpful- the best part of the dinner. I had the tomahawk cut, and it was good. The best ever? No. And that surprised me. I had the dry aged. The mac and cheese WAS incredible. So were the potatoes passed around. I'm not a big fish guy at all but we also had the appetizer with a crab cake, scallop, and prawn. The crab cake was actually very good. Ahi tuna was served...not for me, but others liked it. The wait was overall very long. That part was disappointing, and i would likely go 3.5 stars mainly because of that and expectations not quite there on the steak.
(4)
Michael N.

Atmosphere: D Food: B- Service: C Tired, overpriced and pushy--this restaurant needs to spend less time training its staff on upselling (it was borderline obnoxious) and more effort on renovating the restaurant and its menu. Drab and wornout would be kindest words I can use to describe the Chop House. With swarms of servers joking and wisecracking amongst themselves, it was loud enough to be distracting and this was a weekend night! I think the word is out, there are easily two dozen better steak places and the Chop House is a "has-been." It wasn't awful, but the experience did not deliver value commensurate with the price or time. Truly a disappointment. I would not return.
(1)
Monika C.

Not a huge fan of steak but came here with a group of coworkers. We had the shrimp cocktail and the scallops to start and I had the crab legs as everyone devoured their steak. The crab legs were great. Once again I've found that steak restaurants have pretty good seafood as well!
(4)
Karma K.

Cool building. Too bad the servers are hell bent on upserving everything! If we are dishing out close to $400 for dinner, take your upserve script and shove it. This place was cool in the late 80's and well into the 90's. Now, it's become a destination place for tourists and sales people that schlep over here after working a trade show at McCormick Place. During the week you no longer need a reservation. Good shrimp cocktail. Large and fresh. My husband enjoyed his steak. Sides are good but nothing cutting edge, just huge portions like every other steak house, except for Russ's potatoes, those are great. There are way too many other great dining options, including steak houses in Chicago to make me want to come back here.
(2)
Alissa G.

I'm really saddened to be writing this review as the Chop House became family lore when I was growing up. We'd go yearly for my father's birthday, wearing our best dress-up clothes. And, the restaurant transcended food and became an experience. We were celebrating my father, but we were also celebrating our family. The green walls, white tableclothes, photos of important Chicagoans of years past. There was a decorum at the Chop House, infused with the promise of opportunity. When you're 12 or 16, it's easier, perhaps, to become starry-eyed at such an establishment. It could be argued that as I traverse into my 30's, it's just harder to play along. But, I don't think it has to be that way, especially when i'd prefer the nostalgic view. What happened this weekend? Well, it was my father's 65th birthday and us kids thought we'd take him back to the Chop House for his birthday present (retiree budget and all). We arrive and are told we can only downstairs at the bar level, where there's loud piano music, big tv, and a single table occupied. We've only ever sat upstairs but we can't sit upstairs as there's a large 20-top. We get defensive. We made a reservation in advance...No one mentioned this when we confirmed our reservation...Why aren't we being treated well? No answer. We are led upstairs, because they do, it turns out, have room. But no apologies our made and our elbows feel injured. We had to fight to get up here, and that doesn't feel good. We all have a bad taste in our mouth. And, the 20-top arrived only after we were leaving...2 hours later. The meal tasted good, literally, but the experience with the hostess really put a damper on the evening. When you pay $20 for a bowl of side mushrooms...part of that..most of that (i'd think) is for the pleasure of feeling important. For an evening. The steaks were great. No complaints there. If you just want great steak, this could be your place. Still. They are pretty wonderful. But the Chop House is no longer mythic to us. It's a restaurant that serves really good steak for a whole lot of money. It's a transaction.
(3)
David B.

My favorite steakhouse in the US!!! My favorite steakhouse in the US!!! The steaks are truly the best around. If you want a food coma, try the porter house! Great wine selection. The crab legs and prawns are the way to go for apps. The aesthetics make you feel like a 1920's gangster!
(5)
Robert R.

On Friday myself and a group of friends had a wonderful time at the Chicago Chop House. The steaks were fantastic. I highly recommend the Mishima steaks. The staff was the best! Great place to have a great time.
(5)
Joey B.

I'm not rich but I came with rich folks though. shit was amazing. I think they wanted us out of there quick.. But we was drinking the wine having a good time. If you got lots of money definitely check this place out.
(5)
Galen K.

Had prime rib medium plus. Cooked perfectly bone in. Very tender and flavorful wedge salad and augrautins were excellent. Waiter was exceptionally well informed and attentive but not overly so. Great ambience Piano playing taking requests. Not crowded at all on a Tuesday night. Will go back. A bit pricey
(5)
Lawrence P.

I have dined at this restaurant several times. Combining the visits, I must say this restaurant is near perfect and, thus, the 4 stars. First, there is a lot of history in this restaurant. It looks like all steakhouses should look like. I don't mind today's modern version of some of the new steakhouses but there is something about the traditional look, with those gangster pictures on the walls, dimmed lights... that good all fashion look. The main wall is decorated with this sort of like a mural of pictures entitled "Builders of Chicago" or something like that. Very cool history! This is a very good steakhouse. Some of the standouts throughout my visits are the Maryland crab cakes with lobster bisque sauce, the kobe beef carpaccio with truffle oil, the organic heirloom baby spinach tossed in warm bacon vinaigrette, the bone in ribeye and porterhouse steak. This last time we went I got my bone in ribeye "mishima style" which, although costly, added some extra flavor and tenderness to the meat. For a side, their sautÃ©ed mushrooms and asparagus were and will always be my favorites. As for wine, we ordered a few bottles of 2005 Col Solare... everything goes better with Col!!!! This is a heck of a steak house and we shall return I am sure.
(4)
Mark K.

Wrong steakhouse.
(4)
Cathie T.

The building looks inviting. The decor is interesting. A little too dark inside. The food was just OK. too many better restaurants to think highly of this one. Definitely touristy. Won't be back
(3)
Russell K.

I was told that this was the best steak house in North America so when I went to Chicago in both 2006 and 2009, I went both times. I don't remember exactly which steak I ordered each time but it was around $70 for the meat from what I recall. The steak was cooked to perfection and the soft-shell crab I ordered as side was delicious. I often try to keep track of where I had the best steak and I really haven't found anything that stands out at home in Toronto but as far as Chicago, this place is it. On top of the food, the service was also excellent. For a tourist however, it's not as easily accessible if you're focusing your sights on places like the Mag Mile, Millenium Park, The Art Institute, or the Field Museum.
(5)
Maurice E.

The legendary Chicago Chop House is always a great stop for chicago history. We went last night I had the dry aged rib eye long tomahawk which was good only compliant a little more seasoning first couple bites were bland. The sides were really good onion rings and broccolini. I sipped on a couple Makers Mark manhattans which were good. The service was great we were seated as soon as we checked reservation with hostess. Overall a nice dinner and you can never go wrong with old school Chicago steakhouse.
(4)
J R.

Once upon a time, I came here on my first stay in Chicago with a group. It was magical. And I was never able to find it since. On a more recent stay, I was walking down the street after just arriving from the airport and there it was, my Chicago holy grail. I HAD to see if they would let me in looking (and smelling) like I just got off the plane. It was Monday, and they did! $200 dollars for one person later, and I was supremely happy. It was a steep price to pay for that happiness, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how I spent that much, but it was a nice night out. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great, but not $200 for 1 person great. Kudos to Scott Earl Holman on the piano - awesome! I remember having the same feeling, oh those many years ago. The "I spent too much!" feeling. But I did remember how much I liked this place. So it's likely I'll have those same warm fuzzies again. But damn. It's expensive!
(4)
Sabrina J.

The steaks were some of the best I've ever had and the service was excellent. I highly recommend skipping the appetizers, they were disappointing especially for the price (the caprese was tiny with one slice of tomato.. and the mahi flavors were an odd combo so only order what they are known for!!) Besides, you'll want to leave plenty of room for the meat! Focus on the beef because our steaks were amaze balls and well worth the price. 5 stars ONLY for the steaks and service which were superb.
(5)
Tom L.

If it's a good steak that you want you have come to the right place! If you don't want a big dinner I would suggest going to the bar in getting some of the appetizers the sliders are amazing! It's also a good place to watch a sporting event. I also found the bartenders to be quite professional and fun to talk to.
(4)
Jeffrey M.

Great service. Was with group of 12. Tiger shrimp, diver scallop, and tuna app was amazing. Steaks were cooked perfectly. Too much to eat. Pricey but worth it.
(5)
Hari B.

I really want to swear I am so disgusted with Chicago Chop House. What the heck - this is a F*&%ing piece of S#@t puke of a restaurant, I would rather eat McDonald's pink slime and get cancer. On a recent visit to Chicago, I made reservations for a special family dinner out. The place was empty - I should have just turned around and left, but I was still sucked in by the hype that used to surround the restaurant. Service was good, however the main course - steaks were horrible. They were worse than the cheapest steak you could find at a grocery store. They were full of gristle. People in our party either refused to eat it or actually had to spit it out. Yes it was that bad. Just close it down please.
(1)
Diego B.

On our way to China we made a 3 day stop in Chicago. On our way back too. First time I went, I thought that might be the best piece of steak I'd eaten in my life. Needless to say, we had to go back for a second time on our way back, my initial impression was not deterred. I can still taste that magnificent, dry aged, buttery steak. My Dad, I think had a prime rib, also magnificent and we thoroughly enjoyed their wine list. It is one of his favorite places for steak. Since I did not have to pay, I can not substract a star for price but if I did have to pay I would not do it either...best steak ever. It confuses me how Capital Grill could have more stars, sure Capital Grill is amazing but there is nothing special about it. The Chophouse is special, the ambience is unique and it is a part of Chicago's history. Oh! and did I mention best steak ever!! recommended!!
(5)
Thomas H.

I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!! I make it to Chicago several times a year from Texas and I always go to Chicago Chop House. The last time I was there I didn't utilize the valet parking outside and my truck got towed. The hostess quickly came to try to notify me and help me stop it but it was too late. She quickly arranged me a cab to go get my truck. This next time I went back over a year later she remembered me and at the end of another AWESOME experience they delivered a complimentary cake to "celebrate" not getting towed this time. Wonderful place full of history and great elegant service.
(5)
Jason C.

I've been here a few time but I will say this time it was fantastic. The seafood platter is to die for and is a must. Had a great ribeye and the sides of course are amazing. Make sure you get the cheese potatoes. Everything about this place is fantastic and it's very very expensive! So be careful.
(5)
Danny W.

The service here feels like you're taking a course on cows for college credit You'll knew more about the piece of meat you're about to eat than you will about almost any of your neighbors. My server told me it was massaged and fed beer in the preparation process making it more pampered than I've treated myself in the past few months. Overall the food is fantastic. The steak is stellar, sides extremely savory, and the atmosphere is classic Chicago steakhouse at it's finest complete with a live pianist for entertainment. It's almost impossible to not drop a hundy even eating on your own, but I promise you're not going to find too many places that do a better meal than the Chop House.
(5)
Kim F.

I've been to the Chicago Chop House twice now while visiting from out of town and have had excellent meals and service both times. I selected the restaurant for my three friends so they would get an excellent dining experience and they were not disappointed. Our server and sommelier were very personable and attentive. I had the Grand Cut (about 12 oz) filet and it was cooked to perfection. The meat was tender and practically melted in my mouth. The ambience of the place is lively, with the best dining experience on the third floor where the quarters are a little more intimate than the open second floor. Make reservations when you can, otherwise you might have to wait a long time to get a seat. You will pay a premium for the food, but it's a slightly better value than Morton's and you will have a more pleasurable dining experience eating in a piece of history that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
(5)
Shawn L.

We ate here for New Years Eve and it was a great choice. I had a fantastic bone in ribeye tomahawk and my wife had the chicken. Service was prompt and professional but not outstanding.
(4)
Eric T.

Went here with my fiance for our final dating anniversary before we get married in the summer. We were a bit apprehensive when reading other Yelp reviews about up pricing of menu items. That didn't happen at all. The waiter explained the different steaks and appetizer choices without us feeling forced to choose one way or the other. He didn't even mention the most expensive cut of steak when telling us about our options. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was delightful (It was a very cold weeknight and therefore quiet). We got a delicious dessert on the house! The wine guy and the waiter were nice and added to the great night.
(5)
Greta B.

I wasn't impressed. Food was mediocre. Bland blond standing in corner was creeping. Maybe GM? I dropped $135 for salad, steak and 2 glasses of wine. Now I know.
(3)
Mike B.

First time eating here and must say the food is excellent. The service is outstanding and I recommend it to anyone. The only issue I have and why it's not five stars for me is the dessert was not so great, and yes I know I shouldn't be eating dessert anyway.
(4)
Patty H.

By far the best dining experience my husband and I have ever had. Our server Ramon was very knowledgeable & mindful of our food choices, he offered great suggestions to maximize our experience. The best server by far. I ordered the tuna entree, My husband ordered the dry aged bone in steak. The tuna was perfection. wasabi sauce mixed with the mango salsa was the perfect marriage of flavors. My husband enjoyed his steak especially the dry aged, although he didn't love the cut he chose. We ordered the mixed seafood appetizer. Calamari, prawns and tuna. Since my entree was tuna, our server suggested we substitute the tuna portion of the appetizer for the lamb. I thought that was very considerate of him, a great idea too! my husband loved it. the lamb came with a sweet plum sauce. We ordered too many sides but loved them all. The au gratin potatoes with bacon were very rich, but so good. Our bill with 2 entrees, 2 appetizers, 3 sides, 2 glasses of wine and dessert was just over $300 and well worth it. Altogether we loved the whole dining experience the food was divine and the staff was top notch. I felt completely pampered by the entire staff. It might've been helpful that we went on a tuesday, not a busy weekend, and their were only a handful of diners there. Nonetheless, waters were ALWAYS full, the bartender was friendly. I even left for the bathroom and came back to find my napkin nicely folded! The live music by Scott Earl Holman topped off the experience. We give it a 10/10
(5)
Lauren D.

What the "F" happened to this place? It used to be a place where the locals wanted to go when they wanted to drop some serious $$$ on an outstanding steak dinner. This is not the case any longer. The joint is filled with tons of tourists and very few locals. We started with the Maryland crab cake with the lobster bisque sauce ($16) and it was excellent. The appetizer alone is worthy of 5-stars. We also ordered the jumbo scallops which are infused with herbs and cherry tomato sauce ($49). The tomato sauce really did the scallops an injustice. The scallops were the size of small fist and they were fantastic. However, I didn't care for the cherry tomato sauce. Scallops = 3 stars (for this reason). What is interesting to note is that Chicago magazine awarded the "Golden" rating, to the Chicago Chop House, which is the highest award that any steak house restaurant can receive for their boneless New York strip steak, and impeccable wine list. With that said, I ordered the "dry" New York Strip steak (the "petite" version) which was meritorious! My husband ordered the short-bone dry aged rib eye steak. I asked him to rate his rib eye steak on a scale of 1 to 5. He said it was "exemplary" and gave it a 5! I appreciated that they offer "family style" for their sides, because you can save a little bit of money since everything here is a la carte. We also ordered the asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. These were amazingly delectable and the sauce elevated the asparagus to an ethereal level. My NY strip steak alone was $59. I ordered it medium-rare and it was perfectly seasoned and prepared. It was melt-in-your mouth tender and had a very buttery flavor. My husband really, really enjoyed his rib eye "dry" steak almost as much as he enjoys having sex with me. We have definitely experienced much better steaks, so my final rating is 4-stars. Our Server was attentive but not over-the-top intrusive. He was charming, charismatic and was very polite and professional. We all agreed that our Server was superlative, so 5-stars it is for our handsome Server. I am sure our tab came to well over $700. Oy-vey! We appreciated our friend's kind gesture to "treat us" to a very nice, expensive dinner at the Chicago Chop House. The one thing I noticed about the Chicago Chop House is how this joint is now a major tourist trap just like Navy Pier, Millennium Park or The Bean. The inside of the restaurant is pretty dated (it was like stepping back in time to the early 1990's). I will admit it had been well over 15 years since I actually ate at the Chicago Chop House. We used to go to this joint when we lived in the River North neighborhood. We were there one evening when a crowd began gathering, like a vulture converging upon its dead prey, and wondered what was happening. We noticed it was ole blue eyes himself. Frank Sinatra and his entourage. We were not and have never been a Frank Sinatra fan, so we just kept on eating like there was no big "star" a few tables away from us. We didn't care. We had an enjoyable evening with our doctor friends who were visiting from the east coast. We even finished two bottles of wine. We had no room for dessert. We left gratified, satisfied and very, very relaxed. (NOTE: They only do one check per table, so you cannot split the bill).
(4)
Arla M.

Heard great things about this place, so I decided to give it a try. Staff was excellent waited on you hand and foot. Steaks were more of a Texas Roadhouse quality than a number one rated steakhouse in Chicago. Ordered the Tomahawk Ribeye dry aged and the ribeye from the Texas Roadhouse tastes better. Food is extremely overpriced for the quality.
(2)
K G.

Business dinner. Perfect to take someone from London who says "I want to eat a real Chicago steak" but not spend a boatload of money. He got the steak he wanted and enjoyed it tremendously. The sides were good (he found them a little small, but I didn't). Everything was prepared as requested and not over salted. Good chefs. I wish that they could do organic/free range but that is just me. Atmosphere is outdated and just a little shabby. I think I got too used to these ultra modern designed places where you feel like they are going to make artwork out of your meal. I would take good food over atmosphere any day, but I still think they could update things a bit.
(4)
Mike H.

I'm not a big fan of prime rib but ordered it anyway b/c it's what the the Chop House is known for, and it was fantastic! I wanted it medium and it was cooked a little past medium but you will not be upset if you order it. Also order the jumbo fried shrimp appetizer and their house fries. Neither the appetizer nor the side dishes were anything special. Our waiter was ok (he kept pushing drink orders on us to increase the tab) and we were seated on the 3rd floor. All the pics were interesting to look at but I wish we were seated on the 1st floor to hear the live music.
(4)
Tom F.

This place is truly the king of Chicago steakhouses. After having one of the best meals of my life at the Chop House (I still drool when I think of the bone-in filet, tender, perfectly cooked, and bursting with mineral goodness), I honestly don't know why people mob Gibson's or Morton's. We all know that steakhouses are notoriously expensive, but Chop House somehow finds a way to deliver knockout food at somewhat reasonable prices. It certainly helps that all steaks come with a potato and salad, unlike some of the other "top" steak joints in town. Service was impeccable - our waiter knew his wine, served us efficiently, and then stayed the hell out of the way. I can't wait for my next visit!
(5)
Anna H.

I'm not a huge fan of steak, but I enjoyed Chicago Chop House. We went on a Saturday around 6 with no reservations, and ended up waiting about an hour before we were seated. The appetizers were good - we ate fresh oysters and fried calamari. Appetizer portions are small, but that's actually a good thing at this restaurant because the entrees are huge. I love the ranch dressing they use on their salads. And my prime rib was extremely tender. I'll definitely be back, but not before I try some of the other steak houses that Yelp has bubbled up!
(4)
Tara M.

This place has quite possibly one of the best lunch deals in town. For $25, you get a delicious 8 oz filet, soup AND salad, choice of potato, and any dessert. Everything was perfectly prepared and tasted delicious. Gracious service and a lovely, classic setting. No complaints from me.
(5)
maggie c.

Bone in Prime Rib Cut...in my belly!! I love the Chicago Chop House for it's old school ambiance and great service. The service is in no way uppity, and the dress code is "dressy casual" which as you all know I love anything with the word casual in it. Anyway, The portions were huge!! Beware! See if you can share a side with..2 other people. Also, the steaks are not seasoned to death, The Chop House is known for cooking a steak with minimal seasoning, in order to showcase an exceptional piece of meat. and what a fine piece of meat it was! hee hee . So for those of you who thought it was bland, might not have been used to it. To each's own though.
(5)
Frank G.

This isn't a restaurant. Its a high-sales-pitch business. Our waiter didn't serve us, she served the restaurant's interests. Constant up-selling. Padding the bill. The steak is excellent, yes, but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(1)
Bernard M.

Not sure if the other reviewers are steaklovers, but I am. How could you not give Chop House five stars? Maybe they only visited once or twice? No restaurant has all good days :) Chop House simply is the best and is still my favorite since high school. The sides and appetizers are excellent (on par with Morton's and Smith & Wollensky's), and the steaks are incredible. From the buttery New York Strip to their special Prime Rib to their awesome Porterhouse (64 oz. selection! Only the City of Big Shoulders) I would place Chop House a slight notch above Gibson's (another Chicago favorite), Delmonico Steakhouse in Las Vegas, and Peter Luger Steakhouse in NYC.
(5)
Demetrio P.

Chop House is one of my favorite steak houses in Chicago. I usually order the Chop House Prime Rib Special, which comes with a salad and potato (last time they ran out of this!) Service is great, as well as reasonable prices. I've tried the other popular steak houses in Chicago, and this one so far is one of my top fave steak places.
(4)
Digital M.

The steak is top three in the city, but I still will rank this place number one due to it's character. On the way to your table check out the pictures abound of 1800's and early 1900's Chicago. It's an unbelievable value too. Every time I go I am amazed at the flavorful food coupled with an attentive and professional waitstaff. $6,7,8 dollar glasses of house whites and reds. Better yet, your steak includes a salad and a choice of potato. Nightly specials too. If you are looking for a great steak and a great dining experience, go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Alex H.

Where to start? I'd have to agree with Andrew's statement "If you want an average steak for an extraordinary price, you should go here." The steak was definitely not the best I've had but the service was good. For what I spent at the Chicago Chop House, I could've went to Chicago Fire House twice, left feeling content and still had some change and food leftover. For those who experience claustrophobia, this is definitely not the place to go.
(1)
Kristin M.

Absolutely fantastic steaks and the atmosphere is awesome! Be sure to sit in the downstairs area on a night when the piano player is there, he's great, and it really makes for a great experience!
(5)
Ameed M.

I absolutely agree with the points brought up by the other negatives. Finding out that they have new management explains a lot. My family and I had a mini tradition to go here for some of our birthdays since we tried it once a few years ago and fell in love. The steaks used to be exquisite and the service friendly. We went again last night expecting the same, yet were very disappointed. A good steakhouse waiter will come and introduce himself and welcome you in as a friend, not a customer (think: Gibson's or Morton's). Our waiter was standoffish and rude, which got progressively worse through the night. He read us the specials and gave us all of 5 minutes to decide. I had to tell him at least 3 times to go away and let us read the menu and decide. In line with other reviewers I did notice he kept trying to go for the upsell, as if there was a quota that he was trying to meet. Their most expensive steak is something called an "American Kobe" which simply sounded like a way to charge 20 bucks more for a similar cut of meat (I convinced my dad not to try it as it sounded like BS). The waiter didn't come to check on us or confirm the meat was cooked according to what we asked (again, a good steakhouse waiter will stand by and ask each person to cut the meat to confirm that it is correct). At the end, he dropped off the check, took our payment and disappeared, good riddance. The food was good, but not as good as I remember. As others have speculated, it wouldn't surprise me if they are cutting costs with their ingredients. Probably the most ridiculous thing of the evening was that they switched their take home package to what is a glorified paper bag (it used to be a Styrofoam container). Paper and juicy steaks don't mix well, so by the time we got home all of our steaks had soaked through the bag. My dad had ordered a steak oscar style and they handed it to him in the bag upside down (smearing the sauce and lobster all over the place). When he complained the waiter told us "that is what we use" with no apology and look of smug annoyance. Go to Gibsons or another steakhouse instead.
(1)
Tammy T.

It has been a couple of years since we ate at Chicago Chop House, so for our anniversary my husband suggested to go there for dinner. We invited our relatives from out of town to join us. I was expecting the place to be booked on Saturday night, but it turned out to be only half full. Now I understand why. First of all the service was overpowering. Our waitress was pleasant and professional but we were not prepared nor interested to listen to 5 min speech and lesson on the quality of meat at the restaurant. I was surprised to see the prices of steak dishes, doubled since our last visit. A la carte steak starts from $70 for 10oz. We ordered appetizer and salad to share. And each person had a steak and we shared 2 side dishes. The quality of food was very average, I have to say that I had much better steaks for 1/2 price. For the duration of our dinner there were constantly at least 5-6 people (waiting staff) standing near our table staring at us eating. At the end the dinner for 4 people cost us over $800 and we didn't care for the food or service. My husband used to say that this was his favorite steak house restaurant. But after our last visit, I am sure we will not be back.
(1)
B. L.

If you are looking to take someone special for a awesome steak dinner , you may want to consider this place. Their service is excellent and the portions are healthy. It is a bit upscale, but for a special occasion it is a nice treat.
(4)
Jim B.

Great steak - really played up the "Kobe". Waaaaay overpriced for what you get. Judging by the other reviews on here I am not off base here. Just glad my service experience wasn't as bad - although some guy beside me freaked out about his bill and stormed out - sounds like a frequent occurrence here. If the Internet works at all - this place will be under " new ownership" by next year - without managers who look like they are working at the "peach pit after dark" ( Bluetooth headset /90210reference)
(2)
Heidi K.

Excellent steaks in a classic Chicago setting, warm baked potatoes with plenty of sour cream & chive, impeccable service - just a great steakhouse. My fiance & I came here after he proposed, and again a year later on the anniversary. Both nights were fantastic - the steaks are so juicy and tender and I just love the old-school atmosphere - not pretentious or stuffy at all. They have a nice selection of appetizers & sides as well - but we never make it to dessert ;) The Chop House is our favorite place for classic cuts of steak - and the perfect place to take out of town guests for a memorable Chicago experience.
(5)
Erica S.

What a great place. Went with my family which included 3 children. Very friendly waiter (wish I would have gotten his name) The Clos Pegas Merlot was beautiful, The fillet Mignon was absolute perfection and the warm chocolate cake was to die for. I also had the prosciutto and asparagus ( a cold appetizer in a vinaigrette) Delicious. I would recommend this to any one in the mood for steak. Reasonably priced for what you get Parking is a challenge but cab it.
(5)
Jon L.

I will only write about the food in this review. I had the surf and turf. Lobster and Fillet. Overrated and overpriced. Better steak at all of the chains I have been to.
(3)
John O.

Chop house is good but doesn't really distinguish itself in any way from the many other steak houses out there. My bone-in ribeye was good but not amazing...if I am paying 40$ for an entree I really expect the flavor to be impeccable and the medium rare to be the textbook medium rare. I really hate to send a steak back but at these prices its a little easier. All in all I would rather go to Morton's for the clubby atmosphere and spot on grilling or the bar area in Smith and Wollensky for the river view. Never had a steak cooked to anything less than perfection at both of those places.
(3)
Nannette P.

I understand the nostalgia of going to the Chicago Chop House, and the how the history of it is incorporated and woven into the Chicago social scene, however, I have to admit that I've had better meals from, in what is my opinion, the better steakhouses in Chicago. The Chop House has it all, but to me, there is just something missing. Yes, of course you have plenty of businessmen blowing their expense accounts over dinner with clients, couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, and tourists a plenty with kids in tow, but for me, a "true Chicagoan", there are just so many better steakhouses in the city. The food has always been fine, but just that, fine, nothing memorable, nothing that I would ever consider to have as my last meal on Earth by any means. The steaks have always been cooked perfectly, the sides have been fine, and drinks have been served fast, martinis are well mixed and poured, and they have a good wine list. But, again, my experience at the Chop House has always been fine, but again, nothing great, nothing leading me to think "I want to go back to The Chop House" to celebrate this or that, or for that special evening out. I have had memorable dinners at Sullivan's, one of the best meals of my life at Morton's, and plenty of great meals from Tavern on Rush, Carmine's, Gene and Georgetti's, even from Weber Grill. I can't explain it. I guess at the end of the day, a steak is just a steak, and there's only so much you can do with a baked potato. But, for some reason, those above mentioned restaurants just do that something different to it in order to make it more memorable.
(3)
b c.

nothing bad to say about this place. had the butt steak, which is one of less expensive items in the menu. still it was perfect. very attentive staff. always call for res.-you never know. if you don't get lucky with street parking right away, don't waste your time & valet. you can see the menu on the website: chicagochophouse.com/dinâ€¦ definitely a special occasion spot unlesss you're loaded. my last tab: around $110 for two
(5)
Andy G.

Unfortunately my experience at the Chicago Chop House was not the stellar experience I expected it to be. First of all I found the decor uninspiring and the space cramped. My steak, salad, and side dishes were just OK. The steak was prepared correctly to my requested temperature which in my case is usually rare. The most disapointing aspect to this restaurant is that I could go up the street at home to Outback and get just as good a steak and beter side dishes for a lot less money.
(2)
John G.

Its walls adorned with pictures of old mayors and meat packing titans, the Chicago Chop House has great local flavor. For steakhouses in Chicago, it is set apart by its wine list (better than most), it's bread (better than all), and its clientele (better than you).
(4)
Kristen D.

I was not a fan of this place. This was my first time to a chicago steak house, and the only thing I was impressed with was the lobster in the surf and turf. A friend had the orange roughy though, and it was delicious. Make reservations though, because this place is always busy
(2)
Gail M.

Our experience at the Chicago Chop House was everything you could ask for in a 5 star restaurant. Karen, our wait person, was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. We could tell that she loved her job and strived to ensure that our experience was phenomenal. The rib eye steak was flavorful and tender. It was one of the best steaks that I have ever had. The Four Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes were to die for. We had no trouble splitting the check,
(5)
Josiah L.

best steak i ever had in this country (granted i haven't been to THAT many steakhouses, only the best ones in NYC and Baltimore) i ordered their special steak and it was more than delicious. great wine list and appetiser. the bartender was friendly and funny. definitely the place to go if you're in Chicago and you love steaks
(5)
Kevin L.

okay, I've been to the Chop House a few times over the years and was looking forward to a great bone-in filet. It was not the worst steak I've had....I've had worse from the local Jewel. It was the worst in the upper end steak house catagory in Chicago. There wasn't any flavor to the thing at all and it wasn't just because it was a filet. My wife orded the bone in NY Strip and it was also horrible. Both were over cooked by 1 temperature. I orded mine mid-rare, it came out medium to mid-well. She ordered her's medium and it came out medium well to well done. You can tell they aren't taking care of the place either. The floors are dirty and worn. The bar area looks like the Howard Jones in Times Square. The service was good but after a $363 tab for two it better be good. I also ordered a bottle of Cab and it came out room temperature (72 degrees). Yes, I know reds are supposed to be room temperature but that means 58 - 64 degrees. I can't stand $100 bottles of wine that are too warm. After my experience, I told as many people as I could about how bad it was and I was then made aware that there was a managmenet change. Not sure if that's true. I'd recommend Nine if you like trendy or Gibsons if you like traditional Chicago steak house. Too bad that this place is now a dump.
(1)
Xteethx B.

pricey but really good; best ny strip I've had for a long time. mac n cheese wasn't all that. 5 scallops came at $10 per piece but they were hearty. Yes the waiter asked a couple times if we wanted wine but he was good overall.
(4)
Dee W.

Decent food - not on my top ten steakhouse list but the steaks are still pretty good - the New York strip steak was large - a bit charred on the outside - the calamari was a bit lacking in flavor though but who goes to a steakhouse for the appetizers? Other good cuts of theirs would be the traditional Prime Rib and the Chop House Prime Rib
(4)
Gregory A.

OK, well I have only been to a few of the major steak houses here in Chicago, but that's because I keep going back to the Chop House. My wife and I have been married 10 years now and together for almost 15. We started Dating when we were only 19 so going to the Chop House was our first super fancy date! As a matter of fact I asked her to marry me at a window seat way back in 1996. (Tip: If you plan on proposing in public let it be known, everyone will be watching. I must have turned 8 shades of red when I got up off my knee and the whole restaurant applauded.) The food of course is to die for. I recommend the fillet with king crab legs, my favorite. Even though I like my steak well done, they never dry it out and it just melts in your mouth. The service is always great to, the staff is so friendly, which brings me to the atmosphere, there are 3 floors to this 100 year old brownstone so there is not one main noisy floor, the best way to put it is when I go there I feel like I am at a large family dinner, I would definitely recommend the Chop House if you are looking for a quiet romantic evening.
(5)
Ji K.

I remember coming here on a whim. A coworker from Florida was in town attending a company meeting and on the one night that we didn't have to work late, he wanted to experience Chicago. On that note, I immediately dragged him onto the El, and we headed straight for a famous downtown steakhouse. I had never been here before, but I heard great things and I figured this was as good a time as any to finally check it out. Luckily, we got seated right away. And while the place is small-- something about it is soo endearing. Our waitress took us past the crowded first floor, up the steps, and to a very small table for two on what-seemed-to-be a quieter floor. In all honesty, the service and food dragged. We probably spent nearly two hours there-- and while it annoyed me at the time, I now appreciate the leisureliness of the dinner. It's such an intimate space with a ton of old-school city character . . . and the steaks were absolutely delicious. I loved my steak so much that, instead of devouring it completely, I wrapped a little piece of it for my steak-lover brother so I could later brag to him about the great dinner I had. Ha.
(4)
Paul P.

My favorite steak house. Prime rib is the best in town. Old school flavor.
(5)
Eric L.

Solid steak house in Chicago. My only complaint is that I went here for valentines day and they had a pre-set menu. The food that day wasnt that great. But the other 3 times i've been here it has been very good.
(4)
vivian h.

I'm not a big red meat eater (my family and friends are). I took my best friend from FL here one time when she came to visit me. It was her first visit to Chicago and she asked for a Chicago steak. She loved their prime rib so much that she asked to come here again on her second visit. Unfortunately, we weren't able to book last minute reservations and we ended up at Gene & Georgetti's. G&G was out of prime ribs that night; so my friend ordered the rack of lamb. Needless to say it just couldn't compare to the Chop House's one of a kind char prime rib. If I ever have the cravings for a big juicy steak at comparable prices, I will always choose the Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Angie C.

Disappointed to give this place only 3 stars - I finally tried it a couple of weeks ago, wanting to treat my Dad who was visiting from out of town. We had late reservations (9:15) but decided to go early around 730 and we got seated right away which was great!! The service was really great, the atmosphere cozy. We ordered filet mignon - my and my sister's filets were ok, cooked to order but a little too charred on the edges for my taste. My Dad ordered the filet and lobster combo, ordered medium, and it came out practically WELL DONE!! He had to send it back, luckily they brought out another one within 5 minutes but it really ruined the experience - he had to eat the lobster alone before it got cold and we really didn't expect "the best steakhouse in the country" to overcook a small filet. OK steaks but not the best I've had. I'll stick to Gibson's - always perfectly cooked and better side dishes!!
(3)
Dorival S.

I went to this place again after years in a Sunday night. I wasn't expecting much as I always thought this was a bit of a 'touristy' place, but I had to confess I had a great time. The steaks were great and being a Sunday the place was not too crowded which allowed for a great dinner listening to the piano. Service was also very good. Chairs are a bit uncomfortable, not pricey for a good steak house like this.
(4)
Barb N.

Even if you're a vegetarian, you've GOT to visit The Chop House. Joe is the best piano player in the city, and if you're interested and really listening, Joe will play a number of songs he's written. Forget The Redhead Piano Bar, and its cramped atmosphere I go to The Chop House whenever I have a chance! If you're visiting Chicago, don't miss it. If you live here, come often! And if you're a steak lover, it doesn't get any better than The Chop House!
(4)
Angela B.

I recently took my husband to dinner at the Chop House for his birthday and everything about our experience was pretty close to perfect. Great atmosphere - we had a table on the third floor and it was lively but not too loud. Champagne by the glass - delish, and I love a huge pour, it was almost to the rim. MMMM champagne. We had the fried calamari as an appetizer, the filet for me and filet/lobster tail for my husband. Everything was great but what randomly blew me away was the huge baked potatoes served with some sour cream and chive mixture that I could have eaten with a spoon. I would go back on the strength of the baked potato alone!! The service was excellent, as evidenced by desert - I had made the reservation via email and included a note saying that we would order desert, and please put a birthday candle in it for my husband. I didn't mention this to the hostess or our server, and yet our carrot cake appeared with a candle and a nice happy birthday. Great touch! And good carrot cake. And just to give the restaurant one more bump, our appetizer, entrees, 4-5 drinks, and desert all came to a grand total of $130 - a great price for such a fun night out.
(5)
Elizabeth P.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Everything is delicious from the steaks to the sides and the baked potato with sour cream and chives. And the decor is really fun and great. Get the Chop House Prime Rib - it's their specialty, is one of the more affordable pieces of beef on the menu but I think it's also the best. Order this and you can't go wrong.
(5)
Duyen D.

This place is TERRIBLE!!!!! Our server was the biggest prick in the world. First, he tried to sell us everything! I understand that they want to up-sell their products but please. He didn't even tell us that our salad and potato was included with our meal until we asked him if they came with our meal. He kept trying to sell us other salads and sides that were not included without even telling us what was included. Good thing we had already reviewed the menu and knew that the salad and potato came with the steak. We ordered oysters and crabcakes for appetizer. Oysters were small but okay. The crab cakes were horrible. Too much filling and not enough crab. I got the new york strip - which was bland and tasteless. I think I could have cooked a better steak at home. My husband got the prime ribeye and lobster. Both were forgetfull. To make matters worse, he asked TWICE if we wanted dessert when we told him we didn't want any. I know the economy is bad and these guys want to make a living but geez, don't haggle the customers! Worse dining experience ever!
(1)
Evann G.

I've eaten here twice now, and nothing particularly stands out from either time except the baked sweet potato, which was the vegetable of the day the last time we went. They served it with some sort of crazy honey-cinnamon butter that I couldn't get enough of. But enough about that, onto the steaks -- they were good, but not the best I've ever had. The crab legs were good, and I was so happy that they opened them for me, because I'm way too lazy to enjoy doing that myself. Oh, and I do appreciate that the entrees actually come with a potato dish, unlike most steakhouses, but really the mashed potatoes weren't that great. And they cancelled out any goodwill that they had gained through the potato dishes by NOT giving refills on soda. Anyway... out of the 3 steakhouses we ate at while my parents were here visiting, this was probably 3rd for the quality of food vs. price. Still, there's no denying that it's a good steakhouse.
(4)
E M.

$360 between four friends, i got the chop house platter, my filet was well done, sent it back. our waitress sherry was pleasant and nice, but what made the chop house expierence was the bartender upstairs named john, he's one damn good bartender!
(5)
Liliana S.

Another steak house that does it right. Beautiful building. Nice wait staff. Excellent location. Prices arent cheap but worth it.
(4)
Moxie D.

You can't go wrong at this place. Granted, I usually only go in for dinner at the bar, but, its always amazing. The other night we had the porterhouse, which was perfect and the best creamy garlic dressing I've ever experienced. This place is a Chicago standard. I hope it never changes. The bartenders and the service was impeccable.
(4)
Jo L.

I have been to the chophouse several times and the service is so terrible I cannot justify giving them business when there are other steakhouses in Chicago that provide a comparable meal without the shady waitstaff. Today, a group of six us ate at the chophouse. A friend of mine ordered the NY Strip and the waiter knew that she didn't realize that there was a much cheaper one on the regular menu and he misled her to thinking that her choice was between two NY Strips on the specials menu that were far more expensive while at the same time neglecting to mention that there was a NY Strip on the regular menu of comparable quality. The menu states that every entree comes with a salad and mashed potatoes but we never got those with our meal. All of the NY Strips were delicious, however my filet that was ordered medium was cold and this is the second time that this has happened at the chophouse. I would strongly recommend not spending your money here as there are plenty of great steakhouses in Chicago without the rude and dishonest waitstaff.
(2)
J L.

It's a steak house, so avoid the other dishes and stick with the main meat of choice here. Have some seafood in your appetizer, then move on to an excellent New York strip. A massive wine list, little help on pairing wine and your meal though.
(3)
Alice S.

hands down, best steak ever! charred bone-in ribeye... that is the one thing you need to make SURE to order. i've eaten ALOT of steak, and this was absolutely the best i've ever had. juicy, fatty, and beefy. the way a steak should be.
(5)
Hratch P.

This place looks like a classic, oldschool steakhouse and delivers on the expected experience. I went there for a business dinner and thought the setting was very appropriate. The waiter recommended their special bone-in filet which cost 50% more than their regular filet of the same size. Although I find it wierd to pay so much more for the bone since you can't eat it, I have to say it was worth it. The bone gives the lean and tender filet a great rich flavor like a ribeye. Amazing steak! And then my client picked up the tab which made it even better.
(4)
Sonia C.

I like, but don't love, this place. My bone-in NY strip was quality juicy meat, but a little on the bland side. There are also a lot of fat surrounding the steak which I ended up eating, but could have done without. Despite all this, it was still a great steak and I was happy with my meal. Some of my friends could not say the same about their steaks. The 48oz porterhouse was overcooked way past medium rare - especially the filet part which was burned (an absolute travesty). My friend's Chicago Chop House Prime Rib (ordered off their specials menu & different from regular prime rib because it was charred) had so much fat surrounding it that he ended up not eating half his meat. In my opinion, the standout of the night was the regular bone-in prime rib. Wisely ordered rare, it was soft and juicy and didn't require much chewing. Dipped in au jus and horseradish, it was a ridiculous experience. It was great of them to include salad and a potato with the meals which is not common for steakhouses, but much appreciated. I also got a side of potato pancakes which were nice and crispy. The most annoying thing about Chicago Chop House is that they don't give you real steak knives, but rather a knife that is more similar to the regular metal ones you eat with at a cafeteria. I think the dull knife is supposed to emphasize how great the steaks are ("Look! You can cut through this huge hunk of meat using the crappiest knife in the world because the meat is just SO tender!") but we had a lot of trouble, and my finger still hurts from all the effort I exerted. Get some real steak knives, CCH! Desserts are mediocre and can be skipped. Wine list is ok. Overall, a good experience for me, but I doubt I'll be coming back as there are other steakhouses in the city that I haven't tried yet.
(3)
Samantha H.

This is so disappointing to have to do, but ever since the new management came in last February, it's just not the same place. We took two friends there who are looking for the best steak in Chicago (having lived all over the world). I told them this used to be the best but not sure how it'd be since the new management and unfortunately I agree with most Yelpers who say it's gone downhill. I asked the waitress if the chef was the same and she said yes, which was quite surprising. The steak was not nearly as good as it used to be and is now twice the price! Unreal. $80 for a 6 oz. filet? The sides aren't as good either. The wine list is completely different and literally about 30% higher for the bottles they did have on the old wine list (and about a 150% markup from retail). Basically the quality has gone down (albeit, only slightly) but prices have doubled. Won't go back unless it's a business dinner where I'm not paying!
(3)
Richard F.

For a so highly rated steakhouse, Chicago Chop House failed to meet expectations. From the Caesar salad being served with no dressing at all, to all four entrees served lukewarm at best, the experience was disappointing. Our wait person was very business-like, and not enhancing to have a good time. I have to believe Chicago has much better restaurants to offer!
(2)
Michael G.

The wife and I ate at the Chicago Chop House on a recent trip to Chicago. I hail from the land of steak (Texas) and the city of steakhouses (Dallas). I'd like to think I know a thing or two about a good steak. The Chicago Chop House has an excellent steak. I went with the Dry Aged Kobe NY Strip. It was cooked to perfection and tasted awesome. They seasoned this steak just right with salt and pepper. There is no need to add any other seasoning to a good steak. The flavor is in the meat. The mac n cheese topped with bacon was also delicious. They do try to sell you on the tomahawk rib eye, but that is a gimmick. My only two small complaints are the ambiance (dull) and the lobster bisque had too much oil in it. Other than that, I'd glady pay $$$ for steak here should we visit again.
(5)
liz h.

I been to this place twice and I recommend be ready to spead a lot of money! The food is delicious but it's really over price. Perhaps I don't know much about steaks but 80.00 for a rib eye! I would definitely go back because we had good memories!
(5)
Vern H.

I have to rate this place, awful and this is why, we had a party of 12 the waiter took our drink order, I ordered a margarita he recommended the margarita with Premium tequila and I took the bait along with half the people at our table but he failed to mention the $26 price tag, needless to say I had my share of margaritas throughout the night, when it came time to order the food I ordered the ribeye the waiter suggested that I try the dry aged I took the recommendation along with 4 others at my table, this has to be one of the worst steaks I've eaten, the other who ordered it felt the same, towards the end of the meal I told a different waiter my steak did not taste like a dry aged steak and informed me that it was the regular rib eye, need i say more!!! Total bill 2,800.00 totally not worth the money .
(1)
Chad S.

Simply amazing old school steak house experience. Incredible steak, excellent sides and outstanding wine list. Pricey but worth every penny.
(5)
Max M.

Chicago Chophouse serves Mishima Ranch Wagyu Beef. It's one of the only menus with this kobe-style beef. Portraits of old Chicago gangsters like Capone and Lucky Luciano adorn the walls and the overall experience is anti-Maestro's. Guys come and eat their steaks with both elbows on the table and a white napkin hanging from their collar. And the steaks are what you would expect from this type of clientele... Bone-in dinosaur chop with a properly charred exterior and juicy interior. The Mishima Filet and NY Strip were among the most tender and well-marbeled steaks that I have ever had. Oh. Forged-aboud-it!
(4)
Hannah H.

A family member of mine goes the Chicago Chop House every year for her anniversary. So, when we were able to finally check the Chop House out, I was pretty excited. The brownstone itself was very cute and feels very classic at the same time. I came here with a group of friends and we were seated upstairs by the window, which was quite nice! I tried out the Chicago Chop House NY Strip, 16oz, and my husband has the bone-in Chop, at medium-well. My steak was okay and it was a simple, straightforward steak. My husband's steak actually came out rare, and then was actually sent back 3 times as the cook kept messing it up, and at the end of it, the steak became a burnt piece of meat... :( Our other two friends had a shrimp pasta dish and a salad, which they both stated were just okay as well. The staff were friendly, though, and very gracious. I was glad to try this place out, but I have other more preferred steakhouses! +incorrect temperature of steaks +friendly staff
(3)
Maria B.

This is an expensive restaurant. It's a great, high-end steak house. Expect to drop some money and don't be shocked when you do. The atmosphere was very old Chicago, no frills. Great old pictures around the walls, beautiful old bar. The one thing I didn't like is that our server rushed us along. We asked for a few minutes to order a couple of times, and he kept coming back 60 seconds later. It was highly annoying but once we ordered it was fine. I went with my boyfriend and another couple and we ordered one of the appetizer samplers to start with the shrimp cocktail, seared tuna, and lamb lollipops. All were great, but the tuna really stood out. I could have gone back, sat at the bar and ordered tuna and the mac and cheese and been quite a happy diner. I almost forgot, my martini was exactly as I ordered it. Perfect! We each had a steak, the men went with dry aged rib eye, I had a new york strip and our other diner had the filet. The dry-aged is definitely worth the extra $10. Cooked to perfection and so delicious. We had the asparagus and mac and cheese as side orders and I would definitely recommend the mac. The asparagus was ok but nothing too special. I would have gone with the spinach if we had to order again. overall, we had a great meal and good service.
(4)
Daniel S.

Beefferction!!! Porterhouse & mignon were cooked perfectly... choose the dry aged if you wish it a touch more tender, but you cannot go wrong with any steak on the menu. Truffle mac is perfectly seasoned as are the potato pancakes (a chophouse must). We also had the lobster bisque and tomato & onion salad with 18 year balsamic dressing which were equally enjoyable.
(5)
Justin G.

It was one of the most disappoint steak houses i have been too. Double the price of most high end steak houses (475 after tip and we only had one glass of wine each). We both had steak, crab legs, cheese cake, four cheese potatos, veggies, and prawns. Ranking steaks in chicago from what I have had: joes stone crab, tavern on rush, this place I cant remember the name, hugos frog house/gibsons, chop house, ruths chris, then devon's. Considering it was 1.5x's the price of the others I was disappointed. Prawns and cheese cake were really good but nothing different then the others. Four cheese potatoes were awesome. Crab was certainly on the lighter side of a 1/2 pound( much less then the 1/2lb I've had at other places) but good. All in all we get similar food at any of the main steak houses above and I would say besides Devon's this was my least favorite. Unfortunate, I have had some really good steaks at other chop houses.
(2)
Joe D.

Dry aged filet is the best here. Although the prime rib they throw back on the grill is hard to beat too. Cappuccino martinis are great for an after dinner drink. Great wine list. A favorite while in Chicago.
(5)
Eric B.

I have been waiting for awhile to go here. For years, I have been told my great grandfather's picture is on the wall. So I was quick to make reservations here when I knew I was going to Chicago for the Bears' game. I made my reservations for the upstairs room at 7:15, I did not feel like sitting in the noisy piano bar. They called me the day of to confirm I was in the upstairs room at 7:15 that evening, which I confirmed with them. When I arrived that evening, they told me that they unfortunately did not have room for my upstairs and they would have to seat me in the piano bar. I told them I wanted upstairs like I had reserved, and they told me that they could not accommodate that. Then they placed us at the cramped high top right between the front door and the coat check room. I asked them if there was another table, they said yes but it would be at least a 30 minute wait. The decor was probably cool about 20 years ago, but this place just looks beat up, and not in an antique/cool way. This place looks dumpy, not divey ( I love divey). It took about 15 minutes for a server to even greet us. He was very knowledgeable about the menu, but was not very attentive. My buddy and I both ordered the 10 oz filet with the potatoes au gratin with bacon as the server recommended (it was good, but it was the 3rd best out of 3 top steakhouses we had while we were in Chicago). While I was eating, one of the hostesses was on the stairs behind me (our terrible table butted up to the wall next to the stairs) starts screaming at the top of her lungs at the coat check girl (behind my buddy). Then she proceeds to cough over me without even covering her mouth (right over our food). I felt like they could not get us out of there quick enough. The manager walked by the table several times. I gave her a look like I wanted to talk to her. She caught my eye several time, but would not talk to us. This was a terrible experience for something I had been looking forward to for so long. I was so perturbed with the experience, that I even forgot to find my great grandfather's photo. Thanks Chop House for a terrible experience, sub par food, and someone coughing onto my food. Definitely will not be back and will definitely tell all to avoid.
(1)
Kim N.

I was in Chicago for a business trip with 2 other coworkers. After so many recommendations, we decided to try out this place. Boy oh boy, I'm not sure if I have anything positive to say about this place.... OK, the only good part of our meal was the appetizer, which costed us an arm and a leg ($50 per person for a prawn, a piece of lobster, and an oyster) We ordered different cuts of steak and they were all just alright... definitely not worth the price. The service was odd. We had a main server, who we saw about twice and seemed like he hated his job; his helper?, on the other hand, did most of the work so we handed the tip directly to her. For $500 between 3 people, we definitely could've had better food. This place is way over hyped & I'm not sure why.
(2)
Allen D.

So the Chicago Chop House is a staple of the city. Everyone who knows this steakhouse knows they have veal even though it isn't on the menu. We know this because we were told by someone who works there and even explained this to the staff. We politely request it and are told that they no longer carry it. We insist that they bring the maitre d over to discuss the situation. The maitre d kindly insists that they no longer carry the veal and haven't for 5 years. Next we speak to the owner and after explaining that we always have veal even after it was removed from the menu, he then admits they still carry it but imply they only give it to "important" people. They lied to our face. Not a good way to do business especially when you go there for 30 years. Needless to say we will never be back, even after we were promised a free steak for our trouble. This whole experience makes me sad, I recently discovered the original owner passed away and his partners assumed control. Edit: To add insult to injury, 7 guests totaled $1500. We had a better time and meal at the local Chicago Deep Dish pizza place 7 guests totaled $120.
(1)
Pete F.

Everything was going so well until, ugh . . . , the 30 oz tomahawk rib eye steak priced at a modest $99. The service was first rate, from the hostess who led me up 3 flights of stairs, to the very skilled wait staff. The appetizers . . . the giant shrimp wrapped in prosciutto was amazing . . the diver scallop was also good but . . the seared ahi was okay. But, you go to the Chop House for their red meats. I had to choose between the strip steak, bone-in fillet mignon, or the tomahawk rib eye. Our waiter had me salivating by the time he finished describing the rib eye and it looked like a million bucks when it was set on the table. However, what I expected was an explosion of flavor from the dry aging was only a whimper. It was like . . huh? After a few more bites, I had to ask for steak sauce . . at the risk of insulting our host and the chef. It was tender but not as much as I would have expected. At one point, I noticed I was working pretty hard with the knife, especially when I got near the bone. The steak was good, but didn't measure up to the hype. It's ironic that I thought the onion ring that accompanied the steak was awesome. Overall, it was a very good meal and experience but I had to make a deduction for the price.
(3)
Cigar S.

First time at this resturant. We sat in the bar area. It was a bit loud but fun. Nice piano music in the background. I had their Mishima strip steak. I think it was the best cut of all the steaks the table got. We actually did a little taste test between the dry aged strip and in my eyes the Mishima won hands down. The dryaged was 60 day (so they say) and nicely cooked but the Mishima had better flavor and was a HUGE cut.. Only down side for the night was the wine list. It was WAY over priced. Lots of great wines, but the markup was crazy high, even for Chicago.
(3)
Tom I.

Awesome steak...I had aged kobe rib eye and they tasted exactly what meat supposed to taste. Yes they were expensive ($70 range) but I would be happy to pay $90 for that dish. Old chicago feeling wall and photos add great taste, and welcomes out of towners like us. It was just SO DAMN GOOD! (BTW, valet parking was nice guys. they advised me to take the gps out, etc, good customer service skills. it is very busy street and these guys work hard...hope they also get a piece of meat)
(5)
Allan F.

Excellent food. It loses a star for leaving us with a cheap crusty paper menu with outrageous prices. If you expect me to consider an $80 steak, it better not be off some card stock you threw in the HP printer. When the REAL menu came (after the drinks) it looked solid and reasonably priced. Otherwise, great food. Similar to a Ruth's Chris experience.
(4)
Al I.

This isn't the same place as in years past. As others have noted, the prices have gone up, crazily so. Far more expensive than even Morton's or Ruth's Chris. And the food, sadly, is not any better than either. There's lots of better steak experiences to be had in Chicago, both chains and not chains.
(2)
Jeff L.

Food was good, but service was annoying. Waiter "suggested" a $260 bottle of wine, and the number of choices below $100 were few. The greatest annoyance was when, for 3 people, we ordered 3 appetizers, 1 48 oz steak and 2 sides and were told that there would be a $10 plate charge since they "felt" the 48 oz steak was only for 2 people (and we couldn't finish what we did order). Bill was about $250. I would strongly suggest you look for another steak place in Chicago. There are plenty that will thrill you for that price.
(2)
B. S.

Bring a full wallet! Went here for my "Dirty 30" and ordered the big boy steak. it was a $75 steak and was over cooked, the took it back and gave me a filet replacement. Great service (cause you pay for it) and good food.
(4)
Carolyn B.

Food is utterly fantastic BUT.... Service is very odd, detracting from the excellence of the food. The waiters are apparently trained to spend 10 minutes after you,sit tellimg you about the signature cocktails and the appetiser specials and REALLY pushing them (all without telling you the price - let's face it, you're here to lay down some cash probably for the steak so knowing a cocktail will cost $17 might be useful imfo) then hovering for you to come back with some decision before you're ever given a menu for food or drinks. Hard sell aplenty, and quite strange. Once that ordeal was over, everything else was fantastic - steaks on a par with David Burke's Primehouse (ie equivalent best in Chicago versus all the other steak houses we've tried, which is most I think) and good atmosphere
(4)
Angela F.

There are so many great steak houses in Chicago, do NOT waste your time and money at the Chicago chop house. The oysters were warm, the shrimp were slimy and probably at the tail end of their freshness, no wonder they provide a huge amount of spicy cocktail sauce : to cover up the zero taste. The bread was good but who messes up bread? We split a $69 ribeye and requested medium which should come dark pink in the middle. Nope. It's was overdone and covered In a lot of weird spices. If u have a great piece of meat, it should stand on its own without the need for extras. We even had to ask for Bernaise sauce t help with the flavor, it never showed up. The place was absolutely empty on a Friday night before Christmas which should be the busiest time of the year. It was so bright in the downstairs room/bar it was blinding. What ever happened to mood lighting? We saw a number of people walk up look in the windows and then walk away. It's pretty depressing actually. It used to be a great place. No more. Go to Bavettes, maestros Chicago cut, David Burke, capital grill, even gibsons is better despite all the hookers. What a waste of a great night and 250 bucks
(1)
Shannon L.

Our dinner here was delicious, but I wasn't blown away by the filet mignon and lobster. Both were tasty, but a bit tougher than I normally like. The sides were tasty, but again for a steakhouse, I wasn't impressed. Their berry dessert with coconut icecream was extremely memorable. It was satisfying and perfect for someone with a full stomach. It was light and sweet- I still think about it!
(4)
Ben S.

I have to agree with several other negative reviewers on this one. Service is a big problem. The entire show is less entertaining/cool steakhouse personality and service and much more like walking into Washington Square Park looking to make an illegal purchase. I also felt cheap only willing to pay $70.00 for a strip b/c I was unwilling to purchase the $90.00 version. Prices are simply out of control. The food was rather boring. Steaks were fine . . . absolutely nothing interesting or special but still good. Apps, shrimp, small, boring. Mac n cheese side . . . still not sure how they made that boring. Atmosphere is drab. This place is done.
(2)
Kevin T.

Underwhelmed. I don't get the hype. Got the porterhouse which was cooked unevenly, some parts well, some medium, some med-rare as I had asked for med-rare. Sides were ok. Overall I haven't been impressed by Chicago Steakhouses. I'll keep giving them a shot. Maybe I just caught the Chop House on an off night.
(3)
David Z.

I read the reviews on this place before going last night and they seemed to be either excellent or horrible, so payed close attention to be able to judge for myself. I arrived with a group of five early and they seated us right away. The waiter was friendly. He went through the list of meats but did not suggest any king appetizers or prawns, although I did hear one of the waitresses doing this from a distance. The atmosphere was excellent with old school Chicago gangster decor and pianist playing and singing in the background. The tables are close together which can be either good or bad. The wines are marked up about 400%. The waiter voluntarily commented on the outragous prices and suggested a more reasonable one. I had the dry aged tamohawk, mainly because it was the manliest sounding. The steak was great but not the best I've had. The seafood combination appetizer with lobster tail, tuna, crab cakes and oysters rokefeller was excellent. After appetizers, two bottles of wine, salads, a round of dry aged steaks, dessert, a round of ports, the bill came to about $1500 which is in line with what I was expecting. I would probably go again.
(4)
Christine O.

My favorite restaurant outside of Paris... and worth EVERY penny. The atmosphere and decor is just the beginning, but an important one for me. I love older feeling places that are cozy with low lighting. I prefer the basement/bar to the upstairs dining which felt cramped on Valentine's Day. The service was amazing, both times. At Valentine's Day we had two servers, in October on my birthday we had one. Recommendations and descriptions are spot on. I always start with the *Heirloom Tomato Salad. I do not like tomatoes. I do not. I love this salad. The dressing is just right, the tomatoes are perfectly firm and not too gooey. Unfortunately, they were out of it on Valentine's Day. I was so disappointed I almost want to dock them a star for it. The simple tasted boyfriend gets the *Cesar Salad and eats it without complaint. For dinners, I recommend nothing less than *The Tomahawk. I ate the ENTIRE steak by myself for my birthday. It was perfectly fatty, flavored, aged, and cooked with a bit of char. Seriously, this was an act of perfection. I made the mistake of ordering the regular *Ribeye the second time and it just didn't not compare. The boyfriend got the *Filet Mignon and *Bone-In Prime Rib and preferred the Filet. The previous waiter we had mentioned that the Prime Rib was not very good since the former chef left... he was right. It wasn't juicy for Medium-Rare nor flavorful enough. The *Filet on the other hand was flavorful and tender- "like eating steak butter." Roy's (yes, it's a Hawaiian restaurant) is comparable though, and cheaper, if you want a good Filet. Sides, the *Loaded Baked Potato- it's hard to do this wrong. For dessert, I had the *Strawberry Sorbet which was WAY too hard and too sweet. I almost wish it had been taken off the bill. The boyfriend had an *Ice Cream Sundae with the same hardness, but managed to eat it all. I have also had the *Berries and Ice Cream dessert and recall it being amazing. We drop a lot of money here when we go, but it's our favorite special occasion place and will remain so long as I have a say! Enjoy the Tomahawk at least once in your life! For cheaper, try Roy's. Comparable food and atmosphere for much less, but not a steakhouse.
(5)
Jeanne L.

I think this is just one of those places you might want to try before you die, but after coming here recently for my company's Christmas dinner, I thought it was just alright. All the servers and managers here are really snotty. Our server also put his face WAY too close to mine, i'd say only 5 to 6 inches away (and everyone else he talked to) when he was talking to me. I think he spit in my mouth while talking once. Ugh. Manners, anyone? Please respect my personal space. As many other reviewers have described, they really ARE very sneaky about the way they take your order and serve you, in order to get as much money out of you. First, they take your drink orders, and it's later that you realize a simple diet coke without refills is $5 or something because they only serve them in those fancy dancy special glass coke bottles. UGH! They also don't serve tap water (you probably have to ask) but upon your arrival immediately start serving expensive glass bottled water (pelligrino, perrier, etc) without asking if you wanted it or not. Then, unless you don't ask for the wine list, they're gonna suggest you the most expensive bottles of wine they have (of course...). Following that, the waiter "suggested", more like told us, what he would like to serve us as appetizers. Now these appetizers were good, ahi tuna steaks, diver scallops, the prosciutto wrapped prawns were just ok, but we didn't get to hear the price or see the menu before he basically ordered that for us. Then he went around asking everyone what kind of salad and soup they'd like, as though it was included in the steak price. NOPE! Expect EVERYTHING to be separate, even the vegetable "sides" with your steak. Then later as we're having a good time, chatting while enjoying our appetizers, he interrupts us loudly to tell us about their steaks. Some people try to finish their conversation, so he starts to talk EVEN LOUDER to shout over them. He was rude... in case you didn't catch my drift yet. Ok so he goes over their cash-tastic steaks. Dry aged... blah blah... better than wet aged yadda yadda. After he finally finishes I ask for a menu, which he then gets. I promise you, if you don't ask for menus, you will not get any. Then at the end of your meal you may puke up all that you ate when you look at your receipt. Dry aged steaks... tomohawk style (just a big long bone in the steak, OK? It's really not that big of a deal people....) $139 each. Most people at our table order this, because they don't look at the menu first (all horrified when I tell them the price the next week in the office) - that's fine, it's a Christmas dinner and we had a great year. However, most comment that the meat isn't all that special. It's just really really fatty. I got the prime cut (cheaper I guess) but still $40. My boyfriend leans over and says "I could make this at home". Agreed. Then with dessert, and coffee, and 1 bottle of red wine (I know they were disappointed we didn't booze it up more. We would have if it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg), the final bill is about 3.5K+. All in all, if you really want to try it go ahead. Otherwise PASS. We love steak, and most of us said we'd rather have Wildfire. Never had a bad meal there, and it's not ridiculously priced. Better yet, I vote Ruth's Chris. Their steak is so worth it and they don't nickel and dime you. They really act like they want you to have a good time. Chicago Chop House waiters just kept interrupting and trying to get more money out of us. Pass pass pass.......
(2)
Sarah B.

I have to say that I was very impressed with the Chop House on my recent visit. My lovely friend had a huge gift certificate to burn so we spent a few hours blowing those bucks away. We had a bit of a wait so we asked the bartender to recommend a wine for us and damn it, that was a effing good bottle of wine, indeed. We were seated soon thereafter and our server was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, attentive, and a little bit of a smart-ass..which I loved. Now, Im not a big meat-eater, which means that the Chop House is probably not the best place for me to eat. That being said, I told my server what Iike and dont like about steak and he suggested the best option for me. Very helpful and the meal was delicious. I cannot say enough about the service..very classy. Turns out, the night we were there, the Chop House was changing ownership so there was a bit of a farewell party going on. Movers and Shakers in the restaurant world were all there to see it go down. It was fun being in the middle of it and my friend and I had some drinks with some of these fine gentlemen..and had some great networking opportunities. A great time, delicious food, good company.
(4)
Carmella M.

Recently went there for a lunch on a business meeting and it is truley amazing... The lunch special's are huge portions. Our server Angelo was magnificent in recommending dishes and verbal description. I went with the smoked salmon and was not wrong. Staff and enviroment are great.
(5)
Sam F.

I used to love the Chicago Chop House, and always recommended it to out of town guests as "the real Chicago steakhouse experience"... It saddens me to say I will never be back now, and recommend that everyone does the same. The restaurant is under new ownership, and it's almost as if they're intentionally trying to bring down this once venerable Chicago Institution. I went last night with three friends... We sat down and ordered drinks, and were not given menus until we specifically requested them about 20 minutes later. Odd, but no big deal. We immediately noticed that the prices on the menu had gone through the roof since the last time we had been there (under the previous ownership), but it didn't stop us from ordering a ton of food. Again, there were four of us in total, an we proceeded to each order an appetizer, four entrees, and four sides... Our entrees consisted of a $109 rib eye, some other $70 to $80 steak who's name I can't recall, a lobster tail, and a $50 order of scallops (which wound up consisting of 4 measly scallops on a small plate). Now this next part is where it really gets good... After finishing our appetizers, the waiter stopped by to let us know we would be charged two $10 sharing charges because our scallop and lobster orders would not technically count as entrees, so we'd be charged extra for splitting our incredibly overpriced steaks. Are you f'ing kidding me?! We asked for the manager and explained to him that we had ordered around $500 worth of food and were shocked to hear they planned on tacking on an extra $20 in charges. He said he couldn't do anything about it, but would send over the head manager... So this other guy comes over and goes into this whole speech about how he's proud to say that under the new ownership they've increased the average per person dining charges from $50 or $60 to over $100! He was actually boasting about it... Weird! He even proudly told us that they now charge $2 extra if you want to share one of their so-so salads. We said we'd pay the extra $20 they were demanding, but would never ever be back... He then said he'd have to go check with the chef and see what he could work out. I was like why do you need to check with the chef about charging us extra, you're the manager? He replied with something along the lines of "well, the chef does like to keep his food costs down, so it's really his call." Huh? You call this fine dining... It felt so corporate and off-putting. So the manager comes back and starts acting like he's now going to be able to totally hook us up by not charging us the extra $20 because he got the OK from the chef. I'm like buddy, you're not hooking us up... We're actually having to sit here and argue with you for you to only charge us for what we ordered during what should be a nice meal! We actually had to spend about 20 minutes or so negotiating for them to not overcharge us! What a joke this place has become. I should also add that they really try to up-sell you on more expensive items while reviewing the menu... That never feels good as a diner. Also, all the management staff now walk around with these bluetooth earpieces in that look odd & somewhat comical... Are you guys guarding the president, or just doing a good job operating a friendly local steakhouse? My guess is neither. In hindsight, we should have paid for what we had already eaten and gotten up and left before the rest of our food came out. We were all planning on drinking more, but didn't order anything else out of protest. Our overpriced steaks & seafood were alright... nothing spectacular, and they took forever to come out following our appetizers (my guess is that they do that intentionally so people will order more drinks in the meantime... Likely the same thing with the delay in giving you the menu after you're seated). We got the bill, and it was nearly $600 with tip! Our sides were crazy expensive... We were charged for "family style" sides, which all appeared to be normal sizes... A little bowl of mushroom caps was $15, our order of a broccolini (which consisted of a few thin sprigs) was $22, etc. The vodka martinis two of us had ordered were $15 each! They asked us if we would be ordering dessert and I said it depends, would you charge us each an extra $10 if we a shared a piece of pie? There are far better steakhouses in this city, and for much less money. To name one, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab on Grand Street is a much better choice in terms of value, services, and food quality. I can't say how strongly I recommend avoiding the Chicago Chop House... It was the worst overall (and most expensive) dining experience I've had in a very long time. If you go, prepare to be nickel & dimed for food that's just "pretty good".
(1)
Edwin L.

The Chicago Chop House is a place that takes pride of the rich and ageing steak. This elite steak house is truly the best in the city. My number ONE steak house in Chicago! Their menu has a wide variety of cuts and variations. The steak is always so fresh and high quality, that you really never need to order anything above medium-rare. Can't say enough about the wait staff, which is second to none, truly supreme service! I love their decor as it is screaming "Chicago-style" from the wood trimming, green walls, and various pictures of famous Chicago celebrities. It is everything what you expect a steak house should be.
(5)
Colin K.

I give three stars... but let me start with the positives: Incredible Steak. Huge steak. Delicious. The steak came with a non-serrated knife. The onion rings were incredible. The mushrooms were well-seasoned and different than the usual sauteed style. Au gratin potatoes with thick cut bacon was incredible. You don't really need an appetizer if you're eating because it was big enough. The negatives: A pushy waitress and she definitely fibbed at one point. She seemed relatively disinterested in us ordering unless we were ordering top notch. Our table was very close to rubbing chairs with our neighbors and I felt I was walking through people's dinners when passing through the restaurant to our table. Overall: The steak is incredible. The service is far better elsewhere too (Morton's and maybe Gibson's). I see this more as a group place than I do a celebratory date place.
(3)
Marcos G.

One Star? If there was ever an instance when I thought Yelp should consider creating a "half of one star" rating, this is it. Allow me to explain. Perhaps I should begin my assessment by evaluating this restaurant relative to all of the other finer steak houses located throughout the city, most of which are located in the near north/downtown area. While I will not compare the Chicago Chop House (CCH) to other steak houses, I think it is important to note that at 50 something years of age, I have been going to steak houses form many years and therefore I have a good perspective as to what the ideal steak house should be. Probably what troubles me most are the prices. The current ownership is relatively new. Perhaps they over paid. Perhaps they over financed. Perhaps there is merely an element of greed, but uniformly, from the steaks, to the salads, to the side dishes or appetizers, the prices are significantly higher than they should be relative to the prices for similar products at other steak houses. Working of the presumption that all steak houses have a 9 or 10 ounce, as well as a 16 oz fillet, and a 16 oz NY Strip, and a 24 Oz Rib Eye or T bone, and all of which are Prime either dry or wet aged, there really should not be any real difference in price. Yet, of all of the fine steak houses within a few miles of this place, CCH's prices are substantially higher than the others. The sides, whether it be a large Idaho baked potato, or a side of steamed broccoli, also are significantly higher than the same places I am referring to for comparison purposes. I find this particularly astonishing considering other restaurants have taken quite a hit in this economy and are now offering "specials" and other promotions to lure people back in spite of these rough times. The service is adequate. The waiter forgot my salad, and when it did arrive at had the wrong dressing. When I called it to his attention, but instead of promptly removing it and replacing it, he let sit there until someone else came to remove it and bring me the salad with the correct dressing almost 10 minutes later. Does it take that long to prepare a salad, especially given the prior problems? You should know the food is good....to very good. If you order your steak medium rare, that is what you will get. At least I always did. A fillet that is charred rare is a real experience and quite tasty. You will savor it for sure. However, the same can be ordered at any other steak house with a similar environment for far less money. I also like the dress code. While men are not required to wear a jacket and tie, jackets are common place. Jeans are the exception. And don't even think of walking in with shorts and a t shirt on, looking like you just came from the beach. So, between the savory and consistent taste, as well as the dress code they earn their one star. That said however, the prices are high for what they offer. You can do better elsewhere and stay almost within walking distance of the CCH. Maybe this review will motivate the ownership to adjust their prices. I tend to think not however because those television commercials seem to be popping up more and more these days. Someone has to pay for them. I know one thing. It will not be me.
(1)
Nikki F.

I was on a business trip and taking out clients a few nights in a row, we ate beef, we ate a lot of beef. While I found the service impeccable (great handle on a large, demanding group) the steak wasn't great. The prosciutto wrapped prawns appetizer were so sweet, little jewels! I had the dry-aged bone in filet, and it was over cooked. Medium-rare, should be deep red in the middle, not pink. 4 of the guys with me had Kobe bone in ribeye, and 2 of them were undercooked for what was ordered. I expect a lot more when we are eating $100 steaks. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be back, because a steak house needs to know how to cook a steak. Gibson's for me.
(3)
Vickie L.

This place is always on people's "best steak" places so we gave it a try and took a visiting coworker here. The steaks were pretty good, not as good as Morton's or Ruth's Chris, but above average. Service was just okay, I've definitely had better service elsewhere, and lower class restaurants. What disappointed me the most was the desserts - they didn't have anything that was a standout dessert, i.e. Morton's chocolate lava cake. The ice cream sounded good as a nice "light" refresher, but it was $7 and it tasted like =they served out of what was probably a 10 gallon food service container. I do give props for the cool layout, it's in a 3-4 story old house, we ate on the 3rd floor and it felt like the restaurant kept going and going. Considering I had high expectations for this place, everything fell flat. Spend your well earned money on a steak dinner elsewhere.
(3)
Chris A.

My experience here was near perfection. Brightly lit this restaurant is a historical gem. It has been a visit for me each time I travel to Chicago. The waiter upselled with style and the wine list is extensive. I had the classic wedge salad which is done to perfection and a shrimp and rare tuna appetizer which I could have had two of. The best way to describe the steak quality is the filet which I have to order as a specialty at most steak places comes always as an option with the "bone in" which gives the most tender cut of steak the flavor of a TBone. Highly recommended.
(4)
tracy r.

Awesome food, great service, fantastic wine. Le Cigar Volare is a great value. I love this place, but if you do wine and appetizers, don't expect to get out under $500...but it's totes worth it.
(5)
Winnie L.

Steak was good. The oysters were huge but they have no taste to them... like they soaked them in water. We ordered half a dozen and we ate two. The waitress came by to move the plate to fit other appetizers and we told them we were done. She did not ask if there was something wrong with them... I don't think that's the service we should have gotten for paying $70 bucks for a steak. I wanted a drink with pear fusion vodka... she suggested all these other flavors... They should have a bigger selection for drinks!
(3)
Lola L.

After a day at taste you'd think that the last thing on our minds would be food, right? Well you must not know my family then. Knowing that 'taste' wouldn't be offering steaks to our liking we booked a reservation here in advance. I mean no offense to the steaks served in San Francisco but since the best meat come from the midwest Chicago has a little advantage. Try the crab cakes or shrimp to tease your palate. I've had their bone-in NY strip and fillet mignon and both times the steak was cooked to perfection. As I cut into the tender meat the juices flow and cover the white plate, I know nothing but goodness will follow. Ok the salad is not the best but did you really come here for the salad? I have yet to walk away from this place unsatisfied. As if serving some of the best steaks in Chicago isn't enough they give you an impressive wine list. The dessert menu is just ok (I guess they assume you'd be too full to consider dessert). It consists of ice cream, pies and cheesecakes. I'd recommend the hot fudge sundae. The chop house is situated in an old building. The wall are lined with old photos the allow you to look at Chicago's past. This is a must eat when in Chicago.
(5)
Brent G.

Me: 5'6" 140 lbs My Girlfriend: 5'1" skinny (she would be pissed if I actually listed her weight.) The Task: Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail 2 side salads 1 48oz Porterhouse 2 baked potatos Why we ordered so much food is a mystery but at the time it made a lot of sense. Needless to say when we left, we were thoroughly stuffed. The Shrimp: In these old style joints, shrimp cocktail does not change much. Shrimp: Check, Cocktail Sauce: Check and Horseradish: Check. I will say that they really do mean Jumbo though. Porterhouse: Good but not great. The filet side was quite tender but the flavor was a bit flat for a dry aged steak and I had to douse the strips in the residual butter to get any good flavor out of it. Nonetheless we finished all of our food. I had to losen my belt a couple notches but afterwards we felt a sense of victory over the once daunting bovine strip. After dinner: Me: 145lbs My Girlfriend...???
(3)
Don T.

A classic steahouse experience. I overhead one of the staff members mention that the Chop House recently changed ownership. The new owners must not have missed a beat, as the experience was all you could ask for in an established steakhouse. My New York Steak was among the best I have had - juicy, very flavorful, and it felt like I was cutting through butter. It was interesting to note how unusually fast the food was ready. Also, be careful about the minor add-ons the waiter offers to inlcude with your steak(peppercorn, etc), as they are pricey, and definitely not inlcluded in the price of the steak.
(4)
J R.

It is so refreshing to come to a stand alone, original steak house. Not that I would ever turn down a chop from the Capital Grille. It's just that I get burned out on chains that have commoditized the steak house experience than build a thousand carbon copies. There is just no soul. This place is great just because it is an old school example of an american steakhouse. Be ready to spend some cash here. The waiters are career waiters and, if allowed, will take you on a gastronomical tour. Prime is good. They sear the cut a little bit and claim it is "their thing". I usually go with a special steak of the day. Nice wine list.
(4)
MELEK L.

I LOVE THE CHICAGO CHOPHOUSE! I am not afraid to admit to you or to anyone else that this is my favorite steakhouse in Chicago hands down. You want an authentic Chicago experience? This is it. I would only suggest eating in the pit downstairs. This is where their personality lies. I love checking out all of the old pictures on the walls. They have a live pianist/singer on occasion. And the bartenders can be down right entertaining. Don't even think about NOT getting a steak!! They are cooked to perfection and you literally can cut it with a butter knife. TOTAL HEAVEN! I can think of nothing better. Now these aren't just any steaks. They are steaks accompanied by warm toasty bread, a simple crispy salad, and a potato! No "a la rip off" here! They will try to upsale you to a bone-in steak, but it's just not necessary. They are THAT good. Save room for dessert if you can. I dare you!!
(5)
Christa R.

It really was not as good as I thought it would be. It's a steakhouse in an old converted three flat. Definitely cool looking but a little cramped. The waitstaff is extremely well educated but the up-selling became annoying. They tried to get you to add something on at any chance they got. Do you want proscuitto on your side salad? Do you want to top your steak with bernaise? Do you want an appetizer for your appetizer? I get it, but it was pretty annoying. The food was pretty good but for the money, you may as well go to Gibson's. With two cocktails a piece, two entrees and two sides, we paid about $300.
(3)
Tracey G.

Filet was probably the best I ever had. . .crablegs were a joke. This is a VERY pricey restaurant, probably the most expensive I've ever seen. I think you could get a great steak at Wildfire or Carmichael's. . .or just about ANYWHERE in the city for a much more reasonable price. Wait staff was very good, but the price is hard to justify in my opinion.
(3)
Jelly C.

I am sooo happy I finally got to visit a popular Chicago steak house. Red meat isn't really my thing so I never recommend dinner at one but my boyfriend's uncle came to town so I had an excuse for going. It has such a tiny dining room. I'm not sure if there was another floor, but the main floor was crazy crowded. I didn't mind it much, it contributed to the warmth and atmosphere of the place. For appetizers, we order crab cakes and calamari. Both were very mediocre but its a chop house, I won't hold them against the seafood they serve. But the raw clams were absolutely delicious.. fresh and o so sweeet! We all ordered some variety of cow for our entrees. I ordered the crab legs and filet mignon. The filet mignon was nicely seasoned and cooked to perfection. My boyfriend's filet mignon was nothing compared to the taste and texture to Lawry's prime rib. He ended up trading dishes with his sister who had the prime rib special (I think it was seared or something like that). The uncle didn't really say much. I don't blame him... The meat was prepared well, but I could get the same kind of meal at 2 dozen other places around the area. Not to mention, I make a hell of a good steak myself... Overall, fun place. Would consider bringing my out of town visitors here. Definitely would come back for some raw clams.
(3)
Lisa F.

I wanted to go somewhere nice for our Anniversary. Unfortunately I waited, cough, assumed the hubby had made reservations somewhere, but I was wrong. The morning of the big day, I tried our usual places and well this one was open for the time that would work for us. I was okay with that fact, we'd get to try somewhere new! We were seated on the third floor. The bread was great. The salad was good. The steak was perfectly cooked. It was seared just right and moist like it ought to be, but.....bland bland bland. Where's the flavor?! I wanted to salt the bad boy it was so tasteless but I thought that'd be beyond tacky. Our waiter had forgotten my baked potato so it came out a bit later, but that was well worth it. The dessert was great. The hubby had a hot fudge sundae and that hot fudge was amazing. Total with tip, $199. We won't be going back. I've had better steak. If I had to go back, I'd do bread, salad, potato and ice cream, ha. We agree Harry Caray's still has a better steak and it was cheaper.
(3)
Jason P.

They sure make a beautiful steak here. More for special occasions. I enjoyed the history of meat in chicago, which is posted up on the walls through pictures of how it used to be. I had the grilled prime rib. I've never had a grilled prime rib, but it was amazing. Well done, perfect seasoning. The shrimp were as big as my fists and the sampler we had was incredible. The only disappointment was our service. We waited way too long between our courses to be served. This place would get 5 stars based on food quality alone, but I have to take one away becuase we were not treated fairly.
(4)
Donato C.

Hands down the best steak I've had thus far in Chicago. It is a little pricey, but it's completely worth it. I started with a half-dozen blue point oysters, then had a decent Caesar salad. My main course was a filet mignon (rare) on the bone with a side of sauteed spinach. My dessert was a very respectable apple pie a la mode. The filet was perectly cooked, with a fantastic flavor and the quality of the beef was very high. The ambience is exactly what an old-school steak house should be. Dark wood, uniformed, courteous wait-staff, and a very good selection of red wine, even by the glass. I loved it!
(5)
Gina G.

Extraordinary experience! Steak is the only way to go here. Start off by selecting your preferred cut of prime beef. Rest assured that this is the finest USDA prime made available to only a few of the finest restaurants. Next pare that off with a great bottle of wine from their wine list of over 650 selections from all over the globe. All the steaks are hand-cut on the premises. Each steak is charred to a succulent perfection. Even med-rare lovers with not need a knife to cut their steak. Classic historical atmosphere found in the charming three-level Victorian brownstone. The loyal and professional management team will promise you a wonderful experience. PS: You must stop and sing some classic standards at the piano. Perfect evening. PSS: Take out is available for lunch only
(5)
Marc H.

There was little not to like about this high-end steakhouse in Chicago. First, while it was a bit clubby, it wasn't filled with obnoxious power brokers smoking cigars and feeling good about themselves. It was actually a mix of couples, mostly mellow business folks, and laid-back old money types. Second, the waiter was a total hoot; he sounded a little like James Cagney and I thought he was going to say that the special was "pork chops and applesauce, see?" Third, the filet mignon that I had there was easily the best I have ever had. And fourth, the prices weren't out of sight; many items on the menu were under $40, including mine. I would love to head back here on any future trips to Chicago. I definitely recommend it to any steak lover out there.
(5)
steve l.

lots of people told us go to here, so I made a reservation downstairs so we could listen to the piano, we hate quite dinners. On arrival the host and the manager told us they had nothing downstairs for us and we couldnt even wait. I am so glad I told them to stuff it. the place was so stuck up and run down it needs a bad face lift. The good reviews on this place was before it got taken over by a new owner and raised the prices. We went to Mastros and had the best dinner of our lives. It was the grand opening weekend and the service was the best and the steaks- WOW. Everyone was so nice to us at Mastros......Unlike the Chicago chop house
(1)
Samantha F.

To be fair the commercial doesn't live up to its message. The steaks were plain, so were the sides...Lobster is the best way to go in this steak house. Bill was way too large for the quality of food. Good place for drinks and the piano. That's all!
(2)
Clifford S.

This was the best steak I ever had. By far. Service was great and the steak was spectacular. There was a few issues, but the quality of the steak made up for it. Still give it 5 stars, but here are the issues I had * Wine was way over priced. 3-5 times markup. If it was older bottles, maybe, but thee were bottles you could get at a good wine shop. That being said, the wine we got was great with the steak * The Potatoes au Gratin were too rich to balance the steak. Too rich and overpowering. It sat at the table for us.
(5)
monica m.

Went to the Chop House this past weekend and the place was pretty packed. Since we were out of towners, we liked the old photos on the walls. The service was also very prompt and courteous. We ordered the bone in rib eye which was TASTY. Very juicy and for that alone, we would have given the place 4 stars. HOWEVER (yes, there is a however), even though everything was great, it was NOT worth the price! The rib eye was $65 (which was the cheapest steak on the menu), plus a split meal fee of $10, plus the sides, plus tip (no drinks!) equaled to about $120. And that was only for one split meal! Craziness. Food was good. But it wasn't worth the price.
(3)
Jack S.

With so many great steak houses why anyone would go here beats me. Poor service and outdated decor.....this place needs Restaurant Impossible. If they go that route hope they fire the entire crude management staff.
(1)
Trent C.

When first moving here, the Chicago Chop House was everyone's go-to place for steak. I'm still wondering why. Don't get me wrong, the food is good but it is not truly great. I've given this place a couple of tries but I would rather go to Gibsons, Morton's or Gene and Georgetti's. Since this place is famous to the locals, expect it to be busy and don't bother showing up without reservations. This place is known for their steaks and they are good. I've given the Prime Rib and Chop House NY Strip a try. The steaks are tender and aged well. When asked for your favourite preparation, expect it to be perfectly cooked. The side dishes are good as well but the creamed spinach fell a little short both times. Both the German Chocolate Cake and the Cheesecake were very good ways to round out the evening. I know most will probably disagree with me but, while the food was either good or very good, I always leave the Chicago Chop House wanting something more. I can't be sure whether I've just had bad luck and picked the wrong nights or not. I'm always open to giving it another try to see if I can move it up to 4-stars.
(3)
Tara L.

Oh, this was tasty. I was here doing like Jeff N said, being a corporate type trying to impress clients. Hopefully they were impressed, I know I was. I had the NY strip, as I always do in steak houses. It was gooood. Perfectly cooked. Y'know what else is good about this place? Unlike most other steak houses in the city, you actually get a side and a salad with your steak! I got the baked potato but i hardly ate it in order to reserve stomach space for the beef. Our waitress was real nice too. I can't remember her name, but she was from wisconsin and she was funny. I love when you get good servers.
(4)
Jessica W.

Best steakhouse in Chicago! This used to be our go to steakhouse when we lived in Chicago last year. We've been here a bunch of times and every meal has been fantastic and the service is among the best in the city. The staff is always friendly and knowledgable. The atmosphere is fun and upscale yet not stuffy. One entree that might be overlooked is the rack of lamb. It's amazing and has more flavor than other restaurant's steaks. Other reviews have commented on how it's overpriced, but when you compare it to similar places in Chicago (Mortons, Gibsons, Smith & Wollenski) the Chop House's prices are definitely in line. When talking about high prices, other reviewers must have been comparing it to an Outback Steakhouse. You won't be disappointed if you come here!
(5)
Scott R.

My last meal here was an extreme disappointment. While steak houses are not usually a source of originality, they tend to be good at what they do. Here however we had a typical steak house experience (noisy, crowded, loud, and by the end of the meal drunk customers, mediocre service) without the benefit of the upside. The salads were tired, appetizers nothing special. The blackened rib eye which had been a standout previously was uninspired. Other steak entrees were serviceable. I've had mixed experiences at other steak houses, including Gibsons, so maybe it was an off night. But it was way off.
(2)
Chris B.

This was the first time I ate at the Chop Since since the ownership has changed, and it has definitely gone downhill. I wanted to try the Dry-aged Kobe beef sirloin, a $99 steak, thinking it must be amazing because there aren't many steakhouses that can charge $100 for an a la carte steak. I received a salad with it, that was drenched in dressing and didn't seem very fresh. The steak than came, which I ordered medium, and it was more a combination of rare and well done when I cut it in half. The flavor was good, but probably worth about $50, NOT $99. I paid $140 for just myself, and truly should have not paid more than $75 for this meal. It was a huge disappointment to me and I will not go back and will no longer recommend this restaurant for people searching for a good steakhouse.
(1)
Jennifer B.

If you are the type that absolutely loves a good steak but doesn't appreciate the pretense behind it, then Chicago Chop House is the place for you! This steakhouse is tops in Chicago. It incorporates everything Chicago: great people (the servers are phenomenal and really knowledgeable about the cuts of meat and the fish), amazing food, and history (the walls are lined with old photos of Chicago). This isn't like one of the newer steakhouses...where you are smashed between power players....or you ARE a power player and you are just there to be seen. At the Chicago Chop House, it is evident that everyone is there for a great meal. It is expensive, especially the add-ons...as others have written. But those add-ons (sauces, etc) really do add to the meal. The wine list is top-notch and really, with whatever you order you won't go wrong!
(4)
Kathleen P.

A very lovely place as far as decor and atmosphere. The wait staff was very attentive and we wanted for nothing and our tip reflected this. However the prices were very expensive and I felt like I was nickle and dimed to death. The food was good and the dessert was excellent but I have had better Tuna Tataki for a third of the price and just as good if not better at home. The Fillet was also good but not for the price I paid. Everything is a la carte which I found unbelievable in this economy. However I did like the family style servings and the green beans were outstanding. I also highly recommend the dessert menu. The raspberry ice cream cake was excellent and worth the price and large enough to be shared. I understand Chicago is expensive and we had a wonderful time in the windy city and what a beautiful city it is but save your money and find a more wallet friendly Chop House.
(2)
Bob J.

My thoughts on Chicago Chop House: - Great prime rib. One of the best prime rib I've tasted anywhere - Very reasonably priced for the meal - Knowledgeable wait staff - Terrific wine selection I loved the pictures of the old pictures of chicago, especially their meat packer hall of fame. It symobolizes the history of the city and the tradition of their restaurant. I really enjoyed their prime rib and the wait staff was terrific. It is worth your time to check this restaurant out while in Chicago.
(4)
Michael R.

What a waste of time and money on this place. Over priced everything and really not very good. Ala carte everything and for those prices, why? Even an added $10 charge to split a enormous entree. What a rip off. I would rather go to Trotters or NoMi. At least there I would have had incredible food and an incredible dining experience. Never again, what was I thinking!
(1)
Molly G.

Start with the food: excellent cuts every time I have been. Temperatures perfect. Salads that come with entrees are nothing special (giant glob of dressing over top iceberg, cukes & toms). Sides are typical (creamed spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, etc.), but they are surprisingly good. Now for service...friendly, but not exactly on point. We waited for ten minutes before a wine order was taken...and we were the only table in the restaurant, with about seven staff members huddled in a corner having a conversation. We ordered a big wine (more than $200) and when it came time to be served, the server awkwardly carried the wine, a decanter and two stems WITHOUT a tray! It's not like we were in a hurry...take your time and show some etiquette (stems on a tray first, wine and decanter second). I watched it happen at about five more tables. Just seems like service is an afterthought, but I am a stickler for details...they are what make or break a restaurant. Anyway, our server was friendly and at the end of the day, I guess that's what matters. I just think it could be a bit more polished, given the fact that it is the best steakhouse in Chicago at the moment.
(4)
Gerard G.

what needs to be said? its Chicago + Steak/ Rack of Lamb + Wine + a Lady = Satifaction... that'll last even the morning after. My constant staple is the rack of Spring Lamb with a side of mint jelly. one I asked is they would frika'Z ( I know the spelling/grammer's way off, but it was easier ha!) blue chese, mushrooms and fresh mint with a hint of cumin and jasmine, and right before they take my lamb off the fire place the blue cheese mushroom mint onto the lamb and let it crisp... I nearly fell out my chair when I ate... it was all perfect... but what made the diner experience was watching my lady scarff down a humongus porterhouse steak.... Ha! it was great swear she didn't eat for a week... ok so maybe you didn't need to know that.. but it's a memorable place with great food and good wine!
(5)
Brian V.

I may never be allowed to touch down in Chicago again after this tidbit of a piece, however, 3 stars for the legendary Chicago Chop House. Going on a trip to Chicago with my mates, we wanted to go somewhere special on our very night. You see, on our 3 day trip, the last 2 had been filled with hazy memories...being blasted to a point of blacking out on the Viagra Triangle. It was a most glorious vacation, however, being the sophisticated individuals that we are, decided we needed to go somewhere where a button up shirt was the norm. We found this place quite on accident...walking by it while we were site-seeing. Seeing the pamphlet enshrined in a glass case that marked its legendary status, we made reservations. Spitting in my hand to soothe the cowlicks in my hair, we got ready and made haste. Walking in, we were immediately greeted by our host and were led upstairs. The first level was at capacity. I saw many red faced men (this is a steakhouse for pete's sake) skewering their steaks, cheeks a tint of rouge signifying a healthy buzz, laughing and slapping each other on the backs. The decor was very old school...a lot of wood..rustic in nature. Walking upstairs, we were seated and introduced to our waiter...if he could be called that. He was a scientist, with a P.H.D. in steak. Alas, what an archaic major. He spent nearly half an hour talking the different cuts and colors of marble and truth be told, it went in one ear and passed out my ass in the form of gas. I occupied that half hour by looking down my girlfriend's shirt as she was looking quite ravishing. Jk jk. I just closed my eyes in truth. I ordered the 64 oz. Porterhouse steak and Russ's American Fries. I replied negatory to the waiter's inquiry of adding a sauce to my steak for $10 extra bucks. My steak was already $60 bucks...geezus. When our table was served, I nearly cried when I saw my side of mashed potatoes. It was literally 2 spoonfuls and it was gone. I cannot lie though, it was delicious. My fries were not even fries. They were potatoes cut in halves with various spices. My steak, medium rare, looked beautiful and was very tender when I cut it, however, the taste did not make the hairs on my neck stand. This may have the Chicago Yelp task force rise against me with pitchforks however, this steak tasted like that of a $30 steak at Angus. If I anger you steak connoisseurs, blame my head and not my heart. I do not mean to give you an irregular heartbeat...however, I was very disappointed. You may ask what does a newly minted college graduate know about Porterhouse steak and I will honestly tell you not much, however, I know my truths. I have to deduct another star for the waiter/waitresses. They seemed very elitist, as if they were professors of meat. They were very knowledgeable however I will not apologize for not knowing different cuts. I will never apologize for living. They frowned down upon our questions and I also felt they treated us different because we were young college students...aka...don't have deep pockets. I noticed that they took care of the adjoining table very well and were prompt to the raise of their fingers or click of the tongue. Water was not poured in a timely manner and they were rather brisk with us. However, that is the reality of life. I will say that the steaks are rather abominations in size and you can get them to go and they pack them in a very cool doggy bag. I have never seen that before in California. After our meal, when our party did our own clapping of the backs and the usual pleasantries of, "what do you think of the food", I am ashamed to say it was, "very good...best steak ever". Everyone agreed. The truth has a funny way of always emerging and I could no longer hide my falsity. In confided in my friend that i was very disappointed and he retorted the same. I was not the only one. So there you have it...my review of Chicago Chops House. If you read my review and it angers you, try a new method for 2010. Send me a complement. If i put a frown on your face, know that your simple act will put a smile on mine.
(3)
Jane C.

One of those great old-fashioned steakhouses. I had the Chicago House New York Strip and inhaled it! The fries, potato pancakes, and creamed spinach were excellent sides. Don't forget to close with a chocolate triple play!
(4)
Worlowitz W.

Chop House served me the finest steak i've eaten in Chicago. their specialty, a prime rib cut grilled to order, bowled this Texan raised on steak houses over. the other half of this reviewing team usually tries a bite when we go out for steak (never ordering meat, usually sticking to fish) but i was cutting off bite after bite for her because it was amazing. everything about this place was great. the server was very knowledgeable about th food and wine, making expert suggestions. the salads were generous and delicious as were the sides (potatoes, spinach). this place is what Chicago steakhouses should strive to be: simple and straightforward with an air of formality and history while providing incredible and inspired food that's traditional while incorporating modern touches.
(5)
Molly D.

I don't yelp too often and only really do when I adore a place or want to warn other potential customers. With that said, I went with my husband to Chicago Chop House on Valentine's Day - overall the whole experience was just so-so. While our waitress and her assistant were pleasant & knowledgeable - it was slightly awkward to watch them bumble over each other in the limited space on the second floor. (I will add, the lower floor appears to have a little more ambiance than the second, with dimmer lighting and live music.) Overall - when two people pay $250 bucks for dinner, you'd like to walk away satisfied, happy you invested the dough in a great meal. We did not feel such emotions. He ordered the strip and I ordered the fillet minion. I wouldn't put either steaks in a very memorable category. Both were totally forgettable, flavor was mediocre and the strip was actually a bit dry. We ordered the creamed spinach as a side and it was great, although not a tough side to perfect. The 4 cheese potatoes were fine, nothing fantastic. Also, they rushed our meal. How can you order two $60 steaks and be in and out, with salads & drinks prior to the meal, in less than a hour and half? Perhaps it was just that it was Valentine's day? Either way, we didn't think the quality of the meal was there - I can't believe the prices they charge for the food they offer. We will spend our money elsewhere on better steaks at better prices.
(2)
John D.

My wife took me for my birthday and I was excited because I want to eat at all the top ten Chicago steakhouses. We get there only 5-10 minute wait for our table and bartender was cool, then we go upstairs and I tell my wife this setting here in the restaurant is more for 35+ year olds. We felt we were too young to be there everyone staring at us lol...but besides the old school at grandmas house for the holidays setting the service was excellent. The food was average, I had the porterhouse while the steak was good could of had some seasoning on it, my mash potatoes tasted like it was one of those ready flake potatoes from the box that u pour in the milk and water and ur done in 5 minutes. In other words your paying for the name,it wasn't a bad experience but we expected more. And that's why Gibsons will always be king
(3)
Stephen R.

If you want a great steak , you go to Chicago Chop House. Been to all the steak joints in Chicago and other cities and this one hands down always has delivered the goods. Grade A quality prime steaks. This is the number one steak house in the universe. Anyone who says its over priced is a moron.
(5)
C. S.

I love a good steak and don't mind paying the price, but I felt totally ripped off when I dined at this steak house. $100.00 for a steak is an OUTRAGE! I don't care if it was aged 50 days. 4 of us dined here and not one of us loved our meal. None of the sides I would have ordered again either. Go somewhere else, pay less and enjoy more!
(1)
Kris A.

You should definately try this place. It's fun, bursting with local flavor, and you'll never leave hungry, as the portions are absolutely huge! The steaks are solid. Not the best I've had in the Windy City, but very good. I'm a filet gal, and I avoid fatty steaks like the plague, so these weren't completely up my alley. If a little fat doesn't send you running, you'll probably like them. Weirdly, my favorite part of the meal were the Russ's American Fries - it's a side dish and I'll be damned if they weren't some of the most mouth-watering potatoes I've ever had. All the sides are great; the crabcakes are solid; and they actually - get this - GIVE YOU a potato and a salad with your meal. Imagine that! Kudos, Chop House! It's a good time; make the trip! I saw one of the comments describe the decor as "scuzzy Chicago Italian" or something along those lines - - but I didn't get that vibe at all - maybe a little old-school/boys-club-esque, but not scuzzy. I think the atmosphere was the best part! And you should try to sit upstairs.
(4)
Hui C.

If you like steak, check out the Chop House next time you're in the Windy City. It's located near city center, not too far from Michigan Ave. Come hungry. Succulent prime rib and fantastic porterhouse! All served with a little bit of veggies for health. lol. Situated inside an old brick building, the place has a classic Chicago feel to it. Come hungry and bring your wallet. It's not cheap..especially if you decide to try the 96 ouncer. Good luck!
(4)
David G.

Queue the theme song from The Godfather. Perhaps I was living too much into the moment, but I got this historic Chicago mobster vibe when eating there. I went there for lunch with friends and we were the only ones sitting at a table. The regulars were corralled around the bar enjoying their meals while watching the Cubs vs Black Sox game. I didn't wanna infuriate the locals when asked, so I just told them I wanted Chicago to win. A lot of the patrons in here were portly seasoned gentleman in suits and suspenders with their jackets hanging on the chairs. Pin strips and double breasted coats seemed to be the defining uniform. Along with the decor of the chop house and their guests, it was easy to visualize how it'd be like to live in the day of your favorite mobster movie. The staff was attentive and we were seated promptly. The steaks were suberb. I had the blackened ribeye which was a very tender and fatty cut. My friends and I were all sharing a slice of each other's steak since everyone seemed to like what they ordered. While most of us had wine, I did manage to have my first taste of Goose Island Honker's Ale. Pretty good stuff that I've yet to find anywhere else. This place is a must see for any one making a stop in Chicago.
(5)
Audrey C.

I feel like I have been had. I am not lying that a dinner for two cost over 300 dollars (no appetizer or dessert), and it wasn't that great. My boyfriend and I went here for our anniversary, and ordered our food, but our waiter wouldn't accept what we ordered. He kept saying he didn't bring the "special card" with the good steaks. We finally relented to his suggestions, to find out we had just ordered 90 dollar steaks. And trust me, they were not worth 90 dollars. I left this restaurant in tears. I also ordered a bottle of wine that was 52 dollars, but lists at 18. I felt uncomfortable and pressured the entire time. If I had had a nice experience, I could possibly feel differently. But all I felt was bullied and ripped off. I could not be more disappointed.
(1)
Sam V.

This was not the best steak I ever had by any means, but everything else is is great and the service is very old-school. What really shines here is the atmosphere - all the old photos and memorabilia from old Chicago along with the ambiance of the structure itself - it makes for a fun and entertaining dinner. It's almost one of those places you have to go because "you weren't in Chicago if you didn't". I am not much of a fan of the seating in the lower level (bar area) it's really cramped and you have to raise your voice over the piano guy. So if you're going here on a date or in my case, a business dinner, ask for a table upstairs, where it is decidedly less crowded and quieter.
(3)
A L.

My parents and I decided to try this chop house which was located right behind the place I am staying at. Don't get me wrong, it's pricey and frankly, I was a bit surprised my dad actually said that we should all eat there. But I wasn't about to argue!!!!! :) The food is EXCELLENT!!! This was the best prime rib and strip that my dad has had. And he is hard to please! I got the Strip Steak on the bone, grilled, and medium rare. Good for what it was, but as expected, still going to be a little chewier. At least it actually was medium rare!!! My dad got the Prime rib bone-in, with grilling at the end (one of the specials), medium --- this was SOOO good! definitely the winner of the night. My mom just got the prime rib, plain and simple. Good, but dad's was just divine. My dad gives this place a 4.5 (amazing rating for him) and my mom gives it a 5. I gave it a 5 too! I think this place is a winner for the parents should they ever make it back to Chicago. P.S. The 2004 Santa Ema Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon at $24 a bottle was surprisingly decent. (I am pretty darn picky about my wine too)
(5)
Aleksandra S.

I agree with the previous review: Good, but i definitely had better steaks. It was our last night in the United States and we wanted to celebrate it in a very special Steak House. First we wanted to go to David Burkes but then we said "Ah, Chop House is supposed to be traditional and has excellent steaks too", so we gave it a shot. First strange thing: They would not take reservations for 5.30, they were booked out except at 4 and 10. So we just went there and hoped we would be lucky for a table around 6. As we arrived, and also at the time when we left, the restaurant was half empty....No waiting time at all for a table... My steak (T Bone) was without a doubt good, the price was probably also cheaper as at David Burkes, but looking back i probably should have spent 10 bucks more, just to get a real memorable,last steak experience.
(3)
Jeff P.

The Chop House is home to my favorite steak, the bone in fillet. I have been here two times now and this steak never ceases to amaze me. I first tried the steak after our server was hyping it up to my family. He told us that it has much more flavor due to the bone being attached. I was a little hesitant since I hate any connective tissue on my meat. So he said that they would cook it with the bone in and then cut it off before they brought it to the table. Ok, sold. So when the steak came I was in pure enjoyment. I didn't think a piece of meat could have this much flavor. I did feel like a little kid having them cut the bone off Though. Oh well, price to pay for excellence.
(5)
Justin S.

Brought my parents and grandparents here on the weekend of my college graduation. The food was spectacular, and everyone was happy with what they ordered. My step-dad and I both ordered the special prime rib, which is prime rib that is then grilled - both medium-rare. Mom ordered a steak medium-well but specified exactly how cooked she did want it. Steaks were cooked perfectly. The prime rib was divine. Yeah, the salad wasn't all that great, but who cares? The reason for the 1* deduction is that I expected more of the atmosphere/crowd. It seemed to be a nice enough dressy kind of place, but about three tables away there was a party dressed in t-shirts and shorts, one of whom was obviously intoxicated and screaming his entire conversation. Every other word out of his mouth was the "F" word. Thankfully, my grandparents are hard of hearing enough that they didn't hear it, but it still detracted from the overall experience.
(4)
Eliot G.

I would never go back here again! Food was average at best and was more than 2 times as expensive as any other steak house, aka Ruth Chris, Morton's, Capital Grill, etc. Steaks were about $90 each and were chewy and not properly cooked, side dishes $22! Came out room temperate or cold. Restaurant packs people in very closely. Food might have been good years ago but it feels like a typical tourist trap restaurant. Overpriced and disappointing food.
(1)
Kristen D.

Pops was in town this week which means I got to enjoy a really nice dinner! Awesome food! I had a filet mignon that was delicious, not quite at the David Burke or Mastro's level, but still very tasty. Both of our sides were great, potatoes au gratin and the sautÃ©ed spinach. One healthy and one that will clog your arteries in five minutes flat. Great service, very enjoyable meal. One thing I didn't like, they had a pour line on the wine glass. I have never encountered this before and found it to be really tacky!
(4)
Carol L.

I love my meat :) Came here with my friend, where we split a dry-aged new york steak (medium rare), an order of spinach, and an order of mac 'n cheese. We cleaned all three plates clean. Our glass of water was always full, and the waitress was so so nice! She told us to never hang our purses on the back of our chairs. Steak: so flavorful and tender, grilled (?) perfectly. Crispy outside layer, juicy tender meat inside. Served with half an oven-roasted garlic. Mac n cheese: cheesy. Good texture. Yum. Spinach: nicely sauteed, with a half lemon. I found this incredibly good actually, drizzling lemon on top of nicely seasoned spinach.
(5)
S C.

Most expensive steakhouse in Chicago and doesn't rank in the top ten in taste. The waiter up sold everything, was not sure if I was eating dinner or buying a car. Worst King Crab I've had. I have eaten at nearly every steakhouse in Chicago and stayed away from CCH because of the reputation. Now I know why. Go to Joe's or Mastro's.
(1)
C M.

There is very little persuasion or doubt that Chicago Chop House offers impeccable service to it's dining patrons. Unfortunately, the service is all they conduct well! After a horrendous display in preparation of a 28 oz. Porterhouse from Gibson's (during my first visit), I opted to give Chicago Steak a second shot. Why not take the party to the Chicago Chop House? The decor of the restaurant is not much note worthy, in terms of the ambiance. The House is filled with various celebrity and scenic photographs, thus aiding to it's home like atmosphere. Patrons will find that the decor @ Chop House is friendly, unpretentious, and inviting. In a way, dining @ this establishment made it feel as though I was having a Steak dinner @ home. The Food... The Crab Cake: Nothing to write home about, if anything, the platter was executed with crab meat scraps rather than that of Jumbo Lump. Patrons tasting this appetizer will find that the majority substance used in this dish is that of bread crumbs. More importantly, the tangy mayo used as the binding agent overwhelms the delicate nature of this dish. Shrimp Cocktail: This was hands down the best part of the evening (spoiler for Steak), the Shrimp was not only massive, but the tenderness of the crustacean was welcoming. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, thus possessing a juicy texture and not that of a rubbery body. NY Strip Steak, Medium Rare: This is the part where I tell the Steak Chef @ Chop House to try not to fool its patrons by serving an overcooked steak and attempting to pass it for Medium Rare! For starters, the Steak was MEDIUM! When the internal temperature of your NY Strip exceeds 125, it is MEDIUM, not MEDIUM RARE! Please try not to pass me a piece of steak that was left in the broiler too long and call it MEDIUM RARE! Even after 4 glasses of your second rate Rosso Di Montalcino, I can tell your Steak isn't prepared properly. The taste and texture of the Steak failed to live up to it's reputation. If CCH's Steak is labeled as USDA Prime, then why does the Steak have the texture of that of USDA Choice? To add to the above mentioned, the rough texture of the steak indicates the Steak contained very minimal marbling. All this added together with a lack of heat in the broiler process, made this Steak one that is without praise and lacks all merit for which it's yielded! I will not go as far to say that I would never eat @ Chop House again. What I would throw on the table is that for my next visit, I may try the Porterhouse instead. Still, the lack of impressive presentation and tasteless Steak makes one ponder whether any of Chicago's Steak Houses can top NY's Premier Steak Houses!
(2)
Ray C.

I tried: Rib eye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon For the prices, this place isn't that great. Their rib eye and filet were both average. Nothing really special about the meat. Their new york strip however, was fantastic and I would certainly go back (and have gone back) for it. Their sides are just ok, but what makes this place special is the ambiance. You really feel like you are back in the days when the gangsters would meet in Chicago and the saloon girls would be readily available. I know that they have a fantastic history, but I don't remember at this point. Go or not, you have my blessing for either, but if I were you, I'd head over to Morton's, David Burkes, or Lawry's down a few blocks.
(3)
beto g.

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Bachelor party with 10 guys. I have been here before and had a good experience, but this time around.. it was rough. Our server Jodie was nice, but I feel we should have had 2 servers.. We all made our choices quite rapidly, then some starters were suggested by the staff.. we said sure, and they brought something called the King's plate.. prawns and lobster.. They were fairly nice and filling- so much that I was full after eating the starters. II ordered the Dry aged Kobe beef Tomahawk Rib-eye.. yes, it was as good as it sounds!! For wine wee had some Kenwood that was weak and the Catena Malbec which was very good. Overall, the dinner was nice and I feel everyone was satisfied with the quality of the food.. Now, to my surprise, the bill came to $3,000 for 10 guys.. yes 3K. While this was not the most expensive dinner ever (Per se in NYC was 350 a plate...) When looking for the culprits, It was not the steak, nor the wine, the starters were $300 each which I thought was beyond reasonable and more so because they did not care to mention the prices when they suggested the plates..
(1)
Tom L.

No doubt the steak is phenomenal here. We had the porterhouse, the bone in fillet, and the tomahawk ribeye all of which were awesome! Great wine selection as well! The 3 stars are because the sides are super small; we were disappointed because we had ben advised to share two sides for our entire table. The creamed spinach had great flavor but i could have used two more bowls of it and the au gratin was pretty bland and greasy.
(3)
Jenny L.

I picked Chicago Chop House for my steak experience in Chicago since I wanted a place within walking distance of our hotel and didn't want to eat at the normal chain steakhouses (Morton's, Lawry's, etc) I've had before. Plus the idea of dining in this old building with the old Chicago vibe was a great way to check get to know the city. For our meal, we ordered one each of the normal prime rib and the chop house prime rib. For our sides, we had mashed potatoes, house potato pancakes, and sauteed mushrooms. My prime rib, which I ordered medium rare, was somewhat chewy and hard to cut and chew. The chop house prime rib, which the bf ordered, was cooked until rare like normal prime rib and then seared on both sides until it was medium. The unique way of cooking the prime rib gave it a different flavor and texture that was interesting to try. The mashed potatoes tasted like KFC's...which is a good thing for me. The mushrooms were a little salty but good and the potato pancakes were a little too crunchy and thin for my taste. Didn't taste like anything special. It was nice to see this restaurant because it's definitely a unique space but the food was just ok. If you're looking for good prime rib in the area I would recommend Lawry's english cut medium rare with a side of creamed corn. If you want good filet, go to Morton's. Or there's always David Burke's...I didn't have dinner there but the filet served in my American Dim Sum brunch was delicious!
(3)
Kari H.

Everyone knows that when you go to a Chicago steakhouse you have to bring an armored truck full of $ as they are not inexpensive. We have been to a number of the big names-- Maestros, Sullivan's, Ruth Chris, Joe's etc Although the food at Chop House was good the high prices were not. $18 for a Cosmo, hard to find a steak under $50', sides at $21 for some potatoes ! Place is rather tired with little ambiance. We won't be returning.
(3)
Angela N.

Food here's great for groups. Appetizers and desserts can be shared family-style. Wine list is decent, too. The ribeye special is the real reason to come, though. Save your appetite and get your own.
(4)
Stuart W.

I used to love this place before the new owners took over. The steaks here are wonderful and not overpriced. I love the location believe it or not. It's small and quaint. Hopefully the new owners will make the necessary changes to improve this gem.
(3)
Brad G.

For $129, one would expect the dry-aged tomahawk Kobe ribeye to be spectacular. Instead, it was tough and flavorless. The service was also sub-par. Never once did the waiting staff refill the wine glasses at our table. There are a hundred steakhouses in Chicago that are exponentially better than this place. I would absolutely not come here again.
(1)
Don R.

I had a date recently with a truly beautiful women recently. Her name was the Chicago Chop House. I picked her up at her house and within the first twenty minutes we were together she told me most of the men in her life told her she was one of the most beautiful women they ever saw. She told me the jewlery she had on was worth over $10,000 and the dress she was wearing was a designer dress flown in from Paris. Her shoes were Italian and wearth more than my car. Her last date took her to all the best clubs in Chicago in a limo. I had plans of a great movie and popcorn. The food at the Chop House was second to none. The steaks were wonderful, the service was curt but attentive. It was the attitude that was completely off. I have never left a restaurant feeling quilty of only spending almost $400 for 3 people in my life. The upsell pressure was just too much. We all felt if we didn't order the al a carte $109 Kobe steak, we just were not experiencing the true Chop House steak. At $21.00 for a caprese salad featuring 2 tomato slices, did not seem to satisfy our two servers. No desert--how dare you. Perhaps the best was the reply to someone at our table when he asked about the rack of lamb and the server saying "well it is okay, but you know you are at the Chicago Chop House". Perhaps a wise tip, but the condsending tone was over the top. This place has to realize that when 3 people leave this establishment spending $400 they need to feel appreciated. Not so here. When I took the beautiful women home she gave me a kiss with those georgous lips. Would I be calling her for a second date? I don't think so. There are so many good looking women in Chicago with much better personalities.
(2)
Slipangle K.

Unbelievable service! Exceptional steaks! The only downside is that they do not dry-age their steaks. Other than that, everything about this true Chicago style steakhouse is outstanding. I highly recommend the Filet.
(5)
Diana S.

It was a disappointing Valentine's Day for hubby and me, thanks to the Chop House. First of all, I absolutely LOVE the prime rib here. I've been here many times, and each time has been great, except for this time. We had late reservations on Valentine's Day. We had just gone to a play and I was eagerly awaiting prime rib. We were seated and given these paper menus that were different than the usual ones. The items looked pretty much the same except the prices were about 40% more expensive. I was definitely not expecting that. I could understand if there were a special Valentine's Day prix fixe menu, but this was the same a la carte steaks but much more expensive. Despite the prices, we first ordered a round of drinks and pondered the menu more. Then the waitress came by to take our dinner order and I ordered the prime rib (OF COURSE!), and to my dismay, she told me they were out of it! That was the only thing that I wanted. My heart and stomach literally sank. I wish she had mentioned that when we were seated or before our drink orders, because I would have just left. It's like going to Giordano's and finding out they are out of deep dish pizza. I really wanted to leave, but my hubby didn't want our night to be ruined. We told to waitress to come back and when she did I ordered a salad and my hubby ordered a steak. He told her that I was just going to have a bite of his. She then told us there would be a $10 sharing fee. At that point I was extremely annoyed. The one thing I wanted, they didn't have and then they want to charge extra for have a bit of something that I didn't want. I was shocked especially since it was Valentine's Day. If it were not for my hubby, I definitely would have left. This was an extremely disappointing night. It's really unfortunate because I used to love this place. I would suggest never going on Valentine's Day.
(1)
Oscar A.

I think the chop house blows all the other steak houses away (gibsons, mortons, ruth chris, etc). When I want to eat steak, this is the place I go.
(4)
Greg A.

In one word: unimpressive. It's billed as the best steak house in Chicago, but I have no idea why. It certainly has the classic touches of a steak house: big steaks, walls covered with pictures. But, it lacks the one thing a good steak house needs: good steak. For the cost (about $30-$35/steak), it drastically underdelivers. My New York Strip was incredibly fatty--about 4 onces on a 16 ounce steak--and tasted closer to prime rib than new york strip. It lost its heat immediately and was luke warm only 1/3 of the way into it. I would never go back.
(1)
Joshua M.

Decor: typical Chicago scuzzy Italian mob stuff... we ate downstairs... upstairs perhaps is nicer. High top tables and chairs were not comfortable. Service: Insane waitress rattled off food descriptions like a droid. Food: Pretty good. Insane portions. In fact I really almost don't like portions this size, I feel like the Ugly American with this immense plate of food I won't finish while the rest of the world starves.
(3)
Ang R.

Only my second experience in a steakhouse, and it was pretty darn good. The steak was like butter (I had the filet) and tasted damn good. I also LOVE that your dinner comes with salad and potato, and I know, I know, that's not the steakhouse way, but damn it, that's what I want. Great vinegarette on the salad, and the sour cream on the potato was like crack. I could've probably licked the sour cream serving bowl, it was so good. The atmosphere is fine, if a little bit generic. I understand that it's kind of a touristy place, but you know, that's okay. The food is good, and they really rushed the food for two members of our party who were off to a show, which is nice. I'm not sure if I can afford to pay this much for steaks, but I'd go again if someone I knew wanted to take me there; or if it was a special occasion and the special person wanted to eat steak. But I'm also looking forward to trying other Chicago institutions.
(4)
Bill M.

There are lots of famous steakhouses in the city, but the Chicago Chop House is the one known for the Christmas tree displayed in front of its building year-round. The steaks are top-notch, and the cheesecake is rich if you still have room.
(4)
Sean H.

I brought my Dad here, having heard so much good about it. Dad ordered the Filet and I ordered the NY Strip, both medium rare. When we eventually got the beast, it was tough as rubber. Better to have eaten shoe leather. The gristle in these steaks was awful. The vegetable were so over cooked, they almost fell through the fork. The sevice was ok however. As we were leaving, the Maitre d asked how everything was. I was glad he asked and I told him. He just giggled and thanked us for coming. The whole scenario was improperly handled. Nobody was looking for a free meal but the whole event was a let down. Nice bathroom however.
(1)
Briana J.

This is a nice steak house in the city. Not the best, but far from the worst. We made reservations but were still seated at the bar 20 mins after our reservations. The service was great, although the waiter was clearly stressed and seemed impatient as I asked a few questions. The best advice I can give you is to try the creamed spinach. I was sad I agreed to split the dish because it was so good. I also ordered the N.Y strip- medium well. It was tasty. Well, there is really nothing that sets this place apart from other steak houses, except the spinach. I would recommend this place for an older crowd- perhaps a place to take your parents when they come to town.
(3)
Mitch Kim D.

I got the new york strip-cheaper version not aged, but it was still very good. The waitress suggested a sauce on the side. The sauce was good but the steak did not need it. Was not given a steak knife and was a little concerned until i cut into the steak. the dinner knife was enough. The steak was excellent and properly prepared. Started off with the wedge salad with real bacon bits. Sat down in the lounge area near the piano man and he was incredible. not too loud and not too quiet. the only down side was that i was seated by the coat check in area and sometimes the line gathered around my table. Could have caused a problem if i was not dining alone. You do not want to sit there if you are trying to impress your boss or your date. Overall a very good experience and will go back when i am in town again.
(4)
Patti B.

We were in the area last weekend and had no reservation, but were seated immediately since we just barely beat the dinner crowd. The prime rib here is phenomenal - I'd give 5 stars for that alone! I've never had any meat so delicious and tender, and I don't know how anyone could have trouble finishing it on their own. The reason for the 4 star rating is the dish my boyfriend ordered, which was the lobster and filet mignon combo. His was definitely not as good as mine, and even though my prime rib was medium, it was still more tender than his filet medium rare. It was nice to have side dishes although don't expect anything fancy - the baked potato is just that and the mashed potatoes don't have anything added to them. But we'll be back, and next time we'll both order the prime rib.
(4)
Jeff N.

I've been in Chicago 30 years and FINALLY made it to CCH. It was pretty much as I expected; masculine, old-school, not contemporary, and sprinkled with corporate types trying to impress their clients. But alas, the meat. My wife ordered the regular Prime Rib and I ordered the Special Prime Rib which is supposed to taste like a Rib-eye (which they don't offer on the menu). Her Prime Rib was good, not great. My Special Prime rib was outstanding. My wife and I differed on how good the Creamy Garlic dressing was; she was more complimentary than I was. The Sauteed Mushrooms were quite good. Bottom line, we are infrequent eaters of BIG MEAT, so it will be a very long time before we return here, rather opting for other highly rated steakhouses like Morton's, Ruth's Chris, or whatever Yelp or Chicago Magazine tells me I should be trying.
(3)
Jason R.

I went here on the recommendation of friends (we were in town for the big food convention in Chicago). Supposively, this restaurant has the #2 rated Prime Rib in America. I don't normally order Prime Rib, but with that rating, I had to check it out. The steak was served with a butter knife -- and that was all you needed to cut the steak. I've never had a better Prime Rib. It is for that reason alone that I give it 5-stars. Worth the money and visit.
(5)
Todd V.

Loved it. After being seated at a table on the third floor (which was pretty awful), they moved us to a new table on the first floor. HUGE IMPROVEMENT. When you make a reservation, request this floor to listen to the live piano. The food was excellent. Our waitress was awesome too. Forget her name, but she had been there forever and was really fun. Cheaper than, say, Ruth's Chris. Definitely will go back when I am in town again.
(5)
Chris F.

Formerly my hands-down favorite steakhouse in Chicago. Everything others have said is true: ownership changed in November 2008, the wait staff goes for the hard sale every time, and the prices are at all time highs in spite of what the newspapers say is a severe downturn in steakhouse world. I'm really sorry to say I won't be back.
(2)
Nick C.

I wanted to love this place, if you have read my other reviews you'll know I always pull for local restaurants. Unfortunately, my experience at The Chop House was tainted by poor service, but even more so, bad luck. Our food was cooked incorrectly (one steak undercooked and one over), it took a long time for our waitress to acknowledge we had ever arrived. Our appetizers were not correct and no apologies were made for any of this... When the check came, I felt like I had been robbed haha. I would go back and try again, if I weren't paying... too risky for me to foot the bill again.
(2)
James C.

havne't been here since the last time they changed management. It's completely off my radar for steak... what happened? it used to be so good. =(
(3)
Z K.

Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.
(4)
ShelleyandBrian B.

We don't eat steak very often and especially not out in the middle of the touristy part of Chicago, but the parents were in town and that is where you go. We did not make reservations but scored a great table downstairs by the piano. My dad really enjoyed looking at the old pictures of Chicago and the feel of the place makes you feel like you are in old Chicago. We all ordered steaks and all four were perfect. One steak we got the horseradish crust and it was amazing. We also got the four cheese potatoes and asparagus and again, all great. The best part of the whole night was that my mother left her jacket in her seat. We did not realize it and was four blocks away when we heard someone yelling. It was the head host chasing us down with my mom's jean jacket. Great service and we will be going back for our annual "parent's in town" steak dinner next year!
(5)
Justin R.

Overpriced, bland steaks, that were definitely not worth the money I paid. I got the surf and turf, and it wasn't a great portion either. If you want a real steak, go to Gibsons!
(2)
Big M.

Went here before a Chris Rock show. The atmosphere was nice and the prices were reasonable compared to NY. The fillet was ok. It's a good tourist experience.
(3)
Frank D.

I had the Filet and a lobster tail and thought the place was very good. The filet was cooked to medium rare perfection and the lobster tail went great. We also met some very nice people and ended up hanging with them for awhile. Great atmosphere.
(4)
JOHN T.

This was a big mistake and was probably the worst experience I have had eating in a restaurant. At some point in the dinner we just wanted to get up and leave. I wish I had read reviews. We got a table almost as soon as we got there but then the waiters just stood around hovering over us making it very uncomfortable. Then the waiter who was in charge of Our table came over and gave us a long lecture on dry meats, moisture etc and would not bring out the menu. We ask for water to start with and she would bring out Pellegrino. Finally caving to pressure we get a bottle of water. We ask to see a wine list...way over priced (10 -15 times the price)- cheapest wine $80. We decide to get a glass each ($20). By this time their game was clear and we avoided getting the appetizers. Upto this point they would not bring out the menu. After asking for it a few times we get the menu. The meats were overpriced(cheapest being $69.) and the most of the good cuts around $99.00. We did not have the guts to get up and leave but that would have been the right response to all their ridiculous behavior. The meat came out and it was tasty but surely nothing was in there to justify the price ( the kobe beek filet mignon 10 oz $79)..One of us ordered NY steak($69) and it was average. She also sold us 2 sides.($20). At that point we thought that we had a bad waiter and if she had not spoiled it for us then it would have been good. But after reading many reviews now I am convinced that it is part of their culture and they basically shame you into spending money. If you want to go to a place and then come out feeling small, robbed or cheated then go to this place but if you want to save your dignity don't go there. The height of cheapness was when after our waiter had given the menu as a memento(Yes , it was a piece of paper) the maÃ®tres d'hÃ´tel (on our way out) asked us whether it would be okay if she made a xerox copy of the menu and gave the copy instead of the menu(original) that we were carrying. We explained that Our waiter had given it to us and she accepted our explanation. We just spent about $400 (with tips) in this place and she can't let us have this piece of paper ? A place with more class would not be asking such questions. The hardest part of everything was the waiter taking fast and right over us. It was deceitful to be honest. You keep hearing demi-glaze, the chef recommends etc etc over and over. We did not want to penalize the waiter but she deserved $0 in tips for the service. We ended up giving 15.7 %. We will NEVER be back. We hope people don't go there no matter how good the steak is. They seem to win all these accolades (best steak in Chicago etc etc) but I think it is a classic case of "the emperor has no clothes". .
(1)
Gino D.

Chicago chop house is unreal!!!! One of the best steaks I ever had!!! The reason I do not give it 5 stars us because it is very pricey. Only one bottle of wine under 100.00 is silly. Great food and good service.
(4)
Mitch T.

I just had dinner at the Chicago Chop House on a Saturday night. The filet mignon was excellent, as was the lobster bisque. I had creme brÃ»lÃ©e cheesecake. The service was excellent as the waiter checked with me about every 5 minutes to see if everything was OK. The steak melted in my mouth. I cut it into small pieces to savor the flavor for as long as possible. The only thing negative about the experience was the cost. It is probably the most expensive meal I have ever paid for. For a one-time experience, if you can afford it, I highly recommend the Chicago Chop House.
(4)
Charles L.

To sum it up, Chicago Chop House is certainly not one of the better well-known steakhouses I have visited. My first disappointment came when I've noticed that they don't have rib-eye steak on their menu. Come on! What steakhouse does not have rib-eye? Waitress was kind enough to point me towards NY strip, which apparently is the cut that they are known for. So being the sucker I am, I said "NY strip, medium please." A tower of seafood appetizer (which was great) and a few glasses of wine later, here come my NY strip. Wow! It was one bold-ass looking steak. Man, it looked soooo good. I cut into that thing like a samuri decapitating his opponent and see it was perfectly cooked. Nice red/pink inside with nice charred crust on the outside.... Popped it into my mouth...@$%%@$ Oh man... Is this beef? It looks like beef, feels like beef, but it doesn't have ANY taste!!! There was a big group of Japanese radiologists in the table near us in town for the RSNA convention and a few of them were passing around a bottle of Kikoman soy sauce looking all embarassed. "Brothers! Don't be embarassed passing around your own condiment that you brought in your back pack to this upscale restaurant. You my friend are the wise ones!" I really wanted to ask them if they can pass that bottle to our table too but I didn't want the restaurant to steal their ingenius idea and make it a standard offering. The reason this places gets two stars instead of one is because i) our waitress was nice ii) we enjoyed their atmosphere iii) the bathroom was nice.
(2)
Steve O.

I've eaten here several times over the years, I go about once a year. The meat has always been good, but the sides have been iffy. Last week I made my annual trek, and it was the best I've had there. We started in the bar with drinks and I ordered a martini with a twist. I'm not a martini drinker. In fact I hate them. I've never had a martini that I've like. They all taste like lighter fluid to me. Well, this was a good martini. I may start drinking them if they all come out like this one did. Then we were seated. Started with shrimp cocktail. Very nice. Dinner was a bone-in filet - outstanding. I'm a strip guy, but this filet was wonderful. Also got a side of lobster tail and it was great. The creamed spinach was good (in past years its been downright mealy). You'll find better at other steakhouses, but again it was good this year. They must have seen the review on "Check, Please." The asparagus was huge but still delicate. Definitely improved from the last few years. Potato pancakes were great also. After dinner we ordered a bottle of port. Last year the top bottle they had was about $40. This year it was $320. Read what you want into that. On the whole an enjoyable time and a five-star evening, lowered to four stars based on poor side dishes I've had in past years.
(4)
Ms T.

I hate steak. Abhor it. However, I like the Chicago Chop House. The staff was very nice to me- being the only one in the party who was not into their signature dishes instead opting for the sides and salad. However, everyone that I was with really enjoyed their meats and were very happy. I didn't feel awkard here because of my food choices so they are on my good list. This is a place where I WOULD take clients when I wanted to impress them. 5 stars from someone who hates steak. Who knew?
(5)
Kevin L.

This place used to be one of my favorite steak houses in Chicago, which is saying a lot given the ever-growing number of quality high-end steak options in this city. I went back recently for the first time in several years...yikes. I don't know if it's under new management or what, but my steak was terrible. I ordered the bone-in kobe/wagyu/ tomahawk steak which was pushed by our server and in my experience from other steakhouses is quite possibly the best cut of meat known to humankind. Not here. What I got was a thin piece of meat about as thick as a skirt steak, with a layer of char and ash on top. Under the char, what little meat existed was medium-rare as ordered, but was so grissly and tough that I couldn't even hack through it with a steak knife. I'm honestly not positive it was even beef. The staff clearly knew they were serving garbage, as the minute I paused to contemplate whether this meal had lived it's previous life as a shoe or a donkey, I had 4 runners surround me and ask if they could clear it. The server came by to ask how the meal was AFTER the runners had cleared it, and "just wished she had known there was a problem earlier but now it's too late for her to give a refund, blah blah blah." Yeah right. No wonder this place was 3/4 empty at 9PM on a Friday during the holidays. I give it 6 months before this place is out of business with a tarnished legacy of what used to be a fine steak house.
(1)
Pete S.

I really wanted to love this place. Had the in-laws in town, and 'dad' suggested the Chop House. I love a great steakhouse, but it wasn't meant to be. Great ambiance. Nice servers, but definitely pushing the upsell. I had the NY Strip...taste was just meh.. My wife had the filet & crab legs... Filet was ok, crab legs were not good at all... Next time 'dad' wants a good steak, we are headed to Gibson's.
(2)
erika s.

i love this place and always will. it's full of "chicago history" sure, but really for me it's my chicago history. i'll never forget going here for the first time with my mom--we thought it was going to be a dive from the outside. boy were we wrong. i have been here twice since that day and both times it was pretty stellar. i love how much seafood is on their menu--i didn't have the steak the first time actually as i was so head-over-heels for the fact that they had crab legs. they are seriously amazing here and totally date appropriate--they split them in half so they're not messy at all like some places. their caesar salad here is fantastic. they have blue point oysters that are pretty good--although this round they didn't do mignonette which made them a bit lack luster for the price. the calamari has a spicy marinara sauce that is so spicy it's almost inedible even for someone that loves a kick. the steaks are definitely pricey, but i'll be honest in saying that i think they're the best in the city. i've been to several other places and they really can't compare. the service here is also fantastic. if they don't have something on the menu they can do a combo--for instance last night i got crab and a filet and we decided what size of filet, how much crab etc. it's fantastic for someone like me that can't always make a decision. oh, and they did a little birthday dessert for me--which is always nice.
(5)
Zaid A.

I am an equal opportunity flesh eater. Being severely in need of mass quantities of beef, my poor wallet took the hit and my and a posse of meat eating boys rolled into Chicago Chop House to part ways with our money Atmosphere: I would rec getting reservations because this place was packed on Friday night. We got "bar level" seats which basically means you are on "high chairs" at a table, not a problem. This is a cramped yet cozy space with Chicago style "gansta decore" and TV to watch the game. Service: Pretty friendly, though since our friend was 30 minutes late we kept getting some evil eyes about putting in our orders. Food: I got the "Surf 'n' Turf" which is either filet mignon or prime rib with a 5 oz lobster tail, cook to perfection. This also came with a side potato and a chef salad. All in all very very good, and my friend who had the NY strip also had positive things to say. Mommy Factor: A place to bring the folks if you want to blow all your college tutition in one night....not really....but its worth several textbooks. Date Factor: He/She won't think you are a cheap-ass for sure. Bling: My Steak and Lobster came out to be about $40, including all the sides. Steak ranged from 25-70 dollars, with obvious price changes for size and cut. There were also a couple of chicken and fish options for those not of the Beef Persuasion. For everything including a modest "Shrimp" appetizer each of us spent around 65-70 total for our meal. Upshot: Nice steak house, bit pricey, but it will cure any protein deficiency you may have.
(4)
Mark V.

While in Chicago last year visiting a college buddy, he took us to the Chop House. I had the bone in filet and some side. Steak was amazing. But this place as a whole was wonderful. My buddy was a bit of a regular at the House so we got great service from door to door. Still to this day one of the best steaks I have had.
(5)
Eric S.

My friends from Chicago brought me to the Chop House for dinner when I came visit. A very charming place. I had the Chop House Prime Rib Special which was cooked perfectly. Probably one of the best steakhouse I have had.
(4)
Carolyn E.

went to celebrate a special birthday on october 30, 2013. to say it was a disappointment is a complete understatement!!! was greeted upstairs by man who made inappropriate comments to me, after we requested a quite table we were seated in a traffic path despite the empty tables all around and he couldn't even be bothered to wear a jacket. one of our servers was wonderful the other awful! the 12 oz lobster tail we ordered for our appetizer consisted of 5 over cooked rubbery bites. the house potatoes had dried up oversized chunks of bacon and too much cheese an overall gloopy, disgusting mess. the bone in rib-eyes were thinly cut(too thin) but how can a rib-eye be bad...the drinks were very good (2 side cars). the bill for two was over 300 and i am sorry to say the eating and dining experience was an overall disappointment; can see why there were so many empty tables!!! wish i had gone to gene and georgetti's, ruth chris, morton's, anywhere else!!!
(1)
ken h.

Let me tell you all something. I lived in Chicago my whole life until moving to Vegas a year ago and I have frequented the Chop House on many occasions. With all of that being said; my friends and I decided to go to Chop House while I was in town after a Sat. night Cubs VS Sox game. I recomended it since we were in the mood for steak and I remembered how great their food was. I had heard they changed owners but I figured I'd give it a try anyway. We sit down and of course the "big scam" our waiter said "now you gentlemen look like you don't need menus". The waiter quickly suggested prongs for the table and we agrred. One of my friends oredered her dinner and I asked to see a menu. I know why they don't want you to see the menu, sweet Jesus! Trust me folks years ago I would go there with my girlfriend and two Ribeyes with a bottle of wine, an appitizer and soup would run about 170 to 200 before tip, which is about what you'd expect from a high end steak joint. Aftrer looking at the menu this time I saw my friend ordered a one hundred ten dollar steak and I myself ordered the cheapest 65 dollar steak. Our prongs were over eighty dollars and we got four of them! Now our food was very good, don't get me wrong but for three of us I paid the Bill of 539 dollars before tip! It's all like a used car sale from the minute you sit down, with waiters telling you don't worry about the menu and suggesting to bring things out for the table. I cracked up when our waiter said" we don't have steak knives all of our steaks can be cut with a butter knife" Oh really, same goes for Mortons or Ruth Chris or even when I cook a prime steak properly at my house. I have eatin at Mortons, Ruth Chris's and Magnums my whole life. I love great steak houses. But the chop house is not what I remembered. I felt bamboozeled. I felt like a moron suggesting the place to my friends which is why I picked up the bill. Folks the food is excellent but I'd suggest Mortons before the chophouse these days. The steak is about as good as are the appitizers and the you won't feel raped by the time the bill comes. I'm so angry with the Chophouse. This was a once famous spot in Chicago with great food. It was always pricey as every great steak house is, but this was more than the Kobe Room in Vegas, there is no excuse for this. 3 people and our bill was 539 before tip! An outrage, because of the price yes, but even more so with the disgustingly juvinille way they try to hide the prices from you before you eat.! Stay away, go to Morton's, or Ruth Chris!
(1)
Randy H.

Dined here while attending a seminar with a co-worker. Perhaps the best service of my life, ever. Escorted and accommodated like royalty. DÃ©cor was heavily themed, old-style Chicago. Nice for an out of towner such as myself. And the steak was fabulous. A true first-class experience.
(5)
Keith T.

Always fantastic, courteous and personal service. Great food too.
(4)
Em J.

When dining out with your mob friends, this is the place for steak in Chicago. Great drinks. Great food. And great atmosphere of a bygone era. This place is Chicago. Go any place else for steaks in Chicago? Fuggedaboutit!
(5)
Thiago B.

I've lived here 12 years and knew about this place, walked by it many times, but haven't known the details until we just walked in on Friday. Much to our initial surprise, the thing that caught our attention the quickest were the prices of the dinner specials...not one steak under 60 bones. Seriously? Does dry-aged meat really need to cost that much? After 15 minutes of savoring our wines and determining if we should dine and dash, the lovely waitress came up with the regular menu. Steaks were more reasonable at no less than 40 bucks each. So, what did we do? Wifey got a $60 filet mignon and I got a $89 dry-aged porterhouse. I don't know if we were guilted into it, but whatever. Das how we do. Cheah. Overall, the place was fantastic, and the food was very good, and my steak (the porterhouse) did have a great taste, regardless of preparation, and maybe I'm just over-talking to it because I paid $4/oz (including bone). I'm a steak lover, and any place I've gone to for steak has been very good, so while I wasn't blown away, I don't think anyone can ever expect to not be satisfied and satiated and content.
(3)
Penm H.

They don't care much for plating, but simply stated, it is Hands Down the best PRIME RIB I have ever had. What kills me is that they didn't even consider it their specialty. I had their specialty steak and the prime rib put it to shame. Sheez, I don't even like prime rib!
(5)
Ahna P.

This is a must when I'm in Chicago. I L-O-V-E the New York rare. Yes, mid-west rare. Its good to go when its dark out, so you don't notice it in the dimly lit dining room. A must is one of their house specials, its a whitefish pan fried with lemon. It's a small starter and is SO GOOD.
(5)
Bob B.

Consistently great experiences each time I've visited the Chop House. Wonderful steaks, cooked the way you like them. The grilled prime rib is a particular favorite. Service has always been top notch. While I have not tried other well known Chicago steak houses, this one has never disappointed.
(4)
Tim C.

Being a dedicated meatatarian I had to try the Chicago Chop House when I visited Chicago. I was nor disappointed. The restaurant is in a three story building with dining on all floors and a nice bar on the first level. We were seated fairly quickly even with no reservations and then the fun begins. Chicago is rightfully known for its meat and the Chop House is one of the really good meat places. The wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese was good, pretty standard steak house fare. The Porterhouse was excellent though 3 lbs. of red meat, aged and cooked perfectly. My dining companion had the escargot which she loved and the filet again a winner. I like the older steak houses and this was definately worth the trip.
(4)
Elaine B.

This is by far THE best steak restaurant I've been to. It came highly recommended by my sister, and I was a bit skeptical at first. But the steak was EXCELLENT and the service superb!! I would return in a heartbeat!
(5)
Susan G.

Average steak for a such a popular steak house
(3)
Lauren K.

I consider myself a carnivore and steak connoisseur....however, I must keep in mind that I am particular on how I like it cooked and the quality expectations I hold. Chicago Chop House did nothing to meet my criteria. I think my favorite part of the meal was the house salad, b/c the vinaigrette was tasty. The steaks, I had the NY strip (supposedly they are famous for this cut) and my boyfriend went with the larger cut filet. The NY was cooked medium, so I asked....although served closer to very medium well. I was surprised at this cut, it was thicker than I would have thought a strip to be, and I am convinced this awkwardness made it tough. We requested the filet cooked medium well, butterflied and low on char- it was more tender than the NY but nothing to write home about- heavy on the char as well. I think what "erks" me most is the price you pay to be disappointed. I went out of my way to try a non-chain steak house, but I suppose I need to think more like a ganster and stay far away from the hard rock/ rock and roll mcdonalds block!
(3)
Candace M.

Class A service and great steak, even the salad was delicious. Very cozy restaurant, one of my favorites.
(5)
Laura D.

YIKES!!! If I could give this dump a negative star I would. New owners there. WE gave them a good try and they should be sued for BAD food, service and management. I also know from food purveyors that they are now ordering inferior products to save money; hence, the crap on a plate. Actually, a very small portion of crap for a very large price. The side dishes should be the meal on a kid's menu. I've had larger tapas! Service and management is all about selling. Wine with every course was pushed on us. Too bad our waiter didn't really know the wine. He also said he had never tasted any of the wines by the glass. We were actually "unofficially" told that it wasn't included in the training! That made us wonder if he truly knew the food they were serving?! Hmm? To be fair to the waiter, he seemed nice and conscientious just stressed with his job. We understood. Many of us were waiters once. Management was all about intimidating their servers in front of their guests and not tending to their customers when there is a problem, even if the problem is small. They were probably worried we'd expect something for nothing. WRONG. We still have spending accounts! We merely wanted some genuine descriptions of a couple bottles of wine we were curious about. They do have an award winning wine list that is very large. We didn't want fabricated salesmanship (bulls---) but real knowledge. I guess they bought the Chicago Chop House but cannot afford to train their staff properly or hire a sommelier for the evenings to talk to the people. Sell sell sell up-sell, lie and/or exaggerate, is not such a great policy in a no-nonsense town like Chicago, a city of patronage. They will no longer have any of us as patrons. Oh, and we WILL be telling our friends, family and work colleagues about this very bad restaurant. Most of us live in the city, work in the city, AND for the City of Chicago. Also, we will convey this information to our friends in the upscale hotels that refer their guests to the Chgo Chop House. Other Chicago steak houses still use superior quality products and managers/staff that possess character. Shame on them if they think they're merely ripping off the tourists. Tourists pay your bills pal, and so do the locals! We would have stayed with you as regulars for many more years to come.
(1)
Gavin N.

During my summer 06' road trip from D.C. - Seattle. I had a planned stop in Chicago, which I heard is a great place for steaks. So I made reservations about a week early for Chicago Chop House (I decided that I wanted to stay away from anywhere that was a chain). Anyway as I've wrote before in other steakhouse reviews. when it comes to a PRIME steakhouse, they all don't differ much. Great 21-28 dry-aged PRIME beef, covered lightly with salt and pepper, grilled to perfection. The only way to really distinguish them is atmosphere, how extensive the wine list is, service, quality of side dishes, and of course price. Of the different Prime steakhouses I've been too Chicago chophouse was not the best, but don't get me wrong..It was still a very delicious steak melt-in-your mouth 64 ounce porter house. The sides i.e. salad & baked potato again were not the best I've had, but they tasted great as well. The atmosphere was a definite plus as the first floor was more of a lounge feeling with a pianist, while the second floor (where we were seated) was more cozy and our table by the window was quite nice. The service was very good as well, quick, friendly, efficient. *kudos* the server displayed chivalry as he served my girlfriend first for most things (either that or he was hitting on her). Anyway so why 5 stars fir Chicago Chop House..because it's a good PRIME steak joint..Yes it's prime..the idiot who wrote they serve "Choice" could've checked the website. But most importantly because of overall value...The prices for Chicago Chop House..although not cheap by any means..is very cheap in regards to ounce/$ ratio. (I.e. where else can you find a 64 ounce porterhouse prime steak for only $99). I will definitely be visiting this place next time I'm in Chicago. ~G
(5)
Gabe F.

After trying to go to Gibson's on a Tuesday night where the wait was an hour and a half, we decided to try this place instead. We were pleasantly surprised with a 5 minute wait and great service. It didn't break the bank and they have a few great specialties including bone-in New York Strip. Without repeating what everyone has said, this place definitely will not break the bank. I paid $40 for my steak, $5 per side and $10 for a glass of excellent cab sauv (A to Z was the name, from Oregon). Overall, I was VERY happy with the steak and meal. The bread is absolutely delicious and fluffy. Loved this place!
(5)
Barbara D.

When I was on my 'best chicago steak' searching adventure and would go from one steak joint to another around this city, trying to find my favorite....this place stood out. Hands down they know what do do with a cow. The atmosphere leaves a little to be desired....but I kind of have a crush on it. It's packed with beer guzzling businessmen and a bit rowdy but it's sort of cool. It reminds me of OLD CHICAGO with all its glory.
(4)
Guy P.

As someone who frequently enjoys fine steaks from restaurants such as Smith & Wollensky, Sullivan's, Flemming's, Eddie Merlot's, St. Elmo's, and Morton's, I must say that I am thoroughly underwhelmed by my experience at the Chicago Chop House. I had decided to come here to celebrate my birthday here with a friend of mine. Here is our experience: -We shared 2 bottles of wine, which the waitier served us with judgement as I chose not to order one of the most expensive bottles on the menu (Median bottle price is $75) -We ordered a shrimp cocktail, and after placing the order, changed our minds, deciding that we would like fresh oysters instead. When I brought this to the waiter's attention a mere 5 minutes later, he dismissed my request stating the chef had already prepared the shrimp cocktail. He was more than happy to offer the oysters in addition to the shrimp cocktail, though. The appetizer did not arrive for a good 10 minutes after that. -My companion ordered the filet mignon and crab legs combination (website menu says $38, actual price $51), which she requested to be prepared medium well. I ordered the 16 oz dry aged NY Strip to be prepared rare ($64). We also ordered the "famous" 4 cheese au gratin potatoes, since potato and salad are not included, as stated by the website menu. The filet to be cooked medium well came out blue, the NY strip came out medium well, and the potatoes were still raw. When we tried to send the food back to the kitchen, something I never do, the waiter demanded I cut my steak in half to prove to him that it was not prepared to my liking. While waiting for our food to be prepared again, the waiter brought our second bottle of wine, which he set on the table without opening it and walked away. After he checked on his other tables, he came back to realize he had left our table for 10 minutes with no wine, water, or even bread on it. We waited approximately 35 minutes from the time we sent our food back until we received our meals. When it arrived, I was asked to again cut my steak in the middle, by the manager this time to prove the preparation. -When the bill arrived, there were no concessions in the bill. This was unacceptable, considering both entries, and one of two sides had to be sent back. At this point we were both disgusted by our experience and could not wait to get out of the restaurant. When the waiter brought the credit card slip, he said to my friend, "I know you have had a lot to drink, please sign between the red Xs," as if we had never used a credit card before. Amazingly enough, there were 2 extremely large Xs (about 1.5 inches tall) in red which took up the lower half of the slip. Again, judgment was unwarranted, considering we each drank one bottle of wine over the course of about 3 hours. -On our way out of the restaurant, we stopped at the hostess stand, and spoke to a gentleman who identified himself as a manager. We started to explain our concerns, to which he stopped me mid-sentence, and said he was going to get the vice president of the building. The vice president escorted us outside into the cold, when it was raining to talk with us. Upon explanation of our concerns, he seemed more bothered by us than willing to listen. He asked us for a business card, and neither one of us had one, since this was a dinner of pleasure and not business. He took us back inside, and asked for my name and phone number. When I tried to spell my last name to him, he said it was too difficult, and that my first name was enough. He was also unwilling to provide any compensation for our terrible experience. -Some positives: the beefsteak tomato and onion salad was fantastic and fresh, as was the steamed asparagus. My NY Strip, when it finally arrived prepared was flavorful, yet highly overpriced. The doormen are very friendly. Bottom line: The Chicago Chop House has wrested on its laurels and history for too long, and does not measure up to other restaurants in its class.
(1)
Barry Z.

I used to go to the Chop House as a special occasion, back in the day, because it was such a fantastic value - they had this bone-in prime rib, with sides and awesome bread, for about $37. I've never had anything like that prime rib steak. Admittedly, it's been a few years, but this yr decided to go there for my birthday after we were unable to make it into Frontera on a Tuesday at 8:30 (If anyone knows how to actually get a table at Frontera, please do point it out in a review). Anyway, long story short: waited 45 minutes, got lousy seats. Waiter was stiff and preachy about the wine. Wine list only has $80 bottles on it. I think there are two $30 choices, which he of course declared unworthy to drink. Definitely got the hard upsell from him, which I think others have noted. Steaks were good-quality meat and cooked right, but take note (I confirmed this with the waiter): the chef who made all their signature dishes is retired. And he took his recipes with him. This is a more than just a change of management - it's a completely different restaurant now. They are obviously shooting for high-end. With prices to match, and service designed to make you feel awkward if you don't spend a ton. Everything was expensive, which really makes the cheesy Chicago tourist theme here less tolerable. I mean, this place always attracted the out of towners, given its location, but the white-male-jerk quotient (common enough in steakhouses, unfortunately) seems to have gone up here. I suppose if I was in town for a molded plastics convention with clients in tow and an expense account handy, I would eat here before returning to my hotel and ordering a prostitute for the evening. The main problem is whatever made this place is unique is long-gone. High quality steaks, a la carte pricing on everything, and a wine list slanted upwards: Chicago has simply too many options for this place to stick out. Frankly, I wish we had gone to Ruth's Chris. I know, I know, it's a chain. But we would have spent less on equivalent food, had a better wine selection, and received better service. And damnit, I may be a Philistine, but there's nothing wrong with serving everything in a sizzling pool of butter. There. I said it. In sum, I hope the old chef is happily retired somewhere on a bed of money. You can tell he brought a lot to the old Chicago Chop House, which is now a distant memory.
(2)
Nicholas W.

Meat and potatoes at their best.
(4)
Gary S.

Go at night and watch the show. This is a place that after work on a Friday fill with the beautiful people. More of a state of mind then actual beauty. It's ok. That's it.
(3)
Karinkano L.

OLD SCHOOL!! but gosh it's such a beautiful place. =) lots of history over in this building. I went with the Bf on a Saturday night at 10pm and it was packed! still! I am from Los Angeles, so ... I was surprised out of my socks to know that people can smoke inside! I lit up my cigar and sip some bourbon right away! I'm totally gangster...hahaha. Wonderful yummy steak but definitely make a reservation. If not, you'll be like me. Waited for 1.5 hours just to get a cramp little seat by the door upstairs (minus 1 star). So we got 1 bottle of wine, and porterhouse, filet, and 2 appetizers for about $220. definitely a good celebration place.
(4)
Ron L.

I'm a huge steak fan and flying out from SF I figure we go and have a damn good steak as I hear that there are great steakhouses in Chicago. Off to the Chicago Chop House it is. Rumor has it this is the suppose to be a good place. So, the first thing that was rather strange was that they presented the "special" menu with all the higher priced items ahead of the normal menu (which we were provide probably 10 minutes or so later). This hasn't happen at any other upscale place that I have been to before. I don't mind a place trying to up sell their pricier items, but I was taken aback by this particular strategy. Truth is we were going to look at the pricier stuff anyways Maybe this is the norm for Chicago steakhouses...?? I wouldn't mind finding out if someone would be kind enough to comment. Anyways, on to the meal. The gents had the dry aged kobe ribeye, the dry aged tomohawk, and dry aged kobe NY strip. The ladies the tuna and the sea bass. For the steaks, since we ordered the top of the line stuff, so we were expecting some really good steaks. Stuff that would really make you go "wow". Well, we were in for some disappointment. If this was a normal steak it was decent, but still not spectacular. Then on top of it the steaks were suppose to be kobe, but it sure didn't come out that way. Other kobe steaks we had were melt in your mouth good. Not so here. For $90 a pop, the steaks were below the level at which they should be. Turns out in the end the favorite dish was the tuna.... Can't say that I will be coming back here for more steak.
(2)
Anastasia Beaverhausen I.

Well, this place was a pleasant surprise. In between running between stores on the mag mile this past holiday , i made a pit stop on the suggestion from a friend for lunch. Decor is very old Chicago, service was good, and the menu for lunch was surprising. I DIE for oyster Rockefeller's which i was surprised to see on their lunch menu. I was about to order that but in light of the recession, i opted for the $19.99 fillet Mignon! How can you beat that? A small house salad, fillet, and a side of mash for $20! What a deal! Been back twice since then after on my afternoon shopping trips. If you're like me, you throw in a glass of wine to accompany the steak and you're looking at a 30 dollar tab for a great lunch. WOO HOO!!!
(4)
Ric E.

Steak was pretty damn good! The wait was quite long though but it was worth it. The steak was cooked to perfection. The staff was very attentive and even the manager came up to say hi. I had the RibEye Bone In cooked Charred Rare. My FiancÃ© had the Fillet which was very tender and juicy. This place is for someone who wants to taste the meat. All you need is salt and pepper and a glass of wine sets it off!
(4)
Andy M.

I went with 2 others on 9/5. I had the 18 ounce prime rib, cooked standard. It was very good. They offer a seared version too. The salad with blue cheese was tasty. The calamari was very tasty. The service was very good and staff was abundant. They offer a 64 ounce porterhouse. I thought that was funny. I guess they want something Jabba the Hutt would like if he showed up.
(4)
Blake H.

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! My sirloin was cooked perfectly and was so tender. The sides were unbelievable, leading the charge were the au gratin potatoes and are a must get. The desert definitely didn't disappoint as we ordered the white chocolate bomb and the German chocolate cupcake, which were both unreal. All that being said, the best part of the experience by far was the service. We were taking a few urban youth as part of a mentorship program. It was one of the kids birthday and he's interested in a career in the culinary arts. The were so GREAT to us! The head chef came out to talk to the kids. The server did a great job of engaging the kids and describing the food in a way where they'd appreciate it. And the floor manage spent some time telling us the history of the restaurant. They even gave us a personal tour of the kitchen where the chef talked the kids through what it takes to get into the business. I was so impressed how they went above and beyond for our youth. We didn't know any of the staff there, I simply mentioned what we were doing for the kids when we scheduled the reservation and they took care of the rest. This is a place with a big heart for our Chicago youth and should be supported! If your hosting clients or planning a special night out and are looking for superior service this is the place to call. I'll definitely be a regular from now on.
(5)
Rachel K.

Last year we went to Chop House for my boyfriend's birthday and had an amazing evening. This year I made our reservation 3 weeks in advance to make sure that we'd get the time/day we wanted. When we showed up 15 minutes early, they politely said that that our table wasn't ready yet and offered to find us at the bar when it was. The bar was packed so we ended up standing outside... for an HOUR. The crowds were awful - they were at least 60 minutes behind on ALL reservations that night. When people asked for updates on their reservation, how much longer the wait would be, etc the host told them "5 minutes." Repeatedly, regardless of how long the wait was. No apologies, no explanations, no honesty. It almost ruined his birthday. Luckily another steakhouse was able to seat us and we left. I suggest calling to see if there will be a wait before showing up for your reservation.
(2)
Esther Y.

The best thing about this place, aside from the great server who gave us free desserts jus b/c, was the special. It was AMAZING. That house prime rib gets me every time.....
(4)
Gfiddy F.

Supermasculine - superawesome.
(5)
Jessica G.

The wait staff & bussers are really attentive.. ours last night.. wasn't but i'm here to mainly talk about the food! I'll give them a star for the bread..I did some research, we wanted a good steak place for our anniversary..and for the money and the reputation..it just did not live up to my expectations.. The filet had NO flavor or seasonings(and also not cooked to the temp i requested).. the Cesar salad was watery and the dressing was gross.. and the mashed potatoes were like what they would give out in grade school.. I'm trying Gibsons next time.. actually J Alexanders serves up better all around..
(1)
Chris B.

On my recent work trip to Chicago, I noticed that every one of my colleagues who lives there has an opinion on which steakhouse is the best. After much back and forth, we decided to have a nice expense account dinner at Chicago Chop House. The place oozes old-school Chicago history, and I can picture Al Capone in my head chomping down on a fat steak. We were seated in the upstairs area, and were treated to a very delightful meal. The warm seafood platter was a great appetizer, the wedge salad was great, and the steaks were really good. I ordered a special of the night, which was a bone-ion fliet. I don't know if I'd go as far as saying it was the best steak I've ever had, but it was pretty damn good nonetheless. The wine list was pretty good too with a nice mix of varietals and regions. The sides fell a little short, hence the 4-star, but definitely try the potato pancakes. Delicious!
(4)
Mark J.

The Chop House is not for the faint of heart with their wallet. It's gonna cost you--no debate. This was my second visit, the last 18 months ago. We were here on travel then and now. Although the last visit was great, I briefly departed and went to another renowned steak house; however, it was so loud there and no service 20 minutes after being seated, we left and were so glad the Chop House could still accommodate us. The service was spot on and our waiter funny and friendly, Team D. The atmosphere calm and refined. We had dry aged and Japanese tomahawk ribeyes, crablegs, au gratin potatoes, and snap peas. Amazing meal. Shame on me for thinking I could beat this.
(5)
David O.

This place is a institution when it comes to steaks. They have 3 methods of aging which are dry, wet, and Mishima. I've only had dry-age but it is the most flavorful taste of steak I've ever had. The prices are high, but it's definitely a experience. However, if you know someone that likes their steak well-done don't take them here. You lose all the aging process and flavor. I've taken people there and they ordered a NY strip well-done and complained it was dry and the price didn't help. Take these kinds of people to Outback you'll save money and grief. If you want a nice cut of beef and a scotch on the rocks this is the place.
(5)
Melanie B.

Being seated at the large table in the front window, and dang if I didn't remember to bring my spare pulley. --Must be in my other handbag. The booth seats at that particular table are so high off of the ground, and since they don't offer a pulley system, I had to crawl across the seat in a dress, at a business function no less. --My feet were nowhere near the floor! Yes, I am short, but everyone in our party had to do the same. It was impossible for anyone to seat themselves in a dignified manner. By the time I crawled to my place at the table, my dress was thoroughly twisted around me, and yet I couldn't stand up to fix it. I had to lift myself up by my palms on my seat and my husband had to unwrap my dress from my thighs. I mean, that's not awkward at all in public. We had 6 people seated at our table, three of whom are very tall. Nobody could reach the floor when seated. I felt like Humpty Dumpty ALL night. The two month dry rubbed filet was fantastic. Most steaks are cured for a month, but their two month cure causes the meat to shrink, which intensifies the flavor and breaks the steak down significantly. --very tender. I'm afraid my love ends there though. Although, it was a work dinner, we're good friends and there's no pretense, so we ordered family style. To go with our steaks, we ordered the Onion Rings, Four Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes w/ Applewood Smoked Bacon and the Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce. Onion Rings were large and good. The potatoes would have tasted better with some more caramelization. That's just a fact. The asparagus was the thin, limpy kind. --no girl wants to see that. Give me asparagus I can sink my teeth into. It was all okay, but completely forgettable. --I honestly think the prices are exorbitant for what you get. Chicago has some fantastic steakhouses and you can get far better for less money. At the end of the night, I was very happy that I wore a full skirted dress with a decently high neckline, since I had to crawl out again. --I wasn't showing everybody everything God had given me. But, unfortunately, I had chosen very high heels that night, not expecting I'd have to perform acrobatic moves to exit our booth. I know Playboy Magazine ranked this place one of the "12 best steakhouses in America", but me thinks that Playboy should just stick to what they know. And food is not it.
(2)
Digger O.

There is nothing wrong with the food, but the atmosphere and service are both terrible. Our waiter was absolutely outrageous with up selling our food choices. We didn't even have the menu yet when he insisted on us getting the two most expensive appetizers. After that kept on talking up the personal sides instead of just suggesting family style which was much more affordable. For steak, all of his favorites where the most expensive he was noticeably upset when some opted for the petite cuts which was still plenty of food. The bread came right when the steak came out, no doubt to not miss out on any second course selections. To top it off , there was 8 of us and they charged 50 extra dollars for a private room, the place was empty anyways and after spending over 1000 dollars you would think they could throw that in. Would not go back.
(2)
Nicole S.

Wow. Just wow. Best steak I have every had. Simple, juicy, amazing. Let me start this review by saying those who complain about the price shouldn't come to an expensive steak house. Moving on. They use some of the best dry/wet age steaks here and get the best quality cuts. This place is top notch and you must know you will be dropping big bucks when dining here. SERVICE Phenomenal. Our server was Jaron and he was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu including the wines. He really cares to know what he is talking about and the food he is serving. FOOD Appetizer - We had the Lake Perch ($13) which is a white flaky fish. It came with 5 or 6 bite-sized pieces and that were cooked in a lemony sauce slightly resembling a francese but lighter and the fish was not battered. Definitely recommend this dish. For our meals, my boyfriend ordered the Bone-In Dry Aged Filet Mignon and I ordered the center cut 5 ounce filet. Both were delectable. So simply cooked but so perfectly cooked. They didn't have much seasoning but that was a great thing. They were garnished with parsley and very juicy and seemed to only have salt and pepper to taste. You can really taste and enjoy the steak this way as it is not smothered in sauce or seasonings. I ordered mine Medium Rare and it was cooked exactly as I wanted it. I couldn't say enough good things about this meal. It was very pricy, but I have no regrets. Worth every penny. I hope to visit Chicago again in the future and I would love to come back to the historic Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Lin C.

Valentine's day 2015 impromptu dinner. We walked into the restaurant at around 8:45 PM. We were a little upset that the valet was full, but I guess that's what happens when it's a holiday of sorts. We didn't have reservations, but we were warmly greeted and was able to sit at the piano! Jim was behind the piano tonight and he does wonders with the music. Tip this man well. He really sets the mood for the whole place. Our server for the night was Robert. He has quite the personality. It kind of reminded me of that loud uncle that is always a hoot to be around when there's a family gathering. Now, this wasn't our first visit here and we were familiar with the menu. Robert wasted no time to get our drink order, go over the specials for the night, and did a friendly banter about our Chop House knowledge. Lobster Bisque @ $13.00: Of all the Lobster bisque I have tried, I always compare it to the one at Chop House. I know there is a lot of hate on the reviews lately here about it being too sweet or whatever. Let me just say, right when I ordered it, the server was so kind to remind me that they use a sherry in the bisque so that it will be sweeter than most places, heavy cream in the soup will make it thicker, and as always, a drizzle of truffle oil on top. I knew what I was getting myself into. This soup is amazing and I love the chunks of sweet lobster in my soup. Mishima Petite Filet with a small lobster tail @ $98: Why is it ridiculously more expensive than the regular filet? The Mishima cattle is a smaller cow, from the Mishima island of Japan. This cattle has not been cross bred with the western cattle, therefore it's like the purebred of beef. Kobe and Wagyu is the larger cattle from Japan. The treatment of the cattle is the same, they get fed champagne and massaged daily. This was their special for the night and it was delicious. The beef had a nutty flavor, melt in your mouth tenderness, and was seared beautifully on the grill with the right touch of seasoning. The lobster tail was cooked to perfection with the right amount of seasoning on top. It was so decadent that there was no need for butter. Mishima Grand Cut @ $72: Still amazing. Truffled Mac N Cheese @ $9.00: The single portion was large enough to share. IT was melty, googey, hot, and rich in flavor. I always forget to ask what kind of cheese are used in this mac, but the small layer of toasted buttery breadcrumbs gives it a perfect balance to that cheesiness. You have the option to get it with bacon, which I don't recommend. I know everyone would argue that bacon makes everything better, but trust me. The steak is the perfect pairing to this mac. You don't need chunks of bacon on top of your mac. Cream of Spinach @$9.00: So we actually ordered the family size portion and got the family size portion of the cream of spinach. We had to send it back because we thought it was a little on the watery side. Usually it's super creamy. However because they were super busy that night, the batch we got was a fresh made batch and it didn't have time to cook off all the liquids. We settled and asked for it back and ate it. The taste is still delicious. It was just texture wise, it was not creamy enough. So because we raised the small complaint, we were charged the small order instead of the large order. Homemade Flourless Chocolate Cake @ $12: No. Just No. I love my desserts. I honestly believe that everyone has a 2nd stomach for desserts. I had wanted CrÃ©me BrulÃ©e. But this was not an item served here. So I actually opted for the Kiwi Sorbet. However, our server talked us into this cake. He said it will hit the spot because it has that creamy texture that I had wanted with the CrÃ©me BrulÃ©e, but in chocolate form. Ohh... I should have gone with my gut instinct to say no, but he was so persuasive! The problem I had with the cake was that it was so rich, it was almost chocolate ganache like. It wasn't cakey. The vanilla ice cream and homemade whip cream didn't do very well to cut the richness. If you are a chocolate lover, then this might be your thing, but after a super heavy meal, this was a little over the top, even for me.
(4)
Phoebe Z.

Decided on Chicago Chop House due to the 'old-school' atmosphere - was dining with a visiting parent so didn't want go to one of the more trendy steak houses. Unfortunately, it's right across the street from a bunch of really hideous chains, so its quaint vibe is somewhat compromised by the neon tackiness. Not CCH's fault, just saying it's not that cute to have to deal with Hard-Rock-McDonald's row. The major problem at CCH was that all of our steaks were under temp, especially parent steak. Parent returned steak, but not before a terribly awkward exchange with the server who instructed parent to remove her single bite of steak and portion of potato/veg sides off of her plate, which resulted in parental scraping of food on to side plates, awful - and then, as the server removed the plate, phrased it as though it was our fault the steak wasn't cooked properly ("I'm sorry you felt that you needed your steak cooked a little bit more.") There were no feelings involved: the steak was delivered rare, but ordered medium. End of story. After returning the steak, it came back 3 minutes later on a searing hot plate, which indicated to me that they just put the entire plate under the salamander - not the proper way to bring a bone-in filet up to temp. I doubt they even put it back on the grill at all. Our guest was too polite to complain further, but this was a big disappointment. The steak remained rare, with a slightly more charred exterior and a 'died in the window' searing hot plate. Heads up, CCH: your primary job as a kitchen is to cook steaks properly. Everything else you do/serve is mediocre, do not be confused. Everyone knows that you serve boring oysters, overpriced appetizers, overcooked/improperly sauced vegetables, and 1980's desserts. We tolerate all of this, because we are there for the steaks. Get it right.
(2)
Susan H.

We ate at this restaurant 8 years ago but I wasn't Yelping back then. Recently, we made a second visit here. Before coming the second time, we made a reservation because, previously, we noticed that when we made a reservation, it was really necessary. Even though we ate an early dinner, back then the place filled up quickly. This time we discovered that we really didn't need that reservation. We came here around 4:30 p.m. Our reservation was acknowledged and we were seated in the first floor bar which remained just about empty the whole time we were there. The menu had changed somewhat in the interim. Now you can get your steaks either wet aged, dry aged or mishima style. Of the 3, the wet aged is the cheapest while the mishima is the most expensive. Here is a link that describes Chicago Chop House's mishima style steak: chicagomag.com/Chicago-Mâ€¦ Our waiter was prompt, friendly and efficient. He knew the menu quite well. Of course, there was a lot of upselling that was attempted. To drink, I tried a "cherry cosmopolitan". This drink tasted kind of like a maraschino cherry but with tart undertones. I found it to be just okay. My husband had a local beer and I can't remember the name of it. I started with their lobster bisque. After tasting it, I didn't care for it as it was on the bitter side. I'm guessing that they were heavy handed with the sherry. Yet, there was a generous amount of lobster in it. My husband had the shrimp cocktail---and he raved about it! It consisted of 7 jumbo shrimp. He later remarked that it was almost like eating a main course as the shrimp were truly jumbo. We decided to order one 7 oz. dry aged filet mignon and one 7 oz. mishima style one. Our plan was for each of us to have half of each. The waiter really waxed poetic about the mishima style one saying that it was Kobe beef plus it was really tender and flavorful. For a side dish to share, we ordered one of the vegetables of the day, sauteed sugar snap peas. These were really well prepared as they were tender crisp with a hint of garlic flavor. As for the steaks---we both preferred the dry aged one over the mishima. I guess that is heresy...but...the dry aged one was actually more tender than the mishima. We also didn't care for the flavor of the mishima as, to us, it was odd tasting---and I can't quite place my finger on what exactly it was about the flavor that made it unappealing. The dry aged one, on the other hand, had great beef flavor and was quite tender. For what it's worth, we got both steaks medium-rare due to the waiter's recommendation. Dinner certainly wasn't cheap. Before the tip, it cost $217 + change. The cost didn't shock us as we did plan for one splurge of a meal during this Chicago visit. Yet...we were both extremely full and could barely finish it all! We would consider going again should we once again visit Chicago. However, I think that we will stick with the dry aged steak.
(4)
Michael N.

Good. I've been to maybe 10 steakhouses in the downtown area and this one is in the top half for the steak. Charming interior built into an old turn-of-the-century house similar to Gene and Georgetti's. Felt like they were pushing the "a Chicago institution" card overmuch, but okay I get it. I had the "tomahawk" chop which was giant as advertised and it was delicious. Perfectly aged and cooked. Others at my table all liked or loved their steaks though I don't remember orders. I do remember that no one was impressed with the sides, something other houses do much better. A good place for steak, but seems overpriced and I've had a few much better.
(3)
Dawn D.

Wonderful meal.... It was an event! Service was excellent, food perfect... Loved coming back!
(5)
Jordan S.

This place has gotten some rough reviews lately, but we swung by while in town for work, and had a good time. The food was great. For an appetizer, I went with the Trio for One at the recommendation of our waiter (great guy, although I forget his name). Everything was well seasoned, well cooked, and presented well. I split a tomato and blue cheese salad with my dinner partner, which was a good decision, as with an app, it would have been WAY too much food by the end, I could skip this next time and be happy, but it was really good. For my main course, I went with the dry aged Long Bone Tomahawk cooked medium rare. It was cooked to the proper temperature in all parts, the bone was cleaned well, and the seasoning was fantastic. (I was actually talked down from the mishima option on this, which was nice considering many of the reviews complained about up selling) it was a good call, the steak had a great meat flavor, with just the right amount of fat. For sides, we split the broccoli, asparagus, and 4 cheese (Actually 5 cheese) potatoes. The sides again were great, but between 3 of us, there were WAY too many, so maybe just 2 sides next time. Overall, this was a really good experience, they had a live pianist on the first floor where we ate, the only thing I didnt like was our table was on wheels and moved some, but that was minor considering how good the food was.
(4)
Caily T.

What a pleasure it was to sit at the bar and enjoy a fantastic meal at this cool Chicago establishment. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed wonderful salads, steak and crab legs. All cooked to perfection. The drinks were excellent too but I have to say, what really made our night was our awesome bartender! This guy was working hard serving a full bar of patrons but still took time to chat it up with us. As visitors to the area it was cool to get some ideas of other places we could go. I can't tell you what a tremendous difference an awesome staff makes. I'd highly recommend stopping by and giving this place a try!
(4)
Henry R.

This place is absolutely magnificent it's a must do if you visit Chicago. We dined at the restaurant last night I had a bone in filet with a loaded baked potato it was absolutely amazing. The service was also impeccable if you visit this establishment ask for "George "he was great!
(5)
Christina B.

Delicious steak dinner by no other place than Chicago Chop House.. Definitely on the pricy end, but they offer fine collection of steaks and wines. Our waiter Jarren seemed to serve us hand and foot, and enhanced our experience here (might I add he was devilishly handsome!) Food was quite delicious, and the restaurant had that quaint, historic, antique type vibe.. Especially in a chilly night in Chicago. If you're looking to impress some guests or need someplace to have a business dinner, visit Chicago Chop House. Send a postcard home too!
(5)
EOEater J.

We were a formidable group - 10 in all, plus a child, and it was late. Set in a charming building, the service and food were both outstanding. Yes, there was a lot of upselling, but we did want everything to run smoothly so we did accept them. They even brought out a plate of fries for my toddler even before we could order our drinks. The Chop House is not cheap. But great steaks are never cheap. Even at the chain restaurants, steaks are not cheap. I ordered the dry-aged bone-in ribeye. It was THE BEST ribeye I've EVER had. Ever. Hands down. It was perfectly cooked, succulent, savoury, sublime. I don't know what other superlatives I can use, but it really was very, very, very good. Our server was excellent as well - and dealt with us with patience and grace. I'm sure we'll go back again, should the opportunity arise.
(5)
Kat G.

Fantastic experience. Absolutely enjoyed dining here!! We had reservations for 6 on a Monday night and were seated promptly in the Michigan Room. Our servers and all the waitstaff were awesome--very attentive and set a great tone. We never felt rushed in any way and wound up savoring a fantastic meal over 3.5 hours! Appetizers: scallops (table favorite!), seared tuna, lemon perch. Salads: blue cheese wedge, house salad, Caesar. All delicious. Soup: lobster bisque. I did not have any, but those who did enjoyed it very much. My entree: petite dry-aged filet mignon. Terrific! Others ordered the long tomahawk ribeye (impressive!) and New York cuts. All were pleased. Sides: four cheese au gratin (table favorite!), sweet corn, creamed spinach. Yummy. Dessert: baked alaska, molten lava cake, creme brulee cheesecake. Lovely finish! Everything was amazing. The food was very special, and the meal also created a fabulous setting and atmosphere for cherished family time and conversation. A perfect night! :)
(5)
Anthony M F.

Wow! One amazing restaurant. First class service. Wonderful food with amazing steaks. I had the rib eye and it was perfect. Amazing side dishes. Mac and cheese with bacon was incredible. Highly recommended it but you will spend some serious cash to eat here. 4 of us with 2 bottles of wine, beers, a few side dishes, a few deserts, and great steaks was over 1000.00. A great experience is the company is paying for it.
(5)
Randy C.

The staff was nice but for $79 you would think they Would know how to prepare a steak. Longhorn has better meat.
(2)
Stephan K.

A lot of upselling. It got annoying after the 4th attempt to upsell items you wanted to order. Client profiling. For example, different tables were offered lemon drops vs bottles of wine. The seafood trio, lobster bisque, and spinach/bacon salad were so good. The dry aged, Mishima Tomahawk steak was above average. Lots of flavor but some of the tastey ribeye grisel was lacking after all the processing. Truffel Mac and cheese and sauteed spinach and mushrooms were good, too full to enjoy by the end of the meal. The ambiance looked classic. The old country club carpet looks old and gross.
(3)
Lisa F.

Definitely our favorite meal in chicago and honestly we ate at several great spots ! Our server jaron was superb ! The warm home baked bread is enough to pull you in and keep you ( would be fantastic with some tapenade actually) however everything was good! The filet was delicious, the mushrooms are to die for and the corn was good. I like my own grilled corn off the cob better but it was still tasty. The service was really top notch and if I lived locally, would most certainly be back !!!
(5)
Chris M.

Service was very nice. White table cloth, vested servers. Very formal. I had dry aged tomahawk ribeye medium rare, assorted vegetables, and Mac and cheese. She had filet, with lobster bisque. . Steaks were both done correctly. I got no additions and was satisfied. Way Too much bacon, I know that sounds like heresy, on Mac n cheese. Also 'Pinot noir' was 24 a glass. Not bad, but tell me what I'm drinking don't just hand me a bill and expect me to say Okay. Single sides are enough for two. Avoid appetizers. 2 glasses of wine, a disarrono sour, mac, sautÃ©ed veggies, wet filet and tomahawk ribeye was 300 after tip. Your call..
(3)
Tiffany M.

Overpriced, pushy customer service, small portions for the amount paid compared to other local steak restaurants. Our steaks were also a tad bit salty. The kicker was our leftovers brought out in Thank You plastic grocery store tan bags. We just spent $250 for two people really I cant receive a decent chop house brown paper bag for my take home food.
(1)
Jason R. S.

The food was very good, maybe a tad over priced but within reason. Our waiter was so committed to selling every item and expounding on every item that it became a distraction. All 4 of us had the tomahawk (long bone in ribeye); one of had ordered the New York strip and was brought the wrong order (was brought the tomahawk). After the discovery the waiter offered no remorse or consolation to correct or amend the mistake. I do not expect a restaurant of this caliber to offer nothing, even after we mentioned to the waiter of the dissatisfaction we had in their mistake, to do nothing. Food was good, service was over selling- talked to fast- and made mistakes. I was visiting Chicago and do not think on another visit I will be coming back. There are other chop houses in Chicago that have great service and equally good food.
(3)
liz h.

I been to this place twice and I recommend be ready to spead a lot of money! The food is delicious but it's really over price. Perhaps I don't know much about steaks but 80.00 for a rib eye! I would definitely go back because we had good memories!
(5)
Darrell L.

Had an excellent dinner here last night. Steak was phenomenal, be sure and try the Mac n cheese and au gratin potatoes for sides. Pricey, but worth it. Service was top notch as well.
(5)
Magda S.

So I surprised my boyfriend with a dinner at Chicago Chop House.... boy was he surprised... so we were seated and greeted by the friendliest server, Kristina... Being that this was our first time here we weren't sure of the process here. So she showed us the way, and made EXCELLENT recommendations, accomodated our needs, and even adjusted our orders so that it wasn't too much food. First we ordered prawns, scallops, and yellow fin tuna... Of which was the most divine! My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of seafood, but he sure ate it all... then I had the dry aged bone in filet with the boursin cheese over grilled onions... so delicious... being that it was a birthday dinner, the birthday boy went all out and ordered kobe steak from Japan, starts with an "M" oscar style... with the au gratin potatoes and the broccolini, I'm still so glad Kristina adjusted our appetizers to half, as we would not have been able to enjoy our steaks... and luckily my subtle hints to someone's birthday were caught and a chocolate birthday cake was presented. Just such a great great great time... Kristina is the best, ask for her, she'll make you feel like you're dining in great company with great knowledge, and make you feel like you received the best of the best, and you'll come back for her excellent service and great friendly, and happy attitude.
(5)
John K.

Caveat: Do not go to the CCH for anything except beef. Do not expect it to be Charlie Trotter's or for God's sake Moto. Do not go expecting it to be quite or romantic, trendy or fashionable or anything except for an old fashioned steak house. Now with that out of the way things are simple, order an oversized martini (two if you are bold but be prepared for your eyes to cross while you are waiting on your dinner)... get the "special" of the Chop House Prime Rib (it is a special that has been on the menu every night since it opened consisting of a 18-22oz dry aged prime rib slow roasted then seared on the grill so it has the flavor of a rib-eye and the texture of prime rib) rare or at the most medium rare... drink a glass (or split a bottle) of a really robust red (I would go with maybe a Silver Oak Cabernet)... have a port to finish up as you really can't eat anything else... loosen the waist band of your pants and take a cab home because you really shouldn't be driving after 2 martini's and 1/2 bottle of wine. If this does not sound like a perfect evening go someplace else because you will be disappointed.
(5)
Monica B.

Me likey!! The steak was good. And the menu is not ala carte which I prefer. I was seated on the 3rd floor, so it got kind of hot. The waiter was kind of dumb because we ordered a bottle of pinot grigio, and he brought a bottle of pinot noir. BUT it was still good and we still drank it all so no harm I suppose. I would go back, but would like to try some of the other steak houses in the Chi. Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pictures of the old school gangsters in the hallway!! I love me some gangsters :)
(4)
A B.

Ever have THE perfect meal in every single way? This was it for us when we visited the Chop House about a year and half ago, my friends and I still talk about how amazing it was. Everything from the salad, to the appetizer, to the food, the service, everything was hands down ridiculously perfect in every way. Best steak and lobster I've ever had.
(5)
Andrew Y.

doesnt get anymore old school than this..from the carpeting, the tables, to the pictures on the wall....this place made me feel right at home with my italian culture... only one way to go at this place...bone in prime filet..its off the hook..no kidding..they have their own way of preparing this..first off its medium rare..the only way a steak should be...they cook it like a prime rib..then they char it on the grill....its unreal..the bone in flavor to die for...i dont even remember the sides that we had..i really dont care..its all about that bone in prime filet afterwards hit up the red head piano bar and creep around on the lovely middle aged ladies
(5)
John L.

in the midst of rockin' roll mcdonalds... rain forrest cafe... hard rock cafe (they're still in business?)... and the largest (then) sport mart i've ever seen... lies a small little building on ontario... the place that was deemed my last meal in chicago before heading out west. ok... i was just trying to be dramatic for nothing.... anyways. i ate the 48oz porterhouse (medium rare) to its bone. porterhouses were my favorite back then i think due to its sheer size... but now i'm a ribeye man because it's much more flavorful. so if i go back... i'll give that a try. i hear the prime rib is amazing so if you like prime rib... try it here. i like the fact that the steak actually comes with a potato and salad! geez... at most places you have to pay extra for that. if you're ever in town... gotta give this place a try.
(4)
Allyson C.

My NY strip was delicious and I liked the atmosphere. The house is cozy and the pictures of old Chicago are really interesting. We sat in the bar area with live piano music playing so that was really nice too. Service was very impressive and I wish I could remember the cab I had because it was perfect. They had a really great wine list.
(3)
Allison B.

Typical Chicago steakhouse - old boy network feel, dark wood paneling, comprehensive menu but nothing new or innovative. So why two stars? My husband's steak, which he ordered medium-rare, came medium-well! At the very least, a top steakhouse should be able to get the steak right. There are many better steakhouse options in the city - try Kinzie's, Ruth Chris, Morton's, Smith & Wollensky's.
(2)
Bryan R.

After reading all the rave reviews on here I was quite let down that the food just wasn't that impressive. The house salad didn't seem fresh and the dressing was overly sour. The prime rib was very very tender but it had a lot of tendons in it that made cutting it without a steak knife (I have no idea why don't give you a steak knife at a steak house) and chewing it in your mouth damn near impossible. Don't get me wrong it was good and flavorful but I was expecting to be floored and just wasn't. Rosebud's has MUCH BETTER prime rib with no tendons in the meat. I also ordered the king crab legs and they were just so overcooked and dry I didn't even finish it. I don't think I'll be returning here anymore for any special occasions as the food and atmosphere was very very average.
(3)
Tim V.

Can't get much more old school / old boys than this. Just sit back and enjoy the phenomenally good beef and classic steakhouse experience. This is SO Chicago. Just don't expect much menu innovation which, in this case, is a beautiful thing. Also, I've heard the seared prime rib is good, but haven't had that yet.
(5)
Jeremiah Z.

This place, along with Gibson's, sits atop the apex of the steakhouse food chain here in Chicago. The steaks are as good as any I've ever had anywhere and the service is wonderful. The restaurant itself is classy and there is alot of hardwood everywhere you look. Lots of people dressed in suits and cocktail dresses, but its not uptight and actually quite comfortable inside. I went with another couple and everyone agreed it was a great experience. We had the crab cake & salad to start...both great. I got a NY Strip medium-rare and my mouth is watering just remembering it. I also tried their filet and T-bone and both were excellent as well. Yes its expensive, but its a top quality steakhouse so you should expect to pay.....you're not getting out of this place for $50/person. That being said, I truly believe you're getting something special here for your money and I would def recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Tom C.

I was at "The House" as I call it today for lunch. I got the bone in NY Strip medium rare. The steak was amazing and it was even better that my friend was buying me lunch. I got the mashed potatoes with gravy on the side and they were status quo. Not as good as Gibson's but not many are. The overall experience was good but Gibson's is still my favorite steak house in the city. This place is great if you are looking for variety but if you are looking for the best overall steakhouse in town head over to Gibson's.
(4)
K G.

Business dinner. Perfect to take someone from London who says "I want to eat a real Chicago steak" but not spend a boatload of money. He got the steak he wanted and enjoyed it tremendously. The sides were good (he found them a little small, but I didn't). Everything was prepared as requested and not over salted. Good chefs. I wish that they could do organic/free range but that is just me. Atmosphere is outdated and just a little shabby. I think I got too used to these ultra modern designed places where you feel like they are going to make artwork out of your meal. I would take good food over atmosphere any day, but I still think they could update things a bit.
(4)
Mike H.

I'm not a big fan of prime rib but ordered it anyway b/c it's what the the Chop House is known for, and it was fantastic! I wanted it medium and it was cooked a little past medium but you will not be upset if you order it. Also order the jumbo fried shrimp appetizer and their house fries. Neither the appetizer nor the side dishes were anything special. Our waiter was ok (he kept pushing drink orders on us to increase the tab) and we were seated on the 3rd floor. All the pics were interesting to look at but I wish we were seated on the 1st floor to hear the live music.
(4)
Tom F.

This place is truly the king of Chicago steakhouses. After having one of the best meals of my life at the Chop House (I still drool when I think of the bone-in filet, tender, perfectly cooked, and bursting with mineral goodness), I honestly don't know why people mob Gibson's or Morton's. We all know that steakhouses are notoriously expensive, but Chop House somehow finds a way to deliver knockout food at somewhat reasonable prices. It certainly helps that all steaks come with a potato and salad, unlike some of the other "top" steak joints in town. Service was impeccable - our waiter knew his wine, served us efficiently, and then stayed the hell out of the way. I can't wait for my next visit!
(5)
Anna H.

I'm not a huge fan of steak, but I enjoyed Chicago Chop House. We went on a Saturday around 6 with no reservations, and ended up waiting about an hour before we were seated. The appetizers were good - we ate fresh oysters and fried calamari. Appetizer portions are small, but that's actually a good thing at this restaurant because the entrees are huge. I love the ranch dressing they use on their salads. And my prime rib was extremely tender. I'll definitely be back, but not before I try some of the other steak houses that Yelp has bubbled up!
(4)
Tara M.

This place has quite possibly one of the best lunch deals in town. For $25, you get a delicious 8 oz filet, soup AND salad, choice of potato, and any dessert. Everything was perfectly prepared and tasted delicious. Gracious service and a lovely, classic setting. No complaints from me.
(5)
maggie c.

Bone in Prime Rib Cut...in my belly!! I love the Chicago Chop House for it's old school ambiance and great service. The service is in no way uppity, and the dress code is "dressy casual" which as you all know I love anything with the word casual in it. Anyway, The portions were huge!! Beware! See if you can share a side with..2 other people. Also, the steaks are not seasoned to death, The Chop House is known for cooking a steak with minimal seasoning, in order to showcase an exceptional piece of meat. and what a fine piece of meat it was! hee hee . So for those of you who thought it was bland, might not have been used to it. To each's own though.
(5)
Frank G.

This isn't a restaurant. Its a high-sales-pitch business. Our waiter didn't serve us, she served the restaurant's interests. Constant up-selling. Padding the bill. The steak is excellent, yes, but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(1)
Bernard M.

Not sure if the other reviewers are steaklovers, but I am. How could you not give Chop House five stars? Maybe they only visited once or twice? No restaurant has all good days :) Chop House simply is the best and is still my favorite since high school. The sides and appetizers are excellent (on par with Morton's and Smith & Wollensky's), and the steaks are incredible. From the buttery New York Strip to their special Prime Rib to their awesome Porterhouse (64 oz. selection! Only the City of Big Shoulders) I would place Chop House a slight notch above Gibson's (another Chicago favorite), Delmonico Steakhouse in Las Vegas, and Peter Luger Steakhouse in NYC.
(5)
Demetrio P.

Chop House is one of my favorite steak houses in Chicago. I usually order the Chop House Prime Rib Special, which comes with a salad and potato (last time they ran out of this!) Service is great, as well as reasonable prices. I've tried the other popular steak houses in Chicago, and this one so far is one of my top fave steak places.
(4)
Digital M.

The steak is top three in the city, but I still will rank this place number one due to it's character. On the way to your table check out the pictures abound of 1800's and early 1900's Chicago. It's an unbelievable value too. Every time I go I am amazed at the flavorful food coupled with an attentive and professional waitstaff. $6,7,8 dollar glasses of house whites and reds. Better yet, your steak includes a salad and a choice of potato. Nightly specials too. If you are looking for a great steak and a great dining experience, go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Alex H.

Where to start? I'd have to agree with Andrew's statement "If you want an average steak for an extraordinary price, you should go here." The steak was definitely not the best I've had but the service was good. For what I spent at the Chicago Chop House, I could've went to Chicago Fire House twice, left feeling content and still had some change and food leftover. For those who experience claustrophobia, this is definitely not the place to go.
(1)
Kristin M.

Absolutely fantastic steaks and the atmosphere is awesome! Be sure to sit in the downstairs area on a night when the piano player is there, he's great, and it really makes for a great experience!
(5)
Jim B.

Great steak - really played up the "Kobe". Waaaaay overpriced for what you get. Judging by the other reviews on here I am not off base here. Just glad my service experience wasn't as bad - although some guy beside me freaked out about his bill and stormed out - sounds like a frequent occurrence here. If the Internet works at all - this place will be under " new ownership" by next year - without managers who look like they are working at the "peach pit after dark" ( Bluetooth headset /90210reference)
(2)
Ameed M.

I absolutely agree with the points brought up by the other negatives. Finding out that they have new management explains a lot. My family and I had a mini tradition to go here for some of our birthdays since we tried it once a few years ago and fell in love. The steaks used to be exquisite and the service friendly. We went again last night expecting the same, yet were very disappointed. A good steakhouse waiter will come and introduce himself and welcome you in as a friend, not a customer (think: Gibson's or Morton's). Our waiter was standoffish and rude, which got progressively worse through the night. He read us the specials and gave us all of 5 minutes to decide. I had to tell him at least 3 times to go away and let us read the menu and decide. In line with other reviewers I did notice he kept trying to go for the upsell, as if there was a quota that he was trying to meet. Their most expensive steak is something called an "American Kobe" which simply sounded like a way to charge 20 bucks more for a similar cut of meat (I convinced my dad not to try it as it sounded like BS). The waiter didn't come to check on us or confirm the meat was cooked according to what we asked (again, a good steakhouse waiter will stand by and ask each person to cut the meat to confirm that it is correct). At the end, he dropped off the check, took our payment and disappeared, good riddance. The food was good, but not as good as I remember. As others have speculated, it wouldn't surprise me if they are cutting costs with their ingredients. Probably the most ridiculous thing of the evening was that they switched their take home package to what is a glorified paper bag (it used to be a Styrofoam container). Paper and juicy steaks don't mix well, so by the time we got home all of our steaks had soaked through the bag. My dad had ordered a steak oscar style and they handed it to him in the bag upside down (smearing the sauce and lobster all over the place). When he complained the waiter told us "that is what we use" with no apology and look of smug annoyance. Go to Gibsons or another steakhouse instead.
(1)
Tammy T.

It has been a couple of years since we ate at Chicago Chop House, so for our anniversary my husband suggested to go there for dinner. We invited our relatives from out of town to join us. I was expecting the place to be booked on Saturday night, but it turned out to be only half full. Now I understand why. First of all the service was overpowering. Our waitress was pleasant and professional but we were not prepared nor interested to listen to 5 min speech and lesson on the quality of meat at the restaurant. I was surprised to see the prices of steak dishes, doubled since our last visit. A la carte steak starts from $70 for 10oz. We ordered appetizer and salad to share. And each person had a steak and we shared 2 side dishes. The quality of food was very average, I have to say that I had much better steaks for 1/2 price. For the duration of our dinner there were constantly at least 5-6 people (waiting staff) standing near our table staring at us eating. At the end the dinner for 4 people cost us over $800 and we didn't care for the food or service. My husband used to say that this was his favorite steak house restaurant. But after our last visit, I am sure we will not be back.
(1)
B. L.

If you are looking to take someone special for a awesome steak dinner , you may want to consider this place. Their service is excellent and the portions are healthy. It is a bit upscale, but for a special occasion it is a nice treat.
(4)
Heidi K.

Excellent steaks in a classic Chicago setting, warm baked potatoes with plenty of sour cream & chive, impeccable service - just a great steakhouse. My fiance & I came here after he proposed, and again a year later on the anniversary. Both nights were fantastic - the steaks are so juicy and tender and I just love the old-school atmosphere - not pretentious or stuffy at all. They have a nice selection of appetizers & sides as well - but we never make it to dessert ;) The Chop House is our favorite place for classic cuts of steak - and the perfect place to take out of town guests for a memorable Chicago experience.
(5)
Erica S.

What a great place. Went with my family which included 3 children. Very friendly waiter (wish I would have gotten his name) The Clos Pegas Merlot was beautiful, The fillet Mignon was absolute perfection and the warm chocolate cake was to die for. I also had the prosciutto and asparagus ( a cold appetizer in a vinaigrette) Delicious. I would recommend this to any one in the mood for steak. Reasonably priced for what you get Parking is a challenge but cab it.
(5)
Jon L.

I will only write about the food in this review. I had the surf and turf. Lobster and Fillet. Overrated and overpriced. Better steak at all of the chains I have been to.
(3)
John O.

Chop house is good but doesn't really distinguish itself in any way from the many other steak houses out there. My bone-in ribeye was good but not amazing...if I am paying 40$ for an entree I really expect the flavor to be impeccable and the medium rare to be the textbook medium rare. I really hate to send a steak back but at these prices its a little easier. All in all I would rather go to Morton's for the clubby atmosphere and spot on grilling or the bar area in Smith and Wollensky for the river view. Never had a steak cooked to anything less than perfection at both of those places.
(3)
Gail M.

Our experience at the Chicago Chop House was everything you could ask for in a 5 star restaurant. Karen, our wait person, was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. We could tell that she loved her job and strived to ensure that our experience was phenomenal. The rib eye steak was flavorful and tender. It was one of the best steaks that I have ever had. The Four Cheese Au Gratin Potatoes were to die for. We had no trouble splitting the check,
(5)
Josiah L.

best steak i ever had in this country (granted i haven't been to THAT many steakhouses, only the best ones in NYC and Baltimore) i ordered their special steak and it was more than delicious. great wine list and appetiser. the bartender was friendly and funny. definitely the place to go if you're in Chicago and you love steaks
(5)
Nannette P.

I understand the nostalgia of going to the Chicago Chop House, and the how the history of it is incorporated and woven into the Chicago social scene, however, I have to admit that I've had better meals from, in what is my opinion, the better steakhouses in Chicago. The Chop House has it all, but to me, there is just something missing. Yes, of course you have plenty of businessmen blowing their expense accounts over dinner with clients, couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, and tourists a plenty with kids in tow, but for me, a "true Chicagoan", there are just so many better steakhouses in the city. The food has always been fine, but just that, fine, nothing memorable, nothing that I would ever consider to have as my last meal on Earth by any means. The steaks have always been cooked perfectly, the sides have been fine, and drinks have been served fast, martinis are well mixed and poured, and they have a good wine list. But, again, my experience at the Chop House has always been fine, but again, nothing great, nothing leading me to think "I want to go back to The Chop House" to celebrate this or that, or for that special evening out. I have had memorable dinners at Sullivan's, one of the best meals of my life at Morton's, and plenty of great meals from Tavern on Rush, Carmine's, Gene and Georgetti's, even from Weber Grill. I can't explain it. I guess at the end of the day, a steak is just a steak, and there's only so much you can do with a baked potato. But, for some reason, those above mentioned restaurants just do that something different to it in order to make it more memorable.
(3)
b c.

nothing bad to say about this place. had the butt steak, which is one of less expensive items in the menu. still it was perfect. very attentive staff. always call for res.-you never know. if you don't get lucky with street parking right away, don't waste your time & valet. you can see the menu on the website: chicagochophouse.com/dinâ€¦ definitely a special occasion spot unlesss you're loaded. my last tab: around $110 for two
(5)
Andy G.

Unfortunately my experience at the Chicago Chop House was not the stellar experience I expected it to be. First of all I found the decor uninspiring and the space cramped. My steak, salad, and side dishes were just OK. The steak was prepared correctly to my requested temperature which in my case is usually rare. The most disapointing aspect to this restaurant is that I could go up the street at home to Outback and get just as good a steak and beter side dishes for a lot less money.
(2)
John G.

Its walls adorned with pictures of old mayors and meat packing titans, the Chicago Chop House has great local flavor. For steakhouses in Chicago, it is set apart by its wine list (better than most), it's bread (better than all), and its clientele (better than you).
(4)
Kristen D.

I was not a fan of this place. This was my first time to a chicago steak house, and the only thing I was impressed with was the lobster in the surf and turf. A friend had the orange roughy though, and it was delicious. Make reservations though, because this place is always busy
(2)
Kevin L.

okay, I've been to the Chop House a few times over the years and was looking forward to a great bone-in filet. It was not the worst steak I've had....I've had worse from the local Jewel. It was the worst in the upper end steak house catagory in Chicago. There wasn't any flavor to the thing at all and it wasn't just because it was a filet. My wife orded the bone in NY Strip and it was also horrible. Both were over cooked by 1 temperature. I orded mine mid-rare, it came out medium to mid-well. She ordered her's medium and it came out medium well to well done. You can tell they aren't taking care of the place either. The floors are dirty and worn. The bar area looks like the Howard Jones in Times Square. The service was good but after a $363 tab for two it better be good. I also ordered a bottle of Cab and it came out room temperature (72 degrees). Yes, I know reds are supposed to be room temperature but that means 58 - 64 degrees. I can't stand $100 bottles of wine that are too warm. After my experience, I told as many people as I could about how bad it was and I was then made aware that there was a managmenet change. Not sure if that's true. I'd recommend Nine if you like trendy or Gibsons if you like traditional Chicago steak house. Too bad that this place is now a dump.
(1)
Xteethx B.

pricey but really good; best ny strip I've had for a long time. mac n cheese wasn't all that. 5 scallops came at $10 per piece but they were hearty. Yes the waiter asked a couple times if we wanted wine but he was good overall.
(4)
Gregory A.

OK, well I have only been to a few of the major steak houses here in Chicago, but that's because I keep going back to the Chop House. My wife and I have been married 10 years now and together for almost 15. We started Dating when we were only 19 so going to the Chop House was our first super fancy date! As a matter of fact I asked her to marry me at a window seat way back in 1996. (Tip: If you plan on proposing in public let it be known, everyone will be watching. I must have turned 8 shades of red when I got up off my knee and the whole restaurant applauded.) The food of course is to die for. I recommend the fillet with king crab legs, my favorite. Even though I like my steak well done, they never dry it out and it just melts in your mouth. The service is always great to, the staff is so friendly, which brings me to the atmosphere, there are 3 floors to this 100 year old brownstone so there is not one main noisy floor, the best way to put it is when I go there I feel like I am at a large family dinner, I would definitely recommend the Chop House if you are looking for a quiet romantic evening.
(5)
Ji K.

I remember coming here on a whim. A coworker from Florida was in town attending a company meeting and on the one night that we didn't have to work late, he wanted to experience Chicago. On that note, I immediately dragged him onto the El, and we headed straight for a famous downtown steakhouse. I had never been here before, but I heard great things and I figured this was as good a time as any to finally check it out. Luckily, we got seated right away. And while the place is small-- something about it is soo endearing. Our waitress took us past the crowded first floor, up the steps, and to a very small table for two on what-seemed-to-be a quieter floor. In all honesty, the service and food dragged. We probably spent nearly two hours there-- and while it annoyed me at the time, I now appreciate the leisureliness of the dinner. It's such an intimate space with a ton of old-school city character . . . and the steaks were absolutely delicious. I loved my steak so much that, instead of devouring it completely, I wrapped a little piece of it for my steak-lover brother so I could later brag to him about the great dinner I had. Ha.
(4)
Paul P.

My favorite steak house. Prime rib is the best in town. Old school flavor.
(5)
Eric L.

Solid steak house in Chicago. My only complaint is that I went here for valentines day and they had a pre-set menu. The food that day wasnt that great. But the other 3 times i've been here it has been very good.
(4)
Angie C.

Disappointed to give this place only 3 stars - I finally tried it a couple of weeks ago, wanting to treat my Dad who was visiting from out of town. We had late reservations (9:15) but decided to go early around 730 and we got seated right away which was great!! The service was really great, the atmosphere cozy. We ordered filet mignon - my and my sister's filets were ok, cooked to order but a little too charred on the edges for my taste. My Dad ordered the filet and lobster combo, ordered medium, and it came out practically WELL DONE!! He had to send it back, luckily they brought out another one within 5 minutes but it really ruined the experience - he had to eat the lobster alone before it got cold and we really didn't expect "the best steakhouse in the country" to overcook a small filet. OK steaks but not the best I've had. I'll stick to Gibson's - always perfectly cooked and better side dishes!!
(3)
Dorival S.

I went to this place again after years in a Sunday night. I wasn't expecting much as I always thought this was a bit of a 'touristy' place, but I had to confess I had a great time. The steaks were great and being a Sunday the place was not too crowded which allowed for a great dinner listening to the piano. Service was also very good. Chairs are a bit uncomfortable, not pricey for a good steak house like this.
(4)
Barb N.

Even if you're a vegetarian, you've GOT to visit The Chop House. Joe is the best piano player in the city, and if you're interested and really listening, Joe will play a number of songs he's written. Forget The Redhead Piano Bar, and its cramped atmosphere I go to The Chop House whenever I have a chance! If you're visiting Chicago, don't miss it. If you live here, come often! And if you're a steak lover, it doesn't get any better than The Chop House!
(4)
Angela B.

I recently took my husband to dinner at the Chop House for his birthday and everything about our experience was pretty close to perfect. Great atmosphere - we had a table on the third floor and it was lively but not too loud. Champagne by the glass - delish, and I love a huge pour, it was almost to the rim. MMMM champagne. We had the fried calamari as an appetizer, the filet for me and filet/lobster tail for my husband. Everything was great but what randomly blew me away was the huge baked potatoes served with some sour cream and chive mixture that I could have eaten with a spoon. I would go back on the strength of the baked potato alone!! The service was excellent, as evidenced by desert - I had made the reservation via email and included a note saying that we would order desert, and please put a birthday candle in it for my husband. I didn't mention this to the hostess or our server, and yet our carrot cake appeared with a candle and a nice happy birthday. Great touch! And good carrot cake. And just to give the restaurant one more bump, our appetizer, entrees, 4-5 drinks, and desert all came to a grand total of $130 - a great price for such a fun night out.
(5)
Elizabeth P.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Everything is delicious from the steaks to the sides and the baked potato with sour cream and chives. And the decor is really fun and great. Get the Chop House Prime Rib - it's their specialty, is one of the more affordable pieces of beef on the menu but I think it's also the best. Order this and you can't go wrong.
(5)
Dee W.

Decent food - not on my top ten steakhouse list but the steaks are still pretty good - the New York strip steak was large - a bit charred on the outside - the calamari was a bit lacking in flavor though but who goes to a steakhouse for the appetizers? Other good cuts of theirs would be the traditional Prime Rib and the Chop House Prime Rib
(4)
Duyen D.

This place is TERRIBLE!!!!! Our server was the biggest prick in the world. First, he tried to sell us everything! I understand that they want to up-sell their products but please. He didn't even tell us that our salad and potato was included with our meal until we asked him if they came with our meal. He kept trying to sell us other salads and sides that were not included without even telling us what was included. Good thing we had already reviewed the menu and knew that the salad and potato came with the steak. We ordered oysters and crabcakes for appetizer. Oysters were small but okay. The crab cakes were horrible. Too much filling and not enough crab. I got the new york strip - which was bland and tasteless. I think I could have cooked a better steak at home. My husband got the prime ribeye and lobster. Both were forgetfull. To make matters worse, he asked TWICE if we wanted dessert when we told him we didn't want any. I know the economy is bad and these guys want to make a living but geez, don't haggle the customers! Worse dining experience ever!
(1)
Evann G.

I've eaten here twice now, and nothing particularly stands out from either time except the baked sweet potato, which was the vegetable of the day the last time we went. They served it with some sort of crazy honey-cinnamon butter that I couldn't get enough of. But enough about that, onto the steaks -- they were good, but not the best I've ever had. The crab legs were good, and I was so happy that they opened them for me, because I'm way too lazy to enjoy doing that myself. Oh, and I do appreciate that the entrees actually come with a potato dish, unlike most steakhouses, but really the mashed potatoes weren't that great. And they cancelled out any goodwill that they had gained through the potato dishes by NOT giving refills on soda. Anyway... out of the 3 steakhouses we ate at while my parents were here visiting, this was probably 3rd for the quality of food vs. price. Still, there's no denying that it's a good steakhouse.
(4)
E M.

$360 between four friends, i got the chop house platter, my filet was well done, sent it back. our waitress sherry was pleasant and nice, but what made the chop house expierence was the bartender upstairs named john, he's one damn good bartender!
(5)
Liliana S.

Another steak house that does it right. Beautiful building. Nice wait staff. Excellent location. Prices arent cheap but worth it.
(4)
Moxie D.

You can't go wrong at this place. Granted, I usually only go in for dinner at the bar, but, its always amazing. The other night we had the porterhouse, which was perfect and the best creamy garlic dressing I've ever experienced. This place is a Chicago standard. I hope it never changes. The bartenders and the service was impeccable.
(4)
vivian h.

I'm not a big red meat eater (my family and friends are). I took my best friend from FL here one time when she came to visit me. It was her first visit to Chicago and she asked for a Chicago steak. She loved their prime rib so much that she asked to come here again on her second visit. Unfortunately, we weren't able to book last minute reservations and we ended up at Gene & Georgetti's. G&G was out of prime ribs that night; so my friend ordered the rack of lamb. Needless to say it just couldn't compare to the Chop House's one of a kind char prime rib. If I ever have the cravings for a big juicy steak at comparable prices, I will always choose the Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Jo L.

I have been to the chophouse several times and the service is so terrible I cannot justify giving them business when there are other steakhouses in Chicago that provide a comparable meal without the shady waitstaff. Today, a group of six us ate at the chophouse. A friend of mine ordered the NY Strip and the waiter knew that she didn't realize that there was a much cheaper one on the regular menu and he misled her to thinking that her choice was between two NY Strips on the specials menu that were far more expensive while at the same time neglecting to mention that there was a NY Strip on the regular menu of comparable quality. The menu states that every entree comes with a salad and mashed potatoes but we never got those with our meal. All of the NY Strips were delicious, however my filet that was ordered medium was cold and this is the second time that this has happened at the chophouse. I would strongly recommend not spending your money here as there are plenty of great steakhouses in Chicago without the rude and dishonest waitstaff.
(2)
J L.

It's a steak house, so avoid the other dishes and stick with the main meat of choice here. Have some seafood in your appetizer, then move on to an excellent New York strip. A massive wine list, little help on pairing wine and your meal though.
(3)
Alice S.

hands down, best steak ever! charred bone-in ribeye... that is the one thing you need to make SURE to order. i've eaten ALOT of steak, and this was absolutely the best i've ever had. juicy, fatty, and beefy. the way a steak should be.
(5)
Hratch P.

This place looks like a classic, oldschool steakhouse and delivers on the expected experience. I went there for a business dinner and thought the setting was very appropriate. The waiter recommended their special bone-in filet which cost 50% more than their regular filet of the same size. Although I find it wierd to pay so much more for the bone since you can't eat it, I have to say it was worth it. The bone gives the lean and tender filet a great rich flavor like a ribeye. Amazing steak! And then my client picked up the tab which made it even better.
(4)
P B.

I was here recently for a dinner bought for me as a customer of theirs. As someone else had said, this was a nice place to go after a McCormick show. Some were dressed there in nice dinner suits, but we probably notched the place down in our "trade show wear" Anyways, shortish review- they do the whole song and dance here- bring out the uncooked cuts, explain them, then read you the menu in part. I wasn't paying, so that wasn't my concern, but it IS a very pricey place. The hostess was mildly friendly and a little pushy. Our waitress, though, was very friendly and helpful- the best part of the dinner. I had the tomahawk cut, and it was good. The best ever? No. And that surprised me. I had the dry aged. The mac and cheese WAS incredible. So were the potatoes passed around. I'm not a big fish guy at all but we also had the appetizer with a crab cake, scallop, and prawn. The crab cake was actually very good. Ahi tuna was served...not for me, but others liked it. The wait was overall very long. That part was disappointing, and i would likely go 3.5 stars mainly because of that and expectations not quite there on the steak.
(4)
Michael N.

Atmosphere: D Food: B- Service: C Tired, overpriced and pushy--this restaurant needs to spend less time training its staff on upselling (it was borderline obnoxious) and more effort on renovating the restaurant and its menu. Drab and wornout would be kindest words I can use to describe the Chop House. With swarms of servers joking and wisecracking amongst themselves, it was loud enough to be distracting and this was a weekend night! I think the word is out, there are easily two dozen better steak places and the Chop House is a "has-been." It wasn't awful, but the experience did not deliver value commensurate with the price or time. Truly a disappointment. I would not return.
(1)
Monika C.

Not a huge fan of steak but came here with a group of coworkers. We had the shrimp cocktail and the scallops to start and I had the crab legs as everyone devoured their steak. The crab legs were great. Once again I've found that steak restaurants have pretty good seafood as well!
(4)
Karma K.

Cool building. Too bad the servers are hell bent on upserving everything! If we are dishing out close to $400 for dinner, take your upserve script and shove it. This place was cool in the late 80's and well into the 90's. Now, it's become a destination place for tourists and sales people that schlep over here after working a trade show at McCormick Place. During the week you no longer need a reservation. Good shrimp cocktail. Large and fresh. My husband enjoyed his steak. Sides are good but nothing cutting edge, just huge portions like every other steak house, except for Russ's potatoes, those are great. There are way too many other great dining options, including steak houses in Chicago to make me want to come back here.
(2)
Alissa G.

I'm really saddened to be writing this review as the Chop House became family lore when I was growing up. We'd go yearly for my father's birthday, wearing our best dress-up clothes. And, the restaurant transcended food and became an experience. We were celebrating my father, but we were also celebrating our family. The green walls, white tableclothes, photos of important Chicagoans of years past. There was a decorum at the Chop House, infused with the promise of opportunity. When you're 12 or 16, it's easier, perhaps, to become starry-eyed at such an establishment. It could be argued that as I traverse into my 30's, it's just harder to play along. But, I don't think it has to be that way, especially when i'd prefer the nostalgic view. What happened this weekend? Well, it was my father's 65th birthday and us kids thought we'd take him back to the Chop House for his birthday present (retiree budget and all). We arrive and are told we can only downstairs at the bar level, where there's loud piano music, big tv, and a single table occupied. We've only ever sat upstairs but we can't sit upstairs as there's a large 20-top. We get defensive. We made a reservation in advance...No one mentioned this when we confirmed our reservation...Why aren't we being treated well? No answer. We are led upstairs, because they do, it turns out, have room. But no apologies our made and our elbows feel injured. We had to fight to get up here, and that doesn't feel good. We all have a bad taste in our mouth. And, the 20-top arrived only after we were leaving...2 hours later. The meal tasted good, literally, but the experience with the hostess really put a damper on the evening. When you pay $20 for a bowl of side mushrooms...part of that..most of that (i'd think) is for the pleasure of feeling important. For an evening. The steaks were great. No complaints there. If you just want great steak, this could be your place. Still. They are pretty wonderful. But the Chop House is no longer mythic to us. It's a restaurant that serves really good steak for a whole lot of money. It's a transaction.
(3)
David B.

My favorite steakhouse in the US!!! My favorite steakhouse in the US!!! The steaks are truly the best around. If you want a food coma, try the porter house! Great wine selection. The crab legs and prawns are the way to go for apps. The aesthetics make you feel like a 1920's gangster!
(5)
Robert R.

On Friday myself and a group of friends had a wonderful time at the Chicago Chop House. The steaks were fantastic. I highly recommend the Mishima steaks. The staff was the best! Great place to have a great time.
(5)
Joey B.

I'm not rich but I came with rich folks though. shit was amazing. I think they wanted us out of there quick.. But we was drinking the wine having a good time. If you got lots of money definitely check this place out.
(5)
Galen K.

Had prime rib medium plus. Cooked perfectly bone in. Very tender and flavorful wedge salad and augrautins were excellent. Waiter was exceptionally well informed and attentive but not overly so. Great ambience Piano playing taking requests. Not crowded at all on a Tuesday night. Will go back. A bit pricey
(5)
Lawrence P.

I have dined at this restaurant several times. Combining the visits, I must say this restaurant is near perfect and, thus, the 4 stars. First, there is a lot of history in this restaurant. It looks like all steakhouses should look like. I don't mind today's modern version of some of the new steakhouses but there is something about the traditional look, with those gangster pictures on the walls, dimmed lights... that good all fashion look. The main wall is decorated with this sort of like a mural of pictures entitled "Builders of Chicago" or something like that. Very cool history! This is a very good steakhouse. Some of the standouts throughout my visits are the Maryland crab cakes with lobster bisque sauce, the kobe beef carpaccio with truffle oil, the organic heirloom baby spinach tossed in warm bacon vinaigrette, the bone in ribeye and porterhouse steak. This last time we went I got my bone in ribeye "mishima style" which, although costly, added some extra flavor and tenderness to the meat. For a side, their sautÃ©ed mushrooms and asparagus were and will always be my favorites. As for wine, we ordered a few bottles of 2005 Col Solare... everything goes better with Col!!!! This is a heck of a steak house and we shall return I am sure.
(4)
Mark K.

Wrong steakhouse.
(4)
Cathie T.

The building looks inviting. The decor is interesting. A little too dark inside. The food was just OK. too many better restaurants to think highly of this one. Definitely touristy. Won't be back
(3)
Russell K.

I was told that this was the best steak house in North America so when I went to Chicago in both 2006 and 2009, I went both times. I don't remember exactly which steak I ordered each time but it was around $70 for the meat from what I recall. The steak was cooked to perfection and the soft-shell crab I ordered as side was delicious. I often try to keep track of where I had the best steak and I really haven't found anything that stands out at home in Toronto but as far as Chicago, this place is it. On top of the food, the service was also excellent. For a tourist however, it's not as easily accessible if you're focusing your sights on places like the Mag Mile, Millenium Park, The Art Institute, or the Field Museum.
(5)
Maurice E.

The legendary Chicago Chop House is always a great stop for chicago history. We went last night I had the dry aged rib eye long tomahawk which was good only compliant a little more seasoning first couple bites were bland. The sides were really good onion rings and broccolini. I sipped on a couple Makers Mark manhattans which were good. The service was great we were seated as soon as we checked reservation with hostess. Overall a nice dinner and you can never go wrong with old school Chicago steakhouse.
(4)
J R.

Once upon a time, I came here on my first stay in Chicago with a group. It was magical. And I was never able to find it since. On a more recent stay, I was walking down the street after just arriving from the airport and there it was, my Chicago holy grail. I HAD to see if they would let me in looking (and smelling) like I just got off the plane. It was Monday, and they did! $200 dollars for one person later, and I was supremely happy. It was a steep price to pay for that happiness, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how I spent that much, but it was a nice night out. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great, but not $200 for 1 person great. Kudos to Scott Earl Holman on the piano - awesome! I remember having the same feeling, oh those many years ago. The "I spent too much!" feeling. But I did remember how much I liked this place. So it's likely I'll have those same warm fuzzies again. But damn. It's expensive!
(4)
Allen D.

So the Chicago Chop House is a staple of the city. Everyone who knows this steakhouse knows they have veal even though it isn't on the menu. We know this because we were told by someone who works there and even explained this to the staff. We politely request it and are told that they no longer carry it. We insist that they bring the maitre d over to discuss the situation. The maitre d kindly insists that they no longer carry the veal and haven't for 5 years. Next we speak to the owner and after explaining that we always have veal even after it was removed from the menu, he then admits they still carry it but imply they only give it to "important" people. They lied to our face. Not a good way to do business especially when you go there for 30 years. Needless to say we will never be back, even after we were promised a free steak for our trouble. This whole experience makes me sad, I recently discovered the original owner passed away and his partners assumed control. Edit: To add insult to injury, 7 guests totaled $1500. We had a better time and meal at the local Chicago Deep Dish pizza place 7 guests totaled $120.
(1)
Pete F.

Everything was going so well until, ugh . . . , the 30 oz tomahawk rib eye steak priced at a modest $99. The service was first rate, from the hostess who led me up 3 flights of stairs, to the very skilled wait staff. The appetizers . . . the giant shrimp wrapped in prosciutto was amazing . . the diver scallop was also good but . . the seared ahi was okay. But, you go to the Chop House for their red meats. I had to choose between the strip steak, bone-in fillet mignon, or the tomahawk rib eye. Our waiter had me salivating by the time he finished describing the rib eye and it looked like a million bucks when it was set on the table. However, what I expected was an explosion of flavor from the dry aging was only a whimper. It was like . . huh? After a few more bites, I had to ask for steak sauce . . at the risk of insulting our host and the chef. It was tender but not as much as I would have expected. At one point, I noticed I was working pretty hard with the knife, especially when I got near the bone. The steak was good, but didn't measure up to the hype. It's ironic that I thought the onion ring that accompanied the steak was awesome. Overall, it was a very good meal and experience but I had to make a deduction for the price.
(3)
Cigar S.

First time at this resturant. We sat in the bar area. It was a bit loud but fun. Nice piano music in the background. I had their Mishima strip steak. I think it was the best cut of all the steaks the table got. We actually did a little taste test between the dry aged strip and in my eyes the Mishima won hands down. The dryaged was 60 day (so they say) and nicely cooked but the Mishima had better flavor and was a HUGE cut.. Only down side for the night was the wine list. It was WAY over priced. Lots of great wines, but the markup was crazy high, even for Chicago.
(3)
Pete P.

This is a great restaurant - for people who have no idea what a steakhouse should be like. Just because its expensive does not mean its worth it. Quite the opposite, in the case of the Chicago Gouge House. My $85 steak should have been awesome. Instead, it was about the quality of something I could grill at home for about a third of the cost. I do not want some smarmy waiter pretending to be my best friend so I will spend more. This is not what professional service is about. It is crucial to date-sort the reviews of this place. You'll notice it got much much worse when they changed owners a few years back. I went here in about 2008 for the first time and they had great food, great service and reasonable prices. The new owners have turned this into a tourist trap. In summary, this place is nowhere near worth the extortionately high prices. ANY other Chicago steakhouse provides a better experience at a lower price. Eating here is just a total waste of money.
(1)
Kevin C.

I really can't wrap my head around how they are still in business. This place serves mediocre dry aged steaks at extravagant prices. I went for a visit with three friends and walked out of the place with a $170 tab (per person). We each got a steak, shared two sides, had a dessert, and had one drink each. The fillet that I ordered was decent but did no way dictate the $80 price tag for this entree. My friends and I will never come back to this establishment again and would never recommend it to anyone unless they wanted their wallet assaulted by this sub-par and tired establishment.
(1)
Brenda P.

LOVED IT! Everything was cooked and served beautifully. The portions and sizes on some of these dishes were a little absurd! (on the big side) Service was top notch. Decor is a little dated, library-ish with dark woods and evergreens all around but you don't even notice it because the dining experience is just superb! (and I am an interior designer lol) Went 10 years ago with some friends who lived there and again this last October while celebrating my husband's 40th birthday. Still great! Nice location too. Right by the House of Blues and the Hotel Palomar which is where we stayed (walking distance)
(5)
K M.

Wow! I guess I didn't expect the best since it is an older establishment and has so much competition, but I really loved it! I love the older decor, and especially the bar downstairs! I'd love to return to the bar sometime to admire all the old photos again! While our server did seem a little pushy, and the need to up sell, I guess we look too young to spend $, but we definitely spent a big chunk of change, and had 2 fabulous meals. Her service was great in the end, and I will definitely return!
(5)
Shawn L.

We ate here for New Years Eve and it was a great choice. I had a fantastic bone in ribeye tomahawk and my wife had the chicken. Service was prompt and professional but not outstanding.
(4)
Sabrina J.

The steaks were some of the best I've ever had and the service was excellent. I highly recommend skipping the appetizers, they were disappointing especially for the price (the caprese was tiny with one slice of tomato.. and the mahi flavors were an odd combo so only order what they are known for!!) Besides, you'll want to leave plenty of room for the meat! Focus on the beef because our steaks were amaze balls and well worth the price. 5 stars ONLY for the steaks and service which were superb.
(5)
Kate M.

Eh, I'm not in love with the Chicago Chop House. I'm not a huge steak fan, but I can appreciate a good steak house. Chicago Chop House just didn't deliver as well as some of the others in Chicago. The service was very, um, talkative. I don't like having a menu read to me, it's annoying. I don't need a 15 minute break down on the names of the divers that caught the scallops and how the Kobe cows enjoy porn and a few sakes before they're dispatched. It's just not necessary information, nor is it enjoyable to smile and nod at the server for the 15 minutes it takes her to tell us all this. Please, put it on the menu if you want me to know it. I promise, if I care, I'll read it. The food was just eh. Not so great food coupled with a big price tag and a server that talks to me more than my date (and that isn't a slight against my date)? That's not a great experience. I had the cedar plank salmon. The name says it all. It was salmon, on a plank of cedar, cooked. Now, when I'm paying $40, ok, fine..when *he's* paying $40 for a hunk of salmon the least you can do is make it easy to eat. Put that fancy little plank of cedar wood on a plate it fits on so when I attempt to peel the dry salmon off it doesn't go sliding around. Really? C'mon. This isn't hard. The steak wasn't that great. I don't know how much it cost, but it wasn't amazing and it better be at least pretty darn good at those prices. I don't mind paying a lot for great food, but I don't like paying a lot for mediocre food. I have one more complaint, what's with the funky tables? I know I'm tall for a woman, therefore my legs are on the long side of the spectrum, but seriously, this must be annoying for others too. Why are the table legs just planks of wood?? I went to cross my legs, or even cross my ankles, and encountered a solid wall in the middle of the table. Seriously?! So, no footsie then, huh? Cross that off my list of "you're gettin some later" moves for the night. If I have to listen to 15 minutes of how the lobster was coaxed out of the sea with love songs and that bed time stories are read to the dry aged beef every night I'd like to at least be able to nudge my date under the table during. That's a simple request. So, in summation; just "ok" food at a high price, lots of server interaction, and no under the table shenanigans. If that's your idea of a good time...you'll enjoy Chicago Chop House.
(3)
Jonathan C.

This is a once in a lifetime experience for me because I'm not willing to send any more money at this place more than I already have. This place is incredibly expensive but they have the quality to back it up. If you come here, don't go cheap like one of my dinner guests did. If you do, you'll regret it completely. Their steaks under $50 taste like you can get it at a nice middle class restaurant, but anything above that is absolutely delicious. Come here if you're ready to blow some money. The atmosphere is moderately lit and when we were seated upstairs we were crammed into a small room. There is no privacy and it's hard not to eavesdrop into other table conversation. The staff was very knowledgeable and gave us plenty of information about our steaks with it's pairings and what not, but we tried to spend as little as possible and still came out $600 check. Side dishes are great for sharing and delicious to boot. The mushrooms were my favorite but again on the costly side. In summary: If you can't recognize a top notch steak, or would prefer something like sizzlers because of their price, avoid this place altogether. Otherwise, save up two months worth of pay and take a girl out for a nice dinner.
(4)
Lyle F.

Damn good steaks. Food AAAA plus. Staff ok.
(5)
Tom L.

If it's a good steak that you want you have come to the right place! If you don't want a big dinner I would suggest going to the bar in getting some of the appetizers the sliders are amazing! It's also a good place to watch a sporting event. I also found the bartenders to be quite professional and fun to talk to.
(4)
David G.

Given what the Chop House is supposed to be - a high end Chicago style steak house - and basing my review upon a comparison of other steak houses both in Chicago and in other cities world wide, I would not really recommend the Chicago Chop House. First, the decor is fairly typical, which was not really the issue. I just really did not understand the layout of the restaurant. There is a small section of very small two-top tables in the downstairs area. There is also a piano in the same area. I get that it is Chicago and space is limited so you have to make use of every square inch, but still the layout was just weird. I'm probably not doing my description much justice, but if you go in the restaurant you'll see what I mean. In the upstairs area, the restaurant spreads out a bit more wide open although there is a bar stuffed over in the corner and feels a bit out of place / taking up too much space. Next, we'll tackle the wait and support staff. Our particular server was very good at some things and less so at other things. She had a bit of a difficult time describing the specials from memory which seems a little off for a high end place. But, she did act in a professional manner the entire dinner. The support staff, oh, the support staff... way too many of them and way too much hovering... way too much hovering. We all agreed that it felt like we had this huge audience watching us eat and critiquing the way we chewed our food or cut our meat. It was very weird - super weird. And, we did not like it... at all. Finally, the food hits the chopping block (*drum roll for cheesey pun please*). Seriously overpriced steaks that were not cooked terribly well. And side items that were not all the good, and several were oversalted. The steak that I shared with someone (and got hit with a plate charge on top of the already like $80+ steak) was some big T-bone cooked allegedly at medium rare. First, the steak had virtually no flavor but perhaps that is because they definitely cooked it at least medium if not medium well. But, given how long we waited for 8 steaks to come out (understandably) and how hungry I was, my colleague and I ate it anyway. Net, net: The Chop House just wasn't that good and I would likely not return in the future if given the choice.
(2)
K C.

EXTREMELY overpriced! Save yourself the $$ and go to Gibsons! If you do end up here, be sure to ask for prices of the daily "specials" before orderi
(1)
Hari B.

I really want to swear I am so disgusted with Chicago Chop House. What the heck - this is a F*&%ing piece of S#@t puke of a restaurant, I would rather eat McDonald's pink slime and get cancer. On a recent visit to Chicago, I made reservations for a special family dinner out. The place was empty - I should have just turned around and left, but I was still sucked in by the hype that used to surround the restaurant. Service was good, however the main course - steaks were horrible. They were worse than the cheapest steak you could find at a grocery store. They were full of gristle. People in our party either refused to eat it or actually had to spit it out. Yes it was that bad. Just close it down please.
(1)
Brent M.

My buddy from Toronto and I were looking for a unique and memorable Chicago steakhouse experience, and this place was one of 3 places we chose from (Ditka's and Del Frisco's were the other two). A decision well made, despite not knowing how much it would cost us, until we arrived there and opened our menus. Aside from the initial sticker shock, we both decided to pay full price for the experience, which we both eventually enjoyed without regret. They have Valet ($9 - quite reasonable for the area), but the pay-metered parking was more convenient and surprisingly close. It was just behind the restaurant, and behind Walgreen's. It was also convenient to be seated right away, no waiting on a Friday night. We both ordered the non-aged boneless New york strip with peppercorn sauce. I regret ordering my steak medium-well (should've ordered it cooked medium). Nonetheless I did enjoy what I ordered. Perhaps for a more melt-in-my-mouth experience, I will try the Fillet Mignon next time.... The side dishes were very good. We both shared their version of "fries" and the broccolini. Both perfectly cooked. Well, wouldn't you expect perfection if you paid $6 for a side of fries? I will travel the distance for great customer service, and I believe we received it that night. From the time we left our table to the moment we exited the restaurant, 6 different staff members greeted us on the way out. While eating, we had 5 different people interacting with us to ensure we had a personal and classy experience. The 4 start rating out of 5 is because I had high expectations for my first Chicago steak experience which has yet to be met. I still remember the steak I ate 12 years ago during a bachelor party night in Toronto (the Barbarian Restaurant). I was hoping that this steakhouse experience would be something i'd remember for another 12 years, but it isn't. I can definitely see myself returning to his restaurant, but only after trying the other landmark steakhouses like Lowry's, Capital Grill, Gibson's, Harry Carey's, and Ditka's
(4)
Jeffrey M.

Great service. Was with group of 12. Tiger shrimp, diver scallop, and tuna app was amazing. Steaks were cooked perfectly. Too much to eat. Pricey but worth it.
(5)
Natasha A.

This is by far the best dry-aged steak I have ever eaten (and yes I have eaten a few). It is pricey but I thought it was worth every penny. Extensive wine list, super fresh Blue Point oysters, friendly and knowledge service completed the evening.
(5)
Manda V.

Prices are through the roof. The servers are very knowledgable, going in there as a young couple is always daring, and to see the type of service we get at alot of upscale places is interesting. $398 bill for two steaks, and sides, along with a bottle of wine, and cheesecake to share. Cheesecake was amazing paired with a sweet dessert wine that our server suggested. Overall place is amazing, pricey but you know this walking in.
(4)
Patty H.

By far the best dining experience my husband and I have ever had. Our server Ramon was very knowledgeable & mindful of our food choices, he offered great suggestions to maximize our experience. The best server by far. I ordered the tuna entree, My husband ordered the dry aged bone in steak. The tuna was perfection. wasabi sauce mixed with the mango salsa was the perfect marriage of flavors. My husband enjoyed his steak especially the dry aged, although he didn't love the cut he chose. We ordered the mixed seafood appetizer. Calamari, prawns and tuna. Since my entree was tuna, our server suggested we substitute the tuna portion of the appetizer for the lamb. I thought that was very considerate of him, a great idea too! my husband loved it. the lamb came with a sweet plum sauce. We ordered too many sides but loved them all. The au gratin potatoes with bacon were very rich, but so good. Our bill with 2 entrees, 2 appetizers, 3 sides, 2 glasses of wine and dessert was just over $300 and well worth it. Altogether we loved the whole dining experience the food was divine and the staff was top notch. I felt completely pampered by the entire staff. It might've been helpful that we went on a tuesday, not a busy weekend, and their were only a handful of diners there. Nonetheless, waters were ALWAYS full, the bartender was friendly. I even left for the bathroom and came back to find my napkin nicely folded! The live music by Scott Earl Holman topped off the experience. We give it a 10/10
(5)
Crystal T.

Amazing food. Amazing service. Worth the money. Mac n cheese was incredible.
(5)
Kelly O.

this is the priciest steak house we've been to and I must say, it's definitely not worth it. first of all, we called to make reservations and they said they were completely booked but were able to take our reservation. yet when we got there half the tables in our room were open. right when we sat down the waiter pushed the ahi tuna appetizer. didn't even have a menu yet and he hasn't asked for our drink order. the entire time it felt like the waiter was pushing for us to get the most expensive items. the tuna is around 60 dollars. more than the steak. we ordered the crab cakes and Cesar salad to start. boyfriend said the Cesar salad at outback steak house is 10x better. the croutons were obnoxiously large. the crab cakes tastes like potato pancakes. which ironically were on the menu. I ordered the New York strip. the waiter assumed I wanted it dry aged ($10 more) so I made it apparent that I wanted the wet one. boyfriend got the filet dry aged. both tasted bland. We didn't see the difference in aging. the filet tasted better even though the New York strip is what they're known for. we couldn't figure out which sides to get so we wanted to get two small ones. the waiter of course convinced us to get two regular sized as it will be "more bang for your buck" - you mean more tip in your pocket. then we got the key lime pie. it was very thick like cheesecake. my boyfriend loves key lime but was very angry to see they drizzled green sugary sauce all over the cake. he called it "jollyrancher sauce" because that's what it tasted like. it kind of ruined the pie. all in all. I don't recommend coming here. it's very expensive, not good quality food, and pushy service. we spent less money at Mastros - where we got more food, the ahi tuna, and a bottle of wine. don't waste your money or ruin your mood.
(1)
Lauren D.

What the "F" happened to this place? It used to be a place where the locals wanted to go when they wanted to drop some serious $$$ on an outstanding steak dinner. This is not the case any longer. The joint is filled with tons of tourists and very few locals. We started with the Maryland crab cake with the lobster bisque sauce ($16) and it was excellent. The appetizer alone is worthy of 5-stars. We also ordered the jumbo scallops which are infused with herbs and cherry tomato sauce ($49). The tomato sauce really did the scallops an injustice. The scallops were the size of small fist and they were fantastic. However, I didn't care for the cherry tomato sauce. Scallops = 3 stars (for this reason). What is interesting to note is that Chicago magazine awarded the "Golden" rating, to the Chicago Chop House, which is the highest award that any steak house restaurant can receive for their boneless New York strip steak, and impeccable wine list. With that said, I ordered the "dry" New York Strip steak (the "petite" version) which was meritorious! My husband ordered the short-bone dry aged rib eye steak. I asked him to rate his rib eye steak on a scale of 1 to 5. He said it was "exemplary" and gave it a 5! I appreciated that they offer "family style" for their sides, because you can save a little bit of money since everything here is a la carte. We also ordered the asparagus with Hollandaise sauce. These were amazingly delectable and the sauce elevated the asparagus to an ethereal level. My NY strip steak alone was $59. I ordered it medium-rare and it was perfectly seasoned and prepared. It was melt-in-your mouth tender and had a very buttery flavor. My husband really, really enjoyed his rib eye "dry" steak almost as much as he enjoys having sex with me. We have definitely experienced much better steaks, so my final rating is 4-stars. Our Server was attentive but not over-the-top intrusive. He was charming, charismatic and was very polite and professional. We all agreed that our Server was superlative, so 5-stars it is for our handsome Server. I am sure our tab came to well over $700. Oy-vey! We appreciated our friend's kind gesture to "treat us" to a very nice, expensive dinner at the Chicago Chop House. The one thing I noticed about the Chicago Chop House is how this joint is now a major tourist trap just like Navy Pier, Millennium Park or The Bean. The inside of the restaurant is pretty dated (it was like stepping back in time to the early 1990's). I will admit it had been well over 15 years since I actually ate at the Chicago Chop House. We used to go to this joint when we lived in the River North neighborhood. We were there one evening when a crowd began gathering, like a vulture converging upon its dead prey, and wondered what was happening. We noticed it was ole blue eyes himself. Frank Sinatra and his entourage. We were not and have never been a Frank Sinatra fan, so we just kept on eating like there was no big "star" a few tables away from us. We didn't care. We had an enjoyable evening with our doctor friends who were visiting from the east coast. We even finished two bottles of wine. We had no room for dessert. We left gratified, satisfied and very, very relaxed. (NOTE: They only do one check per table, so you cannot split the bill).
(4)
Kenny S.

Old time Chicago steak house. Really cool decor with some great history. Its all about the steaks. Dry aged bone-in. Absolutely fantastic. Salads and sides. All in all a fantastic evening. It is a little pricey but that is due to the dry aging, and the extensive cuts of meat. I would highly recommend.
(5)
Michael O.

This place is amazing! It is, by far, my favorite steakhouse. I ordered the crab cakes (appetizer), dry-aged Ribeye (main course), and the 'Dessert of the Day'. Each course was exceptional. The steak was a perfect medium-rare. The service was excellent from the people at the door to the waitress & staff serving our table. The place was packed, but we didn't wait long for our food. As someone who has eaten at both the Chicago Chop House and Peter Luger's (NYC), the Chicago Chop House is far better. This place knows how to cook a steak!!!
(5)
Arla M.

Heard great things about this place, so I decided to give it a try. Staff was excellent waited on you hand and foot. Steaks were more of a Texas Roadhouse quality than a number one rated steakhouse in Chicago. Ordered the Tomahawk Ribeye dry aged and the ribeye from the Texas Roadhouse tastes better. Food is extremely overpriced for the quality.
(2)
Dan M.

Alright so In Chicago for two months for business and naturally while being in Chicago there are two things I must try. Deep dish pizza and a bangerang steak. Thankfully my co worker from NYC was a huge steak person so he had a running list of places we had to visit. Chicago Chop House was one of the spots we wanted to try given the reputation of it being a high end steakhouse. So we stroll down N State St and take a left right onto W Ontario St and see the big sign that says "Chop house" Our anticipation is rising as we get closer. We step inside and personally I was confused by the environment. It had an old school feel to it with a piano right as you walk in and then tables downstairs with a bar in the center of the room. I believe there is an upstairs area but I haven't had the opportunity to go upstairs so all I could see was where we were sitting. My coworker and I start tackling the menu and man is it extensive. Both of our prime choice is always a ribeye but of course I wanted to peruse the menu to see if there were other items that I would be more inclined to. The wait staff at first seemed very attentive as they came over and asked a few times if they could help in any way to facilitate our orders. We asked a few questions about what was the best to go and as I listened to the waiter I realized he was just an "up seller". Now I completely just made that term up I think, but basically my point is that he was just saying that the most expensive items on the menu were the best tasting. Bleh.... How I hate that. So after he tries to sell us everything expensive on the menu and walks away I turn to Google to understand if what he said about the "Mishima steak" was truly accurate. So what we understood the mishimia tomahawk ribeye was that it was a grade above Kobe and of course to two steak lovers that just sounds like jackpot. So despite being unhappy with the up sell, we do end up ordering Mishima tomahawk ribeyes with Creamed spinach and the Chop house Mac and cheese. Now the ribeyes come out and as it is carried out it literally is a scene out of a movie where this guy falls in love with a girl at first sight with sappy music in the background. These look amazing. I literally take my knife and drop it into the steak and it just cuts perfectly with minimal effort. The meat is tender and just the right amount of pink on the inside. Man I dive into my mishima and it is just as amazing as it looks. I take a bite into the creamed spinach and again a solid side as always but nothing amazing I would say but unfortunately for me the Mac and cheese sucked. Not a big fan at all so much to the point where both my coworker and I left the majority of it untouched. So as we devour our steaks my co worker and I justify the insanely expensive (100 +) steak saying it was quite an experience and something that was just worth having. Now this is a bit unorthodox and I would normally not do this but I feel it is important. I am going to bridge my second visit to the chop house along with this first wonderful experience into this one review. My co worker and I loved this place so much that we came back a week later and ordered the exact same thing. The creamed spinach was still just okay and this time we ordered the four cheese au gratin potatoes. Again sides I don't think is the strong point so don't make that your primary focus. We are pumped as we wait for our second Mishima's to come out. Same fanfare as it comes out but as I bite into it, I notice that it is vastly different in taste and how well it is cooked from the week prior to. We did not feel the same joy from the steak and felt if anything it was subpar which was hugely disappointing. Unfortunately for me this is a red flag. Given the price that we were paying I would expect a classy steakhouse to have consistency and the fact that they were unable to do so for both of our steaks was a huge disappointment and something that leaves me skeptical about Chicago Chop house. I think I would prefer capital grille or Chicago cut steakhouse that is more consistent and not as extravagant in price. With that said, I know i would return if i could guarantee consistency but as that is not the case it will be hard to rationalize this restaurant in the future.
(3)
Kurt H.

I was alone on business and sat at the bar with Christina. What a great experience. Always quality food and wine list here. No wonder they have been here for 25 years. Christina and her midwest charm reaffirmed why CCH is my favorite hometown steak place and where else do they serve Nickel & Nickel wines by the glass. Make sure you bring a lot of cash though, its worth it.
(5)
Vern H.

I have to rate this place, awful and this is why, we had a party of 12 the waiter took our drink order, I ordered a margarita he recommended the margarita with Premium tequila and I took the bait along with half the people at our table but he failed to mention the $26 price tag, needless to say I had my share of margaritas throughout the night, when it came time to order the food I ordered the ribeye the waiter suggested that I try the dry aged I took the recommendation along with 4 others at my table, this has to be one of the worst steaks I've eaten, the other who ordered it felt the same, towards the end of the meal I told a different waiter my steak did not taste like a dry aged steak and informed me that it was the regular rib eye, need i say more!!! Total bill 2,800.00 totally not worth the money .
(1)
Leah L.

First of all we were starving and I knew the place was supposed to open at 4:00.....two different signs on the building said so too. We waited at the Hard Rock for them to open.....we got there at 4:10 and the doors were still locked. Then we were told the bar opens at 4:00 and the restaurant at 4:30....meanwhile, the first table in the restaurant and we had to wait til 5:00! This was my 5th and last trip here......I've eaten at the bar before and thought they may have a separate menu.....but was told not true, one menu. Apparently the prices jumped quite a bit....as I'd never have suggested a place for expensive, yet boring food. I ordered a filet.....was flavorless and barely charred......boring for $45. My date had a $49 strip.....$5 extra for a sauce....which I saw on the menu, but he did not and the waiter never mentioned it. It was $9 for a side of mushrooms, which the ones I cook at home taste twice as good! We also ordered a side of potatoe pancakes for $6.....overcooked and the same as you get in WI for free with any fish fry! The service was good, but I would never go back. There are too many new places to try. For people that say it's good, I'd say they really need to get out more!
(2)
Andre W.

Make sure you are ready to burn some serious coin here..lol I got the Kobe Beef New York Strip Steak and my girl got the Filet Mignon Mine was good, but her steak was better. The Filet melted in my mouth as I took a bite. I actualy wanted to trade steaks while she wasn't looking, but I think she would have noticed the size difference. Very nice, classy joint as it has 3 levels. The bar area is on the lowest level while dining is on the 2 upper floors. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff as my server was able to break every steak down to a science. Most steaks range from $50-$120, so as I said earlier, come with your wallet open. I would definitely come back as the food, atmosphere and service is on point.
(4)
Chad S.

Simply amazing old school steak house experience. Incredible steak, excellent sides and outstanding wine list. Pricey but worth every penny.
(5)
Katie J.

We went for my husband's birthday because we had been wanting to try it despite the mixed reviews. We find ourselves as one of many who were immensely disappointed with the food! It was bogusly overpriced and the flavors were not there. Also we paid $17.50 for my husband's birthday dessert that tasted like a frozen reheated weight watchers diet option! I do have to give major points to the service though. They were extremely attentive and knowledgable. There was never a moment of searching for anyone but were not intrusive on the dining experience. Overall we've had much better at chain steakhouses for half the price... We will not be back for a second try!
(2)
Max M.

Chicago Chophouse serves Mishima Ranch Wagyu Beef. It's one of the only menus with this kobe-style beef. Portraits of old Chicago gangsters like Capone and Lucky Luciano adorn the walls and the overall experience is anti-Maestro's. Guys come and eat their steaks with both elbows on the table and a white napkin hanging from their collar. And the steaks are what you would expect from this type of clientele... Bone-in dinosaur chop with a properly charred exterior and juicy interior. The Mishima Filet and NY Strip were among the most tender and well-marbeled steaks that I have ever had. Oh. Forged-aboud-it!
(4)
Eric T.

Went here with my fiance for our final dating anniversary before we get married in the summer. We were a bit apprehensive when reading other Yelp reviews about up pricing of menu items. That didn't happen at all. The waiter explained the different steaks and appetizer choices without us feeling forced to choose one way or the other. He didn't even mention the most expensive cut of steak when telling us about our options. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was delightful (It was a very cold weeknight and therefore quiet). We got a delicious dessert on the house! The wine guy and the waiter were nice and added to the great night.
(5)
Greta B.

I wasn't impressed. Food was mediocre. Bland blond standing in corner was creeping. Maybe GM? I dropped $135 for salad, steak and 2 glasses of wine. Now I know.
(3)
Hannah H.

A family member of mine goes the Chicago Chop House every year for her anniversary. So, when we were able to finally check the Chop House out, I was pretty excited. The brownstone itself was very cute and feels very classic at the same time. I came here with a group of friends and we were seated upstairs by the window, which was quite nice! I tried out the Chicago Chop House NY Strip, 16oz, and my husband has the bone-in Chop, at medium-well. My steak was okay and it was a simple, straightforward steak. My husband's steak actually came out rare, and then was actually sent back 3 times as the cook kept messing it up, and at the end of it, the steak became a burnt piece of meat... :( Our other two friends had a shrimp pasta dish and a salad, which they both stated were just okay as well. The staff were friendly, though, and very gracious. I was glad to try this place out, but I have other more preferred steakhouses! +incorrect temperature of steaks +friendly staff
(3)
Lisa O.

Amazingly disappointing. I went in late one evening because the restaurant was close to my hotel. I saw the menu outside with no prices listed and knew this place would be expensive. But I saw the piano player in the window and decided to go ahead and go in and get something on the lighter side. I was greeted warmly and my coat and scarf were taken to be hung up. I was offered the alcohol menu and declined. The server offered other non-alcoholic beverages and I ordered. Upon looking at the menu I saw the steaks were between $49 and upwards of $79. And everything else was a la carte. The server explained several offerings well, but I was leaning towards either a tuna or lamb appetizer with a salad and a potato pancake. The waiter told me that this restaurant had received many awards for its steaks and told me about several including the mishima beef. I decided to try it and ordered the petite mishima filet at $59.00. A side set of two things was $9.00. I got sauteed mushrooms and a potato pancake. (I was just in the mood for one). The bread that arrived was warm and yummy. When the steak arrived I cut into and tried it. It was dry and lacking in flavor. I ordered the filet medium rare, too. I took another bite. Same thing. I thought to myself, "this is a $59.00 steak? This is NOT worth it." The lady who met me at the hostess stand was very sweet and offered to take my photo when she saw I was taking a picture of the meal. (I am one of those who likes to take pictures of food, sometimes). The server came back and asked me what I thought. I commented that I did not think it all that great, really. I was very unimpressed so far. He replied that it was the best kind of meat. So I decided to keep cutting towards the middle and trying. In between I had the mushrooms which were fantastic. As I ate the piano man played "I will Survive" and other fun songs. I hoped I would survive this steak. As I got closer to the middle it certainly got better. I could detect a different favor. It was softer and more tasty. But still, I was underwhelmed. The server did not come back until I was finished. I decided to eat the whole thing since it looked like I was gonna pay for it. When the server came back he took my plates and was very nice, asking if I wanted dessert, but not asking me about the steak again. No dessert, thank you. I tipped the piano player. I had really enjoyed his music. As I left I told the lady at the hostess stand, who might have been an owner, when she asked me to recommend them, that I could not do that. I explained that I had been disappointed. She said that she wished I would have told her and she would have brought me something else. I told her that I told the waiter. She said he had not told her. I explained that I have had many good cuts of meat before and this one just wasn't that good and certainly not worth $59.00. Again she said she wished I would have told her. Again I said I told the server and, in fact, he never asked me at the end of the meal how I enjoyed it overall. I said, "I don't think he wanted to know what I had to say." I waited for her to say something like, "Well, I am very sorry, let me give you a certificate for a free dessert on your next visit" or something. Instead she said again that she was sorry I had not told her. So many missed opportunities for superior service. I did survive. I am now out $100.00, though. But the music was nice and the mushrooms were great.
(2)
Socal E.

I had really high expectations for this place, and waited all weekend to enjoy a late night dinner on Sunday. Called at 9:45 PM to make a 10PM walk-in reservation, only to be told that "The kitchen closes at 9PM and the restaurant closes at 10PM." Even though their website claims to have a piano bar open until 10:30PM on Sunday, and Fine-Dining available until 11PM. Even their Online Reservations allow booking up until 10:30PM on Sundays." I CALL BULLSHIT! Update your Yelp profile and Website if you're going to cheap out in the middle of July. What a let-down, not planning to come back after this.
(1)
Chris D.

Place was phenomenal. Service was excellent. Food was perfect. I ordered the crab cake appetizer and the dry-aged Ribeye for my 2nd with sauteed spinach and the amazing au gratin potatoes. The wine was a fantastic Argentinian Red. Each course was exceptional. Well done!!!! I will be back.
(5)
David L.

I was taken here by a client. The build out of the place was fantastic. The food was pretty good, but very, very expensive. How expensive? We're talking Ferrari expensive. Or put differently, if you have to ask what things cost, then you cannot afford it. The steak I had was okay, but not great...a bit bland. Our waiter somewhat sneered at my customer and I for asking how much an appetizer was. The service was good, but his level of service went down sharply after that. Without drinks, I believe he paid roughly $160 for the two of us, and we went sparingly, too. The place is nice inside, just as I imagined it would be. In summary, I like the place, however when paying this much for food, I expect the service to be excellent, the food to be excellent, and the restaurant to be excellent. I think that Chicago Chop House earned 2 out of 3 of the criteria, but because the food was 'meh', 3 stars is appropriate.
(3)
Maria B.

This is an expensive restaurant. It's a great, high-end steak house. Expect to drop some money and don't be shocked when you do. The atmosphere was very old Chicago, no frills. Great old pictures around the walls, beautiful old bar. The one thing I didn't like is that our server rushed us along. We asked for a few minutes to order a couple of times, and he kept coming back 60 seconds later. It was highly annoying but once we ordered it was fine. I went with my boyfriend and another couple and we ordered one of the appetizer samplers to start with the shrimp cocktail, seared tuna, and lamb lollipops. All were great, but the tuna really stood out. I could have gone back, sat at the bar and ordered tuna and the mac and cheese and been quite a happy diner. I almost forgot, my martini was exactly as I ordered it. Perfect! We each had a steak, the men went with dry aged rib eye, I had a new york strip and our other diner had the filet. The dry-aged is definitely worth the extra $10. Cooked to perfection and so delicious. We had the asparagus and mac and cheese as side orders and I would definitely recommend the mac. The asparagus was ok but nothing too special. I would have gone with the spinach if we had to order again. overall, we had a great meal and good service.
(4)
Jason A.

Ate there last night, I still can't figure out why any local under 60 would go here. The food is ok but nothing special. The prices are just outrageous. There are two sizes: "petite" and grand cut (I had a petite wet aged NY Strip; plenty big). You can choose from wet aged, dry aged, or their Mishima cuts. Each size is separated by $10 and so is each cut. So a Mishima grand cut is about the same price as a used car. Seriously though, they have a dry aged grand cut porterhouse on their menu for $169. Outside of the trendiest and best restaurants, who does that? The whole thing is ridiculous. While they were friendly at all times, it felt like the servers were constantly trying to upsell us. Try a Yelp search for steakhouses, there are over a dozen better options in downtown Chicago. The others have more stars for a reason.
(2)
Eric S.

I always find myself here when im in Chicago. Its not the best Steak house in the city but it's consistent. Good quality steak as fair prices. The wait staff has been hit or miss, last year they weren't very good this past weekend they weren't excellent. The dry-aged tomahawk ribeye is wonderful
(4)
Daniel S.

Beefferction!!! Porterhouse & mignon were cooked perfectly... choose the dry aged if you wish it a touch more tender, but you cannot go wrong with any steak on the menu. Truffle mac is perfectly seasoned as are the potato pancakes (a chophouse must). We also had the lobster bisque and tomato & onion salad with 18 year balsamic dressing which were equally enjoyable.
(5)
Leigh H.

Best steak and service I have ever had in Chicago. Pricey but delicious.
(5)
Justin G.

It was one of the most disappoint steak houses i have been too. Double the price of most high end steak houses (475 after tip and we only had one glass of wine each). We both had steak, crab legs, cheese cake, four cheese potatos, veggies, and prawns. Ranking steaks in chicago from what I have had: joes stone crab, tavern on rush, this place I cant remember the name, hugos frog house/gibsons, chop house, ruths chris, then devon's. Considering it was 1.5x's the price of the others I was disappointed. Prawns and cheese cake were really good but nothing different then the others. Four cheese potatoes were awesome. Crab was certainly on the lighter side of a 1/2 pound( much less then the 1/2lb I've had at other places) but good. All in all we get similar food at any of the main steak houses above and I would say besides Devon's this was my least favorite. Unfortunate, I have had some really good steaks at other chop houses.
(2)
MVfoodguy S.

One star is pushin it for this place. I only added a star for the ambiance. Even though they have only been in business for 25 years or so it has the feel of an old time steak house. We had six in our group last night. I think everyone was disappointed in the place. They really try to sell you on the expensive steaks. I mean $129 ! Two of us got that and I have literally had better at Ruth Chis or Flemmings. To me everything was over the top expensive. $1200 for six people to eat with only two rounds of drinks each. Then we went downstairs to the bar and had a drink. You would think maybe after wackin us for over a G for dinner they would have said hey guys have a drink on the house. Nope, and 50 bucks. I would not recommend this place not will I go there again. Oh yea and the cows supposedly listen to classical music at night so they don't get stressed out. Give me a break. mvfoodguy.com
(1)
Bunny B.

Ok, so we don't generally give out 5 stars...but if you're going to the Chicago Chop House, they say you GO BIG OR GO HOME... and they go big out there in Chicago when it comes to steak! 5 stars! The place was so classic Chicago. I felt like so much history has gone down there....celebrities hob nobbing, big time business transactions being made, men proposing to their women... you can tell it's a place that everyone should go at least once. We were trying to decide what to order... it's pretty pricey, $100+ steaks and the kind of place where you have to also order all your own sides... but let us say, the steak is worth it. It's the Tomahawk all the way. Just do it, you won't regret it. We should have just split the tomahawk, it was plenty of food for both of us, but we ordered a filet as well, it was good, but next to the Tomahawk it was flank steak. We had the french style green beans which were phenomenal. Chris loves his green beans and next to the Beetlenut in San Francisco, these were off the charts, garlicky and buttery with almond slivers to make it crunch, fantastic. We also ordered the au gratin potatoes which were fab. The service was good, the wine list is awesome, seriously just order some of the less expensive bottles bc they're ALL good. We ordered a bottle less than $50 and it was great. Funny that we ordered a steak which was more expensive then the wine, nonetheless both were fantastic. The one sort of bummer moment was when we got the bill and saw that this tiny little appetizer of two little shimps and two scallops was $50. The actual appetizer tasted underwhelming and certainly not worth that price. Don't even bother with the apps, you're there to eat steak... stick with that. Oh... and we couldn't finish it all... it was in our hotel in the fridge and we ate it cold the next day with our hands... SOOOOOO good!
(5)
Joe D.

Dry aged filet is the best here. Although the prime rib they throw back on the grill is hard to beat too. Cappuccino martinis are great for an after dinner drink. Great wine list. A favorite while in Chicago.
(5)
Adam L.

This was at a time one of the top steakhouses in the city and in the country, but the quality has decreased in recent years. The switch to wet-age to dry-age was a mistake (it matters!), and the steaks were overcooked. My expectations were high after the rave reviews and a previous visit, but they have a lot of work to do to catch up to other establishments in the city. Still delicious however, just didn't meet my expectations. And the service is a bit tricky; appetizers will rob you as the waitstaff recommended the au gratin special which ended up being over $30! That's bit high for potatoes.
(3)
Eric B.

I have been waiting for awhile to go here. For years, I have been told my great grandfather's picture is on the wall. So I was quick to make reservations here when I knew I was going to Chicago for the Bears' game. I made my reservations for the upstairs room at 7:15, I did not feel like sitting in the noisy piano bar. They called me the day of to confirm I was in the upstairs room at 7:15 that evening, which I confirmed with them. When I arrived that evening, they told me that they unfortunately did not have room for my upstairs and they would have to seat me in the piano bar. I told them I wanted upstairs like I had reserved, and they told me that they could not accommodate that. Then they placed us at the cramped high top right between the front door and the coat check room. I asked them if there was another table, they said yes but it would be at least a 30 minute wait. The decor was probably cool about 20 years ago, but this place just looks beat up, and not in an antique/cool way. This place looks dumpy, not divey ( I love divey). It took about 15 minutes for a server to even greet us. He was very knowledgeable about the menu, but was not very attentive. My buddy and I both ordered the 10 oz filet with the potatoes au gratin with bacon as the server recommended (it was good, but it was the 3rd best out of 3 top steakhouses we had while we were in Chicago). While I was eating, one of the hostesses was on the stairs behind me (our terrible table butted up to the wall next to the stairs) starts screaming at the top of her lungs at the coat check girl (behind my buddy). Then she proceeds to cough over me without even covering her mouth (right over our food). I felt like they could not get us out of there quick enough. The manager walked by the table several times. I gave her a look like I wanted to talk to her. She caught my eye several time, but would not talk to us. This was a terrible experience for something I had been looking forward to for so long. I was so perturbed with the experience, that I even forgot to find my great grandfather's photo. Thanks Chop House for a terrible experience, sub par food, and someone coughing onto my food. Definitely will not be back and will definitely tell all to avoid.
(1)
ben w.

On top of screwing me out of my Gift Certificate, they blatantly lied to the State's Attorney about solving this matter, claiming that they offered me the previous owner's info. No, they just told me to fuck off. Too bad there's a State Statute saying they have to honor this-"Any gift certificate issued prior to January 1, 2008 that is subject to an expiration date must contain a statement clearly and conspicuously printed on the gift certificate stating the expiration date. The statement may appear on the front or back of the gift certificate in a location where it is visible to any purchaser prior to the purchase. Does not apply to any gift certificate issued prior to January 1, 2008 that contains a toll free phone number and a statement clearly and conspicuously printed on the gift certificate stating that holders can call the toll free number to find out the balance on the gift certificate, if applicable, and the expiration date." Most RESPECTABLE restaurants would work with a customer to resolve the issue, these THIEVES just resort to blatant lies. Pay up Assholes.
(1)
Diego B.

On our way to China we made a 3 day stop in Chicago. On our way back too. First time I went, I thought that might be the best piece of steak I'd eaten in my life. Needless to say, we had to go back for a second time on our way back, my initial impression was not deterred. I can still taste that magnificent, dry aged, buttery steak. My Dad, I think had a prime rib, also magnificent and we thoroughly enjoyed their wine list. It is one of his favorite places for steak. Since I did not have to pay, I can not substract a star for price but if I did have to pay I would not do it either...best steak ever. It confuses me how Capital Grill could have more stars, sure Capital Grill is amazing but there is nothing special about it. The Chophouse is special, the ambience is unique and it is a part of Chicago's history. Oh! and did I mention best steak ever!! recommended!!
(5)
Kim N.

I was in Chicago for a business trip with 2 other coworkers. After so many recommendations, we decided to try out this place. Boy oh boy, I'm not sure if I have anything positive to say about this place.... OK, the only good part of our meal was the appetizer, which costed us an arm and a leg ($50 per person for a prawn, a piece of lobster, and an oyster) We ordered different cuts of steak and they were all just alright... definitely not worth the price. The service was odd. We had a main server, who we saw about twice and seemed like he hated his job; his helper?, on the other hand, did most of the work so we handed the tip directly to her. For $500 between 3 people, we definitely could've had better food. This place is way over hyped & I'm not sure why.
(2)
Thomas H.

I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!!! I make it to Chicago several times a year from Texas and I always go to Chicago Chop House. The last time I was there I didn't utilize the valet parking outside and my truck got towed. The hostess quickly came to try to notify me and help me stop it but it was too late. She quickly arranged me a cab to go get my truck. This next time I went back over a year later she remembered me and at the end of another AWESOME experience they delivered a complimentary cake to "celebrate" not getting towed this time. Wonderful place full of history and great elegant service.
(5)
Jason C.

I've been here a few time but I will say this time it was fantastic. The seafood platter is to die for and is a must. Had a great ribeye and the sides of course are amazing. Make sure you get the cheese potatoes. Everything about this place is fantastic and it's very very expensive! So be careful.
(5)
Danny W.

The service here feels like you're taking a course on cows for college credit You'll knew more about the piece of meat you're about to eat than you will about almost any of your neighbors. My server told me it was massaged and fed beer in the preparation process making it more pampered than I've treated myself in the past few months. Overall the food is fantastic. The steak is stellar, sides extremely savory, and the atmosphere is classic Chicago steakhouse at it's finest complete with a live pianist for entertainment. It's almost impossible to not drop a hundy even eating on your own, but I promise you're not going to find too many places that do a better meal than the Chop House.
(5)
Kim F.

I've been to the Chicago Chop House twice now while visiting from out of town and have had excellent meals and service both times. I selected the restaurant for my three friends so they would get an excellent dining experience and they were not disappointed. Our server and sommelier were very personable and attentive. I had the Grand Cut (about 12 oz) filet and it was cooked to perfection. The meat was tender and practically melted in my mouth. The ambience of the place is lively, with the best dining experience on the third floor where the quarters are a little more intimate than the open second floor. Make reservations when you can, otherwise you might have to wait a long time to get a seat. You will pay a premium for the food, but it's a slightly better value than Morton's and you will have a more pleasurable dining experience eating in a piece of history that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
(5)
Mike B.

First time eating here and must say the food is excellent. The service is outstanding and I recommend it to anyone. The only issue I have and why it's not five stars for me is the dessert was not so great, and yes I know I shouldn't be eating dessert anyway.
(4)
Eric B.

The good book advises us to honor our parents, but is characteristically vague as to the whys and wherefores. Permit me the privilege of explication. If you love your parents and they love you, they will treat you to Chicago Chop House, and for that gift you will thank them eternally. Why? Well primarily because it is gold plated pricey here, as most chops are $60 and up. But I found that the the cuts delivered on flavor and earned their gold plated price point. I had the tomahawk ribeye rare and it was to die for - bloody steak flavor presented with an eight inch Frenched bone perfectly carved and ideally designed to stave off any unwanted intruders. My steak was dry aged for 55 or so days and spent its time wandering the wilderness well - it had a deep earthy flavor that is superior to many other steak houses in Chicago. In addition to the usual dry aged chops, the Chop House also has a selection of Kobe Beef steaks. The servers are not shy about trumpeting the flavor profiles of these steaks, but what you should know is that the Kobe beef served here is quite good - my wife had the Kobe filet and it was delectable - very buttery and possessive of a much richer in flavor than the usual filet. What impressed me most about the service is that they did not sell the Kobe necessarily - I offered them the opportunity to upsell my cowboy ribeye as a Kobe, but because I wanted mine rare she said it was not necessary. I appreciated that. Furthermore, the sides here were no mere afterthought. We sampled their prawns wrapped in prosciutto and it was fantastic - succulent and meaty, with a creamy butter sauce. The au gratin potato side was rich and savory, as well. Finally, the lobster bisque, which could have been a throwaway starter, was instead rich, creamy, and full of chunks of lobster, a delicious rustic take on a classic soup. The only minus I would throw at the Chop House is at their sommelier - he repeatedly tried to upsell me $100 to $150 on my preferred selections, and I did not appreciate that. There is no need to spend $250 on a bottle of wine here when you can get a delicious Bordeaux for under $100. It is easy to fall into the temptation to spend a lot of money on wine when your entrees are well over $50, but there are affordable and excellent options on the list if you look for them; stand your ground, my friends.
(4)
Danielle S.

We were the idiots walking around place to place on a Saturday night because we didn't think to make reservations for dinner. Everywhere we stopped at was a 2 to 3 hour wait. This was the only restaurant we could find without a ridiculous wait... and I can understand why. The atmosphere was really stuffy. Service was pretty good - a little pushy, but otherwise good. I was willing to drop a good chunk of money on a nice dinner out, but I was literally floored at the prices here. $60 for ahi tuna? $72 for a lobster tail?! I guess it'd be one thing if it were a memorable meal, but I have had way, way better for a much more reasonable price. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Laura H.

I am not cheap about food. This place was like eating lemons in a used car lot. Travel schedules had us in the restaurant for an early dinner and the staff outnumbers us 2:1. That works in places where they can fill your water glass without knocking you in the head. But not here. The wine list was outrageously priced for those who know what they are drinking. The staffing ratio meant we had 2 waiters pushing, hurrying us to order. I knew from yelp not to get the overpriced seafood appetizer and I wish I had known that the sides were disappointing too. The potatoes were under seasoned and the grease separating from the casserole. The steaks were good, but these were Michelin ratings prices for an unpleasant experience all around. This is not the Chop House of 2 years ago.
(1)
Laura H.

I am so disappointed in Chicago Chop House from my visit there three years ago. I had invited 6 friends out to dinner to celebrate the end of my unemployment based on the wonderful experience I had there three years ago. I do not want to be redundant, for so many stated it - they have raised the prices so much, I was embarrassed I suggested it. I will leave it at that
(1)
Rick N.

The Chicago Chop House is my favorite steakhouse in the city. This was the first place that I ate upon returning to the states from a tour of duty in Iraq and where my wife and I recently celebrated our anniversary. The ambiance is great, the downstairs bar and upstairs dining room have the cozy feel of a north side two-flat with the decor that makes you feel like you are embraced by Chicago's treasured past. The service is professional and very knowledgeable with the food choices and pairing as well as with wine and spirits. The Wagyu beef is out of this world. Make sure you come hungry because the portions are big. Dessert was complimentary for our special occasion. Don't get hung up on the prices, this is not a restaurant to penny-pinch in but rather to enjoy the whole evening and dining experience. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
James J.

My four friends all ordered the giant wagyu steaks that they keep coming back for. I went with the dry aged Filet and the lobster tail, as I think all wagyu is overrated. They steamed my lobster as I requested, even though it is usually broiled. Not usually discussed, but they have one of the best lobster tails in the city. My filet was about as tender as a steak can get. I could have used a butter knife to cut through it, as it was as soft as butter and the flavor was amazing. I enjoyed the woman's review who did not eat here herself and is complaining that her husband was tricked into spending too much money on the seafood platter that her husband got at a bachelor party dinner. Lady, do you think you husband and his friends racked up a huge tab on alcohol and used that as an excuse so you wouldn't be pissed off that he spent that much. You didn't eat here, so you shouldn't give it 1 star. You are a fool!
(5)
Dave L.

Chicago Chop House has been on my to-do list for a long time. Finally got a chance to eat here this week. We sat on the second floor near a bunch of photos of Chicago stockyard owners. The waitress explains that all the photos are of famous Chicagoans, but not sports and movie stars, but people who have contributed to Chicago in some way and are a part of the history. Very cool. The service overall was very good and everyone was extremely friendly. For food I had an awesome caprese salad where the mozzarella was wrapped in prosciutto. For the steak I got a ridiculously sized dry-aged porterhouse. The filet side of the porterhouse was unbelievable and I don't recall actually chewing it. The rest of the steak was pretty damn good as well, just not quite as good as the other side. Overall good experience, I'm glad I finally got to eat here.
(4)
Amador A.

Back in the windy city for work. Being in a carnivorous mood - a friend and I decide to do it up nice and proper... We started out with the Seared Ahi Tuna. The corners of the plate provided a mango salsa drizzled with a wasabi sauce. The combination of the three was awesome. You had the subtle saltiness with ocean flavor of the ahi, the tanginess of the mango salsa, and the up-the-nose spiciness from the wasabi. Great combination... unfortunately, I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures before we pulled a Houdini and made it disappear. Next were a dozen Blue Point Oysters. Beautiful, meaty, large... just like an oyster should be. I could have done 2 more dozen... The next thing that came out silenced our table... all talking stopped. You had to be careful of getting too close for fear of getting your hand stabbed with a fork... 55 Day Dry Aged Kobe Beef Tomahawk Bone-In Rib-Eye Steaks??? Yes please... Just a tad smaller than a ping-pong paddle... this beautiful piece of meat came to us cooked medium rare, almost rare. A cross section of the meat revealed the most marbling of fat and meat that I have ever seen in a steak... this fat cow truly lived a happy pampered life. ...you know... before it was cut up and turned into my food... Thank you Mr. Moo Moo... you were truly delicious. Dinner concluded with a perfect sized Lava Cake, no ice cream, no extra sauce on mine please... just pure chocolate love. And cake was washed down with a shot of espresso, garnished with a rock-candy stir stick. James (our server) was awesome... friendly, quick, and always there when we needed him without getting in our way. Great chop house experience... definitely not one you can do too often unless you're independantly wealthy... but a nice treat if you can afford it.
(5)
Kevin A.

GET YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER READY Because Chicago Chop House has gotten so expensive they may have to run a credit check on you before you order your meal. I recently went for a work dinner after a brief hiatus and was shocked to see how much the prices have gone up. But it's a steakhouse, you're thinking... of course it's going to be expensive. Yes, I expect a steakhouse to be expensive, but $80-$110 just for the steak (non-Kobe) is a little excessive, especially in a town with so many great steak options. Hell, it makes Cut and Peter Luger seem like a steal. The steak, atmosphere, and service are all still good, but I left feeling like I didn't get my moneys worth.
(3)
Noelle J.

The World According to Noelle Allergic Girl's Guide to Life Our Experience Reservations were made. We decided to use the valet services. It was a snowy and extremely cold Chicago evening. Upon entering we were escorted upstairs to the second floor. Our table was near the window with a view of the Hard Rock Cafe and surrounding areas. The entire restaurant was packed. We both ordered the potato pancakes, Prime Rib, our sides were mashed potatoes and broccolini. We brought our own champagne, there was a small but reasonable corkage fee. For dessert we shared the creme brulee cheesecake. Details Our server was personable and prompt. The prime rib was mediocre. The side dishes were expensive, small and blah tasting. I was extremely disappointed in the mashed potatoes (how does one mess this easy dish up?). The dessert was gross. Sad to say - the potato pancakes while very delish were the only memorable part of our meal/experience at the Chop House. We came here at the end of December 2009. Noelle's Notes Skip the experience and expense. The Met Grill in Seattle is still the best.
(2)
Gerard M.

I dined here one month ago. I wanted to refrain from a review until I was certain that I wouldn't be clouded by the feeling I had when we realized that we had been 'pocket raped'. This meal should have come with a morning after pill because I felt dirty and violated by the time we left. The service wasn't great, but it wasn't really too bad either and we did tip our server generously. The food was acceptable, with the exception of the Au Gratin potatoes. They were a horrible mess of potatoes with cheese and sour cream and butter and all sorts of things. The thing that stood out was that they were COLD. These potatoes = Epic failure. Now, The steaks were pretty good and I think appropriately priced. We had 3 steaks: $59 NY Strip; $79 bone-in rib eye and a $89 bone-in filet. Great steaks! Now, I will get to the 6 un-eventful, run-of-the-mill scallops that we ordered as an appetizer. We didn't feel they were at all worth $49. They would have been over-priced at $29...at $49, you're just down right gouging and fleecing especially since the server heavily pushed this at our table. I wonder why. Ome of us ordered a Appletini made with stoli vodka. It was about a 5 oz. drink and the cost: $26 For a stoli drink??? TWENTY SIX DOLLARS? Nowhere are they charging $26 for a Appletini. 2 grey goose & soda: $36 That's about double any other restaurant's price for the same drink. Oh, those horrible potatoes as a side dish for 3 people: $32 3 people with a check of $530.00 PLUS tip and we had a total of 4 alcoholic beverages and a very modest meal. I can get the same and better steaks without the unnecessary over-charging that you offer. I would never be back.
(1)
Tanner B.

Expensive? Yes. Absolutely breath taking food? Yes. I think people are over stating the prices a bit here - its what you would expect to pay for a very high end steak, and thats exactly what you are getting. My eyes did widen a bit when I saw the prices, but that steak was simply one of the best I have ever had. Two people can easily share a ribeye and a side or two (for a $10 sharing fee).
(4)
Chicago T.

DISAPPOINTMENT! $49.00 for a shrimp cocktail? Seriously! The waitress described the 4 Crustacean as prawns. I'm sure they were, but looked like nothing more than jumbo shrimps. Shame on me for not asking the price, shame on CCH for not informing the customer. Russ's American Fries used to be a treat to look forward to. Well seasoned and a generous mound of sauteed white onions. The texture was there, but the potatoes were bland and the onions were a mere garnish and some burnt. The steak temperatures were perfect, but the steak experience was mediocre. I'm glad we got the gravy on the side. The taste of uncooked flour over whelmed the taste of the gravy which would never be categorized as haute cuisine; it was nasty. Ordered the 16 oz NY Strip. It was more like a 14 oz. Servers were very attentive, but what seemed to be a never ending history lesson of the $89.00 Waygu beef rib chop, was painful. The carrot cake was an unpalatable wedge of paste, like it had been frozen. Novice out-of-towners may find the show intriguing until they get the bill. Ask for the price of any item not listed. Veteran Chicago carnivores can do better elsewhere with all of the great steak houses Chicago has to offer. I should have gotten the hint when the previous time we ate there, our waiter who was not attentive, altered the tip from 18% to 20%. I didn't complain because i didn't want to jeopardize his job in these economic times. After many years, we are totally done with CCH, Chicago Calamity House! Too bad.
(1)
Gary D.

Ate there a couple of years ago. Great food, great service, and a good dining experience. Worth the money. My steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Sides were excellent.
(4)
Fred P.

Have eaten here several times and each one was better than the last. For those of you who had "sticker shock" about the price you either A) didn't research this place enough or B) don't live in reality. Yes it is expensive and you should go in there knowing what to expect and that you're going to drop some serious money here. If you go here without researching it first or asking for pricing, it's on you when you get hit with the bill. The waiter was very nice and explained everything to us. Nothing was "pushed" on us or forced down our throats. He made suggestions (very temptingly worded I might add) and we chose whether to have them or not. If you don't want something, tell them...it's that simple. With that being said, for me it is worth every penny. We started off with an appetizer that consisted of a prawn wrapped in prosciutto, a wonderful diver scallop and some delicious tuna. Everything was cooked marvelously. The steaks are fabulous. These aren't the kind you find in the trendy large chains; these are quality steaks. I had the Kobe filet mignon and savored every bite. The side of potatoes was to die for and for dessert I had the chocolate cake that blew me away. Was really surprised at the negative reviews and the "surprise" over the prices. If you want cheap steaks that you can get anywhere, don't come here. If you want quality food, service, and ambiance this is the place for you.
(5)
Aaron T.

Wine List - Not Bad, but Smith and Wollensky is better. Steak - The Best Prime Filet in the USA for sure. Side definitely the AuGratin potatoes. Totally great accompaniment. Very good service, exceptional steak.
(5)
Jeffrey S.

I was really excited to come here with a group of friends from out of town. We arrived and were the only ones upstairs (granted it was an early reservation). Great, quick service and incredible wine selection. I ordered the ribeye (just the regular, short bone ribeye, as I've had their wagyu beef before and it was good, but not worth the price). My ribeye got here and it was surprisingly thin. I cut into the steak (which was supposed to be ordered medium rare plus) - it was brown all the way through - far from medium rare plus. They kindly took it back to prepare me a new one. They quickly brought a fresh one out and I was thrilled to see that it was a thicker cut. I cut into my steak and saw that it was much more tender than the first had been so I declared it to be ok. Boy was I wrong. I took my first bite and the steak was cold. Then I felt the center and it was refrigerator cold. I'm not the dramatic type, but cooking a steak shouldn't be that hard of a task for a place that claims to be one of the best steakhouses in Chicago. The service and the sides were both great, so I didn't want to give it only 1 star, however, being so far from correct on a steak twice is simply unacceptable. I won't be back.
(1)
Maggie V.

After moving down into the city from Evanston, my boyfriend and I embarked on a steakhouse tour of Chicago whenever he visited. Chicago Chop House is absolutely our favorite. The old school ambiance is tough to beat, we loved the wait staff and how they made the dining experience memorable. The food was just awesome from the mac n'cheese, creamed spinach and carrot cake... but of course more importantly the steaks. Have yet to find a truly better steak in Chicago. The wagyu cuts melt in your mouth and the standard menu is tough to beat. If you are looking for a true Chicago steak house experience and want to pay for good quality, I would absolutely recommend Chicago Chop House.
(5)
Courtney W.

I've been coming here since I was a wee lassie fresh off the boat from South Florida. My stepdad had a thing for a good steak and he taught me to order it raw, cold, and a little bloody. Doesn't sound too appealing? You need to order it at the right place. This joint is so charming and old school, you feel like you have gone back in time. I haven't had a steak I didn't like here but the filet mignon is my personal favorite but they offer so many cuts, it's good to experiment a bit. The mashed potatoes are also excellent. The service here? Exactly what you would expect at a place like this. I've never had a bad server and after awhile a lot of the servers knew exactly who we were. It can get loud here at times and if you don't have a reservation, the wait times can soar depending on the night or what's going on in the area. They do a great job of hosting large parties, so consider this place for an event or a birthday party. This place is 100% Chicago and I haven't been to a steakhouse like this anywhere else in this fine city of ours.
(4)
Jason Y.

MAN, has this place gone DOWNHILL!! We went a few years back and had some phenomenal Prime Rib, better than Lawry's.. for about 50 a head.. give or take. cut to 2011. Half empty dining room, staff lined up and down the stairway and entrance (awaiting invisible customers, I assume) dirty carpet and a mean looking manager grampa-type that denied my guest and I a square table in the center of the dining area. He wanted us to sit in a nook beside the stairway that was half the size of all the tables around us. Did I mention the place was 40 percent full?! I confronted him about this, after all, other couples were sitting at four top tables and frankly, at $90 for NY Strip, we should be able to sit wherever we wished! We weren't being unreasonable or rude, but it really felt like discrimination so we decided to go to Gibson's. Got a seat at Gibson's within 10 minutes and had the best prime rib ever, at a comfy table. Apparently, Chop House has changed owners and has changed the way they do business. On another note, if there are 15 plus employees just standing alongside the stairway greeting cutomers, who do you think is paying for this?!! The customers are paying a premium for their over-staffing not because of high food costs.
(1)
Randall K.

Totally disappointing experience. First flag: When we arrive, hostess tells us to wait at bar for our reserved table and after 45 minutes, they forget to call us. I walk up to hostess, she tells us, 'oh, I thought you were cock-tailing'. Really? Second flag: Our appetizers arrived cold or room temp. Scallops and crab cakes. Had to send back, and when the replacements came back they tasted microwaved. Oh, and the waiter asked if we wanted our originals heated up. Unbelievable. Third Flag: Salads were bad. I ordered a caprese and it came doused in balsamic that tasted from a bottle you could get at Dominick's. Fourth flag: Steaks arrived 30 minutes later ... Too be fair, the Kobe steaks were terrific. As was the mushroom spinach side, but there was little spinach to the order. Pass on this place, too bad.
(1)
Dean F.

The reviews for CCH are really mixed and I suspect that many of the people who come here expecting a culinary experience or not expecting the high prices will be disappointed. Suffice to say that this is a unique Chicago experience. The service level was great and yes, it's kind of scary looking at all the service personnel lurking but we just ignored it. We had the lobster bisque and the Caprese Salad. Both were good but mediocre by the high standards of a top-end steak house. I had the Tomahawk Rib Eye, dry-aged and it was excellent. Easily the best part of the meal and for $80 it should have been, My wife ordered the 12oz lobster tail which turned out to be just a few bites. For the $90 tab, it wasn't worth it. Tasty but ridiculously over-priced. The 4-cheese potato dish was very good. I say go to CCH for the experience. The service will be great - just ignore the upsells - and so will the steaks, Just know you're going to drop $$$. If you're not good with that then go elsewhere,
(4)
Nir A.

Although expensive - this is one of the BEST steak I ate in years. I sat on the bar and travel in time to the 20s, pretending the chicago gang were just around the corner. The bartender was very professional and I had a wonderful chicago style fun.
(5)
Jay B.

While the Chop House interior celebrates Chicago's old ways, it has only been open for 23 years. If time permits, people really need to check out the walls of this establishment. Photos celebrate past Chicago mayors, Capone supporters and enemies, 1800's Chicago street scenes, and of course Chicago gangsters. Being from California, I was expecting the sound of Kusik's "Speak Softly Love" echoing through the dank walls as we made our way up to the 3rd floor Skybox Dining Room and imagining visions of severed horse heads and Tommy gun mobsters flickering in and out of existence. But instead, the third floor was closed and we sat in the livelier first floor with the live tapping of ivory piano keys and the drunken stupor of patronage that echoed throughout the restaurant due to the centralized bar. But that really wasn't a bad thing - The Chicago ambiance is alive and well. Dress code: Armani - check... was it necessary? No, people were in jeans, some in shorts. But the cool people were stylin'! Reservations: A week in advance - check... was it necessary? Maybe... it started to fill up by the time we left so probably still good to plan in advance. Drink-in-hand: Belvedere Dirty Martini - check... was it necessary? - Hell yes! Here's what we had: - As an appetizer: Prosciutto-wrapped crisply-braised Asparagus sparing doused with balsamic vinaigrette. This was the start of a 5 star beef-out. The main courses came with small house salads which were mediocre at best, but I usually expect that in a chop house. The bread was fresh and steaming hot; crisp on the outside; moist and spongy on the inside - perfect for butter spreadin'. - 16 oz New York Strip enhanced with crushed peppercorns - spicy, meaty, and full of flavor that rivaled any good rib-eye. This was the smallest size, but plenty for any well-mannered meat-eater (comes in 20 oz with bone and 24 oz de-boned). - 18 oz Original Roast Prime Rib. Juicy, tender, au jus heaven. - The Chop House Platter, which consisted of broiled Lamb chop, broiled pork chop, and what was claimed to be the best Fillet Mignon ever... Pretty darn close in my opinion. The lamb and pork chops however did not meet expected standards. But I'm a beef person so when it comes to beef - all other meats stand aside. - Sides of mash potatoes and gravy. - Sweet beer-battered 1 inch thick onion rings. - SautÃ©ed mushrooms - not too much butter but each button contained an explosion of succulent flavor. - Dessert: Nothing - are you kidding me? Did you read everything we had above? Give me a break... The most memorable thing about his place: The table knives. The knives are the standard butter-type knife, but they must have sharpen them constantly over the years and they now look like stiletto picks - sharp and impressive. I gotta do this at home! All-in-all, a great intro to the quality of Chicago-style meats. Thanks to Brett (It's not a boy's name) for the recommendation ;) The service was quite exceptional and attentative. Water was always filled without asking. While the "special menu" was there, there was no pressure to order from it, and the regular menu was given without needing to ask for it (So did not experience what other yelpers mentioned in previous reviews.)
(5)
Kari O.

EXPENSIVE AND NOT WORTH IT. Our server was only a salesman and extremely annoying. I think he talked to our table for a longer period of time that we all talked to another. I understand that the $100 steaks are dry aged for 75 days, blah, blah, blah and the Kobe meat comes from cows massaged all day in Pitsburgh, Texas. I don't need a $140 steak. All in all. I got a Prime Filet with scallops, and a couple sides. Good, but not memorable at all.
(2)
Greg M.

Most expensive dinner ever Unfortunately it wasn't close to being worth it Attended a bachelor party steak dinner at the Chop House.. Overall, can't complain about the food.. it was excellent. The main reason Chop House received a 2 star from me was the absolutely ridiculous prices.. and the insidious and slimy way the wait staff attempted (and succeeded) in getting us to order the incredibly overpriced food. While there is a certain buyer-beware responsibility on our part, a greater than $700 appetizer, and overall $3600 food bill for 10 people, when we really only wanted a good steak, a glass or two of good wine, and an app. I've been to many expensive restaurants.. While the food was great, this restaurant didn't come close to earning its price tag for the meal. Advice: if you have to go to the Chop House, buyer beware: note everything and every price your server attempts to sell you up on before agreeing to the suggestion.
(2)
Carolyn U.

Overall rating: -1 (Please disregard number of stars shown above) Food Rating: 3 Better alternatives: Kinzie Street Steak House, Gibson's, The Rosebud Prime, Morton's. We dined at The Chop House last night with close friends and their family from LA. Overall this was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I have ever had. The only thing saving this special evening was the company. My husband and I would have been more assertive about demanding better service but our attention was on our dining companions and our congenial get together. DO NOT be talked into going to The Chop House by someone who has romantic memories of what it once may have been. MOVE ON. Waitstaff: rookie mistakes; experienced but more apropos to a pizza parlor; truly atrocious, but friendly :) Our waitstaff was a team of two, a woman and her "partner." We were greeted warmly and my husband ordered an iced tea and I asked for a glass of water. Fifteen minutes later, a server offered me two types of bottled water but did not bring me a glass of water. After the remaining 5 members of our party arrived about 10 minutes later, we were again offered bottled water. It took them about 30 minutes to serve me a glass of water. No apologies no excuses given. Subtract one star. I was the first person in the rotation to order a beverage which wasn't served to me until after our food orders were taken. I am still scratching my head over this one. It was so simple. Waitress says she's taking beverage orders. She addresses me first. I ask for a glass of prosecco. She moves on. Prosecco never comes. Finally I ask her partner for a glass of prosecco and about five minutes later, viola, I am served. No apologies, no excuses given. Subtract one more star. I am served two dishes over the course of the evening: a humble green salad and my main entree; both are HANDED to me to place on the table before me, a charming custom at possibly my local pizzeria. No apology, no excuses. I am now hep to the do it yourself nature of their dining experience. The room is set up for poor service but more on the atmosphere in another section. Subtract one more star. After dinner, I order coffee which was served hot and in a timely manner but prior to serving dessert. Just after dessert was served, my coffee cup was empty and I was never offered more coffee or anything for that matter. Subtract one more star. The moment of truth, the bill arrives. We are charged a 20-30% premium for dry aged beef which no one in our group ordered, no small error considering the 18% automatic obligatory gratuity. The staff corrected the error. Since no one in the party ordered or was served dry aged beef why the "error?" Makes me wonder. I will be watching my platinum Amex statements very carefully. So after an evening of playing tag for a glass of water and a glass of wine, we also had to play restaurant bill auditor. Subtract one more star Atmosphere: very disappointing The Chop House claims to be "located in an immaculately restored, century-old Victorian brownstone." The term "immaculately restored" clearly means different things to different people; perhaps this was a reference to their perfectly functioning and tidy toilet facilities on the second floor. The entire restaurant reminded me of a neighborhood tavern's "party room." Walls were stained plywood with stained molding. No art on the walls, And yes, while the bathrooms were clean, there were none of the amenities that most high end restaurants provide, e.g., attendant making sure everything is spotless, hand towels, etc. I was actually embarrassed by the low rent furnishings and decor. I hope our younger LA guests will not leave believing that top Chicago dining is this throwback to cheesy backwater "fine dining." Subtract one more star. Room was rectangular and was set up for three groups of 7-10 people. Tables were long and rectangular reminiscent of many school lunchrooms. While the room was not excessively loud, the set up was not conducive to a good social experience for our group of 7. Can't truly blame the The Chop House for this. As you read my review, you may ask, but what of the food, isn't that what restaurants are all about? The beef was well prepared for five of six beef eaters in our party. I ordered the Chilean Sea Bass which was mostly well prepared, except in the center where is was not fully cooked The soup, dinner salad and sides were just okay. Food rating: 3 stars. Yep that's it. For the record our party spent nearly $750 for 7 people (5 adults and two non-drinking, underage young people). Five adults each ordered one alcoholic beverage. Overall rating: -1STARS.
(1)
A W.

I used to love this place but my last few visits within the last year were real disappointments. I think they're changing to compete with all new steak places in town but I miss the old days. I don't want the raw meat platter with the 15-min speech on all the cuts of meat and how the cows were treated when I've already told you that I've been here before. The caprese salad used to be a nice simple thing now it's two giant mozzarella balls swaddled in prosciutto resting on the blandest tomatoes and drowning in so much balsamic that it overwhelms everything on the plate. The worst part was my steak, not only was it over cooked but it was gristly and greasy. It sad that has come to this but I'm sure the folks that run this place don't care because the old school sales guys will keep bring clients here
(2)
BOB M.

Resting on Laurels in my opinion. The Lobster Bisk was just OK. The Bone in Tomahawk was good and cooked as rare as I asked but for the $$$ I felt Scalped! and everything was a sales pitch. Dont think I'll be returning any time soon.
(3)
Kian J.

Aged steaks is where the flavor is If you go to a place like this, you should not be worried about your wallet pay the price and enjoy the steak
(5)
Erika L.

This is one of the most expensive steak houses I've ever been to and the least impressive all the way around. If you are looking to spend some cash on really special night, this is the LAST place I would go. Atmosphere was stuffy and just not fun. The service was too overbearing and up selling us around ever corner. Not just regular friendly up selling but obvious jam it up your ass up selling. It's like....Look we are already spending $140 on 1 steak, give us a break and let us order what WE WANT. The thing about the service that was really grinding on my nerves was first that he spoke at million miles an hour, for way too long on several occasions. The last thing was that they brought a drink that I clearly didn't order then charged us for it at the end of the meal. Then when I approached him about it, he said, well I already took it off the bill, and I said well we only ordered 3 between the 4 of us and you charged us for 4. He gave me the most attitude and began to accuse everyone at the table that they had more then 1 drink. I mean, what the hell is $10 on an already $600 bill. Give me a break buddy. This left a bad taste in our mouths leaving this place. The steak was spectacular, we had the Kobe Porterhouse, I will give them that, BUT the sides were nothing more then I could make at home and service killed it for me. Bottom line: nothing about this place is worth the cost.
(1)
Leigh R.

Overpriced! There are so many options to choose from when you want a great steak in Chicago. I used to be a huge fan of the Chicago Chop House but after having experienced many more steak houses this one fell to the bottom. I went there most recently with my parents who saved their money to splurge on a nice dinner here. I was embarrassed when it turned out to not be worth it. No wine bottle was less than $65, my scallop appetizer (which I had for dinner) was $50! Just way over priced and not worth it. The steaks are good but don't compare to other places. What is great is the location, the atmosphere and the service, but after all it should be for what you pay! This place is also bubbling over with tourists and since I'm a local I like to go off the beaten path a bit and dine with my fellow Chicagoans. I say - skip this place and go to Chicago Cut, Carmichael's, Erie Cafe, or Gene and Georgettis! Happy Steak eating.
(2)
Lee W.

I thought this place was a really solid steakhouse. I ordered a 10oz filet with diver scallops. First, the filet itself was pure perfection and the scallops were sweet and tender. Our server was professional and very attentive. Overall a good dining experience.
(4)
Jason K.

Actually pretty good. I dined on a busy Saturday night and the service was, if not friendly, at least efficient. My strip steak was perfectly charred on the outside and a juicy medium-rare inside. The baked potato had to be at least two pounds, and was delicious. See, it doesn't take too much to make me happy. Take that, Gene and Georgetti's!
(4)
Kristopher B.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! I got a reservation for a co-worker and I at 7:30, no problem - but there's a reason why. The menu given to us was completely different from the menu online. The prices were nearly $50 more expensive in the restaurant than what the online menu said ($79 - $120 for a piece of meat is absurd). The ambiance was dull and too brightly lit. After giving us a 20 minute spiel about the restaurant the waiter tried selling us practically everything in the restaurant. This was followed by another 20 minute overview of the menu. He wouldn't leave the table! I can't tell you if the food is good or not because I was so turned off in the short period of time I was there that we left for another steak house. Go to Benny's Chop House. It's right up the street. Wait staff was great. Food was delicious and priced how you would expect. The ambiance was modern, clean, and romantic. We ended up eating at a high top in the bar, which was perfect, because Benny's, unlike Chicago Chop House, was understandably completely booked for the night.
(1)
Kait G.

I'm a big fan of off-peak dining, the service is always better, the mayhem and noise not there and I find the food better too as the chefs take time. We hit the Chop House on Saturday night at 5:00 pm and owned the place. The hostess seated us in at a window-side table and we stared with escargot appetizer and sliced beefsteak tomatoes, onions salad with crumbled blue cheese. Both were great. I only eat beef on special occasions and so I went for the 24 oz bone in prime rib and my dining companion had the aged tomahawk steak. Both were amazing, perfectly cook and a great balance of marbling and meat. My side was truffle mac and cheese which was great. Dessert was six layer German chocolate cake, fab x2! The waitstaff was attentive but not overly "in your face because I want a big fat tip" and the place was relatively quiet because of our timing. It would have been a 5 star experience except for this, I ordered wine Chardonnay, Leeuwin Estate 2006..yes a white wine with steak. The waitress asked me if I was "sure" I wanted that wine. I asked did she have an alternative recommendation and she recommended a meaty Merlot. I then asked what "white" she would recommend with a steak and she blanched saying "we never recommend white with steak". Ah...I've got her! Folks, there are whites that are not fruity and sweet that go great with rich steaks.I had specifically chosen a white that I knew could stand up to the richness of a prime rib and not have the heaviness of a red. I stand by my selection and hence the tinging of one star. If you're not a wino or even if you are (they have an amazing list!) I highly recommend the chop house!
(4)
David S.

I was pretty disappointed with Chicago Chop House. For the amount of money this place costs, I was expecting more. I ordered the lamb lollipops. The waitress said they were lamb rib chops cooked medium rare with a port reduction sauce and some onion strings on top. When the appetizer arrived, it was four 1/4" lamb chops that were all well done (I'm not sure you could cook a piece of meat that thin medium rare). It was smothered in fried onions (which admittedly were tasty). I also ordered the dry aged tomahawk ribeye steak, medium rare. The steak was cooked to the right temperature but it lacked the intense buttery, beefy flavor I expect from a dry aged steak. Recently, I had had a dry aged steak at another good Chicago steak house, which was truly excellent, which I remembered well and the steak here, which was $20 more paled in comparison. I'm giving it two stars because the service was excellent.
(2)
D H.

I ate here on 7/30. I am positively astounded by the negative reviews. I have eaten multiple times at: Flemings, Smith and Wollensky, Morton's, and Grill 23 (the lattermost is exclusive to Boston, I believe). I have grilled countless steaks of countless varieties - American raised Wagyu, Prime, Grass-fed, Dry-Aged, Choice, what-have-you. This place blew them all clear out of the water. I had the 55-day dry aged ribeye, 24oz, bone-in. It was divine. It was literally the best steak I have ever had in my life. Well, possibly. Some time ago I tracked down fresh Kobe Wagyu strip steaks and prepared them at home. Those were possibly as good as the dry-aged ribeye. Perhaps the problem is that people did not try the dry-aged cuts. The winelist, like the steak, is pricey. A $40 retail bottle of Stag's Leap, Artemis runs $149. But, this is a fancy steak place, and that's what fancy steak places do. For what it's worth I had a Hess vineyards meritage. Very good. Was somewhere near $70. I cannot recommend this enough. I will definitely return if I again find myself in Chicago. (We also had Blue Point oysters, which were quite good). Also, I note that someone has complained that someone ordered two seafood towers, which cost $550 in total. A couple points here: 1. Seafood in fancy steak houses is always obscenely expensive. So are the steaks. This is because of the word "fancy" in the first sentence of this point. 2. If you are shown a menu that lists steaks for $59 to $99, you should assume that anything without a listed price is also going to be expensive. This is common sense.
(5)
Nick L.

5 star for the steak. 3 star for the price. This place holds a special meaning as this is where we went for dinner after I popped the question. Having been to numerous steakhouses, I kinda know that it won't be a cheap night that doesn't do the day justice. My eyes did bulge when I saw the prices here! And to share a steak (the wifey has a big heart and thus smaller stomach!) would cost extra because they would have to give us another plate. The pianist was also a nice addition. The steak we got was fantastic (some kobe cut - not so important as I am sure all the steaks will taste good) and up there with the other places I have eaten steaks. I feel this place should be tried at least once and then it's up to each individual to work out where his go to steak place is!!
(4)
Steve S.

Decent but damn glad I was not picking up the tab! Seriously $69-89 steaks??
(3)
Robert H.

Unfortunately, this is one of the few Chicago steakhouses I have been to. Steak was okay. Wine list is extensive. That said, service is horrible and non-steak food items are disappointing. I have never felt so much pressure by servers to order ridiculous amounts of food, not to mention the dirty looks when I passed on ordering another drink. This restaurant clearly tries to squeeze their customers for as much money as they can. Doesn't make for a fun dining experience, no matter how good the steak is.
(1)
Danielle C.

So where do you go with old friends to celebrate a father's 60th? He chose the Chop House- his favorite. And since he (the father) flew his whole family in from the OC to celebrate, we were looking forward to it! We had two tables. Our party of 16 was a bit large to cram around one. We were seated in the downstairs by the bar, not a problem with us. As usual, despite the fact that some of us are now in our 30s, we had a kids an an adults table- It worked well. The food was pretty spectacular. And I do not give praise for restaurants in this area lightly. I am a bit of a snob in that manner. We had the lake perch, calamari, and mushrooms for appetizers. I did not care for the perch, but everyone else RAVED about it. The calamari ROCKED! For dinner, we had quite an assortment. The strip, the surf and turf, the fillet Mignon, the crab legs, and more. The CRAB LEGS WERE AWESOME! They were huge, they were cut down the middle for easy consumption, they were awesome! I don't say this easily- and neither do my west coast friends. We all loved them! The steaks were also very good. The asparagus was large, well, not my favorite type. But other than that- this meal was something to remember! Service was pretty spectacular. They were on top of their game and put up with some antics from the "adult" table. The kids table? We were perfect- of course!
(4)
M H.

Hmmm I had a hard time deciding how many stars I should give... The steak was good but I don't know much about the service and the overall experience there. We waned to order the prime rib but the waiter told us that It was completely sold out. Because of that, we had to go with the more expensive options. When he was taking our orders, he made it sound like soup or salad was included (well, we didn't read the menu carefully... so not entirely his fault)... it's only when we got our bills, we noticed that soup or salad was not included and we had to pay for those... wish he could mention that it's NOT included. Another annoying thing was that we were pressured to finish our food. Our steak came before we finished our salad/soup... This is so rude!!!! It ended up being a very $$$ meal... I will never go back to this place.
(2)
M M.

Not a good experience. Had an issue with my steak being tough and dry, mentioned to the waiter...his response, you should have told me earlier. He was non existent for 20 min, probably due to the sales pitch he told me they are required to do. I mentioned to the manager as I was leaving , he apologized. I won't be back not can I recommend in good to clients or friends with a good conscious. I was bringing a couple from Brazil, there food was great.
(1)
Angela D.

The NY STRIP was amazing tender and juicy and flavorful. No need for sauce, just extra juices because it was so yummy! The Caesar Salad was gross, just get the normal salad that comes with the meal. I would definitely go back here if I am in Chicago again.
(4)
Carol K.

I had heard mixed reviews about the Chicago Chop House. But I am here to tell you that they delivered on their promise of a great steak house experience in Chicago on a recent Thursday night. We got there and I was surprised that the place was so busy at 9pm on a weeknight. We had a choice of where to sit and while the first floor bar area with the live piano music called to me- I really preferred to sit at a table rather than a high top to eat dinner so up to the 3rd floor we went. We were seated immediately and had a couple of martinis. Perfectly shaken- our night was off to a good start. I had been hankering for some oysters so 12 beautiful Blue Points found their way to our table and were devoured in an instant. We also had a mixed greens salad that came with our steaks. As for entrees, I had the NY strip and my friend had the most beautiful cut of prime rib I had seen in a while. A little hint- get the prime rib the regular way. They also offer it up in their special way which puts it under the broiler for a minute but sometimes can be a little dry when done that way. These two pieces of meat were done to perfection! As for sides- the mushrooms, loaded baked potato and mashed potatoes with gravy were all delicious- although I think the mashed potatoes edged out the others, if by just a bit. Service was great, the ambiance typical Chicago steakhouse, and the food is worth writing about. Oh and ladies? If you are wondering where all the men are on a Thursday night in Chicago- they are obviously out eating steak as there wasn't another woman within sight. We've got a lot of steakhouses here in Chicago. But only one with the name of our fair city in it. And that ought to tell you something.
(4)
Ron L.

If you've ever picked up an in flight magazine, no doubt you've seen Chicago Chop House listed as one of the best steak places to dine in the US. That's what initially drew me in, but it's the Chop House Prime Rib that keeps me coming back. Imagine a 24 ounce bone in cut of deliciously marbled prime, cooked rare, then finished off on the grill. Crusty on the outside, pink on the inside. Last time one of the owners paused at my table, pulled up a seat, and gave me a history of the place. This guy was good and knew how to make his customers feel at home. Next time you're in Chicago, make sure you save your appetite and pay a visit to the best steak in town. You'll thank me later.
(5)
Thomas O.

Our waiter should be selling used cars. He started out selling what turned out to be a overpriced and mediocre appetizer. When we did not bite on his other offers he disappeared for an hour. The steaks were good but vastly overpriced even compared to other Chicago steak houses. The Chop House defines the phrase "tourist trap" .
(2)
Shawn H.

So many things already said here, that I just want to add my opinion without being redundant. One of the premiere steak houses in Chicago. It was very good and has an excellent atmosphere. Almost like a gangster movie. I remember this steak not being as complex as some of my favorite steak houses. However, it was not a disappointment.
(3)
Stephanie T.

READ REVIEWS BEFORE DINING HERE! I wish I did. Instead, I was trapped by the time I actually got to see a menu (at least 20 minutes in and of course, after drinks ordered and wine opened). Here's the ugly: 1. Smug waiters who make you feel cheap in many ways. IE- water selection, trying to sneak in a soup/salad without mentioning they are not included, and the constant up sell attempts. I will say this- we had two servers for a party of 6, the male very unpleasant and the female very nice. She is the only reason we did not dispute the included gratuity (not that we'd have gotten anywhere as we later discovered). He must of picked up the dislike vibes I was putting down as he never returned after his 10 minute monologue about the "special" ($269) appetizer and the 15 minute boring speech about beer drinking cows getting sake massages (only he could make that boring). 2. Ridiculous prices. My steak was on the cheap end at $69. I expect to order a la carte and am prepared and willing to pay for a higher priced steak at a good steakhouse. But when the cheapest cut is around $60, for steak only, there is a problem. More of a problem when my $69 bone-in filet was good, but not great. Not exceedingly flavorful. I've had much better elsewhere and for way less. Underwhelming which was surprising when you factor in the price and how talked up this meat is. Guess my cow preferred hard liquor. 3. Major miscommunication and indifferent attitude. We brought our own wine as we have great selections and know we are going to pay a markup of at least 300% in a restaurant such as this. Obviously, we realize that we will have to pay a corkage fee. So my boyfriend called ahead of time to make sure this was OK and to see what the corkage fee was. He was told $25. Perfect. After lugging 2 bottles in (one a magnum), we are then told that since one of the bottles is on their wine list, we will have to pay 33% cost of the wine. Restaurant price. Which for this bottle was $125. So great, I'm paying you that much to drink my own wine. Why wasn't this point forewarned over the phone? Never was it mentioned that if it was on their list, it would be more than the standard $25. And then somehow our other bottle ended up costing us $33 instead of $25. One manager seemed shocked at this ruling, but then disappeared and did nothing. The other acted smug, and said since we agreed to open it, there wasn't going to be any further problems (in a vaguely threatening manner). Basically, the managers give the impression that they don't care or feel they actually have to do anything about it since this place obviously does not have to rely on repeat business. After a phone call the next day, we were told by a different manager that their policy actually is that if a wine brought in is on their list, they will not open it. So, our waiter apparently made up this 33% rule on the spot since he did not consult with anyone before opening it. We are still awaiting her promised call back. In hindsight, I wish we would have paid for our drinks, which were shockingly reasonably priced compared to everything else, and left after opening those menus. And yes, as other reviewers mention, what is with the mini-menu? And the sense that if you order from the big one instead, you are somehow less intelligent and low-class. Overall, I felt uncomfortable all night and that we were viewed as the "cheap" table since we didn't each order an appetizer, soup/salad, steak and 2 sides. And gasp- one in our party only had a salad as an entree! (not a red-meat or seafood eater) This was my birthday dinner, and my first (and last) time at the Chop House. My boyfriend, who selected this restaurant based on past good experiences, felt like a real a** for inviting others to a dinner where they are forced to spend about $100 per person. I felt bad he ended up spending so much on a so-so dinner made worse by the uninviting and uncomfortable atmosphere. I don't know in what universe one should ever be made to feel cheap for spending $800 on one dinner, but you can find it at the Chop House. I will never return.
(1)
Jason R.

Delicious steak and wonderful sizes. A little pricey, but you pay for the amazing steak.
(4)
Deena D.

Where the city that works, EATS. But on a side note, wow it looks like a lot of people have definitely been turned off by the "Always be Closing" attitude of the servers. Yes I agree they definitely put on an intense full court press here but if you know that going in then whatever, just have fun with it. My good girlfriend had just graduated grad school (GO GIRL) and her parents wanted to take her out for a celebratory dinner, so luckily I got to step in as her plus 1. I really liked this spot, very old school charming and eloquent vibe, you can tell this is such an old school politician spot in the city. Our waiter definitely looked for every opportunity to sell us side salads, aps, wine, etc. Overall I thought what we ordered was pretty well cooked. We tried the scallops in bacon (YES), au gratin potatoes (YES), asparagus (YES), fried onion rings (YES) and I went for the "bottom of the barrel" NY Strip which I thought was still pretty darn good. They'll try to push Kobe on you or their top notch steaks but at the end of the day I was happy with my cut. So two notches off the belt later you've experienced a full steak house meal and are ready to go into hibernation. So back to the prices, yes this place is wicked expensive but definitely a right of passage in the city. I would recommend trying it at least once, just stand your ground with the wait service hopefully they'll take Yelp to heart and smarten up on their aggressiveness.
(4)
Mike H.

Had a great dinner here, the food and service was exceptional. My wife pronounced it the best salad she had ever had, and that was even before steaks arrived. I like the entertainment, not everyone is a fan of the piano bar but I thought it was great and set a nice mood.
(4)
David M.

Time for an update...... Well, they took away my blue cheese dressing. It was replaced with something that was not as pungent. So, I gotta take back previous comments about that. On this trip to the chop house, they had something entirely new. They now have a sub menu to the main menu. This is smaller in size and lists the premium steaks they offer. Well, I thought the food here was always great, steaks were always wonderful. In fact, they have a nice porterhouse on the menu for $45. But tonight, this special menu had a similar porterhouse for double the price, $90. What could cause a steak to cost this much? First, this was a prime porterhouse. Second, it was dry aged a whopping 55 days. I had to take the plunge and try this top end porterhouse. Well, the meal was great. I won't talk about the au gratin potatoes or fresh stir friend corn. They were very good. The steak though took things to a whole new level. I have never in my life had such a steak. The taste and tenderness were amazing. The meat was pungent, in a good way. It absolutely blew my mind. I have been to many of the fine steakhouses in the US. including Mastros, Peter Lugers, III Forks, etc. I gotta give the best steak award to this steak at The Chop House. It was that good. We finished the meal with a hot fudge sundae with candied pecans and a nice port. The meal was so good I got the GM involved to thank him. They get this specialty meat from Allen Brothers in Chicago. Truly a memorable steak.
(5)
Rosie H.

The Real Deal. Old time, lively but not rushed atmosphere. Strong drinks. Deliciously aged beef. Knowledgeable, attentive wait staff. The ribeye long bone dry aged was the best, most succulent beef ever! Mushrooms and green beans sides were so perfectly cooked and delicately spiced. A special night of satisfying indulgence.
(5)
Steve C.

I should have known better. Shame on me. I had guests in from out of town that wanted a steak. I've had a good steak here before and good service but it was never a place to trust. Sure enough, I ended up looking like an idiot because of a server named JEN. We opted to sit in the lounge because the piano player is fun and creates a great vibe. When our server (JEN) approached the table we were courteous and asked her how her night was and she looked at her watch and said "It's almost over!" That was probably the most informative she was all night. Other than when I asked her for a menu and she replied "We have a proceedure here and I will bring it to you after you get your drinks." She neglected to tell me that the steak I ordered (Bone-In-Ribeye) was smothered in cajun spices. She neglected to explain anything from the menu. She was unprofessional and rude. She recognized that we were dissatisfied and ingored the table entirely from that point on. She was the WORST server I have encountered in Chicago. Other than my rub-ruined rib-eye, the food was good. All temperatures were good, the prep was fine. It may have been a three star experience and not a nightmare had we not had such poor service. Management took care of the rib-eye after I prompted them by telling them I was not going to pay for it, (I had about four bites!). The support staff was on top of everything. This was the last time I will go to CCH. If you can allow someone as bad as JEN to be a server it is your fault for the bad service. If you don't realize how bad she is, you shouldn't be in the position you're in.
(1)
William P.

I love steak and I'm ok with the price point but I was very underwhelmed by the food. Service was very slow even with two servers.
(1)
Dan W.

This one star is for how good, I'm sure it was, in 1980. Unfortunately it hasn't changed since and the quality has only deteriorated. Took my dad here for his birthday so I hope he never reads this but I really want to warn people. As everyone has said; the place is a tourist trap, the servers are douchey, the wine list is only for the frivolously wealthy, it's pretty sparse on customers and they relentlessly up-sell you. So pissed we didn't check this place out more before coming. The saddest thing was that they charged my wife and I a split plate fee of $12 on a $420 check. How classless. They clearly don't understand how to treat people. You charge a split plate fee when two people come in and spend half of your PPA. Not $100 per person. Greedy, classless place. I should have asked my family if they were ok with leaving right then and there. I'm sure they would have despite the circumstance. And so I begin my work on a time machine.
(1)
Lindsay D.

Over hyped. My husband and I ate here about two months ago and for the prices we paid I was expecting a much better meal. Our service was fair although we were forgotten about for close to 25 minutes when a large table was seated. Also, the waiter poured my husbands beer incorrectly twice even though my husband stated he would do it himself resulting in majority foam. We tried the dry aged steak as it was highly recommended. There was so much oil in the plate it was served that it was practically unedible. For $75 I expect a great cut of meat with flavor that comes from the meat and not from the pool of butter beneath it. I have eaten at much better steak houses in Chicago and will most likely not return. However, they did have an amazing desert. Some "alaskan" chocolately, marshmallowy goodness
(3)
Paul B.

Chicago Chop House is easily the worst restaurant I've been to in Chicago. We didn't have reservations for dinner and after calling several other steakhouses in the area we finally found Chicago Chop House to not be booked up. When we walked in there weren't many people and that was the first sign of trouble. The aged steaks tasted mildewy, and this was compounded by the fact that I didn't even order an overpriced aged steak - the waiter decided to charge me $20 extra for the upcharged steak despite me ordering an un-aged steak. And he neglected to Oscar it as ordered, too. I love leftovers and I've grown to count on them for weekend lunches (I eat my wife's and mine!). I only ate a couple of bites of my terrible steak at the restaurant and I threw out the gross leftovers, too. We were with family and instead of causing a scene I put up with the terrible food and didn't complain about the bill. Mistake made, lesson learned, and from now on I will stand up for myself even if it risks killing the mood. This place is a tourist trap and our unpreparedness cost us big time. Other reviewers indicated at how overpriced CCH is ... overpriced is an understatement. Chicago is full of steak and chop houses - stay away from this tourist pit trap!
(1)
Crys A.

Tremendous prime rib. Huge, delicious, great with an ice cold martini and the requisite crab cake appetizer. They have a ginormous 64oz porterhouse as well which I am always tempted to order, irrespective of the fact that it might be a legitimate deadly sin to do so and also, potentially unsexy. This place is a Chicago staple. I've been taken on dates a few times; never disappointed, always a class move on the part of the guy. Eat upstairs, play downstairs at the bar listening to live music, who can go wrong? Great crowd. Spendy but worth it. If you're an unabashed carnivore, try and enjoy.
(5)
Joe I.

CHECK THE BILL CAREFULLY!!!! At dinner last night, they "padded" with an extra bottle of wine and an extra glass of wine. The prices are outrageously high ( dinner for 5 people was over $800.00) and they still need to "pad the bill" to screw customers? I will NEVER return. There are so many great Steak Houses in Chicago . . . don't let these guys screw you
(1)
James R.

Good steak, not great. Pushy car salesman-like waiters shoving waaaay overpriced aged steaks. Basically a tourist trap. Several other top notch choices for literally half the price.
(1)
Ro B.

A must go to restaurant for steaks when in Chicago. The Kobe Rib Eye dey aged for 57 days was absolutely delicious. Melts in your mouth. The portion is huge. Skip the appetitizers, the place is well know for their steaks the appetizers are just a waste of space. Be prepared to spend big $$$$ for their steaks.
(4)
Beatrix K.

This place sucks so bad. The star I give is for the pianist and that's it. This one server guy working there is a complete bunghole. It took forever for him to even come over even though we knew he saw us but would just disappear. This made us feel increasingly awkward as still nobody approached us and it was as though everyone else in the restaurant receiving attention and various dishes at their tables noticed it too. Grrrr... whatever. When he did pop back into view, he would continue taking circuitous routes through the restaurant, around the bar, not appearing to be busy with anything but blatantly avoiding us like he was wanting and waiting for us to leave. Finally he came over to try to impress us with his extensive knowledge about the steaks and so on and so forth blah blah blah, skip the pretense, you're a dick for not coming over sooner. We still don't even have any drinks at this point. I shit you not. Uhm? Weird. For such a nice place with what should be really good food (at least I hope it is for what the prices indicate but I guess I'll never actually know) why does the service suck? Just when I think we might be able to finally get a drink order in (and hell the food too if it would help quicken things, geez) bungholio then proceeds to interrupt himself mid-explanation of the menu so he could excuse himself to go run food to another table. Wow. Ok, dude. You made it quite apparent how much you really don't care about us. I don't know if it's because of our outward appearance (young, Asian couple) and you don't find us worth your time, but either way, establishments should never allow this kind of treatment to be bestowed upon their patrons under any circumstances. Part of me wanted to stay in order to spite this bunghole server and even tip well the way I always do just to show him that he should regret having made assumptions based on a first glance, but something about that upon further consideration just didn't sit well with me. Give HIM... more of MY money...to demonstrate a point/teach him a lesson that he shouldn't disrespect me? Uhhh...no. That would make no sense. So I swallowed my pride and left before he could get the chance to impart any more rudeness towards us/continue ignoring us/etc.
(1)
Nishan P.

My passion for red meat has led me to various Chicago establishments but none more frequently than the Chop House. Occupying a freestanding old Victorian brownstone a few blocks west of Michigan Avenue, the restaurant offers the classic Chicago steakhouse experience. The first floor includes a bar area which often features a pianist. This is my favorite part of the restaurant to dine in. Be warned that it sometimes gets a little loud close to the pianist. The upper two floors are more typical of a Chicago steakhouse with dark wood paneling and black and white photographs chronicling the Windy City's history. The atmosphere is not quite as vibrant as downstairs. The Chop House does extremely well what a steakhouse should do: they prepare excellent steaks. My favorite is the bone in filet. Though I am also a big fan of the standard Chop House filet mignon, the bone in filet seems to be just that much more flavorful. The restaurant does have a dress code: smart casual. Though they may look the other way when it comes to jeans, they do not tolerate any head attire. If I were to dock the Chop House a star, it would be for the pretentious waiters. Not all of them are snooty but I have encountered my fair share there. Unlike several other Chicago steakhouses, the Chop House includes a salad and mashed potatoes in the price of the steak. The meat, be it a filet, New York strip, Porterhouse or prime rib, has been consistently good. For their incredibly well prepared steaks, I am willing to tolerate the snobby waiters.
(5)
Dave L.

This is try number two on this review... my last one was removed, so I toned this one down... The worst thing was, we had no clue we were going to be *smurfed* really hard (and with no lube!!) I mean really, no clue at all. At least if you know it's coming, maybe you can prepare yourself, but in this case it was all smiles, menu suggestions, and laughter from Jodi B. Our bachelor party of eight ordered our steaks and wine, and a couple of "suggested" appetizers called the Kings Platter. After the apps, we gobbled up our Kobe, dry-rubbed, bone-in steaks for $100 each, and drank up the just-as-overpriced wine as well. When the bill came for $2,535.69 we were shocked. We knew what we were doing for the most part, but the real groin-kick was the "suggested" Kings Platter appetizer. For two of them it was $538! Gee, I wonder why she didn't tell us how much they were when she suggested them. Of course she had a nice automatic 18% gratuity which totaled $386. That's way more than I make an hour, how about you? (see the photo of the bill I included in this review: yelp.com/biz_photos/chicâ€¦ ) Jodi, way to up your tip and perhaps get a kickback as well! I guess this job is the opposite of your last one, where now your customers are the one's who get smurfed instead of you!!! The Chop House was the gift that kept on giving. Later that night, I had to stop our limo and run to the nearest restaurant to find a bathroom. I immediately had a kobe, wet-rubbed, explosion, and literally flushed my $317 share of dinner down the can. Chicago Chop House, you get two *smurf-fingers* UP! WAY UP!!!
(1)
Joe B.

Where I intended to swing in for a quick drink, I accidentally tripped though a time warp and landed in a prohibition-era speakeasy. The speakeasy would, nearly a century later, be called the Chicago Chop House. I don't actually know the history of the space, but this garden-level, River North, low-lit, wood-paneled, compact venue certainly channels something from Chicago's past. Further burrowing itself into Chitown's history book, CCH has every mayor's portrait on the wall, along with Capone artifacts, and other various "tributes" to Chicago's bygone movers and shakers. Oh, and the service was great, as was my whiskey.
(4)
Robin S.

So disappointing The restaurant came highly recommended by a friend who has been there any times over the years. The servers SELL SELL SELL and then have an attitude when you do not want every single course and item they recommend. We were a group of women and clearly not big eaters. However when we passed on courses the servers walked away with attitude. I had a $79 steak that was worth about $20 at a sports bar. 3 of the 4 steaks at the table were not cooked to the temperature ordered. Not good for a steak restaurant . The final issue was when the server brought the dessert tray and we declined dessert as we were all very full. She took the tray away on a huff and then brought the check and told us to have a safe trip "back home". As if we were not Chicagoans and couldn't appreciate a good meal . Which does not apply to me as I frequent some of the best restaurants in the country and this ranks as the worst steakhouse I have ever been to. The side dishes were not even that good. Mostly the selling attitude of the servers and the attitudes at a $700 check as if that was not good enough. Why should we but more fi than we will eat and mediocre and over priced food..... I think not. Don't waste your. Money and time
(2)
Daniel L.

Yet another business trip so we indulged in the signature dish! Tomahawk streak dry aged & most expensive cut on the menu! It was delish and you could cut it with a butter knife. Cooked to perfection at 1300 and had a nice char/crust. For the side we shared the potatoes Au Gratin which was an amazing sidekick. Smothered with bacon and chives it was no doubt the best i have had. I peeped the blue cheese wedge salad as well but passed due to the fact that i was trying to pace myself. It did look good. the service was great. We had a large group and drank a lot so he was smart to keep following up with us. We sat by the gangster wall under a quote that states: "I gave birth to the underworld" LOVE IT!
(4)
Colin E.

Ignore the price. Some people need to read up on these type of restaurants before popping in. Come in knowing that you are going to drop some money and you will have a great experience. The waiter was (overly?) friendly and very knowledgable on the wine list and dinner menu. After discussing the specials and dinner options, I decided to go with the Mishima filet (14 oz boneless) and a side of the au gratin potatoes. My girlfriend ordered the standard filet with the broccolini. I was a bit skeptical on the $45 price difference between the two filets ($45 for the standard 10 oz filet and $90 for my 14 oz Mishima). The steaks came out and my 14 oz filet appeared to be at least 18 oz. The first bite had me hooked. It was unbelievably delicious. Incredibly tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The comparison to the standard filet was the biggest shocker. While her's was also excellent, the difference in taste was crazy. I am all about this rare piece of meat and will be back in the future for it. Best steak I've ever had, hands down. On a side note, the au gratin potatoes were enough for two people. Overall, I was very impressed with the Chop House, but likely for two main reasons. 1) I read that it was expensive beforehand and didn't care about the money I was about to drop. 2) Get the Mishima. It's outstanding.
(5)
Molly G.

Easily the most expensive meal I've ever had, and definitely not the best meal i've ever had. The waiter didnt bring any menus, and asked what we'd like for appetizer...knowing we'd never eaten there before. Hard to believe that the price point is more than double that of Ruth's or Flemings, and not nearly as nice. I would not go again.
(1)
Phil V.

The Chicago Chop House was our jaunt into fine Chicao dining. I haven't been to a really nice steak place in, approximately 3 years. my girl friend and I wanted to go to a nice place during our stay in Chicago and after much research and inquiries, we ended up here. Not a bad decision. The food was plentiful and tasty. I had the bone-in new york strip oscar style and she has the bone-in prime rib chard. She isn't usually a fan of meat, but she found it tasty and tender despite her request for it to be done. We also order a wedge to share which was rather small. But the sides for the steaks were good portions. We had the season vegetable, which was roasted corn and the onion rings. Both were tasty. The service was great. The server was nice and friendly. She was very helpful when we asked for suggestions and input. The rest of the staff was very attentive and quick. They would constantly fill-up our waters and take away empty plates and clean our table. Would I go back? Maybe, not because there food isn't good, but rather due to the fact that there are so many other nice places to go to.
(4)
Otis D.

So, before last night, Chicago Chop House would have been a five star. I don't get to Chicago much and when I do I try to mix in a dinner here since it is great. But this time. Made my reservation 9 days in advance and said "I do not want to sit downstairs" to the hostess who took my call. So 8pm res, arrive at 7:45. at 8:20 I'm told my table is ready. In the bar! O.K. I do NOT want to eat in the bar. "Well, if you would like to wait about 20 minutes we can "find" you a table upstairs." Not polite either. So what went wrong with my res chop house? Then the waiter was a dick. 8:35, a wine list, no menus. I flagged the waiter and requested menus. "Just relax." Really! You're telling me to relax. Do your f'in' job. I'm not exagerating, He told me to relax and when he came with the menus snottily informed me that he wanted to keep a flow to the evening. F.U. Your flow doesn't mean I wait 15 minutes to read a menu and 25 to order. Food was excellent as always. The wine list prices are obscene but I knew that going in. ($70 retail wine listed at $430 is way out of line for high-end establishment mark-up.) But service wise, Chop house needs to step it up in a big way. I'm O.K. dropping $500-700 for a great dinner for three, but I need the wait staff to be competant and minimally polite in the process. And the managers wearing bluetooths should know from the hostess that I'm already pissed and make sure my waiter kisses my ass for the rest of the night. If you're not getting up-to-the-minute info on that bluetooth and responding accordingly, then it's not a business tool, it's only making you look like a tool. You're in the service business. Craptacular evening! If there had been anything even slightly off in the food department, I'd never return. But they're just on my sh** list, not my hate list.
(2)
Hope B.

I am joining the folks who are in shock over the new prices at Chicago Chop House. I now understand why they don't show their prices on their website menu. I believe I got the cheapest steak on the menu at $59. I have no idea how much they charged us for a couple of appetizers (since they hadn't given us a menu....and I'm not sure the "specials" were even on the menu). They definitely lead you to believe something is included ("Would you like soup or salad?" worded and intonated exactly like you need to choose one or the other.) Luckily, I confirmed for the group that neither was included. Bottom line, the steaks were good, but not worth what they're charging (50% and up compared to Gibson's prices)!! There were 11 of us and we each had to shell out $200 for a dinner. Probably double what we paid a couple of years ago. NEVER AGAIN!!! It is a huge ripoff even compared to all the other steakhouses in Chicago.
(1)
Chad M.

While our service was outstanding (and I tipped accordingly) I could not have been more disappointed with my Prime Tomahawk Bone-in Ribeye. Ordered medium-rare and it arrived medium. There was no red. The steak was chewy. We ordered the Lobster Bisque and found it's main seasoning to be salt (this is coming from a guy who's not afraid of a little salt either) and too much of it. My wife's filet was good, but not above average for a similar steakhouse. I would try any other place out again in case it was an off night, but due to the insane prices here there's no chance of that happening. I fully expect to pay steakhouse prices at a great place, but these guys almost double what I've had at other top notch steakhouses. The only real brightside was our server - (Paul?). Too bad too, the Chop House had great reputation that's going to be fading fast.
(2)
Jimmy P.

This is tough - I hadn't been here for four years and it used to be a favorite. The servers are over the top friendly and I kinda hate that. They start by explaining the first menu where all prices are outrageous - every item over $100. I believe the "dry aged" porterhouse was $140 or some other ridiculous amount. If i pay that much for a steak it better blow my mind, or better yet, something else. Then they bust out the "cheap" menu - where the prices are still way below the value. They make you feel like you're poor if you order off this menu - where a steak will easily run you $70. My biggest beef - and the thing everyone needs to know - the servers will do everything in their power to trick you into spending too much money. If salads or soups aren't included, you should remind people. If the tiny appetizer that you just spent 5 minutes talking up is almost $100, you better mention the price. If "upgrading" my steak to dry aged will cost me an addition $80 - and you don't say anything - you're a worthless twit. It ain't worth it kids - Chicago is loaded with great food and there's nothing original or break taking about Chop House. Alinea can charge huge prices because they bring something new to the table. Chop House just cooks steaks. Get over yourself.
(2)
Erudito C.

This is an incredible place ,the meat ,wine ,menu ,desserts are the best ever! Our waiter Paul was so incredible I want it come back every single day just to have him serve us! The chocolate cake is an experience ,highly recommend this place!
(5)
Amanda C.

I need to write an update. I haven't been back to the Chop house but my boyfriends parents went for Valentines day last week. I was excited to hear about their experience, because ours had been so wonderful. They told us they ordered an appetizer, each had a glass of wine and a filet. When they left their total came to $380 dollars. That is almost twice as much as what we paid 2 years ago. Although it was a really delicious meal, I wouldn't go back and pay $400 for 2 of us, sorry. I guess they have raised their prices recently. They even said the side vegetables listed were "market price." That's just ridiculous. I'm sad that I wont ever return, but price gouging will cause loss of business to anyone, even my favorite steak house.
(3)
Chris K.

My husband and I have not dined at the Chicago Chop House for over ten years. We went on Sunday, 6/6/10. Our waitress who was wonderful kept telling us that there is a "new owner." She has worked there for 12 years. We got the feeling that she thought the new owner was not as good as the original. Our food was pretty good, but not spectacular, and certainly not worth the price. My husband had a wet-aged 16 oz. NY strip steak, baked potato, wedge salad, martini, and hot fudge sundae. I had 6 lamb chops, heirloom tomato salad and cheesecake with strawberries. I ordered iced tea, but when I tasted the flowery taste, I sent it back. The waitress said the "new owner" changed the tea. Bad idea - yuppie floral tea does not go with meat. Anyway, our total bill was $181! Definitely overpriced by about a $100. My cheesecake was $12! I swear the menu said $8. The heirloom tomoto salad was $12. And, I swear that there was only one heirloom on the plate and the rest were ordinary red hot house grown hybrids. My lamb chops were meh. I make better on my grill at home. The steak was pretty good. All in all, we will not be returning to the Chicago Chop House. Next time we will go to Smith and Wollensky or Morton's.
(2)
Katherine P.

Come here if you love steak. NY strip steak, filet mignon, prime rib, it's got all the classics! This place is a total steakhouse, from top to bottom. Enter the foyer into the woodsy, very adult and dark building. Muted lighting, portraits of the mobster 'allies' and 'enemies' on the walls, portraits of the past mayors, a top and bottom floor totally packed, and a live piano player, fingers dancing on the keys. This place was serious business. A line of hosts/attendants lined the stairs and waited to usher you to your seat. After being seated, my table ordered the following: 1) Prime rib, medium rare: This was my dish. It was very delicious. Juicy, tender, well prepared and came bone in. It was huge (24 oz!). The meat really did cut like butter. It was very tender, but I wish the au jus had been slightly more flavorful. 2) NY strip steak, medium rare: My friend's steak was crispy and had that smoky flavor on the outside, but the inside was red and tender. 3) Bone in filet mignon: This was such a treat. It was a special on the menu, and it is pretty hard to find bone in filet mignon on steakhouse menus regularly. The only place I know that serves it all the time (except when they run out) is Boboquivari in SF. This place, the filet mignon was very tender, getting even more so the closer it got to the bone. It cut like butter! So good! Not as deeply flavorful as Bobo's, but pretty dang good! 4) Mashed potatoes with gravy: Pretty standard, I was also surprised it was offered with steak, since usually at steakhouses you don't have many sides offered with steak. 5) Potato pancakes: It's kind of like a giant hashbrown, but not as crispy and flavorful. It came with an apple sauce like sauce that was interesting 6) House salads: This comes drenched in dressing, so unless you like eating lettuce with your dressing, I suggest you get it on the side. We all loved the food, and it was a real treat to have steak in Chicago at one of the most well known steakhouses =)
(5)
Laura G.

This is by far my fathers favorite restaurant. Every year we go here for his Birthday, since well, I can't even remember. Anyways, They raised their prices at least $15 from last year. When I looked at the menu, I thought I was looking at some special priced menu and was looking around for the real one. I could not believe the prices. Last year your steak came with a choice of side. This year their sides are $10. I don't really understand the price jump. Maybe because it's in a touristy area they can get away with it? Who knows, all I know is that after at least 10 years of coming here we wont return next year. Sad. Now, the food. Well, it's good. Definitely good. Outstanding, probably not. They did however get rid of my favorite dish, The Lobster and Filet Mignon. Boo. Their au gratin potatoes were delicious! Those were definitley new. They under cooked my steak, which is the first time anything has ever gone wrong at the Chop House. The place is cute, has that old time Chicago feel. But is it worth the price of their food. Not anymore.
(3)
Paul B.

Admittedly the Kobe filet was quite expensive, it was without a question, the most tender and flavorful steak I have ever had. Options for meat include Wet aged, dry aged, and Kobe. I thought I had reached the pinnacle during my last trip to the Chicago Chop House with the Dry Aged Tomahawk Ribeye, but alas the Kobe Filet took it one step higher. Service was excellent and never over bearing. Wish I could afford to eat here more...
(5)
Jeff H.

I'm probably going to have eggs thrown at me from other Yelpers for this review, but I accept that. This was the most expensive, overrated steak experience of my nearly 40 years on earth. Now, granted it was 2001 when I ate there last (full disclosure), but the memory still haunts me. Everyone babbling on about how great it was, so I went with a bunch of coworkers from my consultancy, all of us just as excited as can be. Food was mediocre, given the ridiculous final tab, most of which was not alcohol. But the worst part was getting the check. Manners, our elitist server, brought us the bill, his nose just slightly above the 10th parallel. We are all on separate expense accounts and our company was a pain in the ass about itemizing things. Chicago people, I know you frown on this, but cut us some slack: we asked Manners if he could give us separate checks for this reason. Come one, Manners, we just ran up half a grand in a small group. Humor us. Manner's response (imagine an English Butler's voice): "We don't DO that here." For that snotty reason alone, I'll never go back or recommend this place.
(2)
Sharon S.

Hands down my favorite restaurant of all time. Service - immaculate Bar Area - fun, crowded and prompt service Customers - well to do, mostly business people Steak - OMG, the best I've ever had The only downside is that the tables are very close together. It should also be noted that I haven't been there in about 5 years so it may have changed.
(5)
Julie L.

This was extremely disappointing. This was supposed to be a celebratory dinner that was completely ruined by the excessive pricing. I understand that Chicago steakhouses are generally expensive, but I have been to two others (Gibson's and David Burke's Primehouse) that were less expensive and were certainly much better, both in the taste of the food, attitude, ambiance and service. I had lobster bisque and the 16 oz NY Strip (which at $49 is the least expensive steak on the menu). The bisque was ok, but too thick and I have had better and for cheaper ($13.95 for a bowl). My steak was ok, but again, nothing to write home about. There are many great choices for fine steakhouse dining in Chicago. This is not one of them. Take your money elsewhere.
(1)
Mike P.

Hi, welcome to Chicago, would you like to eat half a cow and a giant crab? You would, well, head over to Chicago Chop House and let them set you up. In all my years here, I have never been to the chop house. I avoid Tourist-Town like a meth-head avoids the dentist. I'd definitely head back down for this joint though. Everything was spot-on. The fillet was tender and the crab legs huge. The chocolate cake was so amazing that my diabetic father even had a few bites. Pricey? Sure, but you get your money's worth. Plus, I think the guys at the next table were in the mob. Authenticity - Huzzah!
(5)
Frank C.

DO NOT EAT HERE!!! This place is a joke. It's a hard sell from the moment you sit down through desert. the first thing they do is seat you and offer you flat or sparkling water. You have to ask for tap. Then they try to sell you on a seafood appetizer with out having you look at the menu. The best part is the description of the Wagyu beef... Classical music in the background to keep them stress free, feeding them beer. I never laughed so hard in my life. I should have known at that point we were getting snowed. My wife ordered the Wagyu, I ordered the aged rib eye, both were tomahawk cuts. I don't mind trying anything once. However, I hate being lied too. The extra amount of bone is supposed to add flavor to the steak. I don't see how when most of the bone is not even touching the steak. It's just a stupid gimmick that we fell for. Shame on us, as we should have known better. Considering I had Wagyu the night before, and I tried my wife's steak. This was at best a cut you could buy in the supermarket for a fraction of the cost and cook at home. I mean how they can serve this less than mediocre cut of beef and call it Wagyu is criminal. My steak tasted no different from my wife's. I have eaten many aged rib-eyes There is a distinct flavor that comes from aging. It has almost nutty like quality and a concentrates the beef flavor. This cow was slaughtered yesterday. When I asked the waitress to verify that mine was aged and not the same steak as my wife's, all she could say was that the shape of our plates indicated the cuts. I just left it alone realizing that no matter what I said or did, I would not get a straight answer. The steaks were over seasoned with whatever rub they use. Clearly this was to mask the flavor of the steaks they were serving. I have never had a steak at a steakhouse that was treated this way. It was awful and not to mention so salty, that it was barely edible. The only reason this place is getting a star is because my friend liked his steak. The sides were no better. We got the Au Gratin and sauteed vegetables. Both were over seasoned and the Au Gratin was something that could be served at KFC. Lastly, when we saw the pricing, we were not shocked. However, this was the first time we had seen steaks priced this high. They are nearly double the price of excellent steak houses like Capital Grille. This is part of their game. The steaks are priced higher leading you to believe that these are probably the best steaks you will ever consume. It is just another marketing ploy. The term is called Cognitive Dissonance. You see the price and you think "that's too expensive I probably should not get that." But you come up with a reason to make yourself feel better for making the purchase and quell the dissonance. It's a very smart ploy from a really bad steak house. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO EAT ANYWHERE ELSE!!!
(1)
Greg G.

Stopped here on a business trip. What can I say, unbelievable place to take a client. Perfect service, perfect wine and cocktails, and the food was as good as it gets. Short and sweet but I highly recommend. G
(5)
Kim K.

On a whim we decided to go to chop house for an early dinner in the bar. Awesome food was fantastic but the service was stellar Scott was more than helpful it was like having your mom take care of your every need. We recently took my daughter to fultons for her high school graduation although the view was beautiful there was no comparison to the quality of food and service. If your looking for the best steak place this is it!!
(5)
Paul Y.

Walked right in through a busy restaurant & sat at the last spot at the bar! This original bone-in prime rib was 1.25 inch thick-cut, but oh so light it melts in the mouth. The bartender advised to avoid the "char" style and he was right-on! Every bite was full of flavor, even the center section, which tends to be devoid of flavor at lesser establishments. Didn't feel weighed down or enter into a meat-coma afterwards, but felt alive and kinda high. I felt an urge to go out and run. Me thinks my cholesterol just went down. But, it is still just slightly shy of that mythical perfect prime rib that existed only at Jake O'Shaughnessy's (Bellevue, WA), which closed 15 years ago, but this is the best prime rib I've had since. And only because of that, I reserve a perfect score for the legendary Jake, and give 4.5 to Chop House. (4.5/5) The side was Vegan veggies, broccolini, sauteed to perfection with olive oil and garlic. (5/5) The atmosphere was akin to a dimly lit ivy league college pub with sports on two TV screens, except it was populated by businessmen. (3/5)
(4)
Jan K.

Great steak. I had the bone-in dry aged ribeye - rare! Really really flavorful. It was so huge, I could only finish half and didn't have room to enjoy our sides. Friendly staff. The dining room is a little dark, but I guess this place is all about the steak - not the lighting right? Fun Chicago experience since I'm from California.
(4)
Sonia C.

I like, but don't love, this place. My bone-in NY strip was quality juicy meat, but a little on the bland side. There are also a lot of fat surrounding the steak which I ended up eating, but could have done without. Despite all this, it was still a great steak and I was happy with my meal. Some of my friends could not say the same about their steaks. The 48oz porterhouse was overcooked way past medium rare - especially the filet part which was burned (an absolute travesty). My friend's Chicago Chop House Prime Rib (ordered off their specials menu & different from regular prime rib because it was charred) had so much fat surrounding it that he ended up not eating half his meat. In my opinion, the standout of the night was the regular bone-in prime rib. Wisely ordered rare, it was soft and juicy and didn't require much chewing. Dipped in au jus and horseradish, it was a ridiculous experience. It was great of them to include salad and a potato with the meals which is not common for steakhouses, but much appreciated. I also got a side of potato pancakes which were nice and crispy. The most annoying thing about Chicago Chop House is that they don't give you real steak knives, but rather a knife that is more similar to the regular metal ones you eat with at a cafeteria. I think the dull knife is supposed to emphasize how great the steaks are ("Look! You can cut through this huge hunk of meat using the crappiest knife in the world because the meat is just SO tender!") but we had a lot of trouble, and my finger still hurts from all the effort I exerted. Get some real steak knives, CCH! Desserts are mediocre and can be skipped. Wine list is ok. Overall, a good experience for me, but I doubt I'll be coming back as there are other steakhouses in the city that I haven't tried yet.
(3)
Samantha H.

This is so disappointing to have to do, but ever since the new management came in last February, it's just not the same place. We took two friends there who are looking for the best steak in Chicago (having lived all over the world). I told them this used to be the best but not sure how it'd be since the new management and unfortunately I agree with most Yelpers who say it's gone downhill. I asked the waitress if the chef was the same and she said yes, which was quite surprising. The steak was not nearly as good as it used to be and is now twice the price! Unreal. $80 for a 6 oz. filet? The sides aren't as good either. The wine list is completely different and literally about 30% higher for the bottles they did have on the old wine list (and about a 150% markup from retail). Basically the quality has gone down (albeit, only slightly) but prices have doubled. Won't go back unless it's a business dinner where I'm not paying!
(3)
Richard F.

For a so highly rated steakhouse, Chicago Chop House failed to meet expectations. From the Caesar salad being served with no dressing at all, to all four entrees served lukewarm at best, the experience was disappointing. Our wait person was very business-like, and not enhancing to have a good time. I have to believe Chicago has much better restaurants to offer!
(2)
Michael G.

The wife and I ate at the Chicago Chop House on a recent trip to Chicago. I hail from the land of steak (Texas) and the city of steakhouses (Dallas). I'd like to think I know a thing or two about a good steak. The Chicago Chop House has an excellent steak. I went with the Dry Aged Kobe NY Strip. It was cooked to perfection and tasted awesome. They seasoned this steak just right with salt and pepper. There is no need to add any other seasoning to a good steak. The flavor is in the meat. The mac n cheese topped with bacon was also delicious. They do try to sell you on the tomahawk rib eye, but that is a gimmick. My only two small complaints are the ambiance (dull) and the lobster bisque had too much oil in it. Other than that, I'd glady pay $$$ for steak here should we visit again.
(5)
Sean N.

So.... this place is great if: 1. You like eating in very dimly lit places 2. You love three fingers of Glenlivet with your $65 uber bloody steak 3. You are part of a boys club, or want to be invited to one I wasn't a huge fan of the steak, price, crowd, or ambiance.... But my opinion can probably be swayed. During my business trip here, I (sadly) ate alone on a quiet Tuesday night -- not really under ideal circumstances. The attentive service was the highlight during my visit. I may come here again, but as they say, there's nothing like first impressions. Not on the top of my list for Chicago steakhouses -- just OK.
(3)
Eric r.

Best steak you will every have. This was my first time here. I can deal with the multiple stairs/ levels to get to my cramped table if it means I can have one of these steaks again. An old Chicago feel with food that is amazing, but a price tag that is too.
(4)
Clarice G.

I visited the Chop House for Mother's Day in 2009 with my family and I loved it! There were 9 of us so we all shared two seafood platters. The platter had crab cakes, jumbo shrimp, crab legs and lobster tails...my oh my were those lobster tails tasty! That was my first time having such good lobster and I was very pleased with it here. The crab legs were good, the crab cakes were mediocre and I did not like the shrimp. I did not have a drink since I was pregnant at the time, but my family members seemed to like their daiquiris. For dinner my husband and I shared lamb chops and filet mignon. The lamb was wonderful, but a little bit greasy. I have had better filet at home so I would pass on it here. Everyone else had steaks or chicken and seemed to enjoy them very well. For dessert I shared carrot cake with my mother. First of all, you are served a HUGE slice of cake. It is sweet, delicious and moist. Oh so yummy! I can't remember if I had any side items but the lobster was definitely something to remember. Our bill came to about $1000+ so dining with a smaller party is recommended, but not bad for special occasions. Service was great. Water glasses filled, fresh pepper ground onto salads, my shared dinner was already split in half for us, no complaints. The menu was a little confusing, as there were two of them. Take your time when looking them over so you won't miss out on the less expensive items. Overrall I would say go for the lobster tail, lamb chops and definitely save room for the carrot cake!
(4)
Ed S.

Not sure what all the bad reviews are about. I've eater here at least a dozen times. It always delivers. I prefer to eat in the bar area near the piano bar. If you have an out of town guest or a business associate demand they get the tomahawk. They will pull out their phone and take a picture of the delicious beast of a steak before they eat it. They will remember the experience for a life time. Great Chicago steak house. Highly recommended.
(4)
Rafael Y.

Yuk. How very disappointing my dinner was. Although service was excellent, the food was merely mediocre -- I expected more. Glad I was not paying the bill. I was told the Rib-eye steak was hormone-free and touted as the most flavorful...it was bland and tough. The starter crab cake was cold and tasted more of soggy bread crumbs than tender crab. The supposedly "amazing chocolate cake" tasted generic and store-bought -- and was closer to german chocolate cake with coconut frosting -- not real chocolate cake. Side veggies seemed frozen and microwaved...kinda chewy not in a good way. The wedge salad with blue was the best part of the meal. My friend had the filet mignon and was happy with her cut. The decor was outdated and needed to be refreshed. Overrated.
(2)
Jonathan H.

Took my wife there for our Anniversary. I was impressed with the "house layout" and the different rooms that offered a different dining experience. I'm a fan. Had the NY Strip. I eat it everywhere so I have a basis of comparison (and so I can clog my arteries faster). The steak and the side dishes were all superb. We had great service from out drinks to dessert.
(5)
Angela P.

WOW.WOW.WOW!! One of the best dining experiences I have ever had, only second to my fave Maui spot, and that's saying A LOT! =] Fred and I went here for our 4 year/13 year anniversary after wanting to come in since high school! I am so mad we waiting this long...it was THAT good! We were seated only a few minutes after our reservation time and we weren't seated in my first or second choice seating area, but that was very quickly forgotten. Our server was prompt to ask us what we want to drink and to explain the amazingness that is their dry aged steaks. Let me just say...he was AWESOME!! He made the whole experience for me! We then told him what we wanted to order based on some of his suggestions he had to make our experience the best ever. He helped up decide the order at which stuff arrived to the table and then we waited for the goodness to come. We got the lobster bisque, chop salad, wedge with thousand island, porterhouse (sliced off the bone), sauteed mushrooms with spinach and garlic, au gratin potatoes and a potato pancake. Yeah...wed had a food experience to say the least! Everything was perfection, but the two standouts for us were the bisque and the steak. Wow and wow. There really are no words for the perfection that was this meal. It was SO good and at $237...a TOTAL STEAL!!! I can't rave more about this place and CANNOT wait to go back and bring some friends and family!! Love you CCH!! =]]
(5)
Raquel D.

This is old school Chicago dining for sure. Looking at all the pics on the walls keeps your eyes wide open as the aroma causes you to float up those stairs. You almost feel like you're gonna see an italian mob dining once you get up there. Cool. But onto the food - excellent steaks for excellent prices. They explain diff cuts and stuff, but I usually get a filet and hubby gets prime rib. I begged him to get medium rare, but he got medium well. Sigh. It didn't matter tho - both steaks were equally juicy and full of flavor. And you actually get sides with the price. whoa. Good deal, folks. Oh and lobster bisque is excellent! I enjoyed it here and hope to come back soon.
(4)
C M.

My boyfriend and I went here tonight (it's pretty much our usual steakhouse at this point) to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We got there and proceeded to wait 50 minutes before being seated (we were a bit early for our reservations, and they ran 30 mins late). We had to sit in the cold room off of the restaurant where everyone walks in because it was so crowded-which for a Monday, I don't really understand. Anyway. We finally get seated and the food is great as usual, but I was freezing the entire time. It seems the Chop House has yet to discover the art of heat. It was noisy and cold and not quite the experience I was hoping for on such a special night. I left pretty disappointed. I know they'll never read this, and perhaps if I weren't so annoyed I would have mentioned it to a manager, but: I emplore you, Chop House, to learn what it means to turn the heat on when it's 46 degrees out! Having the fans on does *not* help, fyi. Next time, I am literally going to call ahead and make sure the heat is on before we have dinner there. We didn't spend more than $100 there to freeze.
(3)
Kairo C.

AMMMMAAAAZZZING GRACE AMAZING STEAK! wowser, i think of steak from this place and i drool. the wine pairing was great too. the impression is lasting.... and apparently the dent it will put in your wallet too. i didnt pay (phew) as it was a romantic treat from the significant other of that time. he didn't snear at the price either because he had plenty of money to waste on an extravagant dinner, he had a 5-star impression himself to justify his wealthy donation, and a job promotion worth celebrating - this made for a guiltless gnosh! though if you dont have $$$$$ to waste, i would not say it is worth the splurge; there are certainly other GREAT steakhouses in Chicago i could suggest that would not give you a financial stroke. if i was fronting the bill, i would likely not be singing this same tune. if the budget yields, go when you have a MAJOR milestone to celebrate and treat is as a reward. IF money is not an issue you will NOT be disappointed. the steak was SUCCULENT. exquisitely prepared. i think i got the surf in turf filet and he got the bone in filet or some specialty steak at the time... his was the highlight of the show. i mean mine was amazing but his was a unique steak that i haven't tasted quite like it anywhere else. i forgot the sides, but they were overshadowed by the amazingness of the steaks. and definitely pair it with a decent wine; your already gonna spend a lot so what's a lil more at this point? only downfall i remember is the table we sat at was small, tall and oddly against the wall (and no i didn't aim to make that rhyme). i forgot about that though when i got all starry eyed over great wine and steak. the decor was classic; i don't typically dig the pics on the wall of big names and such but they had classic big names like Capone on their walls that gave it a coolness vibe. be assured: 5 primarily for the food and wine alone...
(5)
Greg A.

Clearly, the people complaining about food costs here need to go to the supermarket and buy a $12.00 box of No-Name Steaks because you get what you pay for. The chop house has top of the line meats, staff and cheffs. You pay for the food and experience. Of course, it could be a hit to the pocketbook if you ate here daily...but this place is like a fine cognac,,,induldge on occasion and be glad you did.
(5)
Ken K.

(I can't believe there are actually 1-star ratings for this place. WHAT IN THE WORLD?!) The ambience and the service were well above average. The sides, I admit, weren't really anything to rave about (but certainly deserving of at least a star). The point is... the chargrilled prime rib: To. DIE. For. It was SO tender that my fork could hardly hold it in place while I cut it w/ my knife... not that a knife was even needed. It was cooked PERFECTLY. The flavor was SPECTACULAR. This is truly one of those things in life that doesn't need to be improved upon. I recommended this place to all my friends and it did not disappoint a SINGLE time. You NEED to TRUST me on this one. Try it and I DARE you to tell me it wasn't amazing. (Do you need me to capitalize any more words?!) Chargrilled prime rib. That's all you need to know. *Edit* My good friends in Chicago have informed me of a managerial change here, and since then, the quality of the food (yes, that includes my beloved prime rib) has gone WAY down. This has been confirmed to me by multiple (trustworthy) people multiple times. So my review is likely no longer a legitimate review. For those of you who weren't able to enjoy CCH in its prime, my condolences; your life will never be as good as it could have been. :(
(5)
Susan M.

We tried to go to a Rick Bayless restaurant but they're all closed on Sunday. So we went to Chicago Chop House because it was open. We were very early, 5:30 pm on a Sunday, so the place was almost empty. Here's what we had. One $99 bone in rib steak. It was $89 but we split it so we had to pay a $10 charge. One 10 oz. filet. One big piece of salmon. 3 salads. 2 cups of lobster bisque. Asparagus in hollandaise, spinach in oil and a ton of garlic, potatoes au gratin. And 1 piece of chocolate cake to share. The total was around $350 not including tip. I have no problem paying $100 a person for a special meal. But I want some skill, some pizzazz for my hundy. This wasn't that kind of meal. For $99 a steak should fill you with awe, not meh. This was a very average tasting steak. We ordered it charred rare. It should have been cold in the middle, but it was cooked through and just not very flavorful. Our waitress made it sound like the second coming of Christ but it was just okay. The salads were good; fresh and crisp and flavorful. But everything else seemed like it was cooked by a tech school grad who was told to add cream and butter until people actually die in their chairs. I love cream and butter. I really do. But I don't understand why steakhouses from coast to coast have the same menu. Why not celebrate the sacrifice of a cow by serving fresh vegetables prepared without heavy hollandaise sauce? Mix it up a little, folks. This is the meal my great-grandfather ate in the gilded age. Our server was friendly and enthusiastic and a good up-seller. I just wish she'd had something unique or truly memorable to sell.
(2)
Korn D.

Ordered from the small menu and got the Aged Kobe Filet Mignon. This was one of the highest quality steaks I have ever had. 1. USDA Prime 2. Aged 3. American Kobe 4. Filet Mignon Not the tastiest steak I've had, but the inside was perfectly red but not raw. Outside was slightly crispy. Easy enough to cut with my butter knife. They also had a bone-in option as well which can add more flavor. The only way you could have made this better was using Japanese Kobe. The by the glass selections were ok. Lots of great steak selections. Service was very attentive. Ambiance was just ok (to me). It's probably not the best place for kids.
(4)
L. A.

I went here on a Saturday night with reservations. We had no wait. They initially put us near the piano bar but moved us to the upstairs dining room at our request. The service was great-excellent. I had a spinach salad to start- excellent. We each had a filet mignon with different options: blue cheese, black pepper or horseradish & shared two sides which were great but too much. All filets were outstanding with the blue cheese being all of our favorites. Chicago has so many great steakhouses and this is now one of my favorites.
(5)
Veence K.

My first time here was an amzing experience. I remember using a knife with no serrated edges and the steak was so tender and juicy it cut perfectly. I have to say its one of my favorite steakhouses. The second time I went, I heard the owner changed and whenever owners switch.. Im very skeptical. The second time I had their steaks, I was pleased, but could tell it has slightly changed. Regardless the steak was good and very tender and juicy. I always get my steaks medium rare and have to say it was quite good. I left the joint fat dumb and happy. lol.
(4)
Justine K.

I really wish I could give the Chicago Chop House 5 stars but I just cannot and absolutely will not do it. I will start off with the good and say that we made reservations weeks in advance so it was nice that we were seated promptly and probably in one of the best seats in the house - in a little corner by the window facing the street. That was appreciated because I can't stand when you make reservations and you still have to wait! What's the point, ya know? The amazing food came out pretty quickly, in fact, a bit too quickly because we were still eating our salads when our steaks came out. Not that big of a deal. This steakhouse truly does deserve 5 stars for their delicious steaks, which is obviously most important but if you're anything like me and horrible service can ruin your meal - then think twice before coming here. The service wasn't horrible in the sense that it was slow or even unknowledgeable. It was quite the opposite, however, it was the extremely annoying and constant "sales pitch", if you will, that we experienced ALL NIGHT from our waitress. From the time they brought the water "choices" out, all the way to the dessert, our server was CONSTANTLY trying to sell us the most expensive option. Incredibly uncomfortable and completely TACKY! I understand, like any restaurant, it is a business just trying to make that extra dollar but when you're going to an establishment that already offers some of the most lavish steaks ($40-80 per) - is it really necessary to push the most expensive option for everything else you order?! I took my boyfriend there to celebrate his birthday. It was my first time and his second. He swears he does not remember it being this bad when he was there a few years back. Perhaps, with this new economy some restaurants will start pushing the "sales pitch" approach more than ever before and if that's the case - I swear I will eat out less or find a way to say to the server form the start that he or she can cool it on the pitch! I honestly would feel nothing but sympathy for the occasional table that gets easily fooled by this kind of "tactic". I'll give a few examples as proof, as well as a warning for anyone planning to still give this place a shot: 1) Before barely even being greeted we were shown 2 bottles of water - Evian and Pellegrino, of course. Not even being given plain ole' tap water as a choice. Luckily that didn't fool us. 2) Thankfully my boyfriend is the type to look at the menu online about a dozen times before attending a restaurant so we knew that when a smaller "specials" menu came to us with steaks being offered for no less than $60, something was strange. We had to ASK for their regular menu to be brought to us!! Yikes! Imagine if we didn't know this! What scam artists! 3) When we learned that the steaks came with a side of mash potatoes and a house salad we were thrilled! That's rare for Chicago and a steakhouse! However, when our server learned that is what we planned on - the FREE choices - she had to use words like, "ok, but just so you know the mashed potatoes is just a very small dollop" and "you're ok with the plain and simple house salad"?? Ugh! We felt like saying, "Yes, we are! Now shut up and just go put in our order"!! 4) We were honestly there to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. I even mentioned that when placing the reservation. To my surprise - we couldn't even get a measly discount on the slice of chocolate cake we ordered! As a matter of fact - she said it came "a-la-mode" but surprise, surprise; the scoop of ice cream was an extra $4! Haha! We couldn't even get a scoop of ice cream for free! I'm shocked they didn't charge us for the candle! Unbelievable. We go to a different steakhouse for each of our birthdays every year and we've ALWAYS gotten the desert for the birthday person for free! So, I've been rambling, I know, but I just had to get this out on paper. I called and spoke with a manager the next day that basically offered up nothing. Rambled on and on and saying sorry once or twice. He said, "well, if you come back again, let me know and I'll see about getting you your free dessert". I'll tell him what he can do with that dessert! All in all, our bill was $200 with tip and we were probably considered the "cheap table" for the night. And BEWARE, because for that price, all we got fooled with was that scoop of ice cream...
(2)
Meagan F.

Another weekend, another steakhouse in the grand quest to find the best steakhouse in Chicago by my husband and me! The lowdown: Ambiance: Great! Clean, crisp linens, big wine glasses, lots of dark woods. This is a traditional Chicago steakhouse (much more my taste for steakhouses as opposed to David Burke's). Service: Pretty good. My problem with our server was that 1) he was super-schmarmy and rehearsed. He had obviously been doing this for a while. And 2) He tried to pressure us into buying the most expensive sides, cuts of beef, bottles of wine, etc. I don't like pushy servers. Let me know my options, and I will ask for your opinion if I want it, thanks! You will be getting a huge tip from our $300 meal, you don't need to be pushy. When he didn't speak, he was very attentive. His supporting staff was fantastic. Another problem with our server was the way he treated the group of people next to us from Europe. He distinctly reminded them that no tip was pre-added to the check because they were foreign. I thought that was slimy. Wine: Great selection. Expect to pay 2.5x the price of general retail. We chose the Charles Krug Cab- one of our favorites for steak, and the cheapest Cabernet on the menu by the bottle. It was GREAT. Always is. Food: For starters, we had the tomato salad and spinach and bacon salad specials. They were fantastic! We followed the salads with the crab cake- eh. So-so. As for sides- THEY DON'T HAVE MASHED POTATOES!!!! I love mash with my steak! I was heart broken. We had the fried (it says sauteed on the menu, they're not. They're deep-fried) potatoes. Get something else. As for steak, my husband and I both ordered the wet-aged NY strip (we don't like the dry-aged steaks). They were very good. Nice crust, well-trimmed, perfectly cooked. Not shockingly great, but very good. Dessert was the carrot cake. Order something else if you can stomach dessert. Overall: Eh, OK. For the price, we like Morton's and Gibson's better. This place (being on Ontario) is pretty touristy, and I think they gouge the tourists because they don't know better. We won't be back, but I'm glad we went.
(3)
Anne W.

Great place. I loved the piano bar and decor. The prime rib was excellent and it comes with a free salad (it wasn't awesome.. but it's free) I remember. I wasn't crazy about the creamed spinach.. I think I don't like nutmeg in mine. Service was excellent. If you can only go to one steak place in Chicago.. I'd put this on your list (along with Morton's).
(5)
Greg W.

The amazing food and service combined at this old-school Chicago themed restaurant, and accompanied by live piano playing, makes for a truly pleasant experience. I got the Tomahawk Rib-eye steak accompanied by the Nickle Merlot, both recommendations from the waiter. Although the most expensive items on the menu, it was totally worth it. The steak was phenomenal prepared Au Poivre, peppercorn charred with a mushroom demi glaze. I thouroughly enjoyed every bite. On the side, we ordered the green beans, spinach, and potatoes au gratin. the potatoes were amazing, and the vegetables bursting with flavor. Our waiter, was very knowledgeable and was able to lure me into every piece of food we ordered. His descriptions made me salivate. My only stigma about the Chophouse is that it's a little on the expensive side. My steak cost $89 and the glass of wine was $19. They have less expensive items, but the steak and the waiters' description was way to good to pass up. I'll certainly be back, just as soon as I get a pay bump, or I'm in the mood to splurge. Live well and eat well :) GW
(5)
Jason P.

I know, I know, what kind of vegetarian goes to a steakhouse? I had a couple of friends come into town and they really wanted steak so we ended up here. We were about to order a bottle of wine, but then the 3 figure price tags made us reconsider and go by the glass instead. The waitress was very helpful and probably a little shocked when I ordered a "meal" that didn't include steak. Well technically it included beefsteak tomatoes, but that is not really the same. I had a caprese salad with these growth hormone looking slices of tomatoes as well as American fries. I am not sure if it was due to it being a few days before July 4th or if they are just like this normally, but when I accidentally ordered french fries, they quickly corrected me saying they did not serve french fries. My friends both had steak and enjoyed their meals to the fullest, though the one that ordered the crazy filet did say that he probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between the crazy filet and the normal chophouse filet.
(4)
Dave L.

"OooohhhhhhhhhhhOOOOOOHHHHHH." The birds chirped. The clouds parted. The sun burst forth. With his first bite of Chicago Chop House's signature prime rib, my friend had an orgasm in his mouth for the very first time. I looked at him jealously. What did he do to deserve such a gift? Good looking people always get the best in life. Motherfuckers. But then, my own signature prime rib was placed in front of me. I was already drooling, ruining the perfect searing on a succulent and massive piece of meat. "OooohhhhOOOHHHH." That's right, I got one too. I was about to raise my fork hand and my knife hand in victory, but the remaining 21.9 ounces beckoned me. "Eat me. Eat me now. Please, I need to you to eat me." Who am I to argue? So the remaining bites of the steak weren't as incredible as that first one, and I'm not exactly sure if it was 22 or 32 ounces cuz size is not important to me, but man was that first bite worth every penny of that $33. Someone else in our group got the filet mignon, which she thought wasn't as good as Morton's, and another person got the signature New York Strip, which was the first time he ever enjoyed a NY strip. My seared bone-in prime rib steak was perfection. Juicy, tender, flavorful. From now on, every time I visit Chicago I'm having a dinner at Chicago Chop House. The service was top notch - I made reservations for a party of 12 twenty minutes beforehand, our server gave us excellent suggestions for appetizers (get the potatoes!), and everyone was extremely friendly. The decor - awesome cozy old school vibe, like I was hanging out in a upscale gangster den. There were some old dudes hanging out at the bar in the middle of the restaurant with some young women, I imagined they must have very very interesting lives. But the only thing that really matters about Chicago Chop House is the meat. I want it so bad. I can't wait to go back. Just like Kevin A said, the signature seared prime rib will haunt my dreams forever. There's nothing like your first time.
(5)
Michael B.

We went with a large group and sat in a private room upstairs. The service was good with three people dedicated to our table. I had the new york strip and was very pleased with the result. Only complaint-it is VERY expensive and with all of the options in Chicago I don't think it is worth the additional $25/head. Also, the wine list was great, but PRICEY!
(4)
Eric B.

What can I say? I had a pretty good steak here. I qualify that by the fact that I didn't have to put any salt or pepper on it... I met up with co-workers here while in Chicago for work. When I walked in I was a bit surprised by how buys and loud it was. The piano play, whom reminded me of Peter Tork from the Monkees didn't help that either. The space was crowded, but I managed to squeeze between the tables to meet my group. I kept thinking to myself that the way out would be harder after having added a few pounds. The waiter was more than cheery, obviously an actor or at least someone with a passion for serving steak. He had the kind of smile, chipperness and charm that Mario Lopez or Scott Baio were known for. While his attentiveness was unparalled I was annoyed at the fact that he didn't seem to head to my questions for wine suggestions...when I inquired about a wine he would write it down as I was making a declarative statement saying that is what I wanted. The food was out in good time and all tasted really good. I wish my steak was served warmer but as mentioned it didn't require any help in the flavor department to satisfy my taste requirements. I'll probably go back, hopefully not during peak piano playing time. It made conversation difficult
(3)

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Address : 60 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL, 60654
Phone (312) 787-7100
Website https://www.chicagochophouse.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Chicago Chop House

60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654

Chicago Chop House Menu

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