We came here for dinner partly because it was right around the corner from our hotel. I was a bit reserved because this was a 'chain' restaurant. The other one is in las vegas. I made a reservation a few hours ahead and we were seated promptly. The servers were extremely friendly and attentive who never missed a beat! They even arranged the orientations of the butter/bread plates so the easier for our reach. The food came out really quickly considering the size of the restaurant. We ordered stonecrab bisque and salad for starters, my psuedo bf got the fillet mignon and stonecrab combo, and I had the special: bluelipped grouper from new zealand. Lastly we shared a key lime pie. The portions were big. I would rate the service a whooping 5 stars, the food at a solid 4. Everything was pretty tasty but it wasn't spectacular.
(4)
Cindy D.
Year after year, I've been trying to get a reservation at this place for my husband's birthday. You literally have to make it 3-4 weeks in advance. That being said, I couldn't get a reservation on his birthday, so I made one for mine (it's 3 weeks apart :P). Here's what we got. 1. Oyster Rockerfeller - DELICIOUS!!! the oyster was smothered with cheese and spinach and it was cooked perfectly. Comes with 4 pieces. 2. Bone in ribeye - first couple of bites was really good, but I guess it's dimishing returns and just OK. They give you a salt/pepper spice to put onto the steak, and revived some good flavor, but I'm used to David Burke's tenderness throughout the meal 3. Select order of Stone Crab - I've never had this before, so I thought it was more flavorful than snow crab legs.. it really was not. It was OK, but not great flavor. I prefers crab legs over the claws for sure! 4. Jennie's potatoes - ehhh.. it was good, but I need some more fontina cheese flavor 5. Green Bean Almadine - good, traditional veggie dish Overall the food was mediocre and I really don't think I'll be back anytime soon. Just not my cup of tea. However, service is awesome!!! Charles knew we were celebrating a birthday so a free brownie ice cream dessert was sent to our table.
(3)
Kathleen C.
Hi, can I please pay $50/person (for lunch) so that I can have stuff spilled on me, be bumped into every 3 minutes, and get sick off some anemic, drowned in garlic shrimp? Thank you, drive through.
(2)
Roxi S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Excellent food and customer service. I recently hosted a large dinner for 32 people and the staff was fantastic! Meeting planners were easy to deal with and answered my questions promptly! We have been going here for years and will continue to do so. EXCELLENT FOOD and SERVICE!!!
(5)
Ali V.
We went here for my husband's birthday, and it's a perfect place for a special occasion! Great wine list, really friendly, attentive service and a neat experience, we loved it! Excellent crab bisque, key lime pie... I had tempura lobster tails, and my hubby had stone crab and petite filets. He was very happy with his steak, after the waiter, Mike, made a real effort to be sure he would get his steak exactly as he wanted-and he did! By the way, the crystal crab pins everyone mentions actually have some significance. The staff purchases them as part of their uniform for $25, and sells them to customers for $25. All monies go to fund that helps employees who are out for 'twisting their ankle' or when they're down on their luck. Pretty neat, and more than just flair! We loved this place, and I don't understand why people feel they don't have to dress up any more to go to a nice restaurant! When you're spending this kind of money, why not take a time make it extra special? This is the kind of place where you'll want to be a little dressy than not. It's pricey, but could be done on a budget too. Make a reservation! Treat yourself, Joe's is great! As always, we're impressed with Lettuce Entertain You places. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We'll be back, or in another LEYE place soon!
(5)
Doe L.
my experience at joe's was spectacular! i was expecting to be disappointed with at least ONE thing that we got but i wasn't! everything exceeded my expectations. first of all, get a reservation. the party before me did not have was and was furious that the wait was two hours for a table. first of all, what did you really expect?! fortunately for me, i had a reservation and only waited about 10-15 minutes (i was half an hour early). (+1 star) the seats are a little crowded. they certainly take advance of their small space. we started with the stone crabs. it was cracked so that you don't have to do it yourself (although you have to peel the shell off yourself). the mustard sauce was AMAZING! wow, i was debating about having my waiter box up that sauce for me so i can throw it on a sandwich... your hands get a little messy from the crab but they bring a hot towel out after for you to wipe up. (+1 star) the steaks we ordered were delicious! cooked very nicely to our preferences. (+1 star) you have to order sides with your steaks but one side (around $7) is decently sized and can be shared. the creamed garlic spinach and the sliced tomatoes were very yummy. my date's meal came with a half slice of banana cream pie. we were already stuffed at this point so we were happy it was only half a slice... when they brought out the plate, it looked like a regular slice of pie! this was a half slice??? how big is the pie?! although we were beyond full, we devoured that pie.. it was DELICIOUS! real slices of bananas inside and topped with pecans and caramel. (+1 star) i loved our waiter. he was cute, elderly man and when he spoke, it was with so much happiness yet authority. it really sounded like he knew what he was talking about. he really made the experience over the top. (+1 star)! i can't wait to go back!
(5)
R S.
Impressive. 4.5 stars. The food here is incredible. My friend and I had drinks at the bar while waiting for our table. Easy way to pass some time and work up our appetites. We started with the shrimp cocktail which was pretty good. Not the best I've had, but definitely good. My friend had a filet - he said it was delicious and about an 8/10. I ordered the ahi tuna which was excellent quality - I was very pleased. We also ordered steamed asparagus with lemon butter - a zesty and perfect side dish. Of course we topped it off with some delicious dessert. The staff was friendly, our waiter was wonderful. I cannot wait until another special occasion - the perfect excuse to revisit Joe's.
(4)
Myles A.
Great food. Great service. Can get loud during peak times.
(4)
Stephen G.
Yeah this is one of the finest in Chicago, Listen to the other 5 star reviews!
(5)
Robert C.
Had the signature steak,,the bone in fillet, stone crab, baked oysters with cheese, key lime pie and some chocolate thingy. Everything was good, service was good and helpful. Wait time is long even if you are a bit early with your reservation.
(4)
Victoria h.
Went here for the office holiday lunch. There were only 8 of us, so we all sat at 1 table. The bosses are very generous and ordered a ton of food. There were appetizers, salads, main course, deserts, lots of wine and champaign. Everything was mouthwatering. I love crab cakes. I love crab cakes at Joe's. The steak is amazing, it falls apart in your mouth. I tried the salmon, it was smooth like butter. I didn't even need to chew it, I did it anyways. All salads are delicious. I don't discriminate, neither should you. I haven't had the Stone Crab, but everyone else at the table did. They also ordered the lobster and said that it was amazing. No matter what you order at Joe's, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ryan K.
I've only been here twice. Both instances were celebratory work dinners. So price was never an issue. So perhaps my view of the proceedings is slanted because I didn't have to pony up the $300 at the end of it all. Tips: - Madagascar shrimp were the biggest I've ever seen. - Possibly a top five fried chicken too. - They were able to accommodate me and serve my steak blue. I always appreciate that. - Don't miss the soft shell if is in season.
(5)
sasha z.
Went for Lunch with a bunch of bankers and my boss - Prefixed menu - the salad was like all the leftovers and left over pieces of veggies were combined together. radish and corn really? green beans? (my mom when she was in a hurry IN RUSSIA used to make soup like that - my sister and I called it - Garbage soup) For main course you had a choice of steak or fish. I got the ahi-seared tuna - which was way over seasoned, felt like i was licking pepper entire time. For dessert I got key lime pie. SO SWEET i thought I would turn diabetic right there - I've had better from Costco. And the entire time I had to sit and stare at this HUGE man staring back at me from the wall. WHO IS THAT? Perhaps it was because of prefixed menu, they want to get you in and out, sad to say it was not a good experience.
(2)
Matt T.
I'm a vegetarian. I mean, I eat cheese and sometimes eggs, but I hadn't eaten an animal with eyes for over ten years... Until Joe's. We went for an office party, so we lucked out and got to try all kinds of amazing appetizers and whatever entrees we wanted. Crab cakes, King Crab legs, Snow Crab legs, and damn near anything with crab or lobster in it. I felt small pangs of guilt welling up inside of me as I chowed down on those poor undeserving animals. But, OMG, was it good. So good, in fact, that I am now re-thinking my whole "non-eating of animal-types" diet. Those crabs could have pinched me with their pincers - they are mean old animals. They deserve to die... ? And I definitely want to go back. On someone else's dime.
(5)
Robin B.
We made reservations for 6, we had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, which was perfect for a pre dinner cocktail. Nothing on the menu was disappointing, our group had the Alaskan King Crab, Stuffed Sole, NY Strip, Fillet Mignon. For appetizers we had the stone crab. A good to know is they crack the Alaskan King Crab for you where you can just use your appetizer fork, so no painful hands here. The service really made this visit special. I wish I would have got the server's name to write in this review, because he was impeccable. He had the table perfectly set for what we each ordered, without any of us noticing. He could tell some of us had never had stone crab and jumped in to show us how to properly eat it, without embarrassing anyone. He had auto gratuity on the bill, however we all felt that was not enough and threw in an extra $80 for the service that exceeded our expectations. We never had to ask for anything, it was like he could read our minds. In the end he sent over two complimentary Key Lime Pie slices which was a perfect ending to the night.
(5)
Jennifer N.
We decided to try Joe's after seeing all the rave ratings on Yelp. When we walked in we thought the decor was nice and old school comfortable - like nice steakhouse. Then it goes downhill after we are seated. We're usually not that fussy about dinnerware but our wine glasses had smudges, fingerprints, quite possibly lipstick, and a nice coat of dust (not just any dust but visible yellow and black particles) - we got those changed out. Then our plates came - 2 out of 3 had remnants of food - we got those changed. So by now I think our server hates us. After all this is downtown restaurant so the prices were well within our expectations - the selection and quality? Definitely not as good as Bob Chinn's or even McCormick and Schmicks for that matter. We ordered: Reisling, 2nd Mortgage - just loved the name, Full House, clam chowder and crab bisque, Stone Crabs, Bone-in ribeye, creamed spinach, and fried green tomatoes The appetizers were just okay (oyster rockefeller was burnt) and soups were decent. My personal opinion - I found out I don't like stone crab claws - cold, not very flavorful, and the shell bits all over your plate. Creamed spinach was standard. My server forgot to tell us that the kitchen was out of green tomatoes when we asked why one dish was missing. We got two slices of beefsteak tomatoes slathered with creamed spinach and melted mozzarella instead -- lets just say don't do this at home kiddies - it was just all wrong. The only saving grace was the perfectly cooked rib-eye - tender and flavorful. (Possibly the only reason I can give this place 3 stars). So we are happy again. The we ordered dessert - apple pie ala mode and ice cream sundae. The ice on both arrived half melted. Arggghh It doesn't end here! When we asked for the check, it totalled $873 - so I believe we got the check for the table of 9 next to us. We try to notify a server (ours was no where to be found) who politely takes a look and says "I don't think this is yours, let me see what I can do" and walks away. Our server appears with our check without a word and drops it off - no smile, no apology, no acknowledgement of why he had to give us another check. Perhaps this was an off night for Joe's. I wouldn't know because I don't think we will go back.
(3)
Yvonne C.
Insanely luxurious and pleasurable dining experience. Filet mignon (cooked perfectly with amazing meaty flavor), bone-in rib eye (also cooked perfectly with just the right amount of delicious, soft and crisp fat to show off the meat), Alaskan king crab legs (amazingly tender and juicy with a lovely briny flavor, served with hot melted butter), stone crab claws (YUM), mashed potatoes with cheesy toasted breadcrumbs on top (omg), green beans with almonds (perfectly cooked with a bit of crunch, and the almonds were delicious on their own), and then for dessert? Banana cream pie with a cinnamon crumble crust; peanut butter pie with a chocolate crumbly crust and hot fudge; key lime pie; old fashioned apple pie; and delicious hot coffees.... OH MY. Everything was cooked TO PERFECTION. The chefs could probably make all the food blindfolded; it was incredible. Plus, the service staff are so wonderful (professional and personable) - all throughout the evening I felt like a queen! I felt spoiled; it was a heavenly evening and I left, very happy and thankful. Thank you, Joe's!
(5)
Janine G.
Man I really really love joes, really upscale restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious, me and my boyfriend try to make it there at least once out the month... the gulf shrimps and the lobster tempura are absolutely delicious, you cannot go wrong at joes...
(5)
Nick K.
I'll have to admit that I was pretty disappointed after reading all the raving reviews about Joe's. We went on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy when we got there, but emptied out later in the night. My wife and I both got the bisque (i forget whether its lobster or crab). While it was very good, it was nearly as good as David Burke's or N9ne. I then got the snow crab claws and were disappointed with them. They were good, but hard to eat (expected) and were pretty much frozen when they were served to us. While our experience wasn't terrible, there are too many other good places in the city to go back to for me.
(3)
Zack C.
I don't like seafood, but the stone crab claws were actually bearable until I started thinking about what I was eating. The crab bisque is very creamy. Lobster macaroni and cheese is something else. Steak is steak. The dessert pies are delectable.
(3)
Craig Glenn S.
I love Joe's don't get me wrong there food is excellent and so is the wait staff. If I had to pick between Joe's and Hugo's, Hugo's wins hands down for me. I just prefer a little more casualness then Joe's. I'm strictly giving Joe's 4 stars based on my like for other seafood places... you can't go wrong with either though!
(4)
Mopsie B.
I didn't not like it but it's definitely a pale comparison to Shaw's. And I used to work for Lettuce Entertain You, a long time ago. While I don't take anything away from "concept restaurants," I find them a bit inauthentic in this day and age. After all is said and done, it's a chain. Which means it will look, feel and taste the same in Vegas. But all that said, I thought the service was very good (if a bit long winded- I don't think everyone in our party needed the entire specials menu read aloud and explained to them for 10 minutes) and the food was fine. The bathroom was too tight and I had to wait and pray that the door wouldn't hit me. Compared to Shaw's, the menu is really not very expansive. I went for the mahi mahi, which was described as having a "herbacious sauce" accompaniment plus jicama slaw. Well, the slaw was the most interesting thing on the plate. The mahi was a little dry and underseasoned for my taste. The sauce was like a green wig. It added some color but had nothing to do with taste. We were scolded a couple of times for wanting to keep our bread dishes and butter on the table ("We usually do things in stages," we were told) and had to ask for more bread (Really? ONE roll for a party of six?) but overall, I thought the experience was fine. The wine list was decent but overpriced. They don't serve true champagne by the glass. My husband and I sampled the key lime pie. Again, it was good, but Shaw's was better. Also, I find it rather ridiculous that the only green salad is almost seven dollars. I don't think it is even organic and certainly the portion doesn't justify the price. I will say that the crab cake and stone crab bisque were both very good. I would go back if asked but I'd really rather be at Shaw's.
(3)
Jeremy H.
Awesome awesome awesome. Staff was very courteous and pleasant to converse with. I ordered the Filet mignon, mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. The person I was with ordered the salmon. We also got the appetizer of snow crabs (I believe). My steak was cooked perfectly and quite delicious, and the salmon was apparently excellent as well. I wasn't *too* wild about the mashed potatoes, but they weren't bad by any means. The spinach was surprisingly tasty. The crab appetizer was delicious, although a bit pricey ($35) for the small amount you got. Overall, about $60/person (with a glass of wine each), and well worth it. We passed on the dessert as we were stuffed, and not overly impressed with the dessert menu (essentially all pies and a two varieties of ice cream).
(5)
Daniel L.
Just writing a quick review so I can give Joe's the 5 stars it deserves. There's plenty of reviews below already effusing praise item by item but really, just go for yourself. If it's more than you'd usually spend on dinner, find a special reason to justify it - good week at work...just bought a puppy...the Bears clinched a spot in the playoffs? It doesn't really matter because no one in their right mind has ever regretted dinner at Joe's - that's a scientifically-backed assertion, evidence forthcoming after you've dined at this fine Chicago destination.
(5)
Oscar W.
hummm.. had HIGH expectations for Joe's, and with all fairness that might've been why i'm giving it a three star. Hubby and i went on a Saturday late night for a special occasion. We were a bit late for our reservation, but was seated promptly. The waiter was very nice and charming, introduced the menu thoroughly but and we both went directly for the 5 piece large stone crab option. The environment was relaxed and neighborly. The crab legs were truly great - we actually just came back from Florida and ate crab legs there, but we still were immediately impressed by the extraordinary freshness and subtle texture at Joe's. But the last leg on the plate has gone bad and smelled. So we exchanged it for a fresh one. That go without say kinda was a disappointment - these guys are known for seafood!?! In a place like this we were kinda hoping for free dessert for that bad leg, but didn't happen. The waiter made it sound very ok (you know, you get one of those in a 100). Also the desserts we got (apple pie and peanut butter pie) were toooooooooooooooo sweet for our taste.....
(3)
Sarah W.
Joe's is our family's signature birthday dinner go to restaurant. The service never fails and the food is always mouth watering. The fried chicken (yes, I'm recommending the fried chick at a steak and stone crab restaurant) is to die for. The skin is super crunchy and the plate is big enough to take leftovers for lunch the next day, or two! I suggest the medium stone crabs, not the jumbo, because they have quiet a bit more flavor in my opinion. The lobster bisque is delicious, as well. The veggies in it our crunchy and give the bisque broth and lobster meat great texture. As for salads, I'd go for their chopped salad. In terms of meat, I'm a fillet person, so I naturally go for their fillet. I've heard from fellow dinners that their bone-in is to die for, though. The stuffed mushroom appetizer is great too. Finally, I like Jenny's mashed potatoes or the green beans for a side. We did a surprise party for my father in one of their private rooms one year and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences. Besides being gathered around great friends and conversation, the food and service was just as impeccable even with such a large group.
(5)
Amanda V.
One of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in the city. The strawberry shortbread cheesecake was to DIE FOR. Steaks, seafood, a decadent treat that will not disappoint.
(5)
Chris S.
True Chicago steak house dining with a Florida stone crab twist. I took my lady here for a splurge dinner and we ate like royalty. Stone crab appetizers followed with a king lobster tail (her) and the house specialty steak (me). Both were amazing. The lobster looked incredible and was big and meaty. It looked like it should be the best tasting entree. However, the steak reigned supreme and damn near melted in my mouth. It was perhaps the best steak to ever grace my lips. Everything accompanied by a bottle of red wine and followed up with a shared slice of key lime pie. The environment is noisy, crowded, and masculine. Also, you better be willing to drop some cash if you want the experience. All of those "minuses" fade to the sidelines, however, once you start eating.
(5)
Emma C.
Too bad, so sad. I don't mind paying big bucks for a meal if it's memorable, but this was not. The food, while fresh, was very one-dimensional...bite after bite was the same, and after the thrill of the first few high-end forkfuls wears off, the dishes have the culinary complexity of a pancake house. In Chicago, it's not hard to find quality steaks and seafood for a third of the price that are at least as delicious and presented with far more imagination. I am not a fan of the charred piece of sauceless meat alone on a big white plate for $48, sorry! And eight bucks for hash browns in too much, even if you call it "Lyonnaise." Apart from the brilliant $18 seafood salad, which had avocado, red peppers, asparagus, crab, lobster and shrimp (mmmm!), it was a very poor value, slightly snobbish and shockingly a snore.
(2)
Stacy M.
This place is incredible...worth every penny spent!!
(5)
megha b.
I realize stone crab is special anywhere, but this was just incredible- even my boyfriend who HATES all things from the sea enjoyed them! He was extremely happy with his filet, and our key lime pie for dessert was impossible to describe!! Looking forward to a trip back to the windy city, and of course, Joes!
GREAT SERVICE - perhaps the best and actually, definitely the best I've had in a while. Our server, young bald black guy, was warm, charismatic and checked on us in perfect intervals. He didn't scoff or was rude because we were participating in Restaurant Week but was great regardless. Food was great, stone crabs were slightly disappointing although I wasn't sure what to expect since I heard about them for so long. Desserts were excellent - bloody mary slightly too thick but the huge shrimp made up for it! Will go back and happy I went!
(5)
Jacqui C.
I have to say that I went to Joe's Seafood for the first time, somewhat skeptical (but with an open mind). I went with a rather large group of 10 or so, and it was absolutely a fantastic experience. Our waiter was exceptional and very friendly/helpful. I had the stone crabs, which is totally stereotypical to get at Joe's, but they did not disappoint at all. In fact, I keep dreaming about them and can't wait to go back and have them again. They were so. Good. My one "complaint" about Joe's is that the wait staff insists that they'll keep track of the number of sides that your table has ordered and that they won't let you order too much, but I'm pretty sure that absolutely did NOT happen when my group was there. They were asking every person at the table to order a side (which is big and family style, for each side), so we had a shit-ton of sides leftover when we were done. Of course, it's in their better interest to get us all to order sides, but they said they'd help us NOT order too much, and they didn't really do that. It's not a huge deal, but whatever. The prices are of course rather high, so it's not somewhere you're going to go every weekend or anything. But the service and the food is definitely worth it, and like I said, I keep dreaming about going back. I would have no problem bringing friends, family, and out-of-towners here for a great Chicago food experience.
(5)
Megan M.
We didn't have a reservation (bad idea on a Saturday night), but we got a seat in the bar and ate in there. It was pretty crowded til 9pm or so but then it got better and we could eat without being bumped into. Next time I'll make a reservation. The food was excellent! I had the petit filet and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had! I'd definitely go back. I also had a nice glass of wine. Very tasty! The menu is pretty basic but it's basic stuff done well. Watch out for the drink prices, though. My husband had a glass of whiskey and it was $12! A whole bottle of the same stuff costs $40 at the liquor store. Crazy!
(4)
Chrissy T.
It's once in a blue moon my boyfriend and I like to treat ourselves to a fancy dinner, I chose Joe's after reading all the raving reviews and i have to say I'm in shock with all the great reviews. We had an order of the Alaskan crab legs which are the only ones that are served warm so we were forced to get those as opposed to the stone crab which are only served chill. Thegave us 3 Alaskan crab legs the size of my pinky for 75 dollars, I am not exaggerating!! I for sure thought our server fogot the other plate. I ordered the tempura lobster which was alright, I would of rather had sushi elsewhere. We also got a side of their hash browns, "a signature side" that we had better at a local breakfast spot. Our bill ended up being sky high and we were't even satisfied, I was still pretty hungry. The only thing that filled me up was the Key lime pie martinis which was the only amazing thing I had but DON'T have more than two. It wasn't the pricing of our orders that was the issue, it was the portions and quality.
(1)
OldIrvingPoodle H.
I'm a fan of the menu, the food, but not the atmosphere. Always a loud loud crowd. Tables so close together that you can not even walk through. Make sure to reserve a booth and have a voice to yell across the table.
(3)
donna y.
I'm not usually one to go for seafood, especially crab, because of how messy it gets. I went for a girls lunch and so enjoyed the stone crab. I'm also not big on dessert but as others have said... the key lime pie is not to be missed!
(5)
Erica M.
This place is fantastic. The food is always top notch and very enjoyable. Been here a few times and have always left a very happy individual. NOTE: They now have a brunch on Sunday's only that just started not too long ago. You will definitely want to try it out. We've been there twice for the brunch and each time was pricey but great!
(5)
Keith R.
This is my 5th or 6th times to Joe's and once again not disappointed. The seafood appetizer with the crab claws, shrimp, and Alaska king crab legs were to die for. It doesn't get any better. Ordered the bone in filet and it was outstanding. Table ordered almost every desert on the menu. We all sampled each one the deserts and the winner was the Key lime pie. A close second was the peanut butter pie. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
James D.
If you have a group, pass on this one. We went there last night, table for 5. One of our party was going to be 5 minutes late. We were told that we could not be seated until he arrived. Then they delayed seating us for 45 minutes past our original reservation, I suspect to teach us a lesson. This was deeply embarrassing as it was business dinner and our guests were not impressed. There are too many great restaurants in Chicago to put up with this. Yes, the food was good, but not fantastic and not worth the impolite treatment.
(1)
Jennifer K.
Sigh. What can I say about this awesome restaurant? First, the location is top notch. It's within walking distance of movie theaters, shops, and fun cafes. So it's a nice little dinner setting once you're done for the day. I'm a big fan of steak and seafood so I didn't know what to expect when I entered the restaurant; especially the seafood! But then I had the stone crab...delicious! A side of sweet potato fries completes it. Though I have yet to try their steaks; time for another visit? I was so full that I didn't order dessert; but I did filch off some of my friend's banana cream pie! The food was wonderful and the service was so-so. I think it was due to the fact that the restaurant was super busy when we got there. Considering the fact that it was almost full, the servers did a fine job of making sure we got our orders. I definitely recommend it for group gatherings.
(4)
Blake W.
So we finally got around to eating at Joe's which is unfortunately one of the only few high end seafood places in town. My Fiance and I walked in and were seated right away which was nice because the dinning room was full. We sat down and looked through the wine list, they had a couple of our favorites which made it easy pickings. We started with the jumbo crab cake and the ceviche. The crab cake was good, the side aioli had a nice kick to it and the cake itself was very meaty not alot of breading (which should be expected at this price). The ceviche was very good, nice and refreshing, possibly a little too tart and tangy over powering the seafood in the mix but still a winner. For dinner I had the Black Cod -- Fantastic. The fish was cooked perfectly and the glaze was great sweet but not overpowering. She had the crab legs which were also very good. I almost forgot about the the crab bisque -- I thought it started great but quickly started to taste bad for some reason, sh really like hers all the way through. For dessert we had a the Key Lime pie which as also very solid. Our server was Howard and I couldn't find anything to complain about. He was great and the buss staff was always around quickly to fill waters and get the dirty plates out of the way. I look forard to coming back again for sure!
(4)
Ronnie V.
Very Good. Came here with 7 friends last night to enjoy the restaurant week deal and it was incredible. Assuming its not restaurant week and you can't get a pound of crab, potatoes, cole slaw, soup and pie for $30, I would still recommend this place. I did not have any steak, but judging from my friends' reaction to it the steak is good but not great. On the other hand, the crab was phenomenal. I happen to love crab and they do it very well. I plan on coming back here to get my crab fix. The wine list was decent and prices were fair. Also, the key lime pie was delicious. Our server was very nice and very helpful although he seemed a bit tied up since it was a busy night, and I'm sure a group of 8 isn't the easiest to handle.
(4)
christine c.
bleh. got the filet mignon and the seafood platter (fried calamari, grilled scallop, grilled shrimp and grilled cod), and a side of sweet potato fries. the best thing: fries next best: calamari next: filet mignon/scallop shrimp was just burnt and the cod was dry...
(3)
Bella V.
I just thought this place was so so... The stone crab was good, but they didn't serve it warm (whick, in my opinion is the only way to have it). I think the menu was very unimpressive, and simple for the atmosphere. I did enjoy the lobster and tjhe ceviche, and thought they had a nice wine list. Other than that, it was simply mediocre, and the sides were awful! I wouldn't wast my time or money here, but then agin, I'm spoiled from living in FL so long, I suppose.
(3)
Joshua M.
Ordered a 12oz filet from the Dine-In service and was pleasantly surprised. A very good cut of meat, cooked perfectly, with a very nice flavor. The mashed potatoes had a bread crumb-ish topping on them which was a nice change. And the Boston creme pie was about as authentic as I've had outside of Boston.
(4)
Gina D.
I had never tried Stone Crabs before dining at Joe's and WOW they were amazing! That mustard sauce everyone talks about was good as well, but honestly, I was enjoying the flavor the the stone crabs so much, the rest didn't matter. The entire meal was tasty and the waiter was friendly and helpful. I thought it was reasonably priced for what you got. The only negative, which really isn't a negative was the key lime pie...I thought it was just okay, yet my husband loved it so what do I know! If you've never been and are considering trying Joe's, I highly recommend it!
(5)
Denton J.
All in all, Joe's was a pretty good experience. The service was nice, the food was good and the atmosphere was fairly intimate, despite the expansive space. Our waiter was extremely nice and explained everything in great detail. At times, I felt almost overwhelmed by all the explanations and suggestions, but it's much better that way than to be left alone and clueless. I ordered the filet and stone crabs. The steak was excellent, cooked to a nice, deep red, just as I asked. The crabs were good, too, but I was a little annoyed with the shells. They were highly praised for being cracked in the kitchen to cut down on the work done by the diner. While they were pre-cracked, there was no less work--I'd argue maybe even more--to actually eat the stuff because the shell still stuck to the meat and there were so many little pieces of shell all over the plate, getting into the tasty sides. Minor gripes aside, it was a great meal. It was, for a first time visitor, shockingly expensive. Luckily, I wasn't paying so it worked out alright. If you can find someone else to pay, this is a great place to go. Personally, though, I prefer Shaw's a little more.
(4)
Kelly D.
Food =excellent! Had the ribeye, and it was perfection! Fried green tomatoes were superb! Matthew our server was great! Will go back!!
Let's start with the meat of the review (so cheesy, I know). 6 of us ordered the porterhouse $50, a reasonable price), 1 ordered the filet mignon. As a note, the porterhouse is 28 oz, 6 oz of which is bone, so expect to gain 22 oz in weight as a result of downing this sucker. The steak is quite good, a very thick cut. Incidentally, two of our steaks came out a bit overdone, and the waiter replaced them right away without us even really asking for it - fantastic service! One slight downside - the steak is on the salty side. It could have used a tad less seasoning. We tried one order of the stone crab, and we were not impressed. In my opinion, the crab does not have much taste, and they give you lemon wedges and a mustard/mayo dipping sauce for it. Great crab shouldn't require this. The crab is also served cold (refrigerated temperature), which seems to dull the taste. The side dishes were okay, nothing stood out. We tried five of the desserts, and the mudpie was the best one. The desserts are also cheap (2.95 each!). Overall, we had a good and filling meal.
(4)
Bella D.
Loved eating here! Got my fix of CALAMARI and CRAB LEGGS~!~~! And tried the STONE CRAB!! loved it too! : ) Bring a pal and chow down on some good seafood! TGFS - thank goodness for Seafood!! : )
(4)
Lily M.
I love this place. I go at least every other week and dine at the bar. The bartenders - Staats, Scott, Dan - are really great guys and make a mean dirty martini... one is usually enough!!! The crab cakes, lobster salad, and key lime pie are fantastic. So is the sweet potato pecan pie but it will only be available through the holidays. Don't be discouraged by the crowds, it's worth the wait.
(5)
David R.
Excellent, freshly prepared seafood, served in a bright and lively atmosphere. Our server was very attentive and provide excellent information on the menu offerings and specials. Table favorites included the famous crab, along with the outstanding Black Cod. Steaks were well seasoned and prepared to order. While the wine list was very comprehensive, the offerings by the glass were more limited.
(4)
Steve R.
I stayed away from this place a good long while due to thinking it was an offshoot of Joe's Crab Shack. Then we went here for some work thing. Overall, s'ok but I would never make it a destination. It's clearly geared toward being a lunch meeting type place, but in spite of the upscale vibe I found the seafood to be average. Service was good, fast and curt like you'd expect. They do seem to try to turn over tables quickly. I'd go back, but it's not somewhere I would get that excited about.
(3)
Vince A.
Go here for the Stone Crab. Any of the fish dishes are awesome, they claim to be a Prime Steak house but I wasn't impressed by my Ribeye. The Key Lime pie is to die for though. Over all a fine dining experience but I won't be getting a steak there again.
(4)
Dustin S.
In Chicago on business, found Joe's through Yelp! I was alone, so I ate in the bar. Long story short.......IMPRESSIVE meal! 4 succulent stone crab claws for appetizer YUM... BONE IN FILET for main course WOWZA (3 inches thick, crisp on the outside and like BUTTA in the middle) The roasted corn was amazingly delish, and the espresso and a slice of key lime pie finished off the perfect meal. As a Nebraska boy, it pains me to say that the best steak and CORN I have ever had were in CHICAGO! DAMMIT
(5)
R. M.
I was in Chicago on business and based on the reviews here, we decided to give Joe's a try. We decided on this at the last minute and no reservations were available, so we sat in the lounge/bar. Getting a table there was a little tough too. I'd suggest calling in advance to get a real reservation. In terms of the food, I had the filet/king crab and it was phenomenal, and the mashed potatos were some of the best I've ever had. I followed the advice here and save room for a key lime pie - yummy! The service was great and the bartender makes a great martini. I'll be back when I'm in Chicago again!
(5)
Scott N.
I'm hesitant to say this, but I'm just gonna go for it -- that was the best steak I've ever had! 30-day, dry-aged, bone-in, ribeye cooked medium rare. wow! Had the 2nd mortgage to start with -- stone crab, lobster tail, shrimp -- also amazing. Wait staff was decent, but he needs to learn what "Jack Daniels, keep 'em coming" means ;-)
(5)
Evan S.
A very enjoyable eating experience, indeed! Had my end of summer dinner here with a partner of my firm and a fellow intern. WE WENT ALL OUT. Shrimp cocktail and crab appetizers, Lobster mac 'n cheese, steamed spinach, steak entrees. And we finished off with the key lime pie. Flanked with wonderful house wines, the experience was an unforgettable one. Add this place to your Chicago steakhouse tour!
(5)
John G.
Joe's Stone Crabs is a fine restaurant, but all things considered (especially its cost) it's a little overrated. The food is very good, and sometimes exceptional. But after eating here a number of times I've found that the food and the service are a little inconsistent. While everybody is very polite, I've seen Joe's screw up orders a couple of times. They will acknowledge and fix their mistake, but it should never happen with this kind of frequency at a restaurant this expensive. They could stand to be a little quicker to remove these screw-ups from your bill, too. As a steakhouse, Joe's is good but not exceptional. Their bone-in steaks are the best options; the other cuts are just okay. For these prices, you're better off buying a steak at a nice butcher shop and asking me to grill it for you. The bulk of their seafood menu has some excellent options, like the blue nose grouper or the red snapper. But there are some mediocre dishes here as well so be careful what you order. The waiters will all tell you that everything is "excellent" but so did the guy who sold weed in my dorm in college. Joe's really stands out for two things. First, the stone crabs (surprised, right?). This is their specialty and is the reason to eat here. Although expensive, they are absolutely delicious and better than any crabs you've ever had (especially those ones). Don't bother coming to Joe's if you're too cheap to get the stone crabs. Better yet, come on your office expense account so you can get righteous and not worry about the bill. That's what I do and I get the jumbo ("market price") every time. Second, Joe's has kick-ass deserts so save room (which won't be hard if you order the wrong thing). The peanut butter pie is my favorite, but everything from the apple pie to the key lime pie rocks the house that rocks the body. If you ask, Joe's will kindly give you half-sizes so you can get a couple of desserts and try everything, fatty. Finally, they have the slowest valet here of all time. I have no idea where they park your car, but I think the lot is somewhere in the vicinity of 39th and Lake Shore.
(3)
Mike N.
I was attracted to this restaurant because of its location across the street from my hotel. I also liked that it featured seafood. I was not disappointed. Even without eating their signature stone crab, you will not be disappointed. Good selection of seafood and steak. Nice salads. Good wine list. Excellent desserts. Steaks are cooked appropriately, fish cooked well with good sized portions. Sides are also well done. Friendly attentive service. Worth a return trip.
(4)
Greg F.
Everything we had here was delicious, steaks, fish, sides, but the crab was definitely stood out from the rest.
Just got back from a wonderful meal at Joes. There were 8 in our party so we had plenty of dishes to sample. Started off with a few crab cakes: extremely good and definitely recommended.. Then had some crab legs (shell cracked open made it so easy!) They were fresh and delicious! Side dishes (ala cart) were really good: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and Brussel sprouts (if you're a fan of Brussel sprouts, it's pretty good). Parmesan flounder was delicious as was the filet mignon. My daughter ordered the mushroom stuffed sole .... Mmmmmm. Pies are outstanding! Staff is professional, helpful and friendly. (There's only one downside and it's not about the food... Why not enlarge womens' restroom?? I'm not a big person and it was uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Must have been designed by a man!:)
(5)
Lauren P.
i've been here numerous times and joe's never disappoints. the food is amazing and the service is always outstanding. i would even venture to say it's better than shaw's (shh!) everything i've tried from the menu is delicious, but i almost always get the crab bisque and stone crab plus a few sides. you'll also do yourself a disservice if you don't save room for key lime pie! my mouth is watering just thinking about it. go!
(5)
ER S.
Very nice for New Year's Eve takeout... the stone crab legs with mustard sauce at home with some nice champagne and your significant other is quite a lovely way to ring in the New Year. The sides are standard steakhouse... I wish they were a bit more creative. The only exception is the potatoes with onions (Jenny potatoes?). They're so greasy you'll feel sick afterward, but they sure do taste good.
(4)
Jay V.
Three words, KEY LIME PIE. end of review. service is always good to great, it's Melman!
(5)
Jenny S.
WOW! Just ate here for the first time last night. I am still thinking about the great glass of pinot grigio from Italy. Maybe the best I have had! They sat us not too long after our reservation time. Not bad for a Saturday night. Likely they are on time because they have such a large and efficient staff. Service is outstanding -ask for Monique- one of the VERY FEW women on the wait staff. She is a terrific waitress. And it appears she has a loyal following. The food was prepared just perfectly and quite quickly. Again, everything about this place was efficient. The Mahi is a very tasty dish on the menu and I highly recommend it. Very unusual but delicious blend of herbs on top. The Jennie potatoes were so yummy. The rest of the people at my table loved their meals as well. I tasted the crab cakes and they were perfect and loaded with crab! To finish off the night our waitress informed us that first time visitors get to try the key lime pie on the house! WOOHOO and YUMMY! This place is first class! Cannot wait to go back to see Monique and the rest of the staff!
(5)
Joy E.
I came here with my boyfriend for an anniversary dinner. I've been here a few times and the food and service was great. This is the place to go if you are celebrating a special occasion and want to dress up. We had the stone crab appetizer. The meat was succulent and juicy. The server gave us a warm towel with lemon to wipe our hands after, which I thought was a nice touch. After, I ordered the crab bisque. The flavor was good but a bit salty which disappointed me. For our entrees my boyfriend had the strip steak. He asked for it medium and it was cooked to perfection. I had the crab cakes. Usually when I order them I expect half crab meat half filler. But when I tasted these, I was pleasantly surprised that it was all lump crab. It only came with two portions but they were huge! By the time we were done we were so full and could not order dessert which I highly regret. All in all I would come back to this place anytime. It is a bit expensive but if you are looking for good food and service you must visit Joe's Seafood.
(5)
Mork M.
I had a groupon so's I ordered lunch to go. I had the fish and chips and a slice of boston creme pie because it came out to be a dollar over the price of the coupon and being a cheap bastard I didn't want to spend money because a few weeks ago I went to Next to eat dinner, so sue me. The food was great, impeccable really, honestly they tried to kill me with all the extras and the butter and bread and the extra fudge for the cake. I'll come back and give it a sit-in review because ... well, I have another coupon and I'm a cheap bastard.
(4)
Tim L.
Great Food and service. Everything we had was excellent. Would visit again.
(5)
Meredith G.
Some might say this is where you go for a Chicago style steak & seafood dinner in the city. Reservations are a must and they have several private rooms available too. Our server was nice, but way to chatty. Just wanted him to pour the wine and go, but he lingered a bit to much. So, as a group of 6 we started with the in season Cold Stone Crab Claws from Florida. Then we ordered more of those and 2 bone in steaks to share. Plus the crab cakes that were fabulous. And the sides are family style. We had the garlic creamy spinach & a corn special side. Then came dessert and we had 5 to share. They are knows for their pies. My favorite was called Havana Dream and it was like a Dulce leche cake. I could've eaten it all myself, but other forks got in my way. We also had blueberry pie, key lime pie, & brownie sundae. We left with full bellies and will be back next year.
(4)
Lydia Z.
Food was okay. My aged steak, for $67, was not tender or very good. I would have complained but it was a business dinner. Service was painfully slow but professional.
(2)
Grace E.
4.5 Stars -- very traditional, very classy, very Chicago Upon walking into the restaurant, my dining buddy and I were greeted with cordial smiles. For those who may not have had the foresight or time to make a reservation, a cozy bar and cocktail area invites guests to grab a drink while waiting to be seated. After being directed past the penguin-suited waiters to our cozy 2-top table, we were charmed by the polite yet unpretentious service. Food: Large Stone Crab Appetizer - chilled and delicious. Honestly, at $24 per order, I was expecting this to be somewhat more spectacular, but I appreciated the simple dress of Joe's mustard sauce and lemon. It keeps the crabmeat tasting light and fresh. Wild Sock-Eye Salmon special - Flavorful, nicely seasoned, and thoroughly enjoyed. Bone-In Filet Mignon - Though I decided not to try some of the meat myself, my friend seemed to think this was a perfect execution of a filet. Pan-roasted Sweet Corn - This is the one thing you simply should not miss. After devouring the half-order of this side dish, we placed another full order of the corn before finishing our entrees. Don't get me wrong, the entrees were delicious, but the corn seemed to steal the show for us. Buttery, garlicky, peppery, with a zesty lime finish, we just couldn't get enough. Overall? It's nice. For a classy, enjoyable evening with traditional upscale steakhouse and seafood options, Joe's is a wonderful choice.
(5)
Laura D.
If you haven't been to Joe's yet...you need to make your way there as soon as possible! While it's a little pricey, it's worth every single penny. Everything is cooked to perfection and the service is stellar. The moment you walk in the revolving door it feels as though you've stepped into a black and white movie where greats starred and ate decadent food. The dark wood, dim lighting, white linens, corner booths and the pictures of Chicago's past on the walls all add to how special this place is. The staff is in tuxedos and adds to the whole experience. While there are an abundance of waiters and waitresses around to help with whatever needs to be done, it is not overwhelming. They have perfected the dance of being there without having their presence felt as a swarm...I have yet to see any one of them run into anyone and they're moving constantly - that's impressive! Any steak you order will be better than any other you've had. The aged steaks are literally the best I've had and to make it a surf and turf meal is the way to go in my book. The King Crab is buttery (before the butter) and the freshest I've had. All the sides come in family style portions and I haven't had one I didn't like yet. The offer seasonal sides and dishes as well but their staples are so good you don't have to stray away from your faves. Dessert is amazing...their Key Lime Pie is divine. I don't even like key lime pie and this is something we have to get every time! That and their Boston Cream Pie is the best! They also have great cocktails and they'll make them any way you like. The Key Lime Pie Martini has a graham cracker/sugar rimmed glass that adds to the flavor without overpowering the drink. They also make a great Manhattan with Rye Whiskey. We have made this spot our go-to for celebrations and it has been a wonderful experience each and every time.
(5)
Lina W.
This review is for Restaurant Week at Joe's. STAY AWAY during this week. Everything taste like pond sewage. My friend somehow convinced me to participate in Restaurant week at Joe's and it was the most overpriced and diarrhea inducing meal ever. Initially I thought $22 for a choice of Manhattan chowder or crab bisque, 4 medium stone crab claws, side of hashbrowns and cole slaw, and choice of key lime pie or banana cream pie was a sweet deal, but I should have adhered to the common wisdom, "you get what you paid for." Crab bisque - I didn't have any crab in my bisque, but now I know what melted butter, boiled heavy cream, chunks of tomatoes and garlic taste like together. Medium claws - these claws tasted old and bland. They were impossible to eat even though they were cracked open for us. The meat stuck to the shells and there was not much to eat. I lost the patience after the 2nd claw to even finish. Hashbrowns and Slaw - Somehow the proportions are stupidly off. We were given 4 tiny inedible claws and then a giant plate of approximately 2 pounds of burnt hash browns that floated in grease. Massive entree sized cole slaw was just shredded lettuce, relish and tomatoes topped sour cream. These were the worst sides I have ever had. Banana Cream Pie - Is this supposed to be melted? The pie was 4 inches of melting whipped creme and 1/4 inch of banana... Key Lime Pie - tastes store bought. Nothing special here. We ordered the crab cake entree since they claimed that the crab cakes at Joe's are "the best EVER." I've made better crab cakes myself. 2 little crab cakes for $29.90 is the biggest rip off I have ever encountered. You'd think Joe's would at least be more attentive to regular priced food items, but it looks like they half-a$$ed that too. Lastly, as soon as our waiter heard that we were here for restaurant week, he neglected to give us any further attention. Our waters were not refilled and he blew us off after we complained that the food quality was horribly prepared. His response was, "I'll let the kitchen know. " I vow to NEVER coming back here after getting such sh*tty treatment. To top of this review, I had stomach problems on my way home after my meal at Joe's and had to spend the rest of the day on the can. My general advice - Do not participate in Restaurant Week for ANY restaurant.
(1)
Damian C.
I had crab for the first time last night in about 15 years. But last time I had crab it was in Virginia Beach. I remember it clearly. Family vacation... seafood restaurant... tacky fish bone skeleton hanging from the ceiling. Back in the days when I was a super picky eater and ate from only 3 main food groups: pizza, chicken fingers, and spaghetti. My dad made me try a bite of his crab leg and I thought it was awful and pretty much put an end to any chance of ordering it again. Thankfully, times have changed and my taste buds have matured and I am willing to try just about anything. I decided on Joe's for my 28th (eek) birthday dinner yesterday. I've been on a steak kick lately and sought out what appeared to be the best steakhouse according to Yelpers. We set a reservation a few weeks out and were able to go in yesterday on my actual birthday! The house was pretty packed for a Monday night at 6PM. We were seated in the back in a cozy booth. Our waiter was EXTREMELY resourceful and gave us the restaurant's history, all the specials, recommendations, and pretty much everything we needed to know and more. I did not realize that this place was originally more of a seafood and crab house and that steaks were a recent (well, not really recent, but you know) addition to their menu. Since I am not a crab connoisseur I got the full sales pitch on their famous and highly recommended stone crab. He sold us on it! We ordered the "Justin" cabernet to start, and put in our orders for the large stone crab appetizer, two petite filets (one with Alaskan King Crab), Jennie's Mashed Potatoes and Joe's Grilled Tomatoes. The crab was absolutely delicious! At $22 for an order of two it's a pretty tough expense to swallow if you don't like crab, so I was a bit nervous about it. It was tender and flavorful - I am now disappointed in myself that I haven't tried it in years! Chalk it up as a dumb, dumb teenage move I suppose. My only problem was that I kept chomping on hard bits of the membrane. I should have paid more attention when our waiter explained the best way to avoid this situation. I promise to take better notes next time! Random side note: I never knew that crab shells could be so hard. It was similar to a thick porcelain vase or tile. I probably could have made some fun jewelry for the females in my family. If I were crafty at all. Just sayin'. My steak was perfect. Juicy, seasoned wonderfully, a perfectly done medium steak. (I am normally a medium-well type of guy, BUT I've been shown the "medium-at-maximum" way). I can't say anything more about it that hasn't been said already. They really hit the nail on the head with it! The tomatoes were delicious and the potatoes were phenomenal. Another little secret - I don't like mashed potatoes. It's a texture thing. I can't help it. However, I was told by two friends that I must get the mashed potatoes because they are unlike anything I've ever had. They were right. Whoever Jennie is - I love you. They were so fluffy and covered in so much crunchy goodness that I couldn't put my fork down. Although they say the sides are large enough to share I would advise getting your own because they are addictive. A few things to note: *I felt a little underdressed in an argyle sweater, jeans, and a pair of Skechers, since the staff were dressed in tuxes and the after-work and tourist crowd were in. *The dessert they gave me for my birthday (a brownie sundae) was fantastic and you MUST MUST MUST save room for pie. I couldn't eat anymore, so I took a piece of the peanut butter pie home. My mouth is watering just typing about it. *Their timing is spot on. It seemed as if everything came out quickly and at the perfect moment. There were no long pauses while waiting for the next course and I never felt that we were trying to locate a missing course or waiter. *Ask questions. I learned so much about the restaurant, the food, and everything else. The waiter was a huge resource and I appreciated the time he spent going over all of this for us. For a random night out the place is pretty pricey but the food and the ambiance make it worth every penny. Just be warned that you will probably drop 2+ Benjamins on dinner. It's a great place to take a good friend, significant other, or someone you are looking to wow! Thanks to my date and the staff here - what a great place to celebrate my birthday!
(5)
Xi L.
Overall, it is a five star restaurant. The stone crab is very fresh and tasteful. Steak is much better than some other big name steakhouse. The best thing is the professional service, which really makes you can fully enjoy the food. I will definitely visit it again to try others cos there are so many choices and cooking styles.
(5)
Arjun M.
So far this is the best steak I've had in Chicago. I'm a huge steak fan and this place rivalled some of the best steakhouses I've experienced in New York. Bone-in filet mignon is an absolute winner. The seasoning is very tasty but doesn't overpower the natural juicy flavors of the meat. Very well balanced. I've even had fish dishes there that were spectacular (Dover Sole). Key lime pie is also fantastic. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Amelia B.
I confess. I'm not a steak person. Sacrilegious, i know. So when I moved to Chicago, I dreaded the 40 million steakhouses. And when you take a client out, or you go out of a nice dinner with people from out of town, EVERYONE wants to go to a steakhouse. Enter Joe's. Sweet crab legs. Oh sweet sweet crab legs. While everyone else can have their bone-in filets, I am in pure bliss with piles of crab legs. Definitely the best you can find in the city. There is no better place to impress a guest than at Joe's. The desserts are also to die for--peppermint ice cream, anyone? One note to the ladies---be CAREFUL when walking in heels. I've nearly fallen every time I've been here--the floors are super slick (especially after a few cocktails).
(5)
Mary T.
If there's one thing my office knows how to do, it's throw a party. Of course we're good at our business too; if we weren't, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate. But I digress. Our party of around 70 was placed in one of the private rooms in back. One end of the room was set up for a sit-down dinner and the other outfitted with a bar and a few high tops. The bar setup made it easy to mingle and enjoy the passed apps (my kind of multitasking). During our cocktail hour, we had an amazing selection of appetizers with my favorites being the crab legs, seared ahi, and coconut shrimp. The bar staff was great, they make a mean greyhound and had servers milling through our group to ensure no drink ran dry. For dinner, we had a set menu, which was quite generous. We started with a Caesar salad and were given a choice of 9 entrees and three desserts. I opted for the ahi Asian-style and chocolate fudge pie. My ahi was not only huge, but amazing. Seared, it came with a side of fresh wasabi, ginger and soy sauce. My first bite nearly brought me to tears; not because it was so amazing (but it was), but because fresh wasabi is so fucking strong. The tiniest bit made my eyes water and my nose burn a bit, but I liked it. For sides we had grilled tomatoes, green beans amandine, and Jennie's mashed potatoes, all of which were fabulous, but especially those beans. Joe's seems to live by the saying "bigger is better." Everything here is huge, the desserts were no exception. Our dessert choices were: key lime pie, banana cream pie and chocolate fudge pie. I went with the chocolate and had no plans to share; however, I could barely make a dent. I swear that slice stood 4" high; even if I had started with dessert, I don't think I could've finished that monstrosity! Generally, service was excellent and very high touch; the only real service hiccup was at the end of the night. One of our planners was informed that Joe's had decided to close down our bar citing that they're a restaurant, not a bar. It certainly wasn't the end of the world and definitely wouldn't keep me from coming back here. I was enjoying catching up with people I missed before dinner and it seemed odd that they'd want to put our group out rather than make more money off of us.
(4)
Peter H.
Joe's is my favorite restaurant, period. Bone in filet, fried asparagus, killer martini. Madagascar shrimp is huge, and amazing. Awesome desserts. Nice little bar area if you want to grab a bar table and get a drink and appetizer if you can get there right after work and beat the rush. 2nd mortgage is a delicious little sampler appetizer w/ceviche, shrimp, and a few other throw ins. You cannot go wrong here, Howie is the best.
(5)
Jake E.
I took my fiance here the night we were engaged. Our meal was phenomenal and my stomach is still angry we have not been back yet. I was concerned about the ambiance for my first night out with my fiance, as I found it difficult to find any quality pictures of the dining room. However, it did not let me down as the lights were dimmed, solid wood decor surrounded the room with shelving of wine bottles and mirrors about as soft jazz hummed through the air at a level you could hear, but never that I had to talk over. We were fortunate to have a comfy booth to the side of the dining room and cannot thank the staff enough for accommodating my request to be placed somewhere intimate. The food was delicious. No question. The wedge salad was a wedge salad, yet I'm still dreaming of that damn salad. My fiance ordered the bone-in-filet and I the dry aged bone in ribeye. No complaints. Cooked perfectly and it came with this white-pepper-sea-salt-coriander-little-drops-of-Âjesus-laced seasoning on the side. For the sides, we ordered the broccoflower and brussels-sprouts both roasted to perfection and not overcooked (as I feel 95% of restaurants do to their vegatables). Nothing extravagant on the sides, but it sure was refreshing to have vegetables cooked as they should be. We sampled wine, ate stone crab, had more wine, and dessert. The peanut butter pie was excellent, surpassed only by my mothers. I used to wait tables and feel that somehow entitles me to have an expect opinion on how this sort of thing should go. That being said, our server knew every item on the menu, how it was cooked, what wine went well, which oils were applied, how long it was aged, down to the machines and knives they used to cut everything. Very pleased and very impressed from the host, to the coat check, to the waiter, to the bussers. I can promise I'll be back as the menu leaves many combinations and dishes to be discovered.
(5)
Jen S.
Everyone at the restaurant was exceedingly friendly. We started with the Shrimp de jonghe appetizer which was very good. Our waiter warned it was very garlicky, which it was, but I didn't find it overwhelming. We chose crab cakes and the lobster stuffed sole for our mains and the roasted corn and mashed potatoes for our sides. I appreciated that when I asked our waiter what size side was appropriate for two, he said half portions (which were just right) rather than trying to up sell us to full portions. The roasted corn was amazing. I was surprised there are so many rave reviews of the mashed potatoes-we are pretty sure they were instant. Definitely wouldn't order again. The crab cakes were great as was the sole. We found the portions to be adequate. Others mentioned getting a piece of key lime pie from their waiters on their first visit, we were not so lucky. I agree with other reviewers that mentioned how tightly everyone is packed in. It was a battle getting to our table and once there, it is tight. We had a nice experience overall but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to go back the next time we visit Chicago.
(4)
Tom Y.
Flying into town I had to try out this institution, I came here with a co-worker for a late-lunch. It was pretty empty by the time we got there and we were seated immediately, our server was super nice. They have a lunch special with 5 medium stone-crab legs with two sides and a slice of pie all of a reasonable price. The bread basket had a really good selection of different breads, not just your usual. The food was freaking awesome, the crab legs were good, the hash browns and the cole slaw was great. I had the key lime pie, and quite possibly it was one of the best key lime pies I have ever had. They were willing to substitute any of the sides I had for something else as well as the type of pie for dessert. Overall the food was great, almost a value. The only reason I didn't give this place 5-stars was because our water glasses got pretty empty on more than one occasion, and I was getting pretty thirsty. Tips: Eat here for lunch if you are want to save a few bucks, fewer people, same food better prices. If you are driving here just do valet parking, it is just cheaper than parking nearby.
(4)
Michael K.
Pretty awesome place! Funny that it's probably the best steak I've had in Chicago (granted, haven't been to a few top chop spots that I'd like yet). Sides were great. Had the roasted corn, mashed potatoes and mushroom mac and cheese. Steak was pretty good and the seafood salad (lobster, shrimp, crab) was pretty awesome. Will try again and consider a 5 star once we try more traditional seafood from here! A def place to visit!
(4)
Rebecca S.
Best stone crab I've ever had! Went here for my anniversary and enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Josh B.
Pricey! The stone crab claws were good but I think were a bit TOO frozen - didnt' really feel they were worth the $.
(3)
Stevie C.
THIS IS NOT JOE'S CRAB SHACK!!!! Sorry but that just annoyed me when I was talking to people about this place. I'm sure this restaurant was probably around waaay before the crab shack and now must suffer. I enjoyed the very attentive service and I was thrilled with my own filet. However, do be warned that it seems that a thick char on the outside of steaks is par for the course. I didn't mind it but others did not enjoy the method of preparation. Also, the Madagascar Shrimp are sold by individual shrimp. That can run up your app bill but they are huge and worth it.
(3)
J L.
This is my favourite restaurant in town. Words do not describe how good it is. I recommend: Scallops Bone-in ribeye (dry aged if available) Madagascar shrimp (if you feel like splurging) King crab legs Stone crabs
(5)
Kelly C.
I brought my parents here when they were in town visiting over the weekend. My mom's reaction after dinner said it all..."I can't remember the last time I had that great of a meal". Everything from the food to the service was outstanding. We started out with shrimp/scallop ceviche and it was amazing and had a nice little kick. My dad is not a huge seafood fan so he got the cole slaw - wow it was great. Everything was separate - the sauce was on top of the cabbage/lettuce mixture and 2 large tomatoes holding it together. Not sure if that description makes sense but I def recommend it. For dinner I got the petite filet and king crab legs. The crab was fabulous...it melted in my mouth. The filet was cooked perfectly. The seasoning was excellent on it but if you like a little more seasoning the filet comes with a side of their signature seasoning...I didn't think it needed it but my dad added it to his filet and said it was great. My mom had the salmon special (copper river salmon) and it was delicious. We also got the corn side....I never thought a corn side would be so good...it was grilled with seasoning. I could have just had a plate of that and been good! We also had the garlic creamed spinach. It was good but I was more impressed with the corn. We had the key lime pie for dessert and it was the best I've ever had! The server (can't remember his name) was impeccable. He explained everything about the specials and was able to answer any questions we had. Joe's would def be a place I will take out of town guests!
(5)
Marisa A.
Joe's is the quintessential Chicago steakhouse. The hearty, comforting food isn't exactly eclectic but it's top notch. White tablecloths, huge wine glasses, sky-high pies. The waiters sport bow ties and make you wonder what kind of training is involved in becoming a waiter of this caliber. I've been here maybe three times, and I've always gotten the stone crab to start. I think I'll stop. It's very good, but as a non-afficianado of crab it just doesn't do anything special for me. Especially if I'm paying! But if it's your first time, you can't not get it. The real highlight of Joe's is their steaks. Perfectly aged and marbled. Their seasoning is sparse enough to let the flavor of top-tier meat shine through. Last time I was here, the waiter said that their absolute house special was the bone-in filet. It really is THAT good.
(5)
Tracey H.
Finally made it here. Really not sure what took so long. Came here to celebrate my graduation with my family, party of 10. Darren was our server and he took excellent care of us. We noshed on a bunch of apps (fried green tomatoes, shrimp scampi, and fried calamari) which were all very well done. I got the lobster tail tempura which was delish, but also had a bite of my sisters filet mignon, which was excellent. For sides we tried a few things: the onion straws, mashed potatoes, and Mac and Cheese, all of which were phenomenal, especially the Mac & Cheese! All the desserts were wonderful as well, but the peanut butter pie was a standout--highly recommend for all you other PB fanatics out there! The atmosphere was nice, and Darren's support staff was great. Looking forward to giving it a shot one of these days when stone crabs are in better season!
(4)
Mike M.
"Unbelievable" "Simply the Best!!" "Gotta try it" I heard it all. They were right. The place was packed for a Tuesday night. I was trying to impress a couple of big clients and I needed to trusted in Yelp! Online reservations were easy and the confirmation phonecalls and emails were received. We arrived on time and were promptly seated even though it was standing room only in the lobby. The waiter took a while to get the drinks but that was the only flaw all night long. We took his suggestion of the fresh cracked King Crab claws for the appetizer. Served cold with drawn butter.....wonderful. Very tasty meat, very tender. I also had to try the Oysters Rockefeller. I love me some raw cold oysters but this was my first Rockefeller. The hot spinach and cheese were delectable but almost drowned out the flavor of the oyster. Was that the point? Like the butter and garlic drown out the fact that you are eating snails?? Beats me, as I had nothing else to compare it to, but they were delicious. On with the beef. Big and tasty bone-in ribeye. Lightly buttered, perfectly medium with a bright pink (but not raw) center. The best steak of my life. I've had them all but nothing tasted better. The way God intended to serve a dead cow. Sides of green beans with almonds (perfectly crunchy), Special mashed taters and marinated mushrooms. Flavorful but not overly salty. Huge hunk of Pumpkin Chiffon Pie and a Cappucino topped off the huge meal. What?? You can't smoke cigars at your table in Chicago any more??? Fine. I know what I'm doing on my walk back to the hotel.
(5)
Natalie N.
Going into this meal I had very low expectations. Even though I had never dined at Joe's, I felt like I had eaten at this same uninspired restaurant with a tired menu of crab legs and steaks many times before. Boy was I wrong. Started out with the oysters Rockefeller and indeed it is the best Ive ever had. Crab claws were outstanding. My fiance ordered the bone in filet and it was easily one of the best steaks I've ever eaten. Typically I'm not a fan of any steaks that are "bone-in" because it seems that the steak closest to the bone is always raw. This was not the case at Joe's. Also the spice mixture that accompanies the filet is spot on. I ordered the King Crab legs. The best king crab legs I've ever had. It's not the same ol' same... Not served hot and no drawn butter. This is served chilled with a spicy mustard sauce. So good!!!!! I'm so happy I got over myself and stopped being bitchy about coming to this restaurant because it was fantastic. Our bill came to 250.00 with cocktails, appetizers, and 2 entrees definitely not overly priced. The ambiance and seating arrangements leave something to be desired but regardless. GO TO JOES.
(5)
Sahar M.
I love this place. I love steak salad ( ask for the one with old fashion style), soft shell crab, bone in filet and stone crab. My boyfriend also loves their burger.
(4)
Melinda H.
The food here was amazing as well as the martini's. We loved it so much that even on our short little trip we had to go back for a second meal. Love the variety of oysters!
(5)
Clifford S.
The scallops here are the best I have ever had and I have had them all over the country. I compare other scallops with these and they almost always are lacking. This is the only problem, they have ruined other scallops for me. Try them with Jenny's potatoes and finish with Key Lime Pie. Worth the calories and the price. Our favorite restaurant for special events. And scallops.
(5)
Gary R.
I went to this place. It was good. They specialize in 'stoned crabs.' I've never actually seen a crab take a bong hit, but I gotta believe that would tenderize its meat and give it more of an herbal flavor. This is a great place to go when you are entertaining high level business people. Why, I'm not really sure, but that is what people there seem to do. Maybe its the staff that wear tuxedos or maybe its the creamed spinach. (business people love creamed spinach, and goat cheese for some reason) I had Halibut with a parmezian crust. I was a little concerned that that Halibut was not from Alaska. It never specified on the menu. That made me worry that it could have been from somewhere like Khaszakstan or even some back alley pond in Albania. Regardless, it was good. We also ordered the Lyonasse potato concoction. It was really tasty. My assumption was that it was made with bits of real Lion, which is a delicacy in Burundi. The peanut butter pie is hands down the best dessert in the city. Its light and flaky, and its like eating air until you realize you just became morbidly obese after one bite.
(4)
Charles S.
Overpriced is the one word I'd use to describe Joe's. The food was good, not great. Service was good, not great. For the price, I'm certain there must be better restaurants in Chicago. I've had better steaks for a lot less money. I ordered the bone in ribeye medium rare and it was cooked medium with the outside being well. The flavor was okay but it seemed pretty tough. For a $50 piece of meat, I would have expected more. My son ordered the Bone in Filet, medium rare. It was cooked okay, leaning more towards medium. The flavor was good, but once again it was tough. A couple of bites were great, the rest of the filet was average. At $60+ I would have expected more. My wife had the sea bass, it was good but nothing you can't get at 10 other chain joints down the road for less money. The fish was prepared okay, the Asian style sauce was a little over powering for the buttery flavor of that fish. The seafood bisque was very good and my daughter enjoyed it. The sides were good, but basic and not cheap. The cocktail that the waiter raved about and said was so special turned out to be a $15+ fuzzy navel with a fancy name In a martini glass. Nothing bad about it, just a basic cocktail that I can order for less than ten dollars anywhere else. One other minor issue is their restroom. If I'm spending over three hundred bucks for a meal, can't you at least send someone in to the men's room to wipe the sink and take out the trash? I know they were busy that night, but an unclean men's room doesn't fit with fine dining.
(2)
Evan S.
I ate here for a work dinner, so it wasn't on my dime, but this was as satisfying a meal as I can ask for. We had the stone crab and I ordered a filet. The place was packed and had a classic Chicago feel. I left full and happy.
(5)
Tripp A.
Best steak in Chicago. Who would've thought, a seafood joint with amazing steak. Start it off with a crab bisque and you've got perfection! Only reason for a 4 star: we had a reservation, there were plenty of tables and we still ended up sitting in the bar-area for 15 minutes . . . watching others go by. Looking forward to our next time; from the other posts, I'm sure our service will be better then!
(4)
Danielle C.
King Crab, Stone Crab, Crab Cakes, Crab Salad, Shrimp and Calamari. We HAD it ALL! And it was delicious!! I. Seriously. Love. CRAB! And so did my friends who were in town. We ate, and ate, and ate some more! In fact, we ordered appetizers of all the dishes- just so we could enjoy. I kinda think that is the way to go. Add on a couple of Key Lime Martinis and you have yourself an incredible brunch!!
(5)
Gabe C.
Our servers name was Frank. He was FANTASTIC! My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary dinner here and we loved it. Loved the Stone Crab appetizer. We added an appetizer course of the scallops with bacon and kale: SO DAMN GOOD! Loved the crab bisque. Loved the filet mignon and alaskan king crab. Loved the Colorado cut lamb chops. Loved the cauliflower & creamed spinach sides. For dessert we had the signature key lime pie as well as the tres leches cake. Amazing! And Frank was fantastic the whole time! Attentive and really wanting us to have a good time. We will return and we'll ask for his section!
(5)
Mari Y.
Went here for a friend's bday dinner. It's been a while since I've been to a steakhouse since I've given up red meat. As this was a special occasion, I made an exception. We started in the front room where we ordered drinks and tried to snag a table. Folks were definitely hovering around tables and were like vultures trying to grab any available space. Thankfully we were seated in 20 minutes with a good greasing! I thought that only worked in the movies but it also works at Joe's. The bf and I split the filet mignon classic and shared a number of sides and apps with the table - oysters, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese. We asked for the steak to be cooked medium and some areas were medium while others were medium rare. I prefer medium rare so it worked out well with my partner. Everything was rich and I was so full. I didn't feel like anything was greasy or bad for me so it was a nice feeling. For dessert, they brought out a dessert with a candle and we had the key lime pie and chocolate fudge pie. Yum on both accounts. Joe's is pretty chill and unpretentious. The servers wear cute little Swarovski crab pins on their lapel. Prices were high as expected but they matched the service and the quality of the meal. I'd go again as a guest but since I'm not into heavy eating, I don't see myself here in the near future.
(3)
Moni K.
Excellent Food, Wine and Service OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER - the best ever!!! SHRIMP AND SCALLOP CEVICHE - excellent COLOSSAL LUMP CRAB CAKES - excellent CRISPY COD "FISH & CHIPS" - delightfully delicious MERLOT, CHARLES SMITH - Velvet Devil I had lovely time here. Solid 5 stars!
(5)
Aron Y.
Remember to dress nicely for the meal, even for lunch. The Seafood Salad is the best salad I've ever had, with regards to both taste and look. I was never a big dressing person when it comes to salad but the dressing they used was tasty but not as strong as your normal, fatty, supermarket dressings. The salad itself is refreshing and colorful. Since it was my first time here, I got the Fishermen's Platter with some samples of everything for entree. Totally loved every bite of it!
(5)
Paulette E.
Best food and service in Chicago!
(5)
Tamera B.
I have to say that the food is SUPERB. The reason for the 2 star rating instead of 5 is because our celebratory dinner was kind of ruined due to a kitchen mishap. Hubby & I went to Joe's yesterday to celebrate both of our Feb. birthdays and Valentine's Day. Everything was going well when we arrived. We were promptly seated for our reservation. Our waiter was very kind. We had the crab & artichoke gratin as an appetizer, which was awesome. THE PROBLEM: Shortly after finishing our appetizer, my petite filet & king crab legs were delivered to our table along with the 2 side items that we ordered to share. So, I didn't touch my food for a few minutes because we were sure that hubby's food would be delivered within the next couple of minutes. After waiting about 10 minutes, his food had not been delivered nor was our waiter in sight. So, my husband urged me to go ahead and begin to eat because my "steamed" king crab legs & filet were cold at this point. Finally, our waiter appeared and asked us what happened to my husband's food and we informed him that it never came out. After some investigation, our waiter came back to our table and told us that it would be out "right behind him, in a couple of minutes". In the meantime, the couple sitting behind us got their food delivered to them and they arrived about 30 minutes after we did. After another 10-15 minutes, our waiter delivered my husband's food for him to enjoy with cold side items. I was 50% finished with cold crab legs and steak that I had been picking over in hopes that I would be able to enjoy a portion of my dinner with my husband. Our waiter apologized and said that the wait was so long because someone DROPPED my husband's plate in the kitchen and they didn't want to keep ALL of the food in the kitchen while they prepared a new plate AND it took them longer than they expected to prepare the new plate. I know mistakes happen, but this was our first time visiting Joe's, we don't get many date nights (we have a 5 & 2 year old), and we were REALLY looking forward to a fabulous dining experience enhanced by the well reputed world class service at a restaurant like Joe's.
(2)
Erica H.
I can't say enough about this place! Service, excellent!!! Food excellent! I can't wait to go back again! Stone crab out of season and still amazing!
(5)
Lucy S.
Went there for my anniversary a couple years ago. We had steak, crab, a little of everything. It was all good, but what I really remember is the key lime pie. I've had a lot of key lime pie in my life, and so far this is easily the best.
(4)
Stacey S.
Joe's is by far my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Having said that I have only moved to the city for a month. Anywayz! We came to Joe's first time on a friend's recommendation and absolutely loved it. Must try the stone crab, filet mignon and roasted corn sides. My filet is perfectly cooked to rare every time. I had a bite of my husband's rib eye - didn't like it as much but that's cuz I prefer a different cut (namely filet). Roasted corn is so delicious. And of course you have to try their stone crabs - we had that for apps to share. Dessert we tried 2 different pies (peanut butter once and a different one another time) and the ice cream with chocolate on top. They are okay - I am not a huge dessert person though. Best thing is they can do half-portion desserts - always important since we always got really full from apps and mains. They have a good wine selection. We celebrated our 1-year anniversary here and had 2 glasses of proseco (on the house) which is always good. Excellent service and ambience. Valet parking available I believe for $14 (cash only). Will be back for sure!
(5)
nicholas m.
5 for service. Our waitress Jill was amazing. Courteous, attentive without hovering and professional. 5 for food. My Ribeye was one of the best I'd ever had. The king crab legs were definitely the best crab legs I'd ever had. The key lime pie was amazing. Coffee rounded out the dinner nicely. 5 for ambience. I was given a beautiful booth in the corner. Loved the atmosphere. Would definitely come back.
(5)
Tyler L.
Although an incredible place for crab and seafood, a lesser known secret is their prime rib, it's up their with D. Burke and the like.
(5)
Lim K.
We went to Joe's for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. My husband ordered one of the lunch specials, grilled halibut. He liked it but it was soaked in too much sauce and did not have much grilled flavor. I had grilled beef tenderloin sandwich. The waiter asked me how I wanted my tenderloin and I replied, rare. He said that I was his kind of lady. However when I took a bite of my sandwich the meat was cooked almost medium. It tasted good so I did not send it back. I probably enjoyed it more if it were rare. My daughter ordered shrimp jonghe. It was very tasty but the shrimp was a little overcooked. Our side dishes, Lyonnaise and grilled asparagus were the best. Good service.
(3)
Jean C.
Love the crab legs! Their steaks are also very good and don't forget to try one of their pie (key lime is a must)
(5)
Marki L.
Love my Christmas gift cards. Shrimp for lunch and no kids. My husband ordered fried chicken. This is the best fried chicken north of 47th street. Fried chicken please.
(3)
Alisha H.
I loved the crab cakes (didn't get to try the stone crabs so will have to go back for them), and the wine and dessert (a huge slab of apple pie) were divine. Great atmosphere too, and a huge back room space if you ever have a really big group event to host.
(4)
Ellen J.
I don't get to Chicago as often as I'd like, but when I do - it's an absolute must to eat at Joe's. On my last minute trip last week, I alas walked in alone, early (around 5:30) to take my chances. They keep a few table open and I was early enough to score one. My mission this time was the stone crabs and I wanted a perfect wine to go with them...I usually go down the Chard path but the waiter suggested a white burgundy...indicating if I really didn't like it I could change. He also suggested that instead of all stone crabs, I try one from the west coast - he thought they were a little sweeter. Well, I'll be honest, I thought the crab suggestion was because it hasn't been a great season and they were short on the stone crab - but he seemed sincere (wouldn't let me get a full portion of the side I ordered - it's not on the menu but they do half orders...). The verdict? The stone crab met every expectation I had (yummmmmmmmmmmmmm) and the wine suggestion was perfect (as evidenced by the 3 glasses I did end up drinking by the end of the meal - 2 is usually all I ever do). And the west coast cousin of the stone crab? I ended up ordering 2 more after I finished my initial serving. Holy smokes - I'm not usually a big eater but they were fabulous - I just couldn't help myself. (Truly - if I'd been with someone, I might have been embarrassed at my gluttony). And the side dish I ordered (leek casserole thingy)...was finished off! Well and then, that wine - so I ordered the 3rd glass...and how do you sit at an empty table alone just drinking wine? I'm sure it's not that difficult, but the table looked empty so I ordered dessert. I got the Boston creme pie - I was having a comfort food craving I guess. It came with a thick covering of I'm sure wonderful chocolate, but I'm not not a chocoholic, so I took that off and just at the cake/cream...and swooshed it through the chocolate sauce that was swirled around the plate. It doesn't rate up there with the rest of the meal but it was perfectly fine, particularly as I enjoyed my final glass of white burgundy. So my server was spot on with his suggestions and was attentive enough making my solo meal comfortable and enjoyable. (oh and ps to the guy sitting at the table talking about Trading Places.....I think you underestimated how really young your co-workers were.........but I loved that movie when I was trading in Chicago.)
(5)
Rhonda S.
Best crab cakes I've ever had!!!!! The file mignon was fork tender and the Alaskan king crab legs were sweet and tender and not fishy smelling or tasting. Great service everything was fantasticB-)B-)B-) OMG how did I forget dessert Keylime Pie=-O=-O=-O=-O=-O
(5)
Mike H.
Pricy but fantastic. The bar area could use a redesign but other than that I had an amazing dining experience. We had a party of nine for my cousins birthday and had to wait a bit for out table to be ready but once we sat down everything was perfect. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable, his explanation of the dishes was concise and he recommended an excellent bottle of wine. I started with the mussels and then had stone crab for my entree. Others in my party had steak, seared ahi tuna and veal and everyone absolutely loved their meal. The steak looked amazing, a beautiful char on the outside and bright red in the center. After dinner wrapped up I was full, I was happy and out of nowhere the waiter shows up with one of every dessert on the menu each with a candle as an apology for our having to wait for out table. Great food, great service, great night.
(5)
L B.
Excellent restaurant! We had the Sea Bass and bone in Filet. Both dishes were wonderful! The sea bass very flavorful and the filet tender with lots of flavor. Couldn't ask for better service or entrees. I'd go back to have that meal again now! Only item we weren't overwhelmed with were the pacific rock crab claws. The meat did not come out easily and the flavor was just ok. To our waiters credit, he took them back and we ordered oysters rockefeller which were very good. We also had the Banana Cream Pie with Foster Sauce and enjoyed it too. This is a restaurant you can't miss while in Chicago.
(5)
Jeffrey M.
You eat at enough steakhouses and you figure out that a properly prepared prime steak is a properly prepared prime steak no matter where you are. What sets this place apart is the stone crab claws. A must do that I always make my starter. Followed up by a bone in prime steak.
(5)
Karen M.
What an exquisite experience! Red wine constantly flowing in your goblet. Legs of moist crab joined by buttery scallops, huge grilled to perfection delicious shrimp teasing your appetite befor a perfectly prepared tender steak or seafood joins the table. Portions to accommodate every palate and appetite. If you still have not been totally satisfied appetite wise you can indulge yourself in more than accommodating portions of. Warmed Apple pie ala mode or key lime pie just to name a couple of their delicious dessert options. Don't be embarrassed to ask for a take home package .the staff is friendly, professional and more than willing to respond to your requests. Karen,Cuisenair-Matteson,I'll.
(5)
Steve B.
Dinner and service was perfect! We came up from St Louis to celebrate our 30th anniversary and couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)
Salena M.
Definitely get reservations for this place. It's crowded and worth eating at. We're from out of town and was the BEST Chicago meal we had among the many restaurants we've been to. I was surprised they had a kids menu which was perfect for our kids ages 5 and 7 and affordable. At the time we went, we were the only table with kids. The clientele were business groups, couples and families with "older" aged kids. My daughter loved the shrimp scampi with broccolini dish. Get the XL stone crab claws and the prime steak (I had the rib-eye) was melt in your mouth meat. The service was SUPERB. Very professional. I liked how they give you a fresh lemon squeeze spa time to clean your hands after we ate our crab claws.
(5)
Kris L.
Ambience is elegant as clean, exactly what you'd expect. Service was fantastic. Loves: surf and turf, crab stuffed shrimp, wine list mmmm Cons: did not love the crab here sadly! A bit dry and my expectations were high. Will be back once I save up some dough!
(4)
Winston G.
The bone-in steaks here are great. Had a NY strip bone in which was very tasty. Only complaint was that the steak was a little overcooked past the medium rare temperature that I wanted. King crab is really good here. I'm not a huge fan of their stone crabs. For sides, the mashed potatoes are great. Dessert - boston creme pie is a good way to finish your meal.
(4)
Alex D.
Just a short review here - I was at Joe's back in October 2012 while attending a convention across the river, and I had the opportunity to take my mentor out to dinner, for a change. Because he had always been the one to take me out during my years of training, I wanted to take him to a place that would serve up a great meal! I can honestly say that Joe's did not disappoint! We had the Dover sole with tableside presentation, and it was perhaps the most delicious fish I've had at a restaurant. The only 'drawback' is the obvious popularity of the place, as we weren't able to get a table in the main dining room, but had to eat in the front area by the bar. Our waitress was awesome, and we soon forgot about our inability to get seated in the dining room - the night was great, and my mentor was quite pleased with our meal. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago... Who knows, maybe then I'll even try to make a reservation!
(4)
Anne M.
Made a reservation over 3 weeks ago, looking to use up some Lettuce Entertain You gift certificates, and finally redeemed them (and then some $$) over the weekend. Me & Mr. were so looking forward to going, as we'd heard good things about Joe's as a Chicago-seafood place. Walked in right after a large herd of frat-type men - drat - so we had to stand around waiting in their crowded, uber-busy front room where the only 'wait' area is awkwardly standing around the front doors, encroaching the poor diners at those awful front tables between the door and bar. We actually stood outside for a little while, and then came back in and squeezed ourselves next to the door until our names were called. Thank god we were seated at a booth in the back dining room. It was equally buzzing and busy back there, but at least we were against a calm wall. Still, very loud and cramped. Started with a nice bottle of wine, and the plate of 7 medium claws. I'm not a fan of the cracking/pulling/cleaning of certain seafood, but after getting past that, these were really delicious, with the fantastic mustard/butter sauce and lemon. He ordered a bone-in steak, I had the parmesan flounder, we split grilled asparagus and a sweet potato - everything was great. And large-ish portions. We were definitely stuffed, but still ended with their 'famous' key lime pie, which was quite good. Maybe the best I've ever had. All in all, it was a great dining experience, especially as we had finally tried this well-known Chicago place. Good food, good service (very friendly/competent waitress), pricey, but nice to splurge every so often. Next, we're trying Shaw's, to compare....
(4)
B A.
This place was fantastic with great food and excellent service. If you are wanting to dine more high end in Chicago I would highly recommend.
(5)
Mango G.
Overrated. I ordered a scallop dish and all I got was two or three VERY small pieces for $35+. So disappointing :( Looking at all the great reviews, maybe I ordered a wrong dish..
(2)
Kim B.
Went here last night for dinner. The atmosphere is very nice, waitstaff very attentative, wine was great, tuna tartar app was just ok, crab cake dinner was good came with a mustard dipping sauce that was good, tuna steak dinner was pretty bad (so tough I couldn't cut it with a knife or chew it and it was ice cold in the center. Had to send it back, which I NEVER do!). Didnt stick around for dessert. Don't think we will revisit this place, food was just ok for the expense. Expected better esp with the high zagat rating.
(2)
Kenny g.
Update : Returned for our third year in a row and got the ribeye again. Everything I wrote previously stands. This is an amazing restaurant that everyone should try. Also, I think the king crab is better than the stone crab.
(5)
Ali C.
Really superb stone crab claws. Fresh, firm, delicious.
(5)
Sam M.
One of the BEST restaurants in the city. The food, service and ambiance is always excellent. Last night, it lived up to its expectations. Very good stone crab, appetizers (stuffed mushrooms/veggie salad). Even the bread is excellent. If you are not a fish eater there is still plenty of excellent choices. I had the Filet and my dad had the Fried Chicken. The friend chicken is some of the best I have ever had. The Filet was cooked to perfection. I did try a few of my party's fish dishes including: Dover sole, shrimp stuffed with crab; they were both delicious. All of their sides are also excellent. But make sure you save room for the dessert. My personal favorite, the banana cream pie. AMAZING. But back to the service. The waiters are some of the most professional around. She was patient, helpful and did not rush us. I will always consider Joe's for any special occasion and would recommend to any out of town guests.
(5)
Ernest S.
We went here today to try their lunch restaurant week menu. I got the stone crab course and the stone crabs were sweet and fresh but it's their sauce that makes it really great. Wife got the shrimp scampi linguine which she had before and loved. Our server was fantastic. Very friendly and accommodating. However, there was an error with the bill and she sort of disappeared towards the end of the meal. But I don't want to factor that in too much as the restaurant started becoming extremely busy and it was probably quite hectic for the servers.
(4)
Ming-Jou C.
I can't believe I missed Chicago Restaurant Week by one week! Especially knowing that Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is participating. Came here for an early dinner one night. Good thing because by the time we left at 8:30, it was packed and people seemed like they were waiting for a while. I had made a concerted effort to walk off my delicious rib lunch, and make room for this amazing crab I kept hearing about. We were seated right away, but were at a table about 5 feet away from the kitchen door. All night, waiters kept walking by and bumping by chair, even though I pulled it as close as I could. A tad annoying to say the least. We ordered some stone crabs for the table as appetizers. I guess they're from a different part of the Gulf and have a thicker shell. We immaturely dubbed them goth crabs because their claws had black tips. They were already cracked for us and the meat practically fell out as you grabbed them for your plate. The meat was so good, and the remoulade they gave you for dipping was pretty tasty. After we polished off the crab, out came our starters. I had the crab bisque, which was not too creamy and thick, but a good smooth consistency. There were bits of crab in there as well. I ordered a seafood chopped salad which normally comes with shrimp, lobster and crab. I asked them to hold the lobster and give me more crab, which they happily agreed to do. As our waitress told us, "We're pretty flexible within reason." Food was plentiful and the wine was really good. Service was friendly and the food came relatively quickly. Food wasn't crazy expensive, but it's not a cheap date either. By the time we left around 9, the bar area was packed with people, and it was the middle of the week. Already looking forward to going back next year.
(4)
Jack F.
The grouper and sea bass were excellent. Service was also great, and the only reason I don't give 5 stars is a bit pricey for lunch
(4)
Phillip A.
What an outstanding lunch! Erin our server was very helpful and not pushy.Came here on a week day with reservations for 11:30am opening time. Not crowded at all. The food quality was superb.my wife had the Mahi Mahi with Jennie's mashed potatoes good portions.I had the lump crab cakes 2 loaded with crab meat not filling that takes away from the amount of crab. These were the best crab cakes I have ever had and that includes Shaws Crab House in Schaumburg and the downtown Chicago location.Oops....almost forgot the fried calamari rates a 10 if you are a fan of squid. Desserts are massive so we opted for the half slice pieces. The Havanna cream pie and the chocolate style cake were still enough for each of us. We can't wait to return....worth the splurge every now and then.
(5)
Christa R.
If given the choice, I'd walk down the block and sit at the Shaw's bar for atmosphere alone. But this is probably some of the best seafood you'll be able to find in the midwest. The key lime pie is to die for. Give it a whirl. Coffee service comes with real whipped cream. Really nice touch.
(4)
Kathleen C.
Joe's has the best service that I have ever experienced and it is worth the $$$$ for a special night. I would definitely recommend making a reservation and if you don't have one, don't bother. The food is fantastic but I felt it was a little overpriced. I could order the same thing at Shaw's for a bit cheaper but I really felt like a princess having a server waiting on me the whole dinner.
(4)
aneel u.
I was very excited they extended the restaurant week special, and hurried to make a reservation before starting back on the night shift next week....it was a so-so experience, so I'll break it down thusly: Good: * The restaurant week specials. 32 bucks for a pound of Alaskan king crab, plus numerous sides? Are you kidding? Great deal! The crab was perfect..we had it served chilled (as recommended by our waitress), and it was just sublime. The sides...eh. More on that in the "bad." For our starter, we both had the crab bisque, which was phenomenal. * Dessert. Yum. Key lime pie. I'm not even a key lime pie fan, and this was outstanding. * The waitstaff always kept the water glasses (and martini glasses) full. Bad: * This may be sort of nit-picky, but based on other Yelp reviews, I thought I would have the opportunity to swap out sides (i.e. mashed potatoes instead of hash browns, etc). Our waitress (kind of rudely) informed me that, no, the menu was set up that way for a reason, the prices would be all mixed up. The crispy hash browns were a big "ehhh", and the cole slaw was gross. I would have much rather have had the mashed potatoes and grilled tomato. * Our waitress made no mention of the fact that the restaurant week specials were still going on, and when we asked her about it, she bristled, regrouped, and then said she'd run to get us the menu. I realize that they don't make as much $$ when patrons order off the RW menu, but come on...I don't recall any other Yelpers mentioning that their servers seemed annoyed by that. * This is not the place to go if you want a romantic date. Wall-to-wall people (including the two lovely gents we had the pleasure of sitting by who just loved talking about cheating on their wives.) The acoustics are not great. So..all in all, this place has fantastic food (except the nasty cole slaw). I definitely felt I got my 32 bucks worth, hence the 4 stars, but I'm not holding my breath to go back and pay regular prices for snooty-ish waitstaff and having to yell at my dining companion.
(4)
Rachael S.
Love, love, love Joe's! Every time I go to Joes - lunch, dinner, business event the food and service are fantastic. Some of my favorites are the crab cakes, sweet potato french fries, and stone crab. One night my boyfriend and I went to Joe's and were pleasantly surprised when they seated us in the back corner booth. Dinner was going great until I felt something under the table stab my ankle. I looked down and there was blood dripping from my ankle. A staple had come out of the upholstery so I called over the waitress to see if I could get a band-aid.... I wasn't going to let a little war wound ruin my dinner! She brought over the manager who apologized profusely and brought out a sample of each of the deserts on the menu. Not only was the service incredible, but the desserts were too! Watch out for the key lime pie.... its addicting.
(5)
D N.
Went here and everything was exceptional. I recommend eating the stone crab and oyster Rockefeller apps. Do not eat here without ordering the bisque, it's so rich and tasty. Key lime pie and banana foster creme pie are ridiculous. Andy is the man when it comes to service! He really made the experience that much better!
(5)
Steve M.
Enter Joe's only if you have a liberal expense account. We entertained our customer, party of 8. Everyone was completely satisfied. We had stone crabs, steaks, salads, deserts, wine, etc. This Russ guy though... I like good wine, and made this clear to our waitress. She sent Russ, the wine guy. Russ gave me the 'reserve' wine list. We ordered wine...Russ asked how things were going...then mentioned if we wanted a 2nd bottle, he had some that were not on the menu. Curious why he didn't offer the 'non-menu' wines the first time around. ... In the end, it is an expensive chain steak house. Sure, they have stone crabs, but I can name 10 local establishments that closely resemble the steak at Joe's. Again, they totally catered to us, but I'd never come back on my own dime.
(4)
penn p.
Very disappointed . The crab was served with so many broken shell pieces it was not possible to separate the crab from the shell. Thus we paid $30.00 for coleslaw and potatoes. Would have sent it back but we were with a couple that recommended it. They are steak eaters and they were happy.
(2)
Joy H.
I've been looking for a good restaurant in Streeterville when I travel to Chicago for work, and I think I finally found it! I stayed at the Marriott, so Joe's was right on the next block. I'd heard about stone crabs from a friend in Florida and figured I could finally try it out. Since I went by myself, I ordered the stone crab appetizer (2 large claws) and a baked potato. I used to live in the mid-Atlantic so I'm used to blue crabs, but these were on a wholly different level. The meat is really easy to get to since the restaurant cracks everything for you, and the texture is halfway between blue crabs and lobster. And even though I don't usually like mustard, the mustard dipping sauce the provide complimented the sweet crab meat perfectly. I liked the crab so much I went back the next day for lunch and got the Joe's Classic stone crabs which was 5 medium claws, coleslaw, hash browns, and key lime pie. I'm not a fan of coleslaw, so I was able to exchange that for their grilled tomatoes. The claws were excellent again, but I was a little disappointed with the hash browns. It was a huge portion, but only nice and crispy on the outside. The inside wasn't very flavorful at all. The tomatoes were okay but a little greasy from all the cheese and creamed spinach. The key lime pie was great, but not any different from what I'd expect at a nice steak place. The service was excellent and the waiters were always very friendly and helpful. The only real downer was the prices; this is not a cheap place! So I'll only be going back when I'm there for business.
(4)
Shonda D.
Went there a second time this past weekend and Joe's deserves the 5 stars! We both ordered the Parmesan crusted Halibut - excellent; roasted corn - tasty; sauteed garlic spinach - perfect. Our maitre'd was phenomenal and the wine was delicious. Much better than the Trump Towers.
(5)
Irena A.
I have been to this place once but I love it! I remember I had the most delicious shrimp cocktail!! The mashed potatoes are delicious also.. so is the spinach dip!! Have to go back here!
(5)
Kelly B.
The only thing I've ever had here is the lobster bisque and seafood salad and they are both AMAZING. I've only ordered it for lunch when a vendor is paying, which is not that often, so I have yet to go to the restaurant. But I am amazed how much seafood comes in both. So fresh, too. Highly recommend you check it out.
(4)
Mr. K.
The Best there is for King Crab Legs ! make sure to order them Cold. Remember they have already been cooked once right after they were Caught.
(5)
George G.
Best full service restaurant in town. BAR NONE. Gotta try the bone filet, dry aged new york strip, king crab legs, all the appetizers and deserts. I recommend getting a table with Jasper. He is a wonderful person and an AMAZING waiter. Thank you!
(5)
Jessica R.
I'm giving Joe's two stars, I never thought I would! My fiance and I walked into a fabulous old style restaurant with fantastic ambiance, packed at 4:30pm on a Saturday, and expected the best. We were super happy with our appetizers. The crab cake, chopped salad and stone crab were out of this world, and would go back for those. The bread basket was great too! Too bad that was the high point of our meal. For our main course we split Joe's famous scallops, which were the most flavorless scallops I have ever had in my entire life. We ordered a side of Jenni's mashed potatoes which were described as cheesy, but literally tasted like boxed mashed potatoes. I don't know what happened between appetizers and dessert. Service was fine, ambiance, again, was amazing, but the main course was so disappointing. I would go back for apps, but that's about it.
(2)
Carmen C.
good seafood~delicious andthe service is very excellent~the price is a little bit high but it is ok~
(4)
Fuffie G.
Joe...what has happened to you????? It's August And that means it's time for our annual birthday celebration. Last year we had a problem with the service, but this year you did us in with the food. The food has always been a slam dunk but tonight it was a huge disappointment. We started with the veggie salad that we always order. $ 13.00 for this salad and it pretty much looked like the size of a dinner salad. We asked one of the managers if this was a half order and he said no and basically confirmed what we were thinking that portion have been cut. My brother's fish for $ 25.00 was MAYBE 6 ounces. I ordered the scallops and they were fair at best. A plate of medium sized scallops with 2 lemon wedges an a sprig of pathetic parsley made for a poor presentation. Taste....pretty poor as well. Desserts were good and the service was excellent but I think the food and cost may have done us in. It makes me sad to write this review. Joe's has been a family favorite and we were all in agreement that's time to find a new restaurant for the August birthdays. See ya Joe...it was fun while it lasted.
(2)
Christy W.
This restaurant is absolutely outstanding!! The food is outstanding and our server, Charles Raether gave us unparalleled customer service. I would recommend this restaurant to EVERYONE! Christy W.
(5)
Jen C.
I was here to celebrate a birthday - and everything was just as great as before! Great food! I had to get Joe's Famous Scallops again...they do have another scallop dish (bacon-wrapped scallops) - but they're prepared differently and I couldn't pass up the Famous ones b/c they were so good the first time I had them. The side of corn is delish, and Jennie's Potatoes are really rich and good too. The service was similar - they're so busy that they can't be super attentive, but it's still good. They even brought a complimentary brownie a la mode for the birthday boy! Very nice :) Oh...the floors were really slippery...I don't know if they just waxed them or something but I felt like I was going to fall when I was walking on it and even heard some other patrons say the same thing. I would recommend it - make reservations weeks in advance or call the day of to see if there are cancellations!
(5)
t k.
Staying across the street at the Conrad Hotel; expected to sit at the bar, eat something good/healthy but do it quicker than requesting a table in the dining room. Don't go to expect to sit at the bar and do as I did. The bar area is tight to say the least, really busy and crowded and the service is very slow in this area for obvious reasons. The food was good...but nothing to rave about.
(2)
Kate S.
I came here while in town for a night earlier this week. The steak was good - I'll give you that. However, they get three stars because of the bar - the bartenders were friendly, had a great selection of wine, but it's not really somewhere you want to sit and eat your dinner. It's a fairly small bar that faces a wall with your back to the rest of the restaurant, so you're sort of forced to stare at walls all around you. And if you're dining alone, it's kinda fun to people watch, which you totally can't do here. It just wasn't really all that comfortable - but the food was good enough that I'd probably go back with others to get the full dining experience.
(3)
Rob U.
If you haven't been to Joe's recently and you're reading this, get down there now while they've extended their restaurant week deal. Took the girlfriend for lunch and left feeling very good. We ordered the calimari in addition to the king crab lunch special and we didn't regret it, but it was definitely more than enough food. For some reason we thought the deal was too good to be true and filling at the same time, but it definitely was. Best crab I've had this far inland!
(5)
Jennifer B.
There's a billion reviews on Yelp for Joe's. There's not much more I can add besides...come here for lunch! The atmosphere is the same and the food obviously tastes the same...but it's cheaper! On Saturdays/Sundays they have brunch specials for lunch.
(4)
Lauren K.
Living in a town surrounded by steak, I was craving something seafood-y. I had heard from many locals that Joe's is their favorite restaurant, I had to give it a try. We sat at one of the bar tables, it offers the full menu, and ordered wine right away. The atmosphere is a little less formal here than the dining room and you can watch the baseball games! The waitress was knowledgable and patient....as the menu is quite extensive. We decided on the famous stone crab claw appetizer (Medium- 7 to an order), BLT salad wedge, the filet and the swordfish. The claws were disappointing, served cold and pre-cracked, which I thought was a severe disadvantage as the "crackers" in the kitchen clearly don't give a damn whether you have to search for small claw parts allover the meat. For $30, this was the biggest rip-off, and my boyfriend commented that Red Lobster has better offerings. The salad was yummy....probably because it has none of the health benefits of a regular salad. It's coated with blue cheese and bacon! The entrees, are straight up...no sides included, and OK. I would think for a seafood restaurant my swordfish could have been more tender and his steak a little less dry. I will skip Joe's next time and leave this place to the playboys and tourists.
(3)
Yo U.
The plain burger here is very good value. Thank you for putting me on to Joe's for burgers, Chicago Magazine! Three points for improvement, though: (1) Always remember that diners should be offered bread service. The last time I was here, the waitress serving me neglected to do so. (2) Instruct your waitstaff to refrain from touching customers whom they don't know, even if such touching is done in a friendly and playful manner. It's unprofessional and quite likely unwelcome. (3) If a server messes up and this is brought to their attention, then that server should do something to take ownership of the issue and acknowledge their mistake. In my case, when the bread service was forgotten, something as simple as knocking a dollar or two off the bill or offering to comp a dessert would have done the trick. I wasn't annoyed, but I also wasn't impressed. The bread service issue might appear to be trivial, but when places like Outback and Red Lobster can get it right, you expect that a fancier place like Joe's would be able to do likewise. Professionalism and all that, you know.
(4)
Robert R.
Haven't been for awhile but went back recently and was disappointed. Food was blah, service so-so and the place was packed like sardines. More tables than I recall with folks on top of each other. And the prices? Well, they didn't justify the meal or experience. In contrast, was recently at Capital Grill and the food,service, ambience were worth the price. I'm truly sorry to see Joe's slipping. It was a great place.
(2)
andy b.
I love steak. It is my favorite food, and i consider myself an expert on steak. THerefore i will say this is my favorite steak in the city. The Filet is cooked perfectly and has alot of flavor sooooo good. Would be my last meal before i die
(5)
Brandi W.
This was my letter to Joe's manager regarding our waiter, Patrick Burch. He is an AWESOME waiter!!! Ask for Patrick and tell him Brandi sent you! He just might tell oh that lady is AWESOME. LOL To whom it may concern: I have been meaning to write this for almost a week now. My boyfriend, Luke, and I have been huge fans of Joe's Seafood for almost 5 years now and we have never once had a waiter that we could say stands out as far as Patrick Burch has. We have had the pleasure of having him as our waiter twice now and I have to say he is not only a great waiter, but he is a great people person and has a wonderful personality to go with it. You can tell that he has years of experience and knowledge under his belt, which is very fitting for a place like Joe's. It had been a few months since Luke and I had been to Joe's and since we both watch Deadliest Catch we were going to have dinner in honor of one of the Captains that recently passed. I made my reservations almost 2 weeks in advance figuring it would be hard to get in and I wanted to request the same waiter as the last time but could not for the life of me remember his name, some reason I thought it was Eugene and not sure why. I just figured we would wing it and see who we would end up with since most of the wait staff at Joe's are ice, we just know that with Patrick you do not only get great customer service but the glowing personality. I was first to arrive for our 6pm reservation and when Luke finally showed up we were seated in the back right corner booth which was nice (Patrick called this the "VIP" section). Just as we were getting settled in and reading the menu (as if we really needed to since we already knew what we wanted) and were chatting about the day's events when Patrick walked up and greeted us. I was sort of shocked since I had forgotten his name to request him and we had just got done talking about him and wondering if he still worked there. After saying hello and asking for his name and explaining how I thought it was Eugene, we decided to take some time and mull over what we were going to have for dinner. When Patrick returned he recommended a starter which were the bay scallops and one of the side dishes which was the brussel sprouts with the apple wood smoked bacon which we did order and absolutely loved. I do not think out of the past 5 years that we have been going to Joe's that we have had anything bad recommended to us from a starter to the dessert. The last time we had Patrick I remember writing a review about the service, which has not changed in anyway other then great since, had how he was very personable. We both feel that Patrick is a great asset to Joe's and hope with the many years to come that we will be able to request him on our future visits. We truly enjoyed his conversations and service which was above and beyond the call of duty. We would love to be seated in Patrick's area for future visits if this is at all possible. I want to thank Joe's for a wonderful evening, great food and exceptional service provided by Patrick. Luke and I look forward to many future dining experiences with Joe's.
(5)
Craig R.
Had a cocktail reception there last night. Service, food, and drinks all well worth the price! Crab was excellent!
(5)
Andy G.
Very good food. A must experience.
(4)
Donna R.
My favorite thing about Chicago!
(5)
Josh C.
Years ago, I worked here while I was in college. That being said, I'm a bit biased, but I can also say that I've tasted everything on the menu and that I'm happy to report that I still haven't found something I didn't like. Joe's is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in the city. All of the food has a rather simple, family style service that will let's the food shine. The quality of the food is exceptional and the service is superior. My favorites on this expansive menu are as follows: 1. Fresh Alaskan King Crab legs. Forget Stone Crab. If I could afford it, I would try to eat my own body weight in these slender limbs of divinity. Mama, they are wonderful. 2. Bone-in NY Strip - Ask the server to have it sliced for you in the kitchen so you can share it, that way you get a little bit of everything. 3. Grilled Tomatos - I have never had a meal at Joe's without them. 4. Nantucket Bay Scallops (seasonal) - They're prepared in a light butter sauce with just a touch of salt and they're freakin' fantastic. Order two portions for an entree if you so desire. 5. Banana creme pie - All about the foster's sauce. Trust me. There are so many things to love about Joe's. The wine list is expansive and has some real gems, the signature cocktails are stupendous, and at its core, though it's a LEYE affiliated restaurant, there's a real family feel there.
(5)
Amy J.
YUM! Everything on the menu is great and they mix their drinks strong! It's pricey and it's totally worth it! Oh, and if you do wear jeans, wear dressy jeans...this is an old-school swanky steak-house!
(5)
Louis A.
I had no idea what a stone crab was before I came to Joe's. Actually...I still have no idea what differentiates it from a regular crab and will turn to wikipedia in just a few minutes...but I know that they come in 4 different sizes, look a little freaky (black claws), and taste amazing at Joe's. Thank you, Joe, for giving me a steakhouse experience with my fish. Way to go Joe, and way to go stone crabs!
(4)
Leang E.
Do not get this place confused with Joe's Crab Shack. I told my girlfriend I wanted to go here for my birthday, and we almost missed out on this place and went there instead. It is pricey, but the crab there is excellent! The place is known for the stone cold crab which we did get in addition to the King crab claws. It's tough to give an opinion on the stone crab because I like warm crab better. The stone crab is prepared cold, which I was unaware of until I tried it. I may be slightly biased because of that and the fact that crab is my favorite seafood. The portions are huge, too. We had a baked potato that we shared, and we couldn't even finish it. If you are putting up the money to go there, you can be sure you'll be receiving quality service. There's a nice wine selection as well. Needless to say the birthday girl was happy and stuffed!
(5)
Katherine R.
I went back to Joe's recently for a special occasion with my bf and couldn't have been more pleased. No really, I could not have been. We had cocktails -delicious dirty martini and appetizers to start. The stone crab was, as predicted, awesome. Such great flavor to them and the mustard sauce compliments it so well. We also ordered oysters rockefellar- I could have done without those. They were very meaty and the flavor was fine, it's just that I would preferred another order of stone crabs claws over oysters...ya know? Me, being the baller-shot-caller that I tend to be every now and then, ordered the king crab legs. Yes, they were $60 a la carte, but worth it. Per the server's rec, I ordered them chilled, not steamed. They were frickin amazing! I've eaten crab legs plenty before and even had them here, but these were the best, ever. Plain and simple, they were awesome, meaty and awesome. (I know, I repeated myself.) My bf got the bone-in rib eye and he was just as pleased. He did help me with a few knuckles (his fav) but other than that, I cleared my plate. The service was great, no compliants there. Literally, not one. He was attentive, nice and paid attention to what we were saying. Overall, great experience and a must for anyone. Again, pricey- but you get what you pay for. Make a reservation- it's always packed! And rightfully so!
(5)
Vincent J.
The food would have been just as good and cheaper if I was in Florida, but the airfair would have set me back a few hundred. I liked Joe's, but couldn't help feel that no matter how nice the inside was, I was still just blocks off of Michigan Ave and tucked in the ground floor of a hirise. I don't have a problem paying for rent when I'm in a high traffic area, but I just felt like I was at any other tourist/suburbanite safe resturant. Joe's would be 5 stars if it was the little cozy place tucked back off of Taylor Street, that the decore wants to make it feel like. James, my server rocked and Scott & Stats at the bar were top notch. The people who work here know the menue up & down. The food was truely great. I really loved it, but it's just to commercialized. Well it is a Lettuce-entertain-you joint. I would giv eit 3 1/2 if they had 1/2 stars.
(3)
Jessica S.
I went here for my birthday based on all the great reviews and I was not disappointed. We got the stone crab to start, dinner was a filet mignon cooked perfectly and the special salmon dish of the night with sides of broccoli and Jennie's potatoes. The wine and cocktails were great and the chocolate cake and key lime pie were delicious. Best of all was the service :) I would love to come back here again.
(5)
Angela K.
I had the scallop and stone crabs. I had high expectations from reading the reviews and was a bit disappointed.
(3)
Moe f.
Went on a Wed night for my sisters birthday and was packed as usual. The Madagasgar shrimps are amazing and they better be at $14/each. Stone crab good but almost cheaper to fly to FL for bigger, better claws. For entrees we had steak and seafood. The crab stuffed sole was bland. The dry aged NY strip was absolutely amazing but the waiter should have told us it was $60. All meat cooked perfectly Service was spot on. Kind of a touristy/biz crowd. Love it when they pre-crack my crab for me. I love crab, but it's so much work!! Probably better places in city but I'd go back in a flash if my wallet allowed me.
(4)
Kymberly S.
I went to Joe's for lunch and it was amazing. We had the fried oysters for an appetizer which were delicious. The stone crab claws here are served at a perfect temperature and are refreshingly delicious. They have an excellent selection of seafood dishes which makes it hard to decide what to order. I visit Florida a lot and it was nice to see grouper on the menu which is not common for Chicago. The service here was impeccable and when you go here make sure you get the desert, you can even order half slices which are perfect for a little bite after a large meal. The key lime pie was absolutely the best I have ever tasted. I would highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)
Kim K.
While Joe's is an awesome restaurant, I'm writing a review today to thank Courtney for going out of her way today to help me get a key lime pie for my husband's 50th birthday. I won't go into the details other than to say that Joe's is lucky to have an employee who is helpful, friendly and efficient, and the next time I go to Joe's, I will be sure to thank her in person. Thanks! The Pie Lady
(5)
Marcel M.
Headed over here for lunch. The service was great and the food was delicious. Lunch fare was pretty affordable and you should definitely try their steak sandwich... even the fries were amazing. Update: We headed here for dinner. It was packed on a Tuesday night. Service was decent (the guy forgot our onion mound) and the food was great. I wish I tried steak or stone crab, but I felt like a Fisherman's Platter. Broiled Cod and everything else was fried. Lightly fried at least. Be sure to get some drawn butter so you can dip your scallops in there. That tasted like good ole' lobster tail.
(5)
Rosie Y.
Oops, I can't believe I didn't review this place back in January, when I first went :). This place is AWESOME, assuming you can afford to splurge on meals. The food is incredibly good... and I've tried a few entrees with my amazing mooching-off-other-people's-plates technique. The bone-in filet is one of their specialties, and is yummy in a melt-in-your-mouth tender kind of way. The dry aged New York strip is incredibly flavorful. Their stone crab is always fresh, and the scallops are cooked with a nice crisp exterior. I've also sampled a fish dish here, which was also very very good. Yummm. They say they fly in their seafood every day, and I believe them, based on the amazing freshness of their seafood--something you don't get as much in Chicago (seeing as we're in the middle of a giant land mass... lol). Also, their Key lime pie & coconut cream pie? Super yum, and big enough to share (assuming you eat moderately). Joe's also will bring out slice of chocolate cake/brownie + ice cream if (1) it's your birthday or (2) there are kids dining. Which is sweet, right? I love when restaurants do something special for your bday!! Their service is AMAZING. Unlike some restaurants (cough Mortons cough) which will not give you top of the notch service if you're in or look like you're in your early 20s (ie little cash), the servers here will treat you really well, and there's someone to come around and check up on you, fill your water, etc every 10 mins or so. The food comes out pretty quickly, and if you've never had stone crab before, the server will even show you what to do (um this involves peeling the crab shells which are already cracked and the process isn't hard, but well, you know). Oh, and when you're done, the server will squirt lemon over your hands (over a bowl) and give you a hot towel to wipe and make you feel all classy and rich. Haha awesome! (I think this is only if you order the crab, since you use your hands... but I bet you could ask even if you ordered a steak ;) haha) Parking notes: they do have valet, I think it was $12 or so? Pretty good, considering what part of the city they're in. Call to check the price though, since parking prices have been fluctuating a bit (ajsidofajsdfa!!!)
(5)
Bryan R.
There really isn't much more to say that hasn't been said, Joe's Seafood is one of the best best restaurants in Chicago. If you come here, it's almost a sin not to get the stone crabs. These delicacies are amazing. The scallops here are also fantastic.
(5)
Kevin C.
We started off with spinach stuffed mushroom, friend calamari and bread for appetizers. Then I couldn't say no to filet mingnon! We also had chocolate fudge pie for desert. This was my best steak experience while I was in Chicago. Everything tasted so good. Maybe we were just too hungry from a long day of walking around and waiting for the food. It took ~1hr for our main entree to arrive but you should probably expect this long of wait considering this is a relaxed / somewhat formal dining place. Plus, we also had 10+ people so that did not cut down the wait time. The server was friendly and attentive. The food was somewhat expensive, but worth it for certain occasion. This was a great dining experience overall.
(5)
Kendra K.
I went with a date that - I guess to be impressive - decided to flip the host a twenty dollar bill to bypass the hour wait for a table. The classless host immediately started to suck up to my date and escorted us into the restaurant to be seated. I was so embarrassed and completely disgusted. That is one of the most classless things I have ever witnessed. I used to work at one of the most popular restaurants in the city and we used to rack up 2 hour wait times but if I were to take any of the bribes I was offered, I would have been fired immediately and rightfully so! They would have never allowed us to slap their customers in the face like that. I will never visit or recommend this place. It's disgusting to allow someone to bypass your waiting customers with a bribe. It's greedy and ungrateful. Additionally, their food was fine but not that great and way overpriced so they are lucky to have customers willing to wait at all!! My advice is give someone else your business because trust me, they don't appreciate it!!
(1)
Paul R.
One of the greatest dining experiences of my life. First of all, if you come here, you gotta do it right: I'm talking appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert. Joe's is not inexpensive by any means, but the wait staff treats you like a million dollars when you're in for dinner and the food is outstanding. It really is hard to go wrong while selecting your entree, but as one of the cities finest steakhouses, my recommedation is to skip the kid's menu and go for the beef. Their prime, bone-in ribeye may be one of the tastiest, tenderest, and-dare I say-perfect cuts of steak known to man. Order it medium-rare and prepare yourself for one of the most memorable nights of your life. And, yes, I'm still talking about the steak.
(5)
Laura H.
Oh my God, just go. You'll break the bank and it'll be worth every penny. The crab claws melt in your mouth, or is it that succulent drawn butter they come with? The bone-in filet makes me want to cry but just when I stop weeping they bring me a piece of banana foster cream pie and I crumble again. I can't possibly rave about this place anymore. If there's a heaven and this place doesn't exist there I don't want to go.
(5)
Nancy C.
"Fantastic!" Bone-in steak is so juicy and delicious! King crab is great! 3 cheese mac&cheese is good... Grilled tomato side is good... Okay, I may sound like a broken record, but I highly recommend Joe's. It's the perfect blend between classy and casual. Prices aren't bad, and staff is attentive and friendly.
(5)
Jeff Y.
best seafood in the city and the steaks are pretty damn good too. the king crab legs are huuuuuuge and delicious, and the stone crabs are great too. i recommend getting the second mortgage for an appetizer, especially if you haven't ever been here before. you get a little of everything and can decide what to eat more of next time. the service here is old school and very chicago, but in a good way. be sure to book reservations at least a week out, or try to grab a table at the bar if you go without one. and don't be scared off by the price tag. it's really not that much more than other seafood places in the area (devons, mccormick, etc) and the food is much, much better.
(5)
Leo L.
I took my girlfriend here for dinner on a Friday night. When we walked in it was crowded, there was a line and the host told us the wait would be 1 to 1.5 hours. We were seated within 30 minutes though (yay!), and our friendly waitress quickly introduced herself and gave us a rundown of the nights specials. We ordered 2 crab appetizers (a medium serving of stone crab and a $36 King Claw appetizer). For the main course we ordered "Joe's Scallops". Stone crab was OK, its served chilled with lemon and some kind of mustardy sauce(?). I guess its not my thing, so I wasnt that into it. But the king crab claws were huge and did not disappoint. Joe's Scallops are marinated and fried and somewhat plain, but still very good and perfectly cooked. I do want to go back some day and try their other crab dishes and steak, maybe when my wallet fills up again. This place is way pricey but the service is great. Our waitress was one of the nicest Ive had. Even the bouncer/doorman whatever guy was very courteous and friendly. If price doesnt matter you should have a good dining experience here. Take a date.
(3)
Rebecca B.
Joe's lives up to the hype. Everything I tasted was excellent and the service is impeccable. I had the filet, mashed potatoes, spinach, and boston creme pie for dessert (it was a work dinner and the menu was pre-ordered - don't judge). The filet was cooked perfectly, the potatoes were creamy and delicious, and the boston creme pie was amazing, although by the time it came out, I could only manage a few bites. Others in our party ordered salmon, chicken, a pasta dish, and a sushi-grade tuna steak and everyone said their dinners were amazing. You know it's good when everyone is gabbing away and then the food arrives and it's suddenly silent at the table as everyone gobbles down their food. Yum.
(5)
AJ R.
I cannot say enough good things about Joe's. We have been there more than a dozen times--definitely our favorite restaurant in Chicago. It has the perfect combination of everything--impecable service, amazing food, and a formal yet not stuff atmosphere. It can be pretty hard to get a reservation on the weekends (for a reason!), so if you're thinking about it, book now! The waiters there are wonderful--attentive, but not overbearing. They clearly enjoy what they do. We have had a few of them several times... The food--amazing! Every time my in-laws are in town we have to go there! Our favorites include about any of the fish dishes, the bone in filet as well as their regular filet, creamed spinach, Jeny's potatoes, fried oysters, and you can't leave without getting dessert (they are all wonderful--we always get the boston creme pie and key lime pie)! We have also been to the Joe's in Miami, which is also excellent--same quality of food, but the service @ the Joe's in Chicago is unbeatable!
(5)
eden s.
Never disappoints. Their drinks are perfectly chilled and and the service is really fantastic. The waiters know their product very well and are always so friendly --- you'd never know it if they got slammed. The wedge salad is great especially with their version of french dressing and blue cheese. WOW. The Alaskan King crab is so amazing, I want it everyday of the week. I prefer mine warm, but my husband likes his cold. Dipped in a pool of butter...what could be better? And they crack the shells for you! I would recommend the King crab over the stone crab. Gotta work too hard de-shelling the stone crab! The steaks are also great, sides - can't go wrong. Even their bread basket is fresh and fantastic. An out-of-towners dream and an in-towners favorite. OH, can't forget their peppermint ice cream and hot fudge for dessert. UH-mazing. 1 thing that does bug me about this place...why must you bribe the maître d' with a $20+ in order to get you a reservation??? Even on a Tuesday at 6pm for a reservation 3 months in advance? C'mon now.
(5)
Maggie B.
I've never had a bad experience here. Yes it is pricey, and I recommend making a reservation. The crab & artichoke gratin is one of the most delicious appetizer-type dishes I've ever tasted. I've never done the tableside crab service, I'm more of a whitefish gal, but it's very impressive. We ate there last night and you would never know that it was packed to the gills, the service was excellent.
(5)
Lauren J.
Great place...came here for my 30th bday dinner/eating tour of Chicago trip with my mom. We were visiting from out of town and a businessman friend recommended it who comes here often. He ended up making the reservation for us...the night before my birthday. No problem for Joe's though! They accommodated us and we didn't have to wait long before a nice table was waiting. Very appreciative of this as wandering the city would have been quite the bummer on a special night out. We tried the grapefruit margarita and keylime martini very good however keylime martini may have had too much grenadine as I couldn't finish it it was too sweet! We ordered the ceasar salad, nice & light, the jenny's (I think that's what they were) potatoes were so yummy I could have only ordered those and filet. It definitely needed the seasoning the leave you but it was good with a nice crunchy outside and a nice rare inside mmm. My mom ordered the crabcakes which were insanely delicious. I also caught the eye of the shrimp cocktail which I wish I had ordered too but I would have been too full. Next time!! The bread at the table was nice but not warmed. Service here was TOP NOTCH as I enjoy receiving from places like this. Our waiter went out of his way to recommend places to go after for a drink and really did a great job. You can tell they have great staff here!! Thank you for a great bday dinner joes!! Scene was very cool, businessmen and 30+ somethings...cool vibe in there with a late 20's decor, wood paneling etc.
(4)
John Y.
Our company held the corporate dinner here, and it was great! The back area is separated by dividers with plenty of privacy for a private party. Food came out on time. I went with my usual Filet Mignon, butterflied, with a little peppercorn on top. It was cooked well. My buddy got the NY Strip, and it was even better. I am a fan of filet over the ny strip, but if you ever go here, go with the ny strip. They got it down at Joe's.
(4)
Ami H.
Just dined here last night and it was yummy. The service and food are both great. Huge portion sizes and great stone crab! The guys all loved the steaks. Don't forget to save your appetite for some of their key lime pie. A definite place to eat at your next visit to Chicago.
(4)
Neal K.
If you value the experience and the ritual of "dining out" as much as you value the quality of the cuisine, head to Joe's for a special occasion. The waitstaff is as good or better than any crew running a large restaurant in all of Chicago. Knowledgeable, professional, sincere, energetic, and honest (wish I could say the same of the patrons - OOoowwwhhhh). Don't fool yourself, this place will lighten your wallet and maybe even make you re-think any frivolous clothes, movies, or Whole Foods outings you had planned for the month. Everyone knows the story of this establishment - 1913 Miami Beach mom and pop lunch counter finds a way to make the well-armored "stone" crab edible, explodes in popularity, courts the rat pack and well-to-do retiree crowd, opens in a franchise in Chicago in early 2000's and instantly joins the upper echelon of Chicago's highly rated restaurants as well as settling deeply into the psyche of the upper crust "it's Tuesday, I don't want to cook (yawn)" and ladies lunch crowds. "We need more hot water and lemons, and stop looking at me young lady". There's also the occasional un-tethered lil' Lord Fauntleroy running up and down the tight spaces between larger tables. Sorry, but money and class are not the same thing, but I digress... The food - This is simple food cranked up to maximum volume. The stone crab is worth trying, it's a sweet version of what you know as crab. It's recyclable in a way - I think they only take one of the claws off these dudes and it grows back after about a year. Bitter or not, these dudes taste pretty good. Don't get anything smaller than large claws, the flavor just isn't there. FYI- it's only in season for part of the year in the fall. King crab when it's in season is the best available in the midwest. I'd argue it's more appealing to me than the $75 lobster tail and tastier too. Steaks are absolutely ridiculous. Bone in Ribeye wins the prize, along with salty seasoning add-ons. The sides are just as good as the main courses. Jenny's potatoes and beefsteak grilled tomato with cheesy spinach is mouth-watering. Desserts are made every morning on-site. The Cherry pie with great vanilla bean ice cream and jubilee sauce in the summer is one of my favorite sweet indulgences of all time. The wine list is extraordinary, but again, you really need to stop worrying about how you're going to pay for this meal, just get a bottle of Domaine Serene, and put it on the credit card. Trust me. Reservations are a must. Go early and leave when the crowds get there around 8pm. Or, stop by for a surprisingly affordable burger and coke for lunch - they even do that well. Don't know if brunch is still going, but they searched far and wide to find the most decadent smoked thick cut bacon that they swab down with maple syrup. Come ready for a tussle, because the entire menu is a left hook, jab, or mighty blow delivered directly to the solar plexis from this heavyweight of a joint. You should be prepared to be knocked down for at least a mandatory 8 count. Try this tip - split a steak , 2 glasses of wine, and 1 side if you want to walk out alive.
(5)
Phil K.
Joe's was awesome in almost every way. I felt slightly out of place when we walked in - most of us were in our late 20's, which is a little on the green of the spectrum, at least the night we were there - I felt just fine once we sat down. The restaurant was crowded when we arrived at 6pm, and I'm sure it stayed that way for the entire night. I don't usually have a good time at steak houses, so I was happy to learn that Joe's specializes in seafood, but also serves 1st class steaks. Our table shared garlic prawns for a starter; they were perfectly cooked and delicious. For my entire I had one of their seafood specials - Parmesan crusted flounder - which was extremely good. You order several sides to share at the table, all of ours were excellent. We had creamed spinach, panko-breaded asparagus, "Jennie's" potatoes, and hashed browns. We were stuffed by the time we finished that off. Dessert was also excellent. The key lime pie is definitely just as good as what I've had in Florida, which is impressive. The apple pie was probably even better, and I'll definitely order that next time I go - hopefully soon.
(5)
Ronnie S.
If you order the right thing, then it is the best ever! Otherwise the menu is ok for the price. The aged steak is like slice of heaven! Bring your friends who like to eat the heavy stuff!
(4)
Alan R.
Chicago received a World Class restaurant of international renown when Lettuce Entertain You partnered to bring Joe's to Chicago. We go here every year for my wife's birthday. The second mortgage is the best appetizer at any Chicago restaurant. It comes with ceviche, stone crab, lobster and shrimp. The sweet potatoes are fantastic and they always have excellent desert if want something other than key lime pie. The service is also what you would expect from a high end restaurant. They will help with any suggestions about the menu or with special requests. A great place for a special date or celebration.
(5)
Rachel H.
I went here for my birthday and was completely impressed. The atmosphere is perfect for a special occasion. I had a filet which was absolutely delicious and juicy as well as the second mortgage appetizer which has ceviche, stone crab claws, lobster tail, and shrimp on it I believe. It was amazing. The service was also top notch and when the waiter managed to spill a glass of red wine on my brother in law his steak was comped, his dry cleaning paid for, and we were treated to a wide variety of the desserts free of charge. The key lime pie is the best.
(5)
Kathy C.
JUMBO BACK FIN LUMP CRAB CAKES: Yup. The real deal. I am always disappointed with crab cakes but I keep trying to find one that qualifies and measures up to the crab cakes in Baltimore. That means carefully handling the true back fin lump crabmeat (hard to buy in Chicago at this freshness level) - and not adding fillers. It should be presented just like these at Joe's - carefully shaped, sauteed and unadulterated. I have searched long and hard and have finally found a real crab cake in Chicago. One teeny tiny complaint: Not hot enough in the center (but they are JUMBO). I will be back.
(5)
MJ D.
In my opinion Joes is one of the most consistant restaurants in Chicago. It is not inexpensive but the food & service is worth it. All the steaks our Prime and Seafood is fresh also I would definitly eat the Key Lime Pie but all the deserts are great.
(5)
Sam W.
What an experience. This was my first time at Joe's and I was very happy with my decision to celebrate my 22nd birthday there. My family and friends (total of 5 of us) started out with Fried Calamari and 5 Large Stone Crab Claws. The calamari was decision and perfectly crisp. The claws, which represented my first experience with stone crab, were good but a little boring. The presentation was nice and I appreciated the pre-cracking of the claws, but pieces of shell would still find themselves in the meat. For the price, they really weren't worth it. Our entrees consisted of the Ahi Tuna, Tempura Lobster, and multiple orders of Bacon Wrapped Scallops. Each dish was incredible, and the scallops were perfectly cooked. The tuna was seared rare but a little bland. With a little help from some type of chili sauce that came with the Lobster, the Tuna became an instant hit. As for the Lobster itself, the breading was a little too much, especially since the menu read tempura, and not deep fried, as it seemed to be. Either way, fried lobster is a treat. For dessert, we all shared a slice of the Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie, and the Apple Pie ala mode. The crust on the Key Lime Pie was the best ever. The thinly sliced apples embedded into the Apple Pie was delectable, and the Banana Cream filing in the third pie left us all ready to be carted out in a wheel chair. The service was fantastic for a Saturday night and we all can't wait to return.
(5)
Christine L.
This place made me ill....seriously! I don't know if it was a bad piece of seafood or just that everything I touched was insanely creamy, buttery, oily and fat ladden. My stomach can not handle that many rich foods in one meal. I had an encrusted tilapia that was far too greasy for my liking. Most of the table loooved the lobster bisque and potaotes lyonnaise but they made me sick. Honestly, that was the richest meal I have ever attempted to eat and just tasted like a chain restaurant to me. I know this place has a lot of fans but I'm certainly not one of them and can't recommend this place.
(1)
Brad F.
Everything was soooo delicious here. I got the bigger filet which was excellent. I also got a caeser salad which was also very yummy. I ended up getting this awesome appetizer the shrimp de johnge which was amazinggggg i wanted more.
(5)
Lisa K.
when youre looking to paint the town red, start with this old school chicago restaurant. excellent food, hands down, mmm mmmm mmmm mmmm good
(5)
Jennifer H.
Consistently excellent food. Perfect place to take someone if you want a great food, great service and a great atmosphere. I'd recommend it to anyone. I've been for lunch, dinner and drinks and will go back many times.
(4)
Tiffany M.
This is my FAVORITE restaurant in Chicago. So much so that my boyfriend took me here to propose last year....just when I thought it couldn't get much better than the King Crab Legs, Stone Crab and FIlet at this place he went and gave me yet another reason to rave! Service is always impeccable and it's always packed. Wish I could eat here every day, I'd give it eleven stars if I could.
(5)
Chloe G.
I love Joe's! They have my favorite salad in the city, the chopped vegetable salad. It has 14 different vegetables and has this wonderful cheese on it and the creamy vinaigrette is amazing. Their steaks are also wonderful and come with a little side of this mixed salt that you can put on the steak...so delicious. And their pies are all so good!! I've had the key lime pie, the peanut butter pie, and I think a few others and they are all delicious.
(5)
Steve H.
The bone in filet is amazing. This is one of the best restaurants in the city. If you are looking for a top notch steakhouse/seafood, look no further.
(5)
Natalie B.
I live for this place! It can get expensive, but it is so worth it!. It has something for everyone on the menu and can meet any dietary need. The staff is top notch and the ambiance makes it perfect for any special occasion, or to impress a date.
(5)
Bridget L.
Joe's was very hyped up when I came here for a birthday dinner so I had a lot of expectations. The service was excellent and the food was great. The stone crab, however, was a pain in the behind to eat!! The little shells were stuck in the meat. Every other bite was "crunchy". That was too bad. Overall though this place is lovely.
(4)
Mandy K.
I went to Joe's last night and had the best halibut I have ever had in my life. It was parmesean crusted and perfectly cooked. To top it off, they put a delecious lemon butter sauce with it. The staff was attentive and friendly and the sides we ordered with our entrees, broccoli and Jennie's potatoes, were divine as well. All in all, Joe's is a perfect place for great seafood meal.
(5)
carmen b.
Hello ,food snob here. I am from Northwest Indiana but know one thing. When I go eat in the heart if Chicago I know the restaurant will be good. This one is no exception. Stone Crab was great. Not to many places will crack and open the crab legs for you. Expensive, YES, but this is DOWNTOWN what do you expect. I must confess after a good tax refund my wife and I splurged. This is the place to do it. Yes we went overboard $260.00 with tip. BUT on a regular bassis it could be half that. So live it up sometime. Your not getting any younger.
(5)
Chris G.
I have really bad experiences with Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My worst two restaurant experiences have been at them. Maybe it is because of the semi-chain, semi-upscale restaurant feel to them that makes me feel like I should be relaxed, while the waitstaff always acts like the place is lavish? However, some important colleagues were in town and they suggested this place (know that I would have never picked this place - I don't eat animal). The waiter was awful and made all six of us feel like we made a mistake from the moment we sat down. He was rude and unhelpful. When I asked him for his suggestion, he laughed and said I should go somewhere else (I know, this is a seafood and steak house, but I didn't choose the place. Couldn't he at least attempt to be polite? Suggest some sides or a salad you jerk!) When I ordered three sides (after struggling to find something without animal), he asked if I wanted a separate check as well (Again, jerk!) The sides were not good. In fact, I am pretty sure the cauliflower and fried green tomatoes were pre-cooked, frozen and reheated before they hit my place. When he finally brought us the check (one check, please, jerk), he quietly dropped it off and didn't return for 15 minutes. Thanks, again, Lettuce Entertain You for another bad experience.
(1)
Yuni c.
My family and I went to Joe's for lunch. It was quite packed! We had their Manhattan clam chowder, Stonecrabs, beef steak sandwich and seared tuna sandwich (we shared all of them). They were delicious and the service was exceptional.
(4)
Melissa H.
I love this place! The Stone Crab is awesome! The seafood and fish is awesome! The ambiance is great, a big restaurant and lots of people, but you don't feel cramped and you don't feel like you can't socialize if you're with a big group. Make your reservations early! It is kinda pricey but it is SO worth it!
(4)
Jim C.
Started. Out by waiting 45 minutes with a reservation. Second we ordered the whale as our appetizer and a Stone crab tasted very fishy. After complaining we didn't even receive a complimentary drink or any discount off our bill for the issues we had. Not that I was expecting a significant discount but a restaurant of this caliber they should try and take care of their customers a little better.
(1)
Emily P.
Quite possibly the best lunch we have ever had!! The crab bisque was to die for, the stone crabs were amazing!! My husband had the tenderloin sandwich and it was the best tenderloin sandwich he had ever had. I had the seafood chopped salad and it ws perfect!! A must try restaurant
(5)
Harvey F.
This is an excellent restaurant. I had a Cheeseburger and fries here and was delighted by the freshness of the meat, the efficient service, and the lovely decor. Given the size of the restaurant and its location, I think fifteen dollars for my meal was a reasonable price. I wouldn't mind coming back here next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Alice T.
Restaurant week here was really good. We were almost 30 minutes late, but they still held our table. Definitely make reservations though- I think the whole back section is for reservations. A guy was there before us, without a reservation, and he was still at the bar area when we left. We ordered the stone crabs menu ($22 for lunch). - Bread: I love when they have all sorts of options- there was a mini onion kaiser roll with caramelized onions inside! They also had a really buttery roll, cinnamon-covered bread stick thing (the same one that Corner Bakery does), and raisin rye bread. - Manhattan clam chowder- pretty much just chunky vegetable soup with clam. - Stone crab bisque- so creamy and good. Didn't get any crab bits, but the flavor made up for it. - Stone crabs (4 pre-cracked claws)- the lemon and Joe's mustard go so well with the crab, and helps bring out the freshness and tangy-ness. These were really annoying to eat though, because I kept eating shell... - Joe's cole slaw- not heavy mayo, tasted more like sushi vinegar, came with relish and a dollop of mayo, really, really good - Potatoes- like hash brown, but with a really crunchy (almost burnt) crust on top, super oily and heavy - Key lime pie- super tangy, not too sweet, probably one of the best key lime pies I've had, it would have been perfect if they used the graham cracker crumb pie base - Banana foster- too much whipped cream, not enough cream and bananas, also not too sweet I really like how they do all their sides as family style, instead of individual portions. The menu was also really thoughtful. For desserts, the key lime pie is paired with the seafood (a tangy end to the meal), and the banana foster is meant to be paired with the filet mignon (nice and creamy finish). The service was really attentive, and the food was really fresh. They don't skimp on portions and deliver a great experience.
(4)
Angela T.
WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID than OMG!!! Absolutely SUPERB!!! I can't wait to get back to Chicago to dine here again!
(5)
Maureen C.
Great service, great food. Will definitely be back! I don't know what else I can say to add on to everyone's comments here... except Go! =) You won't regret it!
(5)
Cathy K.
Bone-in Filet was fantastic. Has a great crust. Bone-in Ribeye was amazing also. Crab was fine. Nothing out of this world. Ordered half slice of Key lime pie and Havana pie. I prefer the Havana.... Go here if you just want good quality meat. No fancy sauces needed here.
(5)
Paul M.
I had heard the Miami location of this place was not too be missed, so when we had the opportunity to check this one out we jumped at the chance! For appetizers we tried the highly recommended Madagascar jumbo shrimp which I thought were only OK. The stone crabs which they are famous for were very good, precracked and easy to eat for shellfish, but honestly were overshadowed by the delicious Alaskan King crab! We also shared an order of the highly recommended fried chicken which was good, moist, well seasoned and not soggy. I ordered a dry aged steak for entree, recommended by our server, which felt like it took an hour to come :( once it arrived however, it was cooked to my liking medium rare and tasty. For desert, we had the key lime pie which was a surprisingly normal portion size and really good. Our party ended up fighting over it and ignoring the coconut cream pie accompaniment. A down side of the night was when our group had issues redeeming points for our drinks at the bar via the lettuce entertain you rewards program because apparently according to the rules the card holder and credit card holder have to match. We have not had an issue at any of the other participating restaurants in the area so we were surprised that restaurant manager was unwilling to accommodate us considering we had spent over $1,000 on dinner that night. He apologized to me afterward insisting he could not break the rules, but this sort of left a damper. Also, we made an open table reservation for this place and they did not take into account the special instructions for a gluten free menu. We ended up having to request one and defeating the purpose of "special instructions." Overall some really very good seafood dishes (CRAB!), but also some only pretty good ones and considering some other lapses in service and the high price tag to dine here I walked away with a less than stellar feeling.
(3)
Shaun T.
The only reason I would not give this location 5 stars is because of the wait time and chaos of the waiting area. Other than that, it was a great experience! From the time we sat down, the service was superb! We visited on a Wednesday night on this day which may have been a busier time. We will certainly return but make our reservations for early evening hours instead.
(4)
Jay J.
Top five restaurant for me. The stone crab is obviously amazing, the mahi was the best mahi I've ever had. Get ready to drop some cash though because you're going to have to sell your watch to pay for it.
(5)
Maggie V.
I have been to Joe's a number of times for professional events and fun night out dinners. I have yet to taste anything mediocre let alone bad-- they simply have great food all the time. The wait staff is awesome, very attentive and great with recommendations for first timers as well as return customers looking to try something new. Portions are good sized, but you definitely want to save room for dessert. Key lime pie is amazing. The steak and the seafood are equally amazing. Highly highly recommend Joe's for a nice night out.
(5)
Bethany H.
Maybe because it was restaurant week, we didn't get the full "Joe's" experience. We came here for a friend's birthday dinner, party of 10. While one member of the party got sent to the wrong table, and awkwardly had to explain that she did not know that table and needed help finding the correct table, the rest of us were seated rather promptly. Our server lacked a beside manner, whatever that translates to, in the food industry. When the birthday girl wanted to know what a rock crab was like, the server did not describe the crab itself, but rather how it compared to another type of crab the birthday girl had never tried. When she stated this, the server rolled her eyes and gave her a 6 word, vague response. Not helpful. There was some serious mix ups in our food order, which happens. But when a guest said that they did not get a lobster tail with their steak, the server argued saying he did. Ha! Really? The guest has never eaten lobster in his life, so I think he can be trusted to know his order. So let's talk food. IT was very good, although two meals needed to be sent back for correction. They do seafood quite well here and the steaks were great for a seafood joint. We enjoyed the tomato slices with a pesto and broiled cheese, and the mashed potatoes. The tuna tar tar and stone crabs were very good as well. Perhaps we will be back some day to dine there when it is not restaurant week.
(3)
J. N.
If I could give a 6th star, I would give it to Joe's. Its simply the best. Its solid. Always packed, always flawless service. Its clean, its hip, they are on their game. Everything on the menu is absolutely amazing. The best restaurant in the city, hands down. Good luck getting that reservation.
(5)
Carson K.
Exceptional service. Every waiter I have ever had went out of their way to provide a very personalized experience. For a nice meal on the town, this place is hard to beat.
(5)
mike h.
Awesome beef and seafood, I travel a lot and this is a favorite!
(5)
Melina R.
I didn't care for this place. My mom and I were starving on a Sunday night and while everything else was closed, Joe's was open. We didn't order what they are known for - seafood and prime steak, so maybe that is where the problem arose from.
(2)
Ken A.
Good food indeed. We opened for king crab legs as an appetizer and they were delicious. I do wish I would have requested them steamed rather than chilled. My fault. Still delicious. After a nice Booker's whiskey, I ordered a a fantastic wine to accompany the NY steak that was cooked to perfection. Don't hate, but I can't remember the name. It was 20 bucks a glass and worth every penny. Man, I love a good wine. The mac and cheese for the kids was off the charts and I ate a lot of it. Creamed spinach always great... It's expensive but very, very good. Reminds me of the Palm.
(5)
Ellen G.
This place is wonderful, perfect for a special occasion. The waiters in tuxes, the detailed explanations, everything perfectly cooked. Unless you have a good waiter or have inside information, you won't know that you can get 1/2 size side dishes and desserts for 1/2 price plus $1, which is fantastic so you can try more things. The asparagus is great--tender, sweet, not stringy. The baked potato comes with onion sour cream, basically onion dip on the side, the house recipe. If not everyone in your party wants steak, the menu is basically half steak, half seafood. The shrimp dejonghe is excellent, and 1 person got the crab stuffed sole. Havana Dream pie is tres leches cake, a Hispanic specialty since the original restaurant is in Miami. Not surprisingly, key lime pie is the house special dessert. I read the fried chicken is some of the best in town, which not the norm for a steak/seafood restaurant. Basically they have a full seafood menu plus all the usual steaks, so something for everyone. You have to reserve up to a month ahead or you will be stuck with going at 4:30 or 9:30. So plan accordingly, it's worth the wait.
(5)
Melanie S.
Even though I just went here for lunch two days ago, I came here again for dinner last night. Yes, Joe's is a place I happily go to whenever I'm asked. Joe's is an offer you can't refuse. It may very well have been the best dinner EVER. Tonight my dining companion was a Joe's virgin and I was only too happy to show him the carnal pleasures of a bone-in ribeye perfectly prepared. We were seated and ordered a bottle of Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon, and with that my dc had Oysters Rockefeller and I had a mixed greens salad. I didn't want anything heavy to start as many delicious things awaited my consumption. Apparently, the Oysters Rockefeller rock. My dc offered me one of his but I politely declined. After his first taste, he mocked me deeply for my foolishness in passing on them. He made short work of the rest, pausing only for a perfunctory re-offer to me, so I am fairly certain he was secretly happy I didn't have one after all. We both ordered the aforementioned bone-in ribeyes, with a lobster tail, and then a bunch of sides. One of their specials was a cauliflower gratin. I love cauliflower and how can you go wrong when you add cheese and breadcrumbs? You can't. We also had a baked sweet potato, Jennie's Potatoes and Creamed Spinach with Roasted Garlic. The steaks were, as per usual, cooked to perfection. The lobster tail was rich and sweet, and was only enhanced by the drawn butter. What could be better, I ask you? I can make a sweet potato at home so I didn't really have any, but the rest of the sides were to-die-for, as always. Joe's also had a new dessert on the menu: a chocolate raspberry pie. I'm of the opinion that chocolate and raspberry happen to be one of the best flavor combinations one could hope to taste in one bite, so I was torn. You see, I always have the key lime pie or Havana Dreams cake. Oh dilemma. What's a girl to do? I didn't have to decide. My dc ordered all three. A chap after my own heart. The waiter gave us half portions of each one. Foolish man. Does he not realize who he's dealing with? The chocolate raspberry pie had a mousse-like consistency and was topped with fresh whipped cream that had a hint of Chambord in it. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Easily one of the top three dining experiences I've ever had. I think my dc would have to agree.
(5)
Jaclynn G.
Best martini in Chicago! Seafood is to die for. I always head there for stone crabs and steak. Delicious!
(5)
Megan K.
Joe's falls short for me across many different categories, and I always feel let down and disappointed when I leave this establishment. I've been here for both work dinners and personal dinners, weekends and weeknights, and it's always consistent, which is a plus on their behalf. My latest trip was on a Saturday evening at 6:30pm. I had made a reservation a few months out, as this place is always bustling and there is always a wait if you don't have a reservation. We checked in with the host and checked our coats (which is complimentary) as they prepared our table. We were promptly seated and greeted by our waiter who ran down the specials of the evening for us and took our drink order. Shortly thereafter he came back with our first round of drinks and we placed an order for an appetizer. For our drinks we decided to stray from wine and explore the cocktail list. I opted for their whiskey smash which was a little sweet for my taste, but for $11 it was pretty boozy and is on the cheaper end for cocktails when compared to other options in the city. My boyfriend went for their Rye Manhattan, which was your typical run of the mill Manhattan with a boozy brandied cherry. As we were sipping on our cocktails, our colossal lump crab cake arrived and we dove right on in. As many other reviews have mentioned, the crap cake is mostly crab versus the filler of other establishments. It was tasty, but it could have used a little more spice/flavor as it was lacking something crucial that I've tasted in other crab cake offerings. After we polished off the crab cake, our waiter came back and took our order. We both decided to get the petite filet mignon with the Alaskan King Crab legs. I ordered my steak medium and my boyfriend went with medium rare. We opted out of the sides and went with a split vegetable chopped salad instead. When our entrees arrived we were surprised to have lobster tail instead of the King Crab legs, to which our waiter was puzzled about when we pointed this out. He had us put our steaks on our salad plates, and whisked away the lobster tail, muttering his apologies. We cut into our steaks as we waited for our King Crab to arrive, and I noticed that my medium steak was closer to a medium-well, which was disappointing. When our waiter came back with the crab, he set them down and walked away, not even asking how our steaks were. This was a huge turn off service wise, as I would have pointed out that my steak was not cooked to a proper temperature. Regardless, I was happy to munch on the sweet and buttery crab legs as my consolation prize. The portion size on the crab is substantial at four large pieces, so between that and the steak, I was more than satiated. Now, onto the chopped salad. This was one of the most sorry excuses I have ever seen for a chopped salad. Sure, the vegetables were fresh, but they were boring. The dressing was watery and flavorless, the cheese was muted in flavor, and there was absolutely no seasoning to the salad. What a letdown. Now, onto the most depressing dessert ever. We ordered the peanut butter chocolate fudge pie, and what showed up was something I could have made in elementary school. The filling was simply whipped peanut butter in an oreo cookie shell that you could buy pre-made at the grocery store. For $8 this was an absolute joke and was reminiscent of a pudding pie. Totally uninspired and totally lacking for a steak house dessert. After this trip to Joe's I definitely won't be back on my own dime. I'd much rather go across the street to Benny's Chop House or to a local/non-chain restaurant such as Bavette's for my steak cravings.
(3)
Stephanie H.
If you want to have a solid dining experience in every way - food quality and service - this is the place. Fellow Yelpers accurate describe service as top notch. Professional service that attends to your needs, assesses your interest in explanations, and won't over-interrupt a romantic meal! Food - I will never forget you oyster rockafeller! Spinach and rockafort (?) baked into dreamy goodness. I would go here just for that and the appetizer breads (mmm, dark bread with raisins! and so many more too!). I always preferred the ahi with a selection of side dishes. Potato choices are abundant and a variety of preparations, and there is usually a seasonal vegetable. I enjoyed the creamy butternut squash and their coleslaw which is a unique and refreshing dish (not creamy like most, more vinegar). It has been awhile since I frequented this place (I miss it so!) so I'm not sure what is seasonal these days.. bonus: Ambiance is great ! You can have a conversation with your meal! If you are on a budget try lunch. They have great salads too! NOTE: this is NOT to be confused with "Joe's crab shack" which is a totally different place.
(5)
Dawn H.
There's not much I can say about Joe's that hasn't been said already, so I'll keep this short. PERFECTION. I've been here a dozen times, and each and every time, the food is outstanding and the service is impeccable. You know how department stores aim to be Nordstrom? Yeah....well, every restaurant should strive to be Joe's. I am definitely a customer for life! Enough said.
(5)
John K.
One of the best, if not the best seafood restaurant in town. Never had a bad meal and never a problem with the help since we've been going there (for at least a decade I think). Almost any fish entree (Grouper when served was a staple with us, John Dory or Dover Sole, Black Cod - tender with a teriyaki glaze, Wild Salmon when in season, etc.) is great. King Crab while expensive is very well worth it at least once or twice. It's usually served cold but can be steamed (I like it either way but tend towards the warm version but the colder version can be tastier). The Stone Crab (it's namesake) to me is overrated with not much taste and drier than the King, hence the need for their dijon sauce. Their Madagascar shrimp are also very, very good. Extremely large (but not tough) and seasoned on the grill. An excellent diversion (coming from a person who likes shrimp but would not normally order them these are great). Side dishes are a treat too, sweet potato seasoned fries and grilled seasoned corn with lime are absolute musts when dining there. Service is excellent (both established and newer servers), always willing to accomodate a special request.
(5)
Heather R.
Outstanding seafood. I had the daily catch, which was a table side filleted dover sole. It was phenomenal. We also ordered the king crab legs. The preparation is impressive, but I was not expecting them to be cold. I recommend grabbing a table at the bar. The dining room seemed a bit crammed.
(5)
Michael M.
Great restaurant. Have been here many times. Would recommend the bone in filet, the fried chicken, the stone claws, the king crab legs, the sides and the deserts..ok pretty much everything. Can get quite pricey but will absolutely not disappoint!
(5)
E Y.
Very good food and excellent service but it is on the pricey side. If you are on a company expense, this is the place to take your clients for dinner. I only had the ribeye but the seafood looked great as I looked at what others ordered beside me.
(4)
Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for the Restaurant Week special: $31.95 for Salad, perfect 8 oz. Filet Mignon (best I've had in a while), Jennie's Mashed Potatoes (awesome), Joe's Grilled Tomato (lame) and Banana Cream Pie with Fosters Sauce (realized I'm not a Banana Cream Pie guy.) Would have easily thrown out 5 stars again since it is the best steak I've had in a while, but the service at the bar was off (waitress specifically, supporting staff were money). Good to keep in mind that you don't need to get a reservation/table and you can usually find a seat at the bar to eat dinner. It's a different experience at the table (better in some ways if you're game for it), but it's still awesome food.
(4)
Ji K.
Bone-in Filet Mignon + Alaskan King Crab Legs = the best meal EVER This is no lie. I love to eat. I enjoy food very much. But never have I enjoyed food as much as I did when I had this amazing combination last night. It's two separate entrees, of course, but if you split them up with another person (which is what I did with my guy), you have yourselves the perfect surf and turf combo imaginable. What's so perfect about it is that both entrees are the best of its kind that I've ever tasted. So imagine eating them together. I actually thought I might implode upon consumption. If that perfection alone isn't enough, a couple stone crab claws are a delightful starter, the spicy mustard sauce that comes with the crab is soooo deliciously addictive, and the service is outstanding (our waiter was one of the best and our crab cracker is unbelievably skilled at what he does). I heart Joe's very very VERY much.
(5)
Sherilyn L.
Joe's nails it every time. What can I say? It's a Chicago staple. Can't beat the Italian style, maffia like, swanky atmosphere. I even had my rehearsal dinner at Joe's. Again, orgasmic every time.
(5)
Amanda L.
With a hefty price tag of $200, I desperately wanted to love my meal! Unfortunately, I just couldn't, as such a self-proclaimed seasoned, high-caliber establishment made various grave, and characteristically rookie mistakes. The stone crab claws my boyfriend and I ordered as an appetizer were extremely bland. I thought our entrees would be out of this world; however, I was seriously mistaken. After being talked into selecting the "finest Colorado-raised" $50 lamb chops by our waiter, I expected to be blown away! Wrong. I asked for a medium preparation and they were entirely raw as well as flavorless. Also, I just have to add...When you're expecting diners to dish out the big bucks, you should take the liberty to season their food before it makes its way to the table. When our waiter served our main course, he presented us with two small bowls of seasoning, which I found pretty bizarre. My boyfriend had to cut the top of this steak off because the spice mix proved to be way too strong. Overall, this was a totally bogus experience, and I for sure would not come back or recommend this restaurant to any self-respecting foodies.
(1)
Kathy S.
Holy Cow. My company had the annual holiday party here and I have to say that I was extremely impressed. Everything was excellent from the service to especially the food. We started off with three appetizers (stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari and crab & artichoke gratin) and then a salad and all were very tasty. For my entree I had the ahi tuna which was fantastic but then I tried some of the stone crab that a co-worker got and instantly regretted not getting them instead. I have to note that usually I don't care for crab/lobster just because I'm lazy and I don't like having to work for my food but since they already crack it for you, it's easy peasy. I finished it off with a slice of their famous key lime pie and it was delicious but my heart really belongs to the banana foster, which I sampled as well. My only complaint would be that I made a reservation last night to take my fiance's family there in a couple days (I really loved it THAT much) and the host seemed somewhat rude but I'm going to give him the benefit of a doubt that it was a busy night and he was just stressed out.
(5)
Marci G.
The BEST coleslaw in the whole wide world. Period.
(5)
Louis K.
Absolutely fantastic. That's the only way to describe it. Every dish is outstanding, whether it be seafood, steak, dessert or a simple side. Free refills on soda. It is good for private parties, family dinners, everything. Small children may have issues, as this restaurant is packed with tables of people eating $40-$50 steaks, so be careful.
(5)
Meg C.
My fiancee took me here for my birthday dinner a few days ago and it was everything I hoped for. The stone crab is great, the schrimp and scallop ceviche was excellent! Both of us had steak and it was fantastic as well. We were both too full for dessert. I hope to go back sometime soon!
(5)
Shaun K.
Great, classic feel. Stone crabs are fresh and buttery. The seafood here is excellent.
(4)
Jen K.
I must admit that I was really looking forward to this meal. I'd heard nothing but wonderful things about Joe's. Maybe they would have received 4 stars if there hadn't been all the hype. Regardless, I wasn't particularly impressed by the stone crab. My king crab was more of a scampi style which I didn't feel was reflected well on the menu. Bisque was good but I've had better. If you're in the area I prefer Shaw's for crab instead.
(3)
Marissa D.
i've always had a special place in my heart for joe's stone crab. which is funny because i don't even eat crab. nonetheless, i love the classy atmosphere and the good service (sometimes you get a waiter who is a tad bit annoying in that outgoing, in your face sort of way, but that is what joe's encourages i believe). everything here is good. i've literally never had anything that didn't make me extremely happy here. the bone in rib-eye is incredible, as are the onion strings, the mashed potatoes, the fish, etc etc etc. now let me talk a little about the pie situation here. when you are at joe's you must get pie. i think the smart thing to do is order a few half slices. i recommend the banana cream pie, the boston cream pie, and if you are in the mood for something quite filling, the peanut butter pie. so don't go here if you are 'on a diet' or 'aren't really a dessert person.' those reasons are nonsense. YOU EAT THE PIE AND YOU EAT IT! ok that's all.
(4)
Dolores L.
Superb service. Stone crabs were delicious. Fisherman's platter was a juicy array of calamari, scallops, shrimp, and cod. Bone-in filet mignon was juicy and cooked to perfection. Jennie's potatoes - cheese and potato lovers heaven. We also had asparagus to fill the vegetable quota, but it was also good. Wasn't too fond of the bread selection, but I don't mind because everything else took over the bread. Wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be - this was all about 120 bucks including a generous tip for a party of 2. Wanted to try dessert, but was too full. Maybe next time...
(5)
Stephanie H.
I have only been once, a couple of months ago. Good experience. Went with a group of girls, we sat a nice round table. Steak was great, although mine was cooked to much, I ordered a Filet Mid-Rare and it came out closer to Mid-Well...the server was very good about it and brought me a new one pretty quickly. All of the sides were good...spinach and potatoes. We had a couple bottles of good wine. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Ryan H.
Everything about our Joe's experience was excellent. My wife and my parents went to Joe's on a Friday evening. There was a 2-hour wait, but our reservations allowed us to be seated immediately. Our server was pleasant and really talked up the food. The stone crab are not in season during the summer; however, they do have rock crab (which I had), and they are a wonderful substitute. They come pre-cracked for you, and it is amazing how much meat each claw contains (I had 5 large claws, which was plenty). My wife ordered the filet, which was thick and cut like butter. We've been to Gibson's before, and I thought this steak beat anything we'd had there. The menu specials were all very good, and we ended up trying all of the special sides (they're made to share). The wine menu offered a great selection, with some reasonable choices so you didn't have to break your bank for a good glass of wine. The peanut butter pie was amazing, and we had a nice espresso to finish the night. Even though we have countless other restaurants we'd like to visit when we're in Chicago, we will be hard-pressed not to include Joe's in our rotation each time we come back. Highly recommended!
(5)
Karen M.
Joe's is one of the BEST restaurants ever. Loved the ambiance, the service, and the food. Our group of 9 was wonderfully accommodated around a round table, and we had an evening to remember. Don't miss this Chicago landmark.
(5)
Kara H.
service - excellent. Food. good. good, not great - and for the price - I expect great. I actually prefer Shaws.
(3)
Kaio B.
seems to be very popular with the tourist but def a good place to eat if you are downtown. i would def recommend this over grand lux(thumbs down) i have had couple of dishes here and liked all of them.
(4)
Alex S.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner and had the best filet of my entire life! It was absolutely perfect and I doubt I'll ever have filet that good again.
(5)
Linda O.
Sought out this place for a late lunch because of all of the great reviews but seriously?? This place is not all that. The food is way over priced for the amount and quality. I had a petitie (1/3 pounder approx) filet mignon with three stone crab claws for $45. I added a side of a sweet potato. (Everything is ala carte.) I drank a lemonade. My bill was $68 before the tip. Don't get me wrong--I don't mind shelling out for a good steak and crab, but my tiny steak was tough and the crab legs, while tasty, amounted to about an ounce of crab meat, maybe. They say that the sides are large enough to share, but my sweet potato was smaller than your average restaurant potato and the sides that I saw served to others didn't look that big to me. The service is excellent, which why I am giving Joes two stars rather than one. I get the sense that this is a place where business people who can write off the cost of the meal take their clients who may be impressed by the cost. That's not me. Do yourself a favor and eat at Ruths Chris Steakhouse which is short stroll away. The prices are about the same, but the food is excellent and plentiful. Honestly, I don't get why Joe's is so popular.....
(2)
Rich C.
I came here with the idea that this was just another steak house. I was wrong. We started with stone crab claws which were super fresh, sweet and delicious. Then I had the king salmon on the waitress's definite recommendation. Now I have salmon a lot at home, but I don't eat that much beef, so I kind of begrudgingly ordered it. Well, it was probably one of the best pieces of salmon I ever ate. Perfectly cooked, topped with a little crab, asparagus and hollandaise. We also had potatoes, spinach, and corn. I could have made a meal out of those 3 items. The potatoes are the kind you dream of, extra crispy on the outside and creamy and delicious on the inside. We ended the meal with a cherry pie that tasted like Mom made it. Wonderful service..it was a great evening.
(5)
Grace K.
Hypertensive people might die here. Like - on the spot kind of die. It is as salty as can be. So then, why four stars? Well - - first off, it's a happening place, located centrally, and apparently, all of Chicago wants to eat here. Second - the 2nd Mortgage appetizer we had was just delectable. Fresh lobsters, shrimp and crab ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and the famous Joe's Crab Claws. Third - the meat itself was flavorful, good cuts. Even the Porterhouse, which is always riskier than say, the ribeye, was very, very good. I asked for medium rare as I usually do, and this was a bit overcooked than I would like (and like I said - so salty... omg was it salty.... water! water!) but all in all it was great. Fourth - the side of "grilled tomatoes" which are thickly cut beefsteak tomatoes topped with creamed spinach and cheese, was just earth-shattering. Amazing stuff and a perfect match to the steak. We also ordered the steamed asparagus with lemon butter that was also cooked well, and very flavorful. Fifth - the drinks were GOOOOOOD. I tried some kind of champagne martini they have, red in color - I know it had Chambord in it, but that was stellar. I then ordered a dirty Martini (extra extra dirty) which was great, with blue cheese olives - - yum, except in hindsight that was a bad idea given how salty the meal was - - my drink was even saltier. Holy smokes... if I weren't so healthy, I might have had a stroke by the end of dinner. Sixth, and definitely not last - was the great service. Starting with the maitre'd to our waitress, to the busboys - - service was excellent and extremely polite and accomodating. Look at it this way - - I still hand them four stars in spite of the salt attack they gave me because so many other things, like the service, made up for the illegal amounts of salt they used on the meat. Do try the pies. Yummy stuff - homemade pies. We had the Boston Cream Pie, as well as vanilla ice cream, and the peppermint ice cream (with bits of peppermint candy in it!) and all tasted great. Espresso was good, coffee was mediocre at best. Would I go to Joe's again? Absolutely. Next time, though - I'd specifically request "low salt" or even no salt in order to be able to season it myself. Seriously - if not for this little issue - I'd give Joe's a full, strong 5-stars! As a sidenote - dinner for two was costly in that the bill came to $200 odd dollars, before tips. Pricey at $100 pp..... probably charged me for the amount of salt they used!!!! I should add, though, that the drinks were a stiff $10-$12 per drink and we had four. The appetizer was $14.95 pp, and worth every penny, but definitely a bit pricier than you'd pay for a normal appetizer. And, finally - we ate a lot of food, so all in all, perhaps the price breaks down fairly...... Did I mention how salty it was? AGUA, yo necesito AGUA - - even now, some 7 hours later!!
(4)
Jason B.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab is probably one of my top five restaurants in the country. I have never been disappointed. The food is amazing, the service is top notch, the ambiance is always on the right side of loud, i.e., this place is poppin' every night but in a good way. (Clearly the recession has not hit the corner of Grand and Rush). Whether you come for the stone crabs, the amazing steaks, incredibly fresh fish dishes, or just to kick a few drinks back at the bar you will leave happy (but definitely a little lighter in the wallet). Trust me though, this is money well spent.
(5)
Tiff B.
We went to Joe's to celebrate Father's Day and it really is just an overall great restaurant. Everyone from the hostess to the valet were awesome and really provided seamless service. And the stone crab was to die for. Try the key lime pie too, it's delicious. And I don't even usually like key lime pie. It's just an all around great dining experience.
(5)
Anthony T.
Hands down, this is THE best steak place that I've ever been to. I've tried many steaks in my life and each bite was simply amazing. The stone crabs were fresh and all that sides we picked out were simply amazing. The service was also the best service that I've ever received at a restaurant. He made good recommendations, checked up on us a few times (but not in a bothersome sort of way), conversed with us and made the experience just that much better. The whole restaurant was packed, and the setting was very nice, dimly lit and there was only a moderate amount of noise. This is one of the restaurants that I would go out of my way to go to again.
(5)
Nancy M.
All I have to say is melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon cooked to perfection, and exceptional service!
(5)
Megan R.
I am 100% obsessed with King Crab legs! This place had gooood ones! The atmosphere was cool, I loved their music (Sinatra) but it was a little loud for a romantic dinner. One tip - add salt to the drawn butter - it tastes a little too "sweet"...
(5)
N P.
A friend of mine and I came here for lunch during the week for restaurant week. Great service and food as usual.
(4)
Cathy B.
Our reservation was made for 5PM and when we arrived, we were seated promptly. We were seated at a table (I wished we had a booth) and it seemed a little crowded. The tables are a little too close to each other so doesn't give an intimate feel, instead a little claustrophobic. I had the bisque soup and it was delicious and my boyfriend had the chowder which wasn't that great. For entre we both had the Alaskin King Crab and it was a good portion and it was perfect. I couldn't finish my crabs so I ended up giving some to my boyfriend. It also came with two huge portions of fried hash browns and coleslaw. The hashbrowns were nothing special, actually had no flavor but I did like the coleslaw even though it was a little too oily. Overall I would give this place a 4 out of 5, the food was GREAT but the service was alright. Our waitress seemed a little busy and not on top of her game! This place doesn't compare to Roy's but its still a great place to go and try. Delicious food makes everything alright!
(4)
Dan B.
The bone-in filet is the best steak in the city. Amazing!
(5)
David R.
I'm not a big steak fan,but I tried the stone crabs . It was pricey but It was fresh and yummy. The Madagascar Shrimp and Oysters Rockefeller were fabulous :) Don't forget to try Banana Cream Pie with Foster Sauce, It was really good. We love love this banana!!
(5)
Chiara H.
Yum, yum, yum! Their lobster is very delicious! I'm a mashed potato nut, and their mashed potatoes are to die for. My boyfriend and I loved everything about this place, from the service (their lemon hand washing technique is really cool) to the food. We'll definitely come back here again in the short future.
(5)
Elizabeth N.
Obviously, as you can tell from all of the other reviews of this place, the seafood and steaks are generally pretty good, as is the service. I have to say that I didn't think the "Joe's Famous Scallops" I ordered last time were all that great. They were a bit too greasy for my taste; should've been more seared and less fried, I think. However, when it really comes down to it, one single word comes to mind when I think of Joe's: DESSERT. I'm a dessert fanatic. I'm a very healthy eater in general, but I do have the biggest sweet tooth, and believe me, I know my desserts. All of the choices here are phenomenal, especially the peanut butter pie (it's called peanut butter silk pie or something, and it is absolutely to die for, if you're a peanut butter person). The fudge pie and the key lime are also excellent.
(4)
Lou L.
I was a little skeptical of this place after reading some of the reviews. But I must say I had such a wonderful experience at Joe's. I called the day we wanted to get a reservation and they had a cancellation, so my boyfriend and I got in at 7:00 p.m on a Friday night! We got there about 15 minutes early and were quickly seated in a quiet booth. Our waiter was great, very helpful. We ordered the stone crab bisque for an appetizer, which was sooo delicious! I ordered a half a pound of king crab legs and my boyfriend ordered the bone in fillet. We also ordered a side of asparagus. Everything was absolutely amazing! We were in and out of Joe's in about an hour, which is fine by us, we hate spending too much time in restaurants. This place is pricey, but worth the extra dough for a special occasion.
(5)
Linnea B.
2nd Mortgage Appetizer is to die for! I thought I had eaten my best meal ever last time I was in Chicago, but that was before I went to Joe's! The 2nd Mortgage Appetizer includes Medium Stone Crab, Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster Cocktail, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche. Yum-O! Not only that, but we split a bone-in filet for an entree..tender and delicious, and the sides were great too! The service was fabulous. Do not miss this restaurant if you are staying in downtown Chicago!
(5)
T W.
So, it's a seafood restaurant. I had the scallops wrapped in bacon. They were decent. Some mixed seafood appetizers were ordered for the table and they were fine as well. Is this the best seafood in town? No. Can you have a business lunch here and get back to your office within an hour-and-a-half? Yeah.
(3)
Mariana P.
Yes, expensive, and possibly little overrated, but the food really is amazing. The wait staff are professionals, so much so that I think that if you asked them to shine your shoes you, they probably would. Make sure you get the potatoes! This is a great place to go every once in a while for that special meal.
(4)
Bates N.
Seated right on the dot for our reservation for four. Friendly, efficient reception. Place was filled to the gills but didn't feel crowded or too noisy. Flawless service throughout. Chopped seafood salad copious and excellent. Stone crab good Filet and rib-eye tender and cooked perfectly. (the meat is already seasoned ... so don't dump on the salt and pepper until you try it) Parmigiana halibut excellent. Baked potato was not fluffy and mealy ... pretty soggy and heavy. (buy good Idahos, Lettuce) Sauteed garlic spinach oversalted. Grilled tomatoes flavorful and well prepared. Key lime pie very good ... but not the best I've had. Over-all fine dining experience. Expensive, but worth it. Lost a star for the two sub-par sides. .
(4)
James K.
Joe's is my home away from home. I have eaten at this restaurant over 200 times and have walked away happy every, single time. Joe's serves traditional American cuisine (with a few twists like the Asian-inspired sashimi-grade black cod in a miso-terriyaki glaze that is simply the best fish dish ever created by man or God) and serves it perfectly. The staff takes extreme care in searching out the best possible ingredients from anywhere in the world as seasonal availability allows. While US Prime steaks are always available and delicious, frequent visitors will watch the exotic specials change with the seasons from Madagascar shrimp, to never frozen Alaskan King Crab Legs, then again to Dover Sole, and, of course, fresh Florida Stone Crabs from October through May. Despite prices that could reasonably considered high, the quality of the ingredients used combined with generous portions and consistently excellent preparation make Joe's a great value (though to be fair, the wine is a tad on the high side, but not nearly as bad as many competitors.) Executive Chef Gary Baca is almost always at the restaurant, for both lunch and dinner, and tirelessly whips up new creations while making sure that even the comfort and bar food items on the menu are both innovative and delicious, right down to the delicately fried chicken or the off-the-menu crab cake grilled cheese. Food wise, you simply cannot go wrong at Joe's, though some favorites include the shrimp and scallop ceviche, fried calamari with cocktail and tartar sauces, steakhouse salad with USDA choice fillet and crumbled bleu cheese, the twin tenderloin chopped steaks with grilled onions and peppers, the prime bone-in rib-eye, and a short rib special that is so tender that most waiters don't even bring out a knife for it. For sides, don't miss the downright decadent hash browns, or, if you have a guilty conscience, the somewhat-almost-healthy grilled tomatoes. As for service, the Joe's staff always treats every customer like royalty despite dinner crowds that can feel like they rival Soldier Field during a Bears' game. This one of the last few establishments that wholeheartedly lives under the seemingly forgotten mantra of "The Customer is Always Right" and will always overcompensate for even the smallest of rare slip ups. The staff is quite knowledgeable about the entire menu, and keeps well abreast of the many specials and wine. They're attentive and fun, and stuffy only when they can sense that's what a customer is looking for. Also, at least at lunchtime, they never forget a face, as their magical Maitre'D, Jim, can recount without fail the name of repeat companions of mine, even when their follow-up visits are three years removed.
(5)
Robert S.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago: I eat there about once a week. The place is so popular that it gets a little crazy on Friday and Saturday night. The steaks are sooo addictive,especially the bone-in rib-eye and the bone-in filet mignon, but the seafood is excellent, too. For appetizers, I like the steamed mussels and the Madagascar shrimp. Save room for dessert; they have some great pies! Wine by the glass is pricey but very good; otherwise excellent wine list. Outstanding service!
(5)
R M.
DELICIOUS! If you want a steak and a few stone crabs look no further! This place is cozy and consistant. My hubby & I come here for lunch, appetizers or dinner, meeting friends or just us, WE LOVE IT! We sit in the cozy, friendly bar area. Great location too...
(5)
Jason P.
The other people reviewing this place know what they are talking about. I think the only reason someone would give this a 4 and not a 5 is due to service. I'm a pretty hard guy to please when it comes to table service. Afterall, you're working for me. With that said, the staff at Joe's was great when we visitied here. They were attentive, knew the menu down to the last dotted "i" and crossed "t". If I was on death row, I would probabaly request the stone crab as my last meal.
(5)
Pamela L.
Joe's is outstanding! I went to the one in Las Vegas over a year ago and absolutely LOVED it. I couldn't wait to go to the one here in Chicago. I finally went last month for my birthday and every single expectation was met! Every detail there is thought of, the dress of the staff, the decor of the restaurant... it's all fabulous. The food is simply amazing.... it's near impossible for me to make a decision there. I definitely recommend the 2nd Mortgage appetizer... although pricey, it's well worth it. I had Key Lime pie for dessert... amazing. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and will explain the menu to you and help you with any questions. They truly spend a lot of time with you to make sure you are happy, but they are not overbearing, it's like no other service I've ever seen. Great for a special occasion, a very wonderful place!
(5)
Tom P.
Ate there last night- fantastic! The best FRIED CHICKEN in town and only 15 bucks! Trust me on this. With a side you can easily split the portion too. Busy resturant, kind of a scene but the food was great. Hashbrowns were magic, and the chop salad I split was fresh and tasty with the right amount of dressing. Of course with wine our cheap dinner ended up being 500.+!!!
(5)
Jim R.
The food was excellent and the service right on the money. The stone crab was to die for. Only gave 4 stars because it was my first visit. I'll try them again soon to see if they can be consistent. Great steak. Delicious Hash Browns.
(4)
Irene J.
overall, i had a very pleasant dining experience. we made reservations and were promptly seated. our server made some good wine suggestions, but we ended up choosing our own. try the lobster appetizer; it is absolutely delicious! i had crusted halibut with asparagus. the halibut was wonderful. the asparagus had a bit too much butter to my liking, but it was a perfect crisp. someone else had scallops--they were ok. one of the red sauce seafood linguine/spaghetti was good. it has a kick to it. we had coffee (julius meinl-yum! their unique house blend is mild) and shared key lime pie. the slice was a good sharing portion, since we were all so stuffed! my only (minor) complaint was our server's noticeable agitation--he really wanted us to leave; he wanted to turn his tables. i understand, having been in his position before. however, he was too insistent, encouraging me to want to stay longer. this particular server also walked away while my friend was commenting on the server's comment--this is a major no-no in the restaurant industry. he just said what he needed/wanted to say and pranced off. i'll give him the benefit of the doubt that this particular wednesday evening dinner service was extremely busy. if you like steak and seafood--this restaurant should be on your list of "to visits." you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Andrea H.
All I could think of as I was digging into my John Dory with salt and brown butter was, "somebody get the defibrillator". If you like butter and salt (a lot of it), this is your place. Good thing I love both of these things. I decided to have my John Dory with a side of brussels sprouts with bacon, bacon fat and butter. Mmmmmm...doesn't get better than that. The fish was delicious but I'm glad I got the sauce on the side. The fillets were perfectly salted and buttered all on their own. The sauce was good, but I think it would have been overkill had the fish been smothered in it. The bf decided to start with the stone crab bisque. It was very good but incredibly rich. I don't think I could have finished an entire bowl. He also had the stone crab, which he thought was good, but not phenomenal. He had the key lime pie for dessert, but I had to try the banana cream pie. It definitely lived up to the hype. That was the best banana cream pie I have ever had. In my life. OMG. You cannot pass this up. And they'll let you order a half slice. Perfect. Our server was great, but the only thing that bugged about this place was that the John Dory was priced at $35 on the menu but I was charged $39.99 on the check. It was the bf's birthday dinner so I wasn't up for the argument, so I let it go, but that bugs. There's a line for me. I can handle paying $35 for a piece of fish but that's about the max for me. I'm still annoyed.
(4)
Donisha L.
Restaurant Week SUCCESS! First time at Joe's and it was great! 3 courses for $33, sign me up please and thanks. Throw in a bottle of wine and I'm a happy yelper! Stone Crab Bisque - Amazing Filet Mignon - Awesome Joe's Grilled Tomato - thabombDOTcom Jennie's Mashed Potatoes - Cheesy Goodness Key Lime Pie - ***Please insert word to describe the unimaginable... SURREAL** Our waiter Sean and the rest of the staff were so attentive and weren't too pushy with items outside of the restaurant week menu. It was wonderful! Will definitely be back!
(5)
Eugene L.
Definitely in my top 10 meals of my life. Wasn't just the food, but it was the experience. Our waiter, David, was an awesome guy and made the dinner a really fun event. The presentation of the king crab legs was great and the steaks were top notch.
(5)
Jeff S.
Amazing. The family and I decided to celebrate my father's birthday this year by going to a new restaurant, and I decided to take everyone to Joe's. My family agreed - one of the best meals ever. From the food to the service, I was extremely happy with Joe's. FOOD Stone Crab: AMAZING. A little sweet, but perfectly tender and delicious. Did I say that they were amazing? The house mustard was a perfect complement to the stone crab, but you didn't need it as the crab meat stood on its own. This is something that everyone should at least try when dining here. They're not cheap, but then again, you know what you're in for when dining at Joe's... Mussels: of everything I had tonight, the mussels were probably the least amazing. Not that there was anything wrong with them as they were great. But I didn't think that the broth was anything worth raving about, and that's one of the main reasons to order mussels, isn't it? Petite Filet and Lobster: I ordered my steak rare, and it came out just as it should. The main star however was the lobster. Joe's cooked it perfectly, and served it with drawn butter as lobster should be. It was your standard surf-and-turf, but it was delicious. Chilean Sea Bass: A bit salty, but good nonetheless. One of the items I thought was a bit overpriced, however. Seafood Chopped Salad: They give you a LOT of chilled seafood on this plate. A LOT. I don't normally suggest getting any sort of a salad as a meal when you go out, but this is something that would fit the bill as extraordinary and worth getting, especially for the price (less than $20). I was actually impressed with the amount of various seafood served with this one. Banana Creme Pie: Very good dessert. They don't try to throw a ton of sugar at you with this one, and everything blended together quite nicely. Would highly recommend. SERVICE Impeccable. Our server didn't over-serve, quick refills on drinks/water, nice explanations of items on the menu. Definitely world-class. VALUE/OVERALL I'll just say it - Joe's is not a cheap place to eat (unless you accidentally find yourself at Joe's Crabshack instead). But, I would consider Joe's a place to go on special occasions. The food is amazing, a low amount of noise, and all around service is tight and accommodating. I definitely found great value here, and look forward to the next time I go back.
(5)
Marti V.
Sub zero temps may have kept some diners at home last night, which made room for us at Joe's. After a couple of perfect cocktails and a chat with expert bartender Dana, we were seated in the smartly appointed dining room. Our friendly and very attentive server was Cary, who was open with her thoughts on both the menu and the wine choices. We loved our stone crab appetizer, intended for one, but shared by two, and entrees of sea bass and potato crusted grouper. My date was reeled in to the grouper when Cary divulged that the crust is nothing less than crushed Lay's potato chips! After helping us select an excellent value in Pinot noir, Cary was busy with other tables, but managed to check in on us and made sure we enjoyed desserts. She had me at "mascarpone cheesecake" and my date had the key lime pie which he proclaimed, "fantastic". Joe's is a great reason to stay at the Conrad when it's -10 degrees. Bellisimo!
(5)
Ryne D.
I seriously love the fact that my city is home to some of the best food in the world. And sure, while this Joe's isn't the original, i think it does the Miami flagship proud, and definitely is no shack. Jason C. and I hit up Joe's for restaurant week (which they had expanded to be a month long), and while they didn't have their star specialties on the prie fixe menu, we were still happy with what we got. Jason did not get the bone-in filet (one specialty of theirs), but the filet he got was still real thick and juicy. So find that juicy double. I did not get any of the stone crab (their other specialty), but they definitely had a good fill from my Alaskan crab legs, which were long, meaty, and sweet. The grilled tomato side we each got was surprisingly tasty, as it was served with cheese and spinach. But the pie. Oh my, the pie. The bananas foster was good, but the key lime pie was GOD. For the first time, I had a pie where the crust wasn't my favorite part of it. The tart citrus-y pockets of flavor in the pie really made it stand out. Rounding out our time there was our server Richie. While he seemed kind of put off that we were there for the restaurant week menu, I think it's because he really wanted us to enjoy their menu. He rattled off an impressive list of dishes that we had to come back to try, including their steaks and fried chicken (and who doesn't love good fried chicken?!) He also shot the shit with us for a bit, letting us know which local Chicago celebs were regulars and how times were for him growing up. Yeah, he was a really personable guy. I'll probably be back, mainly because I want to try the stone crab and that I promised Richie to bring someone there who I could impress and not just my roommate. Oh, and more pie!
(4)
Caitlin G.
I've reviewed this place the last time I was there but I had to do it again. I thought I was in love with this place last time, but now truly I am not sure I could love any resturaunt more. Being the wonderful daughter that I am I took both my parents there for fathers day dinner. Like last time I knew that I must get stone crab claws. While pricey, they are a MUST HAVE! We chose the select size and they were delicious. Could have eaten those all night with that yummy mustard sauce! We also got the crab and artichoke gratin which was so yummy! The crab was not lost at all and was most of what you could taste. For entrees I chose the petite filet Oscar style (Oscar style means crab, asparagus, and bernaise sauce is bedded on top), my mom had the bacon wrapped sea scallops, and my dad had the veal Oscar style. Seriously best steak I've ever had, you can cut it with a fork. Just amazing and my parents raved about their entrees as well! Of course every great meal needs to be capped with desert. I had the Havana Dream Pie ( tres leeches pie with a layer of custard, whip cream and strawberries), my mon had the key lime, and my dad got the Michigan blueberry pie. Pies were to die for! I wanted to lick the plate! We all agreed best meal of our lives! Joes is not to be missed, seriously go there!
(5)
Martin H.
Awesome crap cake (probably the best in my life). There are no words for the Filet mignon (The Original). Best restaurant in town! Wine list is not impressive though.
(5)
Z K.
We went back to the restaurant after a not so pleasant experience. This time, everything was great and my wife and I enjoyed the entree's that we ordered. It was well worth the wait, since we went on a weekend.
(4)
Paul O.
Can't go wrong. Great food and service. Get the seafood salad, best salad in the city and that is saying a lot since I go here for the steak.
(5)
Ross W.
Back to the restaurant in 2012, and Mark Dewar was amazing. Too bad our favorite server is no longer there, but the food kept us happy. Everything we had was great - Stone Crab Claws, Lobster Stuffed Sole, Seared Ahi Tuna, Sauteed Garlic Spinach, and Havana Pie. Looking forward to our annual pilgrimage.
(5)
Paul T.
Thoroughly enjoyed my time at Joe's. It's pricey, but the crab is fantastic; some would say "all it's cracked up to be" but I'm not as indulgent with my puns. The atmosphere is a bit more hurried than I would've liked. For the price, I would expect to make a leisurely visit of my table, especially when I've made reservations far in advance.
(3)
Nancy W.
Best Dining Experience. Ever. I fly from SF just to indulge in the Chicago-style service, ambiance, food and fun. Michael Flynn, a Manager there was exceptionally friendly and helpful and made our dinner very special. I can't say more about eating here--always an experience to remember and reasonably priced, we feel. Keep up the great service, style and management. Only thing is, you have to book months in advance--how about expanding?
(5)
Chelsy P.
Despite our bizarre waitress, the food was absolutely fantastic! The waiters are very well-versed on the menu and preparation. Went on a Sunday evening for family dinner and would certainly recommend and return.
(5)
Angela S.
It's good here. It's not Shaw's, but it's not trying to be either. The food is is fresh and the service is great.
(3)
Taz M.
From the service to the food - it doesn't get better than this. I know alot of ppl are sold on the trendy steak experience (Cut, David Burke's, etc) - save yourself from mediocre (at best) steak and head here. I chose Joe's for my husband's bday over a ton of the other high-end Chicago steakhouses because nearly every Chicago steak expert ranks Joe's at the top of their list. Here are the basics: order the surf and turf (I got the petite filet), definitely try one of their sides (roasted cauliflower is amazing), and make sure to have Sean as your server. The lobster tail here was even better than the ones I have had in SoCal...soo good! Beyond the food being amazing, Sean is probably in my top 3 list of best servers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting...he made the dinner over-the-top amazing. One more thing - they were completely booked for the times I wanted on OpenTable - I emailed the restaurant, and the manager there (Eric) booked our table - how great is that?! Enjoy!!!
(5)
Selena L.
My girlfriends and I went to Joe's a few nights ago and all in all I was very happy and would definitely recommend it and go back myself. Every staff member we came in contact with was very warm and welcoming (despite it being Restaurant Week). Our filet was tender, delicious and had just enough flavor (extra steak seasoning on the side if you like). The stone crab legs were great as well. Friendly, not stuffy, great food...two thumbs up.
(4)
Jonathan W.
I don't usually like giving five star reviews to places that already have 700 five star reviews but I think it's appropriate in this case. Every time I come here the service and the food are phenomenal. The wait staff is amongst the most knowledgeable I've seen - the can answer every question you have about the menu. Oddly enough I would recommend skipping the stone crab and focusing on the other seafood dishes. The salads are fantastic.
(5)
Theresa S.
I have visited this lovely restaurant twice while shopping at Christmas. The 1st visit astounded me how good it was. The 2nd visit, while not astounding because I knew what to expect, was just as wonderful. An triple-A establishment. Don't miss it if you're visiting Chicago and can make reservations ahead of time.
(5)
Tomas H.
Joe's, Joe's, Joe's...you used to be so great... I used to be a big supporter of Joe's, but it seems they have lost their edge, as of late. It is still busy with lots of corporate types and chicago socialites, but the quality of food has suffered...noticeably so. The last time I went I had the John Dory fish, which was one of my favorites in the past. This time it was dry and obnoxiously chewy. My server, Kelly, replaced it with the parmesian crusted flounder, which was oily and saturated with butter. It seems the only thing consistent about Joe's is the signature cocktails and Kelly's service. Definitely request her, as she will ensure you have a great time. The other servers seems to be too old and grumpy, or too young and arrogant. This is not the same humble and thorough service that used to set Joe's apart. Overall, this is a huge disappointment, as Joe's has lost it's touch and has fallen into mediocrity with most other over-priced restaurants in the city. Try it for yourself and be your own judge.
(2)
Moe N.
Went here on Saturday night with a few of my buddy for dinner. We had the second mortgage as an appetizer and we ordered steaks for dinner. All of our steaks were cooked to perfection. But the best part of the meal was the dessert. "Jennie's pies" are the best pies on the planet. The chocolate fudge pie and the havanna pie are freakin awesome. I'm coming back for sure.
(5)
Mahsa T.
Excellent food and excellent service. Their petite filet mignon is flavorful, juicy, and done to perfection. I've also had the cod fish and chips--fresh, light, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Servers are extremely attentive (maybe a little too attentive--listen, I'm not going to be your best friend by the end of my dinner so don't try so hard--don't worry, you'll still get a good tip ;) I just get annoyed when my waiter asks me too many questions that don't involve what I'm going to be eating and what I'm going to be drinking---none of your business if I'm a local or from out of town, do I look like a sucker (oops, I mean a tourist) to you? I am a local and no, I'm not going to let you talk me into ordering the more expensive items on the menu, but good try buddy!) But I digress. Joe's is pricey but well worth it. Make a reservation and enjoy the great food and service.
(4)
Ferdinand H.
A last minute walk-in before departing on plane yielded a savoury surprise that tickled the palate pink. While the interior bears more in common with a Maggiano's or a Morton's, the decided emphasis on crab's leg demanded that we try the Stone crab legs. Before the food arrived, drinks were ordered and delivered - my sidecar was decent, though not mind blowing. The Velvet Tango Room still has my number. Cracked behind the scenes in the kitchen, the shells peeled off easily, yielding sweet crab meat succulently accented by the well balanced mustard with which it was paired. As these were snapped up in nary an instant, there was a brief wait before the bone in fillet came. Strains of Sinatra, Krall and Martin were the only tunes we heard - with one rendition of the girl from Ipanema that I sadly did not recognize. The actual fillet was a tad overdone; but the replacement was briskly handled with no complaints/resistance from the wait staff. While slightly more fatty than I would like immediately next to the bone, the meat was moist and tender and well prepared. Overall, an excellent experience.
(5)
Marisol D.
Fresh Seafood and great wine. Great for a special night out because it is a bit pricey (given that side items are a la carte).
(4)
Kenneth P.
My wife and I enjoyed our meal. I had the fillet which was cooked as I asked and was very good. My wife had stone crab claws which also were good but unfortunately the past year for stone crabs was not a good year and the claws were small and the price high. The wait staff was very attentive and efficient.
(3)
Paul K.
Totally overrated! The crab legs tasted like the frozen ones you can get from Costco. The chicken had feathers on it. Very over priced. Would never go back. I had to eat somewhere else after I left.
(1)
Summer S.
I am the type of person who goes to Joe's about once per year. The food and service and drinks are always incredible but the prices(!) keep me mostly on the Shaw's Crab House side of the street. This past Saturday, my husband and I took our in-laws to dinner at Joe's and had a wonderful experience. We tried medium crab claws from the baja peninsula (?), the chopped salad (always wonderful) and I got the petite filet (Rare+) paired with a large portion of king crab legs. Oh, and we had some friend green tomatoes that were fresh, fried perfectly and were delicious. Despite all the the food being out of this world (and all the drinks by the way) - the highlight of the evening was our server Denise. Denise went above and beyond in all respects to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. She was not intrusive in any way, but brought a good, positive vibe to the table - she was enthusiastic about the food and her recommendations and really made everyone's experience so great because everyone loved their food! She paced the courses perfectly and we never felt rushed. I even asked for a recommended glass of wine for my steak and she brought out the most delicious glass of wine I've ever tasted. She even got my father-in-law to laugh and joke around which was funny because he can definitely be too surly sometimes :) Anyway, everyone loved their dinner but were amazed by the service. Thank you so much Denise! We will request you next time we return!
(5)
Chloe C.
Amazingly fresh and delicious everytime
(5)
Jenny B.
Went there the fourth time yesterday had a great time. The stone crab simply the best you can ever have anywhere. Oyster rockffer fantastic. Perssco is wonderful. Service no complain. Only thing they can improve is I wish I can get some lemon water or wet hot towel wash my hand after the crab or seafood.
(4)
Annie H.
Awwwwwesome! Loved the food and service was top notch... I'm glad I went with Yelp reviews and ate here during my weekend trip to Chicago. After having Portillo's only a few hours prior to our reservation, we weren't too hungry, so we ordered light. For appetizer, we ordered the Northern Rock Crab Claws with Joe's mustard sauce. SIMPLY DELICIOUS! I was extremely surprised especially since this was a last minute decision; we've had some really ehhh crab claws previously so I was quite hesitant to spend $25 on 7 claws, but this was a wise decision in the end. Fresh, meaty and the sauce made it all that much better. Entrees: Grilled Florida Grouper (kind of tough and didn't have any taste; had to eat it with the relish that accompanied the dish but still didn't enjoy the dish) Glazed Black Cod (fish was cooked well and delicious, but I felt the glaze was a tad too sweet) Bone-in Rib Eye (AWESOME. especially with their special steak seasoning) Petite Filet Mignon (my friend ordered this medium well so I didn't taste it, haha) We didn't have any room for dessert but all in all a fantastic meal and the service is seriously over the top. We were all dressed like we had just come from Navy Pier whereas all the rest of the patrons were in suits and/or business casual but we were not treated any differently. Thanks Joe's, I would definitely come back again if I was ever in Chicago!
(4)
John K.
We went to Joes for my daughters 21st birthday and it was the best. Keith took very good care of us. The best bone in Filet that I have ever had. Everything was perfect. Thanks so much.
(5)
Hamilton W.
I got to go here twice for a conference and both times the quality of the crab was excellent, but just know that stone crab is very bland by nature. The meat itself was juicy and easily separated from the shell but again the meat itself is just so mild. Maybe I've been spoiled by too much crab asian-style. Everything else I had was great, the sides, steaks, etc. Maybe stone crabs just arent for me.
(3)
Christina C.
What a great place to fine dine and indulge in stone crab: perfectly cooked, chilled, then served with their special sauce. JUMBO crab claws are the way to go. The chilled, meaty claws paired great with their hot, melty oysters rockefellers. It had the creamy heartiness of cheese that marries well with the spinach, oyster, and mmmmm...I coulda sworn bacon bits :) Entrees consisted of thick slabs of bone-in ribeyes glistening with juices, a perfectly seared filet mignon, and a buttery-textured Chilean sea bass that was slightly sweetened with miso glazed and paired with salty bok choy. Sides were creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and my favorite fried green tomatoes. I left full and and fully happy.
(5)
Tara C.
I went here a few weeks ago for a friend's birthday dinner. It is very expensive but VERY good. I did not have very high expectations because I do not eat very much seafood what so ever. Being that Joe's is known for seafood I figured I wouldn't really enjoy it much. However I was quickly proved wrong. We started with the lump crab cake (something I have never had before) and I highly recommend it. I do not like a strong fishy taste and the crab cakes definitely did not have that. I really enjoyed it. The girls at the table all got petite filet mignons and split the sweet potato fries and wild rice sides. We all loved everything. The meat was very tender and flavorful. I have eaten at a Gibson, Morton's, Flemings, Capital Grille and prefer Joe's sides and meat to all the rest. The boys ordered the fried green tomatoes, green beans, and something else as their sides and I tried those as well. Everything was so good. My favorite was the the fried green tomatoes. We were all full after our feast but they brought out a key lime pie for the birthday boy. I found room and tried it, it was AMAZING!!! Highly recommend it. The only down fall I found was that they pack you into the restaurant like sardines. The guy sitting at the table behind me kept elbowing me trying to cut his steak. We couldn't get out of our chairs without asking the person behind us to pull in their chair or move out of the way, and I was not even out in the isle and waiters were bumping me constantly trying to avoid collisions in the intersection.
(5)
Tiff W.
Words can't do this place justice. Go for the bone-in rib eye & their stone crab. Get the second mortgage if you're in the mood (stone crab, shrimp, lobster, ceviche). Come here during Restaurant Week. Drop hints to the significant other for Valentine's Day. Suggest it to your out-of-town family & friends (and invite yourself along). Better yet, suggest Joe's to your bosses for a work dinner (free dinner at Joe's = license to go crazy).
(5)
Jennifer H.
Good seafood but overpriced!
(3)
Paul M.
What can I say? Great food, great service and nice decor. The prices are a little rich for my blood, but for a nice place in the heart of the city, it is about what you would expect. I had the crab cakes and they were very tasty and full of good chunks of crab. My coworker went for the $65 dollar ribeye special (we were being treated by a vendor of ours...way to stick it to the sales guys). He said it was good, but not even close to what you would expect for the price. That is his favorite cut of meat so I would consider him a good judge. Don't even walk in the door if you don't have reservations. The bar area was packed with people stopping in hoping to get a table. There isn't much standing room and you end up looming over people who are sitting at tables trying to enjoy their meal.
(5)
Kara E.
I had been wanting to experience Joe's for YEARS! And, I finally got my chance when Restaurant Week 2012 rolled around. Because this place in notoriously busy and impossible to get a reservation, I was able to score a lunch reservation during Restaurant Week. I've heard people rave about this place and I was super excited to finally be joining all those people who have had the chance to go here. Well, after all that hype, Joe's was just meh. The place was absolutely packed for a Saturday lunch, I mean every seat was taken (most likely due to the cheapo menu for Restaurant Week). I went with the prix fixe lunch that included; a bowl of lobster bisque, about 6 stone crabs, a side of coleslaw and key lime pie. The soup was awesome, the stone crabs were just okay and sorta lacked taste even w/ the dipping sauce. I'm not a fan of coleslaw and Joe's didn't convert me to one either. My beaux went with the lobster bisque too, the filet mignon, joe's tomato's and the bananas foster. My bf seemed to really enjoy his lunch- he loved everything except the dessert. I got to snag a taste of the pesto/cheesy tomatoes and they were deelish. Service was impeccable even for the place being slammed. My only gripe is that this lunch that I had been dying for years to have, took a total of 40 minutes. We were in and out of there and it did feel a little rushed. Oh well, at least I can say I've FINALLY been to Joe's.
(2)
Anna Liza P.
On our last day in Chicago, bf and I realized we haven't really tried any fine dining and my boyfriend recognized this place from the food network, so we decided to try it for lunch before leaving for our flight back to the bay. We got here at 1130 and were immediately seated. I've never had stone crab before, so our server gave a little explanation from how they are harvested to how they are prepared. Very intrigued, for appetizers we opted for the select stone crab (which was a mixture of medium and large) as well as an order of their oyster rockefeller. The stone crab came already cracked and perfectly chilled and served with their house mustard sauce. I was in crab heaven. The oyster rockeffeller were equally as good; warm, creamy and full of flavor. For our entree Bf ordered the NY strip while I ordered from their lunch special which came with a cup of soup, entree, 1 side, plus dessert for only $22. Awesome deal. I went with the stone crab bisque, a petite filet, a side of Jennie's mashed potatoes, and banana cream pie for dessert. The stone crab bisque was phenomenal. I could eat a bowl of that any day! The petite filet was cooked a perfect medium and was just the right size for me. The mashed potatoes potatoes were just okay, kind of on the dry side. I like my potatoes creamy. We also ordered a side of creamed spinach, which was just okay as well. The best creamed spinach I've ever had is still from Harris' in San Francisco. Our server was very attentive and kept our table clean with his little crumb scooper that he keeps tucked inside his jacket. I love those things. I ended up having to take my dessert to go because we were running short on time and had to check out of our hotel. I ended up eating it on the plane..."MmMmM".. is all i can say. Overall, it was a perfect last meal before we left the windy city.
(4)
Jared G.
Great atmosphere if you like classic fine dining and great waiter service. Myself and 2 coworkers ate here the other night - we were seated right away, even though the place was jammed. We started with the Alaskan crab leg appetizer. How can you go wrong when they tee it up by cracking and prepping for you! Best I have had. Our waiter did a great job of suggesting mix and match options for dinner. We each ordered a steak with a group sampling of shrimp and scallops on the side - definitely the way to go. The sides were very large family style so we had spinach and lyonnaise potatoes, perfect. All in all a great meal, great atmosphere and expensive! I will absolutely go back. J
(5)
Christina M.
I have been here a few times for business dinners. 1 Word - Amazing. If you like Seafood you will love this place - everything is to die for -- A+++++++++++
(5)
Paul S.
My filet mignon was cooked to perfection. Service was nearly impeccable. The only misstep in this dining experience came with dessert. My tuxedoed waiter enthusiastically inquired as to what I might want. I told him "I could go for a bomb-pop or maybe an ice cream sandwich". He responded with a blank stare and slowly walked away. That'll cost you a star, buddy.
(4)
Gregg D.
Christmas Eve in Chicago. On vacation. Why not splurge!? So we made a reservation for 10 pm (first one open 4 days out). Immediately seated, water and bread delivered promptly. The dining room is pretty small, but pretty. Tables are also well spaced so you you don't feel crammed in. Noise level is low and you can easily talk across the table and relax. Mark was our server and welcomed us warmly. 10:30 at night and, despite was probably already a long day, he was full of energy and we felt like we were his first table. He was patient and helpful in explaining the menu and recommendations. Tarted with the stone crab claws which comes with homemade mustard sauce. Served cold so you really enjoy the flavor. A bit overpriced, I thought, but the were definitely fresh and cooked perfectly. The shells came pre-cracked so easy eating too. I had a bowl of the stone crab bisque and it was fantastic. I would eat that as a meal by itself. Warm, creamy, big lumps of crab. My wife and I had the filet, my son had the rib eye. Perfectly cooked, nice charring on the outside, served with a special sea salt and spices mix on the side. Melt in your mouth. I only rarely eat red meat but devoured mine no problem. Mark recommended we split some sides. We got the grilled asparagus and mushroom Mac and cheese. Asparagus was average and under seasoned. But the Mac and cheese was a piping hot gooey dish of shrooms and asiago cheese. Fantastic. We were stuffed, but told Mark we would like to share a dessert, something to round out the meal. He said sure thing and disappeared, I assumed to get the dessert menu. Nope, he came back with a big slice of their famous key lime pie and 3 forks. Complimentary, he said, for choosing us during your visit to the city. Payment was prompt and Mark shook each of our hands and wished us a warm holiday season and Merry Christmas. Still full of energy! We enjoyed our dinner greatly and would come again. The menu even has cheeseburgers and light fare so you can get a quick bite and it doesn't have to be a big fancy meal. Only recommendation: please stiffen up the drinks. I ordered a vodka tonic and for $11 I would have expected a bit more vodka. Small quibble. Merry Christmas Joes and thanks for a special evening.
(5)
Joseph C.
For steak or seafood, this is the place to come. Everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. The service was great. Definitely a great choice for a special occasion.
(5)
Heidi R.
I came to Joe's with a friend who unfortunately doesn't like seafood. He brought me because I do. We could only get a reservation for 5PM during the week which was so early that neither of us were truly hungry. We had a cocktail in the bar while we waited for our table. The place looks snooty - the white table clothes and waiters everywhere but really we fell comfortable and the waiters were down to earth. My friend had the fried chicken which he absolutely loved and I ad the seafood salad. There was so much fish in this salad it was unreal. Neither of us could finish our meals and left completely stuffed and satisfied. I cannot wait to come back to Joe's and get the stone crab!! My mouth is already watering...
(4)
Pascal M.
Your wallet's about to be as defenseless as the one armed crab that wanders the high seas. Joe's is a high end Steak and Seafood restaurant, so one would be foolish to think you can escape without dropping some dolla. Joe's is located off the corner of Rush and Grand, an area that's packed with restaurants. Joe's stands arguably right at the top. They've created a strong reputation, so they get pretty busy on the weekends. Best to make a reservation 2-3 week s in advance. The interior is nice. Lots of hardwood, high ceilings, and plenty of bar space. The bar is great if you don't have a reservation, their full menu's offered so you can just dine in there if you don't feel like waiting. I only caught glimpses of the dining area, but it looked really nice. A friend and I came here last night to have a full meal after stocking up over $200 worth of Lettuce Entertain You funds. Unfortunately, we found out just before we ordered a Dry Aged Ribeye, Alaskan King Crab, Mac and Cheese, and Broccolini. Fortunately, our server Amy told us the NO Friday and Saturday policy for my credits. Glad I didn't drop almost $250 of my hard earned dollars. On top of quick and efficient service, their considerate too. I'm looking forward to visiting Amy again to spend the balance on my card. GONNA BE A FEAST! We did however have the Jumbo Stone Crab (order of 3 with Mustard Sauce) and Shrimp Cocktail. Along with the Manhattan Martini and a Hendrick's Gin Martini, up, extra dry. Martinis were nicely made, they have all their products neatly organized at the bar, everything looks fresh and clean. I like this. The shrimp were plump and very fresh. Cocktail sauce was good too, they add a little extra horseradish on top. The Jumbo Stone Crab was remarkably fresh, being that we're so far from an Ocean. You may be a little disappointed due to dropping a hefty penny to get your Stone Crab Fix. While I enjoyed the the crab immensely, I still didn't feel the price tag was worth it. Only caviar and black truffles have made me feel that way in life. I think I'd prefer getting these online and shipped to my house. Joe's Seafood will deliver on all your expectations. Their as close to fine dining as a Steak and Seafood restaurant can get. The service is impeccable. Cocktails are made with precision and a wine list that's tailored to appease all tastes and preferences. The food from beginning to end is simply a winner.
(4)
Cece P.
Joe's is Ahmazing!!!! Their food is extremely fresh and worth every penny. Their pies are to die for, my favorite: Banana cream pie w/ foster sauce (Mouthgasm!) Seriously, if you haven't been yet - GO!
(5)
Ana C.
I have never had such good customer service in my life, not to mention that the food was delicious. As my boyfriend and I were eating we would turn around and our cup of water suddenly already refilled. I thought it was excellent that we never once had an empty glass of water. The fisherman's platter is a must it lets one try everything while in one simple plate and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the scallops and he seemed to enjoy those a lot. Finally the one thing that brought it above and beyond was at the end we were full for desert and we didn't feel like ordering any either. How ever our waiter brought us a slice of key lime pie after exclaiming that everyone has room for pie, and oh boy was he right. The best pie I've had. Everything was just perfect.
(5)
Donna F.
I really tried this time to make Joe's one of my go to places and see it as nothing but another tourist trap. I even had gift cards to help pay my bill from the last time I was there and was not satisfied. It is nothing more than okay as far as quality of food goes. The signature stone crab is obviously frozen and lacking in taste. After charging $35.oo for 6 claws you'd expect more than that. On the whole the quality of the food doesn't make it worth the patience it takes to put up with the hustle and bustle. Let me put it this way--- I don't have much confidence in a place that actually measures the amount of liquor in a "jigger" for a drink that costs $14.00! Give me a break!!! \
(2)
Jeremy C.
This was my 2nd time going, my wife's 1st time. She ordered the 20oz bone-in ribeye, and I got the Filet and Lobster Tail combination. I must say - AWESOME. The ribeye was perfectly cooked, seasoned great. The lobster was amazing...definitely something everyone should try. What was great too was that our waiter removed the lobster from the tail for me, making it much easier to eat. We also got a small order of the side of onion strings, which was plenty for the both of us. They don't state on the menu that you can order a reduced size of the sides, but our waiter told us that a small would be enough us. If you want a great steak place, and also a place to get solid seafood...this is the place to go. Make sure to call way in advance, especially when it's around the holidays or valentine's day, because this place does get booked up quickly. Also, once in a while you may see a chicago celebrity sighting! My first time going Scottie Pippen was about 3 tables over, pretty cool
(5)
Mikal W.
Talk about feeling like a Proletariat at a dinner hosted by the Outer Party! I mean seriously, I was treated like an illegal alien at the Republican National Convention. Yes, in their defense I was in jeans and a t-shirt, but hey, they were my going out jeans, and in my opinion I smelled very nice. As a note, I even called ahead to check on the attire, and I was told that "the nice thing about Joe's is you can come dressed up or you can come casual since most of the people are tourists walking around the pier and strolling in". Also, there were a ton of people dressed down less than I was, so I was not standing out like a sore thumb or anything. Boy are they popular, for two days straight the earliest reservation they could do was 10:30pm; this was no big deal for us since we were out on the town, but we were excited because of all the buzz. We get in and take our seats and immediately our waiter has this snooty demeanor towards me, lucky for him he was not this way towards my wife, however, I felt as if he was trying to subconsciously trying to communicate with my wife and ask her what a beautiful girl like her is doing with a ragamuffin like me! Well guess what buddy, I may not look like David Beckham, but I do have something I am sure you do not have, a real HUGE personality! Funny thing is, after our dinner my wife asked me if I thought our waiter was disrespectful to me and trying to "sympathize" with her. What a horrible experience. Anyways, I digress..Let's get to the food, because even good food can still fix this situation. Of course we wanted to try their claim to fame the stone crab, so we ordered the appetizer version as well as their recommended fried calamari. Maybe it is because I am from Seattle, but their stone crab tasted like they came from a cut rate Vegas buffet, I mean seriously, I was expecting a food experience since this was their big thing, it was such a let down... A very expensive let down, I think the 6 crab claws cost us something like $34 dollars!?! I will say, the saving grace was the calamari, it was in the top 3 of best fried calamari we had. I was actually a little full at this time, but I was really craving their Cesar salad since it was "house made", also, I did not want anything too big since I knew we would be getting desert, therefore I ordered the Cesar salad for two for myself, and my wife ordered the Ahi Tuna. The waiter appeared very annoyed that I ordered the salad; I think he was a little worried about his bottom line.... I asked if they make the salad tableside, he stated that they did not; I found this a little strange for a steakhouse, but no biggie. I went on to ask if they make it traditionally with the egg yolk and sardines, he told me they do and asked if I wanted sardines on top. I said I will take it however they make it, I trust the chef. He then said "Sooo you don't want any anchovies?" I then replied "I want it exactly how the chef makes it, if that includes anchovies on top then great, if it does not then fine, if it is used strictly in the dressing then make it that way". Next came the eye roll, he said "I thought you wanted anchovies on it?" I am so annoyed at him, seriously, what is the deal with this guy? I told him "I was only curious as to whether this was made the traditional way or if they had their own twist, please just bring it to me as it comes". He lets out a big sigh and annoyingly says "uhhhh okay..." He kept eyeing my wife in such a way to say "who is this guy" my wife was not pleased. Our food comes and we were appalled, my salad for two was more like a salad for one and it was underdressed and the Romaine tasted like it had a little dirt on it/not properly washed. Maybe the guy was annoyed about the salad because he knew it was so small and tasted bad? Their dressing tasted like it came out of a store bought bottle, it was very disappointing. And my wife's seared Ahi had no care or attention given to it. The sear was majorly uneven and their marinade/sauce it came with was inedible, sweet like candy syrup? The food was such a letdown. This guy totally was acting like he was not going to get a good tip because we did not order drinks and did not accept his recommendations for their 3 most expensive items, however, our bill was still $140 dollars, I so did not want to tip this guy well, because he treated me like trash, but I did anyways, only 20% not the 30% we normally tip. I am assuming we just went at the worst day during their worst year with their worst waiter, there is no way this place is in general as bad as the experience we had, however, the downside is I will never step foot in another Joe's again, nor will I recommend it to anyone. A establishment should never make their customers, their livelihood feel the way they made me feel. I am so glad that others have not been treated this way. If our service was better it would have gotten 2 stars, but thanks to the waiter one star is all I can give.
(1)
Katelyn C.
Holy reviews! Either Yelp or this restaurant are blowing up faster than I can keep up with! I was here about a year ago and absolutely had the best stone crab in all of the midwest. The dessert was a New York style cheesecake and I would just stick to eating dinner here and having dessert elsewhere! Definitely a cute place for a date, but the most annoying part was seeing two engagements, seriously guys...be original. It isn't even like a good view of the city or anything...
(4)
Emmie N.
We stayed at the Conrad Hotel & since this was right across the street, we decided to try it. If you do go here, I suggest you get the Stone Crabs, that is what they're famous for. My boyfriend ordered it and it was delicious. I had Joe's Famous Scallops, not sure what they're famous for LOL. The steak my sister had was also a bit dry. I would only give this restaurant 3 stars but they get 1 extra star for their pies....THE PIES WERE SOOOO GOOD!
(4)
John J.
Amazing. Great atmosphere. Great Food. good ol boys feel.
(5)
Scott C.
Joe's delivers a great meal in a a nice white tablecloth atmosphere. Joe's was very close to 5 stars but the aloof service knocked them down 1 star. The service was attentive and our order was correct (even with some alterations) but the delivery by the wait staff made us feel like we weren't good enough to eat there. It's strange that you would get such service in economic times like this, but all I can do is reflect that in my review. On the good side the food was outstanding. Our meal began with the crab cakes (if you want more than 1 order the entree as your appetizer to save a couple of bucks) and the spinach stuffed mushrooms. The spinach stuffed mushrooms in particular were outstanding - the melted cheese on top was an outstanding touch! Everyone enjoyed their meals - in particular the Nantucket scallops were outstanding - so sweet and cooked perfectly! The other fish dishes, namely the sea bass were very good. However, the mahi mahi was OK - not bad but not outstanding. We had mashed potatoes and the grilled tomatoes as our side dishes. The tomatoes were outstanding with spinach and cheese melted on top. All in all, Joe's delivered a great meal meal that was enjoyed by our party of 5. We'll be back and perhaps a different waiter will offer a better experience for us.
(4)
Ben K.
How did I live in Chicago for six years without ever eating here? Joe's is clearly a classic restaurant institution. It's a classy place through and through, and a very impressive dining experience. The strongest part of our meal was definitely the stone crab itself, an unbelievably succulent and delicious piece of meat, served with some fun auxiliary dipping sauces as well. I could probably have eaten an entire entree of stone crab, and very well might do so next time I'm back here, because as awesome as the crab was, my $53 bone-in new york strip didn't blow me away, and my wife's filet was fairly dried out despite looking the part of medium rare. Our sides were fantastic, our desserts were AMAZING, but for the price tag, I couldn't get past the fact that the steaks didn't send me home blown away. Next time I'll probably leave a little more impressed after sticking with the crab.
(4)
Erin C.
By far the most under-rated steak house in Chicago. Absolutely love this place. Make reservations at least 3 weeks in advance but it is def worth the wait! Its very pricey but for a good steak - spend the money. Our service was great - the waiter was young knowledgable and energetic. Will def go back for special occasions.
(5)
Jen B.
Hellllloooo decadent. I don't think it's possible to not be a complete glutton at this place. They start you off with a platter containing small lobsters (yes, the appetizer is a freaking lobster), huge shrimp, ceviche, etc. The move on to a surprisingly great house salad. It had corn and peppers and a yummy dressing....clearly not an afterthought token veggie. I then had crab cakes that had to be 95% crab. As a carb-a-holic you'd think the lack of breading would bother me, but no. Maybe the super heavy butter lemon dipping sauce made up for it. Yeah, yeah, pretty sure that was it. I ate so much that I almost couldn't fit in the asparagus, my most favorite of vegetable. But I'll be damned if I didn't put back three giant spears, plus a good helping of those amazing potatoes with caramalized onions. And a solid bite of key lime pie. Like I said, gluttonous.
(5)
Mikey J.
Came here during Restuarant Week with a few friends. The place was bustling. We got seated and served rather quickly. I ordered the crab, while my friends mixed in steak and other selections. Overall, the crab and sides were okay, but not notably fabulous. Here's a tip Joe, don't put the hot butter tin for the crab on the cold crab dish, it warms up the dish and solidifies the butter! Kudos, to our server who was as friendly as can be.
(3)
anthony t.
This is one of the best places in Chicago. Period. Great staff. Great food and although it is expensive it is definitely worth every penny. Bone in Filet, Colossal Stone Crab Claws and some key lime pie. It doesnt get better than that right there.
(5)
Pamela P.
Delicious, fresh food. The lobster is divine. The Madagascar shrimp (when they're in season) are huge and savory and a taste you will crave. Obviously the stone crab is something to behold. The people can be a bit stuffy as is the decor-- a little steak-housian and dated but with the quality of the food totally outweighs any negative.
(4)
John L.
Great service, unbelievable food, and fantastic decor. 20oz bone-in ribeye is life-changing. And the Alaskan King Crab is the best around. Also recommend the Scallops, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Stone Crabs are a must is you've never tried them before. On another note, the only reason we found Joe's is because we were turned away at David Burke's Primehouse at 10:02p, after a 10:00p close time. Big mistake, huge!
(5)
Sarah F.
My experience here was mixed: excellent crab bisque to start and fantastic Key Lime pie to end. It was the stuff in the middle that's dragging down the rating a bit. I ordered off the Restaurant Week menu (extended through March) and got the King Crab Legs option. The crab legs came out completely pre-cracked, which was actually a bit disappointing because there was no work involved--just lift up the shell and eat the meat. That might be a pro to most people, but I like the challenge when it comes to crab legs. The legs were also huge--again, not sure if this is supposed to be a pro, but I find the smaller ones have a sweeter, more delicate flavor, which was lacking most of in these. The sides were downright bad. It came with 'hash brown potatoes' which was just squares of potatoes smushed into a half-moon--nice crispy outside, but no flavor to speak of except in the accompanying mustard dipping sauce. It also came with a 'coleslaw salad' which I guess was deconstructed because it came with a dollop of mayo and pickle relish on top of some shredded cabbage. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to mix it or what--one bite and done--just tasted like pickles. The ambiance was good--I was sitting in the bar area so it was pretty lively (even on a Monday night). Nice decor and music. The only thing that was a bit distracting was the host calling names over the mic in a way that reminded me a bit of a game show (you know, "come on down!"). So, the bisque and pie get 5 stars, the crab gets 3, and the sides get 2. If I lived here, I'd probably give it another shot--maybe go for the steak next time and sit in the dining room for the full experience--but definitely stay away from those 2 sides!
(3)
PJ M.
Haha! I just read the review from the guy who said "your wallet's about to be defenseless..." This place was a 2-hour wait without a reservation so we snagged a round table in the bar area and locked in a bottle of Quintessa, so we offset the table situation by stepping up the wine - which for that bottle was priced really reasonably (first good impression). Next were the medium sized stone crab legs with the dijon dipping sauce (no I didn't care that the wine didn't pair) - the crab legs were rich and delicious. The bone-in Filet was next with the mac-n-cheese side, the Brussels con bacon and mash potatoes with some kind of schmutzy cheese. Filet was cooked perfect everything else was excellent. Ended with a key-lime pie, peanut butter pie and the chocolate fudge pie (custom sample plate suggested by our waitress)... Awesome.
(5)
C B.
Ooowee, I'm bout to eat good..!
(5)
Ron P.
Wonderful service and attention to details! (Chamomile tea had ACTUAL chamomile in it, the lemon hand washing after the crabs , we got a complimentary dessert for my birthday and then when we asked for half a slice of the famous key lime pie, they threw it in also. We had a large variety of dishes, from the wonderful crab claws, to the crab cake, the signature fillet mignon and the mahi-mahi, it was all great. all and all - a delightful evening.
It is by little coincidence that a venture to Joe's Seafood & Steak was partaken during my Chicago Steak Adventures. Having been disappointed on two prior occasions at different establishments, the third attempt would be the final accolade in this expedition. Having been recommended to attend Joe's by a long time steak affectionate, that resided in Chicago since his existence. A venture to this highly acclaimed establishment is not to be missed. The Ambiance: Despite the over-the-top decadence that sets as the decor of Joe's, the timely romantic yet quaint charm of the establishment produces both a welcoming and sophisticated feel. At first entry into the main dining room, patrons will be embraced by the upscale setup of the decor. Luscious velvet white table clothe sets the tone to the tranquil and sophisticated feel of the dining room. The white table clothe is further enhanced by the dark mahogany wood panels of the wall decor. To further aid in the romantic ambiance, the sublet tungsten fluorescent lighting that's accompanied by the lowly lit table candles provides the upscale yet modest feel of a more modern high end steakhouse. The Service: Our server (Shirley) should receive an abundance of praise for her dedication in providing both attention and service during the dining experience. Everything ranging from the wine recommendation, notable offerings, and portion sizes were commented on with incredibly resolve and accuracy. Furthermore, Shirley's ability to communicate with us provided the insight that allowed for us to further appreciate the experience. The Food... Appetizer 1 - Crab Cake w/ Spicy Aioli: The application is a simple Jumbo Lump Crab Cake that's deep fried and served with a side of Spicy Aioli. At first bite, the meatiness derived from the Jumbo Lump Crab Meat is the main staple of this consumable. Luscious and generous offerings of the crab meat were evident in each bite. Patrons will also find that the mildly seasoned crunchy exterior of the application provided the subtle flavor contrast to enhancing the buttery flavor of the crab meat. Appetizer 2 - Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: A basic application of a Shrimp Cocktail served with a side of Cocktail Sauce. There was nothing memorable about this application other than the simplistic but welcoming contrast between the sweetness of the Shrimp and the mild acidity from the cocktail sauce. An overall enjoyable appetizer Entree - 22oz Bone-In NY Aged NY Strip: Cooked to a perfect medium rare temperature, the NY Strip Steak contained a perfect contrast from the charred exterior and the juicy flavors within the meat. At first bite, patrons will find that the rawhide meatiness of the application is the most notable detection. The perfect abundance of marbling from the aged steak provided the additional flavoring. What's most important in this application is the cooking temperature. At a perfect medium rare, the meat contained a perfect textural contrast stemming from the charred exterior that provided the welcoming tenderness of the pink interior. No steak sauce is required for consumption; the mild salt seasoning combined from the juices stemming from the steak's abundance of marbling distribution is the foundation for the steak's invigorating flavors. Side Dish 1 - Macaroni & Cheese: Perhaps the excessive use of a certain bitter cheese was one fault in the execution of this dish. Of course, there was also the excessive cheese sauce that rested as the foundation. Nevertheless, the breadcrumb toppings provided a nice seasoning and textural contrast to the soft al dente body of the macaroni. The semi-bitter cheese sauce provided a stark boldness to the application. Although the extra reduction of the sauce would further enhance the richness of the application, the slightly watery sauce tainted what could be an abundance of bold and invigorating bites. Side Dish 2 - Steamed Broccoli w/ a Garlic Butter Sauce: As simple as it sounds, the Broccoli was steamed to perfection. The Garlic Butter Sauce provided a rich flavor that didn't hinder the earthiness of the Broccoli. Such an accompaniment allowed for a perfect balance of the rich steak, with an earthy alternative. Dessert - Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie: To end en evening of gluttonous consumption by an overwhelming dessert is one that's offered only at Steakhouses. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie was a decadence of flavors. From first consumption, the mild sweetness derived from the Graham Cracker Crust mellows in introduction of the semisweet mild chocolate sauce in this application. The rich and velvety flavors of the peanut butter work to engulf all other elements by providing a decadent exertion of succulent nuttiness. Notes on Joe's: - $100 Per Person (after tax & tip) - Order "half" portions of side dishes. The full size is unfathomable - Dress Code: Casual (but avoid shorts at all cost) - Reservations Recommended
(5)
L N.
Great service, large cozy dining room, good wine list, delicious steak, stone crab and brussel sprouts. Classic steakhouse. Sharing is caring and very feasible here.
(4)
Larry D.
Very friendly and attentive wait staff. Food is excellent and beautifully presented. You are treated as a friend not just another person through the door. I love it and go there whenever I'm in Chicago.
(4)
Lynn R.
If you come to Joe's for restaurant week, you're going to need a comfy pair of sweatpants to wear afterwards. I've been wanting to go for awhile now, and when I saw this fancy pants place pop up on the restaurant week list I immediately coerced my friend into going to dinner with me. I'll admit I was a little disappointed at first that their famous stone crab claws weren't a part of the menu, but it's hard to be THAT disappointed when there's a pound of fresh crab claws awaiting. After being whisked away to a pretty little table covered in white linens, we decided on the stone crab bisque to start with. The portion was HUGE - and so rich and creamy that it could've been a meal in and of itself! The crabs legs came out quartered with the shell already cut/cracked. Those delectable little pieces came out with a slight pull of my fork. People will say the most fun part of it is cracking the crab legs but I'm sure those same folks would be converted once they had it this way. Delicious meal - but I ate so much that I kind of felt sick afterwards, so that tarnished the dinner for me somewhat. Also, our waiter looked like he might be hiding a few dead bodies in his mother's basement, so I was kind of on-guard all night just in case. So Joe's, you get 4 stars instead of 5, but I am definitely willing to give you another go-round!
(4)
Si H.
We all agreed that it was the best filet mignon we've ever had in comparison to all the places we've tried in NYC. The stone crabs were fresh and tasty, but rather pricey for the portion. We took yelpers' advice and tried the key lime pie.....sooo good, even though I've never liked key lime pie anywhere else.
(5)
AL K.
PERFECT. Make sure to have reservations. The place is packed all the time. The stone crabs are a must. Steak is grilled to perfection.
(5)
Ric M.
Started off with a tasty cerviche. Transitioned to some succulent stone crabs lightly bathed in drawn butter. Finished off with the best steak I ever tasted (opt for the signature line). An extraordinary gastronomical delight. Highly recommended.
There were 6 of us with reservations on a Friday night. We were seated immediately (no easy feat on a busy holiday weekend when the place is slammed), and the impeccable service began the second we sat down. Bread baskets were placed on the table, water poured, and menus delivered. Enter Steve, our server, who was right out of Central Casting, having the PERFECT "Chicago Steakhouse Waiter" look and personality...professional, unpretentious, humorous and spot-on with the service. He told us about the food in great detail, answered our questions expertly, really listened to what we wanted, and delivered it. The place was packed, and it's just a great atmosphere. And even though the room was wall-to-wall people in a celebratory mood, you could still have a conversation with the person across the table. Whoever set up the acoustics in the place, good job. Before even having a bite of food, the place was a 5-star+ experience. The food just confirmed it all. The service continued to be perfect as the vegetable chopped salad was served (didn't notice what others had, but the salad was SO good). I got the crab cakes as an entree (some of the best I've ever had), others had crab legs and claws and Beef Wellington. Raves on the food all around the table. There is a great dessert menu, and I love that you can get 1/2 servings of anything. Half a slice of key lime pie was more than enough. I'm no expert on key lime pie, but it seemed like the thing to get, and it was really very good...but dessert that night was more of a formality, as the seafood is what I really enjoyed. All the desserts at the table looked excellent, including the tres leches cake which really looked like something special. When I think of Chicago, I don't think "seafood" (of course, they are known for their steaks too), but I do think that Joe's is one of the quintessential Chicago restaurant experiences. If I lived closer, and money was no object (yes, it is pricey) I'd be a regular. Thanks for being great, Joe's!
(5)
Vaidehi T.
Took a friend out for her birthday dinner to Joe's last night. Wow - it was great. We walked in without a reservation, but we got there really early like 5:30 so we had no problems. We got a table right away. The service was impeccable. Neither of us were in the mood for crab, so we ordered the house salad and fish entrees. I ordered the Mahi mahi with chimichurri sauce and my friend got the parmesan crusted halibut. They had a bunch of specials for the day which all sounded delicious. The fish was amazing. Perfectly cooked, moist and flaky and chimichurri sauce provided the perfect foil to the fish. I loved it. It came with a jicama slaw, which was very refreshing - my only complaint was I wanted more of it. My friend loved her fish too - we wiped our plates clean. We also shared a side of grilled asparagus,which was pretty good. For dessert, they have started serving half pieces of pie which according to me is the perfect size. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake with pistachios and my friend ordered the key lime pie and again, it was a perfect ending to a great dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed, they don't rush you. It is expensive, but worth it because of the service and the food.
(4)
Taylor O.
Traditional Chicago steakhouse setting with awesome service, great food, good wine and of course, stone crab. Make sure to try it when you are here!
(5)
Diana M.
Judging by how difficult it is to get a reservation, I assumed this place would be amazing and I ave to say that it truly is. The food cannot be topped. Great quality steak and seafood cooked to perfection. I had the petite filet cooked medium and crab legs and it was PERFECT. You have to try the stone crab as an appetizer served with a mustard sauce. It is truly unique yet one of the most delicious types of seafood I have ever had. I also strongly recommend Jenny's mashed potatoes as a side... Mashed potatoes with asiago cheese folded in and topped with baked bread crumbs: HEAVEN. For desert, my husband who is true key lime lover swears it's the best he's ever had ( and he's had many). It is good but if you try the Havana dream pie, you will never wanna eat another desert. It had custard between two layers of tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries drizzled with caramel... Yeah it's incredible. I strongly recommend reservations ahead of time to get a good hour and don't be cheap, spend the money and really sit there and enjoy every bite.
(5)
Joel M.
Their Oyster Rockefeller made me like oysters. I drank the leftover tangerine vinaigrette after my salad. I had the best tuna steak of my life. I got a free Key Lime Pie for being a "first timer" The waiter made me want to be his friend. I think that pretty much sums it up.
(5)
Tricia R.
Excellent!!! During our wkd trip, we decided to try our luck on a Friday night and try to get in (despite our concierge telling us there were no available reservations until almost 10PM). We arrived close to 7PM and the place was PACKED. The maitre'd confirmed he had no tables until 10PM but that we were welcome to try to grab a cocktail table/bar seat if one became available. Luckily, a couple seated nearby at a cocktail table were finishing up coffee and dessert. I felt bad that it looked like we were hovering over them like vultures for their table, but they understood the situation (and the same happened to us as we were finishing up dinner, too!). We lucked out and were able to watch the baseball game on a nearby TV during dinner as well. Despite the crowded waiting area/bar/cocktail area, our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful. We ordered the stone crab claws (AMAZING!), the fried shrimp, the broccolini, and cottage fried potatoes. Everything was great and delicious. The bf also ordered a key lime pie to go bc he had heard so much about it and OBVIOUSLY had to try it. I only wish there were more of these around!!!
(5)
Angela F.
Fantastic! My friend is a member of some Joe's "club" so we walked in and skipped the wait [when I saw how many people were waiting, I KNEW it was going to be good!]. We did it up right and had a 4 course meal. For an appetizer, we did the 2nd mortgage (crab, shrimp, lobster, and ceviche). Amazing! Then the crab bisque...also very good. For an entree, got the Steak & Stone Crabs...off.the.chain! We also had a few sides (sorry, can't remember exactly what) and they were [surprise!] delish. Had a pie for dessert (again, can't remember which one, this was in June 2009) and it was superb. All that fantastic, high quality seafood/food in general for only $100 each...not bad. Go enjoy the offerings here...go hungry and be ready to eat and be pleased.
(5)
Jess S.
Wow!! This place is all that and more! The service was excellent. The wine list was full of amazing choices. The stone crabs were excellent start out with them. The dinner was amazing they had great steaks and make sure you try the special seasoning for your steak I had the bone in filet which made my mouth water and is one of the best steaks in all of chicago. Other people at my table had the Chilean Sea Bass which was absolutely amazing is a great lighter choice with a little sesame seed flare! The Lobster was super succulent and not chewy at all, The king crab legs are served cold I like them warmed a little but very delicious. All the sides were super good, we had Sweet potato fries an amazing cheezy mash potato, an awesome corn and fried green tomatoes just as good as momma makes down south! But now to the best part, the deserts! Wow save some room for these and split a few among the table. Everyone we had was so amazing but my absolute favorite was the Peanut Butter Pie A MUST HAVE! GO HERE
(5)
Mike C.
Always crowded. Just an awesome restaurant. Had stone crabs for the first time and now am a HUGE fan. Those things are so freakin' tasty and worth every penny. This Chicago outpost seems to be always crowded as it is in the heart of touristville, across from the Downtown Marriott....my usual place of residence in Chicago.
(4)
Judy M.
Ever wonder what a fat girl dreams about? Well, when she went to dinner at Joe's that night the answer is cake. Havana Dream, which is an amazing tres leches, to be exact. The food was good, but the service was impeccable. And wasn't he sweet for carding my over 30 self. Dinner consisted of stone crabs and a delicious corn side dish. We also got the mashed potatoes, but they weren't my thing, I had a bite and that was enough. After that, I needed something sweet.... and when the server went through the dessert list, and he noted his personal favorite was the Havana Dream pie, which was tres leches with something else. Well, let's be serious, he had me at tres, after that I didn't care what else was in it. Five stars for the Havana Dream pie and the service, 4 stars for everything else.
(4)
Courtney M.
First time to Chicago. Actually used yelp to find a restaurant. It was absolutely amazing. Everything was so fresh, our waiter was wonderful, very informative, pleasant, and personable. I would recommend this to anyone.
(5)
Julie S.
Based on the yelp reviews, I was pretty excited about going to Joe's. I have been to a ton of steakhouses - but I thought that Joe's would be something really special. I have to say - at best, it was mediocre. So we had an early reservation because we were going to see Book of Mormon - and we sat down and were served two delicious glasses of red wine. It was off to a fabulous start. The bread was good - although nothing really special - but it was looking good. We ordered apps - stone crab and the tomato side as an app. It was good.... but nothing spectacular. I had to season the tomato as there wasn't enough salt or pepper.... and the stone crab was decent. I am from Florida - so perhaps a bit jaded - but it wasn't anything special. we moved onto our main courses - a filet and a bone in rib eye..... both were overcooked - but mine went from medium plus to completely well done, so I sent mine back.... they were fabulous about getting me one that was right... and the second one was tasty! We also had the spinach with garlic and mashed potatoes. Both were ok - but utterly forgettable. We had the key lime pie and banana pie for dessert. Again, being from Florida, they KLP was good - but nothing out of the ordinary..... What was superb was the service. I was highly impressed and really appreciated the service and suggestions. Jamie was our server and I would recommend asking for her! Overall - it was a medium good experience.... I wouldn't refuse to step foot in there again - but I would have wine and a steak only. I probably won't be back.... I would rather go somewhere that has something special.
(3)
Lauren B.
Crowded and expensive. The food, just good. Not good enough to make up for the long wait and noisy and pretentious atmosphere. This place appeals to tourists and people who are looking for a scene. There is so much better food in Chicago, especially for this price.
(2)
Madelyn H.
this is a good place to go with your parents. maybe i think that because i go with my parents every year, but it has that old school quality and delicious, fairly traditional food. we always kinda do it family style which i think is a great way to go at joe's because they have so much fabulous seafood that you don't want to miss out by just order one. the service is nothing to write home about but not bad. must try: stone crab, king crab, nantucket diver scallops (both when in season), sweet potato fries good to eat: butternut squash (almost a dessert), jennie's potatoes, salmon
(4)
Lauren H.
Had my work party here tonight. First, good wine and good french martinis. Second, good food. HAd 2d mortgage appetizer (lobster, stone crab, ceviche, and shrimp. yum!), caesar and chopped veggie salad, and stone crabs (yum but kinda wished I had had the filet as it looked good too). Fudge pie was not to my taste, but the key lime pie was yummy. This was the second time I was there, previously for lunch, and I hope to go back again.
(4)
Kevin L.
I dragged my family out here while I was in town visiting for New Year's. We all agreed that the food was excellent. All of the dishes that we had were prepared exactly to order, and the service was great. Upon being greeted and brought back to the dining room through "the red curtains" we were seated in the back corner, with a great view of the rest of the dining area. The ambiance is comfortable, with a pleasant din of activity from the diners and wait staff, but still permits ready conversation within your own party. Our waiter was -fabulous- in every aspect. He was knowledgeable about the dishes, professional with his service, prompt, and thoroughly amusing. We all got laughs from his joshing around with our family. (Oh, and did I mention fabulous?) Like I mentioned, the food was great, and we tried it all. My dad had a steak that he ordered medium well (a little too done for my liking, but flavorful!), mom had fish that was flaky and delicious. My sister got the lobster tails which came right out of the shells with a pull of the fork - served with little butter and they were perfect. I had the scallops, and there were -tons- of them. Soft, chewy, and buttery, just the right consistency. I don't think you can go wrong with surf or turf here. I make special note of their giant crab leg appetizer. It comes with two king crab legs and two stone crab claws per person and their mustard dipping sauce. Maybe I'm not a crab aficionado, but all I can was that I found both types of crab divine - the king crab was hearty and sweet, the stone crab had a lighter, more delicate flavor, but equally appreciable. Sweet potato fries as a side item. 'Nuff said. And for dessert, my sister and I shared a slice of the key lime pie, per the recommendations of other Yelpers. It was definitely worth ordering. -Everyone- in my family ended up fighting over the crust, and my parents are the anti-desserters. Two thumbs up for this place, too bad I can't afford great food like Joe's all the time!
(5)
John C.
So I know that many foodies will deny going here for a steak...that this place is a tourist trap. Well, I don't go here for the stone crab, that's for sure. And, when somebody told me that the best steak in Chicago (bone-in filet) was at Joe's...I laughed! However, I've now had the wonderful bone-in filet twice, and it is easily in the top five of all time steaks that I've EVER had. Ask for the reserve wine list. Try the "mortgage" app the first time, but after that, just skip it. The table side service Dover Sole is excellent!!! So why go here instead of Gibson's, Morton's, etc? I don't know. It has a much different feel than the classic steakhouses. And for some reason, I feel much more comfortable coming to this place. It is right off of Grand, so only a few Red line stops away. There are alternatives to super heavy steaks, and they don't parade the damn steaks around in front of you. They just know the food is good. BTW...I think the Stone Crab is the biggest rip off. Not because I think it is bad here (I've also had them in Florida), but because I don't like Stone Crab. I don't get it...all that work for a little piece of meat?!?
(5)
Anjali B.
This is one of my favorite traditional seafood/steak places. I had my twenty-first birthday party here, as well as many other previous birthdays. This one was the best. I had a big filet seared rare, and a lobster tail on the side (not the petit steak n tails combo that I normally get, but a full, HUGE Australian lobster tail, and a full-sized filet). It was mind-numbingly delicious, and I had leftovers to take home. The crab bisque is a must, and I love the shrimp de jonghe, as well as the cold seafood platters they serve. A few years ago they had large king crab claws as a meal, and that was amazing, but I never saw it again. The desserts are amazing, too. I love the key lime pie. Excellent service too, every time I've been. Attentive, polite, and hospitable. :)
(5)
Mike B.
Ambiance and staff were great. Service was outstanding. The stone crab and the lobster tempura are fantastic. We also got the crab stuffed sole w/ lobster sauce, which was good, but the lobster tempura was better. Also the lyonaise potatoes were good and the fried asparagus was a nice change from the usual steamed asparagus I usually have. Had a great experience and would dine here again in the future.
(4)
Peter L.
I came here my first Saturday night after moving to Streeterville. The host pretty much laughed at me when I said I didn't have a reservation, which turned me into a committed Joe's-hater. A couple years later, my girlfriend finally convinced me to try the place out during RW... and I was converted. The stone crab claws are seriously amazing. The best I've ever had, which I guess isn't saying much cause I don't think I've had them anywhere else. The waiter was very attentive and helpful. Solid place -- if you're itching to unload your wallet, you could do worse.
(4)
Samantha L.
By far my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Since I'm from Florida i grew up at the one in Miami and although the crabs are fresher down there it is still really good in Chicago. I've tried most things on the menu: shrimp, stone crabs, cod, salmon, steak, etc. Everything is wonderfful- you can't go wrong no matter what you order, but the stone crabs remain my favorite. The sweet potato fries and creamed spinach are a must for sides and of course I can't come here without getting a slice of key lime pie. I would recommend booking your reservation an hour before you actually want to eat because they tend to run about 45 minutes to an hour late on reservations.
(5)
Linda T.
The seafood is so amazing and so fresh. The spinach stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes are to die for!! Ambiance is so romantic because of the dim lighting. It can get a little loud because of all of the people around you, but it doesn't really bother me all that much. If you're not a seafood person, they have chicken and other sandwiches, too. Joe's is a little expensive, but that's not something that would hold me back from coming again!
(5)
Tara F.
I will keep this simple, if you haven't been, you just need to go! The atmosphere, menu, food, and service are exceptional. The most talented service in the area. A must for a special occasion!
(5)
Matt R.
I went here for lunch during restaurant week and I was quite happy with my experience. If it wasn't for the overbearing waiter (I'm admittedly sensitive in this department) I would have gladly given 5 stars. First off, the restaurant week deal wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. So we went with just ordering off the menu and it ended up being the same price. Everything was well spiced and the fish was quite good! We went for the second mortgage for an appetizer. The second mortgage is just a big ol' collection of fish presented beautifully on a plate. The crab was fresh and delicious. For my lunch I had a bowl of the crab bisque. The bisque was rich and absolutely delicious! I'm still not sure exactly what all was in it...it was complex and the flavor was great the whole time. I would love to go back for dinner some time!
(4)
Tara M.
I went to Joe's for lunch last week and it was great! I read through all of my fellow Yelpers' reviews and definitely took everyone's advice. Food: For our appetizer, we had the medium-sized stone crabs. They were a little difficult to eat, but very good. I did not use much of the sauce that came with them (I am generally anti-condiment) but of what I did try it tasted pretty good. For my entree I had the bone in filet, perfectly cooked at medium rare. This was, without a doubt, the best steak I have ever had! I also ordered a side of the Jennie's potatoes, but they went hardly touched because I was so in the zone with my steak. My lunching partner had the parmesan-crusted halibut special, which looked delicious (and he confirmed it to be so). For dessert, I had the key lime pie. The crust was to die for, and the filling was, well, to die for. I also ordered an extra slice to take back to the office for my hungry coworkers. Ambiance: Nothing special--very typical steakhouse feel. Full of business lunchers in suits. Service: Our waitress was very knowledgeable, and extremely chipper. My dining partner was actually a little annoyed by how "smiley" she was, I think, but I liked her. She knew her stuff, explained the basics to me since I had never been there, and provided prompt, appropriate service. I also loved the cute little crystal crab pins they wear! Certainly not a cheap lunch, ringing in over $150 for the two of us. But worth every penny (though thankfully I got to expense it)! I would certainly go back for a special occasion dinner or business lunch.
(5)
Sara S.
Still the best steak house in Chicago. Sat at the bar and ordered from the full menu. King Crab, Bone in Filet split for two, half serve of lyonnaise potatoes and spinach. For dessert a half serve of Boston Cream and Key-lime Pie. Yum yum yum!
(5)
Elleb K.
We decided to head for drinks after work before heading our seperate ways for dinner. They have a bar area and it was packed. By the sheer of luck we were able to get a table. Servers were freindly. We had a couple martinis which were average decent. We had their famous stonecrab, delish and the dip was heavenly. If heading here for dinner, make reservations, it is packed.
(3)
Ben A.
Excellent service and Stone Crab makes it worth it if you are in the mood for good seafood away from the coasts. However for the high prices the appetizers and sides leave much to be desired. 5 stars for the main course, 2 stars for the sides/salads.
(3)
Bianca P.
This restaurant is outstanding. I went with my boyfriend and another couple. We did not have a reservation when we went so got a round of drinks at the bar. I ordered a lemon drop martini which has a sugar rim and was very smooth. Once we sat down for dinner we ordered the 2nd mortgage (a seafood platter) and spinach mushrooms for appetizers. I am allergic to shell fish but on behalf of the other 3 people that devoured it, the platter was amazing! The mushrooms were cut in half and stuffed with spinach and then had Parmesan or Romano (maybe both) cheese melted on top. I could have had that for my entree and been extremely satisfied. I ordered the 16oz bone-in filet, medium which is a premier cut at the restaurant. It was the most magnificent piece of meat I have ever had the pleasure of eating! It was cooked perfectly and although I did not want to stop eating it, it was just too big too finish (Nick happily had it for lunch the next day). Nick, my bf, ordered the Alaskan King Crab which he was very pleased with. For sides we had creamed spinach and a sweet potato that was served with butter and brown sugar. Both very good. During dinner we enjoyed 2 bottles of Justin wine that was highly recommended by the couple we were dining with. Okay-now for the dessert- Are you sitting down? We had Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Chocolate Cake. The Chocolate Cake was a little rich for me but still good. The Banana Cream Pie was fresh sprinkled with candied pecans and the best Banana Cream Pie I have ever had. Now I am a big fan of Key Lime Pie and if I am somewhere that offers it, I will usually order it. This Key Lime Pie doesn't touch any Key Lime Pie, I have ever had- Even in Florida. Sorry all of you Floridians! Go to Joe's and see for yourself. It was outstanding! Overall, the experience was upscale dining at it's finest and the staff was very accommodating. So glad that even though it was suppose to be a 2 hour wait, we waited. It turned out to be about an hour. Very satisfying culinary experience.. Thanks John & Jenny for the recommendation!
(5)
Yujin A.
I know I am picky when it comes to food, and I certainly become pickier when I pay over 80 dollars for my meal. I went there three times so far. Once I had Dover sole. The fish was very fresh ( I am from a coastal city off the Pacific... trust me,, i know my seafood), but it was simply fried. Other dishes I've tried were good, but nothing creative or amazing. Good ingredients though. I wasn't too impressed by their service either. The second time I was there, the service was impeccable, but not the first time or the third time I was there. I just think this place is a bit overrated and overpriced, but I have to remark that their lobster bisque is da bomb!
(4)
Katie W.
Great place to take the parents when they're in town or to go with a group. The sides are phenomenal, service is outstanding, and I think it blows some of the other steak joints in Chicago out of the water. I wouldn't recommend as a romantic date place because it gets a little noisy.
(5)
vitas z.
i can't say enough good things about joe's. that atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxed. the service is impecable. and the stone crab and mustard sauce is out of this world. i love to stop by here after catching a movie downtown, either amc river east to the siskel, for some stone crab and an ale. it just puts me in the most relaxed mood.
(5)
Jason S.
Two words. Stone Crab! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. The crab and the dipping sauce are up there on my list of favorite foods. This place is on the pricey side, so I save it for special occasions or when the parents are treating;) Atmosphere is that of a classy steakhouse and the wait staff is always attentive, knowledgeable and seemingly having a good time. Dont skip on the fillet and make sure to get an order of cheesy potatoes for the table.
(5)
steve h.
i'm a bisqueaholic. the stone crab bisque, try it in this subzero weather. warm ya right up. the stone crabs themselves, yes..you gotta pick out some of the shell crackings..but its a 'good' kind of work*. you know that your reward will be worth it. * i have been known to eat crab with tiny bits of shell still attached due to impatience. lets hope there are minerals or some sort of nutritional value to the shells. oh well.
(4)
Jim G.
Loved it - the stone crabs are absolutely amazing. This is some of the best Seafood you can get in Chicago.
(4)
S. O.
Yum! If you love seafood, fish or steak this place is fabulous! Everything is equally delicious, my friends swear by the steaks (try the bone-in rib-eye) and i LOVE the fish and seafood. I went with a big group and got to try the seafood platter, king crab, stone crab, ceviche, lobster....all fresh, tender and fantastic. Even the lobster, which is rubbery a lot of places, was succulent. I got the tuna for dinner and it was sashimi grade, well prepared and delicious. The sides are good too, go for the Jennie's potatoes! Oh and as for the service...the waiters were so attentive and pleasing that the sales traders I brought went back there the next night.
(5)
Amanda D.
Wow! The crab was just fantastic- can't remember anything but that actually. But wow- I can still (4 months later) remember that crab!! Yum
(5)
Steve D.
This is the second year in a row that my wife have gone to Joe's for our anniversary and I can guarantee we'll be going back next year. We arrived and were promptly seated. Our waiter Richard was awesome. Very friendly, and just the right amount of attention. We went for the stone crab which is the same as always, delicious. The mac & cheese is ubelievable and we had the sauteed spinach that was great too. We tried two desserts, the mint-chocolate pie and the gold brick, solid, just not as decadent as I would have wanted when the rest of the meal was so superb. I can't wait to go back, bonna have to be soon, everything that went past us looked so good from the fried chicken to the chops. One of the best restaurants in Chicago for sure.
(5)
Rachelle T.
To be completely honest I think this place is totally over-rated. Having grown up in New England, where we know our seafood, I wasn't impressed by Joe's. It is expensive and everything is served ala carte which means a full meal (salad, entree, possibly a side or dessert) adds up really fast. The service was good and our waitress was incredibly attentive so I will give them props on that. The atmosphere is pretty stuffy and they obviously cater to an older crowd. Basically, if you're looking for good seafood you can find it elsewhere in this city at a much lower pricetag. If you're looking for the pretention and "name" you'll probably enjoy Joes.
(3)
Jennifer S.
This place never fails to impress. The food is wonderful and the service is fantastic. Although not on the menu, I asked for a side of mushrooms and they were accommodating. Definitely need reservations and still may have to wait a bit.
(4)
john w.
Excellent value with the extended restaurant week menu $21.95 for multi-course meal.. Filet and stone crab is good combo. Service above average. Great desert. Not the best, But good solid meal.
(3)
Patty V.
Almost forgot about this place! Went with a bunch from work and had an awesome meal! Epic proprtions of food that will leave your stomach full and your wallet lighter-but it is worth it!!! Had the stone crab-of course. DE-LISH!!
(5)
Chris H.
We went here for dinner last night and had a great time. King crab is in season now, and they bring it out and cut it open for you table side, terrific! After the crab, we'd both had enough seafood and went with steaks for dinner, the bone in fillet was, I think, the best I've ever had. All that said it is a little pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for.
(4)
S to the izzo F.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Every time we go it's a good time as well as good eating. Not to be confused with Joe's crab shack please! that's an insult to good food!!!!!! Joe's is top notch in every way!
(5)
Taylor O.
Seafood from Chicago that kicks ass. Cover your eyes and you might think you're on the coast. Soft shell crab appetizer deliciously lightly fried and dipped in to a perfect oil concoction. Alaskan King Crab Legs in heaping portions. Top it off with sweet potato fries. Lettuce take you there but its gonna cost you. Get the points card.
(5)
K M.
I was a bit disappointed with my entrees both times I have been to Joe's, but I'd be willing to give them another chance because I keep hearing that everyone else loves it. It doesn't help that I'm not a huge crab fan I suppose. The desserts are also really great- I was here for a long office lunch oncce and we ordered a bunch of pieces of pie to share around the table, and they were all incredible!! I'd highly recommend saving room for dessert here! The service of course is excellent, and they don't seem to mind if you linger around and take your time with your meal
(4)
Jendy B.
I won a $100 gift card to this place so I took a friend and myself out to dinner. We started out with a crab leg appetizer, salads, and a bottle of wine. I ordered some sort of crab stuffed fish and she ordered a steak & seafood dish, I believe. All in all, we had a great [and cheap] meal after using the gift card. Update (3/3/08): I went again the other weekend at 2 o'clock on a Sunday. Like it hasn't been mentioned before, but the stone crab appetizer is no joke. The bloodys are good with the garnish being superb (celery, lemon, and an oversized shrimp with a large feta stuffed olive). Our entrees were amazing and the desserts... wow, save room for dessert! The half slices are more than enough. We sampled a trio of pies-- key lime, banana cream, and double chocolate. The key lime pie was amazing and I'm not even a fan of key lime pie! Our soup, salads, lyonnaise potatoes, asparagus, and entrees were extremely satisfying. Our service was extremely professional.
(5)
Adam G.
Joe's is very good. I love stonecrabs and must say they have the best! However, I' m not sure I would go there for anything else as I have never ever tried anything else on the menu. Overall, if stonecrabs or seafood is what you are looking for - this is the place!
(5)
Ross W.
Although I sat two tables away from Jesse Jackson, the highlight was the stone crab claws and our excellent waiter, Howie. The food is terrific and atmosphere classy but comfortable. A must order is the bone-in steak (either ribeye or filet mignon). Also try the sweet potato (half order is plenty). Back to Howie--a great waiter that has a following and may be the most personable guy you'll meet to bring your food in hand. Ask to be seated in his section and enjoy.
(5)
Kate W.
I've only been here once, but it was WONDERFUL! We didn't have a reservation, but we were seated very quickly. Our waiter was very nice and very knowledgeable, without being intrusive. I had the crab-stuffed sole in a lobster sauce ... it was incredible. My boyfriend had a steak which he said was "good," a very big compliment coming from his mouth. Not a place my budget can afford every day, but a great place to spend a special evening.
(4)
David M.
Very, very good! I've been here about 5 times and have always been impressed with the service. I'm not a big fan of the stone crab but every thing else I've had here has been perfect. You can't go wrong having dinner here.
(5)
Jason K.
I've always heard great things about Joe's so I was very excited when a very cute girl that I was dating took me here for my birthday last year. Since then I haven't been able to stay away! I'm not a seafood fan, but I love their steak. The sweet potato fries and desserts are great as well. It's pricey, but definitely a good spot for any special occasion.
(5)
J D.
The best Oysters Rockerfeller ever.
(5)
Grace G.
What I liked: Service...our server was accommodating and extremely polite. Everyone on the waitstaff was extremely attentive, and yet not overly attentive. Dessert...boston creme pie if you like chocolate and custard...yum!! Great people watching place. Great attention to detail. What I didn't like: What seafood place does NOT have raw oysters on the half shell? Of course, what they ARE known for are the stone crabs, but my husband and I found them to be tasteless, the flavor was too delicate to actually enjoy it...but, to each his own. The rest of the food wasn't wow...you get comparable food and even better food at places like Shaw's (another underrated Lettuce Entertain You venue, but not as pricey) or Catch 35. I had the crab legs, and my husband had the 22 oz. lobster. My husband realized he had made a mistake on his order, and while I loved my crab legs, I thought that the price was too much. I get crab legs at Shaw's or Catch 35 and they are definitely cheaper and just as good. I was definitely paying for the 'lack of atmosphere'. The lobster was ok, but it was bit tough and lacked flavor. We recommend sharing side orders...so do they. We both had the stone crab bisque, but we both thought that the delicate flavor of stone crab got lost in the flavor of the bisque. We also like our bisques to be smoother, and they put in some crunch into their bisque. Good flavor in the base, but I've had better bisque elsewhere. Our appetizer was the 2nd mortgage (that's what it is called, and at 14.95/pp, definitely named appropriately) which consisted of 2 stone crab, large shrimp, lobster tails and a ceviche which was the best out of all the appetizers. I don't know what the big deal is about stone crab claws...I believe the flavor is too delicate to enjoy, as I mentioned before, and the mayo-mustard dip that they serve with it overpowers what flavor the crab has. Decent wine selection, but once again, overpriced. Stick to the beer and liquor. Overall, I thought the restaurant itself was extremely expensive for no reason. It was loud, it had no 'atmosphere', but it is extremely popular for the business types. The waiting area is overcrowded with no atmosphere and no place to stand, the bar is too small for all the people, and while you can hear music above all the din, you really couldn't enjoy it. If you must try it, you will get great service, good desserts, and good people watching. But my recommendation is to head to Shaw's (downtown or Schaumburg) or Catch 35 (downtown or Naperville). If you must spend that kind of money, spend it on Nick's Fishmarket. The food is to die for there.
(3)
Sheila D.
I love the steaks here! I know they are known for their stone crabs, which are amazing as well. I was more in a meat mood the last time I was at Joe's and opted for their steak. Now I'm not sure what to get during my next visit because both are such great choices! The sides are really good as well and you can't go wrong with any desserts on the menu.
(5)
Ice Cream Truck I.
At first this place came across as sorta formal, but the workers were really cool. I took out two desserts late at the bar, staying at the Marriott across the street. The key lime pie was alright (not - - MUCH more whipped cream on this than anything else). The apple pie was superb - - a huge serving, dense with tart/sweet apples, not overly sugared; flaky crust. For lunch the next day, I went for the stone crab claws. I wanted the 4 claws for $17, and when I mentioned 'medium' on the menu, I thought that referred to the size of the claws. They brought a huge plate, I lemoned it and then realized there were 8 claws on the plate - - was the order right (maybe one claw is considered a pair?). I asked them, and they said I ordered a medium SERVING which is 8 claws for like $29. I apologized and told them I made a mistake and thought medium meant the size of the claws, not the order. They said they couldn't take them back because I had lemoned them. They let met eat them all and charged me only for four, which I thought was really cool of them.They could tell I was an outta towner because I walked in with my laptop case and rollaway, so they could have charged me for the whole order and not cared, but they were really customer-oriented, which impressed me. Oh, and I like that they had the basketball game on the TV last night. Only downside is that the bar waitresses seem to have a bit of 'tude (maybe because I'm not a drinker and was only ordering food?).
(4)
Eric L.
Ive been here for dinner and brunch. Brunch is probably the best brunch i have had in chicago. crab is excellent.
(5)
Tom W.
Wow !!! My review could stop there because this restaurant was that great, but I will elaborate just a bit. This restaurant really knows how to treat their guests and will go way out of their way to keep you happy. We start with a great BLT wedge salad and then dove into two entrees of their famous stone crabs and the king crab legs. It was a ton of crab meat and it was unbelievably delicious. They gave us a brownie Sunday dessert for our special night and when we commented that we had been thinking of the key lime pie a slice of key lime was brought immediately and free of charge. Both were to die for as was the entire meal. We also had the asparagus which I tasted but did not want to spoil my crab meal. Frankie was our waiter and he was a true professional and knew how to do his job flawlessly. If you come here try and sit in his section and you will be thoroughly pleased. The other men working our table were also all spot on and we never wanted for anything. Thank you Frankie and thank you Joes for an amazing meal and night.
(5)
Rich F.
I'm always amazed at how good this place is when I return. The steaks are top notch, but on my most recent visit I had the grilled swordfish which was fantastic. The red claw crab legs served chilled and de-clawed tableside were out-of-this-world good. Of course, the stone crabs can't be beat. Only complaint is that a reservation means nothing here. This place packs 'em in-it's impossible to not spill your drink in the small and crowded bar while waiting for your 8pm reservation to be called at 8:45 over the impossible-to-hear sound system/microphone. Oh well, the food is worth it.
(5)
Eddie O.
I've only eaten here once and it was unbelievable. We ordered a bunch of different things for the table because we couldn't choose between all the things that we've heard are so good. Both the stone crabs and filet were unbelievable. I was skeptical that a seafood restaurant could make a steak at the Gibsons/Mortons level, but it definitely was just as good (if not better). Stone crabs were amazing as well and I'm planning on going back for more before stone crab season ends in may.
(5)
Dru G.
I didn't know it was possible for food to taste this good. I was really excited when Joe's opened up here because my family used to go during vacation in Miami many times. I wasn't sure if it could live up to the Miami Joe's legend, but it's done a very good job. The stone crabs and key lime pie are not only my favorite things on the menu, but they are my favorite foods in Chicago!
(5)
Leigh L.
Fantastic service, food was great and the proportions were large. Prices reasonable for quality of food and service. Don't miss this place. Make reservations well in advance. Beware...only complaint...I did not save room for desert!!!
(5)
Lawlibgal X.
Crabcakes are amazing. Stone crabs were delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend for a great place to eat.
(4)
Julie M.
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience at Joe's! The atmosphere is a little old school for my personal modern taste but once I got over that I was totally sucked in! Our server, Rocky, has been with the restaurant for over 10 years and you could feel his pride in this place. He did a great job so service was outstanding. We both had fish and it was prepared perfect. We enjoyed everything we ate and even left with further plans for the evening thanks to the attentive staff. I will be back!
(5)
Ws's Mama H.
Heard many good things about Joe's, so I tried. This is a classic restaurant and filled with mostly older folks. Service was good. For a starter, I've had stone crab claws, which taste just like any other stone crab claws served in other seafood places. There was nothing special about them. Highlight of this place was copper river salmon, which was fresh and succulent. I devoured it even though I was full. I would come back here again for some copper river salmon... mmMmm
(4)
Lai X.
The first time I went there was to take my best friend out for her birthday. Since this restaurant got such raving reviews for their stone crab claws and my best friend is a huge seafood fan, I thought this would be a great place to go. We ordered the 2nd mortgage and some medium claws to start, followede by filet mignon and hashed brown. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by their seafood given the price, maybe because we've been to the original Joe's in Miami, the stone crab claws they are serving here are just not as pump and it was at times hard to break off the shells. And while the filet was good, but the hashed brown was rather overly "browned" - with lots of blackened char pieces all around. Anyways, the service was so-so, while our waiter was friendly, it was obvious he didn't want to spend as much time taking care of two girls in their early twenties. Also, I'm not sure if it's the time of the day we went, but the atmosphere at Joe's seems overly formal and a bit stuffy at times. Still, Joe's is Joe's, if you are in the mood to splurge on fresh seafood and great steaks, this place won't disappoint.
(3)
Rahshonda K.
Joe's you didn't fell to disappoint this time and for that ...you got that star back!!! I went to Joes for a dinner party and it was 14 of us and Oz our waiter had his hands full with us but he handled us with care. The food was OFF DA HOOK! I loved the Filet Mignon, Crab Cakes, and Stone Crab Legs! So fresh its unbelievable. As usual I cant wait to go back!!!!!! PS. Try the Chocolate Fudge Pie...OMG I am craving it now its so good!!!!!
(5)
Netsie T.
Took my dad here when he came to visit. The stone crab was superb and the key lime pie was spectacular. Definitely worth the price--thankfully, I wasn't paying.
(4)
Ellen M.
My review is based on the fab holiday luncheon my company arranged. Oh, we did just fine. Lots of food, and everything I tasted was wonderful. I was sad because I didn't get a chance to have the stone crab, but I did get a fantastic ribeye, cooked beautifully, with lots remaining for the husband to enjoy later on. I have yet to eat more than about four ounces of steak at a sitting, this was no exception. It's so rich, I'm satisfied with a little taste. Appetizers, vegetables, all wonderful, all prepared with plenty of bejesus left. Service...extraordinary! Of course they did a great job during the meal. They even dropped everything to help my co-worker find her missing glasses. Flashlights were pulled from thin air to assist in the search.
(5)
Carol K.
I've been to Joe's many times and never thought to write a review as there were already so many of them on here. But last night's experience with some out of town guests prompted me to write. I had relatives in from Wisconsin and taking them out to dinner is always a challenge as they are always flummoxed by the prices in Chicago and usually order drinks that the bartenders here tend to struggle with. Well last night was no exception. The obligatory Brandy old fashioned (who drinks Brandy outside of WI I wonder?) was ordered 3 different ways, and with three different garnishes. Well- this is one of the first places that has ever gotten these Brandy drinks right on the first try.Thank you Joe's. One less argument at the table. Our server took excellent care of us, swapping white napkins for black for those of us in dark clothes, taking the bickering at the table over "sharing of food" due to the perceived high prices (urrgh!) all in stride, and bringing a complimentary dessert for the birthday that we were celebrating. The steaks were excellent, the cold appetizer (2nd mortgage as they call it) plate delicious and my favorite- the grouper with the tomato cucumber relish- absolutely perfect!. Pair all of that with some of their famous hash browns and Jennie's potatoes (mashed potatoes blended with cheese, topped with buttered bread crumbs and broiled) and their well known fried tomatoes covered with spinach and cheese and we had a meal fit for royalty. Why not a perfect rating? We did have some issues with over zealous bus staff. Water was refilled sloppily- splashing us in the process- forks, plates and knives were taken and not replenished before people were done eating and overall it lent to a feeling of being rushed. But I was happy. The relatives went back up to the wilds of Wisconsin and I was able to return to my quiet home and think about the amazing food and how nice it was that someone else had to deal with my crazy relatives at meal time instead of me.
(4)
Audre L.
I love the stone crab here. I love the old school feel of the dining room and service - watiers in tuxes. Certainly a different style than the Miami location which is just as nice but Miami cool-formal. Delicious. Glad to have it in Chicago.
(5)
David B.
I've been to Joe's many times and have always had a 5 star experience. The atmosphere and service are great. Their entree's are excellent including the crab cakes which are the best that I've ever had. The sides are even better than the entree's. Don't miss the cottage fries and the roasted corn. Desserts are a must. The apple pie ala mode is amazing. Half servings of dessert are available, so order a few for the table.
(5)
Sherie P.
Yum!! I love Restaurant week! I have been wanting to go to Joe's and this was the perfect opportunity. Lunch with the girls! We started off with some cocktails. The Basil Orange Cooler was so tasty. I thought it would be more bubbly from the club soda, but it wasn't. It had a nice basil flavor and not too sweet. One of the other girls had the South Beach Peach. It was much sweeter. It was very tasty too. To eat we had the Stone Crab bisque to start. It was creamy and had a wonderful crab flavor. Soooo good! I had the 5 Stone Crab claws with hash browns and coleslaw. The crab was great with their mustard sauce. I don't like mustard at all but I tried it and it was tasty. The waitress was wonderful and brought us some clarified butter since I'm not big on Mustard. The hash browns were crispy and delicious. I'm not a big mayo fan either, but the coleslaw was pretty good. I only had one bite. They mix it up in front of you so the cabbage stays crisp and it's sweet and very mayo-y. One of my friends had the filet with mashed potatoes and this tomato with spinach and cheese on top. The filet was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were delish. Now... This tomato... I didn't know what to make of it first. They must put it under the broiler to get the cheese melted but the tomato was still firm and raw. WONDERFUL! Next time I need a plate of those tomatoes! We had the banana cream pie and the key lime pie for dessert. Both were amazing. The whole desert menu looked amazing. I think I'll need to go back and try each one!
(4)
Mike Y.
Went here for restaurant week and it is a good deal for the price! The service was excellent, first. On top of things, never leaving me waiting for anything, yet not too in your face. Great job there... especially during the extra busy RW. On to the food... I had the bisque, which was very tasty. I love a good soup and extra love when they create the soup right at your table; kind of gives it an extra flair. The flavor was rich, and creamy... mmmm.... Next up was stone crab with their cole slaw and hash browns. I did like that the crab was really nicely pre-cracked for you, but it was still really messy/awkward to eat. Still, it's a pricey product at a good price and the meat that you could get to was tasty. The hashed browns were really tasty. I liked the slight creaminess of the butter and I liked the stlightly browned top. Very delicious. The cole slaw, I was not too much a fan of. Essentially it is just a mountain of slow and you kind of have to mix it together yourself... It was only ok... I've definitely had much better coleslaw elsewhere. This ended up being a lot of food so I took home half of my crab claws and some of the hashed browns... a great meal for another day :) I ended with banana cream pie and even though I didn't really have much room for it, it was a pretty tasty pie. Great service, classy atmosphere, definitely worthy of its ratings. Great job!
(4)
Charles H.
After years of travel throughout the country I have had the good fortune to sample some wonderful steaks and seafood restaurants. I can say without hesitation that Joe's in Chicago is the best for both. Their bone-in filet is unbelievable and is consistently cooked to perfection. Now based on how much I love the steak here I say with some excitement that the Stone Crab appetizer is the best dish in the country. I had this at least a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Now I will say the price can be a bit high, but you will never feel cheated. The service, food, and atmosphere are second to none. If cost is a concern my fiancee and I often go for lunch. You can get one of the best hamburgers in the city for a very reasonable $10 and then splurge on some stone crab. I also highly recommend the lobster bisque. Please go and enjoy
(5)
mumin k.
I had one of the best steak restaurant experiences at Joe's. The bone in ribeye was excellent, the best I had so far. The service was also top quality. The waiter definitely knew what he was doping .. The most surprising part is that this place was not any more expensive than your regular steak house but it was much better than any other place i have been both in terms of food and service quality. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Hu Lee A.
Great! The crab was excellent, the cole-slaw divine, the steak pretty good for a seafood joint, and the key lime pie was just like it was in Miami. I would come back. There are enough managers on the floor to ensure service is well above average. Somewhat pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Sheldon R.
Incredible experience. Bone in filet was "to die for". Our waiter, Steve, was fantastic. Loved it all.
(5)
D H.
Simply delicious! Best ribeye I have ever had.
(5)
Melissa V.
For the price I expected flawless and they didn't deliver. The basket of bread was good. The shrimp cocktail was very tasty (my favorite item). The chopped salad lacked flavor. The crab bisque also lacked flavor and had no crab. The filets were solid. My crab legs were suppose to be steamed and warm and they were ice cold. The waiter blamed the chef (very low brow) and never apologized or offered any compensation, which completely turned me off of this place. Looks like we were the few who didn't enjoy this place. For the price are you willing to find out if you might be next? I say skip this place!
(2)
hanna y.
I was excited when a couple of friends and I booked Joe's Seafood for restaurant week. We came in with high expectations and left with all our wildest dreams come true. When I walked into Joe's I was taken aback by the layout. I envisioned a more spacious dining area but tables were pretty close to each other. We had to wait a few minutes to get seated and we opted to grab a drink at the bar. I was a bit apprehensive for our dinner, but was blown away by the service and food. I got the Filet, lobster combo. We started off with a soup, which I opted for the seafood bisque. It was one of the best seafood bisques I have ever had. From our entire table all you could hear was the clanking of the spoons and the licking of our lips. I had to refrain myself from licking the bowl clean (had I have been in a less public place I probably would have). When the food came out there was complete silence from our table as we savored each and every bite. Sharing the sides in a family style set up was also an added touch to our experience. And to top off the entire experience I got the key lime pie which left me wanting more. Aside from the food, the service was absolutely amazing. I can't remember the server's name, but he was very friendly and accommodating. What should have been 1.5hour dinner turned into a 3.5 hour dinner. Among our group of 5 we shared practically 4 bottles of wine and had a wonderful time. Our server was very attentive and joined in quite a few of our conversations. Thank You restaurant week for letting me experience a true slice of heaven! I highly recommend that you try Joe's. You'll leave happy and wanting more.
(5)
Ang R.
**Restaurant Week Review** I loved Joe's. Everything was really tasty (except the insides of the giant hash brown cake, which were waaaay underseasoned, sadly.). I did the $33 stone crab menu, and I really liked everything I ate. I had a salad with Joe's vinaigrette--which is a really unique and interesting dressing, but don't get it if you don't like onion--and the other two at my table had crab bisque. They both LURVED the crab bisque. The crab claws were delicious as always (though such a pain to deal with, honestly.) and my husband liked his steak. The real winners, though, were the sides: mashed potatoes that were INSANE, delicious vinegary cole slaw, and the grilled tomato. The grilled tomato is really unlike any side I've had at a steak or seafood place, and I can't recommend it enough. So freaking good. (And the mashed potatoes, which I kept eating right through fullness. Did I mention the mashed potatoes?) Lastly, desserts. The Key Lime Pie had to be some of the best I've had in Chicago. Perfect crust, perfect acidic bite, lovely whipped cream. Husband had the banana cream pie, and he said it was mild and nice. Wish we could afford Joe's all year round! But if it's gotta be during restaurant week, so be it. If you can, try to get in. It's really worth it.
(5)
Ross N.
Ahhh, Stone Crab just back in season and hit the spot, definitely 5 stars for those little guys and girls and sorry to steal one of your arms but you taste so good! Service was excellent and helped make the night that much better with some great friends. Don't hit restaurants downtown like we used to but $300 for 4, A LOT OF FOOD and bottle of wine and few cocktials sounds about right for what we were looking for. A little steep, sure, but just had to have those bottom feeders.
(4)
Mat C.
Not sure why people go bananas for Joe's. It'a a lettuce restaurant. As a Miami native I can assure the only thing the original shares with this and the Vegas outpost is the font on their logo.
(3)
Brittany H.
Absolutely loved this restaurant. The decor was cozy, elegant and charming. Impressive wine list...and the restaurant best renowned for its stone crab. Definitely the tastiest crab ever...thanks to its wonderful honey dijon dipping sauce. Forewarning, it was a bit noisy for a Weds. night...if you can withstand it. I liked the noise, it's what gave the restaurant its charm & liveliness. I don't eat red meat, so I couldn't tell you how their steak is, but for being a steak & seafood restaurant, I thought the swordfish was pretty fresh & not dried out at all. Aside from the wonderful stone crabs, you will find a unique and equally impressive list of side dishes, fried green tomatoes and candied yams with marshmallows on top. (it's not active on their menu....a special for the night). And forget about dessert.... it's monstrous! I will have to give props to our excellent waiter, Frankie. Aside from being attentive, assertive and extending his friendliness, he definitely knew his stuff. I wouldn't have remembered his name otherwise. I have been longing to go back to Chicago, or at least check out their chains in Miami or Vegas.
(5)
Harry W.
Awesome food. Impeccable service, beautiful ambiance. The king crab legs were the most incredible and flavorful I've ever eaten. Watching them get cracked at table side was cool & the white gloves were a nice touch. We all had desert which surprisingly is limited to pie. We had 4 different ones @ our table and they all rocked! High end meal....high end price but well worth the $$$$. RESERVATIONS A MUST on weekends
(5)
Haley S.
My parents were in town this past weekend and we went here for dinner on mother's day. Good shrimp cocktail, my dad like his stuffed mushrooms. I had the petit filet, which was very good, and my parents enjoyed their food. A little touristy, but it is River North. Also, some people like the overly attentive, overly friendly service, but it was a little much for this table of NY'ers.
(4)
Mo A.
I had dinner at Joe's. The wait was 2 hours so I decided to eat at the bar. The waitress was extremely nice and deserved a good tip. However, the food wasn't that great and was extremely salty. I ordered the grilled fisherman platter with a side of onion rings and I couldn't finish either due to the amount of salt!
(2)
William F.
Always a favorite. Our firm often has its functions there, and my wife really enjoyed dinner when we went together. Others swear by Joes for lunch, but I have only been there for dinner. A great establishment!
(5)
Courtney W.
So, being from South Florida, I've been to the original Joe's so this place had a lot to live up to for me. I mean, come on, the original Joe's is on South Beach. You can't get much better than that. That being said, this place is amazing. My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's day and it lived up to its name. I love crab and grew up on the stuff and their stone crab is the stuff of legend. Sure, you're going to pay a pretty penny but if you're down to splurge, make a reservation here stat. I ordered the stone crab and my boyfriend ordered the filet mignon and then we split it for a little bit of surf and turf. The drinks were strong and the service was the best that I've had in the city. Sometimes at fancier places, I feel like you get worse service since everyone is stretched so thin. Not the case here. It gets really busy on the weekends and holidays, we had to wait half an hour even with a reservation. The people watching is great, the crab is second to none, and the service is superb.
(5)
Paul B.
I now know why the Stanley Cup made a stop at Joe's... Wow amazing seafood and steaks sums it up. Do yourself a favor, if you go to Joe's stick to what's in the name of the restaurant: Stone Crab, Steak, and Seafood. This was my first experience with Stone Crab and I was pleasantly surprised. Stone Crabs are sweeter than King Crabs and while they have less meat, the difference in taste was worth it. Continuing on with the theme of Stone Crab, I had the Bisque as two claws per person is a small appetizer. Again very pleased with the Bisque. And onto the entree, Bone-in Filet: Medium. It's 8:20am as I write this review and I would have another of these for breakfast it's soo good. It's a bit on the pricey side ($45) but worth every penny. I feel the need to justify my 5 star reviews and here the excellent, on point wait staff, prompt kitchen and a free dessert of key lime pie are my justifying points. If you're willing to splurge a bit definitely go here and don't order the fried chicken (why is it even on the menu?). Lastly a bit of a rant: I witnessed many men last night wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Seriously? Everyone that is employed by Joe's is wearing a bow tie and you're wearing shorts and a tee? Get your shit together and throw on some pants and at least a polo.
(5)
Amee C.
The service was excellent and the meal was good.
(4)
Chad N.
We went at 3 in the afternoon for our anniversary dinner. We loved it! We wanted to go Saturday night, but they were booked up, so we went to Mcormicks instead, horrible idea! At Joes we had the 2nd Mortgage and Fisherman's Platter as well as a cappuccino. It was great, and we were extremely happy with the portion sizes, taste and presentation of food. We were dressed casual and they treated us like 5 star guests and answered any questions we had with a smile and courtesy. Definitely a must go to for a couple while in Chicago.
(5)
Heidy C.
Amazing food and amazing service. We went for my boyfriends birthday and had an amazing meal. Our server was very knowledgeable and courteous and didn't intrude at all. We started with the medium stone crabs and oysters rockefeller and both had the grilled fisherman's platter. all were delicious. the sommelier was very knowledgeable and picked a wine for us that matched our meal.
(5)
Nina M.
I went here once for appetizers before a movie. This day later turned out to be one of the worst in my life. My car got towed...in a handicapped block...then I lost my key....anyways. So the scallops were great and I love the atmosphere in this place. Big tables. I swear that was my only time here. However, my sister insists that we brought my dad here once and he hated it. Then again she confused Smith and Wollensky's for McCormick and Shmick's so I can't trust that. To solve the issue I must return and eat the steaks/seafood.
(4)
Lyndsey B.
My server, Charles, happened to overhear me mention that the cocktail I ordered was just all right, so he came right over and said, "That is good to know. You have to tell your server these things, because you don't pay for what you don't like." He immediately took the cocktail off our bill, no questions asked, and asked if he could bring me something else. If you want to enjoy a meal without ever having to ask your server for anything, this is the place to go. They truly know how to create a great dining experience. The delicious food seems like an added bonus next to the flawless service. What I Ate: Crab and Artichoke Gratin, Jumbo Alaskan Crab Legs Prepared Tableside, Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potatoes, Garlic Creamed Spinach, French Martini
(5)
Ali W.
I came here with my family that was in town visiting. We made a reservation for 7 and were seated then. We arrived early, but they wouldn't let us sit until the entire party showed up. They were very accommodating for children with their childrens menu, which is also very reasonably priced. The servers have a lot of knowledge about the menu, which was very pleasant. My niece wanted crab and our server recommended the stone crab appetizer portion. It was perfect for her. The onion strings were really good and definitely enough to share for the entire table. We ended up taking the left overs home, but honestly they were not good the second day. I ordered the Fishermans Platter and it was delicious! It came with shrimp, calamari, scallops and cod. I was sooo full that I couldn't' finish the cod and ended up taking that home too. We also ordered the stuffed spinach mushrooms and shrimp as appetizers. I like shrimp so I didn't notice any strong fishy taste, but my niece did and didn't like it. We also shared the mashed potatoes and broccoli as sides- they weren't anything special.
(4)
Leo I.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (hereafter just "Joe's") is a bustling, colorful restaurant. Although a S. Florida transplant, the restaurant has adopted well by adding steaks and fried chicken to the menu. The food overall is good, with exception of the sauteed spinach -- as-if wilted under a heat lamp might have been a more descriptive term. The service is superb. The noise unbearable. This place is a little too loud for my taste. Leaning across the table to hear and to be heard by your dinning party is not fun. Tables are packed too close to each other. The restaurant attracts a lot of convention-goers and businessmen on expense accounts, so overall it offers a low to medium value (good food at a very high price).
(3)
Lily P.
We got there and were seated right away after checking our coats. We got a great table off in the corner booth and at first the place was empty (530pm RSVP) but by the time we left at 730 it was full. Our server SCOTT was really nice and helpful and had great timing. Overall the service was great in cleaning off the table, lemons and napkins to wipe off our hands, new plants, bowls for shells, and water refills. The food didn't take very long to come out and Scott explained the history of Joe's and everything on the menu. They had a nice bar in the front you can eat or drink at before your dinner and the wine menu has lots of choices. There's a parmesan crisp, raisin bread with sugar sprinkled on it which is amazingggg, rye - im not a fan of, pumpernickel, onion roll, challah roll....I couldn't figure out what all the bread was so I looked at a former review and the pic someone posted. We started off with the crab cakes which were really big and good. They come as 1 or a pair depending on if you want it as an appetizer or for a whole table. 1 is def enough for two people. The outside if very crumbly and the inside has tons of chunks. I wish it had more solid chunks of the crab meat. The scallops (NANTUCKET CAPE SCALLOPS) that were in season (the smaller ones on the market price menu) were amazing and tasted like little explosions of marshmallows (as the waiter described them) and Jlee thought the same thing. For our side we got the potatoes lyonnaise which came with caramelized onions in the middle and were really good. The outside was semi crispy and the portion is HUGEEE too much for 2 people and better for like 4-5. We got the king Alaskan crab legs (1.5 lbs) chilled and then they cracked it for us and cut it up into HUGE parts for us. We were unable to finish this and then we got the 7 medium order of stone crabs. This was probably more work than we signed up for since my friend almost chipped his tooth. We also tried the AMAZINGGGGGG KEY LIME PIE and seriously you can hate pie and you will like this. DEF TRY THE PIE!! I would just go here for dessert..yummm.. We thought it looked more like banana at first and the crust was home made and thick which made the pie amazing. The flavor was not overwhelming and it wasn't super tart and green. Perfect end of a meal and I can see myself ordering a pie to go in the future. Other people around us got a lot of other side which had huge portions..also the salads look very big and good. Just not in the mood for salad that night. The steaks were huge and amazing too and they had won an award for best steakhouse. They also do off the menu items and I asked for mushrooms and they apparently were ready to prepare it for me. I'm sure there are tons of items off menu. Overall great service, great place, food coma....I just wanted to pass out on my comfy bench and sleep. The atmosphere was pretty formal and most of the people there were older (30s and above), formal family dinners, or etc.
(4)
Chris D.
Not bad. Not bad at all. The food, the great service, the quality and the knowledge within this popular spot is one of the many reasons why I try to make it downtown as much as I can for steaks and stone crabs. I have no complaints here.
(4)
Charles J.
OK, it's official. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is my favorite restaurant in Chicago! Joe's has it all. Fantastic seafood, fabulous atmosphere, the BEST bar and some of the best "people watching" in the city. I've tried several of their seafood dishes (not had their steaks yet but I'm sure they're great too ) and you cannot go wrong. Very fresh, very tasty. Service was excellent considering the number of people they handle on any given night. So, if you love the best seafood you will find in Chicago, and enjoy eating with some of Chicago's beautiful people (don't be surprised to see local celeb or two), make a reservation and come to Joe's. Be prepared to "shell" out some cash but it's worth it!
(5)
L. P.
the food was great and the service was exceptional. i came here for restaurant week and i got their steak. they definitely emphasize quality over quantity.
(5)
Jackie C.
One of the best dinner's I have had in Chicago. I have been to many steakhouses in Chicago but this place is a step above! To start we got an order of the medium stone crabs. It was so good- the mustard sauce was a great addition. Next, our table ordered bone in rib eye, Joe's famous scallops, bacon wrapped scallops and the fillet and lobster tails combo with sides of roasted corn with cilantro and the potatoes which are hash browns and onions. ALL FABULOUS! The best was the steaks. They gave us seasonings for the meat which was really great and added a little extra flavor. Of the two scallops I would definitely suggest the bacon wrapped. They are six sea scallops and they have a great texture! To finish up, our waiter (who was great- John J.) brought us 2 free slices of key lime pie!! Great food, great atmosphere and great service. Will definitely be back the next chance I get. Also, try the peach martini- tastes like you're drinking a peach!
(5)
Max M.
Mission Hater: failed. Everyone loves Joe's. Naturally, I decided that I was having none of that. After all, I am a proud contrarian. I wanted to hate Joe's. It's hard to hate a restaurant after the experience I had. The food and service was excellent. The gf and I ordered a bottle of vino. We shared the stone crab with mustard butter. Overrated? Hell no. Justified. We both ordered the filet and a side of green beans. The filets were grilled well. The green beans were AWESOME! I couldn't believe how good the green beans tasted. Needless to say, we were both really enjoying the food. And then the restaurant just elevated the experience...with amazing service The lamp at our table blew out. The server noticed and immediately escorted us to a new table. The servers brought our bottle over and reset the table in a matter of seconds. Our napkins, silverware, and water glasses were replaced. The service staff made us feel like we were celebrities. Joe's won me over. I will definitely be coming back for those stone crab legs and the terrific service.
(5)
Amy H.
YUMMY. I wasn't even hungry when I went, but every bite I had was great. Martinis? Cheap and generous on the booze. Bread basket? Bountiful and full of variety. Steak? Cooked perfectly and juicy. Banana bread pudding? So GOOD.
(5)
Vivian Y.
Scott, the bartender at the front does the best 'rim job' in town! The bloody mary I ordered was rimmed with salt, celery, blue cheese powder... Mmmmm! On top if that- the bloody is served with a giant shrimp!!! The best bloody in town and a great price for $10! Service was impeccable and fun! We ordered the '2nd mortgage' which consisted of top quality seafood- jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, shrimp and scallop ceviche,stone crab claws- a great way to try it all! I was a little disappointed that they didn't have oysters in the half shell but I was perfectly happy with my appetizer seafood platter!! Will have to to back for a full blown dinner soon!!!
(5)
Funky Fresh F.
Very busy but we got high table by bar. Great service. We were group of 3 and shared all good family style. Both Alaskan and snow crabs and lobster were delicious - no butter needed. Fantastic crab cakes. Got bone in filet medium rare which was perfect. We got half slices of keylime, peanut chocolate cake - awesome, and tres leches. Best key lime pie ever - I went back next day just get another slice. Definitely go here. It's expensive but worth it.
(5)
C L.
Perfect. Perfect food, perfect service, perfect atmosphere. Food. We had an heirloom tomato appetizer, sides of mashed potatoes and roasted corn, ribeye steak and lamb chops. We also had the peach and blackberry pie for dessert -- this was the one thing we weren't very impressed with that evening. We loved that this was definitely an upscale dining establishment, but it was still casual -- i.e., non-stuffy. Our server was superb, he had excellent wine pairing recommendations for us, and just really made us feel like the center of attention, even though he did have other tables too :-).
(5)
Blake H.
Stone Crab Claws are AMAZING. They are so fantastic. Especially here. It is the only seafood I've ordered every time I have been there. But based on how amazing the claws are I am very interested to try their other stuff. However, I doubt I will ever get my fill. They're drinks were really good, especially the whiskey & ginger one. Also, the fried asparagus was brilliant. Each time I have been there, we have sat in the front in the lounge/bar section, and it was perfect. As long as I have crab claws, I don't need to be sitting in a proper dining room. Such a perfect place to get that fill of stone crab claws.
(5)
Dr. K.
The lunch special was very reasonable (about $28.00) and came with soup, stone-crabs, potatoes, cole-slaw, and a piece of pie. Since the place is known for their stone-crabs, I thought they would be better. The came out (purposely) cold and the shells are pre-cracked. However, they were cracked so much that we sat picking little pieces of shell off of the crab meat. The atmosphere was great. I will go back, but I'm not getting the stone-crabs.
(4)
Scott B.
Joe's seriously dropped the ball, in my opinion. I made reservations a month ago for wifey's B-Day party last night. Being the great hubby I am, I invited a party of six friends in order to surprise her. A few weeks ago, I called Joe's to see if we could up the party to 8. The rude girl who answered the phone, blatantly said "NO!" I proceeded to speak with the FOH Mgr. who sighed, then sighed again, but said "yep, I guess we can do that." I, in a VERY sincere manner thanked him, and he proceeded to say "yep" and hung up the phone on me. Yesterday afternoon, Joes called to confirm our 9;00 reservations. The girl, in a VERY condescending tone made it perfectly clear that all 8 of us must be there before they will seat us, otherwise, we forfeit our table. My problem with this is that it was a surprise party for wifey and I wanted all of our friends to be seated when we walked in. Joes didn't care, and said this is the "policy" and we must abide by it, or someone else will take our table. Now, seeing as though Joe's fucked up my wife's B-Day surprise, I was pissed. BUT, what can I do with a few hours notice? Granted, I called Flemings, then Keefers, and knew I was a fool for even trying. At this point, I honestly did NOT want to give Joe's my business.Nevertheless, I was in a no win situation, and had to keep my reservation. Upon entering, all of our friends were in the bar waiting. They also conveyed that the FOH staff were extremely rude & arrogant. I, being the assertive guy that I am, checked in with the host, and in their defense, we were seated slightly after 9:00. We were given a great table, seated right next to Brian Urlacher's party of 8. Our server was much more professional than the FOH staff, and explained the menu in a very thorough manner, without being annoying. As far as the food, wifey & I started with the stone crabs. They sucked! Seriously, this is a complete scam! HORRIBLE! We did try some of our friend's scallops and shrimp. Now, these were awesome! For entrees, I had the 16 oz. bone in filet. WOW! GREAT FLAVOR, but, I ordered it med. rare, and it came out medium. This was a complaint with everyone in our party, but we didn't say anything, as the server never (not once) asked how our food was. Wifey had the petite filet, which was good, but not nearly as tender or flavorful as the bone in filet. All in all, due to the FOH's arrogant demeanor, and the fact they screwed up my wife's surprise party, I'll refuse to ever go back. The service was good, but he never asked how our food was. The food was good, but not great. Seriously, there are other restaurants that offer top notch service, minus the attitude, and have better cuts of meat at the same price. Why would I ever dine at Joe's again? I WON'T!
(2)
G H.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. I had the Parm crusted halibut which was fabulous. Wife had the crabcakes , smaller but very good. Shared cottage fries, good but not as outstanding as the ones in Vegas. Service was OK but not excellent. Nice atmosphere but I still think the one in Vegas has better service and a bit better food.
(4)
Hong G.
1. the stone crab claw itself is overrated 2. i would highly highly highly recommend the bone-in filet mignon. i am more of a porterhouse (ny strip side please) person myself, but this is a great steak it is definitely on the pricier side
(4)
Candyce P.
A group of 5 of us went to Joe's for dinner on Saturday for their extended Restaurant week specials. We had an 8pm reservation and were a few minutes late, but they seated us right away. The place was packed, and thank goodness for a coat check, because once you enter the dining room section, you'll see that there is zero room for anything besides yourself and a tiny purse. It looks like your typical steakhouse institution, which isn't exactly my favorite style, but it was ok. The ceilings were a bit low, and coupled with the fact that the tables are so close to each other that the poor servers have very little room to do their job, I felt a bit claustrophobic. I also got elbowed in the back twice by the server for the booth behind me. Anyway! Besides all that, let's talk about the food. There were two options to choose from: 1) Alaskan King Crab Your choice of an All Greens Salad, a bowl of Chowder or Bisque, 1 lb. Alaskan King Crab Legs, Hashed Brown Potatoes, Joe's Cole Slaw and Key Lime Pie 2) Filet Mignon Your choice of an All Greens Salad, a bowl of Chowder or Bisque, 8 oz. Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potatoes, Joe's Grilled Tomato and Banana Cream Pie with Fosters Sauce 3 went with the King Crab dinner, and 2 with the Filet Mignon. Our server (whose name I can't remember) was the sweetest thing. She was happy that we knew about the special menu, gave it to us gladly, and also told us about the other specials of the evening. When she took our dinner order, she also let us know that we could switch sides between the specials if we wanted to. Which was good, since those with the King Crab orders all hated cole slaw. I had the Filet Mignon, bisque, mashed potatoes, grilled tomato... and for dessert, the Banana Cream Pie. The bisque was good, and served very nicely - poured at the table. I will say that my steak was done perfectly. The other person who got the filet wasn't as happy with theirs. It was kind of cold and a tiny portion (for a 6'2" guy). Since we all got the same sides, our server brought us regular-sized sides to share at the table. We also ordered asparagus. She dished our sides for us, which was really nice. The mashed potatoes were soooo good! Cheesy, with some breadcrumbs for texture. Really good. The grilled tomato - not so much. I would've been very happy with a simple grilled tomato. But this one had a layer of creamed spinach on top and some cheese. The cheese looked like (and tasted like) a Kraft single. Maybe some Gruyere please? The asparagus were fine. Those who got the King Crab were very happy with it - huge portion! I tried a piece from my sister. It was very good and quite fresh. For dessert, the other 4 got the Key Lime Pie, and I got the Banana Cream Pie. We also ordered the Havana Dream pie.... let me tell you, it was dreamy, divine, decadent. We were happy with our desserts from the special.... but that Havana Dream pie is what would bring us back to Joe's - JUST for that dessert. It's a Cuban version of the Tres Leches cake, so not as soaked as the Mexican version. It had almost a custardy cheesecake texture to it - absolutely delicious. I may not go back to Joe's for dinner, but I sure will sit in the bar for a drink and a piece of that pie! Sidenote: Before dining at Joe's, please go to the restroom. And don't drink too much while you're there either... because the restrooms are ridiculously TINY. For a restaurant of decent size, with I'd say like 200 customers at a time, they really need a bigger restroom. As I pushed the door open to enter, I hit the lady waiting "in line" right outside the stall. There are 2 stalls and a tiny sink. So those of us wanting to wash our hands have to wait for the hoochie-fied gold-diggers to reapply their lipgloss in front of the only sink and mirror. A real negative for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)
Geoff G.
Joe's does it right! I have eaten at the Miami location twice, and I was hesitant to tryh the Chicago location. My instincts would normally tell me that it was a shame that they had multiple locations.... it normally never works out (i.e. Carmine's). The entire night was fantastic. Dana, the bartender, is a seasoned veteran and she knows her stuff. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the Templeton Rye Manhattans she poured throughout the evening. I started with the large stone crab appetizer. The crab was as sweet as a I remember it being in Miami and the mustard sauce was spot on. The 20oz bone-in prime rib-eye was an absolutely delicious steak. I can't imagine any steakhouse in Chicago topping this one. It had a perfect amount of spice and the fat marbleization was primo! I ordered the steak medium rare and I would argue that it came out closer to medium.... but still delicious. Definitely not worth complaining about. For sides, I tried to keep it healthy so I went with the steamed asparagus (without sauce) and grilled tomatoes. The grilled tomatoes had a spinach/cheese/pesto topping, which I wasn't expecting. I brushed the topping off and just ate the tomatoes. The sides were delicious and complimented the steak perfectly. For dessert, I decided to go with another Templeton Rye Manhattan :) Did I mention that Dana rocked as a bartender? Whenever I am in Chicago and am in the mood to splurge, I will never look past Joe's. The Good: Impeccable service, delicious food, meticulous cocktails. The Bad: Pricey
(5)
George L.
stands out among all the awesome steak houses in the area
(4)
Beth M.
I think I found my new favorite steak/seafood place in the city! This place is very classy, all the men, I say that because I only saw about 20 men servers in full tuxes...The service was impeccable...Our waiter was very nice and gave us a lot of attention and we asked him for his advice and we took it....We skipped soup and salad, because we knew our main course would be large enough. My husband ordered the bone in filet and I ordered the Parmesan Flounder. We shared the mashed potatoes and the asparagus....My flounder was fresh and just perfectly cooked, it was delicious. We did opt to have dessert, and it was nice because here you are able to do 1/2 slices of their homemade pies. I had a 1/2 slice of apple pie a la mode. It was still a huge piece and wasn't able to finish it. Being that this restaurant is a mixture of southern cuisine mixed with the northwest steakhouse. They gave us a complimentary slice of their famous Key Lime Pie being it was our first visit. Although I took one bite and thought it tasted too much like egg. Our waiter recommended a Key Lime Martini the next time we are there and I will definitely be back to have one of those....
(5)
Chris M.
Never disappoints!!! Service....check, appetizers and salad....check, Dinner....check, dessert....check. Bonus was the complimentary champagne because we were celebrating our anniversary. Not expected, much appreciated. Will continue coming back for our anniversary!!!!
(5)
Jill S.
Fantastic Food. DO order the stone crab. I could make a meal on that. The filet my bf got tasted amazing. I went with the Parmesan Crusted Halibut - after much debate, and waiter's recommendation - it was quite delicious and a huge piece of fish. Well worth the price tag. Ordered green beans as a side, they were a perfect accompaniment. Lastly, DO order the Key Lime pie. It was a mighty fine slice of pie. Was a little disappointed in the service, got seated 30 minutes after reservation time, and then felt rushed by our waiter. In his defense, I think he was just a fast-paced talker/worker, but would have appreciated a bit more space and time.
(4)
Matt W.
Now this is a restaurant everybody needs to experience in their life. Everything on the menu is amazing and the quality of the service is just as good. When you walk into the dining room you realize the atmosphere compliments the food and service perfectly with the contemporary design to the superior acoustics. I had the stone crabs, crab bisque soup, and Alaskan King Crab legs and I'm still thinking about how delicious it was going down. If I could eat here every day I would.
(5)
Rannel L.
My girlfriend chose this place (I helped narrow down) as our "dressy" dinner during our trip to Chicago. We made reservations and were seated promptly I've never had stone crab before and I must say it was delicious. We ordered the large appetizer and I love how it was already cracked for us. Very tasty without the lingering seafood crab taste. As for my entree, I had to go for the Bone In Filet Mignon. Winner, especially when the two people sitting next to you ordered the same thing (I ordered mine first). Steak was tender and juicy and I could definitely taste the flavor. However, it was a bit strong (I could pretty much taste the char) near the bone area but by that time I was already stuffed. We didn't have wine but I tried their mojito which was pretty weak. Service was also great but they can talk forever. I haven't been to very many steak restaurants before but this would go up there with Mastro's in Beverly Hills (along with the price).
(5)
Rita S.
I went to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab during restaurant week. I tried a sirloin steak, but the steak was too salty. Considered with the price, I think it should be better. I've just been there once, and I didn't try the stone crab. The stone crab seems to be nice.
(2)
Nate S.
I came to Joes with a group as an out of towner with high expectations. Was I satisfied? Yes, but not completely. Service/staff was excellent. The chilled king crab legs to start were amazing. The salads, especially the wedge were superb. Almost everyone I was with got the bone in filet - med rare. They looked pretty good. I chose the bone in ribeye. To be honest it was just mediocre at best. Dry. My medium rare was actually medium well. I was not impressed at all. The Mac n cheese and cream corn sides were pretty good. So overall it was an enjoyable dinner minus the steak. But the steak is the staple. It would be worth giving another try.
(4)
Aaron S.
For my birthday dinners, one of my traditional choices of locale is a steakhouse (or all-you-can-eat, depending on finances and size of party). I combined a gift card I'd received for Lettuce Entertain You with some birthday money I'd already received and decided that Joe's Seafood would suffice. Seeing the "Steak and Lobster" deal, I was hooked. To Joe's! Unfortunately, the only reservation with 2 days' notice was at 4:30pm for dinner, but I didn't mind. It meant a late-wakeup could be had, then a leisurely trip downtown and some window-shopping before settling in for a nice birthday meal. Luckily, the early reservation meant there was no wait when we showed up and were shown to our booth. I agree with the review that the monologue presented by our server was rote memorization and droning, but it provided useful information. Like what a "shell bowl" is, and letting us know of specials not on the menu and reminding us that the entrees are a-la-carte and sides are separate. So we went with the "2nd Mortgage" appetizers, each went with the Steak and Lobster Tails entree, and we got a side of fries and side of fried onions. The server tried to warn us and nudge us down to a half-order of the onions because it's "so big", but I went with the full order. I know my fried towers of shoestring onions, and they're worth every penny. The aptly-named "2nd Mortgage" appetizer comes with shrimp-and-scallop ceviche, a lobster tail, a stone crab claw and shrimp cocktail for each person. It was my first time eating a crab claw, and while it was interesting, I'm not sure if I'll be doing it again anytime soon. Somehow I was more enthralled by the bread basket, containing an onion roll, butter roll, pumpernickel, rye, and some other pieces. Then they cleaned up and waitstaff came by to squeeze a lemon on our hands and gave us a hot towel. I don't know why classiness is sometimes next to creepiness for me... I know it's to get rid of the fishy smell and such, but it seemed creepy, that's all. And then it arrived. A gigantic platter of fried shoestring onions, the platter of french fries (that my girl loved grinding fresh salt onto) and our platter with three small grilled lobster tails and a petite filet mignon. I admit that the steak was delicious and perfectly done at medium-rare as requested. The lobster was delicious, but I was skeptical at the price differential of adding them to the filet mignon versus the amount of real meat to enjoy. I know quality means a lot, price-wise, but at some point quantity needs to factor in. That said, the food was delicious. The fries were not spectacular, but I had no complaints whatsoever about them. The onions were my personal favorite, and one of the few things I feel was worth the money. $6.95 for that much deliciousness - well worth it, and it was the only thing we wound up needing to take home (and even then, there wasn't much left). And then came dessert. I specifically made sure to leave room because of the rave reviews I'd heard about the banana cream pie and especially the key lime pie. And as we prepared to order, the waitstaff came by with a brownie sundae and a little candle. My girlfriend was initially amazed that they linked my offhand comment while ordering the 2nd Mortgage to bringing out something for my birthday, but I reminded her that I put down it was my birthday when making the reservation. Even so, we still ordered one of each of those pies. That was what did us in. The brownie mixed with hot fudge and ice cream was nice, and just as we finished, out came our pies. She had the key lime (and I had a few bites) and I went with banana cream (and she had a few bites). If I had to do it again, I'd have gotten the key lime as well, because it was knee-collapsingly awesome. If you've ever seen the show Dexter on Showtime, you'll know when I say that THIS is the Key Lime Pie he was likely looking for. Best I've ever had. The banana cream was good, but it needed more of that awesome Foster sauce to make it truly stand out above other better-than-decent banana cream pies I've had in the past. In the end, I can't give them 5 stars. I'd like to, but the price tag just gets stuck in my throat and I can't do it. Aside from the sides we got, everything else was either overly-priced or underly-portioned. Before the shoveling of onions at the end of entree time and then the desserts, I was a little upset over being not-so-full. If we were to visit again, our appetizer would instead be one of their soups (that I'm told is a little more filling) or something else that cost less than our sampler and comes with more food. My entree would instead be just a steak (bigger) and still have sides and dessert to make sure I was full. But yes, we will likely go again. Next time I get a gift card...
(4)
Christina P.
Class, quality and jazz all the way! Joe's is such a gem in the city - wonderful menu selection, great service, warm ambiance, food TDF (to die for!), and the perfect spot for any special night out. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Cassie L.
The place really derves all fives we walked in the waiter said it me about 5 mins turned around and sat us 1 min later the waitress was so nice and helpfull and the food was absolutly amazing
(5)
Tricia G.
Food was okay. I'd say average. I took my husband here for his birthday and it was so stuffy! Older crowd with a very traditional atmosphere. I'd rather go to the Publican, MK, The Bristol, Custom House, Banderas, Hot Chocolate, ect. Wouldn't go again. Can spend money in better places.
(3)
Ben W.
I'm about to leave Chicago and move back to Sydney. In the last 3.5 years I've been very lucky to have eaten at some very good restaurants across this city. Within that time I have eaten twice at Joes and both those experiences have led me to decide that Joes is a clear winner in terms of my favourite restaurant in the city. The food is fantastic, as it is at many restaurants in Chicago but the service was exceptional. I can't pinpoint what made it that little bit better than many other great restaurants but it was in my opinion. It's expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.
(5)
Chris M.
This is one of the best meals I have had in a long, long time. Sorry Mom, you're food is amazing too, but you don't make stone crabs. Maybe the reason why this was the best meal is b/c I went w/ people from work and didn't have to pay. So, if you wanna be a baller, this is the way to do up Joe's. For starters, go for the cold sampler appetizer plate. It comes w/ huge jumbo shrimp, mini lobster tails, and of course, stone crabs. It's all good. For the entree, I went with the waiter's recommendation of Chilean Sea Bass stuffed w/ a duck liver patae, and topped w/ black truffles. Holy sh*t, this was the most succulant piece of fish I think I've ever had. We had a couple sides too, the lyonaise style potatoes and some tomatoes topped with pesto and cheese....unreal. My only qualm was the wait. We had reservations for 15 people at 8:30 though, so we had to split up between two tables and they didn't seat us til' 9:15. Some things are worth waiting for, and this place is deifnitely one of them!!
(5)
Erin F.
The food and atmosphere at Joe's was excellent! We went here on our first trip to Chicago and were very happy with our decision. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a reservation until 11pm (it was Memorial Day weekend), but we got lucky in the full service bar and sat down almost immediately upon arrival. We started with the stone crab as an appetizer - they are known for it, so you must try it - then had the bone-in filet for dinner. It was amazing! We ended our meal with their delicious Key Lime pie (1 to split). Also, make sure to try the skinny cosmos - although they go down a little too easy! All in all, a GREAT restaurant choice that we would definitely recommend! Service was awesome, as well.
(5)
alexander p.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a must for all seafood lovers in Chicago. As a Chicago resident I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this place. The king Crab legs are simply fabulous! The place gets busy though no matter what day of the week it is and reservations are a must. It's particularly busy with the business folk at lunchtimes and early eve (recession, what recession?). Great food, great service and a highly polished restaurant whether it's a formal business dinner or a more relaxed family / friends outing this place is on the money for both. It's not cheap but great things generally aren't.
(4)
Candice S.
I got a Lettuce Entertain You gift certificate for Christmas and decided to go to Joe's after reading such rave reviews. I am quite disappointed at the end of the night. The booth we were seated at was rather tight in spacing. It was difficult to get in without knocking stuff on the table. There was little space between the table and the seats...and I'm a pretty small person. Stone Crab appetizer - we ordered this because it was recommended to us, they're known for it, and it's in the name of the restaurant so we figured we couldn't go wrong. Even though it was expensive ($24 for 2 little claws) we thought it was probably worth the price. We were wrong. It's not that it was bad..because it wasn't, but it wasn't special and definitely not worth the price. I wouldn't recommend it. Stone Crab Bisque - By far the best thing we ordered Petite Fliet Mignon & Lobster tail - My bf ordered this and finished it rather quickly because it's not a lot of food. He was still hungry at the end of the meal. The lobster tail was really good though. Fliet Mignon (12 oz.) - I ordered this medium rare. The steak was a good size. The middle was cooked perfectly, but the edges of the steaks were really overcooked...so much so that I needed to take a few gulps of water to compensate for the dryness and finish the bite. At this point in the meal, I kind of lost my appetite and excitement. Key Lime pie - half slice was the perfect size for me. The pie was really good! Definitely minor redemption at the end of the meal Chocolate pie - half slice was rather large still. This was good as well, but I liked the key lime pie better because it's lighter. Pros: really excellent service and attentive waitress, great soup, able to get same day reservation, good desserts Cons: tight spacing in booth, food was just ok (and I really expected more for the price and the reputation of the restaurant)
(2)
Tyler A.
For all you fellow penny pinchers out there: I did the math for you guys- The 21.95 restaurant "month" lunch is a better value for the steak, but the 31.95 dinner is better value for the crab Crab: 10oz for 21.95 vs 16oz for 31.95 Steak: 6oz for 21.95 vs 8oz for 31.95 Both are good deals overall and youre guaranteed to leave full because they serve you a softball sized fried hash or a loaded plate of mashed potatoes with your meal. A bit disappointed with the fact they didn't have the actual Stone Crab as an option but it was a good meal overall.
(3)
Jacques M.
I've been twice for brunch and to say their Colossal Lump Crab Cakes Benedict is excellent is an understatement. The crab cake portion is excellent and the sauce is amazing. Maybe the best breakfast item I've had in Chicago. If your one of those people that likes being waited on hand and foot this is the place for you. The servers here practically join you for your meal. This isn't one of those restaurants were your beverage will sit empty for 10 minutes either. Service is good....maybe even too good (if you believe that's possible). My only very minor complaint was the host (The 2nd time I went). He seemed slightly annoyed that we didn't have reservations and stated "we would have to sit in the bar area" (as if it were a punishment), which was no big deal to us. We set very close to him during our meal and he thoroughly interrogated anyone that got near the main dining room, he did it in a way that seemed polite, but had a very condescending undertone. I found his "none shall pass" protector of all stone crab routine kind of annoying, but the food and service in this restaurant is top notch!
(4)
Dawn D.
Thee best service I have ever received at a restaurant EVER. The food is excellent. We went there for mother's day and it was a wonderful experience from the appetizers to the desserts. BRAVO Joe's for getting it right every time!
(5)
David E.
If you can get in and have the cash, this place is AMAZING! Service is top notch.
(5)
Tracy L.
my last stop for RW, divine! they've got a great deal my plate: 1. Stone crab bisque- they pour it right in front of your thick and creamy ontop of a bed of peeled stone crab mm! 2. 8oz petite filet- so tender and juicy, got mine medium when i usually go medium-well, such a great choice! *side a: grilled tomato topped with something green and melted cheese surprisingly tasty considering i don't even like tomatos! *side b: mashed potatoes with a crispy topping, always loved mashed potatos 3. dessert banana foster pie- i don't even like bananas! but it was so light and fluffy topped with walnuts that had a deep flavor to them, they were airy and crispy, but added a good balance to the pie! boyfriend's plate: 1. stone crab bisque 2. Stone crabs- 6 claws is plenty, came with a side of mustard, but i'm sure you can ask for butter if you want * side a: hashbrowns, cut into thin squares, hard to to wrong *side b: coleslaw (didn't taste it) 3. key lime pie- SKIP. waaaaaaaaay to tart and a funky after taste like metal or something? i don't know but something was off there. all in all, wonderful dining experience. server was kind, even though some people treat you differently if they know you're only there for RW, christianna was awesome! we'll be back!
(4)
Will C.
I took my Mom and Sister here for their birthday last year as this place was highly recommended....and what a waste of $400. The stone crabs were horrible....steak was mediocre and they even messed up on it twice. Price is not an object, but this definitely was not worth any of it. I yelled at my friend who recommended this place to me afterwards lol. GO TO PETE MILLER'S...MUCH BETTER PRIME STEAK, GUARANTEED
(2)
Ingrid G.
I came here for Restaurant Week with a party of 8 people. The atmosphere is fancy and traditional, but very loud. (In all fairness, we contributed a good deal to the volume level.) The space around our table was also pretty cramped. Good service, though. All but one of us went with the crab, and it was delicious. I liked that it arrived pre-cracked "for your convenience." The portion was surprisingly large. The little hairnets over the lemon halves were a nice touch. Key lime pie was AMAZING! The food here is top-notch. Not the best place for a date (too loud and cramped) but I'd come back with a group of friends.
(4)
Milly P.
There are amazing things at Joe's and there are mediocre things at Joe's. First with the mediocre - do not get the tableside service sole dish, it is extremely mundane and nothing to write home about. Also, their clam chowder is extremely disappointing. Now to the highlights - the steaks at Joe's are very delicious. We recently had the bone-in ribeye and I enjoyed it tremendously. Joe's is famous for their stone crabs, and they are very delicious. The last time I was there I had the tableside service alaskan king crab. Even though it was a little expensive, it was worth the $60. They were so HUGE and so fresh! Joe's added a new side dish to their menu, the roasted corn. You must get it. I woke up in the middle of the night craving the corn! Finally, Joe's has excellent key lime pie! Note, for dinner, you must have a reservation or else expect to eat at the bar. If you are making a reservation, give yourself more than 3 weeks! Final note, the restaurant is always filled with tourists. Just a heads-up!
(4)
ning j.
How I love Joe's. It's rare for a seafood restaurant to have both good seafood and steak. This was my second time there and it was just as good as the first! For lunch, we had Jennie's potatoes, stone crab bisque, petit filet mingon, 1lb Alaskan king crab, and key lime pie. The potatoes had a nice crumble on top and the crab bisque was thick and had a slightly sweet tinge to it; just heavenly. The filet mingon was slightly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside...finally satisfying my craving for steak! My fiancee, who is obsessed with the crab legs loved it....as usual. I had to try their famous key lime pie so I got half a slice. It was tangy and chilled and quite good, but I felt a little sick after the whole meal as I was already so full. But I'm glad I tried it!
(5)
Mike S.
Excellent food and great service to go along with it! A little on the pricey side, but the food and service make up for it. I recommend getting the Madagascar Shrimp and basically any of the pies for dessert! This place definitely lives up to the name
(5)
Sunil D.
My favorite steakhouse in the city. Judging by how packed it is no matter the economic times or day of the week, I'm not the only one. With that said, be sure to book a reservation at least a few days ahead if unless you plan on eating past 9 pm or before 5 pm, and even then you don't want to press your luck. The steaks are to die for, in a city full of steak/chop houses this Miami transplant puts them all to shame. You combine that with their expansive and excellent seafood menu and you have a restaurant that justifies a bill of $100-150/person (assuming wine/cocktails, steaks, apps, salad). Their Kansas City Strip is my go to aka bone-in NY strip. The wedge salad is a must as is the 2nd mortgage appetizer that gives you a great sampling of their seafood (ceviche, lobster tails, shrimp cocktail and crab legs, which I usually get subbed out for their signature stonecrab claws). Even their most simplistic dishes are to amazing, the grilled tomatoes seem simple, but I've tried to duplicate them and not even coming close. Honestly, I could go on and on, I haven't had one thing on the menu that wasn't worthy of this five star rating. Even the burgers and fried chicken get rave reviews. I can't count the times I've been here, but service is always top notch, always friendly and personable and never overbearing or pushy with what you should order. They will bend over backwards with any requests you might have (i.e. the stonecrabs in the appetizer sampler) and always offer very helpful recommendations. Almost as if they know what you are thinking and will offer suggestions, before you have to ask. I remember the first time I went to Joe's, I had to be "convinced" to go there (which seems absurd looking back). It wasn't the first name that I thought of when you think of a great steak in Chicago, but after trying it for the first time five years ago I rarely go anywhere else because it just sets up for disappointment.
(5)
Frank Z.
the decor was a tad old school stuffy, but that's Chicago, not much of anything else to find wrong here. fantastic food, exceptional service, great menu, if looking for a place to splurge, this is it!
(4)
Kyle M.
Gorged myself over a feast from the sea. Started the night in the bar, the seating isn't laid out that well so it feels more crowded then it actually is. Drink was weak (Maker's and Ginger Ale). We sat in the back of the restaurant in a secluded section, table of 10. Server was awesome, did a great job explaining the menu and making you excited to order. Not that hard to get excited just looking at the menu though. Had a claw, some lobster, and a shrimp for first entree. Excellent. Bone in rib-eye for entree. Over-cooked for my medium-rare order, but the flavor was still great. They had an aged rib-eye on special that I passed up, but another person in our party who ordered this item mentioned it was overcooked, too. Didn't eat dessert, but didn't look like anything special. I'd return for the seafood, sides, ambiance, and service.
(3)
Laura K.
This is by far the best downtown restaurant I have ever been to. And this lucky lady has been here THREE times for FREE! *jealous sneers commence* I had dinner here last Thursday for my company's employee couple event. Appetizers included mini crab bruchetta and scallops - both melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I tried their Ginger Sour, their specialty cocktail composed of Grey Goose, ginger liqueur and fresh sour mix, along with a slice of fresh ginger. It was by far one of the best drinks I've ever had - I just love ginger! For dinner I chose the crab cakes, which were excellent. Side dishes included green beans and mashed potatoes. And for dessert I had the Havana Dream Pie. It was lovely, but not as much my thing as I wanted it to be. Don't get me wrong, it was great and other people rave about it, but its more like a tres leches cake than pie. At my last two visits I had things like their crab bisque soup, fresh crab claws, crab stuffed sole, and banana cream pie - all equally superb. Service is excellent, but I've only been here for private events, so they are tipped in advance to keep me happy. This place is totally worth tasting!
(5)
George P.
I literally have been having dreams about the crab bisque. The specials are always mind blowing. All of the sides are crazy too. Amazing experience. If you really want to impress your date, show her you know how to dine. Very pricey, but if you could cough up the cash, its well worth it. Lobster claws are the way to go!
(5)
cynthia w.
We had a great meal here! There were 8 adults and 2 kids- one kid is 4. The waitstaff were very accommodating with crayons, fun place mats, and a drink right away for the little one. I had the seafood chopped salad, and the server was so nice and suggested the half order which was still huge. The salad had so much shrimp, crab, and lobster that it made the shrimp cocktail pale in comparison. I would go back just for the salad. I also had the petite fillet which was cooked perfectly. Others at the table ordered the fillet, and theirs were a touch overcooked. I also love that they offered so many types of pie to finish the meal! That's my favorite dessert. I look forward to going back!
(4)
Dina I.
This review is for the stone crabs alone. For some reason, I always end up here for lunch consisting solely of a huge quantity of stone crabs and wine before, during, or after shopping. I haven't really tried anything else on the menu, but damn, their stone crabs are delicious! I am a bit of a purist when it comes to fish, shellfish, etc. (no sauces for this girl!), but I do love their mustard sauce and make an exception for it!
(5)
Keith J.
One of the best steaks (bone in ribeye) I have ever had. Was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Don't forget the key lime pie, its a must..
(5)
Zach J.
My quest to find the best steakhouse in Chicago started at Joe's a couple of months ago. It was my gf's birthday, and being the steak connoisseurs that we are, we were looking for a place that really delivers a high quality, succulent piece of meat. In a city like Chicago, I was overwhelmed with the many options of great steakhouses to choose from, but I decided to make Joe's my first based on their 4 1/2 star Yelp rating (which is difficult to pull off for a steakhouse in this town). The service was great and the there was a good energy in the resturaunt, not a drab up-tight vibe. Now I knew this place was primarily known for their seafood, but we came there for the steaks, which are also very highly regarded. That said, I couldn't pass up their stone crab appetizer (even though it was "market price"). I'd never had stone crab before, and I must say it was quite delicious. Our waiter gave us a quick tutorial on how to properly eat it, which was helpful. It was really good, and a great appetizer, but I was ready for the main course: the bone-in filet. In short, it was delicious. Melt in your mouth and a great peppery flavor. A truly fine cut of beef. And I don't quite recall the side items we had (probably because I was in what I like to call "steak-extacy" which is when a steak is so good you start levating off the table and you and the steak are one with the universe) but the sides were delictable as well. I think we had the truffled potatoes. I'm not sure exactly, but I can pretty much guarantee any side you order is going to be delicious. So, in summary, this is a great steakhouse. I can't say it's the best steakhouse in Chicago yet, as I have to hit up the other Chicago standards, but in any event, I am certainly glad I made it my first choice in my Chicago steak quest.
(5)
Miguel R.
This place was amazing good. It was the perfect way to end the night after a fun day of drinking, the air and water show, two bottles of tequilla and a whole bunch of home made cookies. I don't know how I was walking, let alone alive, but I remember every juicy morsal of the filet - the garlicy mashed potates - and OMG the appetizer we ordered ( the stone crab) was SO GOOD. I must however appologize to the management for getting a little messy in the bathroom. I needed to wet my hair down, and got water all over the mirror, and I may have expelled a little tequila/cookie mixture on the urinal - but that all washed away with a quick flush. The staff was so quick to fill my water and tea. And the food was served pipping hot. no complaints, none at all.
I am a bit picky with my seafood. I guess after going to Tan Cang for awhile, it's really hard to find anything that will beat them. Especially when it comes to lobsters or crabs. So, my expectation was high when I saw the 432 reviews and 4.5 stars with all people raving about the crab. Since it was my first day in Chicago, I was still a bit jetlagged with food. Meaning that I was not really feeling dinner because it was only 6PM in LA, and I just had lunch 3 hours ago. We opted to go light, and ordered a few appetizers instead. We had the stone crabs claws, the bacon wrapped scallops, sweet corn, and the crab bisque. First came the crab bisque. It was soooo good. I am particular about my bisque because I know they could get really heavy or really bland. It's hard to get it somewhere in between perfectly. So, they were actually mighty good. The crabs claws, scallops, and the corn came all together. The crabs were fresh and good. But it was a little on the bland side for me. It does come with a dipping sauce, so it saved the day. I guess I had too high expectation for them. The scallops were huge... They weren't kidding when they said it's like a steak. And they came in two, wrapped in bacon. The first bite of scallop were great. It practically melted in your mouth. But I found it after awhile, it sorta had a diminishing return. I am not sure why, maybe because I'm not really big on bacon nor scallop, and were surprised myself that I enjoyed the first bite so much. The sweet corn were great. It was very well cooked and well flavored. The price were on the high side. That's why it's a 3 stars. It's more like a 3.5 stars for me, but since there's no 3.5 stars option, I always round down. For the price and the review I read on yelp, I was expecting more. I guess I may not come back here again considering there are a lot more places in the area that I have not tried anyways.
(3)
Matthew K.
There is little to say that other reviewers have not. The food is delicious, the service is perfect and efficient, and the ambiance is appropriate for almost anything (I think of it as a "softened classic American steakhouse" vibe, i.e., it's not just a bunch of dudes in ties pounding steak after a meeting). What sets Joe's apart for me is that in all of the times I've been there--and it has to be at least 25 times in the last 5 years since I moved to Chicago--I've never had an "off" meal. I think it is the most consistent place of its kind in the city. I don't know how they do it, but I'm really glad that they do.
(5)
Scott G.
The bone in filet was amazing as well as the crab bisque. The creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were really good. The ceviche ... Wasn't really ceviche, I'd skip it. ... And was all a bit pricey, but REALLY good.
(5)
A O.
This is a great seafood place that one can go to for midweek meal or formal celebration. The atmosphere is reminiscent of 1950s supper club from the music (always Sinatra-esqe) down to the maitre d'. I love the seared ahi tuna sandwich, stone crab, and the lobster bisque. The service is excellent and I enjoy coming there each time.
(5)
Tina X.
the best seafood restaurant in downtown Chicago, the TOP & VERY BEST of all. I tried everything listed on their menu, their seafood dishes, items are all cooked in classic ways, perfectly prepared and individually well-made, dishes are simple displayed on plates but the favors are uncompilable, 5 stars for super delicious food!!! especially their most famous stone crab claws, big, fresh and juicy, full of favors. I've had good times for friend's birthday party in their privet party room couple of times, had drinks at their bar in the waiting area couple nights, ordered carry outs on the phone many times. I have to say, everything made at Joe's are super super super good! if you are a good food and seafood lover, you got try this place out!!! The services there are good as their foods, staffs (hosts, waiters & busboys) are all friendly & well-trained. I had many great memorable experiences at Joe's, I'd love to recommend this place to all people who had read my review for Joe's!!! one thing please notice, this place always packed with people at night after dark, you may need to wait long if you are a walk-in, it's better to call in for reservation ahead before you plan to go there.
(5)
Chad C.
The king crab legs were delicious, and the bone-in filet was amazing as always. But I was really excited to try the tres leches cake, which apparently masquerades as Havana Dream Cake. It's basically tres leches cake with some kind of custard or pudding (banana maybe?) layered into it near the bottom. The pudding definitely added to the flavor, and the cake was super moist. However, the taste of the cake could have been a little better. Not bland, just blander than I like. But I give it an 8/10.
(5)
Margaret N.
Throw your dietary restrictions to the wind, get the bacon-wrapped scallops and call it a night. 6 huge sea scallops cooked to perfection, surrounded by greasy, crispy, thick-cut bacon. If your mouth isn't watering by now, I question your humanity. I will be back for some amazing looking crab legs, more scallops and that peanut butter pie with hot fudge.
(5)
Tiffy D.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab has by far surpassed any other steak restaurants that I have eaten at in the past. I was surprised at how quickly the restaurant filled up for a Tuesday, RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST! Our server Hank provided excellent service and made amazing recommendations from the menu. I had the petite filet that was cooked perfectly medium, and was pink throughout. The meat was juicy and full of flavor. I couldn't decide whether or not i liked it plain or with the additional lemon butter sauce, or the special house seasoning. Such tough decisions! Make sure you save room for dessert though, the key lime pie was amazing!
(4)
Charlotte O.
We were here tonight for Aaron's birthday dinner, and I really really enjoyed it. Despite the fact that the place is really kind of over the top, really expensive, and the waitstaff use pre rehearsed lines, it is still really fabulous. The lighting is dim, and sorta romantic, the waitstaff, do not hover, but do pay attention. They are ready to answer questions, they check up on things, they clean up crumbs from the table, and explain what the silver buckets they bring out are for. To start we ordered the 2nd mortgage which is a great name because it is that expensive. I found the offerings here delectable. It came with cervice, a crab claw, a cocktail shrimp, and a cocktail lobster. Two dipping sauces. I have never had stone crab, and i found this so dammed tasty. Plump, sweet, wow. Even with all the work involved in eating it. The shrimp and lobster were also delectable. The cervice was some of the best I ever tasted. It was all very fresh. Oh yes, that cocktail sauce had really the perfect amount of horseradish in it. Their bread basket is even noteworthy. Onion rolls with onion on the inside! So tasty! We were given hot towels, which felt a little odd, but I suppose a classy night out should not involve your hands smelling like crab juice, but I am no expert on this. One thing that I think should be noted here, whenever the staff came around to clean the table, they used one of those crumb scraper do dads. Aaron and I laughed a little about that, because we recently saw an episode of "Check Please" where a reviewer was complaining about having to sit at a crumby table all night, so no crumbly tables at Joe's! Dinner came out shortly after, we both had the "Steak and Tails" We also got fries, and onion strings as a side. My steak was perfect. Cut like butter, super juicy, smokey crust, perfectly seasoned. Mouth watering good. The tails, were also fab, I was surprised to that they were cooked grilled, and the standard which is boiled. They were super flavorful and sweet. (They also give you drawn butter mmmm butter....) The onion strings were awesome. They were even more awesome when used to soak up stake juice. The fries were fresh cut but pretty typical, they had fresh sea salt on the table for them though! I really liked that. After dinner the waitress brought a brownie with ice cream and fudge on it, and a candle on top, to wish Aaron a happy birthday. Really nice service touch there, they noted it in his reservation that it was for his birthday. After we ordered both the key lime pie and the banana cream pie. It was really the best key lime pie i have ever tasted. I think if Dexter were real, this would have been the key lime pie he was looking for. The banana creme pie was better than average and really good, but I think it needed a little more sauce or a little something else to really make it stand out. Would like to go back again, would have to be super special occasion though, or something like that.
(4)
Sara N.
Just finished a great lunch here....service was classy without being pretentious... I had the chop salad to start and the tempura lobster tails ( oh my!!!) on the side had a delightful roasted cauliflower... The perfect complement of flavors without feeling stuffed... Would definitely return!
(5)
Michael J.
I will give it to you in 7 words... THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN CHICAGO! and yes, I am yelling because it is THAT good! :) I travel a lot and Joe's is one of the best place's to eat in the country! Hands Down!
(5)
Jonathan Z.
Across the street from the Conrad Hotel (marvelous), I tried Joe's based on reputation and Yelp reviews. I was duly impressed. The service was friendly and spot on to start. We started with a shared seafood chopped vegetable salad, a refreshing blend of vegetables and perfectly fresh chilled shrimp, crab, and lobster pieces. Not overly dressed, it is was a great starter. I had a bone in NY strip, dry aged Prime beef, perfectly cooked with a nice crisp crust, just the right amount of fat, and mouthfuls of beefy goodness. Creamed spinach was creamy and nutmeggy and mashed potatoes have a nice crunchy top. With a steak, 1 order of sides is plenty to share for 2-3 people. With a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, we spent just under $100 person which is in my mind, a fair value for the quality of the food we ate.
(5)
Ryan M.
Let me try to sum up my numerous Joe's experiences in 10 words... Bisque, aged steaks, always leave completely satisfied and slightly inebriated. This is the 'comfortable old shoe' of nice dinner locations, the trusty fall back if other plans go awry. I can always count on Joe's for consistently delivering an above-average dining experience. Although I usually enjoy a medium-rare filet, it should be noted that the fried chicken is a sleeper and is probably worth a go.
(4)
Nadia L.
YUM!! Heard about the "stimulus" lunch specials when I was researching for a nice place to eat on a recent trip to Chicago and was very pleased with the lunch I had here. With the "stimulus" lunch special you get a choice of either of the two below all for $21.95. Joe's Classic - Stone Crab 5 Medium Stone Crab Claws, Hashed Brown, Joe's Cole Slaw & Key Lime Pie OR Joe's Classic - filet mignon 6 oz. Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potato, Joe's Grilled Tomato & Banana Cream Pie When you are seated you are served an assortment of bread, all pretty good but nothing amazing. In terms of the meal itself, I ordered the stone crab claws option since I've never had that before and really enjoyed it. Their homemade coleslaw was delicious and the hash brows perfectly crispy. I also had a taste of Joe's grilled tomato and that too was another side I'd be willing to try again. Though I have to say the desserts at Joe's were to die for. The banana cream pie was fluffy and delicious goodness, if I could have flown a piece back for the BF I totally would have, he loved bananas. The key lime pie was also very smooth and tasty. I think what makes the stimulus lunch package such a good deal is that you get a main entree AND 2 sides AND a dessert all for one low price. Whereas if you order each of those items separately since everything is served a la carte it can get pretty pricey. Service was also very on point at this restaurant which is to be expected since it is a very nice place. Server was always there making sure everything was perfect, plates switched out, crumbs swept, etc. The location is also pretty convenient for it is walking distance from all the major hotels in downtown Chicago. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would go back again next time I'm in the windy city! Rating: I'd give this place a 4.5 star but since they refused to change the dessert for one of my friends even though she was allergic to key lime, I have to round down to 4 stars
(4)
Michael S.
It would take a lot for me not to like this place, and I don't see that ever happening. You can't really go wrong with Joe's. In fact, on this visit, the steak was better (but it still isn't Morton's, and which is due to skipping the dry aging). Note that if you are going for the stone crab, pass on the medium size (which are like a tease), and go for at least the large ones. I can't believe I didn't get the key lime pie.
(4)
Alex V.
I've been blessed to try the best steak houses in the Nation. Joe's was off the hook... Best 1 to date!!! Richie was a great waiter, & the Maitre de hooked my family & I up with the VIP seat ( Mafia style) for my daughters 17th Birthday. Enough, let's talk steak. Cole got the New York, Tash got the Filet w/ Lobster, & I got the Bone in Filet it was the absolute sicest ( yes spelled incorrect) Filet I've ever had...Recommend Highly X2... Sic, potatoes & broccoli were awesome as well. Joe's, Respect!
(5)
Don J.
A very solid but more old school steakhouse/restaurant in Chicago. Joe's is a place that offers more than good steak & potatoes and is a great compromise for a group of people where some are looking for steak and the others are looking for fish. Joe's is a cheaper alternative to places like Gibsons, Smith and Wollenskys or the Chophouse and therefore can be viewed as a place that is more than just a "special treat" restaurant. The service is always of a very high quality regardless of whether you sit in the bar or dining room. The hosts do want to welcome you to the restaurant and actually care about how you are treated. The highlights for me in Joe's are: 1. Very good quality bread and good wines choices (choice of wine by the glass is small for a steak house however) 2. Oysters Rockefeller is very good here 3. All the steaks are great tasting however served very traditionally (just a big steak on the plate served with seasoning salt) 4. Jennies Mashed pototoes are great with golden topped cheese and breadcrumb. 5. Joe's famous scallops are great and it you like scallops you will love Joes 6.The stone crabs are obviously amazing as they are so fresh. Something that people don't appreciate is that Joes does adjust parts of their menu seasonally and they only put top quality fish on the menu. Joe's doesn't quite hit the 5 star mark as the quality of the steak isn't quite as high as Gibsons etc and some of their fish dishes come with gloppy looking sauces but definetly a restaurant that has something for everyone.
(4)
Catherine W.
Decent restaurant; stone crab was delicious, but warning - a bit difficult to eat at a business dinner given there is a lot of effort to get the meat out of the shells (even though the restaurant cracks open a lot of the shells with you). I didn't remember it being this difficult a few years ago when I was there last. Great service, but didn't enjoy my meal that much because I felt it took so long to eat. Key lime pie - delicious.
(3)
Kamilah S.
OMG, OMG, OMG, This place is thee best!!! The service, the food the ambiance, everything was GREAT. Keith, our server gave us history about the restaurant as well as the stone crabs (which were excellent). We had steak, lobster, stone crab bisque, 2 martini's, a hot tea, creamy garlic spinach, lyonnaise (fried potatoes with onions), 2 fish dishes. We were celebrating a birthday so we got keylime pie and a brownie sundae, SCORE. Tax, tip and valet under $275, but if you want quality, you are gonna have to pay for it and I will pay for it. I live to eat and I eat to live. I LOVE FOOD. I will be back. Thanks 2 billion, KEITH
(5)
Aaron R.
Being from California, and frankly unimpressed with what Chicago had to offer up in pizza (sorry), I was a tad skeptical about steak and crab in the middle of the country. The ambiance was great. Staff was beyond amazing (4 people in the bar turned into 6 turned into being seated an hour before our reservation without a problem or a hint of attitude). Crab bisque and crab cakes were amazing. Girlfriend's salad was huge and tasty. Asian tuna (seared with a wasabi sauce) was to die for. The icing on the cake (well pie) was the slices of key lime pie the waiter brought (and comped) without being ordered. Next time I'm in town I'll be making reservations, without a doubt!
(5)
Zach T.
We took a holiday lunch here. A coworker and I split the ribeye sandwich and the burger. They were both excellent. The ribeye sandwich was the star. Fries were nothing special. This place has the feel of an old-style classy restaurant, with the waiters in tuxes and all. But it feels very dated and like it belongs in Florida where it's headquartered.
(3)
John M.
We had the most delicious dinner at Joe's and it was made even more enjoyable by our server, Hank. While we were dressed casually, Hank was in a tux as were all the other servers. Despite our dress, hank treated us as though we were royalty. He couldn't do enough to make sure our meal was the best we had while visiting Chicago and Joes for the first time. He even treated us to a slice of Joe's key lime pie to top off our meal. If you're in Chicago and want a good meal go to joe's. if you want it to be unforgettable, ask for Hank.
(5)
Soyon L.
Exceptionally good. I was there two times one time for Dinner and one time for Lunch. It was exceptional for dinner but not for lunch. Do not get stonecrab prefix lunch. It's damn small. It's definitely worth spending few bucks more fore bigger ones.
(4)
Christine M.
Top notch! This was a perfect anniversary dinner. My first experience with stone crab and it is fabulous. Our server, James, was great. Paced the meal perfectly, attentive, but not annoying at all. The stuffed mushrooms were absolutely the best I've ever had. We shared the king crab legs and two vegetable sides and could not finish. We expected the bill to be much higher than it was for the quality of the meal. Hope to go back soon!
(5)
k E.
Great food with consistently attentive service.
(5)
Sherry D.
After hearing about this place for years and trying to get reservations months out in advance with no luck, we happened to score on a reservation for this weekend. I had a $100 gift card, as well as $150 worth of points on our Lettuce Entertain You card... saving both for this occasion, knowing it was expensive. The place was mobbed. Lots of people waiting in the bar area. We waited about 15 minutes for our reservation, which was fine. We had a cocktail while waiting. Once seated our server was attentive and very knowledgeable. After reading about the stone crabs, we had to try them. We got the 6 medium for $42.95. That's a LOT of money for what you get. They were delicious, and the mustard sauce is yummy, but I would not spend the money on them again. The woman sitting next to us had a delicious looking crab cake, so I asked the server if I could do a combo of a petite filet and crab cake. No problem whatsoever, they were very accommodating. My husband went for the $50 bone-in ribeye (after the server tried to up-sell him on the dry-aged $65 dollar variety). We got two sides to share.... creamed spinach, and the house specialty mashed potatoes. My filet was like butter, and the crab cake was large and full of crab meat. My husband enjoyed his rib-eye. The potatoes were fine, and the creamed spinach was ok, nothing special. We each had a martini before dinner and a glass of wine with dinner. We split the key lime pie for dessert. I had read a lot of reviews raving about it. It was quite good. So, after enjoying our meal (1/2 of each of the steaks were put in a to-go box, as they were filling and huge) we were presented with our $240 bill. No problem, because I had $250 between my gift card and my LEYE reward card. Unfortunately, you cannot redeem your LEYE card on Saturday nights. I hadn't realized this, so.... after using our $100 off gift card, we still paid $200 out of pocket (with a $50 tip.... we always tip on the PRE-discounted amount). If money was no object, I would certainly return. If we had known up-front we couldn't redeem our rewards card, we might have cut back a little on the extravagant stone crabs and the $50 ribeye. The food was, without question, delicious. But the sticker shock of still paying $200 after $100 off for a dinner for two left us with a "was it worth it?" question on our mind. We decided, that while everything was lovely, and the food and service were excellent, it wasn't THAT much better than many of the seafood/steak restaurants in Chicago where we've spent considerably less. So, if you've got money to spend, definitely go to Joe's. Great service, no pretentiousness, excellent food. We could have saved money like the couple next to us who ordered the stone crabs, stuffed mushrooms, and then had a plate of what looked like KFC dropped down in a bowl in front of them, but I don't know.... fried chicken in a place like this seemed like a waste.
(4)
Jamie L.
Great restaurant. Great service. Crab claws and key lime pie were very good.
(4)
Justine P.
Joe's is the best seafood in Chicago. Shaw's of course is a close second. I know there is alot of hype on yelp about Frankie but I'm here to tell you that Sean is the THE BOMB!! He has the best sparkly crab broach, his service was the best and he was hilarious! ("do you want another adult beverage? I'm living vicariously through you") Couldn't have hoped for a better meal - ask for Sean and you won't be disappointed!
(5)
M M.
This place is AWESOME. It's always really crowded and pretty loud in there, but the service and seafood are amazing. I love the big booths and dark wood. I think it would actually be a great first date location- not too romantic/quiet, but upscale enough to impress! The fish we ordered were brought to the table and de-boned right in front of us, which I had never seen before. It is a Lettuce Entertain You chain restaurant, but it doesn't have that feel at all.
(4)
Suzanne E.
Joe's has by far the best service I've gotten since I moved to Chicago this summer. I dine out frequently and worked in the service industry for so long that now when I go out I really appreciate being taken care of, from start to finish. My boyfriend and I went to Joe's for dinner last Friday. We had reservations for eight thirty and even though the place was packed we got right in and the friendly host sat us quickly. Our server made us feel comfortable right from the start and was very helpful with answering any questions we had (I always seem to have a ton). We took him up on all his reccomendations and ended up getting a great bottle of pinot grigio, snow crab for an appetizer and split a caesar salad...I got the sea bass and my boyfriend got the new york strip for entrees. Everything was amazing and prepared perfectly. We declined dessert but the waiter brought some for us (complimentary) anyway, a sliver of the key lime pie and peanut butter pie...both lovely and unneccesary. Overall, great atmosphere, excellent service and amazing food. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
elizabeth n.
Even though I'm not a big steak fan, I loved Joe's, and look forward to going back. The service is excellent and the food is even better. They are well known for their Stone Crab but there were so many other things on the menu that I wanted to try. The sweet potato fries were amazing, and they are known for their key lime pie- which was delicious! I had the shrimp scampi and my date had the steak and lobster, and it was all phenomenal. Definitely worth a 5 star rating!
(5)
Andrew W.
This place is really great. I go here every chance I get. Everything on the menu is good.
(5)
Aubrey K.
Truly an all-star! I've been three times total and I've received A+ service each time and been overly impressed with the food. You'll want to try and arrive early in hopes of being seated on time. (The tactic worked last night). The whole menu is fantastic and offers something for everyone's palate (from a hamburger, to a steak, to fresh fish, and salads) to be delighted. I recommend getting the pair of kings which is a combination of the King and Stone crab. The crab cake is a must for a starter as well. We tried the blackened cod last night and it had an assign flare to it (nicely accompanied by broccoli). Normally I end up sharing several appetizers but this was a nice twist to go for an entree. Counting down the days till my next visit.
(5)
J D.
We had dinner here with some family and were impressed. Joe's seems to always be packed -- we couldn't get in Friday or Saturday, and barely secured a reservation late on Sunday night. We shared an appetizer portion of the stone crab claws, which were good, but not that great relative to other crab meats, like king or dungeness. The mustard dipping sauce was awesome, however. Our entrees were all good (ahi tuna, various steaks, sole), as were the a la carte sides that we shared (a sweet corn special and green beans). The wine selection was impressive, but bottles were pricey as one might expect at a high-end steakhouse. We shared two desserts, the peanut butter pie and key lime pie, and both were outstanding. The service was pretty good and overall we would definitely return. Joe's lost one star only because of the very high price, difficulty in getting a table, and the crowding and noise -- we had to shout to hear each other over the other patrons around us.
(4)
Bryant C.
After going to pretty much every seafood restaurant this city has to offer I have made my decision.... Joe's is the best. When you go here though, go all out. Don't try and skimp on anything or think you are getting out of there for much less than $100 a head. If you go in with the attitude you are going to have a big check at the end you will not have a complaint. The service is impeccable. The steaks are seasoned and cooked to perfection. I would suggest going with the bone in fillet because it does make a difference. Crab legs and stone crab was as fresh as could be. Only complaint is it can be kind of hard to get a prime reservation. Don't expect to call the week of and get a 7:30 reservation for a Thursday- Saturday table. It can also be noisy, so I would say it's the perfect place for a business type dinner or large party. Not so great at being a cozy intimate spot.... but that's expected. Enjoy!
(5)
Richard C.
Very expensive, but well worth it after you taste the steak. They really know how to cook a steak because I've been here at least 5 times and everything is just perfect.
(5)
Tobia C.
One of the steakhouses in Chicago where you can order a bone-in filet. The atmosphere, while not extremely unique, is pleasant...and the service is spectacular. The prices are very high...but if you have the extra cash to throw around, you are in for a meal to remember.
(4)
maureen m.
Best Alaskan King Crab legs I have ever had in my life. I had them for an appetizer. I could not bring myself to order and entree at the toon of $56 bucks for the Crab legs, or $40 for a piece of Dover sole. Come on! Everything was ala cart that is rediculous.
(3)
Dorival S.
This place is excellent for seafood or steak! I actually had one of my most memorable steaks here for my own surprise (an aged steak). This is showing as $$ but it is more likely a $$$$, but it's worthy.
(5)
Alisa L.
Joe's is consistent and delicious everytime! I've gone there on many business lunches but decided to take my in-laws there for a nice dinner. We had the 2nd mortgage as an appetizer which consisted of medium stone crabs, jumbo shrimp cocktail, shrimp & scallop ceviche and lobster tail all served chilled over ice. Stone crab meat was sweet, lobster tail was so tender. The service is top notch...waitress was attentive and informative. We ordered the dover sole (which is a must since they are only in house on specific days), chilean sea bass, joe's famous scallops and my husband ordered the 28 oz porterhouse. Our entrees were accompanied by my favorite lyonnaise potatoes and the grilled tomatoes. We ended it with their famous key lime pie which is homemade everyday...the buttery graham cracker crust combined with the perfect tartness of the keylime is refreshing and a wonderful end to our meal.
(5)
Dana P.
Joe's is one of my favorite restaurants in this city! The stone crabs and everything else are delicious! I love the creamed spinach and i really like the peanut butter pie dessert! The best thing about Joe's though is the mustard sauce - we dip everything in it from the raisin bread to the shrimp cocktail to the fries. My family goes here all the time for special occasions!
(5)
Marley F.
We recently threw my grandparents anniversary party here and it couldn't have been better! I've never eaten dinner here before, but I was so impressed with the party! The food was unbelievable and the service was perfect. Everyone had a great time and we have Joe's to thank! I've been telling all my engaged friends they need to book their rehearsal dinners here!
(5)
daniel w.
Been to the Joe's in Miami many times, but just tried the one in Chicago. Just as good and so cool you can make reservations ahead of time at this one. We ate so much and it was all so good. Started off with crab cakes and salad. Then got the large stone crabs...larger ones are easier to eat so I always get those. Sweet potato fries and creamed spinach were great as our sides. We were stuffed, but you can't turn down their key lime pie so we had that for dessert. Everything was really good.
(5)
Amanda G.
This place is amazing. Always crowded (get there when they open or make a reservation). Pretty expensive but worth it for special occasions. Upper class crowd. We love their Stone Crabs, steaks, crab cakes, Jennie's potatoes, Fried Green tomatoes--pretty much anything you get is high quality and untouchable!
(5)
Scott C.
This place is awesome and has unbelievable stone crab- it's the best out there...seriously everyone needs to go here and try the stone crab. People rave about the steak here but I definitely think there are better places to go and get a steak in Chicago, so if you're headed here, get the stone crab or the lobster. And the key lime pie.
(5)
Ed L.
It doesn't matter if you go to the steak route or stone crab route at Joe's Stone Crab because everything on the menu is fantastic. I suggest making reservations before the end of May so you can try their stonecrabs while they are fresh. Then go back a second time for the steak!
(5)
Zach A.
Everything here is awesome...steaks, stone crabs, keylime pie, drinks, fries...you have to get it all!
(5)
daisy J.
this place is awesome! the food is excellent - from steak to stone crabs to fish. the havana dream pie is to DIEEEE for. the waitstaff is kind and overall, it's just a great steak experience! def recommend the bone-in-ribeye and bone-in-filet - yum! will be going back often :-)
(5)
Sydney K.
Yes, you'll find all the attributes one would expect from a high quality restaurant at Joe's: attentive service, knowledgeable staff, quality ingredients and finished execution. But enough of all that. The main star is the stone crabs! On my first visit, our waiter strongly recommended that we not leave the establishment without tryiing the stone crabs, and I'm grateful for the advice. The stone crabs are sweet and juicy, accompanied by a creamy dijon dip that perfectly pairs with the plump crab meat. Yes, the steaks there are good, as well as all the sides....yadda, yadda, yadda. But oh, the stone crabs...
(5)
Elizabeth C.
I usually go here with a large group of people and have never been dissapointed with the food or service. Sure the green-bow ties are kind of cheesey, but with such fantastic food and great liqour who can complain? Stone crab is great and I love their sweet-potato fries.
(5)
Allison B.
Classy, Delicious, and Sleek. In a nutshell! Went here with friends from out-of-town and enjoyed a sophisticated meal with great service. Wine list and seafood are equally amazing.
(5)
K S.
My wife and I went here on a whim, although I had heard of it before (I believe on the Steve Dahl show) we didn't know what to expect. It was heaven. I had the surf and turf with steamed claws and the filet mignon the first time there. We don't get out that much, so when I find something I like at a restaurant, I'm not likely to be swayed away from it. We've only been there a handful of times since then, but I get the same thing every time. My wife has had something different every time and we both agree, Joe's is our favorite restaurant. If we still lived in the city and had tons of money to blow, we'd probably eat there every night.
(5)
Heidi C.
The atmosphere and ambiance were what you would expect from a similar location in Chicago, slightly loud with old world styling. My husband and our friend thought that the bone-in filet was quite possibly the best that they had ever eaten. I ordered the crab cakes, which were fresh and quite delicious. My friend ordered the veggie pasta(not on the menu, she is a vegetarian), which she also enjoyed. We had our four year old daughter with us as well. Our server, Michael (early/mid 40's with red/blond hair and a bit of facial hair) seemed almost hostile that we were seated in his section. He kept insisting that I speak up, and rolled his eyes each time he asked me to talk more loudly. He also forgot our daughters drink; we reminded him twice. My child will always come first, if she is happy, we are all happy. I find his dismissive attitude unwarranted. Twice when asking (yelling) a question, he completely cut me off, once actually leaving the table. My husband got the crab legs as well, and they were ice cold, not served chilled, actually almost frozen. I did taste these as well, and I found the meat bland and a very strange texture. (crunchy-ice?). When we tried to explain this to Michael, he actually waved us off to the busser(super sweet). It was borderline ridiculous. I find the service as important as the meal, and we were heavily disappointed with our experience.
(2)
scott s.
Best restaurant EVER. Period. Have been here 10 times or so, and have never had a bad experience. The crab legs are the best I have ever had, and the bone-in filet is consistently the best steak that I have ever had, no comparison at all. The sweet potato fries are a good side, but you can't really go wrong with anything here. Service is always good, ask for Frankie if you want a great server.
(5)
kb j.
This place is outstanding! We go here a few times a year. It's always really good and we've never been disappointed. Went here on a Sunday night. We had a reservation and walked right in (occasionally, with reservations, we've had to wait). We usually start with the stone crabs. As always, they are firm, cold and really good. Served with a mustard sauce. They also have outstanding shrimp cocktail and with a larger group its worth going for the "Second Mortgage" (an assortment of shrimp, shellfish, etc.). While you think of Joe's for stone crab, it really has outstanding steaks. I usually get the fillet Mignon and ask them to slice it. Charred to perfection. All of the sides are filling. Ordered the hash browns and was pleased. They are browned, crunchy and buttery. The portions here are immense and can be shared. It's like "Land of the Giants". Dessert portions (even in the half sizes) are large. Key lime pie is a signature dish, but I like the banana cream pie. I would not hesitate to bring out of town guests to this place.
(5)
a w.
A pretty expensive restraunt to go too, but really well-worth the money spent. Their steaks are perfect -- done just right and really tender. The service here is excellent, the waiters will make sure that everything is absolutely perfect for you. The menu is pretty large and almost everything I have tried at this place has been excellent. The portions are big and everything is fresh. If you're looking for a great place for a big date or a special occasion, this just may be it!
(5)
Nicola C.
This place is primo. I absolutely love it. It is a great atmosphere, and perfect for winding down after a hard day at the office, especially if you want to spend a pretty penny. It just has a great vibe to it, and has an excellent sea food platter as a starter. Great wine choice also, and the waiters are very well versed on their wine, and very willing to help you pick exactly what you are looking for. Highly recommended!
(5)
m c.
excellent. went there twice on expense account, twice on my own dime- good everytime (ie, the former with expensive wine, the latter with something more reasonable). i highly recommend the bone-in filet and the dry-aged ribeye. both are supreme, though in their own way. both are big. i'd rate as one of the best in chicago, along with david burke's primehouse (better than the other chains like morton's/smith&wollensky and definitely better than gibson's- crap- or the saloon.). i could just eat the cottage fries by the bushel; however, desserts were disappointing- even the waiter made fun of the key lime pie. this is an easy place to bring out-of-towners to, but make reservations. you'd be foolish to try to walk in. service was consistently good as well.
(5)
James M.
People seem to love this place. I really enjoyed it, but I won't be drooling over a return visit, except maybe for the crab...and oh my god is that crab good. We ordered some Alaskan king legs & stone claws to start off with. It was absolutely fantastic. I've decided that I could eat that mustard dipping sauce with a spoon and subsist solely on sauce and stone crab indefinately. As for the rest of the meal, my bone in rib eye was honestly kind of lame. Rib eyes are supposed to be a bit fatty, but mine was also lacking in flavor. $42 seems like alot for a chewy, not so flavorful steak. The atmosphere is crowded and was uncomfortably busy in the bar area (kind of reminds me of Gibson's- if you're into that kind of thing). All that said I'll probably end up back here after I start drooling while thinking about that crab. So 5 stars for crab 2 for everything else and we end up with a 3.5.
(3)
Mark P.
One of the most flavorful filet mignons that I've had. Awesome seafood platters to start.
(5)
Ashleigh B.
We moved to chicago a year ago from britain and decided to spend our 1yr wedding anniversary dining at Joes for the first time, after randomly selecting it from a number of restaurants to try.The Maitre d' was so unfriendly,had a face on like you were walking into a funeral, he was rude and his overall behaviour was so unwelcoming. Good food but wouldn't go back there.First and last time.
(1)
Martha Z.
I dedicate my 100th review to Joe's, the ultimate dining experience for the ultimate yelping experience! Sorry cheesy Mr. Show reference there. Joe and I first met up for my college graduation dinner. My mom figured if she spent so many big bucks for my tuition might as well spend the big bucks on the meal. Joe's accommodated us to a tee, we all felt like royalty. Since then I have retreated back to this seafood pleasure paradise for birthday occasions. From dinner for two or for a large group you feel like an A list celebrity. Things that I can recommend are the second mortgage platter and some other combo appetizer, garlic gulf shrimp, crab cakes (the best I've ever had) and their fillet. Please save room for the key lime pie it is to DIE for! The only drawback I can think of is the impatient wait to be seated regardless of reservations or not. But when you are finally lead past that velvet curtain into a giant dining area and greeted by your tux-ed server it is definitely worth any wait!
(5)
Tom M.
Went here on a whim on a Tuesday night with work associate at about 7pm. The wait for a table was about hour + 1/2 but we were able to snag a table in the bar area (unfortunately right next to the coat check, but better than waiting). They serve their full menu in the bar and it worked out fine. Service was kind of slow in the bar, but they were pretty busy. It took a while for the waiter to come take drink orders, and we picked a bottle of wine and it took FOREVER to come out, and it was the wrong bottle; finally got the right one and it was good. So another round of waiting and we finally ordered some food. Had a delicious pan seared/sauteed small scallop appetizer - very simple. It actually may have been an entree special but we got it for appetizer. I had the petite filet and stone crab combo. Crab was delicious, especially with the mustard sauce - they were cracked but it took some work to get the meat out. The filet was delectable - very good flavor, not just a hunk of meat. We also had the green beans - very flavorful for almondine. Also had some fries that were good but nothing special. Overall a good experience and would go back.
(5)
Amanda L.
The food was good. Service was great but this place has a Schaumburg feel to it. Tons of people in and out the revolving door. No intimacy whatsoever. Some patrons were really underdressed too. Sorry but when spending this kind of money I think it could be a little more formal but then again there was a "Bar Food" section of the menu with $9 hamburgers and the like. I will not be back.
(2)
Becca L.
WOW! I just went to Joe's Stone Crab for the first time and it really was one of the best meals I've ever had. I opted for the stone crabs and they were delicious. Writing this review is actually making me want to go to Joe's right now! My carnivore boyfriend went with the steak and he loved his meal as well. Peanut butter pie for dessert was to die for. Next I'll have to try the key lime pie that everyone is yelping about!
(5)
Joe S.
Normally, we Chicagoans are hard on restaurants imported from other cities (Spago, China Grill). But, it's hard to NOT love JSC. The service on one visit was TOO attentive, that's my only complaint. Great fresh stone crabs, shrimp, excellent appeteasers, and a solid key lime pie. Sides are ample, tasty, well prepared. Careful not to fill up on the onion bread, it's delish. Wine list was OK, maybe now that Lettuce has hired Alpana Singh shel'll kick it up a notch.
(4)
Patricia B.
The only reason it did not get the five stars is that it is more than a little pricey! But I loved my lunch here, with excellent seafood and salads, memorable and amiable service, and a terrific decor. I will save up and go back!
(4)
Brenda M.
If you have never experienced a Chicago Steak house....this is the one to try. Southern roots allows them bragging rights to good key lime pie and spectacular crab bisque but the steaks are just as they should be.
(5)
Mindy S.
Yum, Yum, Yum! I have to say Joe's lived up to all my expectations, and they were set pretty high. Everything was so fresh and amazing. We started with the madagascar shrimp which were huge and delicious with a great sauce. Then got the stone crabs and bone-in filet and the best mashed potatoes ever (Jenny's potatoes, or something like that - you must try)! We loved everything. Even my boyfriend who isn't a huge seafood lover commented the day after that he was still thinking about the crab legs. That should tell you something. We didn't have room for dessert, but after everything I've heard, guess we'll just have to go back!
(5)
Kristina B.
This is one of my favorite places in the city. I have been here quite a few times and it has always been consistent. The waiters are friendly and very knowledgeable. The second mortgage is amazing--Stone Crab, Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster Cocktail, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche oh my! The crab stuffed sole is my fave entree. I hope to be back very soon!
(5)
Matt G.
We ate at Joe's on a busy Saturday night. We had to make our reservations about a month in advance in order to get a decent seating. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated, which was nice since earlier reviews seemed to indicate that you had to wait even with a reservation. The dinning room was larger than what I expected, however it was quite crowded and noisy - maybe a little chaotic. We were seated in between two other couples. The tables are a little close together, so you can certainly listen in to other people's coversations. I also had my chair bumped into several times throughout the evening. I kept pulling in my chair each time, but somehow I was still bumped. Our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, the service was very good. Attentive and fast, which is impressive given how crowded it was. The food was really the star of our experience. My wife and I shared the 2nd Mortgage appetizer. The shellfish was fresh and cooked very well...not chewy and overcooked. Wine list is decent, but a little pricey. We ordered a pinot that we've drank before...nothing surprising here. I ordered the bone-in filet, which seems to be one of the items they're known for. I ordered it medium, but it came out a little overcooked. Still, the beef was very tender and well seasoned. I very much enjoyed it despite the fact it was a little on the medium-well side. My wife ordered the Ahi Asian Style. Again, her fish was supposed to be medium-rare, but we thought it was a little overcooked as well. However, flavor made up for it. Another good dish. We shared Jennie's Potatoes as a side. These were amazing. Mashed potatoes with fontina and asiago, baked with a nice cheesy crust on top. Very good! We also shared their Key Lime pie for dessert. This was a recommendation of the waiter. I'm not a huge Key Lime fan, but this was very good. Very tangy and creamy with a beautiful graham cracker crust. Since this was our first time eating at Joe's, the waiter comp'd our dessert which was unexpected, but a very nice gesture. The reasons I did not give 5 stars: Ambiance - a little crowded and noisy. Prices - this place is expensive Otherwise, a very good restaurant and one I would certainly recommend and go back to.
(4)
Jim D.
The blackened mahi mahi was excellent. Great service!!! The bread was also wonderful. Great Location with an excellent selection for everyone. You will not be dissapointed.
(4)
Emily D.
I came here for my girl's birthday party, very nice ambiance. Our wait was well over an hour longer than our scheduled reservation but once we sat down the service and food definitely made up for it. We had a waiter designated to our table the entire night. He literally waited next to our table and got us everything we needed. Our glasses were never half empty, food was to die for, and I had so much fun. I will be coming back when the time is right as you do have to save up for something like this.
(5)
Andre E.
My wife and I first went here a few years back and it is still on our top 5 or 10 list of places to dine. It is expensive but because of the atmosphere, the service and of course the great food it is definetly worth it. You know there is a funny story here as well when we first went here my wife had the stone crab and she didn't know it was cold...LOL. If you like stone crab definetly try these but remember again they are cold and most people like their crab at least a little warm. I also recommend the the prime steak even though i don't eat red meat...LOL and definetly for dessert the Key Lime pie. Please, Please, Please make reservations because if you don't i can guarantee you will be extremely dissappointed when you won't be able to get in seat unless your willing to wait an hour or more. Street parking...LOL forget about it take public transportation or if you are staying downtown just walk over. Dress casual because while they won't make to big a deal about it you will look foolish if you come in there with blue jeans and a t-shirt with flip flops on like they try to do at the Joe's down in Miami.
(4)
Lisa Z.
Mmmmm, the seafood is good, but the steak is amazing! I really think they just may have the best steak in the city. I've never had anything but first class all the way at Joe's (not to be confused with Eat at Joe's Crab Shack).
(5)
Lydia K.
Will have to give them another try. We didn't have a reservation, so we had to sit in their bar area for dinner. The food was just ok. Nothing memorable. I'll make reservations next time and review them again.
(3)
Katie S.
I've been to Joe's several times now, usually for business occasions, and decided my wonderful boyfriend needed to experience it too. We went for a belated second anniversary celebration last Friday night. We arrived at 8:30 and were seated promptly at a cozy (but not TOO cozy) table for 2. Our waiter, Oz, was probably the best waiter I've ever had in my life, anywhere. He truly is a class act - if you end up with him serving you, you're very lucky indeed. Upon being told it was my boyfriend's first time at Joe's, he went through everything in just enough detail for him to really get excited about what we were about to eat. We ended up splitting a bottle of malbec, had the medium stone crabs for an appetizer (amazing) - for entrees, I had the petite filet and he had the bone-in filet. Both were outstanding, perfectly cooked, and seriously, that salt blend they give you to put on your steak? That stuff should be illegal. SO ADDICTIVELY GOOD. We got creamed spinach and Jennie's potatoes for sides and were satisfied but had just enough room for dessert. Oz said he had something great in store for us and brought out half portions of the banana pie, peanut butter pie and key lime pie, one of which was on the house - very nice of him, I thought. (And yeah, by this point we were already $200+ in and it didn't REALLY matter, but it was a nice gesture). My boyfriend said it was one of the best meals of his life. It was definitely one of the best meals - and best nights - of mine. I can't wait to go back to Joe's again soon.
(5)
Danny C.
I went during lunch on restaurant week. I was told by a friend that the stone crabs were served cold, and that they were good, but nothing extraordinary about it...so I ordered the filet mignon instead. The meat at our table seemed somewhat undercooked (medium rare became rare, and well done became medium). Also, it tasted kind of salty. The waiter recommended to us earlier to try the sea salt, but I couldn't really taste it. All it did was make the meat even saltier...but maybe my tastebuds are just bad... But we didn't make a fuss out of it and still enjoyed it. Besides, it was very busy and no one really came by to ask. The sides were great though. I love the mashed potatoes, and the tomato thing was good too. The desert was just ok (we had the banana pie thing). The bisque at the beginning was also good, but I loved the bread. I liked the one with bits of bacon on it, and also the one with cheese. Overall, I had a good meal and would gladly go back again if the regular menu was slightly less expensive.
(4)
Stephanie J.
Let me preface this review by saying I would have given the food 5 stars. Everything the boyfriend and I had was delicious! We started with the stone crabs, which I was a little hesitant about, but ended up being super delicious! I had the parmesan crusted halibut, which was absolutely amazing. Normally I'm against any sort of cheesy fish combination, but there were definitely no bites left on my plate. The boyfriend had the bone-in rib eye. I didn't try it, but he said it was very good as well. We ordered garlic creamed spinach and baked potatoes as sides. Thought the spinach was good, but not great. We obviously had to order the key lime pie for dessert.. the graham cracker crust was buttery and amazing! Overall... what a great meal! Now the downside... We were seated against a wall in one of the small 2 person booths. Nothing against that, a little cozy. The problem was that we were seated next to whom I assume was a VIP guest. All of the wait staff knew him, and stopped by to greet him throughout the meal. Again, not a problem. The problem was that our server decided to carry on an intimate conversation with this guy throughout our entire meal. Believe me, we heard about the intervention that went on with his boyfriend?? or brother?? Him trying to sell his apartment? Possible new employment plans? There were points in our meal that the boyfriend and I realized we were forgetting to speak to each other because the conversation next door was so distracting. I understand the table placement sometimes means some a little eaves-dropping, but this was ridiculous. What a delicious dinner wasted.
(3)
Rick S.
Joe's was excellent. When something is this good, that really is all you can say. The calamari was most excellent, some of the best I've ever had, possibly in the top 5. The filet was grilled to perfection. It was simply tremendous. It was so good I was contemplating ordering a second one for dessert. The sides me and my two other colleagues had were the corn which was amazing and the hash browns. Both sides I wished I had ordered for myself. Just absolutely tremendous. Definitely on the list when back in Chicago.
(5)
M D.
That crab bisque is fairly spectacular.
(4)
Emily B.
4.5 - Joe's makes you feel exactly the way you want to the moment you arrive for your reservation. From the host, to the busser, to the general manager, they all seem to have a genuine respect for the fact that you've come hungry ... and with money to spend. The service is phenomenal. While waiters at some places may give a tableside spiel, Joe's does more of a menu presentation. It's captivating, I can promise you won't be thinking about what's on your DVR while hearing about the history of the restaurant or what luscious things are the menu for the night. The food is equally amazing. In fact, I think I may have found my new favorite filet mignon in the city. I nonchalantly ordered my meat "Rare Plus" as a test to see if the server knew his temps...he aced it. And so did the chef - it was prepared perfectly and served with a side of their special seasoning. Our sides were a sinful mushroom macaroni and cheese and a nicely done sauteed spinach with garlic. Their fresh-made pies could not have been better. Just close your eyes and pretend the Havana Dream Pie is fat free and you'll literally have a foodgasm, When Harry Met Sally style. Other notes: -The interior is polished and perfectly lit. It's not overtly masculine, loud, or romantic. It's just right. -Management is impeccable, they are calm, approachable and always appear in control, even during prime time on a Friday night. -Keep your eyes peeled, this is a celeb/athlete hot-spot.
(4)
Aubrey R.
I'm just going to copy and my review from Open Table. It pains me to take away a star...but...for what we paid, I'd expect good service from ALL the servers. If you go to Joe's make sure Richard isn't your server. Only good when trying to pitch things to you and taking your order, after that, totally down hill. We ordered the scallop/shrimp ceviche to start. Meals, I got the parm crusted flounder w/a lemon butter cilantro sauce. My bf ordered a 24 ounce dry aged, bone in ribeye which was cooked perfectly. Sides, we had the mac & cheese w/gouda, bread crumbs & mushrooms and Joe's tomatoes w/cream of spinach on top & aged cheddar. My bf described it as an explosion of flavors in your mouth! We got a nice booth, food came out quick & was great, problem was our server, RICHARD. Didn't refill our drinks or check on us. We were done with our meal for 25 mins, he kept walking past us, tending to others. It took him another 10 mins to give us our check and offered no apologies. It was like he was avoiding us. Bad service, great food which is unfortunate.
(4)
Jennifer I.
What can I say that has not already been said? Going to Joe's is like flying first class. A stellar experience all the way. The menu is great, the food is great, the waiters (in tuxedos!) are great. You may go broke eating here, but you won't walk away with any regrets. Be sure to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed...Joe's can get ridiculously crowded, even on a school night. And by the way, the fried chicken may very well be the unsung hero of the menu. Whodathunk????? You go, Joe.
(5)
Eliza M.
I had a hankering for king crab legs. We had already been to Shaw's and wanted to try Joe's. On a Thursday evening at 7pm it was packed (make your reservations early!). Our waiter was professional and gave some great recommendations on food as well as wine. I've always had my crab legs warm but Joe's serves them chilled. I was a little concerned with this but the waiter assured me this was the way to go. He was right--they were delicious and the chilled temp really made the flavor come out. For dessert we probably should have gone with the key lime pie but we are chocoholics and opted for the chocolate cake. It was huge and at first we thought we had gotten a double order (we didn't). I also want to note that the onion roll in the bread basket puts all other onion rolls to shame. Why one star off? It's NOISY and cramped and didn't really have an intimate setting. There seemed to be a lot of out-of-towners in town for conventions eating here. For the money spent, we would have preferred a quieter, less bustling environment.
(4)
Kara K.
A good friend had a layover in Chicago and didn't want to hang at the airport for several hours like a goofball. Understood. Where could we go to have a nice dinner downtown? Hmmmm....Joe's? Well, who, in their right mind, thinks they can call Joe's on a Saturday night to get a reservation for an hour later? I did and was, of course, told hell to the naw. But, she politely added, we could try to get a seat in the bar. So that's what we tried to do. This task proved to be tricky--we had to scout out main and secondary tables, check out the competition, position ourselves accordingly and prepare to pounce. We had our eye on a table of a party that was obviously about to leave when this couple, who came in after us, tried to non-chalantly make their move. Ohhh no pahdnahs...it doesn't work like that! I gave them the evil-eye staredown and they backed away like the seat-stealing beotches that they were! Other diners and a couple of servers laughingly commented on my methods--maybe they thought I was a bit insane. No. Just hungry. So on to the next....dining at Joe's is a real treat. Stone crabs are delicious and once you know the history, you feel privileged partaking of these south Florida delicacies. We started off with a bottle of Pinot Grigio and slowly moved on to the 2nd Mortgage appetizer which included jumbo shrimp, lobster cocktail, shrimp and scallop ceviche and Alaskan king crab; the Oysters Rockefeller and an order of 4 of the stone crab claws. TO DIE FOR! For an entree, we both chose the pecan crusted halibut and shared a side of the creamed spinach. This meal was simply outstanding and definitely called for a full day of recovery. This was my third trip to Joe's. The first was in Miami and the other two were at the Chicago location. All three occasions were beyond memorable in every way. Even though the bar was busy, our server still remained professional, friendly and was very efficient in delivering each order at the right time. The restaurant itself is very classy and diners know they have to bring their fashion "A" game. It was a great night.
(5)
Jacob M.
Best dining experience on the Magnificent Mile in a week of eating! Definitely need a reservation but dress is reasonable, some in coats some in jeans. Service was outstanding, flexible, entertaining but not overbearing. Great seafood and steak options. Out table felt meat was on par with Gibson's. Side Items are really a highlight, try as many as possible. Desserts were mostly pies we had (in order of table voted popularity) #1 Havanah Dream, #2 Key lime, #3 Apple and all 3 were possibly the best of their ilk any of us had ever tried. You are going to pay for it, but great value.
(5)
Leon N.
Went here for a business trip, and ate at there bar. Bartenders were very service oriented and very talkative. The entire place service is amazing. The filet with stone crab was the best combo steak seafood I have every had in any state. The blue cheese crumble on top of steak, and side of seasoning salt really added to the experiece . The key lime pie was amazing as well. Next time want to try the key lime salmon as well. This place is a must, would put it in the top 3 places to try in Chicago.
(5)
Paul C.
I've been meaning to hit up Joe's for ages so decided to finally check it out for restaurant week. Very disappointing. For first course I had the house salad while my boo had the bisque. The bisque was tasty while the salad was nothing special. For main course we both had the steak and lobster tails. The tails were tasty and the steak was perfectly cooked. I definitely felt like I've had better steaks at some of the usual suspects in Chicago, but my boo says their steak is one of the best she's ever had. We finished with a delicious Banana Cream Pie with Foster sauce and a Key Lime pie which, I didn't really like, but I don't like Key Lime pie. My biggest beef here was the service. We were seated immediately, but service was very slow and not very attentive. We sat for multiple prolonged intervals without drinks on our table. We probably would've ordered at least one more round if the waiter had been even mildly attentive. There were also long gaps between courses where we felt abandoned by our server, especially between our main course and desert. It should also be noted that the place was not swamped at the time we were eating. We saw multiple empty tables including the one directly next to us. Restaurants at this price point have no excuse for neglecting their customers. At the end of the day I'd come back here on your dime, but would be hesitant to spend my own cash here. I'll get the same or better food at Shaw's for the same price and my waiter won't leave me feeling like a forgotten stepchild.
(2)
C.W. J.
I was in Chicago on business for 10 days. Went here twice. Thankfully on the company dime. Seafood was awesome. Just no complaints. I really enjoyed it. If you are in the area you should go. I was at the Marriott nearby. Oh and the billy goat tavern is just down the street I don't eat beef but fun to have some beers and remember when SNL was funny
(5)
Cindy K.
Hello Yelpers, Restaurant Week is heading our way, and I think Joe's is a must try when you hit opentable.com . I thought everything was delicious but expensive. If it wasn't for it being a special occasion (birthday), I wouldn't think it's worth it. But for RW? Great deal. We tried the 2nd mortgage and stone crab claws for apps. Thought the shrimp and shrimp ceviche were unremarkable but everything else great. They give you bread and crackers. The crackers are awesome. There's a bread with garlic inside that was also good. The other breads just took up space. The lobster bisque had a bit of spice and I liked it very much. Entrees were bacon wrapped sea scallops and bone in filet. I thought both were excellent. Overall I thought the seafood was better at Bob Chinn's but the bone in filet better here than the steaks I've tried at other places (Bob Chinns, Ruth Chris, David Burke's). Although to be fair, it depends on the cut. I'm not a big steak eater, so I don't know if you want to take my opinion on that matter seriously. I prefer seafood. The creamed corn tasted good but on the sweet side. The rice pilaf sucked and seemed like something that came from a box of Uncle Ben's. They threw in some chopped noodles that were useless. They also gave use brownie a la mode for the bday boy. It was disgustingly sweet-- and this coming from a chocoholic. However, it was on the house so thanks for the thought. We ate the ice cream :) Service is impeccable. Great for a fancy night on the town, but if you don't care about ambience then I would go somewhere more casual.
(4)
Joseph H.
Took my 14-yr old son to Joe's the other night for a special dinner. Overall very good. Had stuffed mushrooms to start that came out luke warm...should have sent them back. the stone crab was sweet and delicious and he loved his steak. Food was good and overall a decent experience, but for the money, there are so many better steak houses (but you can;t get the stones!!) Not as great as I remembered, but good.
(3)
Shirley A.
It was the first time I had ever had Joe's this past Monday. Let me tell you....I've waited FAR TOO LONG...smh. Everything was amazing from the stone crab claws to the key lime pie. Even my extra picky Asian mother was like, "I love this place! It's my new favorite seafood restaurant!" i'm shocked her first favorite was Chinese food ;) Will be back soon! Thank you Joe's for being so amazing!
(5)
Colleen F.
Wait, you mean this isn't Joe's Crab Shack? Damn. Came here the other night to sit at the bar, sample some apps and meet a friend. Already a little fished out from Shaw's the night before we took it easy. We tried the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms which were a nice departure from the traditional sausage and breadcrumb mushrooms you'll find most other places. They were very cheesy but flavorful. I did find the delicate taste of the mushroom to be a little lost. We tried the Madagascar shrimp which were meaty and more like lobster IMO. They were good, not necessarily a show stopper. Shrimp Dejonghe was very well done and not too heavy on either the oil, garlic or breadcrumb. What really puts this place over the top for me, however, is the impeccable service. Atmosphere here is lovely and it's impressively clean and minimalistic inside.
(5)
Christine K.
Our group of 8 had a 6pm reservation during Restaurant Week. I was excited as I had heard this place had wonderful food. After just a few minutes of waiting, we were seated. Unfortunately for us, our initial server was rude and he seemed annoyed with us that we were even there. Perhaps he thought we looked very young - we do look young but are in our 30's. He talked over our group conversation and threw down the menus. Strange. I certainly wouldn't have expected that from such an establishment. My friend talked to the manager (Ryan/Brian?) who was wonderful in switching our server for us and making sure that the rest of our evening was enjoyed. Our new server, bless his heart, was extremely attentive and always came by to check up on us and make sure we had everything we needed, from drinks to recommending appetizers to dinner and dessert. Since the server debacle, the manager offered to comp us appetizers to start our night. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and the Calamari. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious, I wanted to scrape my oyster shell for every last bit of spinach and cheese. The Calamari was fine - not too greasy, not too dry. Just right. The restaurant week menu was great I thought: -Manhattan Chowder or Bisque - both were very tasty, although I liked the Bisque just a little more. Who can turn down creamy deliciousness? My husband wolfed the Chowder down so it was definitely tasty as well. -Filet vs Crab Claws - The filet was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed a few bites of my husband's dish, even though I am not a steak person. My crab claws were just the right portion for me (a 5'3" but 3rd trimester pregnant woman can eat a decent amount!) I have to admit that the claws did stick to the shell and although I enjoy them, I had to dip them in the sauce to feel like my meal was flavorful. -Sides - Hash Browns, Mashed Potatoes, Zucchini/Tomato dish?, and Cole Slaw...all came in sizable portions and were good. -Dessert - Banana Pie or Key Lime Pie. I loved the Key Lime Pie and the husband loved the Banana Pie so it worked out well. Our group was very happy at the end of the meal. I would definitely go back for the regular menu.
(4)
Debbie H.
I don't even know where to start. It was restaurant week in Chicago.. meaning nice restaurants with nice deals.. My friend's parents were in town so they took us out and the specialized menu for restaurant week was amazing. First, a three course meal was only $22 a person.. which is pretty ridiculous. You could choose the Prime Steak or Crab, but who would come here and get Prime Steak (I'm sure it's delicious, but come on.. they're famous for their crab). So, I got the Stone Crab, Tomato-based Clam Chowder, Cole Slaw,Hashed Potatoes and Key Lime Pie. Everything was so delicious, especially the Cole Slaw. I usually don't like Cole Slaw, but this Cole Slaw was AMAZING. We order a side of Sweet Potatoes, which can't really be messed up so it was good. They're also really generous with their amounts. My friend ordered the Crab Bisque, which melted in my mouth. She also got the Banana Cream pie..which also melted in my mouth. I love Crab and I love this place! I walked out of the place, full and completely satisfied! I will be coming back to this place, even for their regular price!
(5)
Dee K.
Yummy, fresh stone crab, exceptional service from server Mark, very attentive server but not- in- your -face type, give you room to breath and enjoying, 5 stars for server Mark. My filet mignon was just average. Yet, rib eye was great... We were lucky to even get seats without reservation. Of course, we came a tad earlier than the normal peak dining hours.
(4)
Nicole M.
Soooo over the weekend my boyfriend took me to Joe's for my Birthday dinner. Ohh myy Yumminess, it was the best dinner I had ever had!!!! Of course it was expensive but it was worth it for a one time thing. The only reservation they had was 4:30 and we called a week a head, which is pretty early for us but it worked out great in the end. Our waiter was Mark, very nice and attentive. We started off with the Stone Crab Bisque, Very good but wish they would put a little more crab in the soup. I got the Petite Filet and Lobster with Jennie Mashed. The filet, I asked for medium... I got medium/rare, which is no biggie it still tasted good and very tender. The Lobster was the best part, very yummy and melt in your mouth delish! Mmmm I wanted more when I was done and I am still dreaming about it. lol The Jennie mashed, were oh soo good and cheesy, went very well with the steak. My boyfriend got the 20oz Bone in Rib eye and said it was very good and finished it all. Sadly we were soooo full we couldn't fit in dessert. They have valet $11.99. As other have said the place it kind of crammed (table very close to each other) but since we were there kind of early, it was fine. Also the bathroom is very small only two stalls and one small sink. If I had the money... I would go here all the time! Mmmm
(5)
Michael R.
Went here during restaurant week and asat by the bar area. We didn't have reservations and didn't want to wait. The staff was amazing and the food was delicious. The hostess had a very classy pin-up look to her. I felt like i had stepped back in time when I was here. There were all kinds of people in there and everyone was having a great experience.
(4)
Jessica K.
I came in for a tea date with my daughter. Joe's is not too uptight to bring a four year old into. We got great service, and had fantastic loose leaf tea. The onion rings are awesome, and so are the sweet potatoes! I tried so many things I liked I cannot list them all! Everyone working there was so great! My only complaint, my waiter (Ben) was too handsome, it was distracting. Oh, and I ate too much... Which I blame on the free pie.
(5)
Daniel L.
They make a great steak. They had a decent whiskey selection. Atmosphere is only mediocre. They pack as many tables as they can in the place so its loud and you're right up on the table next to you. Almost feels like a tourist trap. Probably won't be going back. Too many great steak places in Chicago.
(4)
Chelo C.
Not bad. Expensive though!
(4)
Daniel S.
Joe's was near the top of our food agenda during a recent Chicago trip, so we made a visit on a busy Tuesday night. In short, everything about this place exudes excellence. The steaks and seafood are among the best I've had anywhere, and the service was simply outstanding. First on our list was a pair of steaks -- a filet mignon and a 16 oz dry-aged NY strip. The filet was buttery soft on the inside and perfectly charred on the outside with a mild, velvety taste that's expected when a filet is cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The NY strip - at 16oz - was substantial enough to feed two persons, yet I managed to consume about 3/4 of it after devouring half of the filet. The strip was also a perfect medium-rare with a nice crisp crust on the outside. I uploaded a photo of this wonderful steak for all to see. Next on the list was a full order the of king crab legs. These are cracked and prepped table-side and served with drawn butter; all that's required is for you to lift out the meat and enjoy with the butter and lemon. King crab legs are a wonderful thing and I probably don't need to go into detail about how good these are, only to say that these were the most flavorful I've had in recent memory. Amongst the group we split orders of the macaroni and cheese and creamed spinach. Since I was mostly occupied devouring the proteins, I had very little of the sides, but they were both quite good. By now the group was stuffed, but this was a special night out for us so we went all in and ordered a pair of desserts: slices of Boston cream pie and banana cream pie. The Boston cream pie has a nice richness-to-lightness ratio and it held together very nicely, unlike at some other places where the cake falls apart after a few bites. The banana cream pie was sweet in its own right with perfect cream topping. Overall, I left extremely full but also 100% satisfied with the food and service. Back home in Los Angeles I have an abundance of top-rate steak and seafood choices, but I can say with confidence that Joe's has topped my list, and when I return I will certainly pay another visit. An easy 5 star recommendation.
(5)
Ellen D.
If you love steak and seafood, then you will absolutely love Joe's. The quality of food here is outstanding and the service is impeccable. The boy and I came here for our anniversary, and he got major points for the restaurant pick! We started with the Crab and Artichoke Gratin - it was unbelievable - cheesy and delicious. I had a lobster tail and the man had a steak - both were amazing and cooked to perfection. This is a great place if you're OK with spending a bit more money than usual... but the food and service is definitely worth the money!
(5)
Mihir P.
I'll make this quick. EAT AT JOE'S. Get: - Alaskan king crab legs and not the Jonah or Stone. - Bone-in ribeye or any of the other bone-in steaks It is "bang your head against the wall" awesome!
(5)
Brent H.
Rock crab appetizer, 2 great bottles of red and the bone-in filet mignon makes for one great night at Joe's.
(5)
B L.
A family member took us here in early November. We'd heard all the hype and opted to go. While my sister's sea bass was outstanding, my halibut was very very DRY. I was sorely disappointed. Service was good. The waiter was very professional. In the end, I think there's better seafood to be found in Chicago.
(3)
Marisol D.
Great wine selection and ambiance. Although pricey, go for the stone crab claws as they're the best things on the menu (they are served chilled unless you ask for them to be served hot). Very pricey; not sure its worth the expense.
(3)
Jeff D.
When I saw how highly rated Joe's was, I knew I had to step in to review this place and truly let you know just how God-awful it is. We took my wife's parents here for my mother-in-law's birthday in July. Our steaks were not prepared the way we requested them. Our waiter talked to us about our menu choices, served us a bottle of wine, and was never seen from again. Service? The O'Hare Terminal 2 McDonald's has better service. Food? I would have been more satisfied with Outback Price? COMPLETELY not worth it. I think this place is a tourist trap. It's right near the Nordstrom near Michigan Avenue and a bunch of hotels. So if you're a tourist and you're looking for a GREAT Chicago steakhouse, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME GOING HERE. There's nothing authentic or remotely good about this place. Ed Debevic's may be the only place worse than this that I've been to in Chicago.
(1)
Trish C.
This place makes me wish I lived in Chicago. Alas, I can only enjoy while on a business trip. We were only able to sit in the bar area (they were booked solid) but service there was impeccable. One coworker had asked for a "manly" drink and was given a Manhattan but I guess it was too manly for him. :) But our server promptly took it away and gave him something else, no charge. She made it feel like we were sitting at a regular table, giving us ample attention and time. My two coworkers had steak, both cooked to their specifications and cut like butter. They split a BLT salad, which they couldn't stop raving about. I took the fish special, the John Dory, which was served with a brown butter sauce and all I can say is, if I could have fish like that every day, I'd never eat meat again. Our sides were the Jennie potatoes and the sugar snap peas. As a carb lover, you can't go wrong with cheesy potatoes topped with toasted bread crumbs. And I've never been a veggie lover, but I could eat those snap peas every day - so crisp and flavorful. Dessert was to die for. Havana cake (picture tres leches cake for rich people) and banana cream cake. Be sure to make room. You locals are lucky to have a place like this.
(5)
Charles H.
I had the filet Mignon and fried green tomatoes, my girlfriend had the stone crab and something else. The service was really friendly and helpful. The place was cool, really chintzy. The best part was the other customers. These really fat, pissed off rich people. At one point one of these femme-yuppies came racing past our table, into the bathroom, on the phone, screaming at the person at the other end to call 911. I had a really good time.
(4)
Rodrigo J.
The bone-in filet was very good and the stone crab was good also. I ordered my filet medium and it was cooked perfectly! I will be back again, next time I will try the bone-in ribeye!
(5)
Kellie A.
Food and atmosphere were both great
(5)
C-Line H.
Joe's never, ever, EVER disappoints me. I start with a good cocktail (a STRONG South Beach Peach) and medium stone crabs with extra mustard sauce! Crabcakes, bone in filet (rare!), Joe's scallops, lobster tempura, crab bisque, roasted summer corn (in season) and my hot damn favorite... Nantucket Cape Scallops!!!! So sweet that they melt in your mouth - and so rare to get a chance to wrap your lips around them! And if you ever get the pleasure, have the John Dory... I promise it will make your life (only in season, and I always get lucky!).
(5)
Barri S.
This review is for brunch. The have a special brunch menu for $25.00 you get 3 courses. Absolutely amazing!! The banana cream pie is life changing. If it's Sunday and you're reading this, leave and go immediately!
(5)
Christina G.
I am writing a review even though I haven't been here in at least 2 years, because I MISS THIS PLACE!!! They have the BEST stone crab and steak, no shock or surprise there! Service has always been top notch. Wines are great and your glass is always filled. The restaurant gets full but the crowd is fun considering the prices are so high end. Need to take some time out and get back here!!
(5)
Adam M.
I just returned from lunch at Joe's, and overall it was an enjoyable experience. The service was attentive, quick, and did a good job of explaining items on the menu and the daily specials. 4 stars We had the crab cake and the ceviche; the crab cake was delicious and contained a very generous portion of crabmeat. The ceviche was fairly standard fare, although seemed fresh. 4 stars (4.5 for the crab cake, 3.5 for the ceviche) Flavor-wise, the stone crab bisque was delicious, although was lacking in crab - it was pretty much a bowl of well seasoned cream, with a few tiny bits of crabmeat at the bottom - I expected more. 3.5 stars I ordered the 8oz filet my main course - I asked for it medium rare, and it came out slightly past medium; the inside was lightly pink, but it was definitely overcooked. I also found the meat to be overseasoned - it was too salty. I've had a lot of better prepared, better tasting steaks than this. It was disappointing. 2 stars The side dishes were good - Lyonniase potatoes and asparagus. The potatoes were perfectly cooked, however the asparagus was slightly underdone - and a tiny bit rubbery. 3 stars It ended up being about $30 a person for lunch. Not exactly inexpensive. Overall the meal was very good, aside from the filet. Also to note - I wasn't the only person in my party who's steak was overdone.
(3)
Luke S.
This place is my favorite restaurant in the city, but they also have the best service. Frankie is the best server in Chicago (tied with Dee from La Gondola). They make you feel like royalty and the food is cooked to perfection! It's worth every penny! Get the steak (bone in filet!).
(5)
Colleen D.
What is so special about snow crab claws? This is the 2nd time I've been duped into ordering them and they are tasteless. A TON of work to get a little meat out of the small, sticky shell and then nothing. No taste whatsoever. I've had other entrees here and everything else is top notch. I wouldn't have thought to order steak here but a server one time highly recommended it and he was right on. All of the side dishes are very good - today we had Jennies Potatos - seemingly plain but very good. The bread basket - very good. Home made cole slaw was pretty good. I've had spinach in the past - excellent. Scallops on special - excellent. Desserts - key lime pie and banana foster pie - excellent - not too big but sharable. I'll definately come here again but if I have a taste for crab - I'll skip the hype of the claws and go for the legs.
(4)
Cecilia T.
My husband and I came here for Restaurant Week and had a great experience! I'd say the best thing about Joe's is their top notch service - they are very personal and attentitive. For starters they offer a special variety of yummy dinner rolls and breads. Multiple waiters greeted us, filled our water, and our own waiter gave us 3 complimentary wine tastings and we settled with a glass of Zinfandel. WINE: Rox was our waiter = he was so great and charming! He knew his wines although don't be afraid to disagree with his suggestions as he aims to please! He also suggested other Pinots we might like and ended up writing down both the name of the wine we selected as well as other Pinots that he had suggested were great and could be bought at Costco. How thoughful! Our wine was served at the perfect cool temperature STARTERS: -The best selection we had that night was the Lobster Bisque - it was really tasty and a standout dish!! I'm still thinking about it right now. Mmmm mm mm ENTREES: I ordered the Filet Mignon & Lobster Combo - the beef was very high quality but because Joe's puts the spices on the side to flavor to your taste , it wasn't as mindblowing of a flavor as Ruth Chris's steak that comes out flavored and spiced to perfection. Not a fan of sprinkling spices on my beef - i'd rather it be already grilled/marinated into the beef. The Lobster was pretty good. The side items were huge - a generous side of potatos and a flavorful spinach and cheese dish that was delish. Super filling so we had our sides to go. DESSERT: By the time we hit dessert, I was completely stuffed, but this was SO good. Probably my next fav dish after the Lobster Bisque. We ended up wrapping leftovers for this as well! ATMOSPHERE: Acoustics are great in this restaurant - despite being crowded due to Restaurant week, we felt private and comfortable in our booth and could hear each other just fine. I definitely have to say that Joe's Restaurant Week deal is EXCELLENT - you get great portions but come on an empty stomach if you expect to make a dent in the food!
(4)
John B.
Unbelievable. One of the top five meals of my life. A Monday nite and the place was absolutely jammed. 15 of us from work had the private room in the back. Amazing wine and martinis to start the evening. Appetizers that were out of this world. Coconut shrimp, mushrooms, stone crab and potato medley that was amazing. And then, the Dover Sole filleted table side. The tastiest and most cooked to perfection piece of fish ever. And then deserts of all kinds including the famous key lime pie which was terrific. The banana cream pie and chocolate cake were out of his world too. Do not miss this place if you are in Chicago.
(5)
Shark S.
OMG, truly Joe's is the best. Been there a dozen times but pease, Beth R shut up. No one cares about your 3rd party life.
(5)
Angelo P.
I have visited Joe's for lunch on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed with the food or service. Bread basket is very solid; butter is excellent. Note: I like reviewing the rather insignificant things, but they do make a difference in my eyes (more on that topic later!) In terms of the soup, I would also say it's average. The lobster bisque sounds better than it actually tastes. Don't expect to find large pieces of lobster in it. Salad however is excellent, as they offer many unique dressings all of which are delicious. I am a HUGE fan of all of their side dishes and appetizers, especially the oysters Rockefeller, Jennie's potatoes, and hashed browns. Even if you do not like oysters, you will love the oysters Rockefeller guaranteed. In terms of the steak, I would say it is simply above average and not excellent. I recently ordered the rib eye based on the waiters strong recommendation (side note: he looked like he was near orgasm as he was describing the taste of the steak) and I was not impressed. While it was cooked according to my specifications, the taste just wasn't there and I felt it was not up to par with what I would normally expect from a place like Joe's. The seasoned salt was probably the best part about the steak and I would've been pretty disappointed without it. A high quality steak should taste great on its own and seasonings should simply be an added bonus. I can honestly say I can make a better steak at home for a 1/4 of the price if not less. I imagine their stone crab is probably the way to go based on other people's reviews... The desert is out of this world, especially the chocolate peanut butter pie and key lime pie - nothing beats it, but I'm sure it comes with a 4,000 calorie per slice price tag. Awkward transition but nothing screams you are in a high quality restaurant like super thick disposable napkins in the bathroom and state of the art splash guards in the urinal. I am definitely a fan and wish more restaurants invested in the little things like this. Overall I would say Joe's delivers excellent 5 star service (if you are into that), though I would say food is somewhere between 3 and 5 stars depending what you order.
(4)
Dave P.
Just one more thing I love about Joe's in addition to the bowl of crab bisque is that they serve @Intelligentsia coffee.
(5)
Phyllis S.
Hi Everyone I only went to Joe's once, and that was enough to have me write about this pace. This establishment is packed especially on the weekends. But trust me if you can get a reservation just go get seated and be treated!!i The wait staff is fantastic, the food is marvelous. For the life of me cannot recall exactly what I ordered but it was sinfully delicious. It is a bit pricey but totally worth every penny.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Sarah M.
Most DELICIOUS dinner I have EVER had in Chicago! AMAZING! I ate every single bite off my plate. The Seafood Salad was so yummy! HIGHLY recommend for special occasions.
(5)
Suzy D.
We came here for dinner with my in-laws. We ordered some crab legs to start. My husband and his parents all got steaks, and I got the dover sole. Everything was delicious! I think I personally still prefer the steaks at Gibsons, but the pro of coming to Joe's is that they have great steaks, as well as some tasty seafood...so in a way there's a bit more variety. Everything feels old school and traditional. This is a great place to bring parents! Just be sure to make reservations.
(4)
emily h.
Simply the best!! Love this place! My husband and I have been here a handful of times but usually reserve it for special occasions because it is a little pricey. We lucked out a few weeks ago and a friend hosted the rehearsal dinner for his wedding here. SCORE!! I ordered the bone in fillet Mignon!! It was really tasty! My husband literally was licking the bone he liked it so much!!! If you come here, I also recommend getting the hash brown potatoes!
(5)
Donald W.
Great restaurant. My wife and I went their to celebrate our 1 year anniversary and absolutely loved it. Not the most intimate setting but the food and service were excellent. Not a crab person but we both had the lobster and it was cooked to perfection along with the filet.
(5)
Jason W.
I was here about a week ago with some friends in from out of town. Unfortunately, this was not a stellar performance. While I have never had a bad meal here, I would say that this was the worst meal out I've had in a while. Of the four of us, 3 of the dishes were overcooked. This included what should have been a beautiful aged steak, the special fish of the day, and the scallops. I do not expect this type of food from Joe's, and it has not been my normal experience, but I think it is only fair to grade them honestly on the meal that they served. And it was poor. That being said, I would still go back here and recommend Joe's. The only reason for this is that I have had several excellent meals here in the past. But if this had been my first meal at Joe's, I would not give them a second chance. I would encourage anyone eating here that is not satisfied with their food to send it back and have it redone. They would be happy to do it, and frankly, you should get a high quality meal here, which is their norm.
(2)
Jennifer S.
Excellent restaurant - the service was top notch, the atmosphere was upscale and lively and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the king crab legs and the scallops - yummy!
(4)
Erin K.
Had a great lunch here the other day! My boyfriend and I split 3 apps: the crab cakes, crab au gratin, and the shrimp de jogne. Everything was good but the crab au gratin was definitely the best! Our server was Liz- she was great. She was very friendly and attentive and took care of everything perfectly. Only thing I'd say is this restaurant is just not quite my speed for lunch, just too formal (and too much food for me that early in the day! i go into food coma!). Much better atmosphere for dinner, in my opinion. Great spot, though. I'll definitely be back for dinner. And hopefully brunch too, their crab benedict sounds amazing!
(4)
Shayna N.
I took my husband here for his birthday dinner (just the two of us) and we had a fabulous time. The dining room was packed but they seated us in a corner booth, which was both private and romantic. The service was also incredible. There was a hole team of attendants from the server to the bussers to the guy who opened our wine, the guy who delivered and refilled our waters. Everything was perfectly on time and we never waited or had to ask for anything. Our server was also super friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. We ordered the following: - king crab claw - bone in filet mignon - encrusted flounder - creamed spinach side - mashed potato side Everything is a la cart so we got to pick and choose our meals. The sides were both gigantic and definitely made to share. EVERYTHING was super delicious. AND at the end of the night they brought out a complimentary key lime pie and fudge brownie with ice cream and a candle with out me even asking for it (I had told them it was my husbands bday when i made the reservation, that's all) It was a truly memorable and special night.
(5)
Jessica D.
Joe's is like the person you can never say no to and why would you?? This place speaks for itself! I haven't eaten anything here that I didn't like (lobster tails, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, stone crab) but the absolute best is the alaskan king crab!! The sweet succulent taste is so mesmerizing that you will go home, dream about it and leave you craving for more! I absolutely love this place!
(5)
Angel N.
Their stone crab claws are to die for. The special mustard-y/horse radish sauce that comes with it is SOOO delish. And I'm not even a fan of cold crab claws and horse radish. Definitely make a rezo as this place was still packed at 11pm weekend night. From what I remember, everything we ordered was amazing including their desserts. It's all a blur now but I remember when my filet mignon came I barely had room anymore and then of course somehow I managed to gobble a bunch of their desserts. LOL.
(5)
Cindy K.
Loved it. And our awesome waitor prevented us from ordering too much food. The steak and stone crab was fabulous. The manhattan clam chowder is hands down the best i have ever had. And we saw hank Aaron.
(5)
Karen L.
This is such a great deal during restaurant week! You get great food and great service! I will have to admit, I am not one to love this type of restaurant - old school, classic Chicago steakhouse, that frequents tourists, locals, and celebrities. They do some darn good business there, I am amazed they would even participate in Restaurant week. It was a zoo the night we went. I tried the crab bisque - VERY tasty! I would definitely get that again. For the entree I opted for the stone crabs. They were good, but too hard and messy to eat. Luckily after dinner they came around with a lemon to wash your hands and then gave you a wet hot towel. I loved this!! I also tried the filet, which was fantastic! It was done perfectly for sure. The side dishes were just ok to me, we had a party of 6 so had all of the sides with the different entrees we had. The hash browns and special potatoes were mediocre, as well as the cole slaw and tomato salad. We were all so full that we could barely eat our dessert... but I will have to admit the key lime pie was rather tasty! Overall, a great dining experience. Loved the service, and was a excellent value during restaurant week. You have to try Joe's at least once in your life.
(4)
Julie N.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago - excellent service, food and atmosphere. Been lots of times and keep going back for more.
(5)
Ian S.
Went here for restaurant week last year and didn't disappoint. Food was great and servers were really nice. Service was prompt. Next time I come here, I definitely wanna try more from their menu. Overall, a good experience for a quick lunch. Definitely will be back
(5)
Chris S.
If I had to eat one restaurant in Chicago before I died this would be it. First, they get their seafood flown in fresh from Miami where the original Joe's Stone crab exists. Second, their steaks are the best I have ever enjoyed. Don't get me wrong you are going to drop some coin to eat at this restaurant but this is a great "occasion" type of restaurant. Again, when my wife and I visit Chicago we try to have one of our dinners at this restaurnt. Please go eat here.
(5)
Hannah C.
WOW. Took my grandparents here and fell in love. Not a carnivore or shellfish-eater (which you'd think would be a problem considering the name of this place), but there were plenty of other options. I ordered the salmon which was ridiculous. Their sides are absurdly good (um Lyonnaisa potatoes....uh-mazing), even my chopped salad was incredible. I can't remember what dessert we all split but it was GF and, you guessed it, delicious. They are also a member of Lettuce Entertain You so they have a gluten-free menu and it's not one of those pathetic one-item gluten free menus....I promise. Our waitress (can't believe I'm forgetting her name) was superb and super beautiful, and totally put up with my extremely particular grandfather very graciously. Will absolutely be going here next time some generous visitors come to town...
(5)
Tiffany T.
I will give their filet mignon an honorable mention, but the thing to try here are their stone crab claws!! It was the most memorable part of my dining experience here and I would come again just for those crab claws. Definitely on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for!
(4)
Ly C.
I LOVE this place! I can't believe I didn't write a review until now. If you ask me where I want to go for lunch or dinner at anytime, this is hands down my first choice. Every time I've been there, the food is top notch, and the service is always excellent. Plus the price point is very fair for the quality of food you get. I've had the filet mignon (super juicy, not dry at all, cooked perfectly), the crab claw (sooo tasty I could eat a bucket of it), the seafood salad (YUM! so refreshing with a light, not creamy dressing! and tons of seafood), side of potatoes (humongous! yet I have to fight myself from finishing it). BUT the highlight of Joe's is their dessert. I would kill cute animals for their Banana Creme Pie, drizzled with caramel and roasted sweetened pecans, it's just heaven in my mouth. Other people also love their key lime pie and peanut butter pie, (which admittedly, not my favorite flavors were also yummy) but for me nothing beats the banana creme pie.
(5)
James S.
Very good dinner. Waiters in black ties, Dress Casual should is the scene. We had the medium Stone Crabs to share at the table. Very Sweet. Served cool. Bone in Ribeye Steak special was amazing flavorful, the Bone in Filet was tender and cooked perfectly. Loved the Blue Cheese with Bacon Wedge Salad. Just an overall good experience. Service was very professional.
(4)
Graeme F.
Solid seafood restaurant - beware the side dishes, the portions are massive but incredibly tasty. Simply amazing desserts too.
(4)
Ryan W.
They really do it right at Joe's. My fiancee and I have gone a couple times for special occasions. I loved the bone-in fillet I had the first time- it's a must try for steak lovers. This last time I was there, I had the petite fillet with Alaskan King Crab legs. Simply awesome. With all the great restaurants in Chicago, this is one of our top few. The only downside is that due to its popularity, it's hard to get a reservation. We found the trick: 4:30 dinner before a Bulls or Blackhawks game worked great!
(5)
Lisa J.
Hands down the best service and meal of my life. Creative and talented bartender, very helpful and professional waiter. He offered great suggestions. Fish, crab, steak, soup, pie- all spectacular. Come hungry!
(5)
Darrin D.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Chicago. King Crab Legs Chopped Salad Fried Chicken (split with the table, its the best you will ever have) NY Strip or Filet depends on how hungry I am. every time...
(5)
Cyn C.
Himiny Jiminy!! How can Chicago have better seafood than Boston? INCONCEIVABLE!! But Joe's Crab has bested all of the traditional seafood restaurants I've tried here in Boston. The experience seemed to be perfectly matched with the Sound of Music soundtrack... so... "let's start at the very beginning... a very good place to start..." 1) Reservations are a must 2) Coat check by the door 3) At the table, you are immediately greeted with water, and a DELIGHTFUL bread basket. The bread basket almost needs it's own review (There's a parmesan crisp, raisin bread, rye, pumpernickel, onion roll, challah roll, and more, oh my!) "These are a few of my favorite things..." As appetizers, we ordered some stone crab claws (their signature dish) and their special (Alaskan king crab legs). Both were served steamed and chilled. The stone crab claws are served with a super yum sauce (like kind of horseradish-y/dijon mustard-y). It's a very meaty crab. The Alaskan king crab legs... HOLY MOLY they were SO BIG. And juicy. And sweet. MY absolute, hands down favorite dish of the night. By the way, both kinds of crab are served pre-cracked, so that you don't have to work too hard for your dinner. "I must've done something good" To deserve dinner at this place. A terrific choice for a special occasion! I ordered the chilean sea bass (omg, it melted in my mouth) served with a sweet tomato coulis, friends ordered the fisherman's platter (broiled) and crab cakes. The broiled scallops and shrimp were excellently seasoned and perfectly cooked, and the crab cakes were crunchy w/o being greasy. We shared sides of broccoli (served with cheesy butter sauce on the side) steamed asparagus, and a baked sweet potato (served with butter and brown sugar). I could've made a meal out of the sides. "So long, farewell" We finished the night off by sharing a piece of the key lime pie. It was good, but I think perhaps my tastebuds were done by that point. My friends were joking that you almost can't drink the water b/c the service is so attentive (new plates for every appetizer course, table crumb cleaning, water all the time, warm hand towels, etc etc). Our waiter was spot on with his recommendations (on food, wine, dessert) and I can not wait to have another chance to dine at this exceptional restaurant.
(5)
Johnny R.
I'll confess, I'd like to eat steak every day. Now that I have that out there, let me share my nice dining experience at Joe's. Wally K. served us, he is great. Gotta say, when your primary contact at a restaurant has a great attitude and likes what he does, it adds to the dining experience. I had some stone crab appetizers with their mustard sauce. Nice. My inner glutton wanted 20 of them. I had the dry aged ribeye, I think it was 40 days. Very tasty, very juicy. I thought it was very good. I didn't add any salt or pepper, it was really perfect. I don't recall what it cost but if it was $35-40 I'm okay with that, but not much over. Had the key lime pie... Ka-pow! Had zingy nice flavor. Great crust. FYI for the bizz crowd, I got in at 11:45 and we beat a massive crowd by about 15-20 minutes and then it was completely crowded. The restaurant I think is good place to have a bizz lunch. I don't think I'd go there with the wife but only because I think of other places with more smoky ambiance if you know what I mean.
(4)
Jeff L.
My issue is one of expectations. For such a highly rated restaurant I expected MUCH better. Food was "good", but -had to wait 40 minutes past reservation time to get our table -which wouldn't have been a problem if the bar area was in any way adequate for the wait (they have way too many tables shoved into this space and far to few servers - 15 minutes to get first drink) -dinner table was not a standard size, it was tiny (and we were in the dining area, not the bar). Its almost as if the professional management of this Lettuce Entertain You chain has taken control and calculated that smaller tables will allow more tables and then more checks and thus increased profits. My seat bumped up against the chair behind me and the table wasn't big enough to hold our food -waitress was VERY friendly and apologetic. No issues with her. -ordered 2 very pricey bottles of wine, but took way too long. we had to wait 25 minutes for first bottle (about 15 minutes after a solo drinker was served her wine by the glass). Our second bottle didn't come until 10 minutes AFTER entree was served (and only because we had to ask for it again). My only conclusion is that this is why i don't like chain restaurants. They lose the passion of original owners. This place is set up to maximize profits, which i have no problem with, but its not worth a 2nd visit (and I wish I'd gone elsewhere instead of my 1st visit).
(2)
Amy A.
I love this steakhouse. Great tasting steaks. Best crab bisque ever. And who knew grilled tomatoes with pureed spinach and cheese would taste that good???
(5)
Brian M.
Great food, great service, waiter Hank was great. not cheap by any means but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Rakesh S.
OMG!! OK. So they weren't the best at keeping my reservation time - 15 min late. But that is pretty typical for busy restaurants, and definitely worth the wait. Best service I have ever had at any restaurant. And I am a service snob. So this may not be the best place to bring your 2 year old and 11 month old kids, but they didn't mind. I was in Chicago and wanted great food, and wasn't going to let my kids keep me from getting it. Did my server mind? Absolutely not. Kids menu, spoons to play with, bread to throw!! Never batted an eye. Bread basket was not stingy. Many different varieties. My favorite was a toasted raisin bread. I know, it sounds weird and I almost didn't try it. Stone crab were an interesting new delicacy. Good I must say. Oyster Rockafeller was the best I've ever had. When the 11 month old got a little ruly, we asked to have the entrees packaged up to go. Not a problem. Was quick and prompt - prior to nuclear meltdown. That was a welcome service I would pay twice as much for. Food was still great at the hotel. I cut my filet mignon with a plastic fork. Yep, you read it correct. A PLASTIC Fork. Better than Bern's steakhouse. Not sure how, but you'll have to trust me - it just was. Crab legs were great too - although I could have eaten a few more. They packaged it with melted butter. Scallops melted in your mouth. Shrimp were huge and succulent. Everything was top par. FYI, I ordered the filet/crab combo dish and sampled my family member's dishes. One regret. I should have ordered dessert to go as well. If it was on par with the appetizers and entrees, then I have my last meal all figured out.
(5)
K S.
Oh my- waiting area is tiny, chaotic and loud. Cocktail waitress was one unhappy, snarly camper on the night of our visit. So entrance and 45 minute wait over our reservation time was unpleasant. Thank God once we got in, our waiter Tim made up for all of that. He was fantastic. Great service. Great sommelier, great wine selection. Food was excellent. We will be going back (and staying away from the cocktail waitress!).
(4)
M G.
Delicious food. I'm not a big fan of seafood but this place makes me love it. Good service too.
(5)
KM M.
I'll keep it short and sweet. AGAIN, I love this place. Excellent service, amazing food. Top of the line for both. And, the fact that they've extended restaurant week for the entire MONTH of March, oh Joe's... did you do that for my birthday month? I appreciate it, and I'll be back. I can't stop thinking about the key lime pie.
(5)
Kappa Y.
I had originally assumed this place was a tourist trap. I was missing out. Ive gone 4 time in the last year and love it. One of my favorite places for steak in Chicago. I recommend the oysters Rockefeller over the stone crab though. Great professional service. Place is always packed however you can always mange to carry on a conversation without trouble.
(5)
Sasha M.
I had a good time at Joe's last night with my besties. Reservations were at 9:00 we got seated right away. Our waiter (I forgot his name) was really attentive. I got the Alaskan crab from the restaurant week menu. Wow my crab bisque was yummy. It had alot of flavor i'm still thinking about it. After that my crab came with hashbrowns and cole slaw absolutely delish! My crab was served hot it was so fresh, good flavor to it. I barely dipped it in the drawn butter. My hashbrowns were really good it's big too! I had to hook it up a little bit with black pepper and my favorite ranch dressing lol! Now the coleslaw I took one look at it and didn't even bother it had to much relish in it. Last but not least the key lime pie it was great not to tart or sweet it hit the spot definitely! It was cramped we were seated between two parties yikes! It was ok though because a guy from one of the tables started talking to me so of course being me I started flirting *giggles* he was so cute. I had a great time at Joe's can't wait to come back.
(5)
Gary B.
I grew up in the restaurant business and know good food & service. Joe's food quality was excellent along with a generous portion size. The apple pie was the best I had ever had (made in house). The highlight was our server Monique. She was so genuine and sincere. She really had our best interest at heart throughout her menu explanation and service. She made. A great meal even better with attention and professional attitude. Ask for her if you book a reservation.
(5)
Jenny T.
Before celebrating such a classy event like Matt L's bday , one must eat equally as fine. Joe's was the place to celebrate good food, good drink, and Matt's birthday dinner...without Matt. Sorry 'bout that bestie. Ryan's family took me on Saturday night & boy was I impressed. We began the night with Madagascar shrimp, which are shrimps that are definitely bigger than my fist which are thrown on a grill & seasoned to perfection. We then had to try the Stone crab, which was absolutely sinful. I mean the freshness of the crab was something I had never experienced before & I like my seafood. I wasn't a fan of the dipping sauce, but I'm not big into mayo so that may be why. We then also had chopped salads, which were really good. The dressing was a tad too creamy, but the crisp lettuce & the very light blue cheese made up for it. On top of all of this, I also had an entree. I had their grouper special, which came with a pineapple/mango salsa on the side. I really really wanted to like this dish because I'm all about sweet & savory, however, the fish was sooo sooo salty. It didn't stop me from eating half of it, but I had to down a whole glass of water to keep from having my tongue dry out. Oh shit, I almost forgot about the sides! We had the most delicious & cheesy Mac n' Cheese, which I definitely had seconds of. We had asparagus, which was very plain but I love asparagus so I didn't mind at all. Finally, we also had a tomato side which was a tomato slice with creamed spinach, bread crumbs, and cheese on top. Those were really good, but I was a bit scared to have my own so I kept stealing bits of Ryans. We didn't stay for dessert since we were already late for Matt L's bday, but I wouldn't of had room anyway. After writing this review though I don't understand where all of it went & am definitely planning a trip to the gym, ha!
(5)
Jad N.
Wasn't a big fan of the crab (just don't like crab in general), and I've had much better ceviche elsewhere, but the entrees more than made up for the lackluster appetizers, with a nice juicy steak and lobster-stuffed sole, and the excellent, unmatched service.
(4)
Emily U.
Went here with a group of 6 to Restaurant Week. PHENOMENAL! The waiter was so friendly and gave great recommendations, everything we got was good, can't say enough great things about the restaurant and everything we ate. I've been there full price before and would definitely go again.
(5)
Chris L.
This is hands down the best seafood restaurant in Chicago. Period. Frankly it might even be the best restaurant all around. I use to live in Miami Beach and frequent the original Joe's there. Turns out this place is not affiliated except for having purchased the naming rights. That gave me pause, but the Chicago iteration of Joe's is really quite amazing. There is not really much else to be said, its that kick ass. If its out of your price range check them out for lunch, same great food at slightly lower prices and getting a reservation is not as challenging.
(5)
Nancy S.
Inexperienced Maitre d'. Kept telling us to, "Please move". The lobby was like a sardine can. I asked him, "Where are we supposed to go?" He said, "I don't know." And, then, he kept asking us to move. Very frustrating. I've been there before & had great food. But, that night, my filet looked beat up & was cold. There are other steak houses in Chicago.
(3)
LetsBeHonest O.
LOVE this place! This was my last full meal in Chicago and I wish I came sooner for another meal. Had the seafood salad and man, was it good! This place has plenty of rave reviews, so I will safe myself the time and energy.... Come here. Bread basket is bomb!
(5)
Dee L.
Came here specifically for the stone crab. Seated at the bar area which was much more comfy. The dining area looked too froo froo for us. :o) Ordered Joe's Classic meal entailing us to yummy stone crab claws, hashed brown potatoes, cole slaw and key lime pie for dessert. The potatoes came in the shape of a dome, browned and crispy on the outside and soft cubs on the inside--not hashed, very tasty. I was amused by the claws. It comes cracked for you and I can tell why. The shells are super hard, probably 3 times as thick as crab shells, maybe as thick as a quarter. Flanking the shells off the tasty meat, they land on the plate delicately ringing clink clink. Good stuff.
(4)
Dan C.
Great job Joe's! We went during "restaurant week" because I was under the impression it was VERY expensive. However, after looking at the full menu, it isn't priced as badly as I thought. We WILL be back. I loved the staff from the second we walked in. Even during "restaurant week" they treated us like we were regulars. I figured we'd get some cramped table by the kitchen. They put us in a great corner booth which was very comfortable. Food was amazing. I've been talking about my steak for the past week. The side dishes were HUGE! We ended up taking them home and they reheated very well. My only criticism is for the small crab claws. While the flavor was great, the way they were cracked left a lot of tiny shells behind. That doesn't feel good to bite into one of those. We ended up adding some crab meat to our scrambled eggs the next morning and still got to enjoy some crab shell. Regardless, great overall experience. You're going to drop some bills, but I think it's worth it.
(4)
Brad B.
Normally, I'd avoid this sort of place as pricey, loaded with tourists and whatnot. However, a small group was headed to Star Trek at one of the theaters close by and we were pressed for time and unimpressed with other options....so we landed here. Sitting in the bar area at the hightop tables, we informed our waitress of our mission and she immediately sprung into action. Good wines ordered by the glass. Appetizers of crab cakes all around and main course orders in. The crab cakes were really good. My lobster / crab / seafood chopped salad was really lovely and my dinner partners enjoyed their food as well, my buddy's pork chop was reported as possibly the best ever consumed. Sure, its a bit pricey, full of tourists and whatnot but, quite enjoyable despite its obvious shortcomings. I approve and will return.
(5)
Candace T.
The food was tasty and plentiful, but too pricey for me, If I hadn't been on the boss' tab. Hands down, the best part of the meal was the dessert. I had the tres leches cake, which was amazingly creamy and sweet. My friend's fudge cake was also delicious, and not too chocolatey. Disappointingly though, the key lime pie that got such raves on yelp cam in incredibly tiny portions compared to the other desserts. Even if it was delicious, it was such a letdown when it came, no wow factor at all. Wheelchair accessibility review: The restaurant is easily accessible through the front door. While I give points for not requiring some back alley entrance, this restaurant fell victim to the problem of having the accessible (non-revolving) door locked when I arrived. Not really a big deal for me, because I arrived with friends, but I always dislike the idea of needing to ask help from strangers (had I arrived alone) just to get into a restaurant that knew I was coming (we mentioned the chair at reservation placement.) Additionally, I'm unsure if there was another women's restroom that I missed, but the one I was directed to was incredibly small and unable to fit my chair in. Unless you can easily transfer, you're probably just going to have to hold it.
(4)
Ben B.
We went to Joe's last night with a group of 11 people. Everything was fantastic. The black cod was the star of the dinner. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender with cinnamon and ginger sauce, more like a dessert than an entree. My wife and I split the bone-in filet mignon, medium-rare, and it was tender and flavorful, with just a slight crunch on the top. Jennie's potatoes are also a great pick, with garlic and cheese, but the fried green tomatoes are still my favorite side dish. I would highly recommend any of these. Joe's steaks are as good as any other steakhouse I've been to in Chicago. Paired with a set of excellent seafood dishes, Joe's has clearly earned its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Chicago.
(5)
Bill R.
Come Hungry! Great steak and seafood and man, save room for dessert!
(5)
Kevin L.
Wow! The food is well worth the $$. Petit Filet and Lobster Tail were AWESOME! Blows Ruth's Chris out of the water!!
(5)
Zach R.
Mke reservations early - this place fills up fast. Unbelieveable food. Great service. On the loud side, but it does have a good energy to it. Skip the madagascar shrimp and stick to the stone crabs. Delicious. BLT salad is phenomenal. Steaks melt in your mouth.
(5)
Linda C.
we were here 2 weeks ago. we had the pre fixe classic lunch of 6 ounce of filet mignon,stone crab bisque soup,hash brown potatoes, and grilled tomato. We also had the fried Fisherman's platter with shrimp, scallops, calamari and cod. We also shared the sauteed garlic spinach . we finished with the banana cream pie and orange sherbet. (I was waiting for a FREE slice of key lime pie. I read on YELP that all new patrons were offered a slice of free pie) This did not happen. So sad since we were asked if we were ever in Joe's before.
(4)
Bert N.
Thank you Joe for giving me the opportunity to award you a well-deserved 5 stars. I've been wanting to give out such a rating for quite a while now, but restaurants have just been disappointing me. Not you though. I was worried that being a fine dining establishment, Joe's might give me a fuss about coming in shorts even though it was lunch. That was not the case. From the second I came in, everyone, from the host to the various servers, treated my party with great respect. After being seated, our server, Mark, asked us if we have ever been to Joe's before. We admitted that we had not and he kindly took the time to explain to us the history and reputation of the establishment. We ordered the Medium Stone Crab Appetizer (4 pieces). The stone crab claws are handpicked and it shows. They were amazing. What made it even more outstanding was the addictive Joe's mustard sauce. This is a must try. The Stone Crab Bisque was very flavorful, but I wish it had actual chunks of stone crab. For the entree, I ordered the Joe's Classic Filet Mignon lunch special. The 6 oz filet that came was excellent. Definitely one of the better steaks that I have had the pleasure of eating. The Jennie's potatoes were pretty good as well. It was not too rich and I like the fact that the bread crumbs on the top were extra crispy. The grilled tomato was ok. It was covered in spinach and then a layer of cheese. Not on par with everything else I felt. The banana cream pie for dessert was good. When they say a sliver, its not really a sliver. It is a decent size dessert. What makes this place great in my book is the fact that their service is so awesome. The servers are dressed in full tuxedos with bow ties and all. They are attentive without being overbearing. After eating our stone crab claws, our server came over with lemon and hot towels. He squeezed the lemon on to our hands as we lathered the juice over a bucket. We were then provided with hot towels. It was nice to be catered to like that. Awesome awesome place. Highly recommended.
(5)
Damon M.
There really isn't much more that I can say that hasn't already been captured in my fellow Yelper's responses. So simply put, this place is amazing. Incredible Steak. Incredible Seafood. Incredible dessert. Incredible Wine. Incredible Service. Was this a lazy man's review? Yes. But that is because I was at Joe's last night and am still in a blissful food coma. Enjoy.
(5)
Joe D.
I travel to Chicago regularly and always go to Joe's. It is by far, my favorite restaurant in the country. I love everything about it, the bone in filet and the king crab legs never disappoint. I do not know how to describe the atmosphere, but I love it. The best part, my man Oz. He is a professional of the highest caliber and has become a friend not to mention the best waiter I have ever had.
(5)
Seema A.
Best steak in the city. Hands down.
(5)
Sydney F.
First trip to Joe's=success! I have been dying to go here since I saw it on Food Network and I absolutely love seafood. I happened to be looking through Chicago's restaurant week menus and stumbled upon Joe's and YATZEE! A 3 course dinner for $33 or $44 a person (depending what you get). IOpen Table had nothing available listed for this weekend so I called and got an 11 pm reservation. We never go to dinner that late but it was a small price to pay for a little slice of heaven. We arrived early to have a few drinks at the bar while we waited and they got us in an HOUR early. Bravo! My boyfriend takes us out for nice dinners but I figured this was a deal enough where I could pick up the check. Don't get me wrong, after a few glasses of wine and a couple of cocktails it still wasn't cheap, but for two to eat and drink at this lovely establishment, $159 was totally do-able. We got the shrimp johnge appetizer (DE-lish!), and he started with a salad and I got the crab bisque which was absolutely heavenly. I will be craving that soup the rest of my life. He got the filet & lobster tail, and I got the stone crabs. Everything was awesome!! The steak was a little bit overcooked-ordered medium rare, served medium-and not the best steak in the city, but it was good! (C'mon, it's Chicago, there's a lot of other steakhouses to compete with) The dessert was also delicious- banana cream pie to die for and delightful key lime pie. Nice wine selection. Service was impeccable- Keith was an awesome guy to have helping us. This place is awesome for date night or celebrating!
(4)
Sam C.
excellent steak and seafood. went for a business dinner, perfect. seated immediately, prompt and excellent service. great wine list, had broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms (amazing, with cheese), potatoes. steak was one of the best in the city. crab cakes delicious. i enjoyed the key lime pie immensely, as well as the ice cream covered in a chocolate shell. overall fantastic dinner
(4)
Karina B.
Best meal during our stay in Chicago! Traveling with two young boys to a very, very busy and cramped restaurant could have been frustrating but the very attentive wait staff and prompt sommelier had us enjoying a bottle of Hitching Post and the 2nd mortgage appetizer before any meltdowns could ensue (Mama's meltdowns that is). The 2nd mortgage was a wonderful sampling of lobster, jumbo shrimp, king crab and scallop ceviche. Well worth it and superior to the Dr. Jeckyll platter from Hyde Park. The ceasar salad with sardines was delicious with plenty of garlic and lemon! The bone-in ribeye and bone-in filet were well seasoned and cooked perfectly! They offer a pretty traditional children's menu of tenders and burgers for a reasonable $7-8, but the Bros split a grilled teriyaki chicken and loved it! Take note, portion sizes are very large! As a family we split the 2nd mortgage, one ceasar salad and 2 sides with our individual entrees and were beyond stuffed! My one and only complaint was with the grilled tomato side item. A large sliced tomato topped with spinach and cheese and then grilled sounded lovely...but the cheddar cheese just didn't work. But that is a minor issue compared the the overall wonderful meal and experience!
(5)
Ting C.
Excellent food and service. The bone-in filet is a must-try!!
(5)
Cynthia L.
I've eaten here three times. The first time was outstanding, but the second and third times were meh...less than desirable. This place is unique in that you can order stone crab. I think for Chicagoans and most Bob Chinn-followers, stone crab is new and exciting. I think that's how I felt the first time I had them. They were succulent, and sweet. The mustard sauce is tasty, spicy and a great compliment to the stone crabs. LIke I said above, the first time it was a novelty but the 2nd/3rd time it was meh. Not sure what happened but it just wasn't as tasty as the first time. We ordered the steaks too but I prefer Gibson's. I wouldn't go back to this one again.
(2)
Jeff L.
Great service and food! will definitely be back again.
(5)
Jenna S.
There isn't a lot that HASN'T been said about Joe's. But, I still will write a review to testify that I LOVE IT. The steaks are always cooked to perfection, the crab (and mustard...mmmm) is one of the most amazing foods I've ever experienced, and the service is spot on. Make your reservations in advance, because of course this isn't a last minute place!
(4)
Mike K.
Great place to celebate a special occassion. Took my wife their for our annevisery and they rolled out the red carpet. Maybe the best servers in the city. The food is fantastic, everything is well prepared and flavorful. Had grilled octupus, it was literally out of this world.
(5)
Nathan N.
My girlfriend and I went here recently. Steaks are killer, stone crabs and crab cakes are the bomb. My favorite restaurant in chicago by far.
(5)
Kiera D.
Love this place. Amazing food and consistent. The waiters are very friendly as well. Stone crabs are a must-try. Obviously... It's what they're famous for! :)
(5)
Les K.
An expensive restaurant that did not live up to the standards it should have or feel like a reasonable value. Things started off bad because we had to wait an additional 25 minutes for a 7PM Sunday night reservation (using Opentable.com ). It did not help that the maître'd was gruff and did not in any way act apologetic for the delay. Between the packed crowd waiting in front area and the overall table density and layout, the place felt claustrophobic. The saving grace was that our server was exceptional and the food quality was generally pretty good, but overpriced. Overall I think I would skip this place in the future.
(3)
Elena M.
Joe's, in my opinion, is not only the best steakhouse in the city, it's all-round the best restaurant from start to finish. I've been here MANY of times over the years, and each visit is consistently good, always with fresh, stellar ingredients. The Stone Crab is excellent and a great way to kick-off an awesome dinner. Another star appetizer is the Oysters Rockefeller. A must-try for anyone who loves a savory, cheesy, smokey, melt-in-your-mouth flavor...even non-oyster fans can love this. STEAK... I always go with the Bone-in Filet Mignon. This particular steak raised the bar for every cut of beef I've had in Chicago. I'm the sort of steak fanatic who likes their meat prepared simply... no fancy sauces, just a nice rub of salt and pepper. Always cooked perfectly to request (rare+ for me)... this steak is full of prime beefy goodness. And it's big, so no worries on getting a wimpy (bone-in) Filet here. My friend always gets the Bone-in Ribeye and considers it one of the best in the city... And they have both wet and dry-aged steak. You can't go wrong with any of their sides, but I usually get the Mac & Cheese and it's always tasty. Dessert is a must at Joe's. The Key Lime Pie -- the recommended and most popular -- is absolutely delicious and a perfect ending to a fantastic meal. I'm not a huge fan of sweets, but this pie is something special. Overall, this restaurant is worth the money and likely to please everyone from steak fans to seafood lovers. You'll see why there's always a wait for reservations... It's an unforgettable meal that will make you happy, and talking about for months, even years to come.
(5)
Sara I.
I went here on Sat night on my first trip to Chicago, based on the Yelp reviews. I wasn't sure what to expect as the reviews are alittle mixed. I have to say, our meal here was supurb, so good we went back the next day fro brunch right beofre going to the airport to fly back to LA! We had the filet on the bone, this was the best steak I have ever had-cooked to perfection! crispy goodness on the outside, pink and juicy inside+++ We started with the lobster salad, this was also amazing! so bright and flavorful, with big chunks of lobster! Sides were: fries (yum), satueed spinach (very yum) and asparugus (just good ole asparagus here). Will definitely be back to visit Chicago, and will stop at Joes! By th way, we did not have reservations on a sat night, but were able to sit in the lounge right away, it was early though 5pm.. Truly a memeorable meal :)
(5)
Agnes F.
Great seafood... oysters, stone crab, chilean seabass, salmon, cod, lobster bisques etc, supremely fresh and well executed service friendly and knowledgeable a little pricey? yes, but its worth it
(4)
Scott S.
Joe's is a wonderful surf and turf restaurant with excellent service, great meat, but first and foremost wonderful stone crab. I had never tried stone crab before. It's a lot of work to extract the meat (you think regular crab shells are tough to crack?), and the meat is small (like crab always is, given the work), but it's luxurious and wonderful. So what's the big catch? Two that I found: 1. Pricey. Not a little pricey, but exorbitant pricey. This is high for a steakhouse, without the commensurate quality. 2. Even with reservations, at peak times, you may have to wait for your table. This is something I never like.
(4)
May T.
While I half expected this meal to be representative of any upscale chain steakhouse like Ruth's Chris or Fleming's, I was really quite surprised by the quality of the ingredients, the execution of the food and the crowds. This place was crowded on a Sunday night, and if you didn't have reservations, you had to wait about 2 hours if you walked in around 7pm. Damn. In this economy?! Anyway, we know this because we walked in 2 hours ahead of our reservation (yes, I am prone to bouts of idiocy) and experienced first hand the crowds at 7pm. So, we hightailed it back to the hotel bar for another drink (or two or three), and waited for our table. It was worth it. The stone crabs are very sweet and the mustard sauce is scrumptious. I even dipped bread in that sauce. We shared a filet (perfectly cooked, medium rare with meat so tender, we didn't really have to chew) and fried chicken, which our driver from the airport recommended. Meh on the fried chicken, which wasn't seasoned well and I could only discern a salt brine, but WOWZA on the crab and steak. I loved their fried green tomatoes, which had a seasoned bread crumb crust and dip that matched the tartness of the tomatoes with some sweet creaminess.
(4)
Beth F.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner and the place was great. I enjoyed the restaurant because nothing was overdone or pretentious. I usually enjoy fine dining, but my boyfriend prefers a more relaxed atmosphere. We got an upscale meal without the snobbery or over-thought menu. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful. We started our meal with the Oysters Rockafeller. Usually oysters leave me wondering where the rest of the appetizer went, but these were delicious and perfectly portioned. Our server did mix up who's steak was to be prepared which way. I asked for medium rare and got medium. My boyfriend asked for medium and got medium rare. However, even a medium steak was cooked with care and perfectly seasoned. Our sides, the asparagus and Jenny's mashed potatoes, were well portioned and flavorful. Perfect compliments to a wonderful filet. Dessert was great... I was torn between the Havana dream and Key Lime pie. Our server suggested we got half of both. The Havana dream ended up to be just that--a rice pudding based pie served with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The key lime pie was tart with just enough sweetness. While I was happy with the wine list, we were a little disappointed with the beer selection. There was a surprisingly limited menu of beers to choose. If you are going to do valet, make sure to pull up to the door on the side of Rush street, not Grand. They will make you pull around. I thought that was a bit tacky since they are located on the corner of Rush and Grand. Overall it was a great experience. The prices were high, but not obnoxiously so. The service was good. The food was memorable.
(4)
Nimit P.
It's hard not to like this place. The steaks are prime and cooked to perfection, the seafood is fresh and always plentiful, and the atmosphere is classic. If you're a fan of stone crab then you won't be disappointed. They have them in every size and you can order as many are as few as you need to satisfy your appetite. I would recommend the garlic spinach and Jenny's mashed potatoes. As far a steakhouse goes, the rules are pretty simple. Just keep the wine glasses full as you clean your plates. Hard to really go wrong at Joe's.
(4)
Tammy H.
I'd give this place just two stars, but they seated us without a reservation in the bar area with a full menu and it was still classy. So they get an extra star. BUT, they get such a low rating because they are SO over priced. The steaks we ordered we great and prepared just like we wanted them to be prepared. We ordered the mashed potatoes (they have some fancy name on the menu) and are positive they are the powdered kind you get at the grocery store with some stuff thrown on top. I'm a snob about mashed potatoes... But instant mashed potatoes should not be housed in a place such as Joe's. The onion strings are as good as everyone says they are and they give you A LOT of them. My key lime pie, although tasty, was still frozen in the middle, so that's a no-no also. Weber Grill is just down the street and around the corner (I think. Either way, it's really close) and much better than Joe's.
(3)
Tony L.
Stone crab!
(5)
Taylor D.
Hands down the best seafood place in the city! Yes, it is VERY expensive, but you get amazing service and food. The lobster tail is incredible, and get the roasted corn for a side! DELISH! Make reservations because this place is packed every night of the week!
(5)
Jacob J.
Expensive. Very, but worth it. If you are planning to go, do it all out. Stone crab is a must have. Steak is a must, try bone-in its divine. You will be full and happy.
(5)
Claire B.
My hubby and I visited Joe's during Restaurant Week. A perfect Saturday evening dinner (and also our anniversary!). I ate the Crab, he had the Filet, and we both started with the Crab Bique. The food was impeccable... absolutely delicious. I loved the Key Lime Pie and he raved about his Banana Creme Pie. When we made our reservations, the host asked whether we were celebrating a special occassion... we told them it was our anniversary and they served us an additional free desert! Brownie ala mode. The only downside to the entire evening was that we were both SO STUFFED after the meal that we felt a little sick. Surely no fault of Joe's... just our overzealous bellies. I would definitely recommend Joe's for a Restaurant Week dinner. 5 stars!
(5)
John G.
I just don't get it. It was good but it wasn't amazing.
(3)
Candace M.
I ate here last night for a client event and I must say we had exceptional service and great food! I had the steak (cooked to perfection and tender) and lobster tails (butter sauce devine). I also had mac & cheese and green beans which were tasty (yum yum). For my drink I kept it simple and had a cosmo while everyone else had wine. For desert, most of the guests indulged in the key lime pie but I was the oddball and opted for the banana cream pie which was simply delicious. When they brought it to me there was a candle on it in recognition of my b-day that just passed, my client is such a gem. I had a nice time and this is on the top of my favorites list!
(5)
Peter H.
I'm not a big fan of Stone Crab so my opinion is probably biased. I started off with the 2nd mortgage (funny name and fitting as it was expensive) and I was impressed with the quality of the seafood. Saying that, I was unimpressed with the small lobster tails and the clams weren't that appetizing (think we left most of them on the platter) I was surprised to hear that the bone-in filet mignon was their signature dish but I ordered it based on my waiters recommendation. It was cooked well but under seasoned for my taste. After a pinch of salt, I was pleased with the juiciness and quality of the beef. The side dishes (hash browns and asparagus) were mediocre. Overall, I enjoyed my meal but I've had better seafood (hugo's frog bar) and better steaks (wild fire/tango sur) for the price.
(3)
Jessica R.
I don't even know where to start. This was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Every moment of our evening was delightful. It was also pretty cool that Aaron Rogers was dining behind us when we got there. And when he left, the booth was replaced by Devin Hester. How neat! Our server, Charles, was beyond attentive and helpful. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home. We will definitely be requesting him on our next visit. So onto the food. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller and Fried Oysters. The Rockefeller was simply outstanding. I could eat them all day, every day, and perhaps bathe in them, for the rest of my life. The Fried Oysters were also very yummy. Next, we chowed on some Madagascar Shrimp. Perhaps Madagascar is like Texas, in that everything is bigger. MUCH bigger. Had I seen this thing walking toward me, I would have run away screaming. Good for me, they were dead, baked and begging me to eat them. Holy yum! Since we had never tried Stone Crab Claws, we moved onto that. They were a bit difficult to eat, but so worth the time and patience it took to release that succulent claw meat. Joe's prides themselves on their Stone Crab, and I can see why. Now for the main event, and my mouth is watering as I type. My boyfriend had the Bone-In Filet which was out of this world. I had the Crab Legs and believe me when I say this...You will NEVER have Crab Legs this amazing. They were absolutely to die for. Oh, and I can't forget the side of Jennie's Potatoes. I don't know who Jennie is, but I want to give her a big hug for creating such exquisite potatoes. They were baked with Asiago and Fontina cheeses and topped with bread crumbs. Fantastic! Dessert was equally as mind-blowing. We had the Peanut Butter Pie with hot fudge and a slice of Key Lime. They were both pretty unbelievable, but our favorite was the Peanut Butter Pie. The light creaminess of the pie was perfectly balanced with the crunchy Oreo Cookie crust. It was fabulous. I cannot say enough good things about Joe's, and I cannot wait to return. All in all, you can't get much better than this.
(5)
blondyne b.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday after a hair appointment. My waitress was great and informative, I love great customer service. I ordered fried shrimp, king crab, and fries. The fried shrimp were delicious and so were the fries. The crab legs were cut into pieces already open...no work for me! This is by far one of my favorite seafood restaurants. A little pricy but you get what you pay for. The only this is they do not validate your parking for the garage.
(4)
Emily C.
Breaking it down for you.... AMAZING: Steak. - Thick, juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly Stone crab - Sweet, tender, easy to get out of the shell, and dipped in this inanely good mustard sauce. Jennie's Potatoes - Mashed potatoes with loads of asiago and fontina cheese baked in, covered with bread crumbs. The service - holy jeebs, these guys are so cool about explaining stuff and check on you constantly. Dessert - we tried the Key Lime Pie, the Bananas Foster Cream Pie, and the Tres Leches Cake. All were out of this world. Good: Crab Cakes- they were really good but missing something I can't put my finger on. Drinks - tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. Eh: The space - I hope they think of buying a larger place so they can spread out the lounge and dining room a little. It was jam packed and hard to hear. Still, if they can pack their place like sardines on a Thursday night in this economy, they are doing something right. And obviously, in my opinion, they're doing LOTS of things very, very right.
(4)
Cheryl S.
I'm aware there are some 560 reviews for Joe's but I absolutely MUST put in my two cents!!! Words cannot describe how much I love this place!! If I could give it 100 stars, I would do so in a second. I feel like royalty when I eat here! Our waitor, Frankie, is the best waitor in the history of waitors! Funny, charismatic, helpful!!! Impeccable service from everyone in the restaurant, from start to finish! As amazing as the service is, the food is just as great! I've had both the Alaskan King crab and the stone crab (on special for only $33 including sides and a dessert during restaurant week, mind you!) AMAZING quality fish! The side dishes are bigger than your head! Whatever you do, make sure you order any of the delicious potato dishes with your meal!! You will leave in a blissfully full, euphoric state!! Best restaurant in the city, hands down.
(5)
awesome H.
First off great service and very good drinks. Can't say enough about the waiter knowing their menu. However I didn't feel the food was on bar with say a Ruth Chris or Morton's. The steak was goodtbut I found the sides just ok. Lobster looked great but I went with the steak. Don't get me wrong its a good steak house but Chicago has better. Small extra tid bit, Philly Flyers dinned there the same night as I.
(3)
Robert T.
Steak arrived at room temperature, but besides that all was good. Joe's has been sliding over the years in terms of quality and service
(3)
Karen C.
I came here for Restaurant Week for lunch. Everything was really good, but the bisque and the banana foster were amazing. My friends who had the steak thought it was really good, especially with the spices it came with. Our server was great. He tried to accommodate for my friend who doesn't eat seafood, and even though I changed my mind on which dessert to take home after he came out with our packed-up desserts, he was very nice about it. Bottom line: If I could, I would come back for lunch for Restaurant Week. It was a good deal, and the food and service were great!
(5)
Jeff S.
Very solid, high-end restaurant in Chicago. I went with a group of 10. Would have been a 5 star rating had our waiter been a bit better. He was an incredibly nice man, but unfortunately was horribly overwhelmed with the situation. He forgot to bring my drink, then came back to tell me that my particular scotch order was 86'd. My friends had their drinks a full 15 minutes prior to me getting mine, but, in the end it was really not a big deal. We ordered an oyster appetizer that came with our entrees (I had to remind our server) and he still charged full for both plates. A minor annoyance, but still worth mentioning because of the price you pay to dine here. The food was fantastic. My girlfriend and I split the bone/in filet, and the Bay Scallops and both were delicious. I was quite surprised with the quality of the steak; one of the better cuts I've had in the city. Another BIG bonus is the $20 corking fee/per bottle. Instead of dropping $100 on each bottle, you can bring your own wine and have them cork it for a mere $20. Definitely one of this restaurants better options. I'll be back. The entire staff, including our bewildered server :) was incredibly inviting, friendly, and fun. I just hope if he serves us again, he's gotten a bit more comfortable waiting tables at a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)
Paula T.
Went there for a friend's birthday last night...full of tourists, but what can you expect, in River North? Menu was ok, not that many healthy options (meaning not including butter and cream). The ceviche appetizer was delicious, but after 30 minutes of waiting for a table (with reservations), I was starving. Stay away from desserts, are they are huge and heavy. But overall an interesting atmosphere, giving way to good conversation.
(4)
Jenna D.
While my review for the items had previously still stands and I do highly recommend this place for the standards (filet is incredibly tasty as I'm sure are their stone crabs.) This update is only about their brunch, which I had the poor fortune of having recently. I had the grilled tomato eggs benedict and it was actually disgusting....and I never say this. The tomato was covered in a thick and unadvertised layer of pesto and the entire thing was drowning in a non-traditional "hollandaise" sauce which was apparently cheese based and tasted like melted cheese wiz. It actual makes me sick to think about it. I just want to recommend you do yourself a favor and stick to their standards...you'll be thrilled you did...and very very sad if you don't.
(1)
Matt Z.
WOW! Stone Crab Claws were delicious, The crab cakes are a MUST... Some of the best I've had from anywhere in the world. They are amazing!
(5)
Rebecca H.
We went to eat here a few months ago after amassing a pile of gift cards to Lettuce Entertain You. Somehow we managed to get a reservation only a week in advance - but caution as this usually means you get the worst table. We did get the worst table in the place. Near the busy kitchen, between 2 large and loud groups with 2 inaccessible chairs due to corner-cramming of the table. Anyway, we knew this would probably happen so no hard feelings towards Joe's. However, it was kind of disheartening to wait 30 minutes for a 5:00pm reservation... and the host was a major jerk. There was no control over patrons in the bar and in line - both melding together and making a crowded mess of us trying to figure out how to get dinner. We started with the special - Alaskan king crab appetizer. We skipped the stone crab and after seeing one of our neighbor guests order it, I'm not sure I would have liked it. They cut the legs up for you and make it very easy to eat without spraying your dining partner with crab juice resulting from a poor plier position. The drawn butter was good. We then split a salad. The bread was good - there is a roll that has onions INSIDE the roll - holy crap it was good. We both had the bone in fillet. It was one of the best steaks we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly and the proper temperature. We also had Jennie's potatoes and green beans. They were decent at best - mostly lacking much flavor. We finished with key lime pie - which was awesome! The guy clearing our table made a comment about which one of us would finish off the last few bites of pie - it was like he was our mother telling us to clear our plates before we could be excused. Anyway. The drinks were not original and pretty overpriced. The service was great - our waiter had a human expression (not overly cheery like at the other LUEY) and was helpful without being annoying. We had a good time. I like places where they don't bring each course while you are still eating the previous one. I like places that don't rush you out the door when you are done.
(4)
Dana M.
I'm a total seafood lover and I've never even heard of Stone Crab... My bad and my loss until now. It's a thicker shelled crab than dungeoness, blue, and Alaskan so Joe's does you a favor by cracking it very well for easier access to the sweet meat within. I wish we had stopped there with the appetizers becuase the shrimp cocktail was by far the worst I've ever had in ny life. I've never tasted a meally chlorinated shrimp before... Really Joe's... Your bad. I'll definitely come back but beware of the shrimp cocktail! Dinner was delicious aside from that disaster. They are certainly known for their bone-in filet fir good reason. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The grilled sweet corn was incredible as were the cheesy mashed potatoes. Next time I'll save room for desert. All those home-made pie options were mouthwatering
(4)
Rebecca C.
I'm a total sucker for the side dishes at this place. I once had a delicious parmesan crusted halibut on special that absolutely KILLED me...but, I digress..SIDES: Aside from your main dish, make sure you make room for these... Fried Green Tomatoes (sliced, breaded, and deep-fried to perfection -- yum!!) Jennie's Potatoes (Mashed taters covered in cheese and bread crumbs) On the healthier side, the Asparagus is delish! Get this side grilled! If you not totally stuffed (hell, even if you are), get the Key Lime Pie for dessert.
(4)
Steve T.
I'm conflicted with this review. I want to give it 3 stars for the following reason, but will give it 4 since the food was delicious. The 3-star complaint is because we weren't seated until 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, which in my perspective then becomes call ahead seating, which a reservation is NOT. The front desk guy was also quite bitchy to us about it, and for this being a very popular and somewhat upscale establishment, was not acceptable. It's really never acceptable, but with the reputation they're supposed to have, they should check their bitchatude at the door. That said, the food was delicious, so I am rating the food, not the front desk. I ordered the sea scallops wrapped in bacon, a baked potato, and had a couple glasses of wine. The scallops were extremely fresh, soft, and not sandy at all. They were perfectly cooked, and the bacon added just the right addition of extra flavor.
(4)
Eric E.
Awesome! I had one of the best steaks ever.
(5)
Rika K.
Good stone crab. Decent steaks. Great pies. Sides are absolutely horrible. Probably the best thing on the menu is the ahi sandwich. Great flavors. Would have given it 4 stars but its so expensive that you really just expect more out of it.
(3)
Pam B.
Joe's was a great experience for New Year's Eve. We had made reservations for 9 PM, arrived about 10 minutes before, and were seated right at 9. Our server was very attentive to our needs and timely with bringing us drinks and our food. The food was DELICIOUS!! My boyfriend and I each ordered the Filet and Stone Crab combo, the Jennie's mashed potatoes, and green beans. No appetizers even though I had thought of ordering the Stone Crab as an appetizer but I am glad I didn't. The combo was very filling! Steak was done just the way I ordered (med-rare). Jennie's mashed potatoes are a must!! The breadcrumb crust along with the cheese mixed in the potatoes are a wonderful combination :) Green beans were flavorful and cooked just right... Also ordered the banana cream pie, since I am not a fan of Key Lime pie. Excellent choice and way to top off our night! Overall, I can't say anything bad about our experience and my expectations were exceeded! Glad we went and would definitely go there again.
(5)
Louise H.
My first time visiting this restaurant. It was a very busy Saturday night but we were promptly seated at our reserved time. Our waiter Oz was very knowledgeable, funny, and attentive. We ate the pretzel crusted char, filet, Jennie Mashed, and asparagus for our main course and all was cooked to perfection. We also had a crab cake appetizer which was very good. It may have been a tad too lemony but the sauce on the side was delicious. Despite the crowded dining room the noise level was surprising low. I would recommend this place but definitely make reservations.
(5)
Michael L.
Great dining experience. I highly recommend Joe's to anyone looking for great service, great seafood, and great steak! The wife and I started with stone crab claws and the green salad. I didn't try the salad, but my wife said the balsamic vinigrette was tasty and she finished the entire salad. The stone crab was good, but of course not as good as fresh in Florida. For entrees, we had the bone-in ribeye and a fish special of John Dorry which is a nice meaty white fish that is only available for a few weeks a year. My ribeye was terriffic. I liked it for the same reason I like Ruth's Chris: It was well seasoned and topped with butter. Butter makes everything better! For sides we had garlic creamed spinach and sweet potato fries. I told the waiter the spinach was so good, you couldn't tell it was a vegtable. I'm not the biggest veggie fan, but I've always loved creamed spinach. Probably because it's as healthy for you as cake! The fries were also very good, especially dipped in the leftover mustard-mayo from the crab claws. For desert we shared a slice of key lime which was the perfect ending to the meal. Thanks to Mel S. for her recommendations!
(5)
Sue L.
I am ashamed and am writing this review with my head hanging low to say that one of the BEST crab legs I've eaten can be found in Chicago--not San Francisco (don't hate me SF)... If you ever find yourself in Chicago, you HAVE to stop at Joe's for some stone crab AND oysters rockefeller. I'm back in San Francisco now and am craving some crab and oysters big time.... FYI: This Joe's is in no way related to Joe's Crab Shack
(5)
J. J. E.
OMG forget the food, get the key lime pie martini. It is totally awesome. You'll swear that you are drinking a great key lime pie. Okay, after 4 or 5 stops here having the martinis, we tried the food and it was good as well. Okay, we admit it, our bar tab usually exceeds the food bill, but this is a very outstanding restaurant. We've never made is past the bar to the actual restaurant (always felt we were under dressed), but the food was very good, but the key lime martini.....to die for.
(5)
donato d.
My wife and I had a late lunch here and were very impressed not only by the food but by the great service we received from the friendly staff, Our sever Veronica was a gem of person, very professional.Please ask for her if you get a chance to dine here. Juan who assists in the dinning room was very attentive to our table needs. He also made one of the best short espresso that I have ever had. Great food,Great service, Can't beat this place. Hey Veronica .... sure beats New York !!!
(5)
Erik S.
Let me start my review by saying: What weirdo could give this place less than 5 stars..? If you want to eat at a place where every dish on the menu is close to or the absolute best you have ever had, eat here. Everything I have had here has been good. From the amazing steaks, to the swordfish, the crab, the friggin baked potato... Literally every dish is taste artistry. Nothing disappoints. You cannot hype this place too much. I hype it up to my out of town friends and it always hits them like a bomb when they eat here.
(5)
Erik B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. This is my third trip here and each time it is fantastic. There is very little to critique about Joe's except that it is hard to get a reservation and that it is not cheap. Dinner for two will run 210-260 before tip with a bottle of wine. The service here is top notch, the food is incredible, the wine list is great and the atmosphere is nice and clean. I now have the food down to science there. To start, get the Alaskan King Crab Legs. I know they are known for their stone crab but the king crab legs are the best I have ever had. They cut them and dress them at the table, to avoid any crab juice incidents. They just taste so fresh, they are well worth the price of $55 and are big enough to share, possibly for 4 people. Now for a dinner for two, I will split the Glazed Black Cob and the Bone in Fillet. I believe that they have the best steak in town with their bone-in fillet. Now, I will say that with competition in Chicago, saying best steak is very arbitrary but I like Joe's. The Black Cod is so f'ing good. The combination of savory and sweet is just delicious. I really cannot say enough about this cod, it will make your mouth water. For sides, I recommend the broccoli and the mashed potatoes, both are very good. For dessert, I have had 6 different items off the menu and I still cannot decide on a winner. They are all great and I do not think you can go wrong.
(5)
Deanna C.
I was taken here for a lunch interview which made the experience both awesome (free food? uh... yes, please!) and a little nerve-wracking. Never having been to Joe's before, it took be a little bit to decide what to order (everything sounded sooo good!), but ultimately, I went with the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything tastes better with bacon! Ohhh emmm geeeee..... these babies were the biggest things I've ever seen and hooooly cow. I have never had scallops like this before. The taste of the sauce, the bacon, the texture of the scallops... it still haunts me to this day. Even if you told me that ordering their steak would bring me fame, fortune, and glory... I would order their bacon-wrapped scallops every single time. We also got a side-order of corn to split. Did I mention we got a free slice of their key lime pie? As far as key lime pie's go, this one was pretty exceptional. I wouldn't say that key lime pie's are my favorite as far as pies go (I'm all about the cheesecake), but Joe's has just the right amount of tartness mixed in with the sweet. The waitress was very attentive and helpful with recommendations, and just a personable person. The atmosphere actually made it such that I felt really relaxed during my interview. We all had a good time enjoying the good food (courtesy of the company), good conversation, and I am happy to report that I have a second round interview coming up in a month =P Of the Lettuce restaurants I've been to thus far, Joe's is one of my favorites!
(5)
Brian M.
This is the best restaurant in the country, hands down. The crab is amazing. Ive been here 10 times and would give a 5 out of 5 for each meal.
(5)
Rahul S.
Wow it's been a week since i've been here, and i'm still gushing over the meal I had last Fri night!! It's gotta be one of the most fantastic meals i've had in quite a while! Reservations are a must here. I arrived w/ a group of 10, and we still had to wait about 30 min for them to get a table. Upon seating, they gave us a bunch of bread baskets including a variety of breads from cinnamon raisin to flatbread, very excellent way to start out! For my meal I decided to splurge and get the Steak & Stone Crab, which is a petite filet mignon and select stone crabs. I overheard our waitress mention we could substitute a bone in filet, so I decided to do that. I would HIGHLY recommend this combo, their bone in steak is one of the most succulent i've had ever, it just melted in my mouth. They give this seasoning mix on the side which you totally have to sprinkle on the steak, the flavor just bursts all over! Also medium rare is what you want to get, it was cooked soooo perfectly!! I can't say enough about the Stone Crab Claws either... they were so incredibly meaty and fresh. I also enjoyed the fact that they cut up all the claws so it's super easy to eat. Don't forget to squeeze some lemon on them and use the honey mustard dipping sauce, it rocked!! For sides we ordered one of the potato dishes w/ a au grautin crust on top which was delicious. I didn't particularly care for the garlic cream spinach... the texture was not really to my liking and too 'creamy'! So I have one warning... when I substituted the bone in steak for the filet, I didn't realize they only have a 16oz vs. the petite filet 8oz!!! Therefore I ended up eating way more than I expected, also got charged an additional $28 or so more for getting the bone in!! All in all this place is simply fantastic, everyone HAS to come here and try the steak/stone claws!!
I'm not going to go into detail with this review (there are plenty that have already highlighted the best of the best at Joe's) but I have a few short opinions of the restaurant. 1. Absolutely fantastic service. We were nearly 30 minutes after our already-pushed-back reservation but they were still able to accommodate us, and did so pleasantly. That's a rarity in Chicago. Our waiter was extremely attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, and was affable to boot. 2. The food is great, but some options are better than others. Seriously, it is. I loved the fried green tomatoes, the crab cake, and the sweet corn. Neither I nor my companion were as impressed with our entrees however. He ordered the stone crab, the raison d'etre for this restaurant, and was simply not impressed with his portion nor flavor. I ordered the fillet mignon, and while it was certainly alright, it was most definitely not the best fillet mignon I've have in Chicago. 3. It's pricey. No, I mean, REALLY pricey. I came in here expecting to eat about $40-50 a head, but walked out with a $76 a head bill. The cause? Stone crab. $40+ for just a few small crab legs. Really quite disappointing. Don't skimp on the sides or appetizers, however- they were the highlight of the meal (as I mentioned earlier). While I'm not disappointed, I will have to think twice about coming here again on a truly empty stomach (or at least when I'm picking up the tab).
(4)
Rodney O.
For me, Joe's is the absolute best place to eat in Chicago. I know, that statement is a little subjective and definitely hard to prove, but I really love the place!! From the awesome wait staff to the food, it's hard for me to want to eat anywhere else in Chicago. We always get the stone crabs to start and the bone-in filet for the main course. Our waiter always has great recommendations for the sides and desserts. Oh, if you go, ask for my man Oz. He's a cool cat and has a ton of stories.
(5)
Megan G.
Joe's never disappoints. We were here for my bf's birthday and our server took the best care of us even though our party of 2 clearly wouldn't be tipping as well as the large groups he was also managing. The food and service is always top notch and no one walks in the door thinking they'll be enjoying a bargain meal so you get what you paid for. Everything was great but I was especially excited for the fried green tomatoes. Those are hard to find in Chicago! My only complaint was that we made reservations but still had to wait 30 minutes for our table. The place was HOPPING so it wasn't super shocking, but the attention we received from our server made up for the annoying wait.
(5)
Eric F.
The food was very good. Our seating was terrible. We were seated next to the main thoroughfare for the restroom and a small wait station. One of the guests in my party was bumped in to every person that walked through there. We moved our table as far away as possible, practically on top of the table next to us, but people continued to hit her. We notified our waiter, who then fetched a manager. The manger seemed indifferent, asking "what would you like us to do?" Four of the five of us had a good experience, but for that one person, dinner was a nightmare. Have had much better experiences at other steak houses in Chicago and will probably choose one of them next time we go out for a nice dinner.
(3)
Greg D.
Amazing. Simple as that. A couple bottles of wine and some great food. Expensive evening but well worth it. A rundown of what we ate: Shrimp Cocktail - I don't know why my friend ordered it but he loves shrimp cocktail and it was decent but nothing special. Crabcakes - One comes in the appetizer portion and it's enough for two. I have a love hate relationship with crab cakes. They are either awesome or terrible. These are amazing - crispy flakes on the outside and delicious lump crab meat on the inside. King Crab legs - Yes, we ordered the entree portion and split as an appetizer. They crack the legs for you at the table and these were delicious. You could get away with doing this as an appetizer for 4 or 5 people. Bone in Ribeye - All three of us got this as a our main course. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, my new favorite cut of steak. I get this again in a heart beat. So, I recommend getting some kind of seafood appetizer and a steak. A salad is a salad, you can get that anywhere. Do what they're known for - steak and crab. You can't go wrong and won't be disappointed. Perfect for a date or a group of friends.
(4)
Varsha L.
Joe's is great, our server Monique was awesome! Very nice and the service there was very good as well! One thing that was annoying that was not the restaurants fault was this girl that kept talking so loud to her friend, the friend didnt even speak it was her going on and on and on...she was louder then the groups of people in the place! Pros: I loved the stone crab's, they were delicious! def try the South Beach Peach martini, YUM! I had the chopped vegetable salad which was very good, very fresh! Also had the King crab mac and cheese, also very good! It was our anniversary so we got dessert -the gluten free truffle pie and I really couldn't eat more than a bite since I was so stuffed! it was really rich but good! Monique gave us a Key Lime Pie also to go on the house, that was really nice and unexpected, I normally would never even order Key Lime Pie but I ate it later on that day and it was very good! Half Price cocktails in August, gotta go back for that this month for sure!
(5)
Brit T.
The seafood is amazing but the ambience is stuffy. That's pretty much all I have to say.
(4)
Esther Y.
Went back for one of the bone in steaks. Um...can you say nice and buttery?! WTH? WHY DID I NOT EAT THIS BEFORE?! It was AWESOME. The fiancee and I split an order of crab, had 1/2 orders of 2 sides (mac & cheese-very smoky and pretty good, and the Jennie's potatoes) and then shared the steak. It was a great amount of food and we left very, very happy. PS. even eating at the bar with all the table stalkers was still worth it. Never mind the fact that before my meal I, too, was a table stalker-and a damn good one at that!
(5)
Alan R.
This hot ticket doesn't disappoint. The crab legs, yes those that we know and read about and lust over are finally mine as they are served at the table, but what the hell? one of them is off... it tastes too wet... I tell the server and he removes it and brings back some new ones along with some complimentary lump crab cakes, we are happy. Everything is wonderful during the first act, the apps shine here. My partner and I share a bone in rib eye and calfs liver with onions and it is luscious! The tomato sides we decided on, fried green and a take on tomato prov were exciting, tangy and delicious-- the spinach cheese topping sounded more like a grind up in price than a sensible option, but its not, they were fantastic! One thing I love about upscale places is they offer a wine selection and the service to back it up-- usually. They really care here about pairings and aren't about cranking up the ticket, our wine course was fantastic, and it was all by the glass. Yes. Love that. The dessert service was unremarkable, I went for the cold box Key Lime, it was good but not as good as other Yelper's have exclaimed. Eh, I'll be back-- I'd also like to try the Vegas location. I have to save the five star review for total execution, they're worthy, but didn't hit it with the not fully steamed legs app, and the service at the end of the meal didn't live up to the promise at the beginning. I expect at these prices, not just a good start, but an excellent finish. Still, this is a great establishment. I really wish Yelp would offer 1/2 stars, this is clearly a 4 1/2 for me. Highly recommended.
(4)
Lindsey O.
I have eaten at Joe's 3 times and have been duly impressed each time by the quality and taste of the food, courteous wait staff, and the key lime martinis. If you feel like a steak, get the bone in filet. It's one of their signature dishes, and it's one of the most flavorful tender pieces of meat you'll find. I love their seafood salad and shrimp scallop ceviche. The wine list at Joe's is also extensive. Great place for an anniversary or if you want to blow your date's mind in general. I don't give out 5 stars often but go to Joe's and you'll see why.
(5)
Kristin G.
This the best restaurant in Chicago for crab and lobster and has the best lobster bisque I have ever had. It is a must try (and try again...). My favorite thing to get is the petite combo with filet mignon and lobster. So delicious... This is a place that you come for a special occasion to have amazing food and service.
(5)
Cherry W.
Nice and Fresh Stone crab!
(5)
Tim P.
Joe's Stone Crab is a fantastic restaurant. The Stone Crab appetizer is fantastic. It is a must try unless you are getting the Stone Crab as your main course. The steaks are also very good, as were the appetizers and desserts. The ambiance was A+, fitting for a lunch or dinner business meeting, a night out with friends or date night. While expensive, Joe's Stone Crab is a place you must visit at least once.
(5)
John M.
Fairly expensive. Good food. No too intimate. Somewhat crowded. Very good, almost cloying service.
(4)
Jonathan F.
Went during restaurant week for my birthday and I was so looking forward to going to one of Chicago's best restaurants! DO NOT park in the parking garage because Joe's does not validate!! It will end up costing you $38.00 to park if you stay 3 hours. Either use the valet parking for $14.00 or go to Nordstroms across the street to buy something and have them validate your ticket. I think it is $8.00 for that. Anyways back to the restaurant. For the first course I had crab bisque soup. Very rich creamy and like butter. Delicious. There are very small pieces of crab that I could hardly find but they were in there before the waiter poured the soup. Anyways for the main (second) course I had a filet mignon steak and stone crab. The 8 oz. steak was perfectly cooked and delicious. The crab legs (1 pound) was just the best crab you can get in Chicago. All this came with a bunch of sides. The grilled tomato with a pesto top was just ok. The hashed brown potatoes were okay as well. The garlic mashed potatoes was my favorite... delicious Their coleslaw is the freshest and tastiest coleslaw. Not to die for but if you are a coleslaw fanatic you might just pass out. Did i mention the crab? It was very fresh and a lot of meat! By this time we were all full... (stuffed really... literally)... and we had banana cream pie (good... like home-made and way better than Baker's square)... and KEY LIME PIE.... This is the best key lime pie anywhere... I mean it.. I forgot that I was already full when i tasted it. The service was good and they didn't mind us taking 2 hours to eat our food. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you have a few hundred dollars to spend or go during restaurant week where you can get a good deal. This time a 3 course meal cost $32.00 each. CHEAP if I may dare say for a restaurant this good. It was like stealing... ok maybe not. I would still go back and order from the regular menu. The food is definately worth it, but be ready to pay the price :0
(5)
kinke s.
the best seafood restaurant in downtown Chicago, the TOP & VERY BEST of all. I tried everything listed on their menu, their seafood dishes, items are all cooked in classic ways, perfectly prepared and individually well-made, dishes are simple displayed on plates but the favors are uncompilable, 5 stars for super delicious food!!! especially their most famous stone crab claws, big, fresh and juicy, full of favors. I've had good times for friend's birthday party in their privet party room couple of times, had drinks at their bar in the waiting area couple nights, ordered carryouts on the phone many times. I have to say, everything made at Joe's are super super super good! if you are a good food and seafood lover, you got try this place out!!! The services there are good as their foods, staffs (hosts, waiters & busboys) are all friendly & well-trained. I had many great memorable experiences at Joe's, I'd love to recommend this place to all people who had read my review for Joe's!!! one thing please notice, this place always packed with people at night after dark, you may need to wait long if you are a walk-in, it's better to call in for reservation ahead before you plan to go there.
(5)
K K.
Not much to add to already massive and more accurate reviews of this "traditional" steakhouse. Its one of my 'go to' steakhouses. Certainly not the best but it is up there. Ive been here many times and the service has been good to excellent. My wife and i took my mother for her birthday last month and she loved it which is saying a lot as she is quite hard to please. Of course, it is about the food in the end. The steaks eg bone-in filet are tremendous -- maybe not as good as Mastro's or Chicago Cut's in my opinion. I dont think that their seafood selections are as varied as they could be but they do lobster and stone crabs very well. The wine selections are excellent. The dessert esp the key lime pie is a great ending to any meal. It is rather busy most nights which is always a good sign of quality and freshness. The ambiance can be loud and businesslike but you can find few nice intimate and cozy spots in the back. The price is comparable to what you get from an upper tier restaurant like this. Parking is parking in downtown -- expensive. In conclusion, it is a reliable place if you're looking to impress someone or find a good meal in downtown - cant go wrong here.
(4)
Robyn F.
I had a wonderful experience here last night. The service was absolutely impeccable -- just the right level of being helpful. My companion and I got: Entrees: -Medium stone crabs -- really tasty and sweet. It was a bit messy, but it was worth it. -Filet mignon -- It was good, but lacked some flavor. They provide additional spices on the side in case you want to add more, and it was definitely needed. Side: We got a side of hash browns, which were really delicious on the top, but left a puddle of oil at the bottom of the plate. Dessert: Key lime pie. This is their signature dish. It's pretty good, but a little too tart if you eat the whole thing yourself. Overall, really great experience, and I left the restaurant stuffed.
(4)
Martin J.
Perfect place for an anniversary dinner! Great food, advice and atmosphere!
(5)
jill a.
lives up to the hype! The scallop and shrimp ceviche was one of the best i've ever had. Great stone crab, great king crab (love that they crack them for you), great shimp, lobster...loved the extensive wine list...it was just tremendous. bravo!
(5)
Celia S.
Love, Love this place! The food was amazing! My husband and I went the day after Valentine's day and although it was busy they staff was extremely pleasant and accomodating. So we started off with the 2nd mortgage which consisted of Lobster tail, shrimp/scallops ceviche, snow crab legs and shrimp cocktail. OMG! The seafood was so fresh and yummy! Best ceviche I've had! As for entree's we ordered lump crab cakes and a bone in filet mignon! The crab cake was full of crab unlike most crabcake filled with mostly breadcrumbs. Oh and the filet was delicious! Seasoned perfectly and juicy to the last bite! For dessert we had a half slice of key lime, havana cream, and banana cream....all were so yummy! Let me just say the Havana cream pie was so heavenly! Hands down a great restaurant! I will definitely we returning in the near future.
(5)
Tarra B.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Chicago, IL -- Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is located at the corner of Grand and Rush, just steps from shopping on Michigan Ave! This restaurant has become one of Chicago's top destinations for prime steaks, the freshest seafood and world famous stone crab claws. The atmosphere is elegant and sophisticated. It is also a great place to grab a glass of wine right after work! I celebrated my 30th birthday here and it was an absolutely, amazing experience. I had the board room reserved for 20 guests total (including me) and the staff took very good care of us. We ordered a variety of steaks and seafood and everyone seemed very pleased with their dinners. Thank you to Joe's for making my special dinner a huge success!
(5)
Katy F.
I loved my experience at Joe's. Our waitress was great with wine recommendations and her suggestion of the bacon wrapped scallops did not disappoint. My husband and I had a nice, romantic dinner with great service. I would recommend this for a romantic dinner or a place to eat for business functions. As previously stated, the scallops were the biggest and best I have had, but we also had the crab cake and mussels for an appetizer. Both were fabulous and the mussels were cooked perfectly. The Key Lime Pie was a great finish to our wonderful dinner. If I could afford it, I would eat there once a week. SOOOO Good!
(5)
Adam K.
As it was explained to me by the person who took us here, "when you think about Steak in Chicago, you think of Smith & Wollensky or Ruth's Chris, and while those are good steakhouses, they aren't the best, this place is the best." After the steak I had (12oz. Filet Mignon), I have to say I agree 100%. The waitstaff was truly phenomenal. I said to my wife after we ate, "I wish every restaurant sent their new waiters for a meal here simply to learn how to be a proper waiter/waitress." They knew everything about the menu, they knew the wine pairings and they were personable, I felt like they were there to serve us, not to just get us in and out of the door. The food was very good, my wife had the salmon which was also perfectly cooked. We sampled some of the stone crab and it was fantastic. This place is pricey, so it's definitely more of a special-occasion place for most, but it's worth going here to experience it at least once.
(5)
Adam K.
There isn't enough room to write about how wonderful this restaurant is. First, make sure you get reservations plenty in advance. Secondly, get the tableside-cracked crab legs. Best we've ever had. The steak...again, best I've ever had. And I've had a LOT of steak (Ruth's Chris, Mastro's, Flemming's, Hyde Park, Morton's, Smith/Wolensky, etc., etc.). I only wish we had a Joe's in my hometown. This place was amazing. We can't wait to visit again when we're in town.
(5)
Cynthia F.
Everything was pretty darn great! From excellent service to the delicious food. We started with the tempura green beans and a crab cake. I ordered the stuffed sole. My sister had the mahi mahi, and my mother had the rib eye. We shared the mashed potatoes and cauliflower sides. I also had the crab bisque. It was all incredible. We were all like "mmmm....mmmmmmm" the whole time. The only negatives are its loud and VERY crowded / cramped. Not a quiet intimate romantic dinner place in my opinion. I think its better for a group of friends or family looking for a really good quality, delicious, expensive "show-offy" meal. With that said, it is rather pricey--but you DO get what you pay for and I do not mind that!
(4)
Juju K.
Whether you're in Chicago for biz or you are a native, this place is definitely worth at least one visit. However, I plan to visit again when I'm in Chicago next time. I got what this place is known for- stone crabs and bone-in filet mignon. Loved them! I got the med size crab app (4 kinda smallish crab legs) cuz this was the cheapest option but I really enjoyed having them as app and picking out fresh crab meat definitely worked up my appetite. Another memorable app was the crab bisque. It was too yummy for words. My filet came out perfect. I requested for med to med-well. I was a bit concerned because this in-between kind of doneness is hard to achieve. However, they're professionals and I shouldn't have underestimated the grill masters at Joe's. Not only was the meat done perfectly to my liking, the seasoning was right on. I'm not really into steakhouse scenes but I totally dig Joe's. It has the old world steakhouse charm but has an airy Miami quality too. It's not too stuffy and the servers are true professionals. Our waiter, Howie, was attentive without being overbearing or snooty. He also didn't give me any attitude for ordering the stimulus package (quite a deal but you have to ask for it). It was a great experience. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)
Billy E.
Great location, great vibe, very Chicagoan for a Miami staple. I took a star off because even though from caesar salad to steaks, my medium stone crabs were ice cold, like frozen cold, not cold because that's what keeps stonecrab from losing it's flavor but down right frozen meat. Returned with another order...eh, kind of had me at goodbye on the stone crab. Cool place though.
(4)
Vanessa H.
We just dined here for an anniversary dinner and let me tell you, this place is awesome. They have valet in front or there are parking garages nearby, valet is cheaper though. The host was extremely friendly and found my reservation no problem, even though Open Table reserved it under my maiden name. The waiter was very knowledgeable about seafood and my husband ended up getting the steak and crab legs, served cold with a butter sauce. He said it was delicious. We both had filet mignon, it was perfectly seasoned. We also ordered a side of the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, both equally tasty. our waiter was very attentive and we didn't have to wait for anything. They also served us a complimentary dessert and our waiter even remembered small details, such as the anniversary year we were celebrating. Sure, it was pricey, our bill was easily over $100, but you expect that going into a place as nice as this. Overall, a great experience, thanks Joe's!
(5)
Dave A.
Okay, this place is amazing. Few restaurants really excite me, but the bone-in filet is what im ordering for my last meal if I ever get on death row. Of course, the crab is great and precracked very well so you can just dive in. This place is always really crowded. We went on a Tuesday afternoon, and we still waited 10 minutes for the table we had reserved. A Tuesday afternoon! In this economy? The service here is really top notch. They seem to be very well informed and friendly and know just when to get out of the way. I would not recommend this place for a date. You should go there with a loud group, because that's what's gonna be there.
(5)
Jay Y.
Wow a lot of good reviews sorry to say mine was not. Was greeted by a seemed to be rushed waiter, got the stone crab appitizer it came out well a little less than warm not hot or cold which you may expect. My steak a bone in ribeye delivered was a new York, umm not excepatable for the price, had to wait while my wife hesitated to eat hers until I had mine. Ehh I'll say I'd give it another try I might have just got a fluke bad service
(2)
Daniel S.
I was skeptical of JSC at first. Located in the heart of tourista-ville, my thinking was, how could this be a good spot? Well, it actually is in a well coiffed river north sort of way. The space is gussied up to look like an old skewl steak house (think Morton's), so strike one for the decor. If you can get beyond that, you'll have a solid meal. It was client's that choose this, so I had set the bar pretty low. I ordered a manhattan- they don't have rye- but redeemed themselves by mixing a solid cocktail. Our waiter, Chris I believe was his name, was very amiable and knowledgeable. We started with the second mortgage, and each had our own entree. The scallops- one of the specialities of the house are of unsurpassed quality. I also recalled on this visit, that I had been here previously and they delivered well. So the lesson to take = just because it's river north doesn't mean the place is going to suck. Perhaps not the most innovative but it sure was good.
(4)
Scott J.
STRICT policy on everyone being there to be seated! NO one allowed to come late. Why? They need to turn tables. The maitre'd made me and my out of town guest feel like dirt. We had to persuade him to let us be seated while our business consultant friend finished up a big presentation. We could only sit down once we agreed to give up our table by a certain time. Didn't matter that we had apps and a couple bottles of wine. Crab is overrated here--go to Bob Chinns. Bone-in halibut was AWESOME. $54 for 5 crab claws where you get about 2 bites from each. Snooty check in on a Monday night was stupid and gave a poor taste to my friends from DC, Boston and Portland who were all in on business. No doubt this poor service story will find its way to the speaking circuit by these business consultants. Thanks for the poor service example Joes.
(2)
Kenneth C.
This is from a 12/2008 visit. 1) 1 Twenty-ounce bone-in ribeye steak 2) 4 stone crab claws 3) 1 eighty-pound baked potato 4) 1 shockingly delicious and full-bodied Merlot This is a small nationwide chain of restaurants along the lines of Morton's or Houston's. The place has very nice decor, I am assured by my straight friend that the waitress who served us is, like, totally hot, and the service was scary. I mean, we're talking bread crumb disposers, squirting lemons on your hand and then offering you a wet, warm towel between courses good. I LOVED this place. It was, you might expect, not a cheap place to go. Nor however did it break the bank. I was pleasantly surprised when we got the check, as I'd expected to spend about $50 more. I had everything I'd wanted and it was still not what I had thought it'd cost. Verdict on the stone crabs: Not as good as Alaskan King Crab Legs, or Maryland Blue Crabs, in my opinion, but that was made less of a problem by the truly excellent mustard dipping sauce they gave me. Verdict on the bone-in ribeye: Wow. A lean rib-eye? Wut. It was extremely fantastic. Verdict on the baked potato: As both my friend and I noted, it was quite good, but really, baked potatoes aren't anything special.
(4)
Paul K.
Howie deserves a promotion/raise/my firstborn! This was probably the 3rd best steak I have ever eaten in my life, and if you ask my stomach, heart, and arteries... they will tell you I've eaten a plenty of steak. Upon arriving, was greeted by a man standing high above the bar/waiting room. We had arrived exactly at our reserved time and had to wait 5 minutes on a Tuesday. After sitting down, an already busy Howie told us to not get too excited about the menu yet, as he was going to wow us with what he had to say. After he recommended the Parmesan Crusted Salmon and the Pan Seared Key Lime Butter Salmon, by girlfriend and my sister decided to try those respectively. I tried the 22 oz. Ribeye, per Howie's recommendation. The Parmesan Crusted Salmon was cooked perfectly, crispy crust with a medium cook of the salmon. The Key Lime Butter Salmon was made to perfection. The sides of Mac n Cheese and Green Beans Amandine which were delicious (granted they were also $7 each). Overall, their dishes were great. Now the glorious piece of ribeye that could've left a smile on my face if I were hit by a cab on our way out. It was cooked perfectly (medium). The seasoning of simply salt and pepper definitely made the steak rich with it's natural flavor. They used olive oil and butter to give it its extra "UMPH!" but it was glorious. Normally eating twice as fast as anyone I go out to eat with, I ended up finishing well behind everyone, savoring each bite. Howie was a great waiter, bringing us two desserts for my sister's birthday. He was very attentive, informative, and was by far the most courteous waiters we have. While I did bust my wallet wide open for this meal, it's definitely worth going back due to the meat and the service.
(5)
Sloan R.
If you order the Bone-In Filet and Jenny's Mashed Potatoes, you'll likely have on of the better "meat and potato" meals of your lifetime!
(5)
Lauren R.
Crab legs from Joe's = TO DIE FOR!!!! I must go at least twice a year, though it is a little tough on the pocket it is absolutely worth every cent. You know what I like best about this place, they treat you like a Queen (or King) everytime you go. The bartenders are great and know how to mix a drink. They have an old time feel about them, which makes you feel like you are in a classic Humphrey Borgart movie. My favorite spot is at the corner of the bar, regardless, if you get a table or just sit at the bar the service is fantastic. The waitstaff is knowledgable and never makes you feel like a fool for asking questions. As a first time crabber (a few years ago) I needed a little assistance in understanding what I wanted to order. The waiter was professional, patient and a delight! Now let's talk real business here, FOOD. The king crab legs (with table side service of course) makes you feel like you are in the highest end restaurant in this city. The crab legs are consistently out of this world and Joe's is generous with the butter for your dipping pleasures. Jenny's potatoes and creamed spinach are the perfect accompanyment to sweet and tender crab meat. The wine choices are phenomenal and the dessert is not to be ignored. I have had the key lime pie, which as others stated is delicious. We also had the raspberry crumble, which was like heaven in my mouth. My suggestion is to come here extremely hungry. You may have to wait a bit but you can eat at the bar if you are flexible but its worth every penny and you will be licking your chops after the fact. Bon apetit!!!!
(5)
Melie M.
One of my favorite steakhouses in the city..hands down. I love a good bone-in filet, esp. when it's cooked to complete perfection. We started our meal with the calamari, which was fantastic. Seriously, some of the best calamari I've ever had..maybe it's the horseradish dipping sauce? Not sure, but it is RIGHT. I also splurged on the calories and got the crab bisque. Really good, but I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have lobster bisque. I know it's a crab house, but I'm a little biased and it's my fav. The bisque, though rich and delicious, was lacking any substance. No crab meat...not the end of the world, but would've been a nice touch. All in all, great meal and the steak was phenomenal. Gave my dog the bone when we got home and McNulty definitely approved.
(4)
John S.
Went to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab for my sisters birthday. Arriving really early for our reservation i was surprised that we were seated rigth away. When we entered the dinning room the first thing I noticed was how close the tables are togather. My sister who is lucky to weigh 115 pounds had to work a puzzel to get into her chair. After we were seated our waiter came by and told us all about Joes. I must say the service here is really good. Our waiter knew the menu well and was extremly friendly. For an appitiser we had the stone Crab. The Stone crab was very tasty especially with the homemade mustard sauce. For dinner I had the 16oz bone in Filet. The steak was cooked perfectly and had a great char on it. I also ordered a side of fries. The fries were good but I expected steak fries and was kind of surprised they weren't on the menu. We also ordered the Hash browns and those were amazing, I recomended getting them over the fries. For dessert I ordered the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime pie was very good. It was nice and tart something I rarely find. Over all the meal was very good, would get 5 starts if the dinning room wasn't so cramped.
(4)
Alex F.
The food at Joe's is above average, but I can't award any special stars for that because that is the expectation when you charge top-tier Chicago prices. Joe's is hyped, so I went in expecting a five-star experience. Let me work backwards from five to outline how I arrived at three. I realize Joe's is a fancy, expensive place in River North, but there seemed to be a level of pretension among the staff and clientele that doesn't exist at the other equally fancy, expensive restaurants I've frequented. One star gone. My expectation of the food went flaccid when my plate was set down in front of me, because although it was tasty, there wasn't much of it. Even the sides, which are recommended on the menu for "two or more people," were a large one-person portion. Another star gone. The menu is extensive and you actually CAN get a number of the entrees for under $30 unlike those other, less-pretentious places. Additionally, the service is knowledgeable and the history is apparent, hence the remaining three stars. But when splurging on meals in the future, I'll choose to break the bank elsewhere.
(3)
Judd C.
The company we were with was the best... This is a place I would compare to Ruth's Chris. It was good but nothing special. The steaks were all over cooked so I would suggest asking for it next to raw! I ordered a medium rare and it was well done. I had read previous reviews but didn't listen... Sides were good but the wedge salad was lacking that rich blue cheese, it was clearly not maytag...
(3)
Jane T.
Went here to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was top notch service, decor and dining. We were about 30 minutes late for our reservations ... and you know how some restaurants give you that "glare" once you tell them you've finally made it? Well Joe's is not one of those places. The host was extremely friendly and accommodating and did not make us feel guilty about our tardiness at all! The drinks were sensational as well, the Key Lime Martini is the best I've ever had - the graham cracker rim! YUM! Try the Bloody Mary as well, the presentation is gorgeous. I loved that they offered "bone-in" varieties of steaks, which provides a juicier meat. The stone crab is a MUST - it's in their name, how could you not! Everything was served and presented beautifully, especially our crab bisque. Don't miss out on the dessert menu either ;). And definitely make reservations. Don't worry too much about the dress attire either, I noticed a lot of guys in tshirt and jeans.
(5)
Kim N.
Came here again July 2010 and March 2011. Even on a Sunday night, the main dining room was completely booked. Luckily, bf and I scored a table at the bar. The key lime pie martini, stone crab bisque, and the stone crabs (and the homemade mustard) were just as good as I remembered. But now, they also give you drawn butter too!! Service was also impeccable. I ordered a steak and also really enjoyed it. Bf got the mahi mahi and enjoyed it as well.
(5)
Sophie D.
I took my parents here when they were in town -solely- for the Alaskan snow crab legs, which are in season only for a couple months. We went for lunch to try and take some cost off, and though it was still pricey ($200 for the 3 of us), it was well worth the splurge. I should preface my review with the fact that I have an abnormal obsession with crab legs. I drool just thinking about them. Seriously, it's Pavlovian. I've had many crab legs in my time, and these were exquisite. The meat was divine, and the preparation was perfection. The crabs come out ready for you to fork right out of the shell straight into your lovin' mouth. Very little work with such a huge reward. Like I said, obsessed. Along with 2 lbs of crablegs, cold and hot (I preferred hot, no contest), we also tried the garlic creamed spinach (incredible), the acorn squash w/ marshmallows (yum), a bloody mary (the shrimp is a nice touch), and stone crabs as the app (meh, i could actually do w/o those even though they're the specialty). Service was impeccable, and the bread basket they give you to start is a perfect combination of flavors. Prior to and after the crab feast, you also get a nice warm cloth with a lemon handwash, which is another nice touch. If you like crablegs like it's your job, and don't feel like going through the hassle and mess of opening them yourself (and you have some pennies to spare), go here and go here now - while they're still in season!
(5)
Lisa V.
Lobster! King Crab Legs! Stone Crab! and more! This was my first experience having stone crab.....can't say I am much of a fan. I think the claws look like they could be poisionous? Anyone else feel me on this?
(4)
Alyson M.
Ate lunch here on my last day in Chicago and what treat! Our server Denice was amazing! She made us feel like we were regulars. I had the stone crab and let me tell you, worth every penny and believe me when I tell you, they cost a lot of pennies! Also had the coleslaw and it was terrific. Even if you are stuffed to the gills you have to have the key lime pie. It is to die for! This was the most expensive meal I had on my trip, and this was for lunch, so be prepared. Again, worth saving for.
(5)
Reis D.
I just got back from Florida where I had three different key lime pies over the course of a week. No my pants don't fit me anymore. At the end of the week my mom asked me what my favorite was and I said....Joe's Stone Crab in Chicago. SO GOOD. I think they keep it in the freezer because it comes out so cold. Go get it. Oh the rest of the food is delicious as well.
(5)
Catherine K.
This place has one of the best filet mignons and stone crabs I've ever had! The steak was so tender and juicy on the inside and had so much flavor that I could have kept eating it all night. Joe's is known for their good reputation with stone crab and rightfully so! It was so good! The service was excellent and my boyfriend and I couldn't have been more satisfied that night!
(4)
Samantha F.
We thoroughly enjoyed this place. My husband had the New York "Bone in" strip and I had the Australian Lobster tail. Both items including the Seafood combo appetizer was excellent. I suggest making reservations at least two days in advance. Make certain that you ask to be seated in the dinning room, otherwise you may be seated in the bar area with TVs. Ranch rating 7 out of 10. excellent place atmosphere and wait staff.
(4)
David Y.
This place is pretty amazing. We went on a hungover Sunday morning, and granted they servers will talk your ear off with their specials but thats their job and they are good at selling you on an appetizer, and we started with the crab legs (they were already cracked too which was nice). So good. We then split a salad, which was a meal in itself by the way. The deserts were amazing as well, if you are a first time customer you get a comp and we got the key lime pie... So good. Complimented with roobois tea also. I had the seared ahi tuna sandwich and it was great. Sometime I will try out a dinner entre, but all around a great place. I heard it was the #1 rated resturant in Chicago and now I know why.
(5)
Valerie M.
I went for restaurant week. I had the crab claws. It was a very different experience. I didn't like them and I wish I would have had the steak which is what I really love but i had to try something new. It came with cole slaw and fries and those were good. They serve the crab claws chilled and they crack them for you. I feel like I kept getting pieces of meat with shell in it. Bad experience, next time I'm sticking to steak. Knife and fork simple as that. Excellent quality crab if you like this style of crab legs. just not for me.
(4)
Jewels F.
Hands down my favorite steakhouse-EVER. The bone-in filet is awesome. For desert, I love love love the peppermint ice cream. It is a must. Love this place! Plus the service is unmatched.
(5)
Patrick H.
I ordered delivery for our office through Grub Hub (which contracted it to Dining In) OH MY GOD!!! This was wonderful. Everyone food was cooked perfectly. Not only was it delicious, but it was beautiful. The chef also put some foresight into what we would need to enjoy our meal. For the steak, they included special plastic steak knifes. For my crab, the shells were cracked so I had no trouble getting to the meat. The legs were even slit down the middle so I could even easily remove the piece of sinew in the each leg. Just beautiful. (I have avoided ordering in in crab for years because last time I had to improvise with a claw hammer and a pair of pliers.) For Desert, I had the key lime pie. It seemed to me that each dish I had has only a few ingredients. But when simple quality ingredients are lovingly prepared by a brilliantly skilled chef, his technical virtuosity makes the flavors explode in your mouth. OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! What a wonderful meal.
(5)
Mike E.
Popular spot. Four of us co-workers got a table in the bar and wound down with Ginger Sours after a brutal day. Some day we hope to get a meal there.
(4)
E M.
I came here for a holiday party and I couldn't believe I got to step foot in a place like this. Joe's looks like touristy shit on the outside, to be honest, and in the 5 years I've passed it I never would have guessed what was on the inside. But that doesn't matter so much, I think, because everyone who's anyone was there -- and those are the people who have obviously kept Joe's alive and kicking for all these years. That place is true Chicago swank. People are crammed together and low-to-the ground around solid, dark-wood tables, drinking brandy and eating the most amazingly lush platters of seafood. Our room in the back had the nicest, most down-to-earth servers -- in direct contrast with the crowd -- but they were people-pleasers all the way. I hope they were tipped well because they did everything, everything right and did it with experience rather than saccharine-sweet fakey nice. I looooved the tenderloin. I'm allergic to seafood, but my fiance said it was the best raw lobster and crab he'd ever tasted. Although I tried to stop eating, I couldn't stop at the dessert -- it was done by someone who really knows what they're doing. And -- although I'm sure this was only indicative of the fact that we had our own bar back there and a few pourers to boot -- the drinks were generous-times-two. I loved it. On someone else's dime, I'd go back and hang swankily any day.
(4)
Julia Y.
Good in Vegas. Good here. And I heard - good in Miami. Sooooo good. Recommended: Large or Medium (not jumbo; the larger the crab, the tougher the meat) Stone Crab; Bone-in Rib Eye; Chocolate Mousse Cake. Heaven.
(5)
Keith H.
lobster bisque and key lime pie were amazing, service was excellent
(5)
Chris L.
I was here for a company dinner, and this place was excellent. I had the king crab legs with scallop. Awesome. I also tried food from my coworker's plates and it was very good. The service outstanding and the ambience is real cool. I will come again if in the area!
(5)
Monica H.
It is always a good experience at Joe's. It is funny though with all the elegance to have to be called via a microphone at the bar when the table was ready, as if we were at an open market. When seated in the main hall the service was very good, well educated and friendly at the same time. The stone crabs this time were not so special, though good. The meat was delicious. The whole experience is great.
(4)
Mike P.
We always save up our Lettuce Entertain You giftcards to hit this joint. What isn't great here if you like steak and sea-food? Bring me a crab the size of that thing in Cloverfield, a big-ass salad, and half a dead cow. Then I want 2 lbs of apple pie for dessert. I can't promise I won't break the floor walking out, but I'll try my best.
(5)
Stephanie B.
Upfront I will say that this was the best stone crab I have ever tasted. That means alot coming from someone who spent 7 months living on the east coast for some job training! My date and I went on a Tuesday night. We thought about making reservations, but decided not to since it was the middle of the week and figured it wouldn't be too busy. Boy, were we wrong. The place was packed! Luckily, there was an open spot at the bar. We ordered some drinks, waited for our table for about 20 minutes. We were sat at a table that had a lot of traffic being that it was located RIGHT by the entry point from the waiting area. Other than the poor location of the table, the atmosphere was nice. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu, and had suggestions for us when we asked what type of side dishes and desserts to order. We ordered a couple of dishes and split them between the two of us. We ordered the stone crab appetizer (if the market price wasn't so high, we would have ordered the largest dish possible!), the stuffed spinach mushrooms, and the seafood variety dish. I am not sure of the exact title of this dish, but it had shrimp, calamari, and a couple of other things... At any rate, the quality of the food was superb. I have never tasted such fresh, clean seafood in my life! On top of that the stuffed mushrooms were out of this world. Cooked to perfection with just the right amount of cheese and butter for added flavor. We also ordered the Jennie's Potatoes, which I would strongly recommend for any starch lover. Loads of cheese and bread crumbs, bursting with flavor. Yum yum yum! For dessert, our server suggested the key lime pie. We were too full to eat it at the restaurant, so we ordered a slice to go. WOW! The flavor was amazing, and the crust was perfect. Definitely the best key lime I have ever had. If you go, try to go with a full wallet so that you can go all out. The only thing I regret is not getting more stone crab. I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Curt S.
Incredible...I've ate ruth chris, gibsons ect and this is by far the best steak I have ever had. Been here 4 times love the bone in new york strip 22 oz and hash browns. Guaranteed a great dinner with nice atmosphere and great service.
(5)
Mike T.
A bit disappointed. We had to wait 35 minutes, even if we had made a reservation more than a month in advance. The maitre d's answer to this was "there are people who have been waiting more than you", which, frankly, I found unacceptable and unprofessional. No complimentary drink or else was offered to compensate for the wait. I tried to keep an open mind concerning the food though, and the food is good, but not excellent. We had stone crabs and Nantucket scallops for starters. The stone crabs were ok, but nothing to write home about. I am big fan of crab: I had eaten at Miami original Joe, and the crab there was 100 times better. The scallops were delicious though. We had crab cakes (very good) and tempura lobster tail (good) as the main dish. Their key lime pie was very good. Their macaroni and cheese was too liquid and not particularly tasty. We had a bottle of Gewürztraminer: very good, but it wasn't cold enough. All in all a good place, but definitely not worth the long waits and the ridiculous reservation times. There are many other establishments in the city which are at the same level, if not better, and offer a better service.
(3)
Shalena P.
Thank you to the people who posted photos! I felt like our server would have fallen over if he had seen us do it! I'm certain he was appalled at our southern accents and accordingly downgraded all of his suggestions. Such as, if we didn't want to order a full order of stone crab, he could just charge by the claw; and offered to do half orders of pie for dessert. I'm sure he thought we were going to skip out on the check when we saw the total! However, his service and knowledge were excellent and so was dinner. I was thankful for the small stone crab order as I was not a fan. Very professional fine dining experience. Dress up, hide your accent and come with a full wallet!
(4)
Tom S.
Sweet and sustainable Ah the sweet, succulent and delicious stone crab claw. I've always loved them and have devised my own sauce to serve with stone crab claws at home, but believe me, you're not really saving any money by buying them at the supermarket [if you can even find them], so why not let the experts at Joe's Stone Crab serve them to you and show you how. Joe's used to be a regular haunt when I worked near there, now it's more of a special occasion place because it's a bit out of my bubble, but it's always on my radar. Unless you have a reservation, you should just suck it up and sit in the bar. It's the same menu and the same drinks, but you don't have to wait 3 days for a table. Service from the front house [management] can be a bit staid which might read as standoffish, but sometimes I wonder if they are just caught in the tide and the people who are really supposed to be greeting you and registering your reservation are out back having a cigarette. Waitstaff and bartenders [in particular] are excellent. They own "service" and most with a smile. The food as steakhouse is not unique, but Joe's brings the seasonal stone crab claws to the menu. The claws come in different sizes and portions and depending on what your overall dinner plan there is, you'll want to choose carefully. The waitstaff isn't out to up sell you and will be honest about portion sizes and what you should expect. The best of the best will show you a trick or two for eating the claws, if not, just ask. You can do Joe's on a budget, especially if you just want a drink and the experience of trying stone crab claws for the first or the hundredth time. Anyone wary about eating stone crab claws from a sustainable point of view should know that stone crabs regenerate their pinchers and that raising and harvesting stone crabs and their claws is a type of aquatic farming. They are a viable and sustainable seafood source and delicious to boot!
(4)
Anne Marie J.
Went for my birthday dinner date and I loved it. The stone crabs are fresh (without the fishy smell!) and are good with or without the special mustard sauce on the side. The crab bisque had an excellent creamy texture and a handful of lump crab sitting in it. The sole and the tilapia were also fresh (I swear this quality is hard to find in Illinois) and had great sides that compliment the type of fish it comes with. Bonus: my fiance ordered a dessert secretly for my bday and they gave us what he ordered free PLUS the complimentary brownie ala mode. YUMMERS! I heard the bone-in filet is devine and the oysters rockerfellar is "AMAZING" - will be back for it!
(5)
Bill Z.
Our server Andy was super cool. We didn't even use the menu. The stone crab left a little to be desired...I am surprised they are known for this. The King Crab legs were some of the best I have EVER had, and I live near the beach! The Sole was cooked to perfection. I asked them to leave the roe, and it was delish!!!! Great dinner date!
(5)
Joy E.
Always an Outstanding dinner. We order he Nantucket Scallops whenever they are in season! Always treated well, and appreciated the service from Jasper the waiter.
(5)
Michael L.
Ate here earlier tonight, 100% satisfied, great dinner experience. Had a 5:00 reservation and the person I was meeting was late, like 30 minutes almost. The host was super cool and said not to worry and we would have a table when he showed up, even though many people had come through looking for a table. The waiter was cool as well. Appetizers were excellent, stone crabs and Nantucket cape scallops which the waiter called "the candy of the sea". The filet was pretty good, I was expecting a bit more, but then the Alaskan King Crab legs were so good I couldn' t complain. With desert you can get half a slice of something if you want to try a few so we got the Havana dream pie and the chocolate fudge pie, both were unbelievable. Their beer selection is limited and they don't have anything on tap, but the food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent.
(5)
Andrea R.
I grew up at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami so I was ecstatic when they opened one in Chicago. I feared that the stone crabs wouldn't be as fresh as they are in Miami, but I have been pleasantly surprised with each visit to Joe's. I can't resist the stone crabs, but my friends have gotten the steaks and say they are comparable to Gibson's and other Chicago steakhouses. The sweet potato fries and keylime pie (you've never had pie this good...even if you aren't a fan of keylime) complete this meal. Edit 1/21/08: Joe's remains my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Actually it's probably my favorite restaurant everywhere! And I discovered a new dessert. Yes, the keylime pie is uhmazing, but be sure to get some peanut butter pie (WOW) as well. You can even order half a slice of each!
(5)
K T.
I eat here whenever I am in Chicago and it is always excellent. Bisque is awesome.
(5)
Kelly R.
Truly outstanding quality of both cuisine and service. Expennnnsive.. And worth it
(5)
Anastasia K.
Well, yeah, the first time I dined here I was amazed and impressed by the service and the food, but the several times I've been back have never lived up to that first experience, and I don't plan to return unless someone else is paying. The service is generally fantastic, but if you know what you want the waiters don't care and will ramble on (though quite enthusiastically) about all the specials and the way certain plates are prepared. On the other hand, if you don't know what you want or have questions, the servers are amazingly helpful and will answer you without any condescending tones. The bussers are great, so don't forget that part of your tip will be split with them - be fair! As far as the food goes, the steaks are always good. I've even been there on days when the managers took particular cuts off the menu because they weren't up to their standards. FYI - this place runs on FRESH FRESH FRESH food - every main plate is flown or driven in that morning, beef AND seafood. I've had the king crab legs twice, and frankly, Pappadeaux out in Westmont has this place beat by a mile. The portions are HUGE when the legs are in season and the pre-cracking is a nice bonus for your tender hands and fingers. The restaurant recommends eating them chilled, but I had them steamed both times and both times I was a little bit let down. For dessert, you absolutely MUST try the peanut butter pie. The peanut butter is whipped into a mousse-like filling and the oreo crust is simply over-the-top delicious. Apps, entrees and desserts are king-size proportions so plan to bring something home or leave a bit behind to prevent your belt from popping off. Finally, a word about the valets - they park in the same garage I do for work and they are RECKLESS with patrons' cars. So fair warning --- if you plan to drive here, park on your own (there's plenty of garages / lots nearby, although pricey) or walk from somewhere nearby.
(3)
Erica K.
Went to Joe's for our holiday office lunch. I work in nonprofit development and my office is full of lovely ladies and only one man. Our token bit of testosterone was unable to attend so when we walked in there was an overwhelming sense that this place is a boy's club during lunch. The ratio of men to women was insane. Anyway, I thought the food was really good. I wouldn't say it was great though. My steak was well-cooked, but a bit too salty. The stone crab appetizer we all shared was really good. I would probably just order the crab if I went back. As for service, it was kind of weird. Our waiter tried to be funny but came off as kind of a jerk. He kept addressing our table as "Girls" which annoyed some of my coworkers. Then he pitched us a bunch of salads off the menu as if that's all women order. Screw that. Gimme my steak! I think if we had a better waiter it would have been more enjoyable. Either way though, they have some damn good seafood.
(4)
Brenda M.
I travel to Chicago every couple of months for business, and the bartenders always remember my name. The iceberg wedge salad is one of my favorites and the steak is wonderful.
(5)
amy k.
Not impressed - the food was OK, but not worth the price. The menu listed on the outside window (for passersby) was different than the inside menu (prices were about $5 more expensive per item on inside menu). To top it all off (because prior to this, I was able to overlook the aforementioned details), I came home with a severe case of food poisoning. Couldn't keep anything down all night. This was the only thing I ate yesterday, so I can't imagine where else my bout of poisoning would've come from.
(2)
Brandon G.
Very impressed. Impeccable service. Had the stone crabs as an app. They and the accompanying sauce was fantastic. Girlfriend had sea bass, I had the bone in filet.... both were absolutely fantastic. Recommend the parmesan crusted potatoes and flash fried green beans for sides. Probably the best green beans I've ever had. Key lime pie a must for desert. I made reservations 3 weeks early for a week night.
(5)
Abby T.
Sean was our VERY helpful server. He was extremely knowledgeable and made my first visit (FINALLY!) to Joe's a pleasant one. We ordered the seared tuna, madagascar shrimp (HUGE!) and a couple pounds of crab. The crab here IS amazing! We sat upstairs, what seemed away from the rest of the restaurant. I would be interested to sit amongst the commoners next time. :-)
(5)
M. M.
Was here recently for a business event. I'm giving only three stars because with a limited menu and eating in the private party room in the back, I didn't feel like I got the full Joe's experience enough to evaluate properly . However, the service was great, the food I did select from the choices offered (I had some type of beef dish with sauce and veg) was good, and they didn't skimp on the wine. The desserts are HUGE, just warning you. Their specialty is apparently key lime pie, which alas, I don't like (not the restaurant's fault, I've never cared for it). We walked through the main restaurant a few times to find our party room, to use restrooms etc. and it was really hopping and jammed even though it was midweek. Don't even try to come here without a reservation, as there were people standing around waiting up front and there's not much room to wait. Very cozy atmosphere, very retro, with waiters in old fashioned vests and aprons, big open space with a wooden floor and round tables close to each other. Warning: The open floor plan makes the main restaurant VERY VERY LOUD so this isn't the place to go for an intimate discussion, nor is it particularly romantic for a date night. Come here to eat and drink, preferably a lot, and you will be fine. I would like to stop back when I can have more food choices since what I had was obviously prepared for a set event budget and I think I could have done better picking out stuff on my own.
(3)
Tony T.
I dropped in here with friends the other night after a lengthy hiatus and Joe's (once again) exceeded all expectations. The only knock is that we waited 45 minutes past our reservation time. The manager, however, made it up to us with complimentary drinks and King Crab apps. I would never call Joe's authentic Chicago and it does seem to be heavily populated with tourists and business travelers so be prepared to be jostled in the bar while you wait. But the wait is worth it. The service was flawless, the dining room is beautiful, and all of the food is magnificently prepared and executed. We enjoyed Dover Sole, steaks, and scallops. All were delightful and the deserts were sublime. The crowds keep me away from this Chicago favorite but huge numbers have not diminished this place one bit. Kudos to Lettuce for keeping it real.
(5)
LReets B.
I just had to take the time to write a review for this place because it is one of the best restaurants i have ever dined at. I am from Boston and visited Chiacgo this past weekend with my boyfriend. His friend suggested this place and i scoured online for reviews, all of them were amazing. i now know why. First, we had a 9pm reservation didnt get seated until 9:30, so for this they gave us a free appetizer of crab legs, shrimp, ceviche, and lobster. it was delicious and couldn't believe it was free, the manager came over and said they do not like to make people wait. Then our waiter was phenominal, so friendly and down to earth, and we actaully had a good conversation with him about his move to chicago. Next, the actual food was delicious. I got the miso sea bass special, never had better sea bass in my life, my boyfriend got the bone in filet, best steak ever. For dessert we couldnt decide between the peanut butter pie or chococlate pie, so the waiter brought us half of each. Both incredible. The servers squeeze lemon over your hands and bring you a hot towel between courses to cleanse your hands. The service was just incredible. Did i mention we were standing next to Scotty Pippin in the bar while waiting for our table? You have to go here!
(5)
K P.
Crabcakes and the surf and turf are excellent. Beautiful spot in the heart of downtown. Pricey but well worth it!
(5)
Craig H.
Fantastic! Bit of a wait to get but we got a table in the front section pretty quickly. The stone crab was excellent even out of season. A must is the Dover Sole prepared table side. Excellent night!
(4)
Al L.
It is a good steakhouse but in the city where steakhouses once ruled - it does not compare to some of the others. It is a lettuce entertain - so use if you have gift cards. The service is always pretty good and the food is pretty good (again, not the best in the city) but good. If you go there, dress up a little nothing bothers me more than seeing people in gym shoes and shorts when the servers are wearing tuxedos. And yes, try the key lime pie.
(4)
Amy C.
This was by far the highlight of my trip to Chicago. We went here for our "nice dinner" during our quick weekend trip to Chicago and everything bypassed our expectations, We were in town during a crazy citywide convention so I was sure to make reservations early for this place. We were seated as soon as we walked in which was very impressive since we were a little but early. As they sat us in the cute tucked away corner of the restaurant we could not help but people watch as we were seated-- lots of big hair, make-up and gold straight out of "Absolutely Fabulous" which was entertaining. A second after we were seated, a couple sat next to us that the lady must have bathed in her old lady perfume- all of a sudden it was all I could taste and knew that we had to move or my dinner was going to be ruined, Although they were super busy, the host was very accommodating and laughed a little as he put us in our new table next to a couple of cougars who at least smelled better. I had the best steak of my life, and my boyfriend got the snow crab as highly recommended in the reviews. It was so good! We split the creamed spinach and potatoes and walked out happy. It was a perfect dinner for our last night in Chicago.
(5)
Mon C.
The chilaen sea bass had to be one of the best I've ever had. It was so moist and flakey. The fish just melted in my mouth. I'm hungry just thinking about it! The special sauce that comes with the stone crabs was good, but not necessary because the crab was moist and very tasty on their own. Finally, got the morracon shrimp based on the reviews. I think those I could have done without. I was not nearly as impressed as everyone else was based on their reviews. I think that the shrimp was ok, but not that good. The shrimp was impressive size wise. I would definitely recommend coming here to anyone in Chicago looking for some yummy, be it very pricey, seafood.
(4)
Ania L.
The last time I was at Joe's Seafood was in December. Our company had the Christmas party in the back of the restaurant. While the food is probably the best in Chicago (my fillet was excellent - made exactly like I wanted) , the setup of the restaurant isn't the greatest. It's very crowded. Our room was in the back; and every time you need to use the restrooms, you need to walk through the whole restaurant, in between all other people, to get there. Not very convenient (nor easy, after 3 or so pomegranate martinis).. Other than that, every single food (& drink) I had that night was great! The appetizers were amazing, main course was delicious, and dessert melted in your mouth. I highly recommend this for a date night (although it might get a little pricey)!
(5)
Kel C.
The service is great and the filet mignon was perfect. I sat at the bar and really enjoyed myself. Nice wine list too. I am from Maryland and am in Chicago on vacation. Been to the Joe's in Vegas and both locations are wonderful.
(5)
Whiskey L.
this place was jam-packed when I showed up on a Friday night. Perhaps this was why the service seemed both slow and rushed at the same time. Never a good combo. Scallops apps are often serve as a good litmus test, and Joe's Famous were underwhelming. The steak was overcooked, but the saving grace was the delightful lobster tail.
(3)
Kristen S.
A great experience overall. Joe's service and food will blow you away. Additionally, as someone who is gluten-intolerant, the staff was sensitive and knowledgeable about food allergies. I took my husband here for his birthday on a Saturday night and it was crowded but we had a corner booth table with a great view of the restaurant. Loved the seating and the atmosphere here at Joe's. The staff is dressed in tuxedos - with rhinestone crabs on the lapel for "flair" as we discussed with our good-natured server, Christopher. So be sure to dress appropriately for Joe's in business casual attire. The food is perfect. My husband had a dry aged new york strip (20 oz) and I had the wild sockeye alaskan salmon and both were the types of dishes that melt in your mouth. I'd like to try the stone crabs next time I visit with someone who likes or knows how to eat shellfish. We also had the sugar snap peas on the side and my husband ordered the Louise's potatoes which was mashed potatoes with fontina and asiago cheese with bread crumbs on top. He loved these potatoes. For dessert we had orange sherbet, which was creamy and delicious... almost like home-made. The service was excellent - even beyond excellent. The food is great but the service is what gets Joe's the 5 star rating. Our server and the host were attentive to my husband's birthday and my gluten allergy. Our server ensured that the bus people used separate utensils when handling my food and even had it come out separately after being cooked in a separate part of the kitchen. It was amazing. If you are in Chicago and you try just one restaurant, try Joe's. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Francine P.
The reason they are getting stars is because they have a good rep and their food is still good cold. The service was slow. Our food came out cold, but it took an hour before we got our steaks so we weren't about to send it back and wait another hour. Our water glasses were empty. We were filling our own wine glasses. The restaurant wasn't even full.
(3)
Kara G.
Although we were late for our reservation and had to wait a bit to be seated, it was worth the wait! Our server was a little inattentive, but it was crazy busy, so a little understandable. We had the calamari (just the right crispness) and stone crab claws (actually not the best I've ever had, but pretty darn good), and I ended up sharing the bone-in rib-eye and chilean seabass (my fave!). Both were DELICIOUS, we ate every bite, and the potatoes (jenny?) were sooooo good. One side is enough for four people, so be sure you don't over order on those. Dessert was incredible as well- and the portions are HUGE, enough for at least 3 people, if not four. We got the coconut cream pie, banana cream pie, and some kind of chocolate pie that was orgasmic. Mmmmm..... One critique- they only had one selection of a Malbec on their wine list. Not the worst thing, but variety is the spice of life. So although I ate wayyyy too much and almost put myself into a food coma, I can't wait to go back!
(4)
Katrina M.
I've had two lovely visits here with family. Frilly interior, yet polite, casual demeanor seen throughout this place. Spacious arrangement of tables. Diners ranged from the old to the very young. Food is full of flavor..I loved the mushrooms and calamari for appetizers. However, I didn't like the little lake accumulating in my steakhouse salad. It was so water-y! Other than that, I loved everything else. The peanut butter pie was the best too! It was yummy, and totally bearable; not like pies that are so rich & sweet you have to sip water after every bite :P
(4)
Tony C.
This used to be one of my favorites and still is in my top 5. I always get shrimp cocktail which they have a pretty good cocktail sauce. My favorite steak is the bone in rib eye which is so well cooked. I think the vegas location is the better than the chicago location. They also have a nice wine list. I have had meals in the bar there a couple of times and I liked the prime rib sandwich. It is worth going to for sure when in chicago or vegas. UPDATE: Went there Friday night and I had a chop salad (60% of it were onions) and the vinaigarette was just too sweet and otherwise bland. I ate half of it and the server asked me how it was and I said too many onions and she laughed. I ordered a petite filet medium rare. it came out medium well. SO DISAPPOINTED!!! so now they go down to 2 stars!! I prob won't be back.
(2)
Ann C.
I've been to a lot of 5 star steak restaurants around this country, and the bone-in ribeye I had here was one of the top 3 steaks I've ever had in my entire life--I've actually been dreaming about it.
(5)
Katie W.
All I can say is amazing, best restaurant in Chicago
(5)
Stephanie R.
Wow. I'm speechless. I just got through with dinner here, and let me say they did not disappoint! Despite being incredibly crowded, the waitstaff was consistently attentive and made this Saturday night dinner a fabulous occasion. Thanks Joe's!
(5)
Lisa B.
We recently went on our 4th visit to Joe's, and unfortunately, my husband and I are still not impressed. Joe's has proven to us to be nothing more than a name with a failure to deliver on great and memorable food. We started with the Manhattan chowder - it was nothing more than a $7 bowl of vegetable soup. I had a special, the Dover sole stuffed with mushrooms with a lobster sauce. It was good, a little salty, but nothing memorable. My husband had the pretzel crusted arctic char, it was overcooked. We had 2 sides, the mac and cheese, which was good, and the garlic creamed spinach. The garlic creamed spinach was easily the worst part of our meal. They must infuse some herb into the cream sauce - however those herbs are totally overpowering. I must say, I always love their Key Lime Martini and typically when we get it, the second mortgage is a great way to start a meal, but I just can't see myself coming back to this place time after time when I'm not blown away by their food.
(3)
Linda E.
What can I say about Joe's that hasn't already been said. This place is THE BEST seafood/steak place in the city. Make reservations because i think most of Chicago and surrounding suburb agrees! The service is exemplary. I have never had a poor meal or dining experience here. The standout dishes I've had are: the Lobster bisque, garlic creamed spinach, the lyonnaise potatoes, the Seabass, garlic crusted grouper, the petite filet mignon, and my favorite Key Lime pie. Bon Appetite!
(5)
Kim R.
We are sure to secure a reservation every time we are in town and have dined at the location in Las Vegas many times as well. It has never been a disappointment and the only thing better than the food is the service. This is no secret people, so make sure to get a table straight away or a wait and/or not so great reservation time may be in your future. During dinner, I'm always scanning the room, watching all the staff that so quickly, quietly take care of every detail....it truly is a dying art. On this recent visit we had the kids ( 8 & 11) along with us and they were treated as small humans, not an irritation as some of the nicer restaurants have done in the past. It is one of life's pleasures to share a nice meal with the family. My husband and I have favorites at Joe's and have never had cause to stray. Do yourself a favor and just simply place this order: crab bisque, maybe a caesar salad and the stone crab claws ( don't forget a glass of sancerre ). Otherwise, you just may be a fool.
(5)
Nazario O.
We came here for Father's Day dinner and it did not disappoint. From getting the shrimp cocktail to it's crab bisque soup and finally to the 20oz bone in rib eye, my stomach was satisfied. Of course adding a little old fashioned apple pie a la mode was the fantastic finish I needed to an awesome day. Definitely lived up to its word as being one of the best in Chicago.
(5)
Josh W.
great atmosphere- just walked in, was able to sit right down in the bar area- great steak, great pie. With all the great choices in streeterville- this has to be at the top of the list!
(5)
Margaret L.
My husband and I went to Chicago for a weekend get away for some good food. He kept insisting on coming to Joe's and since we didn't make reservations, we walked in early: 4:30p. The Maitre'd invited us to sit in the dining room instead of the bar and then the evening began. We had the medium stone crab for an appetizer... It was absolutely delicious. Pre-cracked and ready to eat. Delicious. Main entree: I had the petite filet mignon (delicious) and he had the Fisherman's platter: all grilled but with the calamari fried. The flavor on the shrimp was amazing! Sides: spinach, asparagus, and mac 'n cheese Dessert: good 'ol pie. We left so full and my husband suffered with food coma. The ambiance was amazing, the service was great... we'll be back for more... so go get some crab!
(5)
Megan H.
Busy! It was packed when we showed up for dinner, without a reservation, but we were able to grab a table in the bar and order dinner. The crab was fantastic, and the peanut butter pie for dessert was even better!
(5)
Christina M.
I was dissappointed in this place. I guess the bread basket costs extra because it never showed up. The crab soup was excellent and perhaps I should have stopped there, the salmon very very ordinary. Now: My date made reservations. I asked to be seated before he arrived however was told to wait in the reception area, which perturbed me. Since when is My date more important than Me??? The place was still empty and the host had the time to show Me to the table. (I routinely arrive early to scope the dining room out so that we are not playing table roulette later when I dislike the assigned table) FYI people: attractive woman + average executive dude = I'M the one driving this sale!
(3)
Isabella W.
I might have had an off day. I was looking forward to Joe's ever since I moved to Chicago 4 years ago. Sadly, it did not live up to its hype. Went for lunch and had stone crabs and stuffed mushrooms. Stone crabs are seriously over-rated..sure, it might be a novelty out in the midwest, but it wasn't that fresh, and I wasn't a fan of the sauce. Give me some Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay sauce - I'd choose that any day over stone crabs. Mushrooms were good, but nothing to write home about. What made matters worse was my entree, the grouper (special) I ordered with a mango ceviche. The grouper (a meatier fish) was bland in flavor and appearance - I couldn't even finish half, and I usually devour fish if it's in front of me. I was left with the mango ceviche (which was 10x more flavorful) and the hashbrowns (which I think was the highlight of the meal). The asparagus with lemon better was overcooked, soggy, and sad. I'd give it one more shot to redeem it's 2-star rating in my book, and maybe get the steak next time. All in all though, it was extremely disappointing.
(2)
Larry B.
I don't recall ever tasting anything quite like the Alaskan King Crab here. The flavor seeps out of the meat when you bite into it. I also loved how they cracked the shells open
(5)
Andy C.
Went here for the first time for lunch. Nice atmosphere and decor inside. The thing I liked about it was there was no dress code and you would feel comfortable whether in jeans or in a full suit. The service was excellent and we were even offered a complimentary slice of key lime pie because it was our first time. Both the steak and seafood are great. We tried the stone crab claws (which were competitively priced with other restaurants) and thought they were tasty as well.
(4)
K B.
Fantastic food, great service and atmosphere. Please make reservations.
(4)
Alicya M.
I've never been disappointed at Joe's! It's a fave spot for my guy & I to hit whenever we have a little extra $ to splurge. I couldn't tell you about the stone crabs, unfortunately... because every time I go, I remember how fantastic the last steak was! I LIVE for their petite filet mignon. That is the only red meat I've had in years, but I can't resist! On our last visit we had the special, Madagascar shrimp (giant, but pricey @ about $13 EACH). Fantastic!! ...And how do you get the baked potatoes to taste like that? Are they marinated or were they spiking my drinks? Try one. You'll understand. The wait staff is always on their game, with prompt service and recommendations (I'm a wine idiot.). Decor is pretty upscale, so dress to impress. (Last time Senator Bradley & one of the Chicago Bulls were in the tables next to us, if you get my point.) The place is always packed, so make a reservation, and make it early. Don't forget your credit card (our dinner and drinks for 2 usually run us about $175-200), but you'll agree it's money well spent.
(5)
Jennifer G.
This past Friday (2/19/10) was the first time I have ever been to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. Once we were seated our waiter greeted us. I do have to say this waiter kept us laughing through the entire meal. He had some great stories and funny lines. He had some great recommendations which my boyfriend took him up on. I did the pre-fixed menu. I was blown away with the steak! The steak seasonings weren't a bad addition. My boyfriend had the bone-in ribeye which he ate all of it and said it might have been the best he's ever had. There is no question about it, we will be back!
(5)
Po R.
I've only ever dined at the bar here and always get the same 3 things - the Bloody Mary, the crab bisque and the Char-Broiled Beef Tenderloin Sandwich. All three are the best I've ever had. It takes all the strength I have to refrain from licking the soup cup and the rim of the Blood Mary glass! Yummy! They also have great service and ambiance.
(5)
E P.
Went because of the good reviews...HOWEVER...left after waiting around a tad and watching how ugly people got d ue Joe's policy of not having a waiting list for the bar tables. Super uncool and preventable! I would expect that the management would care more @ the customer experience in the bar area and start using a proper wait list like the regular restaurant area. It is aggravating to have people walking in and grabbing tables even though others are obviously waiting. People waiting were glaring at and hovering over diners in an effort to grab their table. Not a pleasant thing to watch or put up with...so we left and went to Shaw's 2 blocks away. Shaw's was incredibly good...and they had a list for seating at the bar!
(1)
Stephanie P.
I came across Joe's from these Yelp reviews and while on business in Chicago recently, I decided to give them a try. I went on a Monday night and they were packed. I didn't have a reservation as I was dining alone. I decided to wait in the bar area to see if a table opened up. This is how great the staff is there. Lisa in particular, saw me standing alone, asked if I wanted a drink and if I was dining alone. When I told her she immediately made it her mission to find me a table. And she did. I had a nice table in front of one of the tv's to enjoy the b-ball playoffs as I dined. She brought over the menu and gave me the lowdown of all their signature dishes and answered any questions I had. Her suggestions were amazing and the food was phenomenal!!! Hands down the best meal I had on this trip. I started with the Stone Crab appetizer and it was the best way to open up. Tasty crab legs that you have to peel but they do such a great job of pre-cracking that the meat literally fell out of the shell. And they were tasty with or without sauce. I also asked for a side of butter as well. Sooo good. Next up I had the wedge salad in which they chopped for me to make it easier to eat. I had to stop myself as to save for my entree. It was delicious. Next up, the Parmesan encrusted halibut with a side of mushroom mac n' cheese. HEAVEN! That's all I have to say...I felt like I needed to be rolled out of there but everything was amazing. I enjoyed the food and the entire dining experience. The staff (Lisa in particular) are rock stars and make it that much more enjoyable. This will definitely be a permanent stop if I'm back in Chicago again.
(5)
Charlotte Y.
I endured one of my biggest pet peeves here the other night - the advancing of horribly, consistently indifferent service when a server knows they're getting their 18% gratuity! My family dines here frequently. Dad loves the steak and halibut; Mom loves the stone crabs; Sis loves the side dishes; Bro loves seafood in general. So, we dined here for Mom's birthday over the weekend (maybe that was the problem). In any event, despite the consistently decent (not great, but above average) food, our server fell off the planet! I think I spent my entire evening looking for him and attempting to track him down. Quite literally, I asked for refills on Mom's iced tea, asked for more water for myself, asked to place our dinner order, asked that our table be cleared and asked to see dessert menus (best banana cream pie around though)! I should have served the table!!! Why is it that when a server knows they're getting the 18% gratuity (as it's built into the bill with large parties) they decide to slack off? And the thing is... he was so clueless with my annoyance! So, if you want a no frills service experience with decent seafood and steaks, this is the place for you.
(2)
Shannon S.
Went for the first time for my birthday. Food and service were amazing! Went back again for my grandma's 80th birthday (which was during restaurant week) and it did not disappoint! Will definitely visit again soon.
(5)
Joe R.
If I could give 20 stars I would. This is my favorite restaurant in the whole world. You walk in the door and the crowd is there. Even though I make reservations I have to wait for a table. That is ok because it give me time to have a drink. A whiskey. They fill it to the top. It might be $15 but is like a triple. Then the service. They must train for years -- because they are the best I've seen. Make you feel comfortable while being informative to the max. Now the food. I always get Porterhouse. Why not get the best of both worlds -- filet and sirloin. Paired up with a red wine and sides shared for the table. I am in heaven. I dream of this place. I actually don't get steak out unless I am at Joe's. I guess that means I should be visiting Chicago more than every 2 years.
(5)
tracy d.
Anyone (including me) can rave about Joe's for dinner but I want to let you in on a little secret- it's just as great for lunch! In addition to smaller portions of most dinner items, they have a tenderloin sandwich with a horseradish sauce that is to die for. Or get the steakhouse salad. Lettuce, tomato and blue cheese with a small NY strip steak on top. How can you go wrong with that? If you work nearby, call ahead an order a salad for pickup and you're out the door for $15 with a lunch that will make the rest of the office jealous. The other thing we like about Joe's beyond the standard dinner is popping in for early evening drinks on the weekends. If you get there before it's busy, you can relax in the very comfortable bar, drink a very generously poured cocktail (or two!) and order a few appetizers. Joe's service is always stellar and I've never had a bad meal there. A full dinner can get costly if you go all out, but you get what you pay for: wonderful atmosphere, great service, food done right and tasty wines. If you want to spend less money, go to McDonald's. If you want a meal that will impress you and your friends, go to Joe's.
(5)
William K.
I'm going 4 stars. It would be easy to do five, but I'm saving myself for the right girl. Huh? There are some definite five star things you should order though: 1) The crab legs... get the big ones. I don't know what they do to them or where they get them, but something weird is going on. They are awesome. 2) The Jenny potatoes (I think?) which are just (cough) au gratin potatoes. Get them and send me the bill if you don't start a new religion based on the experience. 3) This is a weird one, so buckle up... the key lime pie martini. I'm not a martini person, and key lime pie is like my 237th favorite pie, but it's amazing. Try one for dessert, like Kim39. The surf and turf (filet and lobster tail) was great. Big, bad asparagus... yum. Shrimp and carb cake appetizers were very good as well. Ed and Holly looked like movie stars. Of course, Kim39 and I were aglow after hoisting a few drinks with the Poap earlier in the evening. This is a 4 1/2 star place. The only ding for me was the atmosphere. It was kind of businessman cold. I like businessmen, but it's kind of nice when a restaurant has a little warmer ambiance. Oh yeah, and bring your wallet! With so many unique five-star elements... we will be back!
(4)
Vlad T.
I knew the steaks were good - had carry outs from this place, but never expected to be impressed. My wife and I did not have reservations (I called earlier - they were booked) but showed up at 6:30 pm before going to the theater hoping to get in (had lettuce cards). We were seated immediately!!! Waitress - fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable - a pleasure! Had stone crabs appetizer - so good, we shared a bone-in fillet medium-rare +, which was fantastic. And then a highlight - crab legs, cold, best I've ever had: juicy and sweet, not salty, not messy at all as they do most of the work for you table side. All this was accompanied by Grey Goose dirty martinis with blue cheese olives!!!! Yes, it was expensive, but it was certainly memorable!!! And, of course, key lime pie - so refreshing! I must say though that a grilled tomato (side dish) was ruined by american melted cheese on top! It just did not do it for me! I would have been happier with goat cheese or mozzarella. Still 5 stars!!!
(5)
Kelly K.
The crab bisque and the seafood chopped salad are my lunchtime standbys. I generally come here when I'm in the mood for seafood but not sushi. The service is fast and I'm in and out with time to spare during lunch.
(4)
Cin K.
They have the best burgers and fried chicken I have ever had! The burger is quality meat and the fried chicken is crispy and moist. Along with the fried chicken I had their mashed potato, spinach stuffed mushrooms and grilled asparagus. Love their food.
(4)
D T.
I have been here 352 times, and I'm not going to tell you anything you probably don't know. This place is AWESOME and a go-to for my husband and I. It's just as good as the Miami location. It's big, it's loud and over the top. Very Chicago. I have had every single item on the menu, whether ordering it myself or sampling someone else's. These are my stand outs... 1) Stone Crabs- they're as awesome as everyone says. (I could eat the mustard alone, and rub it all over my body) 2) Oysters Rockefeller- delicious. 3) Manhattan Clam Chowder- Fresh, tasty, awesome. I think better than the Bisque. 4) Seafood Chopped Salad- Amazing. 5) Grouper- It's very good, but I'll take the crab stuffed sole over this. 6) Crab Stuffed Dover Sole- It is definitely one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. Even my husband orders this now. When ordering the quantities we do, a steak can be too much sometimes. 7) Bone-in NY Strip- I definitely "meat cheat" for this one. I LOVE strip steak; I definitely think it's the tastiest cut of meat, and add a bone?!?!? Heavenly, so flavorful. 8) Lyonnaise Potatoes- rich, delicious, I'm gaining weight thinking about them. 9) Sauteed Spinach- I don't like butter, cheese or cream in my vegetables. The creamed spinach is way too much when eating this massive dinner. 10) Boston OR Banana Cream Pie- Everyone raves about the Key Lime Pie, but I need sweet, not sour, for a dessert. We leave a few pounds heavier, a few hundred dollars broker and very, very happy. This place just never disappoints. Like I said you can't go wrong, but those are my favorites. Enjoy!!!
(5)
Matt J.
The absolute best Key Lime Pie in Chicago. It's worth the $30.
(5)
Fast T.
Bar: bring your 'needs improvement' employees here to lower the boom. so many loud people and employees moving to and fro, they won't hear you tell them how awful they are, you wont hear them whine about this and that, and you'll be dialed in with HR. Seriously, you've been to this place before. Standard lettuce entertain you recipe for the decor. Ambience: see above. Gobs of tables burning off profits, big celebrations after a long day at McCormick, happy couples in town for a visit. Everyone is laughing and backslapping...it's like 2006! A few different rooms, sitting in the middle looked a bit daunting with a LOT of large round loud tables. We had a booth, which was much better. If you want to have any substantive conversation, get a booth. Again though, after a few beers i could have been convinced i was walking through A Maggiano's, Shaw's etc. Grade: B Food: was with foreign clients that did not drink wine, so no comment on substance other than the list was extensive. Standard beers with craft specials. Many rounds of goose island matilde, all refreshed appropriately. Listen up...they don't have the words stone crab in the name as a bait and switch. Get them. A range of sizes to fit most budgets, we ordered the third largest which is a plate of six and added two more. Four gents were satisfied. If you are into the stone crab claw, dive right in. Next up was a typical wedge salad, it was good but again, this isn't calculus. As long as it's big here, the customers are happy. Rounding the corner was the regular filet, a medium affair. Temperature and progress, spot on. The price reflects the quality, you pretty much get what you pay for here. The steak knife sat on the table, only a fork was needed to cut the filet. A la carte Sides were creamed garlic spinach and some other potato concoction. Dessert was presented gratis (nice) as it was clear to our server that our guests just arrived off a 12 hour flight. Key lime pie, very good. Grade: B+ Service: very nice. Not too intrusive, worked with a language barrier in a transparent fashion. These folks turn tables with a lot of warbucks blowing holes in the expense budget. Also, there's a lot of stuff going on here including various celebs and athletes. These servers are the people for whom industry night discounts were invented. Grade: A- Overall: it is what it is. The Lettuce version of a Chicago steak and seafood place. If That is what you are looking for, The food is good, the booze is flowin', your worries are left with the doorman. B+
(4)
Jennifer R.
WAAAAY overrated. To me, this is purely an expense account place. Prices, for what you receive, are ridiculously inflated. I chose this place based on the good reviews here, and was so disappointed! First off, our stone crab claws were PUMMELED, not just cracked, and it made them darn near impossible to eat. There were shards of shell in every bite, and we are big crab people. Such a bummer. The dining room was very crowded, almost like one of those family-style Italian joints feels, not a place that charges this much for a steak. Not to mention, we had a reservation and had to wait another hour in the VERY crowded bar to be seated...there have got to be better choices! Yuck!
(1)
Retired B.
Stone crab is not as delicious as dungeness crab, I am sorry to say. However, it is still tasty and it was interesting prying out the meats from the claws. (That's all you get- claws with the pinchers, not the other legs.) I tried the lunch special (?) that came with 5 medium claws, cole slaw (a little too soupy for me), really good hash browns, and a slice of banana cream pie for like $22 which I thought was a really good deal. Service is very friendly. They let me substitute the dessert of banana cream pie instead of key lime pie even though they said that they do not normally do that. And they also let my friend substitute her coleslaw for some other type of veggie. I did notice that they do tend to say the same message over and over again though, so I am sure it is just memorized. "Hi. welcome to Joe's blah blah blah, have you ever dined with us? Well, let me tell you about the blah blah blah." I wish I could come on a business trip so I can get to try all the other items. Most of the clientele seem to be business people.
(4)
Nicholas W.
What can I say? It's reliable and great.
(4)
Timothy D.
There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said. This is a top notch restaurant with amazingly fresh food and impeccable service. It is pricey but you certainly get your monies worth. My only complaint is that this place is so damn popular it gets very crowded and you have to make reservations pretty far in advance (especially if you are a party of 4 or smaller). Recommend the 2nd mortgage appetizer (sub out crab legs for stone crab) and then split the king crab legs (table side service) for dinner. Pair it all with champagne for a special night out.
(5)
QB Chicago B.
Ok...I haven't been here in some time. I mean we have so many new and wonderful restaurants to choose from....spoiled! But I forgot...this is my fav place! Although usually crowded, you have the option to eat barside. But the meal is worth the wait if you decide to eat in very traditional dining area! Always consistent great service, super fresh fish, pre cracked crab and always left overs to take home. Expect to leave well fed...from the appetizer to the desert....a home run!! Love Love Love this place and this time I won't forget it!
(4)
Lyndsay G.
Joe's is a very fancy restaurant, far more fancy then what I am used to. I used to pick up food for my bosses at work here at my old job and the host would wear a top hat so it def caught me by surprise. the employees here are very helpful, responsive and are generally hilarious. I only had contact with the hostess of the carry-out section, but they always ran down exactly what I order and made sure everything was in the bags. Considering I would order between 100-200 worth of fish, that def helped. The leftovers I had were alway delicious, but I could never afford this place otherwise.
(3)
Nick C.
So I have finally made my long overdue pilgrimage to Joe's! I ate their last night with my girlfriend and her aunt and uncle. The place was completely jammed, and their was a large group of people in the bar area waiting it out in hopes of a "no-show." We had 6:30 reservations and were seated promptly. Unfortunately, we were seated in a booth instead of a table, but I knew I would I live. Our waiter showed up soon after we were seated with the menus, and the busboy was right behind him with the waters and the bread. The bread was pretty good, but the cinnamon raisin was by far the best... too bad their was only one of them for four people to split. For appetizers, we ordered the highly touted Stone Crab Claws, the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms, and the Fried Calamari. In my opinion, the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms were the best of the appetizers, and they were so well done that the layer of cheese on top of the mushrooms was not necessary. I actually removed the cheese from my mushrooms so I could fully enjoy the spinach flavor. The fried calamari was perfectly fried, but on "par" with what you would expect from a high-end steakhouse. Now comes the shocker, the Crab Claws, were, in my opinion, just OK. I know some people will scoff at the suggestion that Joe's Crab Claws were not the Holy Grail, but I have had better, and I do not think I would order them the next time I go to Joe's... the high price doesn't help their case either. My only real complaint about Joe's was created at this point in the meal. Our busboy was overly aggressive, and a bit bothersome. He was insistent about removing plates from the table and actually took our appetizer plates from the table before we had finished all of the food! Yes, we had stopped eating for a minute or so to converse, but I had been eyeing those last two mushrooms only to seem them swept off the table, by what can only be described as the Terminator of BusBoys... his mission, confiscate anything and everything! This gentleman was so insistent on dumping water into our glasses that, not once did he do so without spilling water all over the table... excuse me and I apologize work once or twice, but he was just reciting them in order to seem proper. He also leaned his entire body over our table to reach the still half full bread basket and plates on the other side. I know he is just doing his job, but I could have done without the table being shaken like a 50lb weight just fell on it, and even more so, without his body all over my clean dinner plate and silverware. Maybe I am just being picky, but at a restaurant of this caliber, I do not expect that type of service. Anyway, he did not take away from the rest of the night, so that is enough about him. Now onto the highlight of the meal, STEAK! My girlfriend ordered the Petite Fillet, her steakhouse standard, her uncle ordered the NY Strip, her aunt, who gives up meat for lent, was forced to forgo a steak, and of course, I went with my steakhouse standard, and ordered the NY Strip - Medium Rare. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Fries, and Sauteed Garlic Spinach as our sides. All of the sides were wonderful and the Fried Green Tomatoes were a fantastic surprise... we only ordered them because we have never scene them on a menu before. The Sweet Potato Fries had a brown sugar, and nutmeg (I think it was nutmeg) sprinkle over them that made them addicting. The Sauteed Spinach was perfectly done, and in my opinion, a much better accompaniment then its creamed counterpart. What can I say about the steaks, they were all perfect. There comes a point when you realize Prime Cut Steaks are, well, Prime Cut Steaks, and that is what the majority of top-tier steakhouses serve. However, the rub/seasoning at Joe's, combined with their cooking method (absolutely perfect char to the steaks) made my NY Strip one of the best I have had. I did need a moment or two to recharge my appetite before I could finish my steak, but I made sure to wield my very large steak knife, just in case our busboy was going to try anything funny. I did not eat dessert because I gave that up for lent, but our table ordered a piece of the Key Lime Pie and a piece of the Boston Cream Pie, both looked and were described as, very good. Joe's is a great steakhouse... It has a lively atmosphere, and the food to justify the hard to get reservations. For anyone who lives in or near Chicago, it is a must try. It's also perfect for someone looking to impress visitors. I have a hard time admitting it, but I would probably say Joe's is better than Gibson's if it were a Chicago only restaurant.
(4)
Wesley W.
Great service, great food, great experience. We had some lobster size prawns as appetizers. We then had surf and turf with king crab legs and ribeyes. Wine list was extensive and the place was not ostentatious. I go there every time I'm in Chi-Town.
(5)
Nicholas H.
Once - This is a GEM in Chicago. An amazing staff that is eager to satisfy your every desire with their rockstar menu. Like I said before, we go here at least twice a month, and each time is even better than the next. Despite the fact that we always choose to dine in the bar, we always get the tenderloin sandwich, accompanied with several sides like cream corn and asparagus. One would figure that the bill would set you back a small loft or timeshare in Miami. Although, it is actually EXTREMELY affordable. That is until you get dessert, in particular the Banana Cream Pie. Which actually isn't that expensive, until you decide to just purchase the whole pie to-go. Which we have done several times. *blushing* *SNAPS FOR JOE'S* I WISH I COULD GIVE THEM 20 STARS - THEY DESERVE IT - AND ULTIMATELY REMAIN MY FAVORITE CHICAGO RESTAURANT!!!!
(5)
Charles L.
Very good food, to be sure, but not the most amazing in town at these price levels. I should specify: I had the crab cakes and various appetizers; their calamari was delicious, the others more average. My crab cakes were good but not great - this Florida boy was nonplussed by the crab cakes. The key lime pie was great - this Florida boy was plussed. Also, the place does have a cool, sort of classic feel. If you're ok with a fairly high bill and are looking for a sort of formal-ish night out with very good food, this place is not likely to disappoint.
(4)
T Mir S.
One of the best seasfood places in chicago... fantastic service, good wine selction, great steaks, and awesome seafood... try the stone crab appitizer, fish is fresh as hell, flown daily
(4)
Tony P.
Here in Chicago for first time with my wife(no kids) for our 10th yr anniversary to experience some fine dining. We heard a lot about how good are the restaurants in Chicago and decided to check out Joe's(recommended by many). It was just ok compared to Mastro's or Ruth's Chris experience where we live in Orange County, CA. The place was very crowded(Friday night) and we had to wait 45min. past our dinner reservation time. Our server sort of rushed us in ordering; I think he may have tricked us into getting the dry-aged bone-in-ribeye and special live stone crab that is rare because we found out the price was $60(felt like 180z) and $70 for the rib-eye and stone crab respectively when we got the bill. The 20oz bone-in rib-eye on the menu was only around $40 which I should have ordered because the dry-aged did not taste any better than my previous experience with bone-in rib-eye at Mastros , Ruth Chris, or Fleming's. On top of that of that, we bought our own bottle of Opus One 2001 and offered the server a glass to share. Well, this usually works and our corkage fee is almost always waived. However, he did gave us free deserts, but he also gave it to others near our table. So overall, we were disappointed. Maybe we had high expectations but we had better food and experience at Mastro's, Ruth Chris, and Fleming's.
(3)
Haley M.
On my first-ever trip to Chicago there were so many steak houses to choose from. Old-style Chicago institutions, chain favorites, trendy see-and-be-seens. We settled on Joe's Steak & Stone Crab and I can hands down say this was the best 2 hours of my Chicago experience. Joe's doesn't fit into the good steakhouse category. It doesn't even raise the bar. It takes the bar, bends it in half, kisses its muscle and laughs menacingly. I'll start with the atmosphere and service -- Joe's has a classic feel. The light music, waiters in suits and ties and early 1900s decor makes you feel like you are Marylin Monroe dining alongside Joe Diamaggio before you head to the theater for The Music Man. The service was extremely attentive but not overbearing. I was definitely impressed by the waiter's class and willingness to do everything in his power to make us happy. On to the main act. The food. This was the best meal I've had in a very. long. time. Every morsel, every taste, was superior to most I've had before. I had never had stone crab and I recommend it, especially for the creamy mustard they so intelligently pair with it. The steak is juicy, savory, delightful. We tried the stuffed tomatoes, fried green tomatoes and cheesy mashed potatoes for sides all of which disappeared rapidly. They are known for their desserts which certainly did not disappoint. This meal brought me to a zen-like state of dining pleasure that I will still be talking about to my grandchildren. Go to Joe's. Fly to Chicago this weekend and eat at Joe's. Move to Chicago and live above Joe's. Change your name to Joe. This place is amazing.
(5)
Kim C.
Found myself on a Saturday night with no dinner reservations and a friend from out-of-town to feed and entertain, and thought I'd give Joe's a shot. We were not surprised to see a mob of people waiting for tables, and learned that there would be no tables available until 10pm! We were lurking around in the bar area, when a waitress approached us and asked if we were looking for a place to sit. She then gave us quick tips on which tables were about done and ready to leave, so we were able to keep an eye on them and snatched up a table within 10 minutes! The wine list was extensive, and we ordered a bottle of Gewurz (yum!). My wild alaskan salmon was delicious--literally melted in my mouth. My friend's crab cakes actually tasted like real crab (!!), and the fisherman's platter is a MUST for seafood lovers. My friend had the calamari fried, and the scallops and shrimp grilled. According to him, the scallops were amazing, plump and juicy. Overall, I had one of the best dinners I've had in a while. The waitress was helpful, the food was good, the wine was great.. writing this review makes me wish I had $80 to spend on dinner everyday =(
(5)
Colie L.
Oh my gosh, so great! My boyfriend and I came here for date night and I was a little nervous because I have Celiac Disease and trying out new places is always a little nerve-wracking. The server was so great, he was so personable and very knowledgeable in the gluten free menu. Our server made wonderful recommendations based on my dietary needs. After our dinner we stayed in the bar to watch the end of a Hawks game. It's a nice separate space from the bar to the restaurant so the two don't compete in noise level. While pricey at first, you get your bang for your buck and we walked out very full and happy! We loved it so much we came back a month later!
(5)
Mei Z.
Typically, I am not a fan of classic American restaurants (why eat out for steak + potatoes, I say?) but this is the most reserved restaurant on opentable in Chicago so I went for restaurant week 2011 lunch for the prix fixe menu. I got the clam chowder, stone crab and banana cream cake. Food: Tomato based clam chowder was very small and acidic. Big mistake with the soup for me, apparently the seafood bisque was to die for. Stone crabs were decadent and juicy. We also had a large heap of hash brown like potatoes to share and coleslaw which was mixed by the table. As a big carb lover, my fave part was probably the potatoes. Although simple, it was deliciously crunchy on top and moist in the middle. Dessert was fine, very sweet with lots of banana and icing. Ambience: very classic Americana feel. Service: excellent, we all had lemon squeezed on our hands and a warm towel to clean off the fishy smell.
(4)
Das T.
Absolutely the best seafood restaurant, but perhaps the best restaurant in Chicago, period. I've dined here about 5 times now, and for my last experience, well, it just reminded me why I love coming here. The dining room is gorgeous; the plates and silver are all top-notch and classy; the service is outstanding. Just had appetizers and wine this time, and the server did not bat an eye nor give any kind of attitude for me and friend not ordering "entrees." --Had the enormous black mussels...wanted to swim in the sauce. --Crab cake was big and puffy and lightly breaded and fantastic...didn't even need the sauce, just a little lemon (but the sauce is really good!) --Scallop and shrimp ceviche tasted incredibly fresh and citrus-y. It's expensive, yes, but I've never ever left here feeling like I didn't get a great value for my money.
(5)
Missy M.
Friends of mine gave mixed reviews before I went to eat here for the first time so I was skeptical from the get go... however since we had some nicely amounted Lettuce Entertain you gift cards it made the experience a little more appealing! The Tails & Turf (filet mignon and TWO lobster tails) was SO DELICIOUS. I am salivating just thinking about it. The service was great and the wine flowed (we selected the Wild Boar's Pinot Noir which I would highly recommend). I would pass on the Stone Crab if I ever went back. They were good, but the hype killed it. If I am going to get crab there is only one place I am going- The Half Shell! Last but not least, if you go here take everyone's hint and get the key lime pie for dessert. You won't be disappointed. Then be prepared to fall into a food coma on the way home...
(5)
Tonya H.
My company is in DC but was sponsoring a conference in Chicago and I had to find a restaurant for us that would accomodate a dinner for about 50 people. After doing some online searching, including Yelp, I chose Joe's and was not disappointed. They put us in a great private room in the back. Our wait staff was wonderful and professional. And the food was delicious. All of the conferees enjoyed their entrees, especially the crab cakes and stone crab claws. I liked the food so much that if I ever go back to Chicago I will definitely go to Joes for dinner.
(5)
M B.
My husband and I took a trip to Chicago recently, and I wanted us to have at least one nice sitdown meal during our stay (especially because we had a lot of pizza and burgers and other on-the-go stuff and I was tired of that). We were heading from our hotel to North Michigan Ave. for a boat tour, and we searched Yelp for places that we'd pass on our walk and Joe's popped up, so I suggested we try it. We were a bit intimidated when we walked inside and saw that the staff members were wearing tuxedos (we weren't dressed sloppily, but my husband was in shorts and I was in jeans), but we relaxed once we saw that the diners were pretty much all tourists like us. We were seated immediately and given ice water and a basket of bread, and our waiter quickly took our drink order. The water was refilled several times during the meal by another waiter, and all empty plates were promptly taken away once we were finished with them. I ordered the filet mignon and my husband got shrimp scampi. Sides need to be ordered separately ... we went with garlic creamed spinach and cheesy mashed potatoes, all of which was great. The waiter suggested a half-portion of the potatoes since my husband had pasta, and I wish we'd also gotten a half portion of the spinach because we couldn't finish it all. The table next to us ordered the stone crab claws ... the waiter brought it to their tableside, donned a pair of gloves and cut open the claws for them. I thought that was neat. The crab claws seem to be their big thing, and I heard no complaints from the patrons next to us so I'm assuming that they were good. We ordered a piece of key lime pie for dessert, which was also very tasty. The waiter brought us the bill and said that the pie was free because it was our first visit to the restaurant (he asked us at the beginning of the meal if we'd visited before, and since we said no he went into a short talk about its history and their crab claws and such). Not sure if that's standard practice or not, but it was certainly very nice of him. The price was very reasonable, and we were both very happy that we chose to eat there.
(4)
Emily P.
Steakhouses are my thing and surf and turf dishes are my thing. With that being said I have been to MANY great steakhouses and this did not impress me. The tables were insanely close together. This place is super crowded. This is what I had: Mac N Cheese side dish - It was good but not creamy good. Roasted Corn - Delicious Ceasar Salad - One of the best ceaser salads I ever had Alaskan King Crab Legs - Yes they were very fresh. So fresh that it was just flown in and has never been frozen. I have just had bigger and better and was not impressed. Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail - Lobster Tail was very good. My filet mignon I ordered medium and it turned out okay. The outside was a little too over done. Key Lime Pie and Boston Cream Pie - I love dessert after every meal and was very disappointed that all they had was pie but that is what they're famous for! The pies were good but nothing worth remembering. And I wish they had more pie selections especially if that is all you are going to have on the dessert menu. Would I go here again? Yeah why not.
(3)
Venkatesh B.
We had a magnificent experience from making a reservation online ( opentable.com ) to exiting the doors with our neatly packed desserts to go. The Alaskan King Crab legs with drawn butter were perfect with generous portions of meat and came pre-cracked by wait staff so you don't have to worry about mess or ruining your nice clothes. Sides were separate but large enough to share and all delicious, although the mashed potatoes, fried asparagus, four cheese mac all had similar flavored crust. We are from out-of-state and would definitely come here again. Our server Monique was absolutely lovely and so professional. We could tell she takes pride in her work and made sure we were having an enjoyable dinner from start to finish. She is a gem and it was a pleasure having her during our dining experience. The supporting wait staff were also superb.
(5)
Brenda H.
I went back to Joe's during Restaurant Week this year and had low expectations. I had just come back from a trip to Vegas, where I had heavily enjoyed my trip to Joe's in Vegas. I no longer order steak well-done.. for the first time in my life, I can now eat jalapeños.. and I developed a peanut allergy at 27. I know I'm getting off topic but I just wanted to express that my taste buds have changed. The Restaurant Week special allowed me to try new things from Joe's, like their soup. I had the stone crab bisque, which was so creamy and flavorful. I don't even like crab but I could eat that again and again. I had the filet mignon with their two sides--tomatoes and mashed potatoes (both are good choices). Everything was done so well that I couldn't imagine complaining. They ran out of the dessert they offered for Restaurant Week so I was given the whole dessert menu to choose from. I forgot to mention my friend and I split a burger with fries as an appetizer. It's my favorite burger anywhere and I couldn't leave without him trying it. I think this burger was even more delicious than usual. Joe's Chicago really delivered, despite it being one of those days I wouldn't have blamed them if the food or service wasn't perfect.
(5)
J S.
Love joes. Go every chance I get. In my opinion the bone in filet is the best steak in Chicago. Never disappointed with a visit to joes. Food and service consistently top notch. Gotta eat here when in Chicago. A+
(5)
Victoria R.
Been going here for years and just can't get enough. I usually only go for lunch but have been twice for dinner as well. The stone crabs are phenomenal. They are cracked and ready to go with mustard sauce that is to die for. The menu is quite varied with many options for all types of food lovers. I usually stick to tons of select crabs, salad and the sides. The fried asparagus and sweet corn are to die for. Wine list is solid and desserts are out of this world. Always amazing service. Ask for Andrea if you really want to be taken care of.
(5)
Clover H.
Filet mignon and salad is nice ~
(4)
Betty W.
Best place to get a ribeye steak so yummy and great hang out place with friends vary clean great service will come back again !!!
(5)
Andrew T.
I'm afraid I cannot be as complimentary as most folks. For what Joe's costs and the rave reviews I have always heard, I have to say I was a little disappointed. For starters, I have to make a comment about atmosphere. I usually don't let this bug me too much, but again, for a "fine dining" restaurant like this, I kind of expect a little more civility. Unfortunately, the host station and waiting area are basically one and the same with the bar and some high top (I assume first come, first served) tables. It's very noise, very crowded with both patrons and wait staff worming their way through any waiting customers, and they're forced to call your name out over an intercom as though it's some kind of local watering hole. Once seated, our party of four ended up in a booth in a corner, which was kind of nice, being out of the way and a little quieter. As for food, we started with the namesake stone crab - just one claw for each of us, since it seemed silly to come and not try it. Turns out...we could have skipped it. It was very watery, oddly textured, and nearly tasteless. A member of the party who has eaten at the Joe's in Florida reports that it's much better there, which i could easily believe, but this was just not impressive. There was also an order of the lobster bisque which was good, with a nicely textured cream base, but didn't make me jump out of my seat or anything. For the entree, I do have to specifically call out our waiter. After three of us ordered the petite filet with king crab legs, he pointed out to us that the crab served with those filets is frozen, not fresh. And if we wanted, it would be basically the same price if we just each ordered a petite filet and then about 1.5lbs of king crab legs, since then the crab would be fresh. That's awesome advice, and we were glad to have it. I think they probably should note on the menu that you're about to get frozen crab meat, as I really wouldn't expect *any* of the crab to be frozen at a place like this that trades on its seafood. We also ordered the crab hot, since we all agreed we preferred that to chilled. My steak was properly cooked, but was a little unremarkable. Was it good? Yes. But it doesn't really compare to the filets I've had at other steakhouses in the city, especially III Forks and Chicago Cut. Didn't have exceptional flavor, wasn't exceptionally tender, no delicious grill crust or salt and pepper outside. The crab legs had great flavor (reminding me why lobster ain't got nothin' on good king crab) and good texture, but honestly could have been hotter. They were basically warm - and again, we all agreed that we've best enjoyed them when they come out piping hot. Our service, as mentioned was very friendly, and I liked the fresh lemon and hot towels to clean hands in between courses. Really nothing wrong with the service. Price was just high for what I think we got. I think we could easily have spent the same amount of money for steak or seafood elsewhere and been just as happy if not more happy. Our visit was motivated by a huge number of gift cards, which tempered any bill anger, but still. So I'm wavering between three and four. Good service...very good king crab...OK steaks...bad stone crab. I think what tips me in the direction of three (and a strong three) is that the namesake item on the menu was just not good...plus nothing else was able to really blow me away or make me forget about it. I think we'll look elsewhere before returning, especially in this price range and genre.
(3)
Rolo R.
This is our 2nd time here, the reason we came back is the first time we had an awesome experienced with the food and service, so we came here again to celebrate a birthday and an engagement celebration. One thing I will say is the food is still good, but this review is about our experience and the communication throughout the entire staff. I made a reservation here about 2 weeks ago about the birthday and engagement we're celebrating. Our server wasn't really paying attention to us since he's got a party of about 12-14 people next to our table. Seems like he's struggling keeping up with all of the tables, I understand that, but the establishment he's working we expect more. I had to tell him we're ready to order our main entree. After our meal is done, he did show the dessert menu, but we decided to not get any. After that he just turned around and gave us the check like he was in a hurry to get rid of us. Before I paid, I went back to the front to ask the host if there's a note on the reservation I made 2 weeks ago. He said yes, so I told him our server just handed our bill and we're paying it now, but nothing is said about the birthday now the engagement we're celebrating. Really disappointed that this is not communicated properly and felt like we were being rush to eat and leave. Not a single manager came to our table to apologized. Lastly we flew here from California to celebrate this important day, but shorthanded by the experienced here. Don't think we'll be coming here with family and friends.
(2)
Mark C.
This place is consistent. Lunch is a pricey endeavor, however, it is definitely worth it - I just couldn't afford it daily. I enjoyed the "Classic Crab Lunch" with the Soup, Crab, Jennie's Mashed Potatoes (superior to the other ones), Grilled Tomato and a Banana Pie Dessert. Crab is definitely 5 stars and delicious with the butter they serve (and it's not a lot of work since it is pre-cut in the shell). The Mashed Potatoes - yummy. Grilled Tomato was OK, I would have liked a little less of the cheese.. kind of seemed like a dare to see how unhealthy they could make a tomato. Pie was way too much on the Whipped Cream side.. deducting a star for that. It was basically 3/4 Whip Cream to 1/4 pie with some carmel sauce on the bottom.. just not up to the standards of what I'd expect here. My dining companion always has the Steak Salad, he loves it and it's a great lunch selection. Also, recommend the cappuccino for dessert.
(4)
Shawn C.
Sea food ceviche is incredible. Always a great place to poeple watch. Food has never disappointed. We always like to sit in the bar area if you can kind a table. Shared a table with strangers. Very good and friendly staff. Highly recommend this establishment.
(5)
Susie C.
Of all the places we went to during our visit to Chicago, this was my favorite on so many levels. Excellent service, pretty good steak, and OH MAN the stone crabs! Fountains of stone crabs! Listen to the 1000s of other reviews here. We're all raving about the same thing, you can't go wrong. The boston crème cake is pretty decadent too. Cheers!
(5)
Ariel L.
Possibly the biggest rip off of a restaurant ever. $75 for an order of King Crab legs? Frozen Stone crab legs for $55? One min crab cake for $15? Give me a break. If you are loaded and money falls out of your pockets when you walk down the street, and you want an average seafood meal in a loud and crowded restaurant in River North, go here by all means. If that isn't you, avoid this place at all costs. Oh, and we were seated a 35 minutes after our reservation time. If you've been in business for that long you should be able to figure out how to schedule your seatings. And if you are going to make your diners wait that long, try at least sending us a round of drinks to tide us over. I clearly won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)
Danielle Y.
Really great steak. Try to avoid the appetizers, the portions are small. We went during restaurant week and the prices weren't terrible.
(4)
Jin V.
The best rib eye that i have ever had. Bone in and and cooked to perfection (medium) with right amount of charring. Get a little crowded but every good place does. Great selection of wine as well. Wife had the salmon and she loved it as well
(4)
Roberto M.
Best Sea bass I had in my life And the shrimp and scallop ceviche was great I can't wait to go back
(5)
Corey W.
Was here for a conference wth my wife and Joes single handedly saved the Chicago dining experience. Usually not a fan of the seafood restaurants but Joe's has turned me into a believer. What really took my experience over the top was the honesty and recommendations of our server Charles Hill. He sent out a key lime pie as my wife was asking to split one with me. Joes will undoubtedly be my first stop when I return to Chicago!!!!!
(5)
Lisa H.
Joe's is a favorite of ours. Every time we visit Chicago, the first restaurant we chose to visit is Joe's. The food is superb and the service is outstanding. I write to share our experience last Monday, April 14. We had a 7:00 p.m. reservation and we were advised upon checking in that the dining room was running 30 minutes late. It was the first night of Passover and many people were celebrating the holiday. At 7:30, we inquired about our table. A manager came over, immediately apologized for the wait and seated us at a lovely table. Not only did he apologize again, he advised he would be sending over an appetizer "the Whale" to express his apologies. Then, our server apologized as well. In minutes we were enjoying king crab legs, stone crab claw, ceviche and shrimp. It was delicious. Joe's repeatedly demonstrates why it is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago with its consistent food and exemplary service. Our experience Monday evening could have ended with disappointment and dismay. The staff of Joe's made it into a positive and we enjoyed a wonderful evening. Other restaurants should take note. Thank you Joe's for your hospitality, service, and delicious food. We will be back!
(5)
Marc R.
Made a reservation a couple of months ago for this coming Saturday night. (In case you don't know, you have to make reservations months in advance for a weekend night.) A conflict came up and I called to see if there was a chance of moving to Friday night. The hostess said no, but she would connect me to a manager to see if we could avoid cancelling. I was pretty surprised. Along came Dustin. He sounded like he was counting the number of reservations and, long story short, said that he would hate to promise something that he couldn't deliver. After a short conversation about what times and days were good for us, he was able to move us to the following Saturday at the same time. Way above and beyond, as far as I'm concerned. They want our business and earned it yet again. We eat here once or twice a year for special occasions. The food is amazing, but the service is what keeps us coming back time after time.
(5)
C R.
Fantastic! My wife and I went here last night and really enjoyed the place. It was definitely one of the best steaks I have had (20oz bone in ribeye). The crab bisque was perfect and their ceviche was some of the best I have ever had! Denise was our sever and she was outstanding. When I am back in Chicago I will definitely be here again. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Ahmad N.
Went to celebrate my wife's birthday. I had the ribeye which was excellent and my wife had the crab legs and she enjoyed them. The waiter said to save room for dessert on him (without us asking or mentioning it was her bday), and brought us out a brownie sundae. I was not impressed as the brownie was rock hard. so i asked him to bring us the havana pie instead. Next time you want to give free desert out, make sure its something good instead of rock hard leftover brownies.
(4)
Tonye T.
Great food. Relaxing atmosphere. Kinda gives an old school vibe if that makes any sense. Will definitely be back when the pocket book allows.
(5)
Paula M.
I have been going to Joe's for over 7 years. I love their crab claws with the special sauce. And everything else in their menu. The maître d' is phenomenal. He always address you with your first name and make you feel like a millionaire. I love it. Their steaks are excellent and I love the crab stuffed sole. When I want to impress my business associates, Joe's is the place to take them. The only negative is the parking guys. Not pleasant!
(4)
Maggie Z.
went there with my ET. they have great sea food. But too many people so it's noisy and tight.
(4)
Laila C.
Came here for lunch and I absolutely LOVED how they fully understand the lunchtime crowd. Our server asked us at the beginning if there was a certain time we had to get out by and fully respected that and kept everything at a great pace. We had the shrimp/scallop ceviche which was fresh and delicious. I had the lunch special with the 6 oz filet, king crab and asparagus. Loved it. The king crab was sweet and fresh, the filet was the perfect size for lunch. Overall, great place for a business lunch!
I have been trying to get through the top-32 Chicago steak houses and Joe's kept falling through the cracks, in part due to the difficulty in getting a reservation, despite the great Yelp ratings. I finally made it there a week or so ago and it quickly jumped to the top-5. I had the filet mignon and crab legs as my entree. I was able to upgrade to the full fillet as I find it morally reprehensible to order a petite cut of any steak. Although not normally a filet eater, this one was perfect. It was very nice size and cooked exactly as I requested. I was a little concerned, as some (including Chicago mag) had written Joe's steaks are good but not as great as other Chicago steak houses. I do think this filet matched up well. The only thing that may temper it was that the crab legs were so incredible it is hard to match the level of awesomeness. With Shaw's and Bob Chinn's, there are many good options for crab. Also, Joe's name is all about stone crab, which I do not prefer because of the shell, so I was not expecting such awesome crab legs. They were incredibly sweet, you could have them for dessert. Again, I have never had crab legs like these and can't get them out of my head. Two other plusses were sides. The fried green tomatoes (a daily special) was great, as were the Julie's mashed potatoes. As someone who recommended the latter to me before I went said, not sure why mashed potatoes are that good but these are. He was right. Nice that they also allow you (and encourage you) to place half orders of sides. Only disappointment was the asparagus. Nothing special and the sauce was bleh. Had the key lime pie for dessert. It was good but did not feel it was as unique as the entree, tomatoes or potatoes, despite the hype. The other thing I want to note is that the atmosphere is more formal than even most steak houses. Much more a jacket and tie place than I am accustomed to these days, even more than a Mortons or Mastros.
(5)
Marie D.
Stone crab, good wine and fantastic dessert... what more can you ask for? This place was great. The service was wonderful and attentive and the food was divine. Definitely stop by if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)
Jenna B.
Always an amazing experience when I come here for dinner. We came for a birthday and the experience was fabulous! The waiter and all the restaurant staff were super helpful and always ready to take care of everyone's needs. The food was delicious... Loved the herb chicken and fried chicken! We got multiple slices of pie that were all amazing. I would recommend the banana based pie!
(5)
Alex Y.
Wow! What a great experience and superb service from start to finish. My colleague and I grabbed lunch on the way to the airport. We were promptly seated and warmly greeted by the server. We ordered drinks, the crab bisque, seafood salad, and seafood platter. After ordering, we received a nice selection of bread (regular roll, onion roll, sweet raisin bread, and breadsticks). The soup was excellent and served shortly afterward. Everything was prepared to perfection. The lobster, shrimp, and scallops were incredible, not under or over cooked. We decided to pass on dessert as we needed to catch our flights but I will definitely return to Joe's the next time I am in town.
(5)
Brittany B.
Favorite Restaurant. Joes has a level of service that most places have forgotten. I have never been disappointed. The staff is well dressed and they are attentive to everything. The kind of place where your water glass is never less than half full. The food is phenomenal. Try the bone in filet if you're hungry. The New York strip is great too. Chilled crab legs. But most important- the key lime pie. Yes yes yes. Do not even think of leaving without it. If you're not dressed for a big dinner- or don't have the time, their bar is full menu and has several high top tables as well.
(5)
Jordan E.
Excellent dining experience, definitely order the stone crabs or the king crab (get it chilled). We both got the filet & tail after some crab - steaks were cooked perfectly and the lobster was fantastic with a nice portion size. The mashed potatoes were also superb. Highly recommended and the staff was excellent as well.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Service was amazing. We were a little crammed in. Monday night and the place was hopping. We had the $75.00 (no joke) appetizer of alaskan king crab. Very good, probably not worth 75- but it was fun watching them de-shell table side. I always have to comment on the cocktails, since that is so important for me. I had a lemonade mojito, delish. For dinner I had the broiled shrimp with baked sweet potato. Loved how they gave me a little brown sugar with butter for the potato. Not sure how, but it was the best sweet potato I've ever eaten. All in all, great evening. - Side note: they will absolutely not seat you until your entire party arrives.
(4)
Fumie K.
Waited for years until I finally decided to try out this place... and it was okay. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but it's also nothing special. It is way too overpriced for what it's hyped up to be... My boyfriend and I ordered the lobster bisque, filet mignon, and stone crab legs with side dishes. More than the steak/crabs, it was the bisque and side dishes that left us with an impression. Get the 'grilled tomatoes' and 'sauteed garlic spinach'. You won't be disappointed.
(3)
Selma C.
I came here with some of my largest customers because this was recommended as one of the best places in town. I don't have any complaints about the food but the hostess was one of the worst I've have. We had a reservation for 8 people. And 7 of us arrived. Let me just note that one of my customers is handicapped and needs assistance standing up. I explained the situation about the flight delay and the fact that one of the guests was handicapped. The answer I got from the host was "well, there is nothing we can do about it, we will have to wait to get seated." I had to talk to the manager and make it a big deal before they actually sat us. For a restaurant with these prices, I would expect a much better service. Definitely not recommending it to anyone
(2)
Crystal W.
I had a great dining experience here. I hate that the reservations were full, but the food and service were great! We had crab stuffed shrimp, fried oysters, ceviche, and creamed spinach with a few delish lemon drop martinis. The crowd is mixed, but very sophisticated and the service was great as well. Although very pricey, I will definitely return!
(5)
Katie H.
Chilean Sea Bass, baked sweet potato and coconut cream pie (you must ask for a side of chocolate sauce). Need I say more?
(5)
Candice W.
We had an awesome time. Was a beautiful atmosphere, super friendly wait staff and amazing dinner. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)
Roel A.
The best seafood and steakhouse in Chicago. Whatever you order you can't go wrong. The steak is a must!
(5)
David B.
Awesome place with great food and atmosphere! Erin was incredibly knowledgeable and she made us feel at home!! We will be back!
(5)
Joseph L.
It's high end expensive. But it's well worth it. The crab claws are best the bigger they are. Don't try the small ones to start. The crab bisque is the best I've ever had. Better than most lobster bisque. The prime, bone in filet is top notch.
(5)
Zubair Q.
Great place / great ambiance / great food / the shrimp with crab meat is the best item on the menu and the stone crab is fantastic. CON - need better desserts - i was disappointed and the only reason I am not giving them 5 stars.
(4)
Lisa P.
My husband, my son (11 yrs old) & I went for Mother's & Father's Day dinner there in late June because we love seafood and are always on the look out for a (new to us) great spot. Joe's definitely delivered! We had a reservation, but still had a bit of a wait...the bar area was crowded and all the tables taken so we just stood there...so, a little awkward. Not my favorite part. Once we sat down we got served like royalty. The wait staff is first rate professional, they are dressed to the nines and super attentive & helpful. They really made the place special. The food was top quality too. We tried the crab cake appetizer and it was incredible! Big beautiful chunks of crab...yum! Don't miss it. I had the fisherman's platter, grilled (except the calamari, fried). It was all cooked perfectly. My son had the fish & chips, which he loved and I thought looked great! My husband had the filet mignon and Alaskan king crab legs. He had nothing but positive words for everything on his plate (though I know he could have eaten a little more legs for $55/plate). We didn't try the famous stone crabs...want to leave something for the next time. We will definitely return for another meal, but I hold back on giving it five stars because, for its class, there were a few things that seemed lacking to be "as good as it gets." For example, why (over) charge for sides? Seems abusive and greedy. And it seems like everyone got a complementary taste of some pie, I don't remember trying... again, perhaps a consistency problem?
(4)
Diana K.
This restaurant might intimidate the younger crowd at first glance with its white table clothes and waiters dressed in tuxes, but it's a great meal for all ages. I've been going for years now and the food is consistently good and the service is always top notch. It's a hidden gem for brunch on the weekends as well. You can get a crab cake Benedict for under 20 bucks, makes you reconsider how much you spent on that mediocre fare at rockit, huh? Great Bloody Mary too. I had my after wedding brunch here and they did a wonderful job and it didn't break the bank either, private room and all. Lunch and dinner are also great, and it's a great place to take out of town clients. They crack the crab for you, so you can eat it quickly and you don't need a plastic bib. They have some simple tasty sandwiches like a French dip that the men drool over as well as nice fresh seafood choices and salads. Some must orders- the fresh spring corn side dish (in the right season), seafood salad for a light and fresh lunch, the manhattan chowder, any joes lunch special (tons of food for like 30 bucks) Parmesan crusted fish, fisherman's platter and finish with the Havana dream pie, it's the best dessert. Also a big fan of their peppermint ice cream which sounds boring, but it's delicious and refreshing too!
(5)
Bernice M.
I was visiting Chicago for a training. It was delicious. Our waiter was wonderful. I highly recommend this location.
(4)
Malia M.
Reservations / Host: (3*) Well, I'm not a Somebody. If I were a Somebody I would have merrily shaken hands with the host with the mostest and had a fair shot at being bumped before people with reservations. There seemed to be three occurrences of this while we waited 30 minutes past our Wednesday evening, 2-person reservation. The theme for these Somebodys were slick-haired jacket-guys with young, pretty blondes on their arm and older women clad to the floor in fur with their smartly dressed husbands. I'm none of these. So, we waited while the flesh was pressed again and again. The host made it difficult to stay skeptical since he was so charming, ultra attentive and detail-oriented. And let's face it, Somebodys return frequently and Nobodys, not much. Table Service: (5*) Matt was EXCEPTIONAL - yes, caps lock exceptional. He made us feel like Somebodys. He was incredibly personable, giving us a brief run down of the wine list and entrees with personal recommendations. He was attentive at every stage of our meal, checking in constantly. Thanks, Matt! Food: (5*) The lobster was the finest I've every had. The petite steak was very nice, but better with the rub. The mashed potatoes were the best I've had. A crispy crust (panko?) to top it off was the clean-up hitter home run. Amazing. Garlic tossed spinach was bright and perfectly garlicky. I do not even favor Key Lime Pie, but Joe's had me wishing I had met a Key Lime I loved 20 years ago. Like, so I could eat Key Lime Pie at every meal and compare the richness, silkiness and crustiness. In short: I'm in love. Key Lime, will you come home with me. Price: (5*) It's unfair to classify this as $$$$. We spent $144 and were nourished with: Petite Steak Petite Steak and Lobster Garlic Spinach Side Mashed Potato Side Key Lime Pie 2 glasses of Pinot You can't eat for one person on $200 at, say Next. So, It's a little unfair. there were plenty of entrees in the $20-$30 range. Sides and desserts were around $8-ish. So, if you weren't some Bank President, you could budget it accordingly. Summation: All in all, I would go return. I would most likely set my seating expectations low and be much happier about the entire experience.
(4)
Tonya W.
The food and service were both great. Ambience was nice but, the noise level was a bit elevated for an upscale steakhouse.
(4)
Stacy J.
Seriously one of the best meals ever. I would highly recommend Joes for dinner for anyone in the Chicago area. We came here on a friends recommendation and I'm so thankful we did. We had a table for 8 and every one of us had steak and each of us had cleaned our plates. I had the petite filet w/ crab and just the thought of that entree has me salivating wanting more. The menu is definitely pricey but worth saving your pennies for. Make sure you have reservations it was packed solid when we had reservations for 9pm.
(5)
Kevin R.
This was by far one of the best dinners I've ever had. I took my girlfriend for her birthday and everything was perfect. We were given a great table, our server Christia was awesome and the food was unreal. Shrimp Dejonge was a great app and the Filet Oscar with Bearnaise was sooo good. Joe's is definitely my new favorite restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
Conchita B.
The first night we go to Chicago a lot of the steaks houses refused services because we were "under dressed" after walking all over the place for 30 min in the cold weather. But Joe's not at all they welcome right in and they won my heart by how the hospitality was. Our server she was wonderful I loved how she took the time to remember our names, and making sure that we were doing okay checking up on us and everything. Their calamari was to die for the marinara sauce was put the cherry on top and the calamari was so so good the bread was just crispy the way I like it. My steak was juicy and tender it was delish. Their Mac and Cheese was delish with just the right thickness of the cheese. And the cream of spinach was perfect. I think the Chicago has the best hospitality especially at Joe's!
(5)
Joseph G.
My only experience here was surprisingly bad, given how well people have rated it. A colleague and I chose to have a late lunch here a recent afternoon. The lunch rush was definitely over and there was ample staff on the floor, but the service from the minute we walked in the door was slow-to-horrible. After waiting five minutes in an obvious spot near the host station for someone to at least acknowledge our presence, we chose to seat ourself in the bar. Then, it took another ten minutes for our eventual waitress to appear at our table. (When we asked the not-busy bartender for assistance -- eight feet away -- he instructed us we would be waited on shortly . . . as opposed to him helping out and at least taking our drink order) Once the waitress attended to us, she turned out to be amazingly slow and rarely made an appearance. The food was both cold and not spectacular when it eventually arrived. Then we had to chase her for the check. Apparently, this place and it's managers and owners (where the real problem lies) is content with a regular crowd and not interested in building new clientele (we are less than a five minute walk away). My colleagues and I are accustomed to spending a decent amount at any restaurant we chose to frequent. Not that the owner will care, but we'll take our clients elsewhere.
(1)
Mike R.
Reservations are one month in the future. Reserve early or you can eat in the lounge, simply hunt down a table and wait for the people to leave. Move quickly as others are scouting and doing the same. The food was well worth the wait. We ate in the lounge with a 35 minute wait. My wife and I had the signature snow crab legs for an appetizer, Fresh and delicious. I enjoyed the dover sole while my wife had the crab stuffed shrimp. Both were to die for! Save room for dessert, the coconut cream pie was exquisite. A very nice sized portion perfect for sharing. I will be back with friends!
(5)
Colin S.
Everything is excellent here, including my favorite server Charles H! I've been coming here for years when I was in town for business or leisure. Now that I live here it has become my go-to! Treat yourself to the 16oz bone-in filet!
(5)
allison k.
Never a bad choice for steak and seafood. Always very well done.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
The food is amazing and the service staff - although old-world-ish and strongly male - is excellent. Maybe the old worldishness of the place is what accounts for its charm. More importantly, the food is incredible and worth the price.
(5)
Joseph V.
Maybe I'm a bit biased because I paid half price for my food because of the Lettuce entertain you gift card, but this place was good! My wife and I went here for our anniversary and they did not disappoint. The service was great! Our waitress even took a selfie with us! The food was "Amazing" as my wife says. We can't get enough of those Snow King Crab legs. I would suggest coming here during the lunch hours because the food are cheaper and they have a lunch only deal on steak and crabs.
(5)
Bill M.
Went for my wife's b-day. Nice atmosphere. Great drink menu / wine list. We had soft shell crab app, she had lobster stuffed sole. She really liked it but warning, it's very creamy. I had crab cakes. Sides were roasted corn (good) and grilled asparagus (tasty). Dessert was key lime pie and brownie. Food quality was good. Service was very attentive. My only complaint was portion size on entrees was very small. We paid $165 for 2 people AFTER a $50 LEYE gift card. So expect to pay a lot. If they beef up their entree portions a bit, maybe they could reach 5 stars. Would recommend.
(4)
Danya S.
Was not the experience that I was hoping for. I don't know if my expectations were too high, but here's my scoop. My friend was coming into town from New York for my birthday weekend. He loves a good steakhouse, and my parents and grandparents said this place was special. So, I wanted to show the New Yorker what Chicago has to offer, and I thought this would be a good place for a birthday dinner. I made reservations at least a month in advance, but of course they only had 10:00 reservations, which didn't bother me since we attended the Bulls game before dinner. We get there exactly at 10, and were seated right away. Okay, so no problem. The waitress was friendly, we ordered drinks and appetizers and this is sort of where the experience went downhill. We ordered the whale and a wedge salad. We wanted to dine and take our time and enjoy my birthday dinner, but they were clearing our plates before we were even finished. The ice tray that the whale is served on still had food on it that needed to be chilled, but the bus boy took the multiple food items off of the ice, put it on a side plate and took the ice away. Why? I don't see the point of it. I felt so rushed, and I don't think they were trying to turn our table it was past 10:00 at night. And even if they were going to turn the table, don't do that, especially from such a "fine" establishment like Joe's. Then we told our waitress just to slow things down, we felt rushed, etc. etc., and she responds with: well what else do you want me to do? Um I don't know, say you're sorry, treat us nicer, accommodate the paying customer? Then she avoided us for most of the rest of the night. I was not as happy with this restaurant as I expected to be. The whale appetizer and wedge salad was tasty. The peanut butter pie was epic, the dessert was probably my favorite part (hence the picture). But I will not be returning here unless forced. Sorry Joe's I've had way better experiences at Gibson's, Bob Chinn's and Rosebud's.
(2)
Andrew A.
"We don't have Stone Crab tonight but you can order the Whale and that will have plenty of crab". The whale....plenty...sounds good. $30.00 pp. Ok, I guess. The whale arrives and it's akin to the old television ad "where's the beef?". We asked the server and she answered confidently that this was it. 4 pieces of seafood for $30.00pp. Then there was that awkward silence where she knew it was a small portion and agreed but couldn't really agree outloud. I will say that the Chilean Sea Bass was very good (for that they get an extra star). And....don't worry, the dessert was big. So glad I paid 6.95 for a large piece of mediocre cake and 30.00 for 4 small pieces of seafood. The ambiance is great. The server was good enough. The problem is that you can't really sit and enjoy your meal. Their staff is almost too efficient and rushes you out. To the Joe's staff...you have a great establishment. The Whale?!?! really??!?? I get it...because you can. Won't be going back anytime soon. #insulted.
(2)
Zeid S.
Eventhough we had reservations we waited for 20 minutes, but it was totally worry the wait. The service is fantastic, the bread is fresh, diverse, and exceptionally tasty. We had the crab claws and calamari for our appetizers, they were delicious. Had the filet oscar, the crab stuffed shrimp, sea bass, seared ahi, and the bone in halibut. They were all exceptional. But the best was probably the halibut. Portions are satisfying. 5 stars easily.
(5)
Tom W.
Had a possible bad night turn into a great one. Had a problem with valet right off the bat but the manager of the restaurant, Sean Hale, who could not make up for the valet problem, more than made up for it in other ways. The food was outstanding and the service was great. It was really nice to have a problem fixed so quickly and make it a great night. Thanks again Sean.
(5)
Donald M.
Had a great meal here with my wife and two sons. We had a 6:30 reservation on a Saturday night and were seated promptly at 6:35...nice! Our waiter was fantastic and attentive even though he was being consumed by a bachelorette dinner going on at a nearby table. We saw him hand out about 10 separate checks to their table...come on ladies...bring some cash and do your math!
(5)
Joanne N.
Boyfriend and I went here for Valentines Day. We love it here and agree its probably the best restaurant in Chicago, you just have to be ready to "treat yo'self" He likes the bone-in, and might I say it is delicious. I've had both the lobster and crab legs and neither disappoints- seriously fantastic. Obviously you should start out with some stone crabs as that is their signature. Overall, really great atmosphere, always wonderful service, and the food just cannot be beat.
(5)
Hannah H.
Service was impeccable, atmosphere was very sophisticated, and the meal was to die for (well, the stone crabs and the steaks). The creamed spinach, not so much. The little plate of stone crabs seemed to be such a pitiful portion, but the meat itself was good - they should have an AYCE of these! Perfectly cooked, peppercorn-crusted, juicy, tender, and lovely in your mouth. Savory and steak-y at the same time. Unbelievable. Very pricey, so if you get the Lettuce Entertain You gift cards during the holidays or for your birthday, take advantage of it and go here! ;) You need to valet, unless you want to park at Nordstrom's across the street for $5 (but you need a receipt of a proof of purchase at he department store!). +wonderful steaks +stone crabs! +$5 parking at Nordstrom's (validation)
(4)
Beth H.
We went to Joe's for Valentines Day dinner. Everything was perfect from the food to the service. Our server was very attentive, professional and helpful. There was an incidence where my boyfriend received the wrong entree and it was immediately taken care of. Our server brought us two glasses of fabulous sparkling wine and THREE desserts to make up for the mistake (at no charge). The food was amazing!! I would definitely recommend the king crab legs and key lime pie as exceptional menu items..but who am I kidding? EVERYTHING was OUTSTANDING!! Thanks Joe's for a great Valentines Day!
(5)
Raven T.
We sat at the bar and had apple Martinis and fried shrimp at the bar. Low lights and cool ambiance. Dana waited on us and she was nice!
(4)
Mikey L.
I recently went them with family to celebrate my graduation and was recommended this restaurant by a colleague. The restaurant was great and the staff was very courteous. I had a wonderful time with my family. The waitress was phenomenal and they couldn't have had a better time celebrating my graduation then going to this restaurant. Out only issue was small servings for the sides for our size group but that we all had a good amount of food and will definitely enjoy Joe's again!
(5)
Michael W.
I recommend the Diet Coke
(5)
Stefanie K.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Delicious! Everything on the menu is great The service is wonderful, very attentive. I come here once a year for my anniversary and this time, we had complimentary champagne. Wonderful! The fish is cooked to perfection. The potatoes are to die for. Make reservations because it fills up fast! Valet parking is available or there are some garages nearby. Love this place!!!
(5)
Nick L.
Joe's came highly regarded so we decided to try it for steaks and stone crab. Figures they were out of this elusive stone crab. You'd think it were a unicorn or some kind of white rhino.. I'm not actually convinced stone crabs exist. Rock crab as a replacement was pretty good. My filet was a little overdone and dry but good otherwise. We had some halfwit eating with us at the table that still has a piece of crab shell stuck in his throat to this day. He did offer some valuable advice to avoid the crab bisque.. he said he crapped his brains out last time he had it. My other friends didn't heed his warnings and spent the night married to the crapper. They described the experience as like poking a hole in a bag filled with soggy cocoa puffs. Key lime pie was pretty good.
(3)
Margarita B.
This place is absolutely incredible. We went as a group of 6 people, and every single person walked out with a big smile on their faces. We arrived on time for our 8pm reservation, and had to wait for about half an hour to be seated - which we were okay with, we just grabbed drinks from the bar (more to come on this, below). Everything from the bar was delicious- the mixed drinks were great, the wine too. Great start to our night. For dinner, we started with an order of the stone crab appetizer for the table - very fresh, and so tasty. Fair warning, this is a semi-finger food. My boyfriend and I shared the crab bisque and Joe's salad. The bisque was very flavorful and creamy, and well portioned - I wouldn't have wanted any more, but there was enough for both of us to have enough bites. The salad was very simple - nothing special to write about. Now, the fun begins. We ordered the dry aged bone-in rib eye, medium rare -fantastic! Super flavorful, cooked to perfection. We also ordered Alaskan crab legs - holy smokes! They are served cracked already, so all you have to do is eat it off the shell. Each bite was better than the last. We also got some sides that we shared for the table. We got mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, wild mushroom mac and cheese, which were all good. The potatoes were a bit too cheesy though. We also got the special of the night, Brussel sprouts (with pork belly) - not sure why I never thought of this before, but WOW, how delicious. Just when we thought we were done for the night, we were brought out 5 deserts (1 was for my birthday, and a few as a "sorry we kept you waiting so long"), on the house. We got the chocolate cake, peanut butter cake, key line pie, dulce de leche cake, and banana cake. The order I listed was the order I enjoyed the deserts. None blew my mind, but a little bit of sweet was a nice way to wrap up the night. Phew - that's all I have to say. Come here. Eat the steak. Eat the crab. You will love it.
(5)
William S.
Crab legs are wonderful, sides always great, service impeccable, another memorable great dining experience at Joe's - FINEST steak in Chicago !
(5)
Dax R.
The food, steaks, and service is always great at Joe's. We had our Christmas party here for 25 people. this was the 2nd year we had our party at Joe's. They were accommodating and as always, my steak craving was satisfied.
(5)
Jeff M.
We were weary shoppers on the miracle mile and Joes was our refuge! We were so very pleased with our experience here. We started with shrimp cocktail and bloody Mary's. You get a bonus shrimp with your Bloody Mary. It was very tasty. It killed me to pay for the Florida Stone Crab. I eat it all the time in the Bahamas fresh caught. I ordered the large they were plated perfect and oh so good. The service was spectacular. The bananas foster pie was the best banana pie ive ever had! Loaded with fresh whipped cream and bananas foster sauce drizzled over it. Plenty big to share. Lunch was more expensive than my flight home to KC but food and service were commensurate with price.
(5)
Paula P.
Went in with my husband for lunch. We were walking around downtown and initially headed to the not yet opened Shake Shack when we passed this place. A man painting signs on their windows said it was good. We did not have a reservation and were pretty hungry so we asked to sit in the bar area. The host said that the window counter had some of the best people watching in the city, however he didn't mention the "car watching" of the white Bentley parked in front. I had the steak wedge salad and it was perfectly done. The bread basket had a nice, variety of breads. Service and atmosphere was excellent!
(5)
Jennifer C.
Joe's in consistantly very good. High quality seafood and steaks paired with excellent service without being overbearing. I frequently choose Joe's and will continue to do so. Here is a tip: even if you can't get a reservation, you can usually wait a few minutes and get a seat in the bar area.
(5)
Jamie M.
This was the ultimate dining experience. This was our first time and they took care of us and made us feel so welcome. Our server was phenomenal and the other wait staff very attentive to our needs. I had the fisherman sampler and all of it was great. Then to top it off, the manager,Joe, came to greet us and they brought us a free slice of key lime pie, which they are famous for and now we know why!!!!!
(5)
梦羽
Really great restaurant. Crab claws are delicious. Their steak is perfectly grilled, really tender inside while the outside is a little dark. If one like steaks, the Filet classic would be perfect. However, I wouldn't have given a 5/5 without its service. The service is surprisingly well. The waitress was really thoughtful about pretty much everything. Highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Holden C.
Had a good meal at Joes. Lobster tails were very good. Seafood salad was excellent. I'm a sucker for Pie. We had several selections and shared them. Pies were great! Seriously, the food is fine but go for the desert. Yes, server and service were very good.
(3)
Janelle C.
The service is excellent and the food is fantastic. When the crab claws are in season, they are a must order. You won't find better crab claws. So many delicious items on the menu, be prepared to splurge.
(4)
Nida K.
The atmosphere might be a little bit stuffy but dammmmmn their food is good. My friend and I just walked in and they said they were completely booked. There was open seating in the bar area and we snagged two seats in front of the bartender. I really wanted to try their ribeye, but I just didn't have the room for a 16oz of meat in my belly so I opted for a lighter option, the parmesan halibut. Service was pretty good and the bartender informed us that they had half portions for the sides which was awesome for girls who were still somewhat full from the last meal we had. The parmesan halibut was incredible. It was crusted with parmesan and the halibut was cooked to perfection. We ordered a side of garlic spinach and we thought that it may have been the best spinach we've ever had. My friend ordered the salmon, which was good also but I'm not a huge fan of salmon. Joe's menu is very extensive and has many options for steak and seafood. We topped off our meal with the key lime pie (half slice) and it was the happy ending to our meal. We felt a little underdressed since we were out walking out and about all day. It's a fancy place and we didn't get the memo so if you decide to dine here, make sure you slap on something nice.
(5)
Al M.
AMAZING!!! The salmon was out of the planet... from New Orleans to the south pacific... i have not tasted such a well prepared dish... thumbs up... and a definate Pow.
(5)
Sean R.
Fried green tomatoes are excellent. Mash potatoes fantastic. Filet mignon has a great flavor. Service is top notch Eat here. The chef was accommodating to some menu edits even on a lunch special. This was a random choice but a nice surprise for lunch in Chicago.
(5)
Claire F.
I went to Joe's for a business dinner and there were a few great things about it, mainly: 1. The service 2. The ambiance 3. The seafood The I placed service first because I felt the waitstaff really went above and beyond to make sure we had a great evening. This included bother bringing out a dessert for a coworker who was having a birthday and bringing us two key lime pie slices with candles as our team was celebrating the end of our project. the waiter was informative and attentive, not the mention entertaining. Ambience was a close second because the restaurant is lovely (though reminiscent of many of the other Lettuce restaurants). Lastly the seafood was the favorite of everyone at our table. We had stone crab to start, which was fun, and then a few of my co-workers got lobster tail and king crab legs, which had better reviews than the steak which was ordered by the majority of the team. I ordered the steak and it was good, but when paying that much for a steak it should be good, and the sides were pretty average. Therefore, I recommend getting the seafood if you are looking for something special.
(4)
Boom Y.
A must do on any trip to Chicago. Our server, Stephen, was wonderful. A very pleasant experience. It was our first time here and he made us want to come back on our next trip. We had the King Crab entree and a couple of Stone Crabs, excellent! A key lime and banana creme pie. Definite return. IT IS EXPENSIVE but worth it. Extra points for the service! Make reservations too.
(5)
David M.
My party went for the seafood - Stone Crab, Shrimp Cocktail, Bone in Halibut, and Grilled Seafood platter. Everything met expectations. An excellent choice in River North area.
(5)
Joshua H.
This place is a family favorite. We love it in Miami and we love it here in Chicago. The stone crab is great when in season and when out of season they have interesting alternatives like Pacific Rock Crab Claws. The steaks are great always, especially the bone in Filet. My wife says the classic cocktails are terrific and "will put hair on your chest"!
(5)
Simeen A.
5 star all around. Seriously. I would go back in a heartbeat. I made a reservation on Open Table and made a note that we were there celebrating our wedding anniversary. From the moment we checked in, I think 4 different people wished us a happy anniversary. It was really thoughtful! (Take that, Alinea!) I really don't have a negative. The service was impeccable. Charles, our server, was great. I felt well-taken care of but he wasn't intrusive. The food was fan-freaking-tastic. I've had seafood all over Chicago (Catch 35, Devon Seafood Grill, GT, every steakhouse in town) and I think Joe's does it best, hands down. We started with the jumbo Alaskan king crab legs. They are expensive- but they are worth it. They're served all cracked and cut open so it's minimal work but they were delicious. (Also, honorable mention for diverse and delicious bread basket!). For our entrees, I had the miso glazed Chilean sea bass, and my husband had the mahi mahi. They were so flavorful, and so fresh. We're both from Florida so we know seafood, and it's tough to get good seafood sometimes in Chicago because we're so far inland. Our fish last night was absolutely fantastic. Sometimes fish is just so plain- but here it was really flavorful and delicious. We also shared the garlic creamed spinach and the mashed potatoes- both great. Because it was our anniversary, we were given complimentary "mocktails" which was a nice surprise. We don't drink, but I think normally they'll bring out champagne so the mocktails were special for us. Also, since it was our first visit to Joe's, we got to try the key lime pie on the house. And it was great. AND we also had to order the Havana dream pie since we are both obsessed with tres leches. And it was so rich and delicious. I feel like this is such a boring review- Service great! Food great! Great great great! But I really was so pleased. For a special occasion, I really felt like they took great care of us and we're already talking about our next visit- and we will definitely request Charles! Thanks, Joe's, for helping make our wedding anniversary so special!
(5)
Charles S.
What can you say about Joes that hasn't been said! Its a Chicago gem and a destination for special occasions. Great Steak and seafood! One thing I can add that might not come up, is that the Cesar salad is the best Cesar anywhere!!! Home made ingredients make it a must have! Tip: Make a reservation well in advance.
(5)
Sofiya C.
I'll start with the good- we made reservations weeks in advance for restaurant week for Sunday lunch. There was 9 of us. They were accommodating. The food was good. We got stone crab, lobster bisque, crab legs and steak and dessert. Everything was delicious. Moving on to the bad- some of the worst service at a high end restaurant in Chicago I've ever experienced. Starting with the host who when I approached saying that 2 people from our party couldn't attend (due to a death in the family in fact) he gave me attitude. Was extremely rude. Then we waited forever for our waiter. Meanwhile my husband spilled his water (the table had a huge ridge in it and the glass tipped over) not one bus boy or waiter came by to help clean it up. My husband ended up wiping the water off the floor with his napkin because he didn't want anyone to slip and fall. Finally we got acknowledged. But everything took sooooo long. It's Sunday around 130pm so it's not that busy. Everyone was far from friendly. Maybe because we didn't give out the "big spender" vibe... But still everyone should be treated with respect. Service here is defiantly horrible. Go to Shaw's or Morton's and get quality food with good service. Skip the headache of rude staff here.
(2)
Jen K.
I am very late in writing my review. I went during lunch awhile back with 2 friends. My only gripe with the place is that they will not seat you, even with a reservation, if your whole party isn't there. It is very upscale, to the point of being a little stuffy, but the table settings are lovely and the service is impeccable. A waiter spilled a drink that splashed on my foot and he was more upset about it than I was. Mistakes happen. I got the crab legs with a side of lyonnaise potatoes and garlic spinach. The butter was lemony and went great with the perfectly steamed legs. The potatoes were very good and the spinach was incredible. I was very happy with my meal but nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the havana dream pie I had for dessert. This thing was the baby of a tres leches and yellow cake. It was so moist and creamy and the whipped topping was just amazing. I want to have 5 of those for my birthday. It is quite expensive but a great experience.
(5)
D W.
O.M.G. The fried chicken dinner is the best fried chicken everrr I believe Joe's Grandma is back in the kitchen frying up chicken in a cast iron skillet LOL Also a special note about the crab cakes and key lime pie because they are simply beautiful (s/o to Al Green) :) xoxo
(5)
Eunice B.
King Crab Legs are to die for!!! Yum yum!! The service was excellent! Cant wait to come back!!!
(5)
Mark B.
I been to Joe's in Las Vegas a couple of times and have never been disappointed. I was anxious to try the Chicago location. I always order the Joe's famous Stone Crab. They are cracked open and are filled with succulent meat, served with a mustard sauce. It is some of my favorite crab i ever had.I usually order the large ones. I always get cole slaw and hash brown to round off my meal. You can't better crabs anywhere. They are a little expensive but worth every penny. Service is always fantastic. Next time I might order a steak, they always look so good. Come to think about it I will stick with the crab.
(5)
Cat G.
Soooo good. What more can I say? I made a reservation for 9pm, and the night started off with a bit of a hiccup as our table wasn't yet ready when we arrived, which is just a pet peeve of mine. "You can have a drink at the bar while we get your table ready" just means "bad service AND we're still going to try to sell you something" to me. Once we were seated, though (9:16pm), everything else was perfect. Service was very friendly and informative but not intrusive, and everything we ordered was delicious. Highlights included the stone crab legs (don't leave without trying them, seriously), the crab bisque, the roasted corn, and the spinach-stuffed mushrooms. I had the bone-in ribeye, which was tasty if not particularly memorable. All in all, pricy but worth it for a special occasion.
(5)
Tracy H.
Just went here this past Saturday night for my BF's birthday dinner. Amazing! Seriously, this was billed as a 5-star experience and we weren't disappointed. The service was absolutely fantastic. I'm pretty sure our server's name was Steven. He was very helpful, funny and he totally put us at ease. We enjoyed the RW menu. We each got the stone crab bisque and it was delectable. Very sweet and creamy. Oh, and all the yummy breads in the beginning are divine. Then my BF got the crab legs and it was a massive plate. They were so sweet they didn't even need butter. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly. The char on the outside was also very good. The sides were great, except I wasn't a fan of the grilled tomato. Meh. But the potatoes were very indulgent. Then we got dessert. (I know, sooo much food!) I got the key lime (the rave reviews are spot-on) and my BF got the fudge brownie pie. Since it was his birthday, they had candles and sang a little. And even gave us another dessert to boot! Overall, this was just amazing. We never felt rushed, the pacing was excellent and the service was about as good as you can ask for. I was super impressed. Pricey? Sure. But the RW menu was a great deal, and we had tons of leftovers. Go with a big appetite! And I rarely give 5-star reviews, but this was about perfect. Oh, one thing: This is a nice, classy place. Please don't be like multiple people we saw with their faces buried in smartphones. Come on, people! If you can't enjoy each other's company here, I feel bad for you.
(5)
Jeff C.
might be the best steak in chicago. food and service always great here. I have eaten here many times, with groups, and for lunch, dinner. It's excellent.
(5)
Claire Y.
Wine is good. Food is okay. Super crowded and more of a "typical River North" place that's full of older people in suits.
(3)
Debbie D.
Seafood in Chicago? Umm.. isn't it suppose to just be gourmet pizza and hotdogs.. WHY NOT?! STONE CRABS. I had never had them before. Being in New York, I am used to blue crabs and is not really a fan of crabs cause its usually small and little meat. The meat is sometimes sweet but you really have to eat it in season. STONE CRABS were super pricey at Joe's but it was worth every penny. It was so juicy and full of flavor. I didn't think 7 was enough. The service was amazing and so was the filet mignon steaks I had.. but seriously stone crabs.. just grab a bottle of wine to match a couple orders of stone crabs. THEY ARE SOOOO GOOD.
(5)
Monique B.
Another trip to dinner for restaurant week and I have to say this is one of the best deals I have ever had at restaurant week. The restaurant was packed, and for good reason. The menu included either a lobster bisque, clam chowder or salad as a starter, a choice of an 8 oz. petite filet, which was a good size or 1 lb. of Alaskan King crab. For dessert there was a chocolate mousse pie, a key lime pie or something else. We both had the salad, which unfortunately was a little dull, just greens and a vinaigrette, but nothing special. The rest of the meal more than made up for it. With your entree you get two sides, and not just small sides but full dishes that are big enough to share come with each entree. I didn't know this, and ordered a side of brussel sprouts along with our meal. When the food came out it filled the table. My friend devoured her king crab and I couldn't get enough of the filet. It was perfectly cooked and came with a small steak salt seasoning, which was delicious. Because there were two of us we got 4 sides with our meals. Grilled tomatoes, mashed potatoes, potatoes & onions and creamed spinach. We also had the brussel sprouts I ordered. Everything was absolutely delicious. We ate as much as we could and had everything else wrapped. For dessert, we tried both pies and they were unbelievable. Despite being full, we both finished our desserts and would have licked the plates clean if we weren't in public. The key lime pie had the most delicious crumbly crust and was tart and delicious. The chocolate one was not too sweet, but nice and rich and chocolatey. Service was impeccable and everyone from the bus boys to the hosts and the waiters were attentive and happy to help with anything we needed or wanted. The ambiance was nice, but nothing amazing and maybe for restaurant week it was absolutely packed. Every seat was taken and the bar area was full. I highly recommend making a trip to Joe's, especially if you can go during restaurant week. Make a reservation, because it gets crowded. And we went on a Wednesday night. I will definitely be back to try them again.
(4)
Ryan E.
I have to admit, I didn't get to see the menu. We called days earlier but could only get reservations for 5at 4:30p. My seminar ended at 5:00p. So, my wife ordered for me while I rushed over. I missed appetizers, but had some of the delicious cheese bread. I had seared tuna. It was seared tuna. I did have bites of everyone else's dishes which were all excellent. For dessert we had 4 different pies which were all excellent. This restaurant is fine dining and the service is exceptional. With certain dishes they prepare the final touches in front of you at the table. It was on the pricey side but definitely worth it. If I ever get the chance to come back I will probably make reservations way in advance and try another dish. Anyways, highly recommended for a quality meal.
(5)
Amy A.
Outstanding- consistently great food and service. The only negative is that reservations can be hard to come by and walk-in is extremely difficult during busy times at the bar. However, that only shows that this place is busy for a reason. The seafood it always fresh (I love the seafood salad) and the bread it awesome. Great drinks, atmosphere, and always pleased when we leave.
(5)
Steven L.
This was a great dining experience. From start to finish, it was one of the better meals of my life. If you're not in a rush or have a big table of clients, place your trust in the staff. My party of 6 had no clue what we wanted so we let the staff order for us and they were spot on. Bone in filet was awesome. Great quailty meat that was cooked to perfection. Sides are good but not amazing. It's okay, I was to busy eating the crab and steak...nom nom nom! Here is why I am mad: Peanut Butter Pie. I say again, Peanut Butter Pie. I am mad because I will NEVeR see peanut butter the same. Joe's Peanut Butter Pie is the best peanut butter I've ever had. In the history of my life. Like forever. And ever. You will notice that I capitalized Peanut Butter Pie because it deserves respect and attention. Peanut. Butter. Pie. DO IT. Wait...did I mention the best part? PEANUT BUTTER PIE.
(5)
Patricia D.
The shopped steak was perfectly cooked to order and tasted great. The spinach filled mushrooms are a must, so amazing! The asparagus were good but nothing to write home for. Good fresh lemonade. The bread basket was the only thing we absolutely didn't enjoy. Some bread variants just did not taste good at all. The one with raisins and sugar does not fit at all as a side.
(4)
Lauren H.
Exellente!!!!! I never have a complaint about the food or service here. Everyone is so nice, witty and accomodating to all your needs. Took my big sis out for her birthday and she was so in love with my crab bisque she had to have her own. She had some garlic shrimp dish while I got the Filet Oscar--YUMMERS. LOVE that cheesy flat craker in the bread basket and of course the key lime pie- the apple pie is just as delicious. **Never attempt to walk in without a reservation to this lovely establishment. I was lucky to get a last min late dinner seat when I called at 10am.**
(5)
Rebecca C.
First thought was this place in Chicago could not hold a candle to its original on Miami Beach. Was I ever wrong. Joe's in Chicago is better, cleaner, better service and better quality Cold Stone Crabs, seafood, fish, and steaks. Got to try the fried chicken one of the diners at my table ordered. It was the best and sweetest chicken I've ever tasted. Same for the mac-n-cheese, the Brussels sprouts, the crab bisque, and the always phenomenal Market Jumbo Stone Crab Claws. Pure heaven in every bite. If you make reservations and go closer to 6 p.m., there's a little more breathing room than when you'll leave around 8:30.
(5)
Carrie S.
Loved this place! Great seafood options, have to try the stone crabs. Our waitress recommended an amazing wine. Very knowledgable and friendly staff.
(5)
Alzetta H.
I'll begin by saying I only gave 4 stars because we had to send back a bone-in filet, their signature steak. Was offended that it even made it to the table. Ordered it medium and at first glance, I knew it wasn't medium. However, the situation was handled graciously and we enjoyed our overall experience. The food was incredible and I can't believe it was my first visit. While the steaks were full of flavor, there was a dry seasoning blend which accompanied the filet. It was amazing!!! The king crab legs, cut tableside, were delicious. We also had the beef Wellington. It was a different experience but just personally not sold on the steak in a pastry concept but it was very tasty. The service was amazing although I was left perplexed by calling to see if a reservation was necessary while we were literally outside of the restaurant awaiting valet. I was told they were pretty full and given a reservation for 30 minutes later. We walked in anticipating a wait and noticed about 1/2 the tables were empty. We were seated immediately without mentioning the reservation we had for 30 minutes later. Couldn't figure that one out. I will definitely return. Actually can't wait to return.
(4)
Danielle D.
The experience here was simply amazing! We had no reservation but managed to get seated right away at a cozy table in the back. Our waitress was truly a gem as she was attentive and friendly. The food was perfect and the service was on point. We sampled everything from stone crab to steak and was not disappointed. To top it all off, since it was our first time at Joe's, our waitress gave us a complementary piece of Key Lime Pie which I still daydream about to this day. I am officially a fan!
(5)
Monika P.
Came here for a team work dinner.. LOVED IT! I'm not a foodie by any means so I don't like weird funky seafood (I don't do steak either) however I had the Mahi Mahi, great dish! Plus tried some of the appetizers, Joes fried chicken was good! Nice atmosphere and great service! I'm looking forward to coming back.
(5)
neal s.
Love this place. Always great food and have never been disappointed. We live nearby and come for a lot of special events. Last night it was to have their Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) menu. Service as always was super (thanks Delores). Everything was excellent and the brisket was so good it should really be on the regular menu. One thing that really impressed my was that they called me to see if I was going to make a reservation for the Holiday, unusually proactive. Here in River North were there are a ton of restaurants, Joe's continues to hold its own as one of the best.
This was my first visit to Joe's, my second restaurant week experience. The food was outstanding. While my boyfriend and I waited for the rest of our party to arrive (note: they will not seat you without your entire party) we stood in the bar and had a couple of cocktails and the fried calamari. My dirty martini and his Manhattan were both quite good. We order calamari frequently when dining at seafood restaurants, and we both agreed that this fried calamari was some of the best we'd ever had; the texture of the calamari was tender and not overcooked, and the breading was light but flavorful. I highly recommend it. They have a limited wine by the glass menu and a more extensive choice of bottles. I didn't have a problem finding a cab sauv at a reasonable price, though. For dinner, we enjoyed the crab bisque, the King crab, filet mignon and sides of potatoes and creamed spinach. Note that the sides are a la carte and are served family style, meant to be shared and certainly big enough for 2-3 people. The King crab was the standout. If you're going to Joe's, please don't skip this. It was perfectly chilled and served with warm butter for dipping. I also loved that Joe's does most of the work for you by splitting the crab shell. The meat fell right out and there was barely any work involved. My filet was also cooked well, with a light salt and pepper seasoning. For dessert, we enjoyed the key lime pie and the banana pie with fosters sauce. If you're looking for something light to cap off the meal, go with the key lime pie. The banana pie, oppositely, is huge and very rich (but delicious also). The restaurant was packed, even on a Wednesday night, and I've heard this is how it usually is. We waited about ten minutes after our reservation time to be seated. It's a bit loud in the dining room, but we didn't have a problem having a conversation across the table. I'll definitely return to Joe's when I'm looking to splurge on some great crab!
(4)
Stephanie P.
Absolutely delicious . Great wait staff who are knowledgeable and accommodating. Food is good quality and worth the money.
(5)
Lindsay H.
I went to Joe's for lunch on a recommendation from friends; we had the Seafood Chopped Salad, Fried Chicken, and Key Lime Pie. All food tasted extremely fresh and was seasoned well, but not spectacular. The chicken was delicious. Portions were reasonably size; perfect for lunch. Our waitress was training another new waiter, and she stopped by our table frequently asking us if we needed anything. We would be in the middle of conversation, and she would interrupt. In my opinion, she was trying to show the new waiter how to be extremely attentive, but I think good service understands the needs of the diners, not persistently checking in. Joe's gets three stars for: 1) Presentation. Did not find it anything special or innovative. 2) Taste and presentation for the price: not worth it. 3) Service: I get that people have to be trained, but I would not like my dining experience to be impacted negatively due to it.
(3)
Kathleen M.
Phenomenal service! Our server Erin was amazing! 5 star for the service. Their steak was good, but was not very impressed with their king crab legs.
(5)
addy t.
Awhile back, someone who I can only assume really wanted to impress me took me here for our first date. Since I told him that I was a very finicky steak eater and have had the best steaks only in LA, he decided that Joes would change that impression. Although he was wrong and we never did go on another date, I did enjoy JOes Yummy peanut butter cake. I can only assume that he knew someone there because I think we received extra special treatment. Our food seemed to come out much faster than everyone else, and for someone reason we received much more food "on the house" than we ordered. Knowing I wouldn't be footing the bill, I decided to have the bone-in fillet with a side of lobster tail and lobster mac and cheese, with a side crab claws and a bottle of wine. :) Hey you're only young once. Everything was above average, but not anything I'd pay what ever he paid to experience again. I'm a true believer in fine steaks, the one at Joes didn't make the books.
(4)
Danni L.
Ordered a lot of appetizers and tried their salmon special, they are very delicious. I'm giving it a 3 star because the service is bad. The servers are condescending which I really don't like with expensive places. Our server pointed a fork at me while telling another person about my drink preferences. It is not a polite way to refer to people.
(3)
Angie D.
Boy, oh boy, did Joe's make up for the less-than-stellar service that I mentioned in my first review. Despite the fact that I gave them a five-star review, a manager read through my entire Tolstoy-esque review (one of 800 something reviews they have) and messaged me personally to discuss how the experience could have been better and to get more feedback on my experience. As if that weren't enough in and of itself, Joe's sent me a gift certificate to apologize for the service. Well done, Joe's! Truly a phenomenal example of customer service and going above and beyond!
(5)
Sean H.
I made love to a steak...wait what? It was one of those meals. The reason it didn't get 5 stars: 1) the sides were lame. I didn't expect them to meet the standard of the steak but they were far short 2) the service was a bit shoddy
(4)
Fredrick B.
Although there continues to be a shortage of Stone Crab, the Alaskan King Crab is so delectable that I almost did not miss them. The Rock Claws are not as good as the Stone Crab Claws, no matter what the waiters intimate! The vino list is very diverse in its offerings, and more than adequate in my view. The meal was stunningly good, the service polite but not overbearing, and I enjoyed Joe's as always. Recommendation: Alaskan King Crab Steamed or cold; Salmon; and that corn! Very tasty indeed.
(4)
L. Danovia ..
My husband and I visited for our one year anniversary. We had high expectations for the food, drinks and service. The host at the front desk asked that we wait to be seated as the wait staff was in a meeting but would be done shortly. After waiting about 10 mins past our reservation time, we were seated. There were already diners dining in the area we were seated. ::scratcheshead:: My martini was good, food was okay, dessert was good. We went, we saw, we conquered. No need to return.
(2)
Al M.
Joe's did the trick for a classy and memorable meal in the Wind-Town. This restaurant, just a block off the Magnificent Mile, is so popular that even at 5:30 pm on a Thursday night we had to eat in the bar area because we had no reservation. A very good sign of things to come. The staff in the bar area was genuinely interested in making sure all customers had excellent service whether they were drinking or dining. The trademark stone crabs are pricey but worth it as they never fail to satisfy the craving. The calamari was also delish while the filet was top notch. Although the beer offering was small, I noticed with enthusiasm that they offer Anchor Steam in bottles, my west coast favorite. Overall, this ranked as one of the best meals I have had while relegated to a bar area.
(4)
Jeff R.
Awesome, great service and great food. We went at lunch and it was still pretty crowded so a reservation is recommended. Get the stone crab!
(5)
Candy C.
That food was too too good! The service was excellent! I am totally speechless and too full to move.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Crab bisque was probably the best bisque I have ever had, so good! Dover sole equally delicious, peanut butter pie for desert and a waiter who could be Bradley Coopers twin brother, Joes in Chicago for the win!
(5)
Bob D.
Went there for dinner this weekend. It was good but nothing I'd rave about. Had the bone in NY STRIP. It was fantastic. Seasoned great. Cooked great. The banana nut cream pie was amazing. What wasn't good and frankly gross: the mashed potatoes. We could stab them with the fork, extremely dry and over powered with even more dry bread crumbs. The green beans were cold. Also had the bisque. Soup was warm but no where near hot. It tasted ok, but not bad. The steak made up for it all and then some.
(4)
Tara S.
Lunch review: One of my all-time favorite lunch spots (both Chicago and Vegas). Seafood chopped salad is outstanding, and they always have a great wine list. I could easily ruin my entire meal just on the bread basket. I made the mistake (?) of telling our fabulous server that I had an affinity for the cinnamon raisin bread (crispy, sugary, omg...) and he brought out a whole stack of it! So of course, I was oblilgated to polish it off. We shared an order of the stone crab claws which are rich and decadent, and somehow, 1,000+ miles from any ocean, super fresh. My husband always gets the cheeseburger (I know, I know... but it's an AMAZING cheeseburger). And, because I was still able to walk upright, you can get a half slice of pie! how perfect is that? So I went with their famous key lime and was not disappointed.
(5)
Arlene G.
my bff & i went here yesterday for an early dinner & we already knew it was going to be pricey but we were ok with it. OMG!! if i ever go 2 jail & i was given a last meal, this place would be where i would want my food from! we had the the monster appetizer with all the seafood samples in it & what a way 2 start our meal off! EVERYTHING was delicious!! i ordered a caesar salad & was kinda disappointed by it cuz the dressing wasnt as flavorful as i would have liked. but then had the chilean sea bass with bok choy & this was ABSOLUTELY THE BEST FISH IVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! the fish was thick & had the consistency of a crab leg but it was so soft that it was meltin in my mouth!! my bff got the t-bone steak & that was pretty juicy too! we shared the green beans, mac & cheese and each got a baked potato. we both kept ranting & raving how good our food was! then we shared the havana pie wich is like a tres leches cake with a cake on top of it. it was sooooooo yummy! our bill was a little over $200 but we didnt even care it was definitely worth it!! AND our server Matt was awesome! he was friendly, gave suggestions & even gave us a FREE slice of their key lime pie cuz it was our 1st time there! how nice was that!? thanks matt & joe's restaurant!
(5)
Anthem R.
The ahi tuna burger was delicious. Even more amazing was the perfect service from the bartender Dana as I devoured my dinner at the bar. In town for business and I can't wait to return as much for the service as for the meal.
(5)
Ruben G.
Great selection. Best meat quality accompanied with the best service. A great experience and must while in town.
(5)
Anny N.
WOW this place was absolutely AMAZING! I went here for a birthday celebration and we had the best service and food. We all had different dishes and I had a taste of a bit of everything. My favorite was the chilean sea bass and the crab claws. The chilean sea bass was so fresh and just melted in your mouth. Our server was fantastic and even surprised us with 5 free desserts for my friends birthday. I would highly recommend eating here if you are a seafood lover!
(5)
Bob D.
Best Key Lime pie I have ever tasted. Amazingly good. Service was top notch and the food was great too.
(5)
Jianghui W.
The most fresh seafood I had in Chicago. It is located near Nordstorm. Signature stone crabs make me feel I was in Miami. stone crabs match the masterpiece sauces are perfectï¼ Alaska crabs are a little bit salty.
(5)
Rafael B.
Dinner with my wife and 12 yr old daughter. Reservations through open table @ 8 PM. Place was packed on Sunday night. Ended up skipping the appetizers because I forgot to place the order. We planned on starting with crab cakes. Ordered 16oz ribeye prepared medium. Seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. It was well prepared. Excellent dish. My wife ordered a flat fish - dover sole. It was an excellent choice. The fish was well seasoned, arrived and served table side. When they were filleting it, they did not serve other parts that are not typically served. Daughter had a skirt steak. Order the side corn. One of the best sides ever. Had a bottle of wine to go with me and my wife's meal (we took a cab back to the hotel) Service was excellent. Had a complimentary desert -- key lime pie. Wife preferred something else (but I knew she as coming back later in the week (work related) so I did not see an issue with this. If I were to return, I would order seafood for a change (and not forget the crab cakes). Price - it was over the top for me. Overall, everyone had a great dinner experience.
(4)
Bari S.
Outstanding food, great service and high quality food. I got the King Crab legs - chilled. They were outstanding. They melted in your mouth. Huge portion, you can probably split them. We got a lobster tail for the table which of course was exactly how we expected it to be - great. The brussels sprouts were great, so were the mashed potatoes. My brother and I split a salad, which was perfect because the salads are pretty large (especially if you're getting them as an appetizer). Make sure you save room for dessert! Their pies are to die for, and they have plenty of options to cure the sweet tooth or the chocolate tooth :) Highly recommend you come here - but expect to pay - it's not cheap!
(5)
Craig R.
This restaurant really is a legend in Miami and came with emphatic recommendations in Chicago. We went for lunch, thinking a a great meal is often best enjoyed in the middle of the day. Needless to say these were fully warranted. The interior is classic and professional. The wait staff and service are top notch, efficient, and friendly. More importantly, the food quality, preparation, and presentation are near flawless. We started with crab bisque, which was rich, fresh and crisp ingredients, splendid crab, and satisfying. As good as any I've ever had, and worth coming for on its own. We then split a fried oysters appetizer and Alaskan king crab. Stone crab is their specialty, but Alaskan crab is my favorite. I was thrilled that both dishes exceeded my elevated expectations. The crab was sublime. I'm not sure their is a better food, and it was done spectacularly. The fried oysters were terrific. But they were always intended to be compliment to the crab. Great seafood is rarely cheap. And Joe's is certainly not. But it delivers in every single facet of quality and execution. A wonderful experience and meal.
(5)
Amy S.
Best meal I've had in a really long time. We came for restaurant week, which always looks like it will be just the perfect amount of food, or maybe a little less than filling, but this was so filling that none of my friends could finish their dishes. We all started out with the Crab Bisque, however, my friend found out the bisque is made with Lobster shells as well, which she is highly allergic to (and she told them that in the beginning of the meal). So after she had a few bites, a waiter came around and took it away from her, and gave her the salad (which was the other option for the Restaurant Week menu). Out of our group of 6: 2 people ordered the Lobster Tail and 6 oz. Filet 3 people ordered the Crab Legs 1 person ordered the 8 oz. Filet Mignon All the sides came out family style, so we all got to try a little bit of everything (mashed potatoes - SO creamy and delicious, potato hash - delicious, and grilled tomatoes). There was so much food to go around that not 1 person could finish their meal. The options for dessert were Key Lime Pie and Banana Foster Pie, both were absolutely delicious and the perfect end to our meal. All in all, I would definitely come back here for restaurant week next year!
(4)
Joost G.
First rate wait staff, great food but in the end rather pricy. The wait in the bar area was not the greatest, as there was no space to sit down - luckily it was short, but I would hope that when you make a reservation for a specific time and you get called back to confirm that time, your table would be ready. The food and the waiter compensated easily for that minor drawback.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Exceptional service. Nice ambiance. Privacy between tables. Delicious and fresh fish. Loved the vegetables. "Hustle bustle but not loud"-Jim Williams
(5)
Leon W.
stone crab = amazing! can't be beat. to be honest, there's not much more you can say than "it's so freaking good and you need to eat stone crab at joes". so delicious!
(5)
Dzifaa L.
Great food.
(5)
Diane K.
We had the stone crabs, Alaskan king crab legs, with a side of the garlic spinach and broccolini. Everything was delicious! Excellent service and we even got a slice of their key lime pie for free!
(5)
Joseph S.
Are as Joe's while on town for a conference. Service was attentive and professional as would be expected. Ordered the filet (medium) and split the crab cakes. Crab cakes were spectacular. Filet was okay - by my interpretation, my medium was more like medium well. Had nice seasoning. Havana Dream Pie was great. Overall, a quality steakhouse.
(4)
Zareen J.
My husband and I went there for our one month wedding anniversary and we absolutely loved the place. It's a little towards the pricer side, but food and overall environment made it worth the price. Very friendly and professional staff. We had Liz as our waitress. She was amazingly nice and did a great job explaining us the specials and the menu. She clearly knows how to do her job right (thumbs up for LIZ ). Also, she was kind enough to put dessert on the house once she found out about our special occasion. Their spinach stuffed mushrooms is a MUST! It's prolly one of the best I've ever tasted. We are definitely coming back to Joe's Seafood!!
(4)
Arnie G.
Wow! The seafood, salads, sides, and desserts are amazing! We've been back 4 times and never been disappointed. James is the best waiter. If you go to Chicago, eat at Joe's!
(5)
Connie H.
Had dinner here last night and it definitely met my expectations. Not a fan of cold crab so we passed on the stone crab but everyone I went with really loved their food. My dad kept raving about how well his chilean sea bass was flavored and cooked, my mother loved her sea scallops with pork belly and my brother's petite filet and lobster tail were great as well. We did have to send back the filet as it wasn't cooked to specification (came out medium when ordered medium rare). Therefore I docked a star. A place like this really should be able to get this done the first time. However our server may have misheard my brother so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I ordered their lamb chops. They were good, but I've had better. The mint chimichuri sauce though was delicious. We had a 4pm reservation but it took them near 10 min to seat us which I wasn't too pleased about but the service after seating made up for it. Jamie was attentive and pleasant and our waters were always filled. For dessert, I had to get this peanut butter pie everyone's been raving about and now I know why. It was peanut butter heaven in my mouth. SO FREAKING GOOD. If you like peanut butter you will not be disappointed. I will definitely come back again, I have my eye on the petite filet. I had a piece and it was perfection.
(4)
Pete P.
I think this place is highly overrated. I have been here three times. The food isn't bad at all, but nothing extra ordinary either. Well, at least the stuff I tried. 4 stars
(4)
Michael C.
Great steaks, and Stone Crab. Never a problem there, and always a real pleasure to meet friends there. Best times for easy seating/service is late lunch (after 1 pm) and prior to 6 pm, in my experience there.
Food was great as expected. Service was pleasant and respectful. We even got the stone crab, which is different and delightful.
(5)
Phung V.
My wife and I had a reservation here tonight. We came here half and hour early. As we enter Joes , the atmosphere was good. As we walked towards the host to check in, there was a couple in front of us. Two guys walked towards us to stand in line behind us, a few minutes pass the couple in front got done with talking to the host. Then then host pointed his finger to the guys behind us, they got in front of us and started to talk to the host. Conversation and laughter went on for about 5 minutes. After ignoring us, he finally asked us how can I help you. We told him we had a 10:30 pm reservation and would like to cancel it. He asked us why, we just told him we didn't want to dine tonight. Terrible first time experience. Haven't had this kind of service before. Probably wouldn't came back. Ended up goingvto Eddie V's prime seafood across the street. Hopefully that will be a better experience.
(1)
Nicholle K.
This place was so good! Had the fish and chips, the tartar sauce was amazing. My friend ordered the flounder and it was amazing. It's a little pricey but it's delicious. I highly recommend it. The service was excellent.
(5)
Brianna T.
I came to Chicago for Chicago's Bridal Fashion week, took greyhound across the country (was a first) and didn't stay at a hotel because some she restrictions so I stayed with family in the south side. My gig was downtown Chicago and since I live in Arizona we really don't have fresh sea food and I long crab so why not go here? I didn't know it was a real fancy restaurant because I was just wearing comfortable walking clothes because I just got done from my fitting. When I came to the restaurant some of the people were eyeing me. I didn't know you had to have a reservation so I was privileged to get a table sort of. I was eyes and I wondered was it because the way I dressed, had skinny jeans..leather like jacket with a beanie and sneakers and everyone is dressed up. I understand if they thought they thought I was going to eat and run being a very high end restaurant. I ordered crab, Alaskan King crab which was about $70 dollars..they didn't have regular garlic butter and in fact had to get the manager to tell me that O.o. I was hungry after the crab but didn't want to pay another 70 so I got the cheapest "steak" their steaks average about $40-$50 and I got mine for around $30 and it didn't come with sides which it should. It's expensive, I also got a side of mash potatoes ( a lot of good but didn't really eat any fast good on the greyhound up there) and the bill came up to $115 I tipped my waiter big, more of a way to not judge by a book by it's cover tip because she was eyeing me too. Other than, they were good to me but I'll try to come again when I have another gig in Chicago. PS: I loved how the crab was already out the shell and was ready to eat, I'll give it an extra star for that.
(5)
Deb E.
Love the fried asparagus!
(4)
Steven S.
It doesn't get any better than this. Joe's Seafood here in Chicago resurrects the lost art of the classy restaurant experience. Dined here on three occassions and sampled much of the cuisine. I can't recommend it enough. The service staff are true professionals. They dress, act, and look the part. Their knowledge of every aspect of the menu is superb. Let them know what you like and sit back and trust their recommendations. It's really that easy. Oh and don't skip dessert here. Please. Just don't do it. As an added bonus, I got to sit (for a moment) at Al Roker's table. Now this may not be your experience when you visit, but hey - anything can happen here! It's just that special.
(5)
Mark K.
Dinner party for 8 Saturday night. Food was delicious as always. But, unfortunately our server, a young women serving middle section of restaurant was way off her game. Service was slow and inconsistent. Worst part was we brought three bottles of outstanding wine and she really screwed it up. No decanting of a 99 Insignia. And the whites kind of disappeared! Very unusual.
(4)
Olga S.
Amazing, just amazing food. I'm so in love with their crab bisque that the first thing I will do during my next Chicago trip is getting here for the bisque. However, we didn't have a reservation (not so smart of us), walked in and were seated near the opening doors, people with reservations were dressing right at the tables where other not-so-smart-guys-with-no-reservations were eating. So first and above all, do make a reservation
(5)
Diana P.
Ahh, Joe's, who can come here and say they don't love it??? NOBODY NORMAL that is b/c it hits all your expectations. You want a solid, good meal, make memories and dream about the next time you'll be coming back? Then this is the place for you. A lot of Chicago's "famous people" come here often such as Bears players, celebrities visiting from out of town and politicians. Proves it's a really good place, right? Lots of repeat customers, such as us. Great for groups too and parties. TIP: Make reservations in advance!
(5)
Ross R.
Expensive. Great steak. Excellent service. Better than Sullivan's or Capital Grill. If you're looking to drop $50 or more on a slab of meat, you'll get the best bang for your buck here.
(5)
Heather L.
Joe's is an institution we finally had an opportunity to visit. The stone crabs are so sweet. The order of medium claws left me satisfied. My husband got the bone-in ribeye and it was cooked wonderfully as well. He said that aside from having a little too much char, the cut of meat was incredible and well seasoned. The mashed potatoes and mac and cheese we ordered with the mains were very heavy sides - not in a bad way, but if we were to do it over again, we might have balanced our meal with some fried tomatoes or greens.
(4)
Katherine C.
Consistently one of the best restaurants in Chicago. I ate here 1-3 times a month while living in Chicago between work dinners, birthday dinners for friends and delivery through grubhub. It's the best steak and seafood combination restaurant in the city. I usually start with a crab bisque or chopped seafood salad, order of large stone crabs or jumbo shrimp app and then get the petite filet medium rare or fish special and lobster mac. Don't forget to try the cheesecake and key lime pie. The Lettuce Entertain You group is always top notch though so I wouldn't expect anything less. You never have a bad review when you bring a client here for lunch or dinner. My ONLY bad experience in 6+ years dining here was a weird tasting stone crab delivery that I emailed the restaurant about and they paid for my meal AND gave me a gift card to apologize. I look forward to many, many more delicious seafood dinners here.
(5)
Tim E.
I am sometimes skeptical of "Lettuce" venues but Joe's was a treat but flawed also The restaurant was absolutely packed on a Thursday, even during a Bears (albeit pre-season) game. Our group was 3 couples and the 5 to10 star and beyond experience was definitely the service. Our waiter and everyone assisting him was spot on point. I drink ice water often during my meal and never..I repeat never ..was my glass even a 1/3 empty before replenishment. Our waiter presented the restaurant history, the signature crab dishes and the specials like an excellent radio or TV host (would not be surprised if he wasn't a "starving actor") One of our bottles of wine (and we killed several) was a little off tasting (one of our group tasted it first but missed the flavor) and they quickly (light speed) had another on our table with deepest apologies. The crab appetizer is served perfectly cold with fresh drawn butter. We had them serve it family style in the center of the table. The forks and tongs were flying dangerously close to flesh as we all wanted to insure we got our fair share! :-) The Madagascar shrimp was also excellent with sauces to die for. So why only four stars you ask? My entree (which sounded so great when the waiter presented it as a "special") was really undistinguished. It was a 6 ounce filet served "Oscar style" with asparagus, but the steak lacked flavor, the Bearnaise was just OK, and the Oscar was one piece of crab. The filet lacked the quality "steakhouse shape" that you would expect at a high end restaurant. The unevenness of the thickness of the cut made it deliver the entire spectrum of temperature throughout the cut. I would get some medium rare (my order) but with much of the thinner ends featuring medium to medium well inconsistency with each bite i took. I was so impressed with everything else but my meal did disappoint. In all fairness to the restaurant I did sample my wife's halibut which was fabulous but a quick look around the table and I thought everyone who ordered the filet like me was looking disappointed. I almost went down to 3 stars but the appetizers, service and deserts did not deserve the abuse. I am unsure if i will return or not. It is pricey of course and to miss the mark on a special surprised me a bit. Maybe a bit too much. We will see
(4)
Jen D.
I've been a long time fan of Joe's for as long as I can remember since moving to Chicago 11 years ago. The steaks and fish are always fresh and excellent. Service can't be beat - it's attentive and the servers have personality. Very knowledgeable too. One of my favorite things about Joe's is the crab bisque. There is no better place to stop for a mid-shopping lunch than Joe's for a bowl of crab bisque. Last but not least, the stone crabs are awesome. It's not an easy food to eat - even though they are cracked, it's a lot of work to separate the meat. But it's worth it. They have a great lunch special - 5 stone crabs + cup of soup + potatoes + cole slaw + key lime pie for $27. Take note - you won't recognize the coleslaw as coleslaw when it arrives on the table, but stir it together and you'll enjoy. It's strange, but delicious.
(5)
Erin J.
Made a reservation for 2 two months in advance for 6:30pm on a Friday night. We were seated a little after 7pm and were offered complimentary dessert for the wait. That seemed to be the offer of the night because everyone around us got "complimentary dessert". I'm not going to waste my time finding words to describe the food. It was good, but not good enough to say we'll be back.
(2)
Genevieve S.
The steak and crab were delicious!!! Had the beet salad from the specials menu and was pretty disappointed. Not much flavor and the watercress seemed on the verge of going bad. Great service! I'd definitely come here again if I was in the mood for a tasty steak (and/or crab!).
(4)
Xianghui Z.
Great services (a little bit overwhelmed although on a Sunday afternoon) and the price is reasonable. I will come back occasionally when I want seafood.
(4)
Greg B.
Our sever was fabulous and helped us explore the menus. Salmon was a little dry but King Crab was wonderful.
(3)
Arden M.
It lives up to the hype. I had the Tuna, which was prepared like a steak, cooked perfectly and really fresh. It is very expensive but very good food. Very old style Chicago.
(4)
Realtor Karl B.
If you're trying to impress your significant other, bring them here. But don't forget to bring at least $150 for 2. Tasted some good steak, good fishes, good mashed potatoes, sweet fries, good lobster. But, it all comes with a high price. $12 valet, $7 beers, $11 cocktails, and $40 entrees. Make sure to make a reservation - this place was packed on a Wednesday evening.
This place has been my favorite restaurant for a long while till last weekend, my cousin came in town for a day and we had a tight time frame before the flight so we planned on going to Joe's for lunch and then a small tour by the river before taking him to the airport. That was my first time having lunch at Joe's and I don't think I would do it again. It wasn't crowded although our was a Saturday afternoon and it was the three of us, me my wife and my cousin, Joe's has been always a top notch in everything from service to taste except on that day when we had a very long delay and had a mistake in one of the orders, I needed to ask for the manager twice which was not really nice, I don't like when I have to complain instead on someone checking on us. Anyways the manager did something after all although our experience that day was awful but beside the many times Joe's been amazing in, I would definitely give it another chance, but I'll make sure its has to be a dinner.
(4)
Kevin C.
Amazing! that one word sums up my experience and the quality of food at Joe's. Don't be mistaken for the crappy Joes crab shack....... This place is super high class although you wouldn't know it from the outside. Kinda a funny looking sign on the outside of the building but once you enter its a pure high class establishment. I went for lunch with 2 couples and we were dressed down, i had on shorts and a polo. I wouldn't recommend shorts for dinner for sure its a much nicer place then that. I had the swordfish and it was amazing. For sure this place is expensive but its worth every penny!
(5)
Joanne C.
Very nice. Very nice indeed. I had dinner with my family at Joe's this past Sunday. I'm glad I made a reservation because it was packed. I'm guessing the bar area is first come, first served and fine for a quick bite. However, if you can, make a reservation so you can sit inside the dining area. It's much nicer. For starters, my dad and I had oysters Rockefeller and the rest of my family had the stone crab claws. I'm not usually keen on eating cooked oysters (I prefer raw), but I will always eat oysters Rockefeller. I never say no to melted cheese with spinach. EVER. I can't eat crab so I don't know what the claws tasted like. I asked my sister and she tried to spare my feelings by saying they're OK but then she said, "Sorry. I can't even lie. They taste really good. Sweet." So get the crab claws. For entrees, I had the lobster roll. I was trying to decide between steak or scallops but then I saw the specials menu and picked the lobster roll. I'm glad I did.( I can't eat crab or shrimp, but I sure can eat the hell out of a lobster.) This was my first ever lobster roll. I know, I know: some might say it's sacrilege since I didn't have a proper one from New England but I live here and this was in front of me. Opportunity costs and all. I loved it. The roll was crunchy and filled to the brim with lobster meat. I was surprised at how much lobster I got. I appreciated that there was not a lot of seasoning or herbs in the mix because that would mask the natural sweetness and flavor of the lobster. It came with sweet potato fries and a little side of coleslaw. I would definitely order that again. I can't speak for any other entrees but everyone enjoyed their meals (mahi mahi, 16 oz. rib eye, and seared scallops). The service was great. Plates were cleared quickly and the table was scraped of crumbs after each time plates were removed. One of the best parts of the meal (besides the food) happened when the busser came to clear our appetizers. He squeezed lemon juice into our hands followed by a hot towel so we could wipe the seafood smell off our hands. Lovely. It is a bit pricey and can get very crowded and loud. For special occasions or as a "treat yo'self" meal, I think it's worth it.
(4)
Brandon B.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend and were very pleased. The waiters and the rest of the staff were exceptional. My wife has an allergy to eggs and inquired about a certain salad dressing. She was told that it did not have eggs, so she ordered it. When it arrived she poured the dressing on the salad and was about to take a bite, when one of the waiters that was there when she asked came running to our table and told her to stop! He had inquired with the chef and found out there was egg in the dressing and he apologized profusely for his misinformation. He took the salad away and gave her a new one. I was immediately impressed with how quickly he came to the table to rectify the problem, but was also impressed that the manager came over right after to also apologize. (It's one of those things you would expect, but doesn't always happen.) To make things even better, the four people at our table all got a free dessert because of the mix-up. Oh, and the food was exceptional as well! We will definitely come back again.
(5)
Jacque D.
This is hands-down THE best restaurant in Chicago. I am legitimately obsessed with this place. I first went here on July 4th 2012 - I had just moved to Chicago and my parents were in town visiting and we wanted to go somewhere special and I saw that this place got so many raves and then I learned why. Since then, I go back every year at least 4-5 times a year. I would go all the time but I am not a Rockefeller and this place is $$$ - I would say for two people I've never seen a bill there under 200 dollars. The service is excellent and attentive. I don't think i've ever had a waiter there that was anything other than perfection. They are on Opentable which is nice for making reservations. You MUST make a reservation or you are going to be spending an hour or two waiting for a table (Not that it isn't worth it...but still why wait?). Since going there the first time we have made a tradition every year of going on Christmas Eve. I made a mistake the first year and waited until the beginning of November to make a reservation - and then I was informed that all reservations for xmas eve were gone by the first week of October. So I called back every other day for 3 weeks and finally was able to steal a cancellation (it was basically a Christmas miracle). Last year, (having learned from my mistake), I stalked OpenTable every day starting in September to see when I could make a reservation for Christmas Eve. The reservations only go out so far but they are updated every day and so I checked and waited until that wonderful day when December 24th became available and made my reservation! The food tastes like heaven - Lobster is always cooked to perfection - I could just sit at one of their tables and eat Lobster every day if I had the chance. Mac & Cheese is excellent as is the Creamed Spinach - But in actuality I have tried most of the sides and I have never had one that wasn't a religious experience. The Boston Cream Pie is just phenomenal - it's like someone imagined what the perfect food experience would be and then baked that pie. If you live in the city and haven't been to this place...what are you waiting for? If you are visiting you have to go...you just DO...you will not regret it
(5)
Natasha F.
This is the best stake house I've ever been to. I've been here over 5 times but have never been disappointed. Great service, cant go wrong with any food or cocktail everything is just so perfect.
(5)
Nickie K.
We stopped in here for lunch 12/26/2014 for the first time. What amazing service and our food was GREAT! Per our receipt our waiter was #1557 Anthony. There was a large group next to us that was well taken care of as were smaller groups and families. We had a variety of things of our lunch including crab cakes, fish tacos, sauteed spinach, bisque, veggie linguini, banana cream pie....they make everything in house and it was wonderful. We will for sure eat here again when in town. They had plenty of staff making sure everyone was well taken care of. LOVED IT! Next time we would love to have dinner type meals when we are more hungry than we were for this lunch. Business casual to dressy here....enjoy!
(5)
Leslie B.
There is simply not a bad aspect of Joe's. It's always a special occasion when my family comes here and we always leave feeling as though we probably won't want to eat for the next week and a half. Starting with the bread basket, ask for extra onion rolls...you won't regret it. Their crab cakes are truly one of my favorite meals ever, save yourself some room for the side dishes and desserts, order the appetizer portion which is one massive crab cake instead of two. Their steaks are also very delicious, but I find myself leaning towards crab items here (crab cakes and stone crabs). Their side dishes are awesome, don't skip the hashbrowns, which is basically a brick of deliciousness. Cannot go wrong with the mashed or cottage fries either. During the summer, they have a spectacular sweet corn side, do not miss out on this. I've also enjoyed their mushrooms and sauteed spinach. Side dishes are in large portions, fit for sharing. Dessert. Do NOT allow yourself to be "too full" for dessert. Seriously, I know you are at this point, but I won't hear of it. Highlights are the coconut cream pie, apple pie, peanut butter pie (insanely rich), and their seasonal berry pie has always been on point. My sisters are casually obsessed with their peppermint ice cream if you're into that. One of the best elements of Joe's is the service. I have never had questionable service here and by the end of the meal, most waiters are basically sitting at the table, part of your family. Full of great suggestions, they make the dining experience wonderful. Do yourself a favor and go (actually, try to get TAKEN) to Joe's.
(5)
Phillip Y.
Joe's Crab shack is very popular and tasty in Houston, where I'm from. Joe's seafood in Chicago is also delicious and popular but completely opposite in the atmosphere. Joe's seafood is extremely classy, professional and the service is great. We went on a Monday and the only reservation time we had was 4:30. I was expecting it to be empty at that time but the restaurant was already half filled. We got the stone crabs as recommended by our waiter, a salmon filet, and crab bisque. They were all delicious. They also gave us complimentary key lime pie for our first time. The key line pie was a little too sweet for us. Overall the restaurant is high quality and we are glad we came here during our vacation in Chicago. (Stone crabs are MUCH cheaper in Houston though :p)
(5)
jack w.
Went to Joe's tonight with my wife , and had a excellent dinner . It started with our waiter Justin , he was very friendly & professional with the food and recommended the Florida crab craws that was so sweet , we started with seafood salad , crab craws and finish it off with fillet mignon & lobster tail that was so delicious . And Justin treat us with a slice of key lime pie , since this was our 1st time there . And that made it the best meal we had in Chicago . Will be back , whenever I come back !
(5)
Annie N.
I had to try the stone crabs! I had to! I can be a snob when it comes to food, been there, done that is pretty much my attitude (I am grateful for growing up in another country where people eat pretty much everything) ! Yet I've never tried stone crabs before. And I've had plenty of seafood and crabs in my lifetime, so stone crab was next on my list! We came here for lunch with a reservation. My dinning partner was running late but our table wasn't ready. Hmmmm! The moment he got there we were seated promptly! We had some appetizer and soup to start before ordering what we came to have: stone crab! The soups were amazing. I barely order soups at restaurants (except when I'm eating asian food - we MUST have soup with our meal), but boy I'm glad I did. Rich and flavorful. A great start! The crabs came out shortly after. I was soo excited to try these. They were good, but I didn't see why they were such a hype! Although the other person loved it. He kept raving about it and couldn't have enough, so he ended up finishing my food for me! I wanted to save room for dessert, which of course was the key lime pie! They were goooooood! I never like key lime pie, and honestly this is probably the only place i would order them. I really liked it, and he loved it - he kept smiling as he took each bites. I swear in our years of knowing each other I've never seen him this happy with a food (or with anything in general). This is now the part where i compliment on the service which was exceptional. The server was very polite and attentive. I can see why this place is expensive and popular. Lots of people were having celebration, even for lunch! The place has an old-money feel to it with the wood, the decor and the service team in suits. Not my cup of tea, but I appreciated and enjoyed it. Of course it was pricey but hardly can you find something around this area for cheap. Suitable place for special occasions.
(4)
Dennis T.
Favorite and most consistent steak and service in the city. Always a memorable meal at this Lettuce restaurant.
(5)
Bryan M.
Awesome! Expensive, but awesome! Stone crabs (my first time) were delectable. Some in my party have also eaten at the 'original' Joe's in South Florida, and also enjoy stone crabs from there. They were not disappointed here. The table shared the stone crabs, and then endeavored to experience the various fish and steak offerings. None were disappointed there, either. Desserts we also fantastic. Waiter did a great job of engaging the various idiosyncrasies of the 5 members, as well as overseeing the team attending to our table. My only complaint - when walking in off the street, one passes through the (crowded) bar. The host is across the bar, towards the restaurant. The service staff in the bar is faaaar less patient than those in the dining area. After being in the bar area a couple of minutes, and none of the several staff attended us, we ventured to the crowded bar to fetch drinks. While patiently waiting at the only open spot, we apparently were blocking a waitress who made it a point to use words, expression, and body to repeatedly chastise us for blocking her. Instead she could have politely said something like: "Hey, would you mind clearing the path, and after I take of my current customer I'll come see you for your order." I know, one can dream. Yes, there were unicorns and rainbows in my dream when she said that, too. (They're so fluffy, I'm gonna' die!) Anyway, on balance, an Excellent restaurant!
(5)
Amy C.
3 stars for the food, 3.5 stars for the service. I think Mastro's and capitsl Grill are better than this so my rating are compared with what I had in the past. Colleague and I came to Chicago for a conference...so we are not Chi natives. We both had crab bisque which were too salty. Chopped salad was good and we shared a bonein rib-eye steak which were a little tough. For dessert I had the banana cream pie which was ok, everyone raves about it and I don't see what the big deal was. My colleague had the Havanna pie and she said mine was better. I don't care for tres leeches so... Service was ok to good...after the main course was delivered he kind of disappeared... I wouldn't come back here again if I were in Chi'town unless I was going to have snow crabs.
(3)
Erica M.
Don't ever order take out from here. It is very evident that they are not very concerned about getting the order right. When you call to let them know that you received the wrong food they immediately want to blame the food delivery service. It had nothing to do with the food delivery service it was on their end.The manager will offer to replace your food but it'll take another hour to get to you which does no good when it's already 9 o'clock at night. I have been a manager of a restaurant before and it's not hard when there's only two items in the order to get it right. If my staff made a mistake I would go above and beyond to fix it but it's clear that is not the police here. Very disappoint in the service especially since I had to order food from another restaurant to be able to have dinner for the night. I let the manager now what was sent was not something I couldn't even eat as it makes me sick, it's not that I was just upset about getting the wrong food and being dramatic about having to order pizza then.
(1)
Matt A.
This was an amazing experience, OZ our server was incredible. He knew the menu, the specials the pairings and he made our evening so enjoyable and stress free. This was an amazing experience. i know this is a lettuce place but you would never know it - they are current with their menu, service is amazing and they have the drink menu to boot. come enjoy the food and request OZ - you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Eric W.
Stone crabs are incredible... Bone in filet was the best I have had. Service was impeccable. Looking for a great steakhouse? Check it out! Old school and everything is great!
(5)
Michael C.
I came in here spontaneously because my friend was craving a steak. Luckily for us, the front of the restaurant is first come first serve, as we did not have a reservation which meant we would've had to wait a few hours. We luckily found a couple leaving as we got there. I wasn't too hungry so I split a 24 oz dry aged bone in rib eye and grilled asparagus with my friend. I have never had a dry aged steak before, but it was one of the most delicious steaks I've ever had in my experience. Tender and juicy, and the seasoning salt they had added even more flavor to it. This place is more on the fancier and expensive side, but def. Good quality.
(5)
Athena C.
Even though this restaurant started in Miami, which I did not find out until I was seated, I was very happy with their food and services. The restaurant has a very nice old gentleman diner club feel to it. All waiters are wearing suits in black and white and bus boys eagerly attend to your water and bread basket. We were here for lunch so we took advantage of their brunch special. I got the stone crab that comes with 5 claws, soup and a dessert. My husband got the filet Mignon special which also comes with the same deal. To our surprise, the lobster bisque soup was creamy and savory. Our entree actually also comes with their coleslaw, Jinny's mashed potato, home fries and grilled cheese tomato. The stone crab claws are chilled and cracked so there is not much labor and mess involved. Still, you do need to get your hands dirty but it is definitely worth it! The special mustard dip for the claw is absolutely amazing. The portions are pretty good for girls I believe although for guys this might not be able to keep you full. Their sides, especially Jinny's mashed potato is one of the best I have had! It has melted cheese, bread crumbs on top and is buttery and smooth. The coleslaws are on the sweet side and the grilled cheese with tomato is also excellent. My husband got his filet Mignon medium rare but I think we should have got it rare because it is not as tender and they could be. The dipping sea salt was good enough to turn the steak around. We ended our fanfare with their delicious pie - Banana cream pie and Key Lime pie. Both come in generous portions and both are unbelievably great! Most people vote for the key lime because it is more refreshing. I would love to return to try other seafood dishes for sure!
(4)
Wendy H.
Best Filet Mignon EVER. Beats every filet I've ever had in New York at least. Ordered and received a perfect medium steak that was tender, juicy, and everything you would expect from a filet mignon. They also have a delicious Key Lime Pie. Even my friend, who normally dislikes key lime pie, loved it. Friendly staff too.
(5)
Ed S.
This was our 1st experience at Joe's and we picked it because of Yelp. It's a 5 star restaurant all the way. Our experience was guided from our great server - Mark, the tall one - who did a fantastic job. We went with some of his recommendations from the steak, to the king crab - and he did not steer us wrong as it was all delicious. He even recommended the cheesecake for dessert and it was to die for. And his attention to detail was great. This is my new favorite restaurant when I visit downtown Chicago.
(5)
Rachel S.
I was hesitant to go here for fear it would be too touristy. Man, was I wrong. I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner and was impressed from the moment I checked my coat. The wait staff was superb and very knowledgeable. We ordered a lot of food and everything was great, but by far the best thing I had was at dessert time - the Havana Dream Pie. These guys make their own pies and serve very generous slices. This pie was the best dessert I've ever had in my life. I will take friends/family here for dessert and coffee when they come in town.
(5)
Annissa H.
We started with the stone crab and I loved how perfectly the shell was broken for us that it just crumbled off so easily. The sauce that comes with it was interesting, it tasted like a light dijon mustard. It was good but i think i prefer regular melted butter. This is not something you can get just anywhere so if you don't frequent this place often, let alone don't live near a Joe's Seafood you should most definitely get this! Best filet mignon and lobster tail of my life! The steak was the perfect size, very thick, so juicy and tender. The lobster tail was so big and meaty. I was very pleased. In addition we had the asparagus, which was good but nothing particularly special about it. The hashbrowns were delicious as well. If you love potatoes like I do, you can't go wrong with it. For dessert we had a key lime pie and it was so awesome! Mind you, this was my very first time trying a key lime pie as I'm usually turned off by the artificial green appearance of most, but theirs wasn't the typical rich cheapy green like others. It was fresh, crisp, and just so delicious. The blueberry pie was also so good. I really wouldn't be able to pick one or the other as being better since they're both such different types of pies. But if you are really full but still want to have dessert, I would suggest the key lime pie since it doesn't feel as heavy. The muscat dessert wine was okay, a bit strong for my taste. The waitress was super friendly and very helpful with suggestions.
(5)
Amanda C.
My friend and I ended up here on accident thinking we were going to Joe's Crab Shack. We hadn't been there either so we didn't realize until we walked in. This is a fine dining experience. I enjoyed waitress, Andrea, was very knowledgeable and patient with us as we couldn't decide what we wanted. The bread basket they brought out had a nice little variety. I especially liked the sweet one with raisins, and my friend loved the roll stuffed with onion. We had never eaten Stone Crab Claws before so she suggested that we get one claw just for kicks. The mustard sauce was ok, I'm not sure what all the fuss is all about with the stone crab claws. I think I just prefer King Crab. I will not hold the restaurant accountable for that, I think thats my personal taste. It was definitely fun to try. My friend got the tempura lobster which came with tempura vegetables and a very yummy sauce. I enjoyed it and she devoured the whole plate. I ordered the Alaskan crab leg lunch special that came with corn, potatoes and pie. I thought is was soooo cool that they crack the crab legs for you!!! It made it so much easier to eat. I'm usually stuck sitting over an hour trying to eat a full pound! Ha! The sides were very tasty and were large portions. For dessert mine came with the havana pie which was delicious. We each had a delicious cappuccino and the awesome waitress gifted us a key lime pie to try. I thought it was ok, I am just not a fan of key lime. It was very limey, but the texture was nice and it was a cool treat to a hot summer day. Waters were always filled. Ambiance was wonderful. Why only 4 stars? Although the food was great I'm not sure that I'd jump to go back. Not sure why.
(4)
Mira C.
This place definitely lives up to the hype! Everything from the service to the dessert was fantastic... We started with an order of the large stone crabs and it was delish, we took our servers advice and decided to order the large size, too bad they didn't have the jumbo available ;0( We got the bone in halibut which was light and fresh and cooked to perfection... also the bone in filet was to die for and cooked to a perfect med-rare. The wine that we were paired with also was a perfect fit for fish and for the filet. Seriously had barely enough room for dessert but still opted for two... The banana cream looked way too sweet but to my surprise it was lighter than the key lime pie both were a great way to end the meal!
(5)
Iain T.
I wanted to add these comments. When I want to eat well and treat myself to good food this is where I want to go. Sitting at the bar is my favourite spot. Sitting at a table in the bar area is a alternative if I am in a group. I love the oysters rokafella and crab cake. Tried to find somethung comparable in London and failed. Love watching the dinner room and bar staff interact. Well dressed and professional staff and your comfortable when your casual which always works for me. Probably sign out of Chicago with lunch tomorrow.
(5)
Rebekah V.
It's a seafood place.....but I prefer steak. :) My filet mignon was grilled to perfection and perfectly paired with a delectable pinot noir. Atmosphere is lovely, upscale, and the waitress was a little over-the-top exuberant, but I'd rather have that than someone in a bad mood! The downstairs bathrooms could use quite a makeover. Two stalls and one sink for the women's. So when one woman is waiting for the one using the sink to be done washing hands and touching up her makeup, anyone walking in hits the former with the door!! Very cramped and, in my opinion, inexcusable for such a nice restaurant.
(4)
Angel C.
Came during restaurant week and ordered a couple of stone crab legs. The portion was HUGE, and we really struggled to finish the sides. I found the meal to be a little too heavy for me, but I think that was mainly due to the sides. The stone crab legs were really good, so I'd definitely recommend giving that a try! However, since I am from the West Coast, it was quite easy for me to get stone crabs at the supermarket and just make them myself. There isn't all that much skill required for making them since most of flavor just comes from the crab itself. The dessert here is definitely too heavy for me. I could hardly finish 1/3 of the pecan pie... Service is great like most upscale seafood restaurants. I had an enjoyable experience in general, but considering the price here, I would probably would not come again unless it's restaurant week...
(4)
Tatiana B.
Best meal I have had in a long time! Our waiter Darren, was fantastic, and personable.
(5)
Charlotte P.
Excellent food & service each time I've been here. The stone crab was excellent but the ahi tuna & the sole were fantastic. Great sides and incredible desserts. Pricey yet definitely worth it.
(5)
David R.
Instead of rhapsodizing ad nauseum about my recent experience at Joe's, I'll be succinct: it was one of my favorite meals of the last several years. After two-plus years in my bookmarks list and hearing Melanie S. singing their praises, my expectations were high--and Joe's exceeded them. The word "feast" seems anemic for this purpose. Thanks to our two generous friends who treated us to dinner to celebrate our wedding, this was a three-hour orgiastic celebration of fine food and companionship. The only negative came at the beginning--the sad discovery that Joe's makes their Tom Collins with a mix. A mix! I've always appreciated a well-crafted Tom Collins, but it seems increasingly difficult to find good ones in Chicago, even in a place that focuses on old-fashioned service and craftsmanship. This failing usually triggers a major loss of respect from me, but everything that came after completely erased it from my mind. With food this good, I definitely will return, and when I do I'll just order some other cocktail. The meal itself was spectacular. Impeccable service from Mark, who started us with complimentary sparkling wine. Enormous shrimp cocktail and delicious spinach-stuffed mushrooms to start. An absolutely exquisite bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare--steaks like this are one of life's rare sublime pleasures. Excellent sides as well: brussels sprouts with prosciutto; roasted cauliflower; fried asparagus; and cottage fried potatoes. And to finish us off, Mark trotted out four of their desserts for our delectation: key lime pie, peanut butter pie with hot fudge, Havana dream pie, and peppermint ice cream. I left the peanut butter pie to my wife, but liberally sampled the other three delightful dishes. The key lime pie deserves its reputation; I would definitely order this again. The meal was outstanding and the overall experience absolutely superb across the board. I regret that it has taken me sixteen years of living in Chicago to make my first visit. I will be sure that the second is much sooner.
(5)
Kate K.
A week later, the one thing I can't stop thinking about is the delicious corn with cilantro side dish. Good service and appealing, low lit sexy setting. Great place for a first date! Tuna tartare was okey...nothing that great...but the filet on a bone was outrageous!!! The stone crab claws were so yummy...would definitely recommend.
(4)
Jeong K.
Great service, great friendly staff and great food. Its a thumbs up for the stone crabs however; will make my way down to Miami to try their items as well. The steaks where pretty darn melt in your mouth texture (med. rare). What do I recommend? Filet mignon & stone crabs that's all you need to order. Do not waste your time eating anything else from their menu. Trust me. Overall rating is a 4 b/c of the friendly staff and decent crabs and steaks.
(4)
Courtney O.
I LOVE JOE'S. I mean, I really love Joe's. I am not a steak person by any means but this is the best steak I have ever eaten! Seriously. The BEST. I do not crave steak anywhere else but Joe's. My husband and I have been to the Chicago Joe's and the Las Vegas Joe's. All are awesome. We have sat both inside with reservations and outside at the bar. Everywhere you sit the service is excellent. I wish there were more Joe's so I could eat steak more often!
(5)
FoodLover Z.
I went to Joe's with big expectations after reading the Yelp reviews, and I must say that I was a little disappointed. The ambiance was great, the service was impeccable, and the appetizers, sides and drinks were amazing. The steak was good, but not great. Which is why the rating is 4 stars, and not 5. Overall, really good place for special occasions.
(4)
Pauline C.
Great place for sea food if you are in Chicago. Very busy so make a reservation! Service was excellent and the food was great! We found it by accident but what a pleasant surprise! I highly recommend it and will be back my next visit to Chicago!
(5)
Kai Y.
Decided to look for a place for seafood during our last day of our Chicago long weekend trip. Shaw's crab house (which we have been to and liked) wasn't open that day. We picked Joe's. We decided to eat in the bar area. The place has the authentic Chicago feel to it. The interior was classic - dark wood ceilings and mahogany tables. The inner dining room has dining booths also bearing dark colors. The servers were dressed in black and white. Old pictures were hung on the walls. We instantly loved the ambience. We ordered the stone crab claws, seafood salad and jumbo prawns. All of them were delicious. We told our waitress we had a flight to catch and were kind of in a hurry. They were nice enough to accommodate us by putting food on our table fast. It was a great experience dining at Joe's. We would love to go back next time we are in town of Chicago.
(4)
Sabra R.
I recently went to a birthday celebration at Joe's Stone Crab in Chicago. I was almost as excited to spend time with my friends as I was to eat what I had long considered to be the best crabcakes in Chicago. After raving about the crabcakes to the people in our party, I excitedly ordered the $27 crab cake entree--which consisted of 2 large crabcakes, served a la carte. I dont know if Joe's changed the recipe or if I had fooled myself into believing that the crabcakes were better than they actually are. What I do know is that I was incredibly disappointed and will likely not order them again. The crabcakes were breaded and fried (I could have sworn that they'd been broiled in the past) and the center was just....mediocre. Very few lumps, not enough seasoning, uninspired flavor profile. What a huge letdown! I'm back to a crabcake-free existence in Chicago. Sigh.
(2)
Melissa C.
You don't think you should order fried chicken at joes but if you don't you're missing out . it is some of the best fried chicken I've ever had ...the sides at this joes are smaller than the joes in miami so we were able to try a few . reservations are must if you don't want to eat in the bar or wait...this location is always busy
(4)
Yann P.
On a Saturday late lunch, starving, we followed the advice that friends gave us. Choice between a formal dining room with tables fully dressed, or the bar section, with high tables. We settled for the high tables. Quick and efficient service, we ordered the Joe's stone crab lunch, their "signature" lunch choice. It was great. Even the hash brown was delicious, crusty. The crab was excellent. And as a finishing touch, a waiter comes with sliced lemon over a small bowl so you can clean your hands after eating the crab :-) The ambience is very cosy. An all dark wooden bar, two discrete TVs, a good mix of people. We'll clearly go back for trying the rest :-)
(5)
Jay S.
Over 1200 positive reviews....this place must be great and Chicago is suppose to be a great place for meat lovers. After Flemings, Morton's, Alexander's, Chicago chop house, House of Prime Ribs, Fogo de Chao, we were so looking forward to a Great Meal at Joe's. The ambiance of the restaurant is a nice start.... The host & order takers all dressed in their tuxedos, service impeccable and the decor richly decorated..... Stone crabs are easy to cooked/steamed and cracked so nothing extraordinary about them! Since not much effort is involved in the cooking/cracking processed, I would call their stone crab average. The petit filet mignon are petit ... Perfect for a small eater. Their specialty is the bone-in steaks and so we tried the boned-in New York strip. So looking forward to the steak and while cooked perfectly - medium rare - we were disappointed with how Joe ruined the steaks with their very salty ground pepper + spice rub. We could not finish the steak b/c it was way too salty! The best entree was the dole sole presented to us in a nice filleted presentation. The fish was perfectly cook! Not much to steaming the green beans and brocollini either. the key lime pie was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose that if we spend $50+ on a steak! I should have something to rant and rave about. I honestly wanted to like this place but it's more of a gimmick place.
(3)
Laura S.
We were a little hesitant to go to Joe's since reading some of the reviews, but we thought we would give it a try. We went on a Monday evening and we were totally delighted with everything. The food was spectacular, our wait person was wonderful and all in all it was a wonderful experience. We would definitely go again but probably stick with going earlier in the week.
(5)
Garad C.
Joe's definitely exceeded my expectations! Incredible service from the moment we walked in. A classic steakhouse, our waiter, Justin, was friendly, extremely knowledgeable and made our dining experience truly memorable. The King Crab was delicious, the bone-in filet prepared to perfection and the Manhattan's were perfectly mixed.
(5)
Mike T.
I stumbled upon Joe's after dinner plans went sour at another restaurant not too far from their location. This happened to be a pleasant surprise because Joe's was a great experience. I was initially told it would be an hour wait and within twenty minutes they had found me a table. The service was exceptional, every last need was waited on without me even needing to ask. These steaks were large and some of the most flavor rich steaks I've had in Chicago. Since it was my first time the chefs sent out a complimentary slice of cheesecake for my guest and I, and we both found it to be amazing. Give the cheesecake a try if you still have room for desert after all that steak and seafood!
(4)
Beth R.
Once upon a time, there was a girl with a fantastic life. This girl married her book club crush, managed to befriend some awesome people, and although she yearned to adopt all the dogs in the world plus the GEICO gecko, she was temporarily satisfied with one cat. This story involves her husband and two of their aforementioned awesome friends, and what happened one night when they ate dinner together. First the girl and her husband arrived at the restaurant and enjoyed some people watching before their friends came. There was a busy scene in the bar area, including some tourists who may not know better than to wear a camouflage hunting cap to dinner, and some locals who do. Mostly it was the latter. The enchanted couple were joined by their similarly enchanted friends and everyone enjoyed a drink. The girls had a cocktail made from two great tastes that taste great together: orange and basil. There was also gin, as the girl realized as she attempted to put one foot in front of the other on the way to their dinner table. Since the group was in a celebratory mood, there were many, many foods eaten and it might be impossible to list them all. The girl's favorites were the stuffed mushroom appetizer, the roasted cauliflower, the cottage fried potatoes, and her delicious Ahi tuna steak. The tuna came with a sweet chili sauce that set off fireworks in her mouth. The only disappointment was that the brussels sprouts had prosciutto on them, which made them off-limits. But considering the overall volume of food she ate, it might be for the best that there was something she had to refuse. After dinner, the group lingered and tried not to cry about the empty plates littering their table. Then dessert arrived. The four items included two pies, a cake and a huge scoop of ice cream with hot fudge on the side. They shared, although the girl could have eaten the ice cream by herself, as peppermint stick is her very favorite ice cream flavor in the world. She stopped after several bites and let the others have a turn. She did not extend the same consideration with the peanut butter pie, and unfortunately dominated it rather obscenely. The evening ended as it began, with excellent and warm service from Mark, who graciously advised the girl on fish choices and didn't appear to judge her for being a snorting pig during dessert. The considerate service was completely in line with the restaurant's classic elegance and comfortable but festive ambiance. The friends left the restaurant but kept their memories of foods, drinks, laughs, and newfound slang for sexual intercourse. It was a rather perfect evening and the girl felt so lucky to have had the company and to have taken part in the hedonism. It was a quintessential special occasion. The end.
(4)
Marc S.
Sorry joes. While I usually give you a chance tonight I was really underwhelmed. A very very large group dinner - the salad was small and unimpressive and the bone in filet was overcooked. Not just mine. Everyone at the table. Nobody asked how it was, if they were correctly prepared. Coffee service was poor and the coffee was bad. The pie was the highlight of my meal by far. I can only guess how much the company paid for this meal, as they do every year, but the group delivery was just not good. Also the back room for being a private space was very loud. Will go back but hopefully you guys scour the reviews and see that a usually satisfied joes customer thinks you need to brush up on your big group service.
I had Joe's for dinner a couple weeks back.... It was so good I went again the next day! The fried chicken was a surprise winner. Top notch service.... They gave me 4 pies for free because it was my bday!
(5)
MmeMorticia D.
This is such a well-oiled machine with quiet, yet staggering, confidence in its menu, service and overall experience that it does not need gimmicks of any kind. Faced with trepidation over preconceived notions of what I imagined to be a stuffy 'keep it at a whisper' men's meat club, I joined a party of friends celebrating a birthday. Five seconds in and the attentive service from everyone who greeted and escorted us to our tables piqued, maintained, and surpassed my expectations. I am not a fan of fish or bronto-sized pieces of meat (although I love crab legs, I can never finish them) so I requested the crab cakes- delicious. HUGE portions of everything. My party covered the table with (orgasmic) spinach stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari, seared ahi, petite filet, calf's liver, creamed spinach and green beans amandine (which I wanted to lick clean). Our waiter extraordinaire (I want to say Frank but apparently I kept calling him by a different name, which he never corrected, that became a running joke w/him, lol) "Frank" blew us away with his impeccable efficiency and friendly/approachable demeanor. The sommelier paired everything perfectly and complimentary birthday desserts (key lime pie and chocolate fudge pie) were graciously brought to our table. First class treatment from start to finish. Btw, touching story about the Swarovski crab pins they wear, you should ask!
(5)
Nadia S.
UHHH-MAZING. Brought my parents here when they were visiting and was initially worried bc of the loud ambiance. But we were taken to an amazing big ol corner booth, which of course my old school parents loved, and it was perfect. Our server was perfect and explained everything to us perfectly. LOVED the stone crabs OMG- it was my first time and it def won't be the last. wow. They bring out an extra seasoning mix that you can add to your steak - which is WOW. SO good. Our server even gave us some extra to take home to use later with our cooking. Really loved Joe's and can't wait to come back very very soon
(5)
Try O.
I know all places are going to have good and bad reviews. We had a terrible experience at Gibson's Steakhouse the night before. Came here on our last night in Chicago and had a complete 180 experience from Gibson's. Our food and service both were excellent. From drinks,app's to entree's and dessert, everything was just great. Will definitely go back when return to Chicago.
(5)
KT A.
Dustin, the waiter was amazing! We went there on 10/27 for lunch. I ordered cheeseburger, cream of spinach, and mac n cheese and for desert I got a brick sundae. All was amazing! My friends got fillet Mignon, snow crab legs, sweet corn, and mash potatoes and a Boston cream pie and they enjoyed it immensely. Its pricey but sooooooooooooooooooo worth it!!
(5)
Suby B.
from chicago to vegas- the best service, seafood, ambiance. takes my breath away. wonderful staff, food variety, seating, comfort, hospitality. the whole 9 yards...love you guys...xxx
(5)
Jordan M.
I've only eaten here two or three times in about three years so I can't comment on the entire menu (such as the eponymous Stone Crab) but what I have had has all been excellent. The various cuts of meat (Ribeye, New York strip, etc.) were as good as any in the city and the family-style sides were both plentiful and delectable. A favorite menu item of mine is the super flavorful Stone Crab bisque and at $7.95 it's a great option if you're trying to save a few bucks on your tab. The bread basket is unbelievable (the onion roll and something with bits of chocolate in it stood out to me) and always has me asking for a refill. And finally, the service here is second to none. I don't recall our servers' names but I still remember their faces several months later because of the impression they left with me.
(5)
Crystal W.
Glazed sea bass, baked potato, and garlic spinach = heaven. This place is consistently great. Make a reservation. You will NOT get in without one or a very long wait. Even the bar is a pain in the patoot. But if you're single and willing to sit at the bar or at the ridge along the wall, you can usually find a place and they'll serve you the entire menu. Definitely a must. Very good.
(5)
Amanda F.
I have to give 3 stars because I was SO disappointed in their stone crab claws. I had been looking forward to this restaurant for awhile and finally got to order and try their crab claws - 6 pieces for $49.95. I know I should have been wary since we were not by the ocean, but these guys are supposed to be famous! The claws were tasteless and almost rubbery. I tried the first one and thought I must be missing something. I offered the next one to my friend and she said the same thing. I talked to the waiter and he seemed very blaise about it - asked what I wanted him to do about it? I said that he could just take them away. He then said that the stone crabs had not been a good batch this year and I would have been better off getting the king crab - well thanks bro, you could have told me that before I ordered! We had a large table - 8 people in total - and everyone else loved their food. I had the crab bisque to start off with and it was to die for! I would come back just for that. The server was great other than his odd attitude about the crab claws. He was very attentive and had great offerings for each of us. I would go back here and sit up front (less formal area) just to get the crab bisque.
(3)
M M.
Great service and not disappointed in the food, but nothing blew me away. Try the king crab legs...
(4)
Carol H.
First time there and was not disappointed. Everything was fabulous! A perfect finale to my birthday celebration. Give it a try!
(5)
Valerie F.
Was in Chicago for a vacation and visited Joe's for dinner on May 19, 2013. The place was super packed. My husband and I had a reservation and had to wait an extra 10 minutes or so for our table. The tiny extra wait was worth it. The food here is amazing. It's pricey but well worth it. And the staff is wonderful. For appetizers, we shared the tuna tartare (amazing) and the chopped salad (delicious). For dinner we shares the dover sole (fantantic! - it was a special that day) and the steakfrites (filet mignon cooked to perfection that melts in your mouth). Our server was Darren and he was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and soooo friendly. He gave us a complimentary slice of key lime pie (which was mind-blowingly delicious!) Next time I go to Chicago, this restaurant will be on my list of must-do's.
(5)
Lynn W.
The service at Joe's was GREAT but the food was only ok.
(3)
Jason L.
Overrated....Overrated....Overrated.... This place is so pretentious. The staff is unfriendly. They just seemed really uptight. It is not a fun place to eat. The worst part is that the food is nowhere close to being worth what they are charging. It is just not that great. There are so many better restaurants in Chicago.
(2)
Linda B.
In town for a sales meeting last Wednesday evening and my team of 7 was looking for a good place with seafood and steaks. We couldn't have been more happy with the choice of Joe's. If you want an intimate quiet dinner, this is not the place but it was awesome in every other way. We were seated immediately, since we had a reservation (that doesn't always happen). We were given quick, attentative and knowledgeable friendly service. The food was amazing. We all loved everything. The wine selection was extensive, a little spendy but great choices. I had the seafood platter and so did the person next to me. We marveled at how perfectly cooked and seasoned it was, not dry at all, sooo tasty. We each shared sides and I especially loved the creamed spinach and the mash potatoes. The waiter was so good (sorry I can't remember his name) and recommended pie for desert. We shared the key lime, peanut butter, strawberry and cocount cream pie. I have to say I think my favorite was the peanut butter, but close was the strawberry and the key lime. This was an exceptional dinner with impeccable service and attention to every detail. Thank you for the memorable evening.
(5)
Maura S.
It is with a heavy heart I give Joe's a poor review. I have been here at least a dozen times. It is one of my dad's favorites and it was one of mine. This review is for the father's day brunch fiasco. As I mentioned, this is one of my dad's favorite restaurants in the city. My sister has an allergy to shellfish and during our previous dining experiences this has never been an issue. It was a HUGE issue on Father's day for whatever reason. Once we mentioned this to our server, the brunch went downhill. I get that they are looking out for her, but the limited menu they presented to her was basically herb chicken. So a $30 chicken breast with herbs on it. That's it? In a world where Vegan and Gluten-Free reign supreme, you have nothing else to offer my sister who isn't allergic to shellfish by choice. She ended up landing on a side order of mac and cheese and they even fought her on that. The manager did nothing to help us out besides come over and tell me that this was all they could do. Nothing reflected on the bill either. I took my sister to Al's real quick after a $200 brunch. Sadly, that is my last time at Joe's. A very large Chicago staple like that should be able to offer someone a larger menu and at least be kind about understanding that fried chicken and herbed chicken are very different and while the offer for herbed chicken was sort of nice, it certainly is NOT a helpful comparison. Thankfully my dad still managed to have a nice day, but we will be visiting Shaw's in the future where they were able to cook items separately for my sister allowing her almost full access to the menu. WHICH IS NORMAL!
(2)
Danielle L.
Service was impeccable. Our waiter, Darren, was engaging, friendly, and extremely helpful. All first timers, he walked our party of seven through the process and made great suggestions (start w King crab legs, some calamari, and the specialty cocktail "old Cuban"). The food was outstanding. The men had steak (cooked perfectly), I had Joe's scallops (perfectly seasoned and surprisingly filling). The sides were fresh and tasty . For dessert, I recommend the tres leche cake. We did a sampling of everything and that was everyone's fav. The ambiance was conservative, simple, classy. It was pretty crowded with a mix of ages, although it tended to be a slightly older crowd (many above 35). Joe's is one of those places where you do not mind paying high prices because it is well worth it.
(5)
Betsy P.
Excellent, as usual. The stone crab was perfect, and the king crab and jumbo shrimp plus ceviche were delicious. Order the "Whale" and the grapefruit margarita.....perfection!
(5)
Jennifer N.
Went to Joe's in Feb- LOVED IT!! Its a great place & the service is top notch! Our Waiter was Steve K & he was Fab! We had the 2nd Mortgage & was worth every penny! Crab Bisque- Devine! Steaks great too! Just Go!
(5)
OG W.
Had an opportunity to visit Joe's this past Friday to kick-off restaurant week in Chicago, and I was impressed. The ambiance, to me, is the best part of the experience. The lighting, noise level, professionalism of service staff, and decor reminded me of something from "Goodfellas". It had that old mafia/mod/gangster feel like classic 30's Chicago is famous for. The food was good as I expected it to be. I wasn't blown away by any means, but I wasn't disappointed either. The steak was good quality, but over-cooked as I asked for medium-rare temperature on my filet and it came out barely pink in the middle. I was with my date, and didn't want to be that guy who sends it back. Her steak was cooked to a more favorable center temperature so I just went with it. For me, the saving grace was the lobster tail which is the best I've had in the city. It was perfect texture, flavor, and freshness. Overall, the ambiance was the best part. The food was on par, but apparently their steaks aren't as consistent as I would have like for an establishment of this price point and reputation. I would go back, but I would definitely try other places before repeating dinner at Joe's
(4)
Kathleen C.
One of my absolute favorites in Chicago! The mushroom apps are a great way to start, and the Alaskan King Crab legs are incredible! The service is always wonderful. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Morris N.
I've been here a few times and every time the service has been great. I've had the stone crab before and those are awesome. On the most recent visit I had king crab legs for appetizer and stone crab bisque, both were delicious. For my entree, I had Chilean sea bass which included some baby bok choy. For the portion size at $29, it was a bit pricy but still very good. At the avg/pp price it's not your everyday place for a meal but a great treat for more of a special occasion.
(5)
Lauren F.
If you've never been to Joe's, I suggest you remedy that ASAP. No, I'm not talking about Joe's Crab Shack-I'm talking about the classy, elegant Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. I have never been disappointed at Joe's-from the tart Key Lime martini, to the irresistible assorted bread basket, to the stone crab, the steaks, the sides, the desserts, and just the overall ambiance of the place....I could go on and on. Joe's was the first place I tried stone crab and I really don't know how it could get much better. I'm not a real pick-my-food-out-of-a-shell-to-eat-it type of girl but for some stone crab, I can do a little work. It can be a little pricey for such a small amount, but give it a try at least once and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you don't want to go all in with the stone crab legs, at least try the crab bisque. This bisque is velvety smooth and when they bring it out to you they pour the bisque over chunks of crab in a bowl at your table. So so sooo good-trust me on this one. Not only does Joe's have great seafood-their turf options are amazing as well. I've never had a bad steak at Joe's. The filet mignon is my go-to, dry (i.e. no sauce) and cooked to perfection-so delicious. Their sides are big enough for two and you'll be fighting to put down your fork when you start getting stuffed but you just want one more taste. I love the grilled tomatoes-the pesto on top is just awesome. The hash browns are another one of my favs-so crispy and buttery...my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Heaven forbid I not mention their smooth, cheese and breadcrumb topped mashed potatoes-hello carb overload! They also have a very unique cole slaw that is very tasty as well, if you're a fan of cole slaw of course. I don't think you can really go wrong with anything you choose. Save some room for dessert-the Key Lime Pie and Bananas Foster Pie are fantastic!
(4)
Molly C.
This place is fantastic. I have never been let down on my multiple visits here. The waitstaff is great. I love the lobster bisque and the stone crab here. Also, save room for dessert. The key lime pie is my favorite.
(4)
Denise W.
I ate here for the first time about two years ago during the NBA combine. The food and service was exceptional. The stone claws could not be beat! I highly recommend this restaurant for their service, quality of food, and ingenuity!
(5)
Luke T.
The food is good here and everything is fresh but I like Shaw's a little more because they have better drinks and clam chowder. The bread selection here is good but they serve a weird non cream based clam chowder that isn't very good. Also it's a little stuffy and formal here for the type of food they serve.
(4)
Robert W.
Absolutely delicious, even if you don't have the crab. The steak is unreal, service is great. Definitely try the brunch if you can make it, one of the best-kept secrets in Chicago for brunch.
(5)
Kevin G.
Since my last review almost two years ago, I would say Joe's is even better. The menu's selections never fail to disappoint my cravings and the service is still excellent. We always look forward to dining here.
(5)
Vivian C.
Oh man, oh man, oh man! I literally just finished eating here an hour ago and it was ah-MAZING, so I had to write about it. The hype is real guys!! I made a reservation for 6:30pm for my parents and me and literally, this place is PACKED (so def make a res on OpenTable). We were told we would be seated shortly when we checked in but ended up waiting around 20-25 min. At that point I was thinking to myself, this better be worth it and it definitely was! Service: The host is super friendly and you can tell that he's been working here for a while as he knew many of the parties checking in. Our waiter, Charles, was very nice and polite and gives us time to review the menu instead of rushing us knowing that there are at least 10 parties waiting for a table outside. Food (we shared everything): - Medium stone crabs: YUM. So fresh and comes with a sauce but I didn't use it since the crab was super sweet. - Seafood salad: WOW. It was huge and had more than enough lobster, shrimp, and crab to keep us satisfied. It also came with a bunch of different veggies (fava beans, radish, carrots, lettuce, celery, yellow peppers..). We were so pleasantly surprised by this dish! - Crab stuffed shrimp: SO GOOD. It comes with 4 medium-sized prawns but each one is literally STUFFED with crab meat. It's kinda heavy but oh man, so delicious. - Mac n cheese: ORDER IT. - Creamed spinach: this was the one thing that was only OK so I advise skipping it. We didn't plan on ordering dessert but Charles brought over their signature key lime pie on the house because he said he didn't want us to leave without trying it - amazing!! Overall, this place exceeded our expectations and I would totally return when I come back to Chicago next time. Also the prices are completely reasonable for what you get. Seriously, MAKE A RESERVATION. I'm serious. Really, really serious. But if not, the front section is first come, first served. GO!
(5)
Kay S.
I loved it here, the food is fantastic. They're very knowledgeable about gluten free. Being a celiac, this is always make or break for me when trying a new restaurant. They went so far as to explain that celiacs need to stick to the gluten free menu, but those who are doing it as a lifestyle preference can have their regular menu dishes altered. Sold! I had the shrimp and scallop ceviche and alaskan king crab legs. Both dishes were amazing and the boyfriend's dishes looked just as good. They have a great selection of drinks too! I wish I could have stuck around for dessert, but it was lunch and I was a little pressed on time. Wonderful service too. Will definitely be back again for a longer, less rushed date night!
(5)
Shells H.
Crab cake melts in your mouth. So delicious. We had the crab stuffed shrimp and filet mignon with side of roasted sweet corn. All delicious. Be sure to call ahead as they seem to book up quickly on weekends. Service probably one of the best I have had. Noise level is a bit loud and isn't as spacious as it should be. Overall, if you're in chi and craving seafood, this won't disappoint.
Mahogany, waitstaff in white blazers, top quality steaks and seafood, all topped off with pure class. I have no idea why it took us so long to go here. This place stands out along with Bavette's and Chicago Cut for top notch steakhouses in Chicago. The thing that really sets this place apart is the classic atmosphere and crab. I didn't even know how much I liked crab until I experienced it at Joe's. There is also a gin/basil/grapefruit cocktail that is also not to be missed. Get dressed up, go hungry, and enjoy a top notch Chicago dining experience.
Amazing service first off, very down to earth staff that comes of genuine and not forced. Very classy inside as well, makes you feel like this is a fancy place name aside. Great job on both of those. I had the surf and turf with the filet and king crab. The steak was very good, nice flavor and great cut. I do think they are a bit high prices on the menu though. The king crab was excellent, they did an amazing job with it and I would love to try more seafood here which were priced a lot better than the steaks. Had the key lime pie for dessert, loved every bit and was definitely worth getting. Loved my meal and experience here, lived up to the hype.
Other than the initial rockiness of waiting ~20-30 minutes to get seated as a table before us didn't leave, this was a good experience. We got 5 slices of pie as compensation for the wait, which I guess helped overcome the fact that the wait was not pleasant...but I don't blame them for the wait. Just thought the wait itself could have been managed better. On the main course note - had a seafood platter (scallops, shrimp) which was fresh and delicious. Mac and cheese side was also notable and would recommend. Not a fan of the creamed spinach. Mash potatoes were not bad. Others on table seemed happy with their steak. Excellent key lime pie. Also enjoyed the peanut butter pie.
(4)
Andyman S.
Lunch reservation with decadent dining for two in mind. We ordered: fried oysters (lightly dusted in seasoned flour, not heavy, delicious), calamari (some of the most tender I've had), crab cake (large and almost entirely crab, and could have used a touch more binder and seasoning to firm it up a bit, but tasty), wedge salad (nice, but strangely unidentifiable bready blobs in there), seafood platter (Madagascar prawn was wildly over cooked, tough and chewy, I pointed this out to the waitress, and another far better one was brought out. Lobster was nice, scallops were extremely tender, not seared very well), fried chicken (delicious, although spendy chicken at $18). I'd go back, skipping the platter and ordering more appetizers and a la carte items. Pretty good place, but a little more care on the grill is needed, and a little more on the butter and seasoning. Wine list looked very reasonable, although we didn't order any. Comped us key lime pie, which is in the fridge along with leftover fried chicken. Stuffed to the brim...
(4)
Tim K.
I LOVE seafood! I really look forward to special occasions when I can justify shelling out some extra dough to enjoy good, fresh, high quality seafood here in Chicago. It was my wife's birthday, so off to Joe's we went! We arrived right at our reservation time and worked through a portion of the crowded bar successfully to a friendly host who seated us right away. Our waiter was quick to take our drink order and explain the "market card" of daily specials. We opted for "The Whale" cold appetizer seafood tower for two, crab bisque, the filet and lobster, and the seared scallops. The good: The crab bisque and the filet were terrific. The bisque was silky smooth with some yummy bits of crab at the bottom of the cup. The sherry came through nicely and mingled quite well with what I assume was a crab stock. It was served a bit colder than I prefer - but very good. The filet was a nice surprise. It appeared to have been seared off on a flat top and had a wonderful crust of their very own spice rub. That rub is also served on the side leaving the diner with the ability to add more should they desire. It was cooked to a perfect medium - and also evenly cooked (in other words, the warm pink center was actually in the center - that seems to be something of a dying art). The bad: The "Whale" seafood appetizer was good, but also disappointing. At $21.95 per person - a bit pricey for an appetizer - I was expecting a veritable cornucopia of seafood. Here's what we got to split between the two of us: 2 jumbo shrimps, 1 smallish lobster tail (2-3 ounces, I'm guessing), 2 snow crab legs, and 3 or 4 ounces of ceviche. That's it! Quite disappointing. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was only $15.95 and probably had more to eat than each half of the $21.95 whale. My advice; skip it and go with anything else. The ugly: The seared scallops were woefully overdone and were just this side of being suitable for on ice use at the Hawks preseason opener on the 22nd of September. I detected no seasoning on the little rubbery paperweights, and the roasted corn sauce was equally disappointing. There was almost no flavor to the sauce - check that - there was no flavor to the sauce. The service was very good; attentive without being overbearing. We got through dinner in about an hour - a good thing as we also had our 5 year old with us who was patiently waiting so she could indulge in some chicken nuggets later in the evening. I think Joe's Prime would be a splendid place to take a group to, especially for a business lunch or dinner. It is a bit boisterous in the restaurant, but not in a bad way. It seemed like everyone was having a good time - it was a happy boisterous. Next time, though, I'm going for the steak.
(3)
Courtney H.
We came back for my birthday with my whole family and a friend in late August. Again, we got stuck in traffic but they held the table. The food was again amazing, even better than the first time if that's possible! Our waitress was phenomenal and they brought me out a dessert because she heard someone say we had a birthday at the table. I can't stress how great of a place this is!
(4)
Alan T.
My wife and I just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary here to cap off a great vacation in Chicago. We had a great dinner at Joe's and enjoyed everything we ate. I don't normally write reviews, but the service here was great, so we wanted to write a quick blurb. Jeff, our waiter, was attentive, friendly, and made great food recommendations, including an awesome key lime pie. The whole experience was very memorable.
(5)
Alexis B.
FINALLY!!!!!! I've always wanted to come to a Joe's stone crab establishment. I hate how some of my simple folk people, think I'm saying Joe's crab shack LOL. Not even on the same level. So the Doc wanted to do a brunch at our hotel but I didn't want that. He already had his say for dinner the night before so today was my turn! Took a cab and walked in around 1ish. We didn't make RSVP's but if you want to sit in the main dining room, I suggest them. We sat at a high top in the bar area. Their high seats are quite comfortable but they do pack these seats in and that's uncomfortable for those trying to make there way to the actual bar. We had a nice server. She had a few tables and never showed a sign that she was overwhelmed especially when it got super crowded. Also the bartenders have to look of an old school steakhouse type of feel :) Now for the food!!!!!!! Steak Tartare: Nice ring of tartare with a lovely raw quail egg to smother the tartare mmmmm. This was my second time having tartare. I'm used to seeing Beef carpaccio on the menu, so any chance I see a beef tartare on the menu, I'm getting it!!! The dish was perfectly seasoned. Not over seasoned and not bland.. Thank god. The texture was luscious. It also comes with a nice little plate of charred crostini's to spread it on. What a solid well executed simple dish. Stone Crab: AKA star of the show. We ordered the medium serving and if my stomach was large enough, I would order a large portion all to myself with a nice glass of sweet wine ahhhhhh. Anywho, this was my very first time having Stone crabs. We don't get those here in SoCal and if anyone has the dibs on where I can, that would be SWEEEEEEEET!!!! Luckily the waitress told me an alternative crab that almost has the same taste, that could be found in my hood YAY!!!!!! Back to the crack stone crabs. This was probably some of the freshest seafood I've ever had. I also love how easy it is to get the meat out. I'm pretty intimidated by shellfish that make me work for my food LOL. I feel like a cavewoman trying to open up shit HAHA. Ever since my last bite of these crab claws, I've been thinking about them weekly. You can not come here and not order these. It would be disrespectful to their namesake! Roasted Turkey sandwich: Yea I got a turkey sammie for my main meal LOL. I purposely ordered this because my hotel room didn't have a fridge and this would be the easiest leftover to travel with back to the room HAHA. I'm the leftover queen! The sandwich comes on a toasted multigrain bread and is stuffed with carved turkey, avocado, pork belly, tomato and sprouts. I usually hate sprouts, but these were no bother. Nothing super mouthgasmic about the sandwich, just a solid fulfilling sandwich. It also comes with fries but I wanted onion straws and those were nice and crispy with a little sweetness. I could eat a whole plate of those! I kinda wish I ordered the DIP, but my leftover priorities took over ;) Branzino w/lemon and capers: This was the Docs dish but of course I had to get a taste in! We also ordered broccolini as a side. If you're watching your weight, this is a great dish to be had. But lets be honest who would be watching their weight visiting Chicago. He lives here and can have Chicago eats anytime LOL. His dish was very good. Again the seafood is outstanding on its freshness. It was nice and flakey and the broccolini was a great pairing. So yea if you're a health nut, this is the dish for you :p Of course I was tooooo full for dessert and I had shopping to do. I didn't want to go to that 7 story mall full as F! I can't wait to go to Joes again and hopefully I can visit the one in Vegas since that's as good as it's going to get, to get those claws!!!!!
(5)
Jeff S.
Had lunch at Joe's last Saturday (7/11). Heard great things about their stone crabs (especially the mustard sauce) and had to try them out. Sat at a table near the bar which was a lot more of a casual setting (people were in shorts, sandals, etc). Ordered nothing but seafood - dozen oysters (mixed), 1 lb of king crab legs, and a large order of stone crab (5 pieces). Of the three, the king crab legs were my favorite as they were huge and meaty. The legs are already cut so no work is required and you are instantly rewarded with jumbo crab meat. The stone crab claws were very good as well but you have to do a little more work for the salty meat. Oysters were on point as well. Service was okay. Nothing special. But at the bar, I am more lenient on that.
(4)
L W.
It was my husband and I's second time celebrating our wedding anniversary at Joe's. The food as always was delicious. We would especially like to thank our waitress Denise - she was absolutely fabulous and made our dinner very joyful. I would like to give her 5 stars and
(5)
Ellie W.
If you're looking for good seafood in Chicago this is the place! My mother and I went for late lunch around 3pm. The host suggested we sit in the bar area to be served quicker. Our waitress was friendly and was helpful on what to recommend. FOOD: My mother ordered the Seafood Salad ($25 ish) and I ordered a lunch special of Alaskan Crab (about six crab legs, corn, potatoes, and Havana Pie $28 ish). The waitress allowed me to order a baked potato rather than the ones the meal came with. Also, because I am allergic to gluten she suggested I get the gluten-free brownie sundae. My meal was AMAZING! The crab legs came "pre-cracked" and easy to eat, the potato was large, and the corn is literally the best corn I have ever had ( it is grilled with spices, a must try). My mother also expressed she was pleased with her "flavorful salad". SERVICE: The waitress was helpful to start off with but then we barely saw here after ordering. The "bus boy" refilled our waters, took our plates and pretty much took care of us. PRICE: A little pricey but totally worth it!
(5)
Danielle S.
The food was decently good here, but nothing really impressive. It's what you expected from a good seafood house but nothing above and beyond. Oysters were fresh. Out waitress was nice and took good care of us. Maitre D was clueless and looked arrogant? We walked in can't find reception desk. He murmured, we looked back thought he might help us but he was like go to that guy with green tie. We followed his instruction, went to the gentlemen. That gentlemen was talking to other waitress, saw us coming but did not stop chatting. We didn't want to be rude so we waited the conversation to be over. Then he looked to us with no face expression, no how are you kinda greetings but only said hi and waiting for us to say what we want to do. We asked "do you still have a table for two, we do not have reservation". He pointed two tables and said, those two are available, pick one you like. Nobody walked us to our table. Based on the ratings on Yelp, the price and such, we expected a more welcome attitude and more helpful service. So with the average food and below average overall experience, I'd say I'll never come back again.
(3)
Jason B.
This might have been top to bottom one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. The service was attentive but yet not annoying, and every bit of the food was out of this world. We tried oysters on the half shell the champagne butter was amazing, the lavash bread was outstanding, and really wish that we had ordered two of the ahi tuna appetizers. Three of the four of us ordered the filet which was our only low spot as my wife's steak was a bit over cooked for medium rare. They brought her a new steak and a new baked potato within 6 minutes. Our hold out that ordered the crab cakes was just as pleased with his dinner, as we were with the steaks. I would give them an extra star if allowed the food was that good.
(5)
Danielle S.
I'm sure you wouldn't go here for fried chicken BUT it is the best! So juicy and the outside is so crispy, cooked perfectly every time!
(5)
Adam A.
Amazing steak, superb stone crabs and life changing crab bisque. What can I say. Be sure to start with the bisque, roll into some amazing stone crabs and then dig into a bone in fillet. Amazing.
(5)
Brian K.
Came here for my birthday last year. Very nice establishment. Ordered both crab and filet mignon. Both were exceptional. Had an old fashioned and it was by far the best. I've yet to find one better in a restaurant setting, although they probably exist in the realm of specialty cocktail speakeasy type places. The service was what you would expect from an upscale restaurant. I have zero complaints and look forward to returning.
(5)
Natalie D.
I came here on Saturday with my family. This was my second time here although my parents have been maybe 5 times. I am not used to ordering crab so my dad did the ordering: we got a pound of the large stone crab claws. They were good. I don't really understand why ppl love them though. My dad loves crab and even prefers it over lobster. I think it's good but maybe I just need to try a different part of the crab? Like legs? I think last time we had King crab legs bc the stone crab was out of season and I remember liking that better... Anyways.. My sister and I shared the tuna tartar app. It was solid but not our favorite in the city. (We love Pops) I got the roast beef/steak sandwich which was soooo good! I recommend putting their horseradish mayo on it! It comes with horseradish but more is better in my opinion. Last time I was here I ordered oysters but ever since I moved to the Midwest I've lost my taste for them. I remember that they were really good here but I can't elaborate. I'll have to go back and get some ;) Drinks: Perfect Bloody Mary! Nice spice and good amount of horseradish too I also got the old fashioned: I'm on a mission to try all of the classic cocktails. It's not a fruity drink and doesn't try to be however, there was a very nice citrus flavor. I would totally get it again! Service: We made a reservation that morning. We were 10 min late. We were seated right away in a big beautiful booth. Our server was adorable and very helpful, patient, and just ideal. That's the word I would use for Joe's -ideal.
(5)
Sabrina C.
As one decides to take on the quest of finding the best steak in Chicago, Joes should be a stop on your list. I went here on a weekend with a small group of friends and had quite a good experience. The drinks were nice. A tad bit pricey, but good nonetheless. For the appetizer, we went with Calamari since the Rockefeller Oyster was sold out for the day (I hear it's amazing). It was actually quite delicious. For dinner, I had the medium stone crab - cooked perfectly. Someone in my group ordered the Filet Mignon - it was good, however I've had much better. The sides that you order are huge!!! I requested the cream of spinach and the mashed potatoes and three of us were able to eat off of them and still have some left! The cream of spinach was throughly enjoyed since it was obvious it was homemade with its hearty leaves of greenery. Yum! In retrospect, the food while tasty, didn't shoot off fireworks for me. Yeah I think the place may be more hype than anything. However what totally enhanced the experience (and what I think helps the "fireworks" shoot off) is the level of service; it was exceptional. The staff totally pays attention to you and you never have a moment where you feel abandoned at your table. They are very knowledgeable of the menu and therefore able to make great suggestions and answer any questions. The ambiance is perfect for an intimate date as well, if you so desire it. Valet parking is available so you don't have to fight with the crazy street parking. Joes is a place I would totally go back to..... minus all of the hype.
(4)
Eugene P.
When you can't find anything wrong about a business then you have a winner. My first impression of this place in one word was "class." So this is how the rich and famous dine. Everything about this place was fantastic. The servers were on point, as was the food. When the food tastes as good as it did at Joe's nothing else matters. I've been to other high end steak and seafood restaurants but this place was far above and beyond. The crab cakes were on the mark. I didn't get to taste any seafood but the BONE IN FILET MIGNON was awesome! I have never had a medium steak cooked any better. I'm a pretty big eater and a 16 oz steak usually has me feeling satisfied but not this time. It was so good I wanted to eat the bone with it. The only critique I can give is that it might have been a tad bit to salty. I need to go try the original location in Miami and I'm for sure going to the Vegas location. Joe's, you have my approval (not like that means anything LOL) Tip: make a reservation even on weekdays, valet was $15 when I went, and enjoy the food.
(5)
Christine E.
The service at Joe's is great. In addition to our server, the manager and sommelier also stopped by our table to make sure we were enjoying our dinner. The food is amazing. Our faves here are the Alaskan king crab, oysters rockefeller, bone in filet mignon, and crab stuffed shrimp. Really, there's nothing here we haven't liked.
(5)
Chenghua C.
Even though the price is a little expensive, but the steak they have is truly delicious, amazingly!
(5)
Elina S.
All I gotta say is I can't believe I didn't freaking come here earlier. I've had this on my bookmarked list forever now and it is definitely worth the hype and if you live in Chicago or are even coming here for a weekend getaway, this is a MUST try place in Chicago. I absolutely LOVED It but wouldn't say it's the best place I've ever eaten which is why I didn't give it 5 stars but I am definitely a fan and will definitely come back here again when the opportunity comes. I did make reservations like 2 months in advance to get that nice 7pm Saturday night dinner slot. Upon arrival I did request a booth for my husband and I for a more intimate and not as loud feel because it is jam packed. I loved our booth it was on the first floor and it was towards the end so it definitely had that nice romantic, private feel to it. Our server was super nice and as everyone says, service is on point over here, nothing was forgotten and everything was presented perfectly, she gave us some great recommendations and we obviously started with a few drinks. For an appetizer I decided to forgo my usual calamari just because I wanted to do different. We did get those over talked about stone crabs and they were phenomenal. 7 medium ones were $40 which I thought was kind of expensive for what you are getting, but they were delicious, I just wish there was more of them. The mustard mayo sauce that is served with them is to die for but you could also get their horseradish cocktail sauce as well on the side. For my entree I decided to get the crab stuffed shrimp and they were delicious. The shrimp were huge and there were four of them and they literally tasted like lobster because they're from the same family and these were gigantic shrimp. My husband is a big fan of lobster rolls but they didn't have any so he ordered the alaskan king crab roll and I took a bite of it and all I have to say is that it is EVEN better. I mean for $25 or so you get so much luscious king crab and the brioche fun is warm and buttery and it was delicious. Also, it is served with their sweet potato fries which are my favorite things ever so that is always a plus. Oh, how can I forget about their legendary bread basket, I was hoping it would be amazing but I only really liked the warm onion bread roll, everything else was kind of just blah. Sorry, although Joes definitely wins for the freshest seafood, Wildfire has the much better bread. I'm kind of all over the place today, must be all that amazing seafood that went to my head, it really was super fresh and some of the things I felt like I was back in Boston having delicious crab by the pier. Okay, so onto the dessert, we couldn't decide so we got both the key lime pie and the banana cream pie and they were both delicious if I had to choose which was better for next time it would have to be the key lime pie because it had the perfect amount of tanginess to it. Except I need my dessert to have chocolate and lots of it to be exact. Overall, an amazing place, definitely save up for a special occasion or that perfect date night because it's definitely not cheap, but truly awesome. Amazing service, like I was truly impressed and a nice atmosphere to eat all that fresh stuff from the ocean. My only thing is that they need to make those stone crabs a little cheaper or serve more of them.
(4)
Barbara L.
Four of us from California just had dinner there!! Chris was our server an he was outstanding. Chris was very attentive, polite an knowledgeable about the menu. We had miso sea bass, crab stuffed shrimp an seafood salad. All was the best! For desert we had cherry pie, an peanut butter pie, at Chris's recommendation. He didn't let us down. The deserts were divine!!!!! You must go an ask for Chris...
(5)
Amy H.
I went there for my one year anniversary with my boyfriend. He placed a reservation for 4 PM, so when we got there the streets weren't that bad. You should valet because I didn't see any available street parking there. I did see some parking garages though, but for the same price ($15 plus tip), it's more convenient to valet. When we stepped in, the dining area was pretty empty so there wasn't much of a wait. We dropped off our jackets at the complementary coat check. The aura is very intimate, dim lighting, classy. We came in dressed up, because my boyfriend saw on yelp that it said dressy. That is false. A lot of people there wore jeans and nice sweaters. We were overdressed compared to everybody else. The waiting staff was dressed very nicely though. In regards to the food, the food was excellent. I ordered crab stuffed shrimp and he ordered 6 oz filet and tail. So yummy! James, our waiter, was so patient when I didn't know what to order and also when I was confused on the mixed drinks. Clearly, I don't come to up-scale restaurants on an everyday basis. I was very happy with my experience and to top it off, I got a complementary key lime pie, the dessert specialty at Joe's.
(5)
Dalia M.
Most of our experience was good except for the initial wait. We waited about 20 minutes for our reservation in their small bar area. Also, getting a drink from the bartenders was impossible. They weren't super busy but just sort of ignoring the standing patrons. 10 minutes later, I finally had my glass of sauvignon blanc. Once seated, Hank was wonderful with our table of 7. We went family style on everything - crab claws, rib eye, NY strip, filet mignon, halibut & sides of creamed spinach, mac & cheese, potatoes (with onion - something French?). YUM. I've been to the Miami location which is just as pricy but more seafood than steak and a little more casual given its down in Florida. This location was different but great. Fantastic food, fancy ambience, $$$$ is what you'll spend.
(4)
Jill D.
Stone crab claws with their mustard (or whatever that is), key lime pie, seafood tower, bread basket, amazing service...need I say more? I'd eat here once a week if I could afford it! Great wine list too.
(5)
Margo R.
Here in town for a long weekend, incredibly pleased we found this. Food was excellent. Rib eyes were perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked. Stone crab was delicious; would never have considered a mustard sauce, but was perfectly paired. Veggies were great as well. The staff here is warm and professional, not stuffy at all. The sommelier Matt was incredibly helpful in helping this California wine aficionado choose the perfect wine to complement our meal. Our waiter, Danny Morales, was exceptional. He expertly guided us through the menu, and made sure our dining experience was wonderful in every way. Just a delightful evening.
A million stars! Not always a fan of chain restaurants but this one truly takes the cake. I had some of the best lobster I've ever had here at Joes. It was cooked to perfection. Same with stone crab, oysters, king crab.... its all fabulous. Never disappoints. 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Amy B.
Found Joe's from google after I typed in "best restaurants in Chicago." It was among the top 5 most recommended eateries. I was not donned in proper seasonal attire but once we arrived at the restaurant, the heat and the smell of deliciousness helped me forget about the relentless Chicago cold. After we were seated, Hank, a very welcoming and friendly gentleman, greeted us with a wonderful intro of the history of the restaurant and the dishes that make Joe's one of the most attractive dining spots in chi-town. By then, we knew we were in for a scrumptious ride. We were first timers to this place and was happy to learn about their Florida stone crabs. A bit of history and background info sometimes helps elevate the taste of the food. And it surely did. They only harvest the right claws from the crabs and place the crustaceans back into the water to allow their limbs to grow back. Stone crabs are known to lose their limbs easily. This way, the crabs can continue to live and hang out with their buddies in the pool. Happy crabs make great food. Stone crab is a must-have at Joe's as it's their signature dish. The mustard sauce that comes with it gives the meat a creamy, nutty flavor. It tasted so luxurious that I was hooked on every savory bite. If you love fish, you can't go wrong with their Chilean Sea Bass. For oyster lovers, go with the fresh oysters. They were so wonderful I thought I tasted the ocean.
(5)
Ria S.
We celebrated our sons 20th bday here. Everything from the service to the food was phenomenal. We really liked our server who although I don't remember her name I do remember she has red hair and has worked there for years. My sons had never been but they totally enjoyed it. Make sure you make a reservation because they are always crowded.
(5)
Courtney F.
I was recommended to try this place by a friend who used to live in the city and I thought it was a great, solid steakhouse. Service was wonderful. I had a petite filet mignon and shrimp cocktail. Food was good, but nothing extremely memorable. However, there was a nice classy atmosphere that would make it totally worth going back.
(3)
Frank M.
So while nothing was bad, this place wasn't great either. Service was fantastic, stone crab was good, key lime pie was great. The artichokes we had were underripe and shouldn't have been served, they shouldn't be hard. The spinach was good, but for $8 I expect baby spinach or at the very least stems clipped. We also has the seafood platter that was good, but not amazing. This place is overall good, not great. Service was fantastic overall, however.
(3)
Esther H.
Everything from start to finish was amazing. No extra frills or too much seasoning. The food was so fresh and delicious. The different choices of bread were perfect. The stone crabs are so meaty you actually get more filled up than you expect. The steak was SO good! (We got the bone in prime rib) The scallops were the exact amount of food you need even tho you think it's expensive for just 3, after I started eating I stopped complaining. The pies were SO good. Havana was a dulce de leche, cake, custard aka HEAVEN. And my idea of Key Lime was green and jiggly but theirs is the absolute best. So creamy and enough citrus to love the key lime without it overpowering the dessert.
(5)
Kelly P.
I've heard all the rave reviews about this place from colleagues and was told I must get to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab on my next visit. So since work brought me back to Chicago last week, this was the first place I hit. Although I didn't have enough time to relax in the dining room, my schedule did allow me to have a nice steak salad and a rose sparkling wine in the bar area. I also made sure to check the place out which hopefully could justify my review without experiencing a full dinner. When entering, I took a quick look around. I loved and sensed a bit of elegance and degree of that old school vibe, typical of Chicago steak houses. Waiters were dressed in standard black and white and maitre d's pleasantly greeted all guests as they made their way through the bar and into the dining room. My service was great, even at the bar and I loved the taste and portion of my steak salad which basically took care of my appetite like a full meal. The bar also attracts a lively after work crowd that gets there quite early so getting a seat might be a bit challenging after 5:30pm. I hope to return to this place when I have more personal time to relax and enjoy a full dinner, soup to nuts. The menu is comprehensive but pricey but appears to be well worth it and supported by the restaurants stellar reputation on steak and seafood.
(4)
Elaine T.
Get the stone crab! You won't regret it.
(5)
Tana N.
My favorite Chicago restaurant. Went on Friday night with another couple and it was phenomenal! We started with stone claws as an appetizer, which come with the famous mustard sauce. For dinner we had crab legs, scallops, dover sole and a ribeye. Sides of roasted corn(this is a must if you come here), mashed potatoes and cole slaw (another must have). Our waitress was fun, energetic and on top of our needs before we had any.
(5)
Kristen M.
HANDS DOWN THE BEST. Our server, Danny was just AMAZING!! Very fun, exciting and knew the menu back to front - great at recommendations and anticipated every need - including our pie choices : ) The food was delicious - I don't typically like crab, but I had the Stone Crabs with their famous Joe's mustard dipping sauce - WHOA I believe they have changed my mind about crab. *Best Tip about this place: Get all the pies!! Key Lime Pie was ice cold and Delicious, the Havana Dream Pie was Unbelievable, and the Peanut Butter Pie was extremely Light & Fluffy!!
(5)
Allison L.
The food was delicious!! We had our company holiday party here in one of the back rooms so I can't judge on the atmosphere of the main part of the restaurant. If you want some of the best seafood ever, come to Joe's.
(5)
Ken O.
I had a craving for great chicken and since Bub City was closed for a private function, my second choice was Joe's. This restaurant never disappoint me. I had opted to dine in the bar area since it was more casual. I was greeted by Alesia, who was very pleasant throughout my meal. Since I have a craving for fried chicken and I heard Joe's chicken is out of this world, that's what I had ordered with a side of fries. Alesia had advise me that it will be about 20 minutes, so I had added the Caesar Salad to start with. The runner had brought this good size salad (bigger than I thought it would be) within a few minutes. The dressing was just right - let's face it, the dressing makes or breaks the salad. The accompanied roll basket had various types of rolls. Roughly, twenty minutes later, my entree was delivered to me. OMG,,, the chicken was so good - so juicy. The fries were seasoned just right. Did I say how great the chicken was? Again, Alesia did check in with me. Everything was fine. After eating two pieces and majority of the fries, I was done. The other two pieces are going to be great snack for later. However, I did make room for a slice of the Peanut Butter Pie. It is rich but so good. Take your time with this dessert. BTW, the dessert menu has several great options without being over the top with options. Well, I wasn't able to finish the slice, however, it was a great leftover for later. The chicken and pie didn't make it to the next day. For an outstanding dining experience, check out this restaurant.
(5)
Dannie C.
This place has an average of 4.5 stars across 1400 reviews for a good reason. Their food may be pricey but it's of extremely high quality and out-of-this-world delicious. Also, even though I've only ordered takeout from them (more than half a dozen times and counting already), I can see that they really treat customers with care and respect. My favorites: #1 Chilean Sea Bass: Love the miso glaze, subtly infused into the fillet, which is always tender but not flaky. Bok choy complements it very well. #2 Seafood Chopped Salad: Generous amounts of Alaskan king crab, shrimp and lobster. This may be an expensive salad but it is certainly one of the best salads I've ever gotten #3 Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese: This dish really elevates mac & cheese to a new level. The mushroom fragrance is infused into the pasta and it almost tastes like a truffle cream pasta that boasts of flavor as well as subtlety #4 Grilled seafood platter: A tad on the expensive side, but these are succulent servings of Madagascar shrimp, lobster tail and scallops, grilled to perfection (This list has been growing...) Why I said that Joe's really seems to care about their customers: 1) Every takeout dish is boxed nicely, with a sticker on top labeling the item + reheating instructions. I've never seen a restaurant do that! 2) Every order comes with an elaborate bread basket. That too is labelled: onion pumpernickel (delish!), raisin crisp (also delish!), cheese crisp (getting the idea yet?), challah knot (last but certainly not least), etc. I need to come dine at this restaurant in person soon.
(5)
Michelle W.
Everything was amazing! The service was the absolute best, super friendly, very knowledgeable, and the food came out very fast. I had some stone crab, Alaskan king crab, and jumbo shrimp for an appetizer. All 3 were as good as it gets and very fresh, which was my concern considering this was my first time really eating seafood in the Midwest. For the entree, I ordered the filet mignon and lobster tail. The lobster definitely stood out to me more on the plate, even though I'm usually less of a seafood person. The filet mignon was still amazing, but I think if I went back I might get the ribeye or lamb chops instead. I also really enjoyed oysters, sweet potato fries (they put a hint of cinnamon and sugar in them!), the grilled tomatoes, and the other vegetables were nice additions to the otherwise more protein heavy meal. I think what I really appreciate about this restaurant is they really take out all the struggles you usually find with eating seafood and just deliver to you the best quality food. They even went around and cleaned our hands with fresh lemon and a hot towel after our appetizer. For dessert I would've loved to get one of their amazing looking pies, but I was just too full so I went for the mixed berries instead which were a great finish to the meal. Overall this was a great restaurant that I would definitely recommend for celebratory occasions.
(5)
Arthur M.
First time eating here. The food was great! From the bread in the table to the banana cream pie. For my app I had the crab claws, nice and chilled. Then I had the sea bass. WOW! That's all I can say. Very clean and atmosphere was the cherry on top. The waitress Colleen gave us the VIP treatment. I travel to Chicago over the next few month and yes I will be back here!
(5)
Nancy M.
My sister and I visited Chicago this week to celebrate our b'days. What a great city! I found Joe's online (googled Chicago's top restaurants). We had the crab bisque and the petite filet mignon. Best steak ever and we loved the mashed potatoes. Also, enjoyed the ambience -- formal but not intimidating. We went back the next day (after shopping) for G&Ts and a shared order of calamari. Tasty and our waitress was very nice. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Layan A.
Nothing short of amazing. The food is exquisite. Come here after you get a paycheck, it's super expensive but well worth it. Calling ahead doesn't guarantee a table right away and you will still wait up to 30 mins. Service is great as well.
(5)
Michelle P.
This was a great place for some phenomenal Stone Crab! Our waiter was awesome, the food was great, the atmosphere was fun too. Next time we are in Chicago, I will be back :-)
(5)
Randy F.
Wow, Joe's, you really impressed. As a Californian, the first thing I think about when I hear Joe's and Crab is the ubiquitous and casual Joe's Crab Shack on the West Coast and most of the United States. While Joe's Stone Crab is also a chain, it's completely distinct and has locations only in Las Vegas, Miami, and Washington D.C. The atmosphere is also much more upscale. Whereas our recent meal at Bavette's seemed like a throwback to a speakeasy and the 1920's era, Joe's has a class and business ambiance reminiscent of the white table cloths and formally attired waiters of the 1950's. It's obviously a place popular for business and power meetings, although they were a small scattering of casually dressed families throughout the dining room. Service is both efficient and professional with water glasses being filled seamlessly and dropped spoons being replaced quietly and quickly. Coloring books and crayons are provided for the younger clientele as are high chairs and booster seats for those with young family. But Joe's is really about the seafood. So you can imagine my disappointment when they told us they had already sold out their small and limited allotment of their famous Florida Stone Crab Claws. Crab season supposedly has been tough so this is becoming a more common occurrence. Our selection: Mojito - classic cocktails done without fuss. Nothing fancy or innovative but refreshing. Crab Bisque - excellent. A very small scoop of crab meat is placed in the center of a large bowl and the bisque is poured around it. Served piping hot and both rich and full of crab flavor. Pacific Rock Crab Claws - related to the Florida Stone Crab Claws and much more abundant. We opted for an order (by the lb) and found them strikingly similar in appearance to the Florida Stone Crab. Chilled and pre-cracked for easy eating, the Pacific Rock Crab Claws were super fresh and delicious. Supposedly, Florida Stone Crab Claws are even sweeter and even better, so now I'm convinced I'll have to be back or find them. $42/lb. Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Legs - Offered with table-side service, the Alaskan King Crab Legs are brought whole to the table and expertly cracked in minutes by the waiters. Chilled and served with their signature mustard, they pop easily out of the shell and are amazing. I've had Alaskan King crab cooked many ways, but these were some of the sweetest and freshest I've had. Four Cheese Mac & Cheese - a cheesy and delicious classic side dish. Vanilla Ice Cream - complimentary dessert. Good quality vanilla bean flavor. Key Lime Pie - their signature dessert and served chilled like the seafood. It's perfectly tart with a wonderful crust. As a first time diner, they also made the single slice (plenty for sharing) complimentary. Overall, we had a great meal at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. The old school atmosphere and up-scale service were a joy to have and they didn't blink having our family sitting right in the midst of power dinners between businessmen and professionals. The seafood was top notch and every dish was fresh as can be. Now that I know what Stone Crab Claws are, I am on a mission to have the select Florida Stone Crab claws. Everything is expensive here, but it truly is a top notch dining experience if you can swing the visit. (reservations recommended as it seems most people can and make dining here a priority even on weekdays) Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab accepts credit cards including American Express.
(5)
Vaibhav V.
Even in a city known for its steakhouses, Joe's stands out strikingly! Easily one of the best dinners I have ever had. Outstanding service as expected. Significant variety in the dress code also by the way: some people were wearing black ties, while there were a significant number in polos. I even found a few people wearing shorts! Jumbo Lobster: 5/5 -- Incredible. Cut perfectly so that the lobster could easily be plucked out without getting your hands dirty. Warm melted butter served on the side. Portions were very generous (should be generous too; after all, we dropped over 70 bucks for it). 24 oz. Rib Eye Medium: 5/5 -- Literally perfect. Served with some steak condiment on the side. So juicy, so flavorful. I could eat this every night. Apple Pie: 4.5/5 -- One of the best apple pies of my life. Served with a scoop of ice cream, the crust was crunchy and the apples were incredible (not too sweet). Whether it's a special occasion or you just want to spend loads of cash on a random evening, this place is perfect.
(5)
Lizzy C.
I came here during chicago restaurant week. Everything is great.
(4)
Dana G.
Gotta love Joe's! This is a family favorite and we come here every time we do our annual Thanksgiving shopping trip to downtown Chicago. STONE CRAB = AMAZING! Can't be beat. To be honest, there's not much more you can say than "IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD AND YOU NEED TO EAT STONE CRAB AT JOES". So delicious! We always get the lyonnaise potato. So great - they can make them extra crispy (that's how my mom always orders them). We also always get Joe's chopped salad. They recently changed the ingredients a little but honestly it's still wonderful. I also like the shrimp cocktail, ceviche is great too! Love the bread basket. Seriously people, come hungry. Service is always fantastic! Helpful yet not overwhelming. Make a reservation even for lunch if you don't want to wait. Great ambiance -- love the old school classy vibe inside. Yummy wine list -- lots of great options. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Stephanie L.
FINALLY! After a day of personal shopping at Nordstrom's, we stopped in and were able to snag seats in the bar area. DAMN this place is BUSY. Its lunch on a Friday...dont these people work?? Bartender was nice enough. I did the crab stuff shrimp. Damn, they were good. Also had a bite of the lobster roll...delish. Its pricey, but what do you expect for a fresh seafood place in the heart of shopping downtown Chicago that is a chain??? Nothing less than what we got. Overall, they do have delicious seafood. The ambiance is not really my scene. Def pricey, as expected. Service was good...no complaints there. Worth a stop if you dont mind walking in or if you can snag a reservation.
(4)
Dana O.
We dined here tonight to celebrate my law school graduation.The food and our waitress were amazing. The maitre de was horrible - he tainted our dining experience from the minute we walked in. The Amazing Part: Our Waitress Anna H.!!!!!!!! She was amazing and took great care of us! We never had to wait around to find her when we needed something, and she was fun to talk to and very knowledgable about Joe's and life in general. The food is also A++++. The lobster tails, macaroni and cheese, and crab-stuffed shrimp were literally mind blowing. But to be honest, everything is good. We were in a large party and I sampled many of the dishes - they were all delicious. The Not-So-Good Part: The maitre de. When he walked us to our table, he called me over to talk to him. I was thinking he was going to congratulate me for graduating law school or tell us to have a great meal. Instead, he said, "I spoke to you on the phone earlier to change the reservation from 8 to 10 people right?" Yeah. "Out by 8:30 RIGHT?" Um, yeah. He pretty much told me that regardless of what we wanted to order - dessert, apps, meals - we would be asked to leave the restaurant promptly at 8:30pm to accommodate another party of 10. He kept walking into the dining room to checking on us to see what course we were on - he was looking directly at our table and did not even glance at any of the other tables. To add insult to injury, he sat us directly in front of the kitchen. Everyone at the table could converse only with the people directly on each side of them because the kitchen was so loud. I could barely hear my mom's champagne toast. Anyone who has worked in a restaurant knows what it means if the host sits a party next to the kitchen - not good things. We could hear all the staff's conversations and had to keep moving our chairs closer to the table because of all the foot traffic. Even with reservations, large parties are not very welcome here. If you are in a smaller party, I definitely recommend, because the food and the service are top notch.
(3)
Jim S.
Hands down the best restaurant in Chicago. I've eaten everywhere this great city has to offer, from Portillos to Tango Sur to Gibsons. Joe's always tops the list. I have the wonderful luxury of having a girlfriend who works for Lettuce Entertainment (Shaws, which is delicious also) and we often receive a pretty nice discount, however that's not what keeps me coming back. The food is incredible, the service is top notch, and the atmosphere is perfect. I'm a steak eater and she's seafood, however I've found myself eating the King Crab and falling more and more in love each time. I'm not sure you can go wrong with anything on the menu, but I always recommend the Filet with any Bisque soup they have. Their sides are huge and built to share, and their drinks are built to make you want to eat even more. One piece of advice. It's obviously not a cheap restaurant, so you might look at the prices and be shocked a little. If you're coming here, price shouldn't matter. Cover up the prices when you're looking at the menu, you don't want a high price to sway you away from trying some of the best steak and seafood this city/country has to offer. You won't be disappointed here.
(5)
Jordan P.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Joe's! Shame on me. Joe's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city. It's another quality Lettuce Entertain You restaurant (seriously, how do those guys have so many awesome restaurants?). I've tried nearly everything on the menu and all of it is delicious! I'd eat here everyday if it wasn't so expensive. Here's just a few of my favorites from the menu: the stone crab claws are to die for (the mustard dipping sauce is amazing); Jennie's mashed potatoes are some of the best mashed potatoes I've ever had; the Parmesan crusted fish tastes amazing; and do not miss the key lime pie. People also tend to enjoy the steaks here, although I normally go for seafood. Also, check out their seasonal pies. I once had a blueberry peach pie here that I still dream about to this day. The salmon is also surprisingly good. I normally steer clear of salmon at restaurants because it's often over cooked and under seasoned, but these guys nail it every time. I highly recommend adding it to a salad. The fish and chips and the burger are also definitely worth checking out if you're in the the mood for either of those. Yeah, yeah, I know I've essentially listed the whole menu, but you seriously can't go wrong here. In addition, the service is impeccable. It's exactly what you'd expect from a top notch restaurant in Chicago. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and anticipates your needs. I've also been here for several work events that were great. They have several event rooms throughout the restaurant. Again, at all the events I've been to here the service has been amazing. The food has also been shockingly good considering that they had to prepare it for 50 people all at once. Finally, you should also try having Joe's delivered if you're up for a weeknight splurge. The quality of the food is still amazing and they've never gotten my order wrong. The kitchen meticulously labels everything in the bag, separates cold and hot food into two bags, puts any chilled seafood on ice, and even sends along free bread and butter. Trust me, it's worth getting it delivered. If you can't tell by now, this place has stolen my heart. Trust me, just go.
(5)
Kate W.
Oh Joe's. You please us so. We had a small engagement party at Joe's the day we got engaged. We returned last night, a few months after getting married, to celebrate quietly before my husband leaves for a long business trip. Our waiter was fantastic--super attentive and very sweet. I had an excellent sauv blanc, and my husband enjoyed a manhattan that was good but not great. We shared our entire meal. We started with the delicioso bread (that onion bread? heaven). We shared the fried calamari and a crab louis salad---so, so delicious. I really love that salad. We then shared some of the large crabs that were on special that night, which were totally delicious. We also shared a plate of the fried chicken. Here is my best kept secret about Joe's: THE FRIED CHICKEN IS OUTSTANDING, AMAZING, PERFECTION. Joe's is famous for its crabs and its steaks, but I promise you: the fried chicken is unreal, the best. I can't say it enough. You have to try it. Best of all, the meal was totally free! Even though we went on a Friday, Joe's recently changed their policy and now you can use your Lettuce points on a Friday night at Joe's! It was such a wonderful surprise. Luckily we had more than enough points saved up from our engagement party to cover dinner. A meal that good, at no cost to us? There is nothing better. We left excited and happy--the perfect way to celebrate a very happy and exciting time in our lives.
(5)
Andre W.
After seeing countless reviews for this place I figured it was time to get my butt over here to see what the fuss was about as this seems to be one of the most popular seafood joints in the city. Me and my mom decided to dine here recently...as we walked in the servers greeted us and showed us to our seats in the dining area. When you first walk in its more of a bar area. Our server Steven was great as he was full of jokes and quite helpful when it came to picking out goodies. I started out with the tuna tartar which was pretty good. I then decided I wanted a 9oz lobster tail in my life. I got that along with the asparagus. the lobster was pretty good and the asparagus was ok. For dessert, I got the key lime pie...pretty damn good as Steven said it would be. Definitely a good spot, but might be a little overrated.
(4)
Loralyn D.
We went for a nice dinner while in town and Joe's Seafood didn't disappoint! The stone crab is expensive but worth every penny. Make a reservation in advance. We made a reservation about 1 week early and the only time available was 9:15pm, which is pretty late for a weeknight.
(5)
David B.
The team from Joe's did a fantastic job with my party of 20. We were set up in a private dining room and the dedicated staff performed flawlessly. The food was excellent and they have a good quality wine list. Will definitely return! Make sure you ask for Megan...her level of service is a cut above most.
(5)
Joe P.
Top Notch Service and Product.
(5)
Chris F.
Thank goodness for modern transportation...if you have a craving for good fresh seafood out in the midwest, you're covered here at Joe's! You can come in here dressed up or dressed more casual which is convenient. I'm a sucker for Bisque so had to have that. It was good, and though bisque's should be creamy i wouldn't have minded some big crab chunks in there. With "Stone Crab" in their name, you KNOW you have to order that. The concept of a "mustard" sauce with crab seemed wrong to me ( too biased with butter and lemon over the years i guess), but theirs is pretty good. Now for those used to getting legs and claws like everywhere else for snow crabs, king crabs, blue crabs, dungeness, etc, it's different with stone crabs...you literally only get a plate of claws. The cool thing they explained was that these crabs actually can grow back the claw! So they pull'em out, get a claw and toss'em back and they regrow their claw. That being said, and this is PURELY a personal issue i think, maybe because i'm just not used to it or maybe its the black tips of the claws it was a little bit freaky visually to me at first seeing this pile of black tipped claws. I got over it though and they tasted good.
(4)
Teresa Z.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!! This place was definitely the highlight of my Chicago trip for sure. I made a last minute Friday night reservation for 4 because we were in Chicago for Easter and realized it was stone crab season so we're like why not. Thank goodness they had a reservation for 530pm and upon walking into the restaurant they told me they were completely booked out. The hostess led us to our table and we were greeted by our server right away. Our server's name was Denise and she is AHMAZINGGGG. We gave us the menus and proceeded to explain all the different options they have (and she definitely highlighted the important stuff which was helpful since the menu was SOOOOO long). She was very knowledgeable and told us how the stone crabs were different between the medium, large, and selected. She describe certain dishes that made me want to order it right away. After extensively explaining the menu to me she gave us some time to discuss amongst ourselves. She came back a few minutes after but we couldn't make up our minds yet because there was too many options and we were debating between many things. When she came back to take our order i had to ask her again what her opinion was because i was between the filet and lobster tail or the chilean sea bass. I ended up with the chilean sea bass because she described the flavor so well. For starters we had the crab bisque soup and the stone crabs. I have never eaten stone crabs before and she simply described how to eat it as she was serving it on our plates. The stone crabs were boiled, chilled,a nd cracked so it was very simple to eat. BOY WERE THEY FRESH!!!!! it was delicious and coming from me it means a lot because I don't eat seafood due to the fishiness but this crab was nice and juicy with no fishiness a all. The mustard sauce that comes with it complimented the crabs very well and before we know it the crabs were all gone. The crab bisque was also DELICIOUS! super flavorful and again not fishy at all. ONTO THE ENTREE!! I got the chilean sea bass, my sister got the filet with alaskan king crab, my mom got the dover sole, and my dad got the filet with lobster tail. To share, we got the mac and cheese, sweet potato, and asparagus. The chilean sea bass was DELICIOUS!!!!! it came with a few pieces of bokchoy but the fish itself was super fresh and the miso glaze gave it the perfect sweet tangy taste. The dover sole was fried and the chief comes out to filet it in front of you which was definitely a plus. Denise came back to the table as our food was serve and we talked about stone crabs, again she was super knowledgeable and told me when stone crab season started and ended and some history about the restaurant. All the dishes were delicious, but if you were to order just one entree i would definitely go with the dover sole!!! Mac and cheese on the side was definitely most worth it. When it came time for dessert we honestly did not have room for anything so we were gonna share one pie amongst everyone. We asked Denise if we should order the tres leche pie or their signature key lime pie. Without a second thought she goes "why not order both? we do half pies!" I was so excited to hear that I told her we will take both then. After a couple of minutes she bought it out and they were DELICIOUS!!! Me and my sister were both kind of shock how big they were for half slices and we were saying how if we ordered whole slices we would never finish. But desserts was definitely the cherry on top!!! Denise came over again to ask about the desserts and we said it was amazing, and she tells me they were actually full slices! Denise knew we were from out of town and said the key lime pie was on the house!!! AMAZING SERVICE!!!!!!! I would definitely return to this restaurant next time I'm in Chicago but besides the amazing food, the server was DEFINITELY the biggest highlight of the meal!
(5)
Joanna T.
In my top 5 picks for best all around restaurant in this magnificent city! I have had the pleasure of dining here numerous times and each and every time I walked away impressed and so, so pleasantly full. From the cocktails to dessert, nothing is a miss. One of my favorite cocktails here is the South beach, hold the sugar rim. For starters I never pass up the Madagascar shrimp which is truly jumbo in size and flavor. Steamed crab legs are so fresh and delicious. The filet or NY strip are both amazing, sea bass so flavorful. The sides are huge and shareable. I can go thru almost each item on the menu and the descriptions would not do them justice, I simply don't have enough adjectives! And really, stop reading this and just go try it!!! Don't skimp on dessert, they have several tempting choices but I always seem to return to the best key lime pie I've had. Ever. And they also have a key lime cocktail. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will walk you thru any questions with a smile. The service is always impeccable. This place is always busy, so make your reservations ahead of time and come hungry!
(5)
Jake C.
From the food and wine to the service everything about this place is impeccable. I would always recommend dining in the bar if the dining room is booked. The cocktail servers are awesome, ask for Neda!
(5)
Craig L.
We dined here on Sunday evening and had a wonderful experience. We had a waiter with 16 years of experience and it showed! We had crabs, shrimp and oysters all prepared perfectly. Then we had a mix of steaks and seafood for dinner. The food was great, the service spectacular. You will enjoy your visit.
(5)
Patrick M.
Started off with The Whale for 2. Might have been better to order it for four people as it was so delicious. After that we had the Colossal Lump Crab Cake and the Ahi Tuna Tartare. Both were very fresh and very good. For dessert we had the Seasonal Berries with whipped cream and chocolate sauce and the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime Pie is by far the best in Chicago.
(5)
Fred W.
Best seafood in Chicago! Great atmosphere and staff is fun and professional. I've been many times and will continue to go whenever I crave great seafood. The banana cream pie is also amazing and I have actually ordered extra to take home with me for the next day.
(5)
David O.
We went here for a romantic night out and Joe's did not disappoint. Monique helped us with decisions on our meal. She recognized that we were on a romantic dinner date and bent over backwards to accommodate us as well as even after our meal. She taught us about the restaurant and the history of this part of town. Both Monique and her partner made the date so much more romantic and educational. We will definitely be back!!
(5)
S H.
This review is for the bar (service in restaurant has been hit or miss)... Whether you're shopping mich ave or visit during (packed ) weekend night- Scott and Dan are THE BEST in the entire city ! True professionals, if you're having a bad day you will leave with a smile on your face. The pair are charming, HILARIOUS, attentive. Dan knows which wines we like before we do (never any I've heard of and I'm always making a new list with his help). Scott has literally chased and caught purse snatchers (rare for area but this is chicago). Dan (dimples to die for when he flashes a smile ) and Scott (a friendly hug when you're at your wits' end ) are charismatic and genuine, making the most hectic of crowds seem like a breeze! In closing, top tier Chicago steakhouses are great, but you'll never know what you'll get at the bar. Joe's bucks that trend -- a bar experience worth grabbing a stool for.
(5)
Stella S.
The food and the service is fantastic. Our server Steven M gave us incredible service. We had the oysters rockafeller, king crab louis salad, the grilled platter with shrimp, lobster, and scallops, jennie's mashed potatoes, and the chilean sea bass. Everything was super!
(5)
Seif A.
Food was really great and very good service and waiters but the problem is that after eating their food I immediately got diarrhea. That was the only bad thing about it but everything else is excellent.
(5)
Caroline A.
Stars all around! My boyfriend took me here for a Bday dinner and we couldn't have had a better time. The waiter was incredibly sweet and knowledgable about every dish. He even brought me a chocolate cake with a candle in it! The atmosphere and ambience were fun yet classy and fit the theme of the restaurant beautifully. The fried calamari was tasty but very big. My blackened swordfish was excellent and my boyfriend's sea bass was delicious. If you have a sweet tooth like I do the caramel popcorn chocolate cake was nothing like I've had before. The tables are very close together and it is pretty easy to overhear the convo happening next to you. The hostesses were having a very intense convo about hooking up with some guy I probably could have gone without hearing. You have to give this place a try!
(5)
Ramsey B.
In Chicago, this is perhaps the BEST restaurant which features seafood and steak. The jumbo lump crab cake and wedge salad (bacon pork belly makes this salad 2nd to none) makes for a perfect start. I've had their steaks (porter house, filet mignon, etc) and they're as good as anywhere else in the city of Chicago. The salmon is excellent until the last bite!
(4)
Akber S.
I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. Stone crab is over rated. I found the meat to be sweet and light, but difficult to remove from the shell and enjoy. It was more of a pain than an experience. The king crab leg on the other hand is monstrous chunks of crab easily accessed because they cut up the shell for you (rather than just smash it like the stone crab claws). I need to come back here to try their fish dishes. But for sure they steak and lobster is on point. I recently went across the street to Eddie Vs for some lobster tail and was thoroughly disappointed secretly wishing I was at Joe's. And of course the service was on point. The dessert was delicious. The coffee was quality Highly recommend.
(5)
Chris G.
Havana Dream is maybe the best dessert creation being offered anywhere near the Wrigley Building. Imagine a cream pie that got it on with a Tres Leches with notes of passion fruit, lime and maybe lychee. Smokey, tender, grilled fisherman's platter might have you ready to pounce and the filet is perfect for a glass of old world red. Service here is quite attentive and the classic jazz really gets me worked up into a nice lather. :) Just don't walk through the natural mystic before being seated in one of the darkest corners to ever grace a mafia-free restaurant, though. Will freak. yew. owt. 0_0 Just can't believe I've visited as many times as I have without checking in with y'all about how this is such a bitchin' Lettuce Entertain You restaurant.
(4)
Kelly S.
This place knows seafood! I went here for a work dinner and it did not disappoint. We started off with the whale appetizer, king crab, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and scallops- something for everyone! I had the jumbo Alaskan king crab legs for dinner and what a smart choice that was! I love how all the seafood is all ready sliced open for you- no mess. Cant wait to go back!
(4)
Brian S.
Do you know why things are expensive? Because they are awesome - Joe's falls into this category. Make reservations well in advance. When in Rome.......order crab legs here! Cocktails are tasty and the bar area is first come first serve.
(5)
Anony B.
Had a stone crab (select) and marinated skirt steak and both were satisfactory. I usually order bone in fillet but it wasnt available at lunch time so had to order something else. Also had a rhaspberry pie but i think banana cream pie is better. Portion was crazy for my pie even if i ordered a small one. Wish they served hot stone crabs....
(5)
Mat W.
We were with awesome hosts, which helped, but we tried a little of everything, I'd swear. The crab claws, madagascar shrimp, asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, steak, dover sole, the chilean sea bass, 3 pies, and quite a bit of wine. Service impeccable, fish was succulent, steak was like buttah, asparagus crisped to perfection. Service was wonderful, a great place all around.
(5)
Monica B.
I've been here several times (especially for work), and my recent visit was no disappointment. We shared a great bottle of red between the four of us and shared several items from the menu: Stone Crabs: One of their signatures -- must get Oysters Rockefeller: My first time, and I loved them Lamb Chops: I didn't try it, but everyone in my party loved them Filet Mignon: Cooked perfectly medium and wasn't overly-drenched in butter Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese: the addition of mushrooms hit the spot Mashed Potatoes: surprisingly my least favorite. Extremely dry and bland Old Fashioned Apple Pie; Amazeballs! Was so stuffed for dessert, but a few bites went a long way Chocolate Fudge Pie: As a chocolate addict, this unfortunately didn't hit the spot This place is always bustling and there's a reason why. Great if your group is in the mood for a variety of things. Great staple in the River North area.
(4)
Gregory P.
This place makes what I consider to be the perfect Martini.... Perfect Size, Perfect Temp, Taste Amazing and 3 Olives without asking!!!! I can see myself have another, and another, and another. I would like to have this Martini everywhere I go. 5 OLIVES!!!
(5)
G. B.
A Chicago must! You will not be disappointed! Stone crabs are excellent! Fresh Alaskan Halibut incredible.
(5)
Kara B.
Love the food here. It's one of the places I haven't written a review for but love. I feel like the rest of the reviews attest to how amazing it is. I love the bone-in filet. The seafood is great. My boyfriend loves the fried chicken. I lost a star for the judgey waiter we had last night. He seemed miffed by all of our ordering decisions. He was much more to polite to surrounding tables... hmm.
(4)
Roro S.
The most unbelievable food I have ever had, the cod was to die for, the king crab legs are sweet and a must , and for desert the Havana pie ! I have never tasted anything like it !!!!!
(5)
Niti B.
I was here for a private dinner and it was delicious! I had started with stuffed mushrooms and they were stuffed perfectly. For dinner I had the crabcakes and they were light and flaky with a perfect crust. Our sides included asparagus and parmesan crusted mashed potatoes. I enjoyed the potatoes but the asparagus were pretty bland. The best part was the banana cream pie! With a drizzle of caramel and pecans this piece of pie was huge! It could have been a meal on it's own. And I wouldn't have complained once! I was very glad to have only eaten one of my crabcakes to leave room for this delcious dessert. Great service and decadent food is a great combination for a night out.
(4)
Shuo F.
This has got to be my favorite steakhouse in Chicago. I always try to make it to this place everytime I'm in town. The ambience of the restaurant is what I'd describe as perfectly busy and gives off a 50's vibe. There's always a full house when I go, but the service is never slow. The servers are always polite and attentive. I actually have not tried any of their seafoods, despite everyone on Yelp seem to highly recommend it. Whenever I go, I just can't order anything other than their steak entrees. I've had the bone-in filet and the ribeye which are just fantastic, full of flavor, rich, and tender. I highly recommend it these two. For dessert, I highly recommend the keylime pie. The taste and texture is the same as when I was in the Key West. I have not tasted anything close to it anywhere else in the MidWest. The price here is on the high side, but the food and the experience is well worth it.
(5)
Danielle W.
We went to Joe's for my birthday dinner last night, as were in Chicago for a wedding during my birthday weekend. I had never had stone crab before, so I really wanted to try this place, especially after reading so many great reviews. We sat in a really great corner booth, which was private and super quiet. The waiter, Matt, wasn't extraordinarily friendly to me, which made me pretty uncomfortable for the rest of MY birthday dinner. My husband and I were joking around and apparently, Matt didn't find the humor in it, so I got the cold shoulder for the remainder of the evening. The food was good - nothing out of this world, but good. The stone crab was so-so. Not a whole lot of flavor and very hard to eat. But they weren't bad. The green bean amandine and mashed potatoes were the strongest part of the meal. My husband and brother in law ordered rib eyes, and they also said they were good, but not great. My sister in law had the fried chicken, which she loved. Then we had dessert. We had a piece of boston cream pie, key lime pie, fudge pie and the Havana something or other pie. The waiter put the candle in my husband's dessert and then remembered it was my birthday after lighting the candle. He then switched it over to my piece of Boston cream pie. Awesome. But the dessert was pretty good. Overall, the service was what really lost me. If the food was good, but not great, and the service was outstanding, I would give this place 5 stars without a doubt. But to make a customer feel uncomfortable is just unacceptable. And after spending $400 on dinner, it would've been nice to feel special on my birthday.
(3)
Mike M.
Great place for any occassion! Dover Sole is awesome and they always prepare the crab legs just right. Don't forget the dessert when you go to Joe's. Half slices of the pie are more than enough.
(4)
Cindy H.
Delicious as usual. Would have been a better experience if I could have sat in the dinning room instead of the bar, but due to not booking a reservation and my date being late, I decided not to push the issue. Good service, but always come back for that amazing sea bass. Delicious
(4)
Quin T.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants!! Joe's is known for their stone crab claws and I am willing to bet that no other restaurant in the country can top them. I love my seafood warm with drawn butter, so I was a little hesitant to try the crab claws because they are served cold with a mustard, horseradish type sauce. They were so amazing, that I had 2 orders. The crab claws come in sizes ranging from small-large. Don't even bother with the small order, just skip right to the medium and large. You'll thank me later. This restaurant is old school and so is the service; always first class. My boyfriend treated me to Joe's for the holidays and the entire waitstaff had diamond encrusted crab (Joe's mascot) brooches on their suit lapels. Everyone was just so classy and I have come to appreciate their standards as many restaurants are starting to adopt a more laid-back approach. Just an FYI, if you are planning to dine at the location in Downtown Chicago, and it's near the holidays, it would be wise to make your reservation at least 2 months in advance.
(5)
A P.
The service is exceptional! Patrick, our waiter, managed to synchronize the appetizers, meal and dessert for both tables. Quite a feat considering a party of 16. His recommendations were perfect and the food was amazing - delicious, great presentation, cooked perfectly! Definitely a new favorite restaurant!
(5)
Samahna S.
Dinner was amazing thanks to our fabulous server Sarah D. She was spot on with service, food suggestions etc.. Thank you Sarah and everyone else for making our dinner so sweet!
(5)
Zorin D.
While your wallet may suffer a bit for the meal you will have here. The pricing is on the high side but it is well worth it. Being a native of Miami, I've been to the original Joe's a few times, and while I can't speak on the freshness and quality of the Stone Crabs here, I would highly doubt that you would be disappointed with them based on the high quality of the meal that I had there. The steak that I had was second only to the ribeye I had at David Burke's. It was well cooked and allowed the appropriate resting time before it was delivered to my table so I didn't cut in to my steak and see all those great juices run out on the table. I also like that they serve the Tuna Tartare over ice so that you aren't cursed by the horrible taste of lukewarm raw fish. The other appetizer was the stuffed mushrooms that were some of the best stuffed mushrooms I've had. But realize you aren't sparing any expense in the calorie department with this rich cheese and butter laden dish. The greatest thing about this place is that despite the focus on Seafood and steak, they have a Gluten Free as well as a Vegetarian menu. Both of which are available upon request and both provide tons of options. They even have quite a few Vegan options as well, which is insane to think of when you think of an old school steak and seafood place.
(5)
Tom S.
Service was great the food was was excellent. Table was ready on time I really enjoyed the Dover Sole.
(5)
Eric Y.
Went here for a corporate sponsored group dinner. As such, there was a limited menu but it was very good for this type of thing. Our tables were already set with "The Whale" which is their version of a seafood tower. The Whale is aptly named as it is a whale of a seafood tower. King Crab legs. lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, shrimp/scallop ceviche, artfully arranged. What a whale of a way to start this meal! The salad course was Joe's chopped salad which is just ok but the peanuts were a really nice touch. I opted for the seared Ahi Tuna which was served rare over a crispy potato cake with spinach and a mushroom bordelaise sauce. The tuna/bordelaise combination was a little weird for me. Side dishes were wild mushroom mac and cheese and crispy brussels sprouts, both of which were fine. Others at my table had the crab cakes which were deemed "excellent" and the Chilean sea bass which looked better than my dish. My dessert choice was the Old Fashioned Apple Pie a la mode which was as good an apple pie as I've had in a long time.
(3)
Isabel C.
This place is pricey but you get what you pay for. Everything was amazing! I started with the crab bisque which was fabulous and finished off with the crab cake, Brussels sprouts and mashed potato family style. The Brussels sprouts were amazing and the crab cake was meaty and delicious. Last was the famous key lime pie which was good as well! The bread assortment is pretty great too! You can't go wrong with lettuce entertain you spots! Only down side was portions on the family style side dishes for what you pay for you should get a little more on the sides!
(4)
David Rey S.
Shocked. I expected a trendy overrated tourist trap. Not at all - I had the Sockeye Salmon with slaw, while eveeryone at my table had something different and all was great. Service was excellent even though the place was jammed. Can't wait to go back...
(5)
Joe M.
Steak was perfect. Potato was not. Had to send it back. Tasted like it had been cooked in the morning and reheated. Funny they did not ask me if I wanted another one. We had 4 others at dinner and all were very pleased with the meal. I would go back.
(4)
Alon S.
Amazing food, amazing settings. The Crab Bisque was just perfect, definitely among the best soups I've ever tasted. The Filet Mignon was perfectly made. Notice that it comes a bit spicy, surrounded with black pepper. Will deinitely come back here.
(5)
Mary-Jane A.
Probably had the best steak ever, the food was excellent! Also had the stone crab claws to start and they were amazing! Server knew what he was doing and looked after us well. Very expensive but worth going to once in awhile.
(5)
Saba A.
Beautiful Restaurant! It's a must do in Chicago, and I'm just surprised I hadn't stepped into Joe's sooner. Went with a group for lunch during restaurant week, and walked out so happy. It was a busy Saturday afternoon, the crowd in the bar was filled with people chatting away and catching up with friends and family on a wintery cold day. Entering the dining room was like entering in a scene of a Film Noir movie. White tablecloths, servers dressed professionally in a romantic quiet-like environment, dark cherry wood type of furniture. We got seated on a round table and a few minutes later, got two servings of warm bread and butter to be passed around the table. Our server was phenomenal, taking orders from ladies first apart from the way we were sitting, addressing us with ma'am and sir, pronouncing our last names when presented with the check. Repeating our orders to make sure he is getting it just right. Clearing our tables, refilling our waters, making suggestions to my friends with nut allergies, so all in all, if you're looking for the best service, come to Joe's. They know exactly what they are doing. After the bread, half of us ordered cold crabs, and half of us ordered steak. Both, delicious. The best and often overlooked at any restaurant, were the sides. Mashed Potatoes were so flavorful, and not too salty, you can really taste the rich potato taste. And ended with banana cream and tres leches dessert. I would go back to Joe's and sit at the bar with coffee with just those desserts. Please save some room of those. This is a great place where I can see myself gathering with my parents, or taking a client out for lunch/dinner. I will definately return to Joe's.
(5)
Barry C.
Had lunch here, started with a chop salad than a variety of shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab cakes, and salmon. Added sides of steamed asparagus, corn, potatoes, and mushrooms for sides. After that onslaught of great food followed it with a variety of desserts. Everything we had was delicious so this is a spendy but good place for a meal.
(5)
Jason A.
I've been to Joe's several times, but the last was probably the last. Joe's is a solid "old school" joint. However, after over the years its seems to be sliding and after the last visit, that I will detail, it wasn't worth the hefty bill. First of all, we arrived for our table and were made to wait 9 minutes after being checked in holding a 2 month old and a car seat for some inexplicable reason, without any explanation. For a place that prides itself on service for me to stand there with no one telling us the reason for a delay at a 5pm seating when the place is slow is beyond unacceptable. Secondly, upon sitting, the service was so slow we didn't even get a glass of water until nearly 525. Just seems unorganized. The food which is normally solid was really hit and miss. The server played up the fish special, of how it was his favorite dish on the menu, the potato flounder, so I bit. What a mistake. This was a garbage entree. The potatoes were boring and and the fish had no taste. What a waste of a meal, boring. My wife ordered her steak medium rare, and came out medium+. They brought a new steak right away without question, but they should know how to cook a steak right the first time. 3 fatal mistakes is to much for a high caliber place.
(2)
Samantha R.
Let me start by saying the service was exceptional! Me and my husband dined here yesterday I had the caesar salad which was very fresh, delicious! My husband started with the Manhattan clam chowder he said it was very watered down and not enough clams.. for dinner my husband had the filet oscar he had no complaints cooked perfectly and very flavorful! I had the filet speciality soak in soy butter also full of flavor very delish! The baked potatoes however were very dry and tasteless.. for dessert we had the turtle pie which would have been good if it wasn't so frozen. You need a knife to cut threw the pie.. too cold for pie.. it was very expensive too but it did have a nice atmosphere.. we also got to see Jimmy Butter from the Chicago bulls which was very cool in my husbands book!
(3)
Polly S.
My husband made reservations at Joe's to celebrate our first anniversary and considering the price point, I would say he was right in considering it a special occasion spot. It's the type of place to bring your out of town parents who will be impressed by the service and old time NYC steakhouse feel. The dining area is massive with tables clustered right next to each other. You'll hear your neighbors conversations but that adds to the hustle and bustle atmosphere. Servers are dressed to impress and accommodating and attentive. They aim to please and it doesn't surprise me that Joe's has an outstanding reputation for service. We discovered a new red wine we like here, Vietti, and have since purchased bottles for our home. My husband had the stone crab claws with a chopped salad and I had the lobster stuffed sole. Great dinner and a complimentary key lime pie to boot since it was our first visit to the restaurant. We'll be back for anniversary #2!
(5)
Kristin S.
A classic Chicago go-to-spot, and classy dining affair, they could use to diversify the menu to cater to the vegetarian and gluten free diners. Prompt and professional service staff, and the atmosphere is everything you would expect from such a Chicago dining staple. According to my dining partners, the steaks and crab are really great. And I really do love the unique bread and cracker choices. The vegetarian options I've tried have been absolutely awful though. At one point I ordered a cauliflower steak (which is a favorite item I've ordered elsewhere frequently) and it came out relatively hard/under-cooked and yet completely charcoal black on the outsides with zero flavor (besides charcoal.) For this level of dining establishment (and for the price) I would really love and would expect to see something of the same caliber and prepared with the same care as the rest of the carnivorous menu options. The wild mushroom mac and cheese was really pretty good, but the brussels sprouts were not a favorite. Now the Jennie's mashed potatoes? AMAZING! They do a nice take out food presentation with high-end sturdy containers that have lovely little nicely printed labels on them.
(3)
Ashutosh T.
Really enjoyed the ambiance, felt like I was in Italy. I got the Halibut and asparagus which was peeled! The dessert was tasty - havanna pie, but the breads were the best :)
(4)
Donald C.
A 5 star review for what some might consider a chain restaurant?? I know, I know...what's the world coming to? But there it is. We got seated right away, the waiter Tim was excellent, professional, and had terrific recommendations, the appetizers were wonderful, and the Copper River Salmon was absolutely out of this world. The Bananas Foster was good, but very very sweet. The Key Lime Pie (evidently from a century old recipe and YES, with real Key Limes) was great. Go. Try to get a table or booth against the wall and out of the fray of the center of the room. You'll be able to hear your partner better (assuming you want to hear your partner better) and the dinner will be much more pleasant.
(5)
Hady E.
High class restaurant , the steak was amazing. Prepare yourself to pay a chunk of money. We didn't have a reservation but we arrived early than dinner time so the waiter managed to find us a space for two. We ordered the starters with the stone crab , shrimp & crab legs . It is good for one person. I had the bone in Newyork strip loin , by far that was one of the remarkable steak I had in my life & I had many.
(5)
Kristin R.
To be fair, we didn't have reservations so we had to keep eyeing the other front tables by the bar so that we could scoop it up before anyone else that didn't have a reservation! The ambience was very lively and full of happy, eager, hungry carnivorous patrons. Our server was wonderful, quick and offered some great recommendations and information on the different ways of how the steaks were cut and cooked. I had the scallops and my husband had a filet, I believe. We also ordered a side of green beans and potatoes, with a steak tartare appetizer. The food did not disappoint! Just remember to make a reservation!
(5)
Charesse H.
Googled "best steak and seafood in Chicago" and this place came up. Busy Sunday evening. It was just myself so I waited for something to open up at the bar. Definitely make reservations! As busy as they were, service was on point and waits for drinks/food/service were quicker than I anticipated. I ordered the filet mignon + lobster tail, it was delish. Steak was a tiny bit on the saltier side but cooked perfectly; Lobster was huge! You also get a variety bread basket before your food. Definitely will come back if I ever make my way back to Chicago!
(5)
Rayfe G.
Steak and seafood?! How can you go wrong? This place is amazing. I came here on July 4th for a nice dinner before the fireworks at Navy Pier. Everything about the place was top notch, from the host to the waitress to the food! I highly recommend the stone crab - they come in cracked shells and a nice bucket for you to put the broken pieces. Don't be afraid of eating and getting crab smell on your hand, because the server brought us a hot towel and even squirted some fresh lemon juice onto our hands! Talk about great service! The bone-in ribeye was cooked to perfection, juicy, and perfectly charred. It was delicious - definitely top 10 of all the steaks I've had before. Overall, one of the best meals ever. Highly recommend this one! A little price-y so maybe save this for fancy/special occasions ($50+/person easily), but great experience and well worth the money.
(5)
Debby W.
So they say the second time is a charm!! They're right. Went to dinner on Easter with the Family, this was a do-over, the first visit to Joe's was not very good. But this visit was the bomb-diggity!! Our server was amazing the bus-ers were as attentive as our server. Dinner was fantastic, my son and I shared the Love Boat, it was beyond delicious, Entrees' were divine. The presentation of the fish course (Dover Sole) was beautiful. And I could just keep this going. Thank you John A., your kindness and understanding was GREATLY APPRECIATED, and to Steve, we will be seeing you again. It's safe to say that Joes's Seafood, PSSB is definitely one of my favorite Chicago hot spots.
(5)
Cynthia L.
Expensive restaurant, but the food and service are great. I've been here before, but on my most recent trip we had Anthony as our waiter. He is the best. When he discovered that our dinner was in celebration of my friend becoming a U.S. citizen he extended his service even more. The cherry pie is excellent. And don't miss the crab bisque.
(5)
Tina C.
I've heard so much about Joe's that it was finally time I went it! Came with my family today and have had many recommendations. We did the crab claws, tomatoes, mashed potatoes, crab legs, fried chicken, and of course the bone-in filet which was incredible! Not a fan of key-lime pie but Joe's key lime pie was amazing. Everything was delicious and beyond my expectations. Denise was our server and was absolutely fabulous and had us cracking up and was very engaged with us-she made our dining experience very special-highly recommend this place for any occasion!
(5)
Lindsey S.
Once again, Joe's delivers! The Filet Oscar was cooked to perfection and the wine was a great compliment to the meal. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Amy R.
You'll find me here for every special occasion - birthday, anniversary, etc. Steaks top notch, stone crabs and desserts all A+. Wine selection is good but pricey. 3-6 month reservation required. Only wish the space was bigger. Tables are tightly fitted against one another and booths on the small side.
(5)
Anica L.
It was ok for the price. For someone who loves seafood and trying new places this was not my favorite. I think the best thing out of the crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and Madagascar shrimp was the crab bisque soap for $8. Probably will not return.
(3)
Steve T.
Great energy and atmosphere on a Friday night. Seated on time and immediately greeted. Great crab appetizer was the perfect starter. The crab bisque was rich, and full of flavor, I'm just a fan of crab meat in the bisque. We ordered crab stuffed shrimp and the grilled platter. Both were excellent. The grilled platter with scallops, shrimp, and lobster was again perfectly cooked with a hint of char, especially on the shrimp. The crab stuffed shrimp were excellent and more to my wife's liking than mine. A side of grilled cauliflower in sage brown butter went perfect With it. I think I have found my seafood Gibson's.
(4)
Nida F.
My husband is a frequent luncher at Joes, and one night after work suggested we dine here for dinner. I was hungry-- so I happily agreed. We snagged a table in the bar only to be greeted 15 mins later by a waitress with way too many tables to serve. She was great- just restaurant mgmt must have mismanaged the tables that night, bc it didn't make sense for her to have the entire area on such a busy night. We ordered an app,salad and each had meals (cocktail shrimp-- not deveined!!) and ceasar salad (yummy)-- the apps took a good 15 mins to come. We were surprised considering the simplicity of our choices- salad & shrimp! Then the meals... Another 15-20 mins-And they were COLD ! My husband ordered his steak medium rare, and his steak was gray and well done. My stuffed shrimp weren't lukewarm, they were cold. We tried to flag our waitress, but she was busy w/ other tables and after 5 mins, we just ate . She finally came to check on us and against my hubby's wishes, I told her about his steak, she said she'd get him another one, but he'd already ate bc we were hungry and its awkward waiting when no one comes to you. My shrimp were left basically uneaten. The waitress felt bad, gave us dessert to go on the house, but for seafood and steak house, protocol should be to have u cut the steak when it comes out. Maestros, Hugo, David prime-- they all do that! Or at least comp the steak! Needless to say, I won't be going back, and after this experience, my husbands lunches ther have also stopped!
(2)
Rowena M.
It has been years since we've been here and it didn't take long for me to remember why we haven't come back in a while. Joe's was a choice after my graduation ceremony and our group of 9 was famished by the time we arrived. A little mixup with the reservation time had us waiting for our table even longer which was a little annoying. Once seated, I was disappointed that we were shoved in a table all the way by the back of the restaurant - it was dark and the table was crowded; I don't really think it was meant to accommodate 9 people but since we had 2 kids, they must have thought they only occupy half the space! I even noted on the reservation that we were celebrating a special occasion. I didn't do this to get a free slice of key lime pie but rather a polite request to give me a decent table. While the food was good, it was nothing special. Service was pleasant but everything took so long - making the uncomfortable seating even that much unbearable. I might have enjoyed the average food if the seating had been more comfortable. I'm pretty sure it'll be a whole again til we return.
(3)
Lee P.
Our dinner was simply superb! Additionally, Scott is absolutely fabulous! We enjoyed time at the bar with Johnny tonight! Then we had the added pleasure of Scott! Not only is Scott darling, he did not recommend anything that we would not absolutely enjoy! Our steaks were awesome and the sides did not disappoint! Our evening was outstanding! Lovely venue within walking distance of the Omni Hotel on Michigan Avenue!
(5)
Arianne M.
The food was great! We were in Chicago for the weekend and we're looking to get all dressed up for dinner and chose this place because of the reviews.The steak was cooked well and I loved the side of seasoning they give you! The seafood was a delicious and fresh as we're used to in San Francisco! Our server was very knowledgeable and friendly. We couldn't decide on our dessert so he secretly hooked it up and gave us the other for free! Cool guy and I wish we could say the same for other members of their staff buy I was uncomfortable just walking to the bathroom because I could feel eyeballs from people sweeping and cleaning up. Not cool. Other than that, it's a cool dressed up surf n turf date night spot!
(4)
Sandy T.
It was my boyfriend and I's anniversary and of course I always pick the restaurant. :) I have been dying to try Joe's for FOREVER. I made reservations almost 3 months in advanced too (whenever open table finally had the date I wanted available). So of course I wanted to try the stone crab, steak, and some sort of seafood. I am very spoiled with good steak and seafood at my house from my mother. There isn't anything that ever compares. But when something is good I just know it's good. And that's where the steak comes into play. We got the bone-in rib eye which not only had very good flavor, but it was juicy and perfectly cooked (medium). If I were to go back to Joe's I would go for the steaks! Maybe it is unfair to mention this.......but I just came back from Key West and had AMAZING stone crab there. I figured an upscale restaurant like Joe's would have something decent. I must say I loved the mustard sauce, but was disappointed in the quality of stone crab claws...very disappointed As for the seafood we had..I just ordered the seafood salad. I always like having something fresh with my meal. I must say it was good, but the seafood salad at Maestros was way better. Funny though right? I like the steak better at Joes but the seafood salad at Maestros...Oh well! So overall 4 stars for food...but I subtracted one star because I felt like they were rushing us. Of course we were prepared about what to order but they just brought out all the food at once...I wish I could have just enjoyed the moment a little bit longer...It was my anniversary of course...but from sitting down to getting the check we were out of there in less than an hour.
(3)
Andrew S.
I've been to Joe's a number of times. It's consistently one of the best steakhouses in Chicago. It's packed Sunday through Saturday which should tell you something. Nothing is bad on the menu. I will always return.
(5)
Amy D.
First visit. Food is off the charts. Love the elegant but informal atmosphere. Unlike so many Chicago restaurants, the noise level was very civilized. Front of house staff was incredibly professional. Overall, one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long, long time
(5)
Alex And Roxanne B.
One star for ambiance. Another star for the food being "ok"--it wasn't the worst food. We've experienced better. Overall, this place was a huge disappointment. It was incredibly overpriced and the menu is misleading. It is also overrated. A few reasons why it is overpriced and how the menu is misleading. They go hand-in-hand, and here is why: "Appetizers:
(2)
Connie L.
Each of the dishes we ordered was good, but pricey. We split a shrimp and scallop ceviche amongst four people, but we each only got a taste of it--the dish would be a decent size to split amongst two. We also split a medium stone crab dish, which I did not think was worth the hype. I ordered the Fisherman's Platter, which consisted of shrimp, scallop, calamari, and cod. The dish was cooked well and I scarfed it down instantly. My brother ordered a salmon dish, which he did not find filling...so he ended up eating off of both my mom and my dad's dishes. And then he proceeded to raid the fridge when we got home. The service was great--it seemed like our table was watched over by hawks. Every time I set my glass of water down on the table it was refilled again and every time a crumb dropped on the table it was swept away in an instant. However, although I enjoyed the meal, I probably would not make a special trip out to the city (I'm from the suburbs) to eat here again.
(4)
Elaine B.
Love this place. Service and food are always spot on. You know what you're getting and it's consistently great. One of Chicago's best!
(5)
Gina M.
Come here for a special occasion and be ready to spend some $. The food is absolutely worth it: stone crab claws and Chilean Seabass were my favorites. My only reason for giving it a 4....hard to get a reservation and we were sat right next to the bus boy station. My wonderful date and delicious food made those things easily forgotten. I'd come back for something special on someone else's tab :)
(4)
Eve P.
Great food! Great Customer service! Thank you Charles and Elias for your great customer service!! Everyone is nice at this place and the food tastes delicious. What I ordered: Manhattan Clam Chowder Fisherman's Platter (grilled) Hashed Brown Brownie Peanut Butter Pie w/ Hot Fudge We had some shrimp too but I'm not sure what it was called. This place reminds me of Shaw's as far as the seating goes. I visited late Friday evening, May 9th 2014.
(5)
Dennis S.
Would have been a four star, but the fabulous service made it five. We went for seasonal seafood that even Shaw's didn't have that day - Nantucket Bay scallops. We each had a double order of the appetizer scallops since they were not available as a main course. Delicious, so tiny, tender, and tasty. Lightly cooked so they were soft and bursting with flavor. We had sides, bread, wine, etc. But the scallops were the reason we were there and they came through 100%. To our glee we also had great service - friendly, talkative, and attentive. The service made the outing that much more enjoyable, and a five star experience.
(5)
Benjamin D.
Joe's is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The Stone and Alaskan Crab is great. The Fried Chicken is UNREAL. The Bone in Filet is awesome and the only place where I don't order a NY Strip. The Crab Cake is top choice (All lump meat, no bread crumbs) The Service is Flawless. The Atmosphere is perfectly busy... .... And finally, desserts, particularly the Key Lime and Peanut Butter Pies are out of this world. I love Joe's, and next time you're in Miami, go to the original location as well.
(5)
Maisee T.
This was by far the BEST meal we have had! We had wanted to try this place for a long time and was able to snag reservations for our one-year anniversary (we had tried to get reservations for NYE but could not). After glancing over the menu, we decided to split the one and a half pound of Alaskan King Crab legs, a side of the mushroom Mac and cheese and asparagus. Best decision! Surprisingly, we were full off of that. The crab legs came cracked and ready to be picked up; they were so plump and juicy. The asparagus was amazing, but the mushroom Mac and cheese were beyond anything that I've had. I actually had to force the last few bites down because I was so full off of the crab legs, but I didn't want to waste the last good bites of Mac and cheese. Finally, for dessert, my boyfriend decided on the Dreamy Havana while I settled on the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime was a little too tart for my tasty, but my boyfriend licked his plate clean. Our server was knowledgable and attentive. The whole experience was what I had expected which was good service and good food. We definitely plan to come back!
(5)
Derek R.
Love this place. The waiter Zed, great fella, a consumate professional. Good ambiance, has a south Florida feel to it. Steaks are top notch. Bone in ribey is top 2 in my Chicago rank, right behind Smith and Wollensky's. Nice place, great food, fair prices, and located on a bustling corner just off of Mich Ave..
(5)
Hollina U.
Came here for lunch and had amazing service. I tried the large stone crabs, stone crab bisque, grilled tomatoes, roasted corn, and crab stuffed shrimp. Everybody comes for the stone crabs, which to clarify, is just the stone crab claws. I didn't know that. A friend who used to live in Miami told me that stone crab claws regenerate and that down there, they can only cut off one claw at a time to wait for them to regrow. The bisque was delicious, and I really enjoyed the shrimp, which was stuffed with the crab cake mix. The roasted corn was the perfect supplement to the crab and shrimp. For dessert, I was told as a first time diner, I would be treated to their famous key lime pie. This was served frozen, and was absolutely divine. They let you order half slices, so I got half peanut butter pie and half chocolate fudge cake, which was perfect-- a bite of each and you have a peanut butter cup! Or a peanut butter chocolate Oreo, the best Oreo ever--- but I think that's only sold in Asia, so maybe nobody knows what I'm talking about. What blew me away was how attentive the server was, and how knowledgable he was about Joe's history and how happy he was to share all his knowledge with us. Definitely a great dining experience.
(4)
Shan D.
Solid place for seafood. I don't eat beef but my friends all love the steak here. Been here a few times and am never disappointed. The cold crab is simply delicious. It's a perfect compliment to the heavy sides. The service is even better. The staff is so friendly and attentive. Overall, a great experience.
I was recently in Chicago (my former home town) and tried this restaurant near my hotel. I had heard of the Miami location in a South Beach cookbook, so I decided to try this one. We had the crab louis salad, stuffed spinach mushrooms (rich), key lime pie, banana cream pie, and the brownie sundae. No, not all at once--we liked it sooo much that we came back for lunch the next day! I could not believe how good the crab louis salad was. Entirely fresh and lovely flavors. To be a bit snarky, I live near San Francisco, so I was not prepared to acknowledge that this was the best crab louis I have ever had. Dungeness crab is considered a symbol of San Francisco cuisine and this crab salad outdid any I have had anywhere on the west coast. I have loved crab louis from my younger years and have had plenty of gooey mayonnaised versions. This dressing was so balanced and enhanced, rather than covered over, the fresh taste of the crab. In fact, it was a visit to the west coast that introduced me to my love of crab louis. To come back home and find this wonderful version in my old backyard tickled me. I also like key lime pie and found this version to be very good. In addition, this restaurant had a very good glass of chardonnay and we liked the cocktail we had. (Chicago knows its cocktails ;-) ) However, another big plus dining here, are the gluten free menu choices. My guest with celiac had the best lunch where flavor was not compromised at all with delicious choices. In fact, they don't "cheat" on their recipes adding flour where it isn't necessary to smooth sauces or whatever. In fact, that gluten free brownie was excellent! If I could have handled that much food three days in a row......LOL In short, my next trip to Chicago will include this restaurant for sure.
(5)
Chai S.
Excellent dining experience. Great service from the staff. Nice, friendly, and informative. Food was excellent. Their selection of breads they give you are quite amazing as I found myself chomping away on them all night. Stone crab definitely lived up to the hype. Big, meaty crab claws with a clean taste to them. Make sure to order the larger sized ones. The bone in filet mignon was definitely nothing short of amazing. Juicy, high quality cut of meat that melts in your mouth. That bone really adds a whole new dimension to the cut of meat. Doesn't really get any better. Would come back here in a heartbeat.
(5)
Randy G.
When we stopped in here for a business lunch it seemed like a normal place. One of our colleagues family members work there and recommended some dishes and it was all good. The fish and scallops I had were the best tasting that I've had since being done in Florida on the gulf. Well done.
(4)
John G.
Came hear for lunch. Had the seafood ceviche, and seafood salad both were excellent. Service also was top notch.
(5)
Happiness L.
This review is for late night dining. After going to Joe's twice after 930 in the evening I noticed that the service could use much improvement. The first time was a few months ago and even though most tables cleared out while we were there it just took so long for people to come to our table to take care of us throughout our dining experience. Then last night a friend and I had a reservation and arrived early and were offered the bar area or wait for a table in the dining area. So we chose to sit in the bar area. Service was very slow, The server who was taking care of us didn't even take the time to stop and listen to what we were requesting as she started walking away while I was still talking, I ordered a beverage that was never brought to our table, and my friend was never offered a coffee refill. The food as always was very delicious. The ambiance as always was very nice. Improving the service for late night dining should be a priority especially at fine dining prices.
(3)
Moda M.
Celebrated our son's 21st Birthday here (before he left for Vegas to celebrate without mommy and daddy around). LOVED everything about this place...our waiter was top notch and very attentive without being invasive...the perfect balance! He made wonderful suggestions regarding meal choices and everything we ordered was mouth watering delicious. The best part was we couldn't decide on which pie to try for dessert...we discussed several on the menu with our waiter...decided on two...and he brought out ALL FIVE that we discussed! Stop reading the reviews...just go! : )
(5)
Kim N.
I keep hearing about stone crab, but as a Californian, I dont ever see it out here. Having a couple meals left in Chicago, I had to see what was well regarded but something I couldnt get at home. Well how about something I could and couldn't get? Steak and Stone Crab! Now let me say stone crab, it aint cheap. I decided to do a plate of mid size claws and a NY Steak and the crab was easily more than the streak. However I had to try it, I was on vacation and I blew it out. Steaked is cooked perfectly, and the claws were big, meaty and hearty tasty. Add to that some clarified butter and you've got a mid day coma waiting to happen. I had decided to sit at the bar and do some people watching. Lots of interesting folk go in and out through this resto. Biz folk, tourists, bday parties, old folks, families. It runs the gamut. My server took good care of me and in taking, they say they can do something like 400 covers in a turn if they had to. That's insane. Watching the staff handle all the types of patrons is kind of fun too. Not sure what the dining room is like but the bar area is enough to seat what most restaurants would have. Solid place, solid food. Now I know about the stone crab!
(4)
Anonymous F.
Service, ambiance, food was all immaculate. Lobster bisque is heavenly, their steak and crabs are so mouthwatering!
(5)
Helen E.
Came in for a late lunch for our anniversary with our 3 kids. We have been to the Joe's in DC and we love that location. The oyster rockafellar were very good and my husband as kids loved them. My ribeye came out a bit undercooked for my liking but I was ok with it. My only complaint was the people on table behind us cursing and my kids could here. Overall, we had a great experience and they even gave us a anniversary dessert.
(4)
Matt G.
One of me and my girlfriend's favorite restaurants hands down. You get what you pay for. Great food and even better service. We go almost every anniversary and its so good and so consistent. I have done the alaskan king crab legs, surf and turf (filet and lobster tail), key lime pie. Listen, whatever you get its gonna be good. Make sure you make a reservation ahead of time, it makes it easier for you. Get your car valeted and have a great time.
(5)
Jane F.
Awesome dinner had by our party of 10!
(5)
Justin B.
I always try to make it to Joe's whenever I am in Chicago. The entire place just has a Rat Pack feel. You are walking through a door into a boutique Vegas restaurant in the 50s or something. Every detail is addressed in a meaningful way to make an impression on you and provide you with a memorable and luxurious dining experience. Every time I start with the stone crab claws. They come with a spicy mustard dipping sauce that perfectly complements the meat.. which is a unique taste if you haven't had it. You have to get the bone in filet and the king crab legs... Personally, I always elect to get them lazyman style. With meat this good, why leave anything to chance like messing up a crack as you fatigue from your food fest? The wait can be challenging, even for lunch, but the bar area is spacious with good flow, and there are times when I wish my table hadn't been called so fast!
(5)
Ange L.
Yelp, you've done it again. Everytime I turn to you for suggestions on a place to eat or a beauty practitioner, you hit the nail right on the head. I went to Joe's this past weekend for a nice meal with the hubster. I had the stuffed shrimp with crab, baked sweet potato, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and hubby had the bone-in rib eye. He loved his steak, and I thoroughly enjoyed the shrimp. But the highlight of my dinner was the mac and cheese. I rarely like mac and cheese at restaurants, but this was delicious!! If you want a nice dinner out with good food and great service, check out Joe's.
(5)
Michael G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food and the service were both perfect. Started with stone crab and raw oysters and let me tell you, being from Florida I'm spoiled with good stone crab. There stone crab are flown in fresh daily and they are amazing. The oysters were great as well. The three of us had the king crab (which was the best king crab I've ever had in my life), the tuna fillet mignon cooked rare and was out of this world and tasted exactly as it sounds, and the Chilean sea bas which was also perfect. We ended with the tres leeches cake and key lime pie. Excellent food and top notch service with perfect timing. I highly recommend you eat at Joe's!!!
(5)
Agustin K.
Came for a private corporate event held at the back room. Agree with everyone's comments that service is great. It's a prefix menu. Claws not included (completely understandable). The prefix menu includes seafood and steak selections. I got the crab cake. It was good but I've had better. The asparagus side was the star of the night for me at least. When I am ready to cough up that $55 for the claws I'll come back.
(3)
Jason M.
Joe's in a Nutshell Not only is the food some of the best you will ever taste, but the dining experience is unreal...they make EVERY customer feel like a King. The below is why. My wife and I are waiting for our table at the bar and an elderly woman near us spilled her drink and broke her glass. I don't know if she was drunk or senile, but she immediately began blaming the spilled drink on me, and ventured to say that I intentionally knocked over her glass. Long story short, she made some disparaging, racist remarks about me and oddly enough President Obama (bc Im black I guess) and called my wife a slut (bc she's white I guess) and right there in front of the whole bar it was a 27yr old black dude, his 25 yr old white wife, and a crazy old lady having an increasingly loud argument that was getting pretty heated. When the manager, Joe, came over to investigate he used his bartender to get the full story, ushered us away to the host desk, and low and behold we were rushed to a prime seat and given a discounted meal and free dessert. I've worked in a lot of restaurants, and many managers would have not investigated, but instead taken the side of the elderly, most stately looking person involved. But Joe and the rest of the staff took it upon themselves to diffuse the situation...and make sure that my lasting experience in Joe's was the great food and tremendous service...not the racist old lady that barked at me from the bar. After the way they treated me, I would of been happy if the food weren't delicious beyond belief. But it was. Not that this place needed another great review...but I owe them for turning what could of been a ruined night into a memorable one.
(5)
Linda L.
It's really good fish and of course stone crabs . Fantastic desserts . Terrific wait staff.
(4)
Morgan S.
absolute favorite place for stone crab in Chicago. love just popping in for a drink and some appetizers. always delicious! on busy nights, you have to have a reservation. they pack the place full and it is extremely loud and difficult to hear anyone that isn't sitting right next to you. my family and I went (table of 8) and I could not hear anyone across the table from me.
(4)
Liz S.
We recently went to Joe's with a group of 5 for my husband's birthday. We were seated in the back room, which was so much quieter and less hectic than the main dining room. Service was great. We got the stuffed mushrooms and calamari for the table to start. My husband and I each got the petite filet, which were cooked very well. The other diners enjoyed their seafood dishes. Many reviewers mentioned that they got a free slice of key lime pie when they said it was their first time at the restaurant. I don't know if this is a policy but this wasn't the case for us and this is why I took off the star (and also because they gave me a bit of a hard time for adding one more diner). We specifically told the server that none of us had been to Joe's before but no pie was forthcoming. We did order a slice at the end of the night to share and it was excellent.
Incredible service and food is always good. It's always packed because of this reason. This is my favorite restaurant hands down!!
(5)
Joseph M.
One of the best dinners ive ever had. EVERYTHING was great. Fried ckn and Tuna Tartare as apps. Best fried ckn ever. Great crab bisque(very thick and even more filling with the delicious onion rolls), the Stone Crab was awesome. It was my first time having it. And got to try a bite of a dry aged prime bone in ribeye which was a nice treat as well. Overall a wonderful meal. Thank you Tim
(5)
Michael C.
Excellent service and great seafood. I have nothing to complain. We enjoyed our lunch here.
(5)
Justin K.
Incredible setting in my opinion. Old fashioned was ok. Stone crab was tasty and interesting. Bone in Filet mignon was superb and the added seasoning was spectacular. Get the bone in filet.
(5)
Nancy B.
Great food, great service!! They even had reading glasses to help this old lady see the menu! Great dining experience!!! Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Elizabeth K.
Ateat the bar bartenders were fantastic Dana has been there for 14 years was very attentive and service was great. Very disappointed in the Dover sole, over cooked for $44. My husband had the French dip and he enjoyed every bite.
(4)
Kimberly D.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago for upscale dining. Whether you want a steak or seafood you cannot go wrong with Joe's. The waitstaff dresses in tuxedos and is very attentive. It is usually crowded inside even with a reservation you may have to wait. They make an excellent martini and have an extensive wine list. My personal favorites have been the oysters Rockefeller and the ribeye. I also had sea bass that was delicious. The sides come ala carte and are big enough to share. The sweet potato had a caramelized nut spread that was out of this world. I haven't tried the stone crab but anyone I've ever dined with raved about it. I can't say enough about Joe's. From the attentive, well-dressed staff to the excellent food this place is consistently 5 stars.
(5)
Angela W.
The stone crabs make down as one of the most memorable food I've ever eaten. It is absolutely delicious. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked. The rib eye was so juicy. One of the best I've had. The service is fantastic too, really enjoyed speaking with our server. This 5 start is well deserved.
(5)
Christina L.
I went to Joe's yesterday after waiting for two weeks to get a reservation! This place is extremely popular, so definitely make you reservation 2wks or more in advance. My bf and I ordered steak, king crap, corns, dirty martini, Matilda beer , half a slice of Key line pie and Havana Dream pie. The steak needs to be medium rare! It's not chewy, it's fabulously delicious and soft. You have a choice to put a bit of a salt and pepper and that makes it up for a slightly boring taste. King crap comes with melted butter- and it just MELTS in your mouth. It can get a little bit buttery, so get your beer!! To cancel out :) corn is very unique and delicious. It's slightly crunchy, which makes it uniques. Key like pie is what they are known for- but I personally don't like key lime pie, so they were nice enough to bring out half and half of two different dessert under my choice. Key lime pie is a bit sour as it should be, but the crust is a killer! And whip cream slightly covers up the sour taste. Havana dream pie!! was amazing- it comes with whip cream and strawberries on the side. The bread is very soft, but covered with a bit of a melted sugar- which made it more unique. This list of order was perfect for two people! I know the meal itself is pricy, but definitely have to say it's worth it!:)
(5)
Cla S.
4.5 OUT OF 5 Sometimes you just get what you pay for I suppose. At #JoesSeafoodPrimeSteakAndStoneCrab, that is certainly the case. We arrived with no reservation. We had been walking up and down Mag mile for the better part of the day and needed a meal pronto. The formal dining room only caters to reservations but the host encouraged us to wait for a table in the open informal dining space upfront (first come first serve). So we literally stalked a few tables until we spotted a set of matrons asking for their bill. Bingo! Twenty minutes after our arrival we were seated and ready to eat. And did we ever! Every dish served and every glass poured was enjoyed. APPETIZERS We had the colossal lump crab cake and the fried calamari- both were phenomenal and if you read my reviews you know I am never impressed with calamari in the North American region! The crab cake was the slightly better choice, and I love that it comes in an appetizer size (one cake) or in an entree size (two cakes)- we got the latter and shared. ENTREES I went for the large filet mignon (12oz as opposed to 8oz) with the Four Cheese Mac and Cheese and my friend tried the special, a Steak Au Poivre topped with mushroom with a side of Jennie's mashed potatoes. The Mac and Cheese was just what I needed in my life at that precise moment, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Mouth-watering through and through. The steak au poivre was a limper cut of meat and the potatoes didn't floor us but they were good- I think I like my mash made traditionally or extra creamy and this one was very textured with a panko crumble finish. But we couldn't complain about the actual taste of anything, except maybe the special's watery mushroom sauce. Also, that steak was ordered medium yet served medium rare but the waitress noticed right away and corrected that. Consequently, and within minutes, a manager on duty brought us the new plate, apologizing profusely for the oversight. Great service makes up for bad anything. WINE & DESSERT My friend and I love our sweet tooth. Throughout the meal we sipped on a French riesling (Alsace region), although we should probably have opened with a white for the appetizer portion of the meal then moved on to a red with our entrees. But we enjoyed the riesling too much to entertain that notion. Definitely a quality vine. For once we did not have dessert. We polished off our wine and had coffee instead. If it weren't for the initially undercooked steak (the special) and a couple absences on the menu (better desert options), I would have given Joe's an unabashed 5 out of 5. But quality meat and wine, wonderful service, free wi-fi and a classy environment earned Joe's more than a 4. So glad this was my last meal in Chicago. I RECOMMEND- The crab cake paired with at least a glass or two of the Kuentz-Bas Riesling. Also many of the patrons seemed happy with the stone crabs. EXTRA TIP- Save NO room for dessert. None of it is as appetizing as the main dishes. And stay away from the specials- go for that prime cut of meat or that great catch and spare no expense; you'll be happy you did.
(5)
Martin L.
What a brillant Location! On a Travel Trip to Chicago i stopped here for lunch! We had the Stone crabs First and After it The New York Strip Steak with Spinat and wild mushrooms. The Stone crabs were exzellent and One of The best reccommendations i have got from Service Personal. They were easy to eat After you have got it and The dip was delicious. Strip Steak was perfectly grilled with a Perfect crust was like Heaven.
(5)
A Adam S.
The premier seafood spot in the heart of Chicago! Pros: Great ambiance. Giving you the classic upscale east coast feel. All servers are formally dressed and ready to serve the plethora of clients that visit this iconic spot. Great bar waiting area with several Tvs to see the action. The signature stone crab is a must. Also a huge hit is the halibat with mustard kick and crispy relish. A+++++ Negative: would be the price points are a bit high for the crab. We were also a bit delayed in getting our order taking and food served. As this spot is well know and as such - always very busy. Novelty: signature stone crab and high-quality seafood!
(5)
Jean L.
One of my Chicago favorites! (this and David Burke) First things first..get a reservation (yelp has a great link to do it so just get one and save yourself a wait, or worse..no table). If you're not sure what to start with, I say go with the 2nd mortgage. It's $18.99 a person, but comes with the smaller stone claws, lobster and scallop ceviche (bomb), jumbo shrimp, and lobster tails (small ones, but SO good) We also ordered larger stone crab claws. They're expensive, but it was worth trying (they were a different size from the ones in the 2nd mortgage) I had the bone-in ribeye (a little salty for my taste, but still good), my companion had the bone-in fillet mignon (wow!), and a bottle of wine. We also ordered a side of mac and cheese with mushrooms, and grilled asparagus (I didn't understand why this was about $3 more than the other side appetizers, but the dish was pretty damn good). The end result was a bill of about $300 for 2 but mmmm it was so good the price was justified. Lastly, you know how steakhouses always seem to have a surplus of staff just standing around? Although Joe's has lots of staff, none of them seem to be just standing around, in idle...bonus points.
(5)
Mark H.
It would be a terrible mistake to confuse Joe's Stone Crab with Joe's Crab Shack. Originally from Florida, Joe's Stone Crab is legendary for their stone crab claws. The interior of this location is pretty basic with a bar as you enter and leads into a separate dining room and wine room in the back. The tables are placed without an inch to spare literally. The staff is friendly as most are in a $$$$ place. Although ours was attentive but had a bit of a short term memory problem. Nevertheless, the food was simply amazing. The filet was prepared perfectly. The Alaskan crab was precut and not salty. Shared a Belle Glos Pinot noir bottle to pair the food. My new favorite seafood place. No wonder their waiting list is so long. If you have a special occasion and want great food, this should definitely be an option .
(5)
Steve D.
A quick update on my previous reviews. Joe's was solid as always. Had the grilled seafood platter this time and it did not disappoint. It is hard for me to come here and not get one of their fantastic steaks, but we were scheduled for a different steakhouse the following evening so I went for the seafood. Just great. Everybody in our party were once again pleased. That's Joe's. Always a solid choice for great food and service. Cheers to all
(5)
Lindsay B.
We had a great time at Joe's Seafood restaurant- we went in a group of six, and all six of us had never been to the restaurant before, but had heard great things. We were there to celebrate a major birthday- I can tell you the prices of this location make it a special occasion only kind of place for us, but that is okay- there are plenty of special occasions in life to celebrate. The first thing I want to say about the food is that I had never eaten crab legs before this restaurant- so I actually can't compare them to anything else, but I found them to be delicious- served chilled. Everyone in our group loved their food- we tried their crab bisque, mahi mahi, filet & crab legs combo, and I had the Jumbo Crab Legs served tableside. Everyone literally cleaned their plates (or husbands helped us finish the food off). For dessert, the restaurant brought some as it was my friend's birthday- and brought two slices of the amazing Key Lime Pie for the rest of the table to split- all on the house- wahoo! Our waiter Mark was fantastic! My grapefruit margarita was delicious, and the gentlemen who had Old Fashioned were happy as well. Service was impeccable. We were 40 minutes late due to terrible weather, and they still had our table for us. They politely gave us a time we would need to be finished by as someone else had reserved the table- but we still had two hours to eat. I will absolutely come back to this location again if invited- we had a marvelous time! One last item- the yelp page says dressy- and many people were, but many people were also in jeans and nice tops- so you can take that into account.
(5)
Ric V.
Amtrak Capitol Limited is a great way to get to Chicago and points in between. The Train station in Martinsburg,WV is really classy but I never seem to be there when it is attended. You are on your own until you board the train. The Service Is Terrific and The Personnel Are couteous and Very Helpful. For senior citizens it is an economical and relaxing way to travel. It's not as fast as a plane but it's a NO stress way to travel. Your luggage is with you so it doesn't get lost. You Can Access It Along The Way. The food is a little pricey but very good. No airline peanuts. If your not in a hurry relax and let the folks at AMTRAK do the driving. A great way to go. Thanks to everyone working on the Capitol Limited for a very nice trip.
(5)
Jennie D.
My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time on our anniversary, and the service was EXCEPTIONAL!!! Our waiter (Darrell or Darren?) was friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. When we arrived at the table, he served us two complimentary glasses of champagne. Once our food arrived, he thoroughly explained how to crack open and eat the stone crab, which I was initially worried about. I'm Filipino, so I grew up eating crab on a regular basis...but I really didn't want to get that messy in such a nice establishment. I was pleasantly surprised that the stone crab was very easy to eat and delicious! After our main course, we ordered a slice of their infamous key lime pie; it was amazing AND COMPLIMENTARY! If you're planning to dine here, try to make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance.
(5)
Stephen Z.
We had a hard time going up with a rating. Service (Steve) was exceptional. Great knowledge and suggestions. Maître 'd was professional and made everyone feel like a regular, repeat customer. Bus boy (man) was a little in coordinated and bumped into table and well as knocked over glasses. Decor is old school steak house. White table cloths, wood and carpet. Red drapes. Right out of the speak easy and never updated to contemporary style. Areas were a little run down. Now for the food. My wife had the shrimp cocktail and it was very good large shrimp. Her main was a filet minon with lobster tail. She thought the lobster was cooked very well and not over cooked. Nice. The steak was Ok. Not great, just ok. Not very tender or juicy but cooked to Medium as ordered. I had the crab bisque and it was flavorless. No seasoning with very limited crab. Poor. Don't order. Then I had the bone in filet minon. Not seasoned very well, not tender and lacked real steak taste. Very disappointing. We shared the two sides. Mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. The mashed potatoes had too much cheese and crumbs and too little potatoes. The asparagus was ok, but nothing special and peeled. First time I have had peeled asparagus. We decided not to have desert but they gave us a free slice of key lime pie. It was excellent if you like lime. Really cleansed the pallet. Overall, based on the cost of the meal I would say we were disappointed. No where near a top quality restaurant.
(3)
Wayne H.
Best steak ever! The bone-in filet at Joe's is the best steak ever! I have tried steaks at many other Chicago restaurants and Joe's tops all. Joe's is also my go to restaurant for special occasions. They also serve excellent Alaskan king crab legs. Really fresh considering we are in the mid-west. I'm not a huge fan of the stone crab. Not because they are bad here, but I don't particularly like them in general. For dessert, you must try the peanut butter pie!
(5)
Connie T.
We had a great meal here. They were out of the stone crabs they are known for, but our waiter advised in any event that the stone crabs were not in season, and the rock crabs were better that night. So, we got the rock crab claws, and they were sweet and fresh and delicious. My ribeye steak was fantastic. It was rich, tender, and flavorful. We also had the roasted sweet corn (it comes off the cob), which was buttery and delicious, and the broccolini. The service was excellent.
(4)
Catherine G.
Me and my boyfriend love this place, great stone crab, service and we always have great waiters. We had the fried chicken today and it was amazing! Very crispy and moist, to die for. The desserts are awesome, banana cream, keylime and coconut. You really can't go wrong with anything it joes! I love this placer and my boyfriend come at least once a month.
(5)
Sally F.
How does this place have so many glowing reviews? This is not a sophisticated restaurant by any stretch of the imagination. The ambience was horrible. I will primarily focus on the ambience in this review because I think that tells you a lot about the kind of people it attracts. My husband and I came here in May 2010 (so it could be different now). I can't give a true review for dinner because we just had appetizers and drinks. We go to Chicago often and love to try new restaurants. This was hands down one of the worst "appetizer/drinks" experiences ever. Maybe it was the night we went and the crowd that some restaurateurs convention bought in. It was very busy, and loud. We didn't have reservations, but we just wanted appetizers and drinks so we were seated right away at a window which was perfect. We ordered the famous "stone crab" and we also ordered crab cakes. Both were okay. Seriously, highly over-rated. I was not blown away by our food. When you are getting into a higher dining price point you expect the diners will likely be fairly decent and respectable people, but the people who were there were not what I expected. Lots of loud obnoxious sloppy drunks. It was like I was at some sort of Frat party for 50+ year olds. The host would get on the mic every 15 minutes to announce a table was ready. What kind of a place does that? Just imagine the noise of the restaurant and then an announcement coming on to say "Joe's is now seating Mary's table of four..." and "Joe's is now seating Dan's party of eight.." etc. This was about as relaxing as eating in Grand Central Station. The place was just too noisy to be considered anything but a low-brow dining experience. I could overhear every conversation around us because everyone was packed in like sardines and everyone had to yell to be heard. The table right next to us were telling (yelling) at each other these jokes that they seemed to think were charming. The jokes started something like this:"You know you're from a trailer park when..." as well as "you know you're a redneck when..." I could not relax and enjoy a glass or wine or our appetizers. It felt quite uncomfortable. I could not wait to get our bill and leave. In a nutshell: you are getting a chain restaurant experience and you are paying a lot more for it.
(1)
Pascal C.
This is a great place for good steak and decent seafood. The service is excellent and provided good recommendation.
(4)
Matt S.
Outstanding. Our server Jeff was engaging and made some great wine recommendations (so much so that he advised my girlfriend on a different wine pairing with her sea bass and she loved it). What else is there to say about the food, the bone in filet was amazing as was the stone crab and shrimp cocktail. Key lime pie was great too!
(5)
Jim M.
service, most of the food, ambience all excellent wife and I ordered Halibut for special evening, sooooo salty it was inedible, supervisor replaced and the replacement filet (single not double ) was much less salty but soggy. It seemed like they either defrosted something or rinsed with water. At 34$$ a pop, I expected a lot better. In all fairness sides, salad stone crab all excellent as was attentiveness would try again but several other fish houses downtown were more consistent also this was a Thursday and they were packed
(3)
Rosanna L.
Joe's you are classy, upscale, expensive. I attend this lovely place for Chicago Restaurant Week and base on that experience I don't think I'll ever be able to cough up the $200+ to have dinner here. The RW Menu was set ( chicago.simpleviewcrm.co… ), you either went for the stone crabs or the filet. Meat or seafood? Hash browns or mash potatoes? Cole slaw or grilled tomato? Since my bf was going for the filet I opted for the stone crabs. We both had the lobster bisque, which was quite delicious and well-seasoned, while a few other in our party had the chowder and surprise! It's a red chowder versus the norm white, creamy. That didn't tickle them fancy. The stone crabs ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) were fresh and slightly salty, but where's the butter? Yes I'm one of those. Butter me up baby! The 6oz filet ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) was cooked to perfection and probably one of the best I've ever had! Scrumptious! The hashbrowns, mash potatoes, grilled tomato, and cole slaw just felt like a big mess ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ). The potatoes were eh, didn't stand out or caused any raving. The cole slaw was boring and lack seasoning. The grilled tomato was actually delicious, wish we had more than one piece/filet entree. For dessert we either got the banana ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) or key lime ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) pie. I'm not a "lime" dessert person so ended up with the banana pie which was decent. So the food wasn't bad right? Well, let me tell you about their service. It definitely did not live up to an upscale, fancy restaurant standard. Our server had an attitude where he didn't care to wait on us and ignored our table quite often. We started counting how many times we would have to ask for straws, it ended up being 6! (We received it the last 15 minutes of our dining experience.) And we constantly had to ask for refills on our water, which left a lot of us thirsty. It took 15 minutes from when every single one of us finished our entree to receive our desserts. That's a really long time for desserts that doesn't have to be cooked. The bussers constantly kicked my chair and didn't even apologize, although they acknowledged that they kicked my chair. Wow, thanks. Oh, can I have some water now? Service like this makes a lot of people not try RW because of the perception this would happen. Who knows maybe it'll be different if I came here for dinner and dressed up, but I'm still a paying customer and would expect the same service as anyone else. I was incredibly turned off my the service and so was the rest of my party with that being said Joe's definitely won't be making our RW List next year.
(3)
Wilkins K.
Hop in a taxi for a less than $10 ride from Union Station, , or take a 25 minute zig-zag scenic walk up to and along Michigan Avenue to get to Joe's and enter into a world of bygone culinary perfection. The manager/host was very personable and professional, and the server was affable and ebullient. The sedate decor was perfectly augmented by the rapt attention given to the presentation of my order. The Manhattan Chowder was tastefully delicious and set the stage for the hale and hearty Hash Brown compliment. The delicate batter brilliantly counter-balanced the fresh robustness of the shrimp. It was a truly a meal that will forever resonate across the landscape of my mind's eye
(5)
Steve D.
For my first time visiting, 5 stars for my lunch experience. (Within reservation) Stone crab. Steak and the Riesling are all amazing. So I decided to bring my wife to check this beautiful place out and expecting have as great experience as I had last time. But for tonight, one star rating!!!! I know....let me tell you why :( 1. I had reservation by 8:30 since they were fully booked during the dinner rush hours. We're sit by 25 late :( And the "big" host even arranged the walk in couple had a table before us. What!? 2. They out of my favor big or jumbo size of stone crab. What!? I thought this is what joe's famous for, I felt liked same as Mcdonalds sold out of Big Mac. But anyway, we ordered the mid size instead. Still pretty good and fresh. 3. We ordered the double cutter lamp chop. It came out with wrong "temperature". What!? Too bloody for us and it was over salty. 4. The worst thing was our service. They seems rush us out since we were the last table of her section. But come on..... We pay for $195.00 for two people. How's work!? With 3 what!? And 1 how!? I feel very disappointed about this fancy place!!!!!!
(2)
Eric B.
Even the bread was delicious. The only gripe I might have was three coffee was only average. But who would go here for coffee.
(5)
Tim O.
I had a fantastic lunch here. The tuna tartare was refreshing and the crab roll was incredible. I can't comprehend how people are throwing around the words "average" and "decent".
(5)
Scott E.
Great service starting from reservation being ready right on time to full service waitstaff (each waiter served no more than 2 to 3 tables) all wearing tuxes. Food, drinks, appetizers all brought out in very timely manner. Food was excellent. 3 of 4 had steaks, which were fabulous. One had crab, shelled table side. All very good, all of us left very pleased. Expensive, but worth the money for the great experience. Not a single complaint amongst the four of us. Perfect evening with friends/clients. Bravo!
(5)
Tboo Ted M.
Awesome! Could be the best meal I have had in the city. Order "The Whale" as an appetizer, it's a bit pricey but worth it. It's a taste of all that's good from the sea. The quality and the service make it a top notch restaurant that will satisfy. As an added bonus, we usually see someone famous.
(5)
Michael A.
I took my best female/ great High School friend out for her birthday. Our waiter was Mr. Darren. He WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!!!... If a restaurant need to train their staff as to the CORRECT way to serve customers, they NEED to call upon him for training!!!... He was VERY attentive (but not overbearing), VERY accommodating, funny; witty, etc,. Just too many wordsto describe our experience and food which was excellent... Nicely seasoned, etc,. The kitchen cooked her steak a little too long, but they took it back and re-cooked it to perfection!!!. (No harm no foul)..... I will DEFINITELY be back with my wife to eat the WONDERFUL food and experience Mr. Darren once again!!!.... A+++
(5)
Saul G.
If I could sum Joe's up in one word, it would be professionalism. From the reservations process, through the greeting and to the end of our meal, every staff member was excellent. While the lion's share of the kudos go to our waiter, Darren, the experience was consistent. On the food alone, I might yield four stars. The service takes it to five. We are seated in a cozy booth, A small, variegated bread basket arrives, My wife had a glass of Pauly Riesling, while I enjoyed a Negroni and my son slurped a dirty, blue cheesy olivey Martini. The smallest of the three sizes of stone crab was the only one available. We had the Pacific crab claws instead - Darren likened them to a sauvignon blanc with the standard stone crabs being a chardonnay - an apt analogy. Cold and meaty, they were excellent. My wife's halibut filet was a small portion - but then again Darren had advised her that the on the bone halibut was the larger portion. We didn't get a taster. Fils and I both went for the bone-in rib steak. Perfectly cooked it had been buttered and seasoned to a delicious richness, but the mineral taste of the beef was somewhat obscured. I would have preferred a little maitre d hotel butter on the side. Blame Del Frisco's and Ruth's Chris for creating a taste for these buttered steaks. Darren did present us with a house made seasoning blend that mitigated the butter.. I would rate the steak as solid, but not the best I have ever had. For sides we went with an special of braised artichoke hearts with a bit of fennel, the roasted corn, and sauteed spinach. The artichoke hearts were the best - the portion was small but serving fresh artichoke hearts is a lot of work and costly, so I get that. I thought the roasted corn was nothing special, although better than the version at Primehouse. Bones in Atlanta is my choice for corn side at a steakhouse. Sauteed spinach was a generous protion, not oily, could have used a bit more garlic or other seasoning. Glasses of Paradoxx red washed the steak down - they were superb, if pricey at $20 each. Being newbies we were gifted with a slice of key lime pie, and one slice served three after the sumptuous steak. Double espressos were coffee bar quality, quite good. To sum, as a comparison, I'd say the meat was about as good as I got at Chicago Cut, but the overall experience here was far more pleasant. I suppose my only complaint is that this is part of the Lettuce Entertain You Archipelago and not the natural born offspring of the Miami Beach original. Also, plates are removed too swiftly, but that seems to be a Chicago thing, so when in Rome......
(5)
Diane Z.
The Key Lime pie was the best I ever had. Not too sweet or tart. Everything else was ok. The food didn't taste as fresh as the waitress kept saying were the extremely high standards of the restaurant. We had the Madagascar shrimp which was one of the specials that night and it was only really memorable because it was $14 a shrimp.
(3)
Amoli P.
Two words for you: Crab. Bisque. That's all you need to know. My husband and I went to Joe's last Thursday to get him a good steak and it was a wonderful experience as usual. Joe's was pretty packed on a Thursday night and even though we had a 7:30 reservation, we had to wait at the bar for about 30 minutes before getting seated. Not a problem since we were in no rush, but do keep that in mind as it happens quite often so try to go there without needed to rush in and out. We were seated around 8 and started with two orders of the crab bisque. For a brief second we thought about sharing one bowl of the bisque and ordering another app to share, but then realized we would be fighting over the soup because it is just that good. Joe's gives a pretty impressive bread basket with a great variety. But the problem is that you typically starve yourself all day to enjoy Joe's to the max, but then you're so hungry when you finally get there that you fill up on the delicious bread. Which I did. And between the soup and the bread, I was pretty much full before the rest of the food even came out. For our entrees, I went with the potato crusted grouper and he ordered the bone-in filet cooked medium. The grouper was good - not amazing, but good. It was cooked to perfection, had a great flavor with the chive butter on top. Had I known how full I was going to be, I would have ordered something lighter and not crusted in potato flakes. Also, grouper is a tricky fish because unless it's super fresh, it has a slight fishy taste to it. I expected the grouper at Joe's to be devoid of any fishiness, but there was a hint of it and that was disappointing. My husband's steak, on the other hand, was perfect. Cooked to perfection (others have complained on yelp about Joe's not properly cooking the steak to order, but we've never had an issue there and it's always come out perfect). The flavor was amazing. It came with its own subtle rub, and then on top of it they brought a cup of some amazing seasoning to add to the flavor. He was on such a high sodium flux after the meal that the poor guy had to drink water all night to quench his thirst, but it was worth it for that flavoring. For our sides, we ordered the mushroom mac n cheese and the fries. Ordinarily we never would have considered something so ordinary as fries at Joe's, with all their other amazing sides. But the gentleman at the bar next to us while we were waiting was eating fries and after that it's all we could think about. And they were delicious. The mac n cheese was, as always, phenomenal. Here's the thing about Joe's - the servings are gigantic. Yes, it is expensive, but no more so than any other steakhouse in Chicago. I love stone crab but I don't love it enough for the price. To be honest, I'd be perfectly happy, and perfectly stuffed, just ordering the bisque and a side salad or the mac n cheese. We ended up taking most of our sides home and I only finished half of my grouper. So given the fact that we over ordered, our bill was still only around $110 for the two of us, not counting alcohol. Not too shabby. If you love stone crab or king crab or steak, this is the place for you. And if you don't feel like an expensive night out...just go for the bisque and a martini.
(4)
Marjorie F.
If you are trying to impress clients, Joe's is the place to go. I recently attended an educational dinner sponsored by a medical product company. The servers were extremely attentive. My wine glass was always full! The food was absolutely wonderful. We started with a platter of king crab legs, shrimp & scallop ceviche, jumbo shrimp, and fried calamari. For my main entree, I chose the lump crab cakes. Dessert of choice was the Havana Dream Pie. With each bite of all our the selections, I could not help but succumb to every delicious morsel. I had to be ROLLED out of there. The only thing that I thought needed improvement was the room set up of the event. There were partitions that made one big room into smaller rooms. We had to pass through a gathering of lawyers in order to get to our area (just what you want to see when you are going to be bonding with doctors - ha!). The room itself was nice, but the conversations from the other room could be heard, even with the door closed. Our speaker was not set up with a microphone at the beginning of his presentation, so he had to raise his voice in order to be heard by folks in the back. After a few minutes of struggling, he was finally given a mic. Overall, this place is impressive. I will definitely come back with a few friends and get a non-work related feel for this place.
The food was good, my king crab legs were great, the calamari a bit greasy, but the atmosphere left much to be desired. Service was good, the staff friendly, but a more intimate atmosphere is needed.
(4)
Henry J.
The Stone Crab is awesome, really, really, really good. You get the idea. Prices are high however, service not so great, and a long wait for the food to arrive. For food alone, 4 stars, the rest of the experience drags it down to a 2. Welcome to the typical Chicago restaurant experience.
(2)
Christina Y.
The crab bisque is amazing---5 stars! Don't try the beef sandwich. It was dry, bland, and horrible. I ordered medium rare and it tasted like med well. The horseradish sauce that it came with has not enough horseradish and there is nothing else other than beef and bread so overall a let down. 1 star. I ordered carry out--wonderful service n great packaging with cute MMs.
(3)
Csaby C.
Great ribeye, and fillet mignon the fisherman's platter was also good, service was just ok because we were there late at night they didn't really bother to make it a great experience..
(3)
Lana L.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab sounds like a touristy, chain restaurant, and they do indeed have 3 locations - Chicago, Las Vegas and DC... as well as the original Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. However, the experience of eating here was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Chicago. As soon as you walk in, you realize this is upscale dining... the decor reminds me of Capital Grill. Our friendly waiter asked us where we were traveling from (I take it this is a popular spot for out of towners), and gave us an overview of the menu. He didn't rush us and in fact, suggested that we not order everything at once since customers tend to have eyes bigger than their stomachs. So we tried 2 types stone crab claws, one from Florida and the other, from the pacific coast. I found the ones from Florida to be a tad sweeter and enjoyed them the most. The claws were pre-cracked so it was easy to get to the meat. Honestly, it was like heaven in my mouth. Chunks of fresh, dense meat in every bite. We didn't even use the horseradish mustard and just squeezed fresh lemon. My only lament was that they didn't have oysters on the half shell (they have a sister restaurant two blocks away called Shaw's that carries that). In addition to the crab claws, we also got the sampler which included king crab legs and ceviche and a shrimp cocktail. The sampler helped get a feel for their other seafood offerings, but it's the crab claws that shine. Hearing that this was our first time at Joe's Seafood, we were given a slice of key lime pie on the house, and it was divine. And I usually don't like key lime pie. Nice crust, thick, creamy filling and whipped cream to top it off. I'll be back here if I'm ever in town.
(5)
Melanie F.
Looooooooooooved it. Started with crab cakes, they were delicious with and without their mustard sauce. Bread was okay, but the filet and lobster tail was so unbelievably good. Crispy asparagus, cauliflower, and Jennies potatoes, all good. Ate until we could hardly walk.
(5)
Elaine M.
Joe's was my first introduction to "Chicago Restaurant Week". What a great deal. I love it and will be looking forward to fully partaking in Restaurant week next year. That being said walking into Joe's is like walking into something from the sixty's. Love that old time, elegant feel. Having never been there before, the waiter was kind enough to provide the over 100 year old history of Joe's. The restaurant week menu provided us the opportunity to have a three course meal at a great price, $33 per person. We all opted for basically the same meal with a slight variation in our dessert choice. To begin the meal we all had the crab bisque. It was a wonderful, delicious, creamy bowl of coziness. For our entrees we had the stone crabs. Served cold and pre-cracked. The are sweet and yummy but a bit of a pain to get all the little bits of crab out. (You don't want to waste any!) Also, being pre-cracked is handy but leads to some shattered little bits here and there that you have to be careful of. For the sides we had the hash browns, mashed potatoes and coleslaw, all served family style. All were terrific. Finally for dessert three of us had the key lime pie and one the banana cream pie. The key lime pie was good but I have had better. Even so, I would still order it again because it fits in so nicely with the crabs and vibe of the place.
(5)
Andrew K.
Stone crab, shrimp cocktail, filet, lobster, and Pinot noir! Who could ask for anything more! This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of the Windy City...literally, this food will "blow you away!" And yes...the pun was intended! The mood is very intimate yet busy. The lighting is dark with spotlights shining down onto the center of each table. The servers are all dressed with black bow ties and are some of the most knowledgable servers I have ever met. My glass was never empty and the meal was set at a great pace. The wine was delicious and the food is something to be talked about for days...or even months after the meal. The bone-in filet was to die for and the lobster was so succulent! The shrimp cocktail was so amazing. The shrimp were huge and the cocktail sauce had extra horseradish so that I could make it strong enough for my taste. The stone crab was awesome! We had the large claws and they were delicious!! And the dipping sauces paired so well. I can't wait to take my next vacation to Chicago so that I can come back to this amazing dining establishment! Joe's is definitley FOR THE WIN!!!!
(5)
Donna L.
Can't believe I waited this long to try these crab legs!!! But always good timing... They were succulent, juicy and tasty! Chilled was very, very good. We started with the seafood salad which was also deeeelicious. MUCH MORE than the average salad... With the crab legs we tried the fried green tomatoes which were awesome!!! And the asparagus you can never go wrong with. The wine list was great, I stuck with the Chardonnay.. And dessert was thee best part!!! Havana dream pie was so fluffy and creamy... Nothing like I've had before. The Key Lime is what everyone raves about but it was okay to me... Banana pie was also delicious! Will be back!!! ASAP!
(5)
Linda V.
I love seafood, I love crab. Therefore, I love this place so much. All dishes in here are so delicious and fresh. The staff is awesome. :) What an amazing restaurant!
(5)
David S.
Enjoyed the food. Really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. Food was forgetful, but service was solid. An ok experience overall.
(3)
Kenneth P.
Outstanding. Have eaten here many times. Great service, the king crabs are delicious, best steaks in town and the service is great. Try the bone-in filet or the rib-eye. Best steaks in Chicago.
(5)
Melissa B.
I wish I could give this place more than five stars! We were unable to get a reservation but found a high top table in the bar area. Everything we ate was perfection and our server gave excellent service even though the place was packed. We had the second mortgage as an appetizer....well worth the price. Dinner was a filet oscar style. For sides, we shared potatoes, corn and broiled tomatoes. Even though we weren't hungry for dessert, we shared the pumpkin and key lime pie.
(5)
Carrie W.
So this was our first time to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab.... and surely it won't be our last! My husband's parents and ourselves, me and the HB, went out to dinner at Joe's last night... It was perfect. We met up in the bar at Joe's, got there a little early and we ordered a cocktail. Our reso was early so the place was a little empty when we arrived, which was fine by me! That sat us and we realized a booth was not right for us.. more elbow room was needed so the staff was able to move us to a table with no problem. Our tuxedo-clad server arrived very promptly and went over everything (our folks had been there before, so we needed a quick low down)... from how Joe's arrived to Chicago (the original is in Miami, they also have a place in Vegas), to the specials, to their fresh Stone Crab claws... to their Prime steaks... to the wine listing... there was a lot to go over! Bread service started... and it was awesome... so many great options in one little basket... they even had Pumpernickel! (my favorite) We started with something called The 2nd Mortgage (and they can design for the amount of people that are seated)... a great sampler of Stone Crab claws... pre cracked and opened, ceviche, huge shrimp cocktail and spilt lobster tails. They serve it with two sauces, which you really didn't even need because everything was just so buttery and good. And since it was so buttery the service staff came through with lemon, which they squeeze into your hands and then wrap your hands in a hot wet cloth. Awesome. By this time our initial cocktails were finished and wine service started... Since the folks and I were going with seafood and the husband went with steak... We went with a bottle of Sanford Chardonnay, and the HB went with a glass of Orin Swift's Saldo Zinfandel (something you never see by the glass). All selections were perfect for our perspective dinners... Entree wise we went for their King Crab Legs (which were HUGE! and they cut and crack table-side, very cool), their Nantucket Bay Scallops (which were seared to perfection!), their Large Eye Tuna with a Bone Marrow Bord. sauce (perfectly " not cooked"... served med. rare... and the sauce was to die for) and to finish it out we had the Prime Kansas City steak (Medium Rare perfection). SO GOOD!!!!!! Side wise (which are meant to be shared) we went for the Fried Asparagus, yes Fried Asparagus... served with a Lemon Butter on the side. And then we went for the Celery Root Gratin. You don't need to go with a potato when you go with this. So creamy so good. By the time dinners were over... we thought we were done... but heck no... dessert was in order! Order their Banana Cream Pie and their Key Lime Pie! Awesome to say the least! So creamy, so good... but the best part is, is that you can order half slices! The half slices are just enough, no need for those HUGE oversized slices that some other places (not gonna name any names) need to sell you. Coffee service was awesome (everyone gets their own individual sterling silver coffee pots), but of course I had to order a Cappuccino (because that's what I do!). I wouldn't change a single thing about Joe's.... at all. So go here to just have apps in the bar with a glass of wine or go for the full fledged dinner experience... because it's just that good overall.
(5)
Vivi G.
A place with a lot of memories. Love their seafood, fresh and delicious. We have stone crab legs every time and they've never let us down. Also the Alaska king crab legs are madly great. I have seafood salad every time and I'll never be bored of it. Their steaks are not as wonderful as their seafood, I think. Thus definitely try their seafood dishes first! Writing this review makes me miss Chicago so much.
(5)
Jay I.
Went to this place with a friend from out of town for Saturday dinner because I had a 100 bucks gift card. After the big disappointment of Morton's, I really had no hopes for other steakhouses in town. However, plethora of positive reviews about this place led me to try this instead of using the card for the souffle at L2O (which I will do in the near future, too). Got there at 6pm without the reservation, and the host told us there was no seat available in the dining room until 10:30pm... This was even worse than what I thought (2 hour wait... read from some reviews)... However, there was also the bar area, which is first come first served, where you could get the full menu. We got a table at the bar after waiting for like 15 minutes. So we ordered a couple of cokes (free sodas by the way), a 20 oz bone-in ribeye for me, a 16 oz ribeye for my friend and a baked potato to share (100 bucks with tax before tip). My ribeye was amazing. It was pretty well seasoned, and very tender. It was a bit undercooked for my standard of medium, but it wasn't too bad. Oh the bread and salted butter were good, too. The server was very attentive. Overall, I had a pretty good experience. I still don't think Joe's is as good as Peter Luger (this one will be hard to beat for sure... bummer for all the other steakhouses I will review in the future), but a solid option for a good steak in Chicago without a doubt.
(4)
Klima K.
I will never feel enough for their snow crab legs! It's as fresh as those I tried in San Franscio Bay!
(5)
H R.
Been here a few times actually. Joe's will send your taste buds to another level! Like peach? Try the peach beach vodka drink, it was so smooth and sweet. As an appetizer, DO NOT let yourself miss out on the BEST crab cake you'll possible ever eat! I could have had 3! Oysters Rockefeller was alright but nothing compared to that crab cake. The jumbo lobster tail was almost buttery it was so good solo without even dipping it in the garlic butter dip it comes with. And they are truly JUMBO! Chilean sea bass was great. My husband had bone in filet and rock crab chilled all of which was great. Hardly had room for desser but ordered banana cream pie with foster sause anyway. any room i had left was well filled with the perfect end to a fantastic meal! Not to be randomly gross but that was the tastiest overly full burp ive ever had! Try it! You will thank me later! Ill be going back! Next time ill get 2 of the peach drinks, 2 crab cakes, and that monster lobster tail. This is what dreams are made of. For some who never over eats, this is the place where I just cant help myself.
(5)
Clark C.
Very good service. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. I went with a party of 4 and none of us were blown away by our entrees, but they were certainly of high quality. Just didn't provide me with the feeling of, "Oh my god, this is soooo good!" The best part of the meal were the desserts. They were all phenomenal. If you have room, anything on their dessert menu will be worth your coin.
(4)
Richard Y.
its ok
(4)
Chris B.
We had a late lunch here and had a great experience. Tenderloin sandwich was great and so was my filet.
(5)
Yves M.
If there were 10 stars I would give it. I have eaten in over 3,000 restaurants over the past 45 years in over 15 countries and Joe's is in the top 5 in the world. Where else can you eat fresh Alasking King Crab Legs and fresh Stone Crab. And the steak? right up there next to Ruth's Chris Steak House and Gibson's. And you may be puzzled about what I am about to say........fried chicken. That's right, the best Damn fried Chicken in the country. Anything you eat at Joe's will be the best you ever had. The most professional, respectful, knowledgable, friendly servers you will ever experience that will attend to your every highly detailed need. A wonderful luxury atmosphere packed every night with the highest class patrons. CLASS, LUXURY, DELICIOUS - ELEGANT - FUN - Joe's has all of the elements of being rated as the highest available in the market. An experience you will never forget.
(5)
joe k.
We had a large party of 8 and none of us were disappointed in the quality of the food. Our waiter was personable and made some good suggestions. The busboys (men actually) were a pest however because as soon as you put a fork down they took it away. It was clear they were pushing us along which I found distracting. I almost said something to our waiter to have the guy take a chill pill. But as we started late for dinner at 8:30pm it was fine as I did not want to be there all night. So the fish was excellent and the prime steaks were done to perfection. The sides were a bit so so but if you want to carb load take the mac and cheese. Wonderful. My only disappointment was with the bread. Poor quality. The prices are steep for most items on the menu but if you can splurge it was worth it.
(4)
Ashley C.
I've been going to Joe's for years and just recently went again...it's as good as ever!! The filet and crab leg combo is a must! The sides are big a definitely meant to share. The mashed potatoes are the best side along with any seasonal veggie! Joe's is a Chicago staple that has yet to disappoint!
(5)
Diana R.
Very good place to celebrate over dinner, or to enjoy a mildly exorbitant restaurant. Dress up for the dinning room; casual dinning available in the bar area. The food is great, slightly over cooked for my taste, but still very delicious. The food is not decorated when served. The service is great!! The price is more than reasonable for the quality of the food and the feel of the atmosphere. The only thing I don't like is that their dinner plates are worn out. Highly recommend.
(4)
brandie y.
Two words: Madagascar Shrimp .... I know most chain type restaurants lack something, but, I have a new addiction to the Madagascar Shrimp at Joe's. First, they are enormous! Two of them is pretty much a meal. They have a great flavor, garlic for sure. But the cool part is they are fire grilled on a skewer of sugarcane. Wow. They are served with some sort of aioli, but don't need it at all.
(5)
Steven F.
You gotta drop some cash here, but worth it. Bone-In Ribeye - great, lot of meat flavor Bone-In Filet - the best, ridiculously tender Stone crab claws - So MF sweet and bunch of flavor. these are a little expensive but you gotta get at least a couple each. I don't remember the sides being anything great, but the steak and crab claws were so dam good it was an after thought. They put a great sear on the steaks so 90% of the inside is that perfect pink. Service was top notch. Whiskeys were reasonably priced. Went on a sunday night and the place was packed.... i would say a little bit too packed. We had to wait about 30min past our reservation time, but they comped us appetizers and desserts! Could've been because it was my buddies' bday or could've been because they are just nice people; probably a little of both.
(4)
Lindsay Y.
Joe's never fails to impress! The first time I dined at Joe's was while I was visiting my sister in Miami Beach. It was a beautiful, breezy night and the restaurant was set right next to the ocean. We ordered the stone crab (what else) I was blown away by how scrumptious it was. There is nothing quite as delectable as stone crab (in my opinion). Joe's key lime pie was also out of this world. I definitely frequent the location in Chicago as often as possible.
(5)
Magen M.
So the food is really delicious. It is worth a four star for sure. When my waiter was around he was very attentive and helpful, however he didn't come around that often. I hate sitting for 10-15 minutes to wait for the table to be cleared and to receive the check, after I've finished eating. Another thing is that the prices are a LITTLE steep, in my opinion. I know this is a fancy place and all that... but $10 for a plate of greens is a bit much. It literally didn't have anything else but greens. No carrots, radishes, tomatoes, croutons, onions, nothing. It was really good (the dressing is delish) but $10? Come on... I absolutely don't mind paying good money for good food, but the dishes that come with no sides are a little too much. Two crab cakes for $30? They were great, but still. $10 mashed potatoes? um.... a little high. That being said, I'll probably be back because finding good crab is hard. But this is definitely a special-event only place.
(3)
Steve S.
Disappointing. I was told a few times that this place was great, and the yelp reviews generally support that. But my experience was just ok. Based on my experience I wouldn't recommend it. I started with the stone crab bisque. It wasn't hot enough and was way too salty. I only had half of it, as the salty-ness became too much before long. Then I had an appetizer portion of the Nantucket scallops. The waiter told us they were special. They weren't. The table got fried green tomatoes and I will say they were awesome. Among the best I've had. I also had the "2nd mortgage", which was a cold appetizer of about equal parts jumbo shrimp, stone crab, lobster and ceviche. Nothing had much flavor at all, except for the ceviche, which was ok, but nothing special. I tried my wife's mahi mahi. It was just ok. And then in the end we got Key Lime pie, which was very good, but they had run out of the peanut butter pie dessert. They gave us a credit for that which was appreciated, but since it only saved us 2% on our group's bill it didn't make the overall experience anything more than mediocre.
(3)
Weijia L.
Went there on my last day in Chicago. It was a Friday evening, around 6:00pm. No table was left. So my girlfriend and I got a space in the waiting area, which was also crowded. The service was attentive and hospitable. And our food came fast. The crab was fresh and had a clean taste. The steak was cooked nicely. I'm not a fan of steak so I'm sorry I don't know what to say. I had apple pie and she had key lime pie, as dessert. The portion was huge LOL The only complain I had, or maybe it's my fault? I had a gin and tonic but I wanted no ice. So the waitress handed me a glass with gin filled the bottom half with a slice of lime and a small bottle of tonic, which meant I had to pour the tonic into the gin. Now it makes me feel so weird. I should have asked her why. The reason I give 3 stars is because 1. I love the crab. 2. the gin, and the tonic. 3. Hope next time I could give an extra star. 4. It is pricey at some point.
(3)
Stephanie H.
I came here for my birthday dinner and loved it! I had the flounder and sweet potato and OMG was it delicious!!!! My bf had the steak and it was cooked & seasoned perfectly!! I kept on stealing bites! It was a really great experience, we sat in the bar area which was soo full but we got a table right away. Tip, chat up some conversation with someone who's ready to leave from their table bc that's the only way you will get a seat. Hovering was a bit awkward but it paid off. I'd def go again!!
(5)
Doug S.
Took my boss here for lunch, good career move. We ate NY strip steaks cooked perfectly. Then we had key lime pie for dessert, just fantastic. This is a great place for lunch.
(5)
Serena B.
I used to work for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They have a yearly event called Four Stars for Charity. Joe's was one of the 4 star restaurants that participated. The sauce that you dip the crab in? *faints* It's literally the best tasting stuff I have ever had. I got a chance to eat there some years back and I felt like royalty. Everything was delicious.
(5)
Courtney W.
Whenever I am in town for business this is always my first stop for dinner. The staff is so accommodating and helpful. They welcome us and make us feel like we never left every time we return! The seafood is insane from the stone crab to the dover sole to the fisherman's platter... You can't go wrong! If you're in the area this is a dinner you won't regret!!!
(5)
Bill B.
Recommended by the W Hotel's concierge Eden Bernal, this became the beginning of a beautiful even for all. The lobster was amazing!! Actually everything was cooked to perfection and Liz, our waitress, was phenomenal. This will be a continual place for us to dine and tell friends about when they visit Chicago.
(5)
Chris T.
Ok...... I am writing this review as a HUGE FAN of the REAL Joe's in Miami. Look, there are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this place...if I didn't know what to expect I would probably give it a 4 or 5 as well. But I do know and Compared to Joe's Stone Crab, this place should be burned to the ground and the earth salted so so that no other restaurant can grow in its place! (The same goes for the Fake Joe's in Vegas!) Dramatic? Perhaps. If you want Joe's Stone Crabs, and the experience that goes along with eating them, get on a plane and go to Miami...don't go here. The meat stuck to the claws. That only happens when the claws were frozen. Now, don't get all "it was a cold winter" because it wasn't!!! I went to the SoBe Joe's just a few weeks ago and the meat came off the claws and the cartilage like it was butter!!! I asked the waitress up front if they were fresh, told her I have been to the Miami spot a dozen times, and she assured me that they were identical. NOPE! My bad. Why would I believe her? Why did I think she would know? shouldn't have. The tomatoes with the spinach and cheese? (If you've been to the original, you'd know) NOT the same. The tomatoes are sliced. SLICED!!!!! what the heck!?!?!? That a big deal. Trust me. Oh! And there's too much Nutmeg in the spinach. The fried chicken? (You get that as an app and split it.) First....$20 ($7 in Miami) Second, just not as good. Alright, I feel like I'm just complaining. Which I am. So I'll stop. It's my fault. I should have known better. I'm an idiot. Perhaps I'm just writing this review to remind myself not to do dumb things? Yeah. That's it. Hey Cat! There's only ONE Joe's!
(1)
Kevin A.
I got the Halibut it was very moist and juice. Also, got the roasted corn, hash browns and peanut butter pie for dessert, EVERYTHING was fabulous. The best seafood place, highly recommend. Hear their steaks are awesome too.
(5)
Zac R.
The best crab legs I've ever had. Expensive, but worth it.
(5)
El B.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had - the food was fantastic and the ambiance was lovely, but what REALLY wowed me was our server (Darrin). He is such an utter professional and was truly born to do this job. He actually got me and Mr. Bee discussing the psychology of being a truly excellent server because he was so gifted at it. Without even knowing it I was getting an extra appetizer, an extra cocktail, extra this...and I was happy to do so. I look forward to going back - I know people go for the stone crabs (which were fabulous) but I REALLY loved my stuffed sole. Also, the piece of shrimp I got in the 2nd mortgage was without a doubt the best piece of shrimp I've ever had. Gigantic, meaty, flavorful....that's what she said.
(5)
Misoo M.
Great service, decor, and (most importantly) food. I had the pleasure of trying: Scallop shrimp ceviche: Presentation was beautiful, and flavors were good. One of the better ceviches I've had in Chicago. Filet mignon: Delicious, though I asked for medium rare, and it was definitely cooked medium to medium-well, which was a little disappointing. I normally don't put anything on my steaks, but the salt-coriander thing it came with was actually quite good. Mahi mahi: Decent, but nothing to write home about. There are better dishes here. Mashed potatoes: Smooth, not too buttery, and a nice cheesy flavor. Went great with the filet. Key lime pie: Fresh, tangy lime and a delicious crust. This pie singlehandedly turned my key lime pie-disliking boyfriend (who initially refused to have any) to a key lime pie-believer (who ended up devouring half). It's that good. Leave some room after your meal for this!
(4)
Alex Z.
I really wasn't sure about how to start off my meal here. So, I took a dive and went for the coleslaw, least expensive appetizer on the menu. That ended up being one of the highlights of my meal. I hate coleslaw that is drowning in mayo, but this slaw was oil and vinegar based, allowing me to still get that great crunch from the cabbage. The New York Strip, off the bone, was phenomenal. I had it cooked rare, and every bite just melted in my mouth. They cook the steak with a butter glaze on the outside or something like that in order to give the exterior a crispy texture. This was the best piece of red meat I've eaten in my life. I ate all 16 ounces too. The Key Lime Pie is a must, and the Coconut Cream Pie wasn't too bad either. Aside from food, the service is at the same level of the food. Nothing less than perfection. Fillets of fish are boned right in front of you, they'll accommodate most reasonable requests, and they keep things professional. However, our waiter wasn't too detached to get some light-hearted conversation going. If I had a fat wallet, I'd be over here once a month, but a college student has to be realistic. I was lucky my mother had been saving numerous Lettuce Entertain You gift cards and was willing to take me out to dinner here.
(5)
Gabrielle R.
AMAZING! Food was delicious, waiter was great, service was wonderful. I took my mother while I was in town for business. We ordered a bottle of wine. The waiter filled our glasses and then took the bottle away. I thought to myself, "What if I need more?". Well, not to worry- any time one of our glasses was getting low, the waiter was right there to fill it. I would highly recommend this place- just keep in mind that it is pretty expensive. Recommendation: you'll have to make a reservation ahead of time. Their spots fill up very quickly. And if you don't have a reservation, sometimes they get last minute cancellations, so keep checking back.
(5)
Brian G.
what can u say about this place that hasn't already been written. we just nibbled at the bar and had some wine. a chatty and friendly bartender made us feel very welcome. if I had to criticize anything it might be the restaurant could benefit from a "freshen up" decor wise. other than that if u can get a reservation before 11 and after 4 - it's a no brainer. bring lots of money for it is not cheap.
First time diner at Joe's Seafood and the food lived up to it's reputation. We all consider ourselves "foodies" and one of us is a chef at a competitive restaurant in the area. First time eating Stone Crabs and they were fabulous! Joe's Scallops and Crab cakes were also ordered and our group was very impressed. The service was great always checking on us and ensuring we had everything we need. Nothing but spectacular.
(5)
Yoo-Jin L.
I attend Joe's for Chicago Restaurant Week and I loved this lovely place. It is hard to have nice and expensive seafood dishes for under 30 dollars. So I took a chance to attend for Chicago Restaurant Week. The food came out quickly and crabs are pre-cracked so I could eat crab without making any mass to crack crabs. I really liked how they cracked before they served it. Also potatoes and salads for sides are tasty too. They made a good combination with crabs. If it's not too expensive, I would like to go again.
(4)
Junchen F.
Their fried calamari and sea bass are tender and tasty beyond one's wildest dream. These are 5 star dishes. The lobster tail is also good but I am not a big fan of lobster anyway. The fisherman's platter is a dud. These are 3 star dishes, considering their price tag. On average, 4 stars.
(4)
Adriana B.
Oh lord, the food is great. Everything from the bread to the appetizer, to the main course and finally dessert. The service was exceptional as well. We had the stuffed spinach mushrooms as a starter (yummy, even the bf who doesn't like mushrooms enjoyed it). Filet mignon and crab legs for the main course. The desserts, everything was a sin
(5)
Susie C.
Wow! That's all I got to say... just kidding. Wow! comes in many factors - the food, service, and man it is super crowded! We came here two weeks ago trying to get a table for dinner but unfortunately we failed at that because it was a Friday night and we made the reservation a bit too late. They are super packed so my fiance made reservations for us two weeks later which makes it today! They are still super busy on a Thursday evening, unbelievable. Our waiter, Hank, was very nice and informative. Since it was my first time (my fiance's second) he told me what Joe's was all about. I didn't know what stone crab was so he explained to me what it was, how they capture it, and how they extract the right claws from crab. He pretty much gave me information that I didn't know and I appreciated that. Onto our courses, we started out with the lump crab cakes as appetizers. OMG, it was so good. The best crab cake I've ever eaten! Their crab cake had less filling and LOTS of crab meat. Then we had the grilled lobster tail. That was very tasty. Although it was a bit "grilled too long" since we tasted the "burn-ness" of the fire on the lobster. It was okay. We had the 1.5 lb Alaskan King crab legs. Wow, they are filling! They are huge and tasty! Hank and another waiter brought our lobster and crab legs over and broke the legs in front of us. They pretty much did all the work and we ate. Yum! (My fiance told Hank that we don't like to work to eat crabs since they're harder to eat) Lastly we ended with Havana dream pie. Wow, that's another wow. It is a light pie with a very creamy filling. Topped with whipped cream and some kind of sweet hazelnut(??) sauce that made it delish! I'd come back here again...if I want to spend another $200 on dinner for 2. lol.
(5)
Lily F.
Delicious filet mignon, they always get it right. And their sides are equally amazing! Love the atmosphere, their martinis and just about everything else. I've had steak in a lot of places, and I only trust Joes when I want to go out to eat it. The price isn't too kind, but it's worth it!!
(5)
Lu C.
The food and service there is amazing and impressive, especially for the steak, tastes really good and better than any restaurants so far I had been.
(5)
Daveney C.
Best steak in the United States. Ur welcome.
(5)
Christina S.
I had some of the best filet mignon here I got it medium rare and it was delicious. my friend had some of their crab legs so I tried his and there was no complaints at out table. My only complaint would be the long wait to get onto the restaurant. This is a must go to restaurant.
(5)
Brandon T.
Came for a birthday, expecting much more than what I was given. We started with some kind of chowder, which was the best thing we had the whole night. Next was our entrees, which consisted of over cooked shrimp, poorly cooked filet and crab claws that were mediocre. Brought my mom a brownie with ice cream for her birthday dessert "on the house" that tasted like it was straight from a box. Had never been before, and it would take a lot to convince me to come back. Huge disappointment...
(2)
Mel S.
We came here for lunch during Restaurant Week and despite my initial misgivings (I find most fancy restaurants to be disappointing in the end) it was a pleasant experience. First off, the atmosphere and service is 110%. The complimentary coat check is a nice touch, but having somewhere to wait would have been nice, we were basically standing around a bunch of tables while we waited to be seated. Everything on the menu sounded amazing and it was hard to make a choice. I ended up going with the Restaurant Week special, though. First the complimentary bread was great - not your normal regular loaf of bread or dinner rolls, it was a mix of different breads, including an amazing sweet raisin-y crisp that awakened our sweet tooth. The Stone Crab Bisque was SO rich but only in the best way. I ordered the rock crab, which was only disappointing because I found out I'm not much of a crab person. It was really good, but then just became overwhelming (it was a LOT of crab!) the "hashbrowns" and coleslaw on the side were delicious interpretations of said dishes. I particularly liked the coleslaw. And to top it all off, the banana cream pie was AMAZING. I'd been saving room for it (albeit very little room) and it did not disappoint. I was afraid I'd have dreams about this pie after I returned home from vacation. All in all, a great meal with top-notch service. I was so full I could barely move, and we left with 3 boxes full of leftovers.
(4)
Moe T.
Love it. Great ambience, great food, and not too pricey for a restaurant of this caliber. I had to get the stone crab while I was there and it was a good experience but also a lot of work to get to the meat and next time I'd rather do the king crab legs. The halibut was amazing. DO NOT MISS the peanut butter pie! Thank me later.
(5)
Mad I.
Not worth the money to me.... Great service, fancy feel but.... Went there on hubby's gift card for $100 and we still had to leave $40, thats drinking water! What we ate: He had the revered bone in filet, $50 bucks for that alone.... not the best I've ever had.... I had the 7 medium stone crabs, with mustard sauce (??)....meh. Where is the butter?? Lots of work and money for a few morsels. Mac and Cheese, yum. Key lime pie: blech!!! Sub par P.s-no one told us but you can get half orders!!!!!!!!!
(3)
Kyle P.
Had and have always had great meals here. I have been coming for lunch for years and have had good service. Have had mike burch or birch the last few times and really like his attentiveness and ability to know when we are having a business meeting. Get everything here!
(5)
eugene b.
The good: The Alaskan Crab legs are just spectacular. In fact, all the food is excellent. No complaints there. The crab cakes were absolutely the best I have ever had. Service is good. Wait staff, at least in our experience was helpful and attentive. The bad: 8pm reservation, but actually seated at 830. Although we did get a very nice booth table. It is extremely bus, at least on Friday evening.. Even waiting to get our table there were so many people in the bar, it was tough to get a drink unless you could find an empty seat in the bar. Overall, excellent if you don't mind a very busy, very Chicago atmosphere. I would not go there for a quiet romantic evening.
(5)
Kristan H.
Often when a place has this many reviews, I don't bother to add my 2 cents. In this case, however, I need to make an exception. My boyfriend and I took his parents and younger brother to Joe's over Labor Day weekend. My boyfriend's brother had just completed his first tour of duty as a Marine in Afghanistan, and we were celebrating his safe return. After making reservations at Joe's (several weeks in advance) my boyfriend emailed them to ask if they could do anything for his brother - he specified that we weren't looking for freebies, we just wanted a special night. The manager suggested that there wasn't much they could do besides give us their best server, which was an offer we happily accepted. Best server indeed. Our server was fantastic - attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and funny. We had a lovely evening, and he made several key recommendations. (He also allowed me to get a plate of mixed scallops when I couldn't decide between their two kinds.) At the end of the night, we decided to order a couple desserts to share. Our server got a twinkle in his eye and said he knew just the thing. We were a little confused, seeing as we had just told him which desserts we wanted, but the rest of the night had been great so we weren't too concerned. A few minutes later, he carted out a tray of desserts, which we figured were for us and the table behind us. No. Every single dessert on that tray was for us (8 or 9 total) and they were all free. My boyfriend's brother was embarrassed, but his mother and I both got tears in our eyes (and I'm getting them again now) as our server and the manager came over to thank him for his service. Again, the whole evening was a wonderful dining experience, but that put it over the top. Things like that are what make a place stand out above the rest. And if you think I'm just talking about getting something for free, then you've missed the point entirely.
(5)
Chris C.
Went there with a big group and had a wonderful experience. Anita led a tremendous effort by the wait staff and every person in our group left very happy. Too many good things to list but the most popular items consumed by our group were the 16 oz bone in filet, crab legs, and key lime pie. This place is pricey, but is as good as it gets!
(5)
Kathleen C.
Aside from the fact that I've been getting crap all day for not having crab legs...I really liked this spot. And seriously, it's not all about crab legs! I happen to really enjoy crab cakes - and these were perfection! The crab cakes were about 99.9% crab - and huge chunks of it. They were delictable. I almost got the appetizer size, but instead stuck with the entree - and I'm glad I did because they were wonderful and I ate every bite. I also tried some appetizers - which were all tasty (mussels, shrimp, stuffed mushrooms....). The wine selection was quite nice as well. Overall, this is definitely a special occasion spot due to prices ($60 entrees anyone??). However, the quality is high, the service is superb and the food is phenominal. I'll be back if I can squeeze it in my budget.
(5)
Janet C.
My first time at Joe's and it was great. We were seated right away, and our waitress was delightful. Quality service, a pleasant dinning experience. Steaks were done just right, and the Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche was amazing. I would come back just for that. I also enjoyed the small pot of coffee and 1/2 slices of pie offered.
(4)
Derrick T.
People have always raved about Joe's Stone Crab and their exemplary food and service, so I was excited to have the opportunity to go. (Not to be confused with Joe's Crab Shack, which is a chain that serves food on par with Olive Garden and Red Lobster.) Joes Stone Crab only has three restaurants I'm told - Chicago, Las Vegas, and Miami. Due to one of my clients being a fairly big spender at the place, we were able to get reservations 10 minutes before we arrived and seated immediately upon arrival. This is definitely one of the restaurants where your loyalty and high spending is rewarded. (And when I mean high spending, I mean along the lines of $20,000 a year). We ordered up the following items: Bisque- Smooth and creamy, with excellent flavor in every sip. I'm not typically one to order soups in a restaurant (as I like better bang for my buck) but the bisque was an excellent choice and very flavorful. Crab Legs - The clear winner of the bunch... King crab legs, split open nicely for you, served cold with drawn butter and mustard on the side. But to be honest, the crab was so good that you didn't even need the butter or mustard. Tender and meaty, every bite was an opportunity to revel in the perfect amount of sweetness that signified just how fresh this crab was. Get this. Every single time. Bone In Rib Eye - Excellent flavor, nice big portion, this was delicious. To be fair, I've had a good amount of steak in Chicago with all the excellent choices of restaurants. This ranks up in the top five for how nicely the outside was caramelized, the flavors, and the perfect temperature inside for my medium rare order. Filet Mignon - The guest ordered is medium well, so I'm not much of a fan. Personally, filet mignon is definitely a more tender cut, but lacks in the ability to compare to a well marbled rib eye in flavor. But this is often the preference of women (petite filet) or men who want something less fatty and more tender. While there was a point in my life I marveled at a perfectly tender steak, I'm finding more and more that flavor is just as important, which means filet is going to lose a lot more often nowadays. Sweet Corn Side - Sweet corn in season, cut off the cob, lightly grilled in lime and butter. Delicious. Clear winner of the side dishes for me. Mashed Potatoes - A very well made mashed potato with a good balance of smoothness and thickness. Creamed Spinach - Excellent cream spinach. Very well made, but just couldn't compare to the corn. Key Lime Pie - Wow. I'm blown away by the key lime pie. The filling itself was perfect, but I've had perfect filling before. What blew me away was the crust... Their crust was made without over packing the graham cracker crumbs, and in large enough pieces that still gave it an excellent texture and taste. The combination of crust and filling made this an excellent ending course. Others: Customer service was excellent. Which it should be, considering I was with a big spender that was recognized by staff members, and that it's a high end restaurant with high prices. Our server's confidence was nearing a level of cockiness that I found somewhat off putting, but his knowledge of the food and recommendations were on point. Verdict: This is indeed a five star quality restaurant from a food perspective, as well as a service perspective. That being said, it isn't cheap so there's a definite balance to be considered. In terms of price, it's likely on par with some of the finer steak houses you would eat at in the city, but with a few items that really make it stand out. (King Crab and Key Lime pie). I have every intention of coming back with my wife, and perhaps some more family members... when I get a promotion at work to help cover these costs.
(5)
Stephanie G.
I went here for a technical dinner for work, there were about 60 people in our group. We had the entire back room. This place has the best seafood! For appetizers we had shrimp and stone crab, their mustard sauce is delicious! There were two salads that were brought out, and I had the Mahi Mahi. The fish was cooked perfectly, it was so good I wish I had some more right now. For dessert, I went out on a limb and got the Havana Pie, which was to die for!!! I ate the entire (large) piece! I would go back just for the dessert! It's difficult to park down in this area, but the restaurant has valet (and the guys running it were super nice!) This was an all around great dining experience!
(5)
Kevin C.
Excellent food and service. The Alaskan King Crab was cooked perfectly and was extremely easy to eat as they were already cracked and scored. The Dover Sole was filleted table side and was outstanding. Even if you are full, you should still make room for the Key Lime Pie. All in all an excellent meal. Joe's is definitely the bomb.com .
(5)
Samantha S.
Beyond amazing... Every Single Time! This is dining done right: consistently superior food, excellent service, classic decor. Love this place, everything on the menu is great. My faves--other than the steak and seafood--the beef tenderloin sandwich, BloodyMary's and key lime pie. Best bread basket anywhere!
(5)
Sonia A.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Seriously. I love this place. It's been my go-to place for almost a decade now. Everything is great here. Great atmosphere, great service, awesome food. Get the bone-in filet and the Madagascar shrimp and of course the stone crab. Delicious. They are willing to accommodate here so if there is something you want modified on the menu, just ask. I always get a brownie sundae with peppermint ice cream with the hot chocolate sauce. It's not on the menu, but of course they will make it for you. They even have a good kids' menu here. I've been probably more than 100 times and have only had bad service/experience once, so I'll let that time slide. The only problem with this place is that it can be hard to get a reservation less than a month in advance because it is so popular. It is pricey, but totally worth it.
(5)
Madison B.
Went here on my birthday. Since we didn't have a reservation, and didn't want to wait til about 9 pm to eat, we ate in the bar area. This place was packed the entire time (on a Sunday night). Anyway, I ordered the filet and lobster tail. We also had oysters rockefeller, stuffed mushrooms and a side of creamed spinach. My dinner was spectacular. Everything was cooked to perfection, with the exception of th spinach (too heavy on the nutmeg). I will definitely be back to try the crab!
(4)
Rodney H.
I was in the mood for something good, but not sure what, so I yelped the best restaurant in walking distance of my hotel. A steakhouse/ seafood place seemed as if it would have everything, and this place ft the bill - the look was classic steakhouse, and it was packed on a Tuesday at 10. Short review: great service, great food. Go ahead and enjoy yourself. More details below. The shrimp cocktail was so good that I almost had a Blues Brothers flashback and ordered two of them. However, I needed to save room for dinner. I settled on a pork chop - a dish that just felt right here. The knife that they gave me was perfectly weighted, but seemed big and heavy enough to cut through an entire side of meat. Then out came the three-inch thick pork chop and I understood why such an implement was needed. This thing was thick, juicy, delicious, and appetite-killing, and that knife and I took it out quicker than Clubber Lang took out Rocky in their first fight. Any plans of ordering dessert were ended, and I tried to think of another 80s movie to throw into the review. Then I realized that Joe's is like an 80s throwback itself - classic, no extra frills, really popular and I'll remember it fondly. (I guess that I'll have to find somewhere else to use that Ferris Bueller reference)
(5)
Caroline M.
Great place and service. Delicious seafood and steaks.
(4)
Alex C.
This place is ok. I did enjoy the ambiance but the food was something that i won't remember. Everything was good, but i was expecting much more and maybe that is the reason for the unfair assessment. It is overpriced for what it has to offer and there are many other seafood joints that have more to offer. Probably won't return anytime soon.
(3)
J P.
Wow. Very nice. Of course, we were a party of 40 in a private room, but I am sure that the service and food is as consistent on the other side.Very nice and very busy. Make a reservation or you will be standing for a few hours.
(5)
Kristen K.
I don't consider myself a meat person, but when I ate here I thought I had died and somehow ended up in the best meat heaven ever. Weeks later I am still dreaming about the pork chop I had. BEST PORK CHOP EVER. They put it on top of cabbage, apples, and onions....ohhh it's so good. I also had the crab cake appetizers and loved it as well. Service is insanely good. I felt like we had our own personal waiter that was at our immediate beck and call. Surprisingly the bill didn't come out to as high as expected. If you don't get the steak or king crabs (yes, I know both are in their name and what they are known for blah blah) it doesn't end up being that bad for the wallet.
(5)
Rob E.
This is the best meal I've had in a couple years. The King crab was amazing, the filet, juicy and tender. The deserts were light and sweet. Finally the service was superb. I will definitely come back and would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
JA Y.
Given all of the amazing restaurants in Chicago I don't understand the draw of this place at all unless you are a tourist looking for an overpriced dinner close to your hotel. I was surprised to see 4.5 stars on this place until I realized yelpers have also given Fago the same. Enough said. My date was staying at a hotel close by on business so we made reservation for a nice dinner out (and dressed appropriately for such). When we arrived the entry bar was a mass chaos of what appeared to be tourists and families in various levels of casual dress sardined into a small area waiting for their names to be called over a large speaker like we were at Chili's. Once seated the situation did not improve much since the tables are also crammed into the dining room with the noise level and ambiance reminding me more of a a school cafeteria then a fine dining experience with children and adults around us wearing jeans and t-shirts. The food was ok but nothing particularly memorable, definitely not something i would travel back for. The part of the evening that bothered me most was the servers attitude. For the first 20 minutes of sitting at the table we could not get his attention and were treated as if we were lucky to be there. After my date ordered (what I can only assume) was a very expensive bottle of wine we were all of a sudden worth some attention. At the end of the night after my date paid and provided him (what I can only assume) was a very generous tip considering the service (he's owned restaurants for 20 yrs) the waiter all of a sudden was gushing over us to the exclusion of his other tables thanking my date repeatedly. It was embarrassing. Part of a fine dining experience should be consistent "fine dining" service for all guests not just those you think are going to give you a big tip.
(2)
Bill W.
My fiance and I went here on 4/8 for my birthday. We have been here a couple times in the past and we are constantly impressed with the quality of food and service. We arrived a little early and had a couple of cocktails in the bar. The manhattan I had was perfect. After being seated we ordered a couple glasses of wine and ordered the 2nd mortgage appetizer. It was fantastic. Stone crab, giant shrimp, lobster, ceviche, and whatever else came with it were great. Kind of expensive, but worth trying. I ordered a bone-in ribeye, medium rare, and she had a filet. We split the mushroom mac and cheese that was on special as well. Everything was cooked perfectly. We decided to split a slice of key lime pie which is an absolute must. It is by far the best pie I've ever had. Tastes like you're biting into a fresh lime. So good. Joe's continues to be one of our go-tos anytime we want an upscale dining experience in Chicago.
(5)
Heidi S.
Came here for lunch in January and had a really excellent experience. Waiter was outstanding, seafood was super fresh and steaks were excellently prepared. Really enjoyed the mashed potatoes and the potatoes lyonnaise were rich and full of caramelized onions. Dessert and drinks were also excellent. Describing this place really doesn't do it justice -- go there for a complete, classic dining experience.
(5)
Chris W.
What a comedy of errors: 1. Waiter criticized my sparking wine choice. 2. I requested a rare preparation for my steak and received medium-well. 3. Another in our party had a substantially under-cooked steak. Was it confused with mine? I doubt it because it was a completely different cut. 4. I had to ask for a steak knife. Not a big deal, but when considered with all of the other challenges, disappointing. 5. At the end of dinner, the waiter placed five deserts on the table. We said we weren't really interested in desert. But he insisted we at least try them. So, we thought maybe they were in part an apology for the steak preparation fiasco, so we obliged. When the tab was presented, all five were listed with line item charges for whipped cream. The stone crab was pretty good. We should have stuck with that and some martinis. Won't be back.
(1)
Kim M.
Went to Joe's on the recommendation of the hotel. I was seated right away, in the bar area. Service was good. I ordered the grilled seafood platter. All of the seafood was completely overcooked. The shrimp was somewhat charred and very tough. The fish was tough also. For the price, I don't think I would consider going back.
(1)
Julie L.
This place is way over rated. They are too busy they can't handle quality food. Steak over cooked and tough. The stone crab is not worth the price. Doesn't even taste fresh. Won't ever be back. This place is not better than Miami one
(2)
Odranre B.
good flavored foods...price getting higher, food portion getting smaller...the grilled pork chops is to die for (big, fat, and juicy) everyone deserves chances so i will occasionally re-visit establishments that did not get favorable reviews from me in hope that they have addressed the issues and will revise my views accordingly
(3)
Danielle M.
This place is consistantly awesome! Its normally pretty crowded but I always seem to be able to get a seat at the bar. The service is always just right...not too attentive and not too neglectful. Also, its great to be able to get stone crabs in the dead of winter!
(5)
Tracey M.
My recent visit to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab was my first time there. My food was excellent, just like the service Darren provided us. The Salmon was tasty and I enjoyed the various sides I got to sample too. There old fashion apple dessert was divine. I'm a apple pie/apple dessert snob and this definitely lived up to my standards. Overall, a great experience and surely one I'd like to repeat again.
(4)
Lisa T.
This was our first time here. I always hear great reviews about the food here, but I was simply blow away by the great service that was provided. I made reservations at 6:30pm on the Sunday after the air and water show. I couldn't believe how packed it was, as packed as a Friday/Saturday night! Because it was so packed, I expected us to wait even with a reservation, but behold, we were seated immediately! Definite thumbs up. When we were seated, we were greeted right away. Our server, James, told us about the main menu and gave us the seasonal menu. He then gave us a couple of minutes to look over everything. We decided to go with the medium stone crab claws as an opener. My boyfriend opted for the 12 oz filet mignon and I decided to go with the Alaska halibut with peas on the seasonal menu. For drinks, we both decided to go with the malbec. After James took our order, they came out with bread and the wine. My boyfriend and I settled in our seats as we waited for our food. I was surprised with the ambiance. Because of the "business casual" attire and the price point of the menu, I expected this place to be quiet and stuffy. I was absolutely wrong. It was loud and cozy. I was so comfortable and relaxed. You would not expect this from an upscale, expensive restaurant. I'm a loud speaker in general and it was nice to see that the table next to us was even louder =) Also, I really appreciate that this place not only caters to couples, but families/large groups as well. However, I would suggest the tween years as the minimum age as the tables are really close together and there is very little space between tables. Its a relaxed environment, but I don't think the guy at the next table would appreciate a toddler throwing food at him. On to the food: --I've had stone crab claws before down in Key West. They were delicious, but not as sweet as the claws in Key West. The mustard dipping sauce was to die for though. --The Alaskan halibut was cooked to perfection. I love white, flaky fish and just could not get enough of it. The pea puree that the fish sat on top of was delicious, which just a hint of lemon. --The filet could have been a disaster. He ordered the steak to be cooked at a medium temperature. When he received it, it was well over done. A perfectly nice portion of meat cooked so dry, I initially thought it was a joke. Our server came back to check on us and we advise him of this travesty. He immediately took the steak away and ordered another one. Within 15 minutes, the manager personally came over to serve a new filet. My boyfriend cut down the middle to check the temperature and it was a beautiful shade of deep pink. The steak itself was perfectly seasoned. Nice sear on the outside and wonderfully tender and juicy. --For sides, we ordered sauteed garlic spinach and baked potato. The baked potato tasted like any other baked potato... nothing really special. However, I couldn't believe how delicious the sauteed garlic spinach was. I was in complete awe of it. As we were finishing up with our meal, James came back to check up on us with the dessert menu. He told us because of the disaster with the steak, the dessert was on him. We ended up ordering the chocolate fudge pie. OMG IF YOU ARE A CHOCOLATE LOVER, THIS IS THE DESSERT FOR YOU. Oreo cookie crust, chocolate moose, a layer of whipped cream, chocolate shavings on top AND there was a side of hot fudge. MMMMM MMM.. I'm salivating thinking about it. I hate whipped cream, but the whipped cream on this pie made me rethink why I hate whipped cream in the first place. HUGE slice... definitely to share. Overall, I had such a great experience here. It far exceeded my expectations and we'll definitely be making another visit. Heck, I already have an idea of what I want to have for the next visit ;)
(5)
Jessica I.
I wish I had one of these near my house instead of the awful chain with the similar name. That was the only Joe's I knew before I was introduced to this place, so I can be forgiven for looking at my husband like he was crazy when he suggested a trip here for lunch. It was immediately apparent that the two have nothing in common. For starters, I was really excited to find stone crab, which I can never seem to find in season when I'm in Florida. Our excellent server walked us through the menu and patiently answered our questions. We stuck to seafood and were happy with everything we ordered. Naturally, I had to have some key lime pie to round off the meal. Aside from being so dense we practically needed a bandsaw to get through it, it was pretty fantastic. The topper? Our server comped the pie because we were first-timers. Nice touch.
(4)
Al R.
I love seafood, and I'm also a meat and potatoes kind of guy. With that being said Joe's does these two things wonderfully. It is an upscale place so the price is on the higher side, but the service and ambiance really make it worth every penny. (*Halibut filet*)
(5)
Karen D.
I have a new favorite seafood restaurant! My family and I had a memorable dinner at Joe's during the holiday week We were a 1/2 hour early, and despite the Friday night bustle, were quickly accommodated. The main dining area is large, bustling with wait staff and obviously happy diners. We were seated at a lovely table in the back, as I had requested a "quieter" spot in the reservation. While we still felt we were part of the dining room, our table location was much more intimate. Our waitress took time to explain the menu, offered a few off-menu suggestions, and happily answered a lot of questions. Picking up on our quandary as to what appetizer(s) to share among the 5 of us, she suggested one large-ish stone crab claw and a Madagascan shrimp for each. They were perfectly prepared and presented - and we all were wow-ed with the choice. Our entrees, ranging from large seared scallops, Nantucket Cape (much smaller) scallops, stuffed flounder, and a rib eye steak were outstanding and complimented by our choice of three delicious shared "sides": Jennie's mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, and creamed spinach. Everyone was happy with their dinner choice. No one could manage dessert, so we shared a piece of key lime pie - - - which was just enough. And deliciously tangy - - - the real deal! In sum, while the food and wine selections were delicious and enough to put Joe's right up there with the best, it is the gracious service that really makes dining there a stand-out..........and makes the hefty bill so gladly paid!
(5)
Nikki S.
Everything was delicious and impeccable. I would definitely recommend the peanut butter pie for dessert. Also the appetizer or the big whale is a must have and gives you a taste of everything. However, if making reservations I would definitely ask not to be seated near the coat rack or restroom.
(5)
Yang Q.
With servers dressed to the nines in tuxes cleaning off the tablecloth with a crumber between courses and offering you fresh squeezed lemon juice and warm towel hand washes, Joe's offers the ultimate fine dining experience. But unlike the typical tiny food on a large plate experience, you won't leave Joe's to head over to the nearest McDonalds. The boyfriend and I came here for my birthday dinner and split an appetizer of stone crab claws. While the wasabi/dijon dipping sauce was delicious, the crab itself didn't taste much different from dungeness or anything I could have gotten back at home. The claws were decently sized and conveniently pre-cracked (this isn't Boiling Crab after all) though. The rib-eye steak and 16 oz. grilled lobster tail we got for entrees were AMAZING though. Topped with sides of cilantro grilled corn and sauteed garlic spinach and a slice of key lime pie, we left very full and very happy. DONT skip dessert--they do half slices and DO make a reservation as it was still very packed even when we went at 10:30.
(5)
Gary B.
Went to Joes for a gathering of old friends, having never been there I wasn't sure what to expect. The place was very busy and seemed to be manages appropriately. Reservations were for 8:00 and they actually sat us at 8:00. We were a party of 12 so they sat us upstairs which over looks the main dining area. Our server was very attentive and really took care of us. I had the filet which was perfectly cooked and I had numerous sides which are ordered family style. An all around enjoyable time; I typically try and avoid dining with large groups due to some restaurants not being able to manage larger parties but Joes was spot on.
(4)
Lisa L.
What fresh seafood. We had the bisque and it's hand poured at your table out of a metal carafe. Crab was excellent, desert excellent. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion or just to get some of the freshest seafood around.
(5)
Alejandro G.
Lights out- crab, crab and more crab- stone crabs are excellent and the king crab is plentiful and they are huge and tasty- my gf always gets the filet and says its the best she's ever had- my top 3 places to go in Chicago
(5)
Pete F.
$45 for 6 stone crab claws? I can buy stone crabs for $3.99 per pound back home! I just don't get the pricing but apparently they can get away with it. It was good - no argument, but maybe for half the price.
(3)
Shekky G.
typical chicago-hype restaurant- pay a lot of $ and food is average. first time back here in 10 years- exactly the same. went for weekday lunch with wife- I got a couple of so-so crab cakes for $30 and scalloped potatoes for $10. clam chowder was just ok. wait staff was understaffed- although there seemed to be about 5 managers walking around doing nothing. took forever to get our food. waiter was always busy chatting away with other diners. wife's steak was okay. she got a dessert with her meal, asked for it "to-go" and we waited 15 minutes for the piece of (ok) banana cream pie after we had paid the bill to finally get it- waiter kind of disappeared. not worth it- plenty of other good restaurants nearby.
(1)
Sejal P.
Great food! this place is best for stone crabs! you can read all their reviews, i agree with most of them. I've been here few times, and no doubt excellent service and great taste always. Minus one start for the few broken glasses around our table, and although i ordered stone crabs, i didn't get their usual warm towel and lemon for cleaning my hands after. I guess we went at a really busy time during restaurant week, so i can understand. I'll be back!
(4)
Jason H.
Having spent the better (early) part of my 20's suggesting this restaurant, behind the front desk of a 5-star hotel, to guest upon guest - I thought it was time that I actually dine here. Yea, that's right! I've suggested Joe's numerous times without experiencing it from the perspective of an actual patron. It's an ongoing secret amongst young hoteliers - act as if you know it all and have done it all without really having done anything at all. No one takes suggestions/advice from a novice - so in the best interest of continued employment in the hotel industry - it's best not to be a novice in any capacity. On to my restaurant review... SEATING: I was seated at a table that was so close to the couple seated next to me, I could have put my fork into their baked macaroni dish - without extending all 22" of my left arm. So the cacophony in the dining room was heightened due to the close proximity of the tables. FOOD: The seafood salad was unbelievable - I thought Cafe Iberico had the best seafood salad - but I was wrong! The Mahi Mahi was extremely fresh, as if it was plucked from a salt water tank an hour before it was served to me. The Jennie's Mashed Potatoes were a great complement to the dish, and delighfully treaded the line of smooth yet not too thick. Nothing like protein and carbs with a glass of Monte Bello for an alcoholic finish. Overall, my experience here was GREAT- it really was! The only thing I would change is the close arrangement of some tables. That is unless partaking in your neighbors dish, without invite, is strongly encouraged here.
(4)
Karmin A.
love this place!!! truly madly deeply!!! i've had the bone in rib eye, the crab legs, the spinach appetizer and corn. soooo good!!! we had the best server ever!!! he had the coolest glasses with forks on the tmeples, by jean paul gaultier. :) i'll be back....fo sho!!!
(5)
edward k.
Seriously this is some of the best steak I've ever had in my life! In case you don't know, the midwest is known for red meat and this place knows how to prepare it to a tee. My friends and I came here for a special dinner during our visit. For appetizer we got some crab cakes and they were AWESEOME!. Full of crab and clearly fresh. For entrees, we shared the fliet and ribeye on the bone with some creamed spinach and roasted corn. Everything was absolutely amazing and I would come back here in a heart beat. The waiter was very good at helping us order and then also getting the chef to cut up our steaks so that we could share it.
(4)
Eileen H.
I've been to Joe's three times in the past year. Each time, I expect that something will let me down--after all, how can Joe's repeatedly deliver the same quality food and service all the time? Well, they did and I'm a happy fan of this establishment and will doubt no more! Stone crab claws are definitely worth it, although be wary that you don't order too many (if that's possible). While they look small, the claw meat is quite dense and filling. Also love their filet and the steak rub--best steak I've had in Chicago in a long time! Definitely try their peppermint ice cream--it is out of this world. My friend loves their pies (she's a pie fanatic), and the one I've tried (seasonal blackberry and peach) was amazing, even though I don't usually like pies. One great thing about Joe's is that you can get half orders of sides and desserts. Each time I've over ordered, the waiter has asked, would you like to make that a half order? Yes, sir! Bring on the drinks, the stone crab claws, steak, sides, and dessert, and I will roll out of Joe's a fulfilled happy camper. Service is consistently great, too--I've gone in sometimes dressed up and sometimes dressed down (right after the second day of the IL bar exam), and had a great time each visit. However, I would recommend Joe's more for the occasional special treat, as it's hard to stomach down the hefty tab on just a regular night!
(5)
Kathleen M.
On a normal day, this restaurant is perfect. On the day before Valentine's day when they were swamped, they weren't immediately perfect but they corrected every little glitch. That's why I love this place. That and the food that I eat like it's my last meal on earth. The problem with their food is that it spoils you - Crab Cakes anywhere else are nearly ruined for me. The Stone Crab bisque? Divine! Their Caesar Salad has the lightest dressing I have ever tasted, it's superb. Another problem is that the appetizers etc are so delicious that I can hardly eat my entree if I want room for dessert! I had the Parmesan crusted Flounder and nearly cried when I was so full I couldn't finish it. Did I mention Jennie's potatoes, heaven in a casserole dish? I could however, find a place for a Cappuccino and half slice of chocolate raspberry pie. Even the beverages here are sinfully delicious - Joe's limeade is great and it doesn't even have booze. This is our favorite date restaurant. We save all our Lettuce rewards to come here and it is such a pleasure - fabulous food and service. Ahh, I am still in the Afterglow of the perfect Valentine's lunch.
(5)
Irene G.
I've always wanted to try Joe's, so when I got invited to a free roundtable lunch discussion for favorite clients of LEYE, naturally I said YESSS!! :) We dined in a private room called the Boardroom. I gave my input during the presentation but was distracted with how delicious everything was for the majority of the lunch hour. Calamari A+, shrimp A+, and my salmon was as good as salmon gets but better. I wasn't too impressed with the mashed potatoes, however. Service was impeccable! I had to leave before my key lime pie arrived to get back to work (completely forgot I ordered it!), but I can only imagine how super happy it made the person sitting next to me feel!
(4)
Lyndsey C.
Can't got wrong here. Great food and service.
(5)
Aaron T.
Food: Awesome in every aspect, great Crab, great Shrimp, and a very good Filet, one of my favorites of Chicago. Atmosphere: This place was fairly crowded at our table, however that is really a small inconvenience because it was bearable. Wine list was great as well, including Silver Oak NV, a personal favorite and nice to see on the menu.
(5)
Jason E.
Let me preface this review by stating that my wife and I dine out over 100 times a year. With that said, Joe's had the greatest New York strip I've had in three years. I had the sweet potato fries as well, they were excellent. My wife tried the lamb chops and gave them the seal of approval. Service was tremendous, the atmosphere was for the most part par for the course, most people wore appropriate attire but some felt it okay to wear track pants and hats, I would have like to see a bit nicer dress. For desert, I had the key lime pie and it was comparable to that you would get in the Fl Keys. Not too creamy, not too tart. The highlight of the night was the rye Manhattan, it was stellar.
(5)
Julia J.
I have an issue with this place. EVERY TIME I make a reservation it doesn't seem to matter. It STILL takes between 45 min to an hour until we sit our tired hungry behinds at our table. This has happened literally EVERY time we have gone there. Of course they offer a seat at their STUFFED bar as a consolation. Thanks guys. How thoughtful. There isn't a comfortable place to wait as there usually aren't actual seats open at the bar. I'm just saying---If waiting for your table is their 'schtick' then they need to make it a more pleasurable experience and provide some seats or something. If you are a girl and like wearing heels, this info is crucial! Sadly, Joe's used to be my husband's favorite steak restaurant. We would go there every year for his birthday. But, after the last time we figured there are just too many amazing steakhouses in Chicago to deal with this kind of reservation drama. So, our relationship with Joe's has fizzled. Now we just wave to the hungry people standing by the bar as we hoof it over to Mastero's. Oh...wait....so you want to know about the food? It's good. The service is great when you actually sit down. They are very friendly and accommodating to special needs and orders. But....so is Mastro's! Do the math.
(5)
Elise P.
Best steak I've ever had in my life! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. It's my favorite restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
David S.
The food was very good. Not great but very good. The wine list was overpriced. The service was also very good but not exceptional compared to its peers. The ambiance was fine but the temperature inside was far too hot -- so much so that three people in our party were ill. That ruined a $1100 meal, to be honest. All in all? This is a very good restaurant by ordinary standards in most cities. But this is Chicago, and Joe's is certainly not, in my opinion, in the first tier of Chicago restaurants.
(3)
Linda H.
The chilean seabass, roasted corn and crab legs and crab cakes were all extraordinarily fresh and amazing. Its hard to get a reservation...likely because the food is unbelievable but if you can grab a spot in the bar area at the last minute you won't even care about not being in the dining room since you'll be so busy enjoying your food. They have great service as well.
(5)
Christine H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants, I've been to in Chicago. My husband and I went for the first time in June for our anniversary. We ordered appetizers for starters. I had the colossal lump crab cake and my husband got the Shrimp de Jonghe; both were excellent. For our entrees we both ordered the Surf n' Turf; which included an 8oz filet mignon with a butter poached lobster tail. The steak was cooked to perfection and the lobster tail was absolutely one of the best I've ever had. We also ordered the Jennie's mashed potatoes, they were good as well but we prefer them without the crumble on top, the cheese mixed in the potatoes was a good addition. We knew we would order the Surf n' Turf before we arrived but after looking at the daily specials we decided to order an additional entree to share. We ordered the grilled Alaskan Halibut; we both love seafood but have never had halibut before. Although we have nothing to compare the halibut too, it was super flaky and flavorful and paired well with the rest of our food. Since we ordered so much food, of course we took a doggy bag home. But I still wanted to try the Key Lime pie that everyone was raving about. The key lime pie was great as well and they weren't stingy with the slice that they gave us either. This is my favorite restaurant now, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Samantha H.
This is definitely a business dinner type of place, not a date place. I have to say, I had high expectations for the steak considering many people have raved about it to me. I was definitely underwhelmed. It wasn't bad, but just average. I do have to say it was prepared perfectly and the medium rare was dead on. But the meat itself was just bland. Nothing special. They wet age all of their meats except the specials, but I'm not sure if this alone would've done it. I think I should've gone with seafood and, when I go back and try it, I will update my review. The stone crab is tasty, but it's a fight to eat. You have to work for that meat! It's meatier than Alaskan King or other types of crab but not a whole lot of meat. They do come pre-cracked though, which is key. The sides were also average. People were raving about the Jennie's potatoes but I found them average. Nothing bad again, just nothing great. At this price point you really have to be outstanding to shine. Now let's talk about what was outstanding: the service. They know they're a business dinner place and when people are expensing they're more liberal on the tip! Tim was our waiter and he was amazing. Honestly some of the best service I've ever had. Their wine list is also very, very good; however they have more than a 100% markup. Not that this is unique to them of course, but whenever I find a restaurant with say a 50% markup it's worth mentioning. The desserts were also excellent. Key lime pie, which I'm not normally a huge fan of, was the star. Service and desserts: outstanding! Steak and sides: average. I will definitely be getting seafood next time and hopefully adding a star!
(3)
Melinda C.
I was lucky enough to have been taken here by a vendor (i.e. not my wallet), and thoroughly enjoyed an orgasmicly delicious dinner full of spectacular food and unbelievable service. Having been to their egh sister restaurant in Miami, I was shocked to see the reviews on Yelp on the cab ride over to this place. Appetizer: stone crabs, giant shrimp, king crab (probably the best I've had in my life), served French style. So this means that as food is put in my mouth, more food is put on my plate. Served with delicious dipping sauces (clarified butter, dijonaise, and I think it was key lime sauce for the Madagascar grilled shrimp). Segue: totally luxuriously, I didn't have to get up to wash my hands after pawing through the seafood because they bring a chafing dish that you hold your hands over, and the waitress squeezes lemon and water and gives you a hot steamy towel. Leaves you with that fresh feeling and gets you ready for your main dish. Main course: bone-in ribeye steak. Absolutely delicious but was a pricey $45 and change. I think that Morton's has a better steak, but honestly I couldn't get over the appetizers and focus on the steak solely. It was just overload of goodness. Sides: they had a mushroom macaroni and cheese that unfortunately I did not get to try. Their mashed potatoes were great. But their star were the mushrooms. Honestly I'm not even sure how they made it, but each mushroom was quartered and sauteed in butter then grilled or something. They were honestly the best mushrooms (and therefore side for steak) I have ever had in my entire life. Dessert: as much as I was dying to try something based on what other yelpers have said, I honestly couldn't fit another bite and we were getting kicked out of that room (we had gotten there late). But at a steak joint of this caliber, I don't know when I'll ever have the chance of fitting in dessert. I'm curious to see if this is all normal events for this restaurant, or if this was the 'pull out all the stops for renting the back room' type of thing. I can't wait until I am back in Chicago to eat here again. The only thing bad was their mojito which was kind of 7-uppy but that's really all that I can say.
(5)
Angela D.
The joes scallops were good and the service was good. I have had much better king crab for a much lower price elseware. Wine selection also rather limited for this type of restaurant.
(3)
Lily R.
I've been dying to try Joe's stone crabs since my last visit to Miami. It didn't end up happening. Enter Chicago! I was so happy to see a Joe's out here so after a long day of shopping, we took the last reservation (10:30pm) and made our way to dinner. Nice atmosphere. Historic, Snazzy, all that jazz. We started with the stone crab claws & chardonnay. A+++ a total must if you visit this restaurant. Next time I visit, I will have an appetizer portion all to myself. Our wine paired perfectly with the crab meat and mustard sauce. We also shared the bone in Filet Mignon. B- as I like my steaks to have a little bit more seasoning. (think ruths chris) They brought us a little side portion of seasoning to add to taste..next time, I'll have them add it when they cook it. Cheesy potatoes were a little dry..I can imagine them being yummy if they were moist. C+ Our waiter was awesome. We weren't in a big wine drinking mood so he let us split a glass of Cab to go with our steaks. Everything went smoothly and we were very happy with dinner. Service here is top notch. Our coat check attendant even mapped our night club destination and helped us find our way!
(4)
Alison C.
I had just landed in Chicago on a business trip and needed to find a restaurant close to my hotel, which would serve a great lunch in an atmosphere where I could feel secure dining on my own. Though I was hailing from another big city, I had realized I rarely dined by myself, except in a fast food environment. However, I was traveling on business and deserved something substantial. I read some terrific reviews on Joe's and figured it had to possess a crowded bar scene, perfect for my solo meal. I found my way over the restaurant and was disappointed to find several patrons waiting outside for a table. My frown quickly turned upside down when I remembered that I was only in need of a mere bar stool. I strolled inside and approached the hostess stand to confirm that I was able to seat myself in the busy bar area. My naivete received some odd glances in response, so I scurried away, embarrassed by my true inexperience. I hopped up on a stool and sat myself amongst the other loners. I tried to study their behavior - playing with their cell phones, chatting up the bartender, reading a book. "I can do this!" I told myself. I exchanged pleasantries with the delightful mixologist, Dan, and perused the lengthy menu. I ordered the Seafood Chopped Salad and leaned back to watch the happenings behind the bar. I observed as Dan created Joe's signature Bloody Mary, complete with jumbo shrimp garnish. I took in the tourists, businessmen, and sports on the television, slowly feeling more comfortable. I was offered my own stuffed bread basket to keep my mouth entertained while I awaited my salad. I was soothed by sweet onion rolls, hearty raisin pumpernickel bread, and cheesy toast. My salad quickly arrived, and I was hooked from the first bite. The large platter of tender greens and crisp market vegetables was topped with plump shrimp, tender lobster claw meat, and chunky Alaskan King Crab. The shellfish was some of the freshest I have ever had. The house vinaigrette was light and full of well-balanced seasoning. It was definitely a five-star salad. I sadly completed my meal and settled the affordable bill. Though I did not want to walk away from the few remaining scraps on my plate, I did enjoy a certain pride in my first successful solo fine dining excursion. While the name invokes shutter-worthy images of chain steakhouses, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab far surpasses all others with its fresh ingredients and courteous atmosphere. This multi-location spot is not to be dismissed.
(5)
Jim K.
An absolutely wonderful dining experience. Our server, Tim, was the best! I highly recommend Joe's. The food and atmosphere were outstanding.
(5)
Anthony G.
Came here for a business trip. I kept hearing about how great it was from my Business Partners who had gone the previous year. Fantastic restaurant. The old school vibe and pictures of the old jazz singers hanging on the wall. It really makes you feel like you may have time traveled back. We showed up without reservations and luckily snagged some seats around the bar area. Very loud around this area, but what do you expect?! Inside the actual dining area, the noise level is much more tolerable. Food and drinks were outstanding. The waitress was very helpful in making sure that all of our steaks were cooked to our liking. Definitely going to be coming back when I am in the windy city again!
(4)
B J.
We went to Joe's on an overnight stopover in Chicago on a flight back from Rome to the west coast and decided to try Joe's based on the excellent reviews. Joe's is definitely an old school classic, dimly lit, waiters in classic black bow ties and jackets. Expensive, we knew this prior to coming. I have no problem with pricey restaurants as I've eaten at some of the world's best but you have to be worth it. We had a scallop entree and a mixed seafood grill and the stone crab appetizer. Sadly the seafood was overcooked (calamari was charred and rubbery) on both dishes although the stone crab was good, not great just good. The highlight was pie. We ordered half slices of the peanut butter pie and the hot fudge pie and the waiter was nice enough to bring a complimentary slice of key lime as it is a "must try". Best peanut butter pie I've had in a long time and the key lime pie and hot fudge were good too. I'd go back just for the peanut butter pie...but then again it's a long flight from California! Joe's definitely has some good points and is A-OK but does not come close to 5 stars, with the exception of the pie!
(3)
Ashley S.
I was so excited to come here and the food did not disappoint but unfortunately our waiter did. I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance for an anniversary dinner at 10PM which is the earliest I could get for dinner. I ordered joes green salad, for starters which was really good the lettuce was crisp and fresh. For my entree I had the filet and Alaskan king crab legs the date ordered the crab cakes and we shared the mashed potatoes. Every single mouthful of both entrees were delicious! The only reason that I'm not giving this 4 stars is because our waiter for lack of a better word...sucked. Chas H (I only know his name from looking at the bill because he never introduced himself) was not friendly and not helpful. This was our first visit here and after reading the reviews we were expecting great service. It seemed like he just did not want to wait on us. It took about 15 min for him to even come over and let us know that he was our waiter. He would disappear for periods of time throughout the meal. He wasn't rude or mean but when I spend $130 on a meal I want to be treated like a valued customer. If I come back, hopefully ill get to experience some of this great service that other yelpers are talking about.
(3)
Katy O.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing, but here I go. - I may have had service as good as this in my life, but never better. Our waiter helped us to make great decisions for a flawless meal and also helped me to wrangle my stone crab meat out of the claw without making me feel like a spaz. - The stone crab claw appetizer is expensive but so delicious. - Best lobster I have ever eaten. - My husband's favorite dessert might be key lime pie. This is the best key lime pie either of us has ever tasted. AMAZING. This is going on my list of all-time favorite restaurants.
(5)
Janet E.
We came here for restaurant week and had a great time! Comfortable booth seating, excellent service by Jeff, and the food was delicious! For $22 it was a steal! There were two options on the restaurant week menu and we ordered one of each. Why does it lose a star? Well, there were a couple of accidents during our meal so lots of plates and glass cups breaking. Plus, the Manhattan clam chowder was missing the clams! It was more like vegetable soup. I wonder how the lobster bisque would have been.... Other than that, everything was great! The restaurant was crazy busy, even at around 3pm people were still funneling in to be seated for a meal! For those that missed out, you are in luck because the restaurant extended their restaurant week menu for another week!
(4)
JR W.
The food was great - Alaskan King Crab Legs and stone crab claws tasted so fresh and juicy. Dry aged bone in sirloin was probably the best my fiance's ever had, and we both agreed that the key lime pie, from the crust to the texture/flavor of the filling, was hands down the best (free slice for newcomers). Mac 'n cheese might've been the only letdown, wasn't bad, just average. I really liked Gabriel, the server that snapped and snipped the AKCL in front of us - sometimes he'll do 50 a night! I also really liked the other server who squeezed lemon juice and patted hot towels on our hands. The only server I did not like was the main waiter who seemed a little bored. I think his only duty was to recite a few things - other than that I did not see him lift one finger. Valet parking is only 11.99 at Joe's - the surrounding places are about 12-15.
(4)
Stacy S.
We were visiting from Chicago and made a reservation for 9 people. The service and food were excellent. Everyone loved their meals: steak, fish and crab. You can't go wrong no matter what you order.
(5)
C D.
the best high class seafood dining restaurant in the city. I love the food and the service was excellent!
(5)
Dana K.
This is quality seafood. I can't wait to go back. The lobster was absolutely incredible. And it's nice to know the non-seafood fans can get a perfectly cooked and charred steak. Wonderful experience.
(5)
X B.
Yummy! Crab claws are yummy, we order the jumbo size ones, must order but PRICEY! I had the bone in filet mignon, cooked to medium rare, it was dry aged. Fantastically well done. So why the four stars? I ordered sauteed spinach and it was toooooooo salty. Key lime pie was a great disappointment. We saw the reviews on yelp and had to get it. It was average. So far, the best tasting one we had was at Morton's steakhouse. Service is excellent! They scraped the table multiple times and asked if they could clear dishes away before doing so. It has better service than Providence.
(4)
Timothy L.
The second mortgage was good...but I wish we would have just got more stone crab. Service was incredible. Next time, I will eat in the bar.
(5)
Thomas B.
Wonderful place and wonderful atmosphere to share with friends and family. Staff was personable, professional, and efficient. The food was very good and worth the price. The place reminded my of authentic class without trying to be trendy chic.
(5)
Katie C.
My family and I loved our experience here. We were running a bit late for a show and told our server, who expedited our entire meal so that we were able to make it on time - super nice of him, and helpful for us. I got the scallops and pork belly and it was awesome. We had quite a mixture of items off the menu among the 7 of us, and everyone was in love w/everything ordered. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Lindsey E.
Firstly, we went at 4:30 because it was the only time that was available for reservations. We got seated right away. Our server Frankie was AMAZING!!! Really, we left him a 25% tip because he was so good. Every server in every restaurant needs to take lessons from Frankie. We had never been to a crab house so he explained to us about the history of Joe's in Miami and Las Vegas, as well as all about their menu offerings and specials. I've never tried crab meat cold, but since it was the house specialty we ordered the King Crab legs as an appetizer on Frankie's suggestion. WOW!! How awesome! Plus the mustard sauce was the BEST! From the time we ordered til we got our main course was literally only 15 minutes! And everything came in the right order (bread, appetizer, meal) My husband had the New York Strip and I had Mahi-Mahi. It's been a LONG time since I've had good Mahi (I mean like 7 years ago in Hawaii long time). But this was spot on! My husband's NYS was cooked perfectly. We split a side of Jenny's Mashed Potatos. Which were hopped up on cheese (great!). As an added surprise since we were from out of town and it was our first visit Frankie gave us a complimentary piece of Key Lime Pie. It was TO DIE FOR!!! Just as Key Lime should be - light yellow in color and not too tart. What a perfect ending to a perfect meal! I HIGHLY recommend Joe's as a romantic evening. Only one note - if you have small children under say...10 years old - just go somewhere else. I'd like to have a nice dinner with my husband without children in the restuarant. I personally wouldn't take my own children out of respect for the other patrons For a $100 check without gratuity I don't really want to hear your kids talking anywhere near my earshot.
(5)
Alex V.
My first time at Joe's, and I walked away very impressed. I started off the 2nd mortgage seafood appetizer selection, which was insanely fresh. My main course was their standard 12oz filet, which was cooked to perfection. The outside of the steak was crisp, but not charred, while inside was like butter. The sides were amazing as well, but my peanut butter pie desert was the most memorable item. The service was outstanding, and I really enjoyed the ambiance. The place was upscale without being pretentious or stuffy. The pricing was also reasonable considering the quality of the fare.
(5)
Nancy D.
Went here for the first time for the fiance's birthday about a year ago. very fancy shmancy, but well worth it. I was so impressed with everything that I tried lobster, crab, and shrimp for the first time! For my budget, it's a once-a-year place, but definitely worthy it.
(5)
Liang H.
This place is amazing. This was a treat and I got the 20 oz bone in ribeye, while my dinner companion got the 16 oz bone in filet mignon, we shared the onion straws and steak fries sides, and for dessert I had coconut cream pie while they had the key lime pie. My 20 oz bone in ribeye came with a beautiful crust, cooked perfectly medium, juicy, with a generous amount of fat marbling.. Yum. I ate the entire thing in one sitting. The companion said the filet mignon was good, and the sides were plentiful for two people. Tip: Get a half order of the onion straws, a full order is giant and the half order could easily feed three people. The coconut cream pie was made with fresh whipped cream and was very decadent. I tried a bite of my companion's key lime pie and it was perfectly tart, with fresh lime flavor, a nice crust, and tasted quite refreshing. There is a complimentary bread basket with an assortment of goods, like onion bread, sesame parmesan wafers, and sweet raisin biscotti- like crisp bread. Yum. This restaurant is very expensive, but the food quality and service is top notch. During our one hour stay here, my water glass was filled about eight times, such that every few sips I took, it was refilled. Very fast and efficient service also, we waited maybe ten minutes for our steaks.
(5)
Gabriela M.
Food is great. The Whiskey Smash @nd Havana Dream Pie are a must! New on their menu... Seared Sea Scalops are amazing!
(4)
Tom G.
Having their bone in filet has ruined me. No steak will ever compare.
(5)
Kristina K.
Solid service and solid food. A lot of people ask what they should do with their Lettuce gift card and more often than not, Chicagoans will recommend Joe's Seafood. I don't know why I was surprised by this, but surprisingly, their fillet mignon was flawlessly executed. I thought it was one of those places that tacked on "Prime Steak" to their name even though, they were only good at seafood. Joe's is not the case; they make excellent seafood and flawless steak. I don't know what's the big deal about stone crabs, maybe I need to have more to understand the rave. Don't worry if you're in shorts. Summers in Chicago can be a scorcher. Because Joe's is approximately close to over 7 hotels, they waitstaff accommodates a lot of tourists and understandably those in shorts. Often they seat the less formal diners upstairs, above the bar/entry.
(4)
Chase D.
Scallops & Pork Belly were something special. I've worked in the restaurant business for 10 yrs. and these little gems brought me to my knees.
(5)
Char Y.
We came for lunch on a week day for restaurant week, and were seated immediately. The restaurant itself was super crowded for lunch and we ordered lobster bisque - ok, unremarkable. Manhattan clam chowder - we were confused because it tasted like vegetable food with little bits of clams. 4 stone crab claws - ok, they are sweet but i don't get what they are so expensive steak - yum. very well seasoned. key lime pie - i never had so many key lime pies in my life within 1 week, but this is just ok. Not tart enough nor big enough. boston cream pie - very good. loved the banana pieces inside. Our server, Monique, was good, until the dessert round. We were lost in the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, and we waited 20 minutes for dessert!
(3)
Amaris B.
One of the best meals I've had in downtown Chicago. The chops were delicious and cooked properly and the stone crab was to die for. Not to mention the PIE!! Homemade deliciousness, they're famous for it. The sides are all shared and some of them were good, the vegetables were kind of lacking and I didn't much care for the salad. What really stood out for me is the service. Our server was sensational. She helped us with everything, wine pairings and how much to order for our party (since the sides are all separate and family style). It was also a birthday celebration so they were extra accommodating!!! When we arrived for our 8:30 reservation they were a little overbooked. But the manager, Ryan, came right over and explained to us the situation and asked if we'd be willing to wait another half an hour or so. He offered a round of drinks if we were willing to wait. Right then and there he took our drink orders (all 10 of us) and brought out the drinks himself since he couldn't get a cocktail server right away. And if that wasn't reward enough, we had appetizers awaiting us at the table along with desert all comped by Joe's for our troubles. I can't wait to go! This place is definitely a spot to visit at least twice a year if you like dining out! Valet is worth it and cheap, only $12 bucks. If you got it, Valet it.
(5)
Kelly S.
Any place that's good enough for Hugh Hefner is good enough for me. ... he dined three tables away from me when I was here. I enjoyed a meal here after a long day with very important people from the company I work for (no, not Playboy). I am going to get this part out of the way... the ONLY downside to my experience here was the service. It was rushed, impersonal, and felt contrived. They are focused on turning tables as quickly as possible (while attempting to make the guests feel like they are having a nice, leisurely dinner). Okay. Negative aspect done. The food. OHHHHHH the food. - Of course we had the crab. Cold. Because the chef recommends it that way to best enhance the flavor. - Petite fillet. That I cut with my BUTTER knife. Melted in my mouth. - Bacon wrapped scallops. BIG ones. Three of them. A very sweet dish. - Mac n cheese. This aint Kraft. Brown and crunchy on top, oooey goeey inside. - Creamed spinach. - Onion strings. - and perfectly blanched broccoli with lemon. This Joe's has an old worldy feel that takes you back to a time when business men would take long lunches, enjoy a few cocktails, make plans to knock off their neighbor, and return to work at city hall. It's warm and seductive. It's mature and structured. It's Heff's choice. I could have lingered over my pino noir a lot longer... had the next reservation not been waiting for my table.
(4)
Arleen E.
We have pretty much tried most varieties of crab, however, we've never had stone crab. We tried to walk in at 5pm on Monday thinking the restaurant would be able to accommodate a small party of three. Well, the earliest they could do was 9:30 pm so we opted for a Wednesday night reservation instead. Love the interiors of this Chicago restaurant. The bar, host stand, coat check/reservations counter are all located as you walk in. Lots of details, dark wood, leather, wrought iron chandeliers, tile ceilings - love it! The dining room is huge - again lots of the same details. Black and white photos from the 30s through 50s (?) adorn the walls. The atmosphere is vibrant and loud - like a huge family gathering. Plates and platters find their way through the dining room giving you a peek of what looks good. The service is impeccable and spot on. I cannot find one thing to complain about. Now for the food... first bad news - no Stone Crab. Bummer. So we went ahead and ordered Calamari and Oysters Rockefeller to start. Both were very good. Calamari was nicely seasoned and fried. I ordered the 16oz Rib Eye medium rare with 3 sides to share - Crispy Onion Strings, Green Beans Amandine and Roasted Sweet Corn. My steak came to the table medium (instead of medium rare). Our server apologized and tookit back. The second one was delivered by the manager who asked me to cut through the center - medium plus. Oh dear. This time, more apologies and a round of desserts were offered with their compliments. They did ask me if there was something they could offer for the overdone steaks... Ah, Stone Crab, perhaps? :-) It would usually upset me when this happens, but the dining experience other than the entree was pretty amazing. The staff seemed very sincere and extremely apologetic that I didn't mind at all. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the windy city. Maybe they'll have Stone Crab next time!
(4)
Saira K.
The Havana Dream Pie was warmth and comfort in otherwise cold, dreary, gray Chicago (memories of the Monster Storm).
(5)
A. N.
They have a great lunch menu that combines some of the restaurant's highlights like key lime pie and the crab claws. I got the crab bisque, which I highly recommend! It was creamy and delicious. My sister got the peanut butter pie for dessert, which was rather heavy so I would only suggest that if you are in the mood for rich, heavy food! They make the cole slaw at the table. I'm not a fan of cole slaw, but I appreciated that this was very fresh. The small sides are large enough to share. We tried the (au gratin?) potatoes, which were yummy but had difficultly competing with the claws! Our waitress was helpful and the atmosphere is upscale and refined.
(4)
M. F.
Amazing food, pretty pricey, but worth it if you're willing to splurge. SUPER loud, crowded and crazy, but, fortunately I was in a private party in a quiet backroom. I had the stuffed mushrooms, calamari, shrimp de jonghe, petite filet, mashed potatoes, and a boston cream pie for dessert. wha-whaaaaat??? Yeah, I lived it up. What's up?
(5)
Nicole M.
***Restaurant week*** Tried both options Crab was good and done to perfection taste wise, but too difficult to eat bc so small. The hash browns were really just a huge lump of flavorless dry potatoes browned on each side. The cole slaw was okay, but comes unmixed. The server didn't tell us anything about the food until we asked, they just threw it on the table and left. However the cheesy mashed potatoes were creamy and well seasoned...yum! The grilled tomato was surprisingly delicious. I am not a fan of tomatoes, but Joe's really perfected this dish! The filet lived up to the expectations of a typical steakhouse, no complaints there. Only tried the banana cream pie for dessert. Wow! It was very good but what was more impressive was the very generous portion. I could have just ate pie for dinner. Very diverse wine list as well. Should meet every budget and taste. Atmosphere was kind of plain, too bright, and way too loud! Next time I'll request a booth. Overall - food 4 stars, portions 5 stars, Service 3.5 stars, atmosphere 3 stars. This was our first time there and the verdict is we'd go back.
(4)
louis t.
Ohh Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. How I love thee... One of THE BEST steak, seafood, creamed spinach, and nummy nums (dessert). Classy, tasteful, and extraordinary service. I come here every time I'm in town. As well as Miami's location, of course.
(5)
lynda r.
Went to Joes and our meals are always the best from the steaks to the seafood, they tried different vegetables and they had a broccoli/cauliflower combination which was terrible, had a burnt flavor ,it was terrible,with the best food in town, they have to take this dish off the menu!!!
(5)
Chris C.
One of my top five places to eat in the downtown Chicago area. When I was working all the time, one of the benefits was food that was paid for and delivered by a place like DiningIn. Working on the weekend, we'd get about a $50 daily allowance for food. And if some people in the group weren't working that weekend, it was practice to include them in our food budget. Whenever DiningIn added Joe's and I could scrounge up a $200 budget, I'd make sure to order a feast for the (now ex-) girlfriend and I from Joe's. Even delivered, the food is phenomenal. I highly recommend the stone crab (best in late summer / early fall for some reason) in a size larger than their smallest offering (too much shell removal work for those small crabs). One time I splurged on the bone-in filet and it was the 2nd best bone-in filet I've ever had (David Burke's Primehouse is still better). Desserts here are unreal as well. The apple pie is huge and delicious. The peanut butter pie doesn't fail, either. They have a very diverse menu that will likely be able to satisfy a large party with different tastes.
(5)
Silvia J.
I was finally able to get a reservation. There was an opening for Easter brunch, and since it was my birthday and I always wanted to try this place out, I booked it. Boy! Now I know why they are constantly highly rated! It has been a very long time where BOTH the food AND the service were excellent. The stone crab was sweet like the sea it came from which indicates that it is very fresh. The key lime pie was exactly the way it is in Florida (I am very discerning with my key lime pie having eaten it there when my Sister lived in Miami). Our server was extremely personable. He was genuine and even had a sense of humor. Definitely not pretentious. Even though this is a high end restaurant, I never felt snubbed nor restricted. It was a very positive and relaxing environment. I will definitely be back at Joe's!
(5)
Sam R.
I went to Joe's three times in three days while in Chicago. It's that good! Make sure you get the stone crab lunch special. Highlights includes or $28, you get a sampling of stone crab, soup, cole slaw, potatoes and key lime pie. The bone in filet is the best filet in the country and save room for the key lime pie.
(5)
Timothy M.
I am a former Lettuce employee and this place still doesn't disappoint. Went for a quiet lunch. Oysters were great. Stone crab soup great. Seafood platter was the only disappointing part of the meal. Cod was dry. Scallops were not seared properly. Service was good. Our waiter was attentive but seemed to be a bit confused with the menu and offered little help with our wine selection. I will return of course.
(3)
Victoria R.
Well we're not in Miami... but it tastes just as good! Stone crabs, fried green tomatoes, hash browns, key lime pie... you just can't go wrong with Joe's. Went on Sunday with my family, had great corner both and great service. Certainly look forward to going again.
(4)
Becca S.
I love Joe's and can't say anything bad about it. I've been several times. The service is impeccable, the food is delicious, and I don't mind having to wait because to me it's another sign it's so good. However... I went Monday night for my Uncle's birthday. We had a reservation for 4 people at 7:30 and didn't get seated until almost 9:00 PM. I thought this was a little extreme, even for Joe's. The dining room was full of tables of men in suits, so perhaps they were all business meetings that ran long. Joe's comped our appetizers and dessert, and I know the extreme wait is not commonplace but I still ended up not getting home until after 11 PM on a Monday! Past my bedtime. The first several times I went I got the glazed black cod. I tried it once on a recommendation and it was so good it's all I ever ordered. Apparently cod is becoming harder to come by (??) so they no longer offer my favorite entree. I had the Chilean sea bass with a miso glaze which was quite delicious, but I will miss my cod!
(4)
Leslie P.
Although I hesitate to choose the best place for steak in Chicago, this may be it. You can't go wrong, but the bone-in filet is absolutely amazing. The seafood is wonderful too, if you're not a red meater (crab legs, crab legs, crab legs!). This is place is expensive, but I don't feel bad about it after having a meal like that. I have been a few times over the past couple of years or so, and it's always perfection.
(5)
Brian S.
Another 5 star review for Joe's!! *Please* don't confuse it with Joe's Crab Shack. I just got back from lunch at Joe's a few minutes ago; it was probably my 5th or 6th time there, once for dinner and the rest for lunch. It was, as always, fantastic. I've had fair to poor experiences at other restaurants in the same stratum, but Joe's is batting 1.000 thus far. In fact, I've neither been disappointed in a single menu item nor the service each time I've dined there. The stone crab claws are good, par for the course. The mustard sauce that accompanies the claws set them apart. I don't even care much for most mustards, but this sauce is fantastic. The steaks are upper-echelon and are comparable to any of the usual suspects for "best steak in Chicago". I've had the King Crab legs and lobster tail once each and each item was fantastic. A few more things: - The menu is a la carte, as opposed to table d'hote/prix fixe. If you are price-sensitive, be careful what you order - The sides are large and meant to be shared almost like tapas. If you were to order an entree and two sides, it'd be too much. - The atmosphere is "Rat-Packish" and the crowd is a little more mature than you might find at some other places. Don't be surprised if you hear the Chairman of the Board crooning over the sound system. - Get a reservation. - This is definitely not fast food. If you have something planned afterward, such as an opera or a movie, plan for 2-3 hours spent in the restaurant.
(5)
Joe M.
Delicious! They crack the crab legs open for you so you can eat them cleanly. All the sides were good. Top of the line!
(5)
Chris R.
OK, so you all know about the Stone Crab Claws...or at least I'd hope so.....but here is where it's really at....Crab Bisque; the friend chicken (order an entree as an app for the table); King Crab Legs (cut tableside...no mess!!!), and Apple Pie. The steaks are very good too, but that's not why you go to Joe's it's all about the crab and friend chicken!
(5)
Jacob A.
David Major at Joe's Seafood offers the best service paired with best food. Most attentive, friendly first class service. Thanks David for making it an awesome first visit! We'll be back soon. (Extra: David said he went to school with Michelle Obama.)
(5)
Peter S.
The food and service were outstanding once again. Our captain Oz S guided us through the evening to a perfect voyage, A perfect way to celebrate a special birthday. Try thr crab legs and the oysters rockefeller.
(5)
Kathryn T.
Go to Joe's, sit at the bar and order a martini. And NOT one of those fruity ones! A classic martini, maybe a little dirty. Go ahead, order a second martini; you put in a hard day of work. For dinner, start off with the stone crab, and then order your favorite cut of steak and a side of fried green tomatoes. Don't forget a robust red wine to go with the steak. You're stuffed. But what the hell, order dessert. After all, Joe's specializes in amazing pie and the Boston cream pie is delicious. And that, my friends, is how you dine on a corporate credit card.
(4)
Emily C.
What a great find! I ordered the Madagascar shrimps and they were incredibly juicy and had the perfect level of firmness. The buttery dipping sauce and zesty lemon made for a great blend of flavors. I tried the bacon wrapped scallop dish as well and it was pretty decent. However, the shrimps definitely surpassed the scallops. Macaroni and cheese was pretty good as well. Loved the crunchy grated cheese sprinkles on top.
(4)
marc r.
The food is good, the service is good. Its just the type of people that go there. Its a little stuffy for my taste, and the price did not match the experience. One weird thing that happened, though, is that after my girlfriend and I ordered our drinks and food, we noticed that the couple two tables down ordered the exact same thing before us! Ha!
(3)
Donna S.
Joe's is consistently PHENOMENAL! We had eaten at the one in Vegas quite a few times and enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere. Tried the one in Chicago and it was just as perfect! If you're in Chicago in January try their Butterscotch pie. They only have it in January!
(5)
Amy H.
THE BEST CRAB LEGS EVER!!! I dined here on the company dime. We went all out that night ordering seafood platters, steaks, and wine galore!! I couldn't believe how much I ate that night! Everything was fantabulous! The crab legs were the best part of the meal for me. So incredibly fresh that I thought I might see a little crab on crutches hobble out of the kitchen.
(5)
Melissa K.
I think Joe's has excellent food each time I go there but that's not why they get my five stars. I experienced what I felt to be a service irregularity (not bad, mind you, just different than what I'd expected) when I was there a couple weeks ago and after a few days decided to write them an email through their corporate website, expecting to get some form email back. When I say their response was immediate, I'm talking Superman swift. Not only did I get a phone call right away from the general manager (which I missed and got a very nice voice mail), I got a follow up email, an invitation to him call back any time and a better explain of what happened and during the call got my issue shored up. I had a great conversation with the manager Eric and have so much more respect for the operation they run just by way of how they handled my problem. I'll be returning not just for the food, but also due to their total appreciation for their customers.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Pinkie B.
We came here for dinner partly because it was right around the corner from our hotel. I was a bit reserved because this was a 'chain' restaurant. The other one is in las vegas. I made a reservation a few hours ahead and we were seated promptly. The servers were extremely friendly and attentive who never missed a beat! They even arranged the orientations of the butter/bread plates so the easier for our reach. The food came out really quickly considering the size of the restaurant. We ordered stonecrab bisque and salad for starters, my psuedo bf got the fillet mignon and stonecrab combo, and I had the special: bluelipped grouper from new zealand. Lastly we shared a key lime pie. The portions were big. I would rate the service a whooping 5 stars, the food at a solid 4. Everything was pretty tasty but it wasn't spectacular.
(4)Cindy D.
Year after year, I've been trying to get a reservation at this place for my husband's birthday. You literally have to make it 3-4 weeks in advance. That being said, I couldn't get a reservation on his birthday, so I made one for mine (it's 3 weeks apart :P). Here's what we got. 1. Oyster Rockerfeller - DELICIOUS!!! the oyster was smothered with cheese and spinach and it was cooked perfectly. Comes with 4 pieces. 2. Bone in ribeye - first couple of bites was really good, but I guess it's dimishing returns and just OK. They give you a salt/pepper spice to put onto the steak, and revived some good flavor, but I'm used to David Burke's tenderness throughout the meal 3. Select order of Stone Crab - I've never had this before, so I thought it was more flavorful than snow crab legs.. it really was not. It was OK, but not great flavor. I prefers crab legs over the claws for sure! 4. Jennie's potatoes - ehhh.. it was good, but I need some more fontina cheese flavor 5. Green Bean Almadine - good, traditional veggie dish Overall the food was mediocre and I really don't think I'll be back anytime soon. Just not my cup of tea. However, service is awesome!!! Charles knew we were celebrating a birthday so a free brownie ice cream dessert was sent to our table.
(3)Kathleen C.
Hi, can I please pay $50/person (for lunch) so that I can have stuff spilled on me, be bumped into every 3 minutes, and get sick off some anemic, drowned in garlic shrimp? Thank you, drive through.
(2)Roxi S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Excellent food and customer service. I recently hosted a large dinner for 32 people and the staff was fantastic! Meeting planners were easy to deal with and answered my questions promptly! We have been going here for years and will continue to do so. EXCELLENT FOOD and SERVICE!!!
(5)Ali V.
We went here for my husband's birthday, and it's a perfect place for a special occasion! Great wine list, really friendly, attentive service and a neat experience, we loved it! Excellent crab bisque, key lime pie... I had tempura lobster tails, and my hubby had stone crab and petite filets. He was very happy with his steak, after the waiter, Mike, made a real effort to be sure he would get his steak exactly as he wanted-and he did! By the way, the crystal crab pins everyone mentions actually have some significance. The staff purchases them as part of their uniform for $25, and sells them to customers for $25. All monies go to fund that helps employees who are out for 'twisting their ankle' or when they're down on their luck. Pretty neat, and more than just flair! We loved this place, and I don't understand why people feel they don't have to dress up any more to go to a nice restaurant! When you're spending this kind of money, why not take a time make it extra special? This is the kind of place where you'll want to be a little dressy than not. It's pricey, but could be done on a budget too. Make a reservation! Treat yourself, Joe's is great! As always, we're impressed with Lettuce Entertain You places. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. We'll be back, or in another LEYE place soon!
(5)Doe L.
my experience at joe's was spectacular! i was expecting to be disappointed with at least ONE thing that we got but i wasn't! everything exceeded my expectations. first of all, get a reservation. the party before me did not have was and was furious that the wait was two hours for a table. first of all, what did you really expect?! fortunately for me, i had a reservation and only waited about 10-15 minutes (i was half an hour early). (+1 star) the seats are a little crowded. they certainly take advance of their small space. we started with the stone crabs. it was cracked so that you don't have to do it yourself (although you have to peel the shell off yourself). the mustard sauce was AMAZING! wow, i was debating about having my waiter box up that sauce for me so i can throw it on a sandwich... your hands get a little messy from the crab but they bring a hot towel out after for you to wipe up. (+1 star) the steaks we ordered were delicious! cooked very nicely to our preferences. (+1 star) you have to order sides with your steaks but one side (around $7) is decently sized and can be shared. the creamed garlic spinach and the sliced tomatoes were very yummy. my date's meal came with a half slice of banana cream pie. we were already stuffed at this point so we were happy it was only half a slice... when they brought out the plate, it looked like a regular slice of pie! this was a half slice??? how big is the pie?! although we were beyond full, we devoured that pie.. it was DELICIOUS! real slices of bananas inside and topped with pecans and caramel. (+1 star) i loved our waiter. he was cute, elderly man and when he spoke, it was with so much happiness yet authority. it really sounded like he knew what he was talking about. he really made the experience over the top. (+1 star)! i can't wait to go back!
(5)R S.
Impressive. 4.5 stars. The food here is incredible. My friend and I had drinks at the bar while waiting for our table. Easy way to pass some time and work up our appetites. We started with the shrimp cocktail which was pretty good. Not the best I've had, but definitely good. My friend had a filet - he said it was delicious and about an 8/10. I ordered the ahi tuna which was excellent quality - I was very pleased. We also ordered steamed asparagus with lemon butter - a zesty and perfect side dish. Of course we topped it off with some delicious dessert. The staff was friendly, our waiter was wonderful. I cannot wait until another special occasion - the perfect excuse to revisit Joe's.
(4)Myles A.
Great food. Great service. Can get loud during peak times.
(4)Stephen G.
Yeah this is one of the finest in Chicago, Listen to the other 5 star reviews!
(5)Robert C.
Had the signature steak,,the bone in fillet, stone crab, baked oysters with cheese, key lime pie and some chocolate thingy. Everything was good, service was good and helpful. Wait time is long even if you are a bit early with your reservation.
(4)Victoria h.
Went here for the office holiday lunch. There were only 8 of us, so we all sat at 1 table. The bosses are very generous and ordered a ton of food. There were appetizers, salads, main course, deserts, lots of wine and champaign. Everything was mouthwatering. I love crab cakes. I love crab cakes at Joe's. The steak is amazing, it falls apart in your mouth. I tried the salmon, it was smooth like butter. I didn't even need to chew it, I did it anyways. All salads are delicious. I don't discriminate, neither should you. I haven't had the Stone Crab, but everyone else at the table did. They also ordered the lobster and said that it was amazing. No matter what you order at Joe's, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Ryan K.
I've only been here twice. Both instances were celebratory work dinners. So price was never an issue. So perhaps my view of the proceedings is slanted because I didn't have to pony up the $300 at the end of it all. Tips: - Madagascar shrimp were the biggest I've ever seen. - Possibly a top five fried chicken too. - They were able to accommodate me and serve my steak blue. I always appreciate that. - Don't miss the soft shell if is in season.
(5)sasha z.
Went for Lunch with a bunch of bankers and my boss - Prefixed menu - the salad was like all the leftovers and left over pieces of veggies were combined together. radish and corn really? green beans? (my mom when she was in a hurry IN RUSSIA used to make soup like that - my sister and I called it - Garbage soup) For main course you had a choice of steak or fish. I got the ahi-seared tuna - which was way over seasoned, felt like i was licking pepper entire time. For dessert I got key lime pie. SO SWEET i thought I would turn diabetic right there - I've had better from Costco. And the entire time I had to sit and stare at this HUGE man staring back at me from the wall. WHO IS THAT? Perhaps it was because of prefixed menu, they want to get you in and out, sad to say it was not a good experience.
(2)Matt T.
I'm a vegetarian. I mean, I eat cheese and sometimes eggs, but I hadn't eaten an animal with eyes for over ten years... Until Joe's. We went for an office party, so we lucked out and got to try all kinds of amazing appetizers and whatever entrees we wanted. Crab cakes, King Crab legs, Snow Crab legs, and damn near anything with crab or lobster in it. I felt small pangs of guilt welling up inside of me as I chowed down on those poor undeserving animals. But, OMG, was it good. So good, in fact, that I am now re-thinking my whole "non-eating of animal-types" diet. Those crabs could have pinched me with their pincers - they are mean old animals. They deserve to die... ? And I definitely want to go back. On someone else's dime.
(5)Robin B.
We made reservations for 6, we had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, which was perfect for a pre dinner cocktail. Nothing on the menu was disappointing, our group had the Alaskan King Crab, Stuffed Sole, NY Strip, Fillet Mignon. For appetizers we had the stone crab. A good to know is they crack the Alaskan King Crab for you where you can just use your appetizer fork, so no painful hands here. The service really made this visit special. I wish I would have got the server's name to write in this review, because he was impeccable. He had the table perfectly set for what we each ordered, without any of us noticing. He could tell some of us had never had stone crab and jumped in to show us how to properly eat it, without embarrassing anyone. He had auto gratuity on the bill, however we all felt that was not enough and threw in an extra $80 for the service that exceeded our expectations. We never had to ask for anything, it was like he could read our minds. In the end he sent over two complimentary Key Lime Pie slices which was a perfect ending to the night.
(5)Jennifer N.
We decided to try Joe's after seeing all the rave ratings on Yelp. When we walked in we thought the decor was nice and old school comfortable - like nice steakhouse. Then it goes downhill after we are seated. We're usually not that fussy about dinnerware but our wine glasses had smudges, fingerprints, quite possibly lipstick, and a nice coat of dust (not just any dust but visible yellow and black particles) - we got those changed out. Then our plates came - 2 out of 3 had remnants of food - we got those changed. So by now I think our server hates us. After all this is downtown restaurant so the prices were well within our expectations - the selection and quality? Definitely not as good as Bob Chinn's or even McCormick and Schmicks for that matter. We ordered: Reisling, 2nd Mortgage - just loved the name, Full House, clam chowder and crab bisque, Stone Crabs, Bone-in ribeye, creamed spinach, and fried green tomatoes The appetizers were just okay (oyster rockefeller was burnt) and soups were decent. My personal opinion - I found out I don't like stone crab claws - cold, not very flavorful, and the shell bits all over your plate. Creamed spinach was standard. My server forgot to tell us that the kitchen was out of green tomatoes when we asked why one dish was missing. We got two slices of beefsteak tomatoes slathered with creamed spinach and melted mozzarella instead -- lets just say don't do this at home kiddies - it was just all wrong. The only saving grace was the perfectly cooked rib-eye - tender and flavorful. (Possibly the only reason I can give this place 3 stars). So we are happy again. The we ordered dessert - apple pie ala mode and ice cream sundae. The ice on both arrived half melted. Arggghh It doesn't end here! When we asked for the check, it totalled $873 - so I believe we got the check for the table of 9 next to us. We try to notify a server (ours was no where to be found) who politely takes a look and says "I don't think this is yours, let me see what I can do" and walks away. Our server appears with our check without a word and drops it off - no smile, no apology, no acknowledgement of why he had to give us another check. Perhaps this was an off night for Joe's. I wouldn't know because I don't think we will go back.
(3)Yvonne C.
Insanely luxurious and pleasurable dining experience. Filet mignon (cooked perfectly with amazing meaty flavor), bone-in rib eye (also cooked perfectly with just the right amount of delicious, soft and crisp fat to show off the meat), Alaskan king crab legs (amazingly tender and juicy with a lovely briny flavor, served with hot melted butter), stone crab claws (YUM), mashed potatoes with cheesy toasted breadcrumbs on top (omg), green beans with almonds (perfectly cooked with a bit of crunch, and the almonds were delicious on their own), and then for dessert? Banana cream pie with a cinnamon crumble crust; peanut butter pie with a chocolate crumbly crust and hot fudge; key lime pie; old fashioned apple pie; and delicious hot coffees.... OH MY. Everything was cooked TO PERFECTION. The chefs could probably make all the food blindfolded; it was incredible. Plus, the service staff are so wonderful (professional and personable) - all throughout the evening I felt like a queen! I felt spoiled; it was a heavenly evening and I left, very happy and thankful. Thank you, Joe's!
(5)Janine G.
Man I really really love joes, really upscale restaurant... the food is absolutely delicious, me and my boyfriend try to make it there at least once out the month... the gulf shrimps and the lobster tempura are absolutely delicious, you cannot go wrong at joes...
(5)Nick K.
I'll have to admit that I was pretty disappointed after reading all the raving reviews about Joe's. We went on a Thursday night and it was pretty busy when we got there, but emptied out later in the night. My wife and I both got the bisque (i forget whether its lobster or crab). While it was very good, it was nearly as good as David Burke's or N9ne. I then got the snow crab claws and were disappointed with them. They were good, but hard to eat (expected) and were pretty much frozen when they were served to us. While our experience wasn't terrible, there are too many other good places in the city to go back to for me.
(3)Zack C.
I don't like seafood, but the stone crab claws were actually bearable until I started thinking about what I was eating. The crab bisque is very creamy. Lobster macaroni and cheese is something else. Steak is steak. The dessert pies are delectable.
(3)Craig Glenn S.
I love Joe's don't get me wrong there food is excellent and so is the wait staff. If I had to pick between Joe's and Hugo's, Hugo's wins hands down for me. I just prefer a little more casualness then Joe's. I'm strictly giving Joe's 4 stars based on my like for other seafood places... you can't go wrong with either though!
(4)Mopsie B.
I didn't not like it but it's definitely a pale comparison to Shaw's. And I used to work for Lettuce Entertain You, a long time ago. While I don't take anything away from "concept restaurants," I find them a bit inauthentic in this day and age. After all is said and done, it's a chain. Which means it will look, feel and taste the same in Vegas. But all that said, I thought the service was very good (if a bit long winded- I don't think everyone in our party needed the entire specials menu read aloud and explained to them for 10 minutes) and the food was fine. The bathroom was too tight and I had to wait and pray that the door wouldn't hit me. Compared to Shaw's, the menu is really not very expansive. I went for the mahi mahi, which was described as having a "herbacious sauce" accompaniment plus jicama slaw. Well, the slaw was the most interesting thing on the plate. The mahi was a little dry and underseasoned for my taste. The sauce was like a green wig. It added some color but had nothing to do with taste. We were scolded a couple of times for wanting to keep our bread dishes and butter on the table ("We usually do things in stages," we were told) and had to ask for more bread (Really? ONE roll for a party of six?) but overall, I thought the experience was fine. The wine list was decent but overpriced. They don't serve true champagne by the glass. My husband and I sampled the key lime pie. Again, it was good, but Shaw's was better. Also, I find it rather ridiculous that the only green salad is almost seven dollars. I don't think it is even organic and certainly the portion doesn't justify the price. I will say that the crab cake and stone crab bisque were both very good. I would go back if asked but I'd really rather be at Shaw's.
(3)Jeremy H.
Awesome awesome awesome. Staff was very courteous and pleasant to converse with. I ordered the Filet mignon, mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach. The person I was with ordered the salmon. We also got the appetizer of snow crabs (I believe). My steak was cooked perfectly and quite delicious, and the salmon was apparently excellent as well. I wasn't *too* wild about the mashed potatoes, but they weren't bad by any means. The spinach was surprisingly tasty. The crab appetizer was delicious, although a bit pricey ($35) for the small amount you got. Overall, about $60/person (with a glass of wine each), and well worth it. We passed on the dessert as we were stuffed, and not overly impressed with the dessert menu (essentially all pies and a two varieties of ice cream).
(5)Daniel L.
Just writing a quick review so I can give Joe's the 5 stars it deserves. There's plenty of reviews below already effusing praise item by item but really, just go for yourself. If it's more than you'd usually spend on dinner, find a special reason to justify it - good week at work...just bought a puppy...the Bears clinched a spot in the playoffs? It doesn't really matter because no one in their right mind has ever regretted dinner at Joe's - that's a scientifically-backed assertion, evidence forthcoming after you've dined at this fine Chicago destination.
(5)Oscar W.
hummm.. had HIGH expectations for Joe's, and with all fairness that might've been why i'm giving it a three star. Hubby and i went on a Saturday late night for a special occasion. We were a bit late for our reservation, but was seated promptly. The waiter was very nice and charming, introduced the menu thoroughly but and we both went directly for the 5 piece large stone crab option. The environment was relaxed and neighborly. The crab legs were truly great - we actually just came back from Florida and ate crab legs there, but we still were immediately impressed by the extraordinary freshness and subtle texture at Joe's. But the last leg on the plate has gone bad and smelled. So we exchanged it for a fresh one. That go without say kinda was a disappointment - these guys are known for seafood!?! In a place like this we were kinda hoping for free dessert for that bad leg, but didn't happen. The waiter made it sound very ok (you know, you get one of those in a 100). Also the desserts we got (apple pie and peanut butter pie) were toooooooooooooooo sweet for our taste.....
(3)Sarah W.
Joe's is our family's signature birthday dinner go to restaurant. The service never fails and the food is always mouth watering. The fried chicken (yes, I'm recommending the fried chick at a steak and stone crab restaurant) is to die for. The skin is super crunchy and the plate is big enough to take leftovers for lunch the next day, or two! I suggest the medium stone crabs, not the jumbo, because they have quiet a bit more flavor in my opinion. The lobster bisque is delicious, as well. The veggies in it our crunchy and give the bisque broth and lobster meat great texture. As for salads, I'd go for their chopped salad. In terms of meat, I'm a fillet person, so I naturally go for their fillet. I've heard from fellow dinners that their bone-in is to die for, though. The stuffed mushroom appetizer is great too. Finally, I like Jenny's mashed potatoes or the green beans for a side. We did a surprise party for my father in one of their private rooms one year and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences. Besides being gathered around great friends and conversation, the food and service was just as impeccable even with such a large group.
(5)Amanda V.
One of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in the city. The strawberry shortbread cheesecake was to DIE FOR. Steaks, seafood, a decadent treat that will not disappoint.
(5)Chris S.
True Chicago steak house dining with a Florida stone crab twist. I took my lady here for a splurge dinner and we ate like royalty. Stone crab appetizers followed with a king lobster tail (her) and the house specialty steak (me). Both were amazing. The lobster looked incredible and was big and meaty. It looked like it should be the best tasting entree. However, the steak reigned supreme and damn near melted in my mouth. It was perhaps the best steak to ever grace my lips. Everything accompanied by a bottle of red wine and followed up with a shared slice of key lime pie. The environment is noisy, crowded, and masculine. Also, you better be willing to drop some cash if you want the experience. All of those "minuses" fade to the sidelines, however, once you start eating.
(5)Emma C.
Too bad, so sad. I don't mind paying big bucks for a meal if it's memorable, but this was not. The food, while fresh, was very one-dimensional...bite after bite was the same, and after the thrill of the first few high-end forkfuls wears off, the dishes have the culinary complexity of a pancake house. In Chicago, it's not hard to find quality steaks and seafood for a third of the price that are at least as delicious and presented with far more imagination. I am not a fan of the charred piece of sauceless meat alone on a big white plate for $48, sorry! And eight bucks for hash browns in too much, even if you call it "Lyonnaise." Apart from the brilliant $18 seafood salad, which had avocado, red peppers, asparagus, crab, lobster and shrimp (mmmm!), it was a very poor value, slightly snobbish and shockingly a snore.
(2)Stacy M.
This place is incredible...worth every penny spent!!
(5)megha b.
I realize stone crab is special anywhere, but this was just incredible- even my boyfriend who HATES all things from the sea enjoyed them! He was extremely happy with his filet, and our key lime pie for dessert was impossible to describe!! Looking forward to a trip back to the windy city, and of course, Joes!
(5)Matthew S.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Seafood marinara delicious.
(5)L L.
GREAT SERVICE - perhaps the best and actually, definitely the best I've had in a while. Our server, young bald black guy, was warm, charismatic and checked on us in perfect intervals. He didn't scoff or was rude because we were participating in Restaurant Week but was great regardless. Food was great, stone crabs were slightly disappointing although I wasn't sure what to expect since I heard about them for so long. Desserts were excellent - bloody mary slightly too thick but the huge shrimp made up for it! Will go back and happy I went!
(5)Jacqui C.
I have to say that I went to Joe's Seafood for the first time, somewhat skeptical (but with an open mind). I went with a rather large group of 10 or so, and it was absolutely a fantastic experience. Our waiter was exceptional and very friendly/helpful. I had the stone crabs, which is totally stereotypical to get at Joe's, but they did not disappoint at all. In fact, I keep dreaming about them and can't wait to go back and have them again. They were so. Good. My one "complaint" about Joe's is that the wait staff insists that they'll keep track of the number of sides that your table has ordered and that they won't let you order too much, but I'm pretty sure that absolutely did NOT happen when my group was there. They were asking every person at the table to order a side (which is big and family style, for each side), so we had a shit-ton of sides leftover when we were done. Of course, it's in their better interest to get us all to order sides, but they said they'd help us NOT order too much, and they didn't really do that. It's not a huge deal, but whatever. The prices are of course rather high, so it's not somewhere you're going to go every weekend or anything. But the service and the food is definitely worth it, and like I said, I keep dreaming about going back. I would have no problem bringing friends, family, and out-of-towners here for a great Chicago food experience.
(5)Megan M.
We didn't have a reservation (bad idea on a Saturday night), but we got a seat in the bar and ate in there. It was pretty crowded til 9pm or so but then it got better and we could eat without being bumped into. Next time I'll make a reservation. The food was excellent! I had the petit filet and it was one of the best steaks I've ever had! I'd definitely go back. I also had a nice glass of wine. Very tasty! The menu is pretty basic but it's basic stuff done well. Watch out for the drink prices, though. My husband had a glass of whiskey and it was $12! A whole bottle of the same stuff costs $40 at the liquor store. Crazy!
(4)Chrissy T.
It's once in a blue moon my boyfriend and I like to treat ourselves to a fancy dinner, I chose Joe's after reading all the raving reviews and i have to say I'm in shock with all the great reviews. We had an order of the Alaskan crab legs which are the only ones that are served warm so we were forced to get those as opposed to the stone crab which are only served chill. Thegave us 3 Alaskan crab legs the size of my pinky for 75 dollars, I am not exaggerating!! I for sure thought our server fogot the other plate. I ordered the tempura lobster which was alright, I would of rather had sushi elsewhere. We also got a side of their hash browns, "a signature side" that we had better at a local breakfast spot. Our bill ended up being sky high and we were't even satisfied, I was still pretty hungry. The only thing that filled me up was the Key lime pie martinis which was the only amazing thing I had but DON'T have more than two. It wasn't the pricing of our orders that was the issue, it was the portions and quality.
(1)OldIrvingPoodle H.
I'm a fan of the menu, the food, but not the atmosphere. Always a loud loud crowd. Tables so close together that you can not even walk through. Make sure to reserve a booth and have a voice to yell across the table.
(3)donna y.
I'm not usually one to go for seafood, especially crab, because of how messy it gets. I went for a girls lunch and so enjoyed the stone crab. I'm also not big on dessert but as others have said... the key lime pie is not to be missed!
(5)Erica M.
This place is fantastic. The food is always top notch and very enjoyable. Been here a few times and have always left a very happy individual. NOTE: They now have a brunch on Sunday's only that just started not too long ago. You will definitely want to try it out. We've been there twice for the brunch and each time was pricey but great!
(5)Keith R.
This is my 5th or 6th times to Joe's and once again not disappointed. The seafood appetizer with the crab claws, shrimp, and Alaska king crab legs were to die for. It doesn't get any better. Ordered the bone in filet and it was outstanding. Table ordered almost every desert on the menu. We all sampled each one the deserts and the winner was the Key lime pie. A close second was the peanut butter pie. Can't wait to go back.
(5)James D.
If you have a group, pass on this one. We went there last night, table for 5. One of our party was going to be 5 minutes late. We were told that we could not be seated until he arrived. Then they delayed seating us for 45 minutes past our original reservation, I suspect to teach us a lesson. This was deeply embarrassing as it was business dinner and our guests were not impressed. There are too many great restaurants in Chicago to put up with this. Yes, the food was good, but not fantastic and not worth the impolite treatment.
(1)Jennifer K.
Sigh. What can I say about this awesome restaurant? First, the location is top notch. It's within walking distance of movie theaters, shops, and fun cafes. So it's a nice little dinner setting once you're done for the day. I'm a big fan of steak and seafood so I didn't know what to expect when I entered the restaurant; especially the seafood! But then I had the stone crab...delicious! A side of sweet potato fries completes it. Though I have yet to try their steaks; time for another visit? I was so full that I didn't order dessert; but I did filch off some of my friend's banana cream pie! The food was wonderful and the service was so-so. I think it was due to the fact that the restaurant was super busy when we got there. Considering the fact that it was almost full, the servers did a fine job of making sure we got our orders. I definitely recommend it for group gatherings.
(4)Blake W.
So we finally got around to eating at Joe's which is unfortunately one of the only few high end seafood places in town. My Fiance and I walked in and were seated right away which was nice because the dinning room was full. We sat down and looked through the wine list, they had a couple of our favorites which made it easy pickings. We started with the jumbo crab cake and the ceviche. The crab cake was good, the side aioli had a nice kick to it and the cake itself was very meaty not alot of breading (which should be expected at this price). The ceviche was very good, nice and refreshing, possibly a little too tart and tangy over powering the seafood in the mix but still a winner. For dinner I had the Black Cod -- Fantastic. The fish was cooked perfectly and the glaze was great sweet but not overpowering. She had the crab legs which were also very good. I almost forgot about the the crab bisque -- I thought it started great but quickly started to taste bad for some reason, sh really like hers all the way through. For dessert we had a the Key Lime pie which as also very solid. Our server was Howard and I couldn't find anything to complain about. He was great and the buss staff was always around quickly to fill waters and get the dirty plates out of the way. I look forard to coming back again for sure!
(4)Ronnie V.
Very Good. Came here with 7 friends last night to enjoy the restaurant week deal and it was incredible. Assuming its not restaurant week and you can't get a pound of crab, potatoes, cole slaw, soup and pie for $30, I would still recommend this place. I did not have any steak, but judging from my friends' reaction to it the steak is good but not great. On the other hand, the crab was phenomenal. I happen to love crab and they do it very well. I plan on coming back here to get my crab fix. The wine list was decent and prices were fair. Also, the key lime pie was delicious. Our server was very nice and very helpful although he seemed a bit tied up since it was a busy night, and I'm sure a group of 8 isn't the easiest to handle.
(4)christine c.
bleh. got the filet mignon and the seafood platter (fried calamari, grilled scallop, grilled shrimp and grilled cod), and a side of sweet potato fries. the best thing: fries next best: calamari next: filet mignon/scallop shrimp was just burnt and the cod was dry...
(3)Bella V.
I just thought this place was so so... The stone crab was good, but they didn't serve it warm (whick, in my opinion is the only way to have it). I think the menu was very unimpressive, and simple for the atmosphere. I did enjoy the lobster and tjhe ceviche, and thought they had a nice wine list. Other than that, it was simply mediocre, and the sides were awful! I wouldn't wast my time or money here, but then agin, I'm spoiled from living in FL so long, I suppose.
(3)Joshua M.
Ordered a 12oz filet from the Dine-In service and was pleasantly surprised. A very good cut of meat, cooked perfectly, with a very nice flavor. The mashed potatoes had a bread crumb-ish topping on them which was a nice change. And the Boston creme pie was about as authentic as I've had outside of Boston.
(4)Gina D.
I had never tried Stone Crabs before dining at Joe's and WOW they were amazing! That mustard sauce everyone talks about was good as well, but honestly, I was enjoying the flavor the the stone crabs so much, the rest didn't matter. The entire meal was tasty and the waiter was friendly and helpful. I thought it was reasonably priced for what you got. The only negative, which really isn't a negative was the key lime pie...I thought it was just okay, yet my husband loved it so what do I know! If you've never been and are considering trying Joe's, I highly recommend it!
(5)Denton J.
All in all, Joe's was a pretty good experience. The service was nice, the food was good and the atmosphere was fairly intimate, despite the expansive space. Our waiter was extremely nice and explained everything in great detail. At times, I felt almost overwhelmed by all the explanations and suggestions, but it's much better that way than to be left alone and clueless. I ordered the filet and stone crabs. The steak was excellent, cooked to a nice, deep red, just as I asked. The crabs were good, too, but I was a little annoyed with the shells. They were highly praised for being cracked in the kitchen to cut down on the work done by the diner. While they were pre-cracked, there was no less work--I'd argue maybe even more--to actually eat the stuff because the shell still stuck to the meat and there were so many little pieces of shell all over the plate, getting into the tasty sides. Minor gripes aside, it was a great meal. It was, for a first time visitor, shockingly expensive. Luckily, I wasn't paying so it worked out alright. If you can find someone else to pay, this is a great place to go. Personally, though, I prefer Shaw's a little more.
(4)Kelly D.
Food =excellent! Had the ribeye, and it was perfection! Fried green tomatoes were superb! Matthew our server was great! Will go back!!
(5)Goose M.
I too had a lot of expectations of this place... and they were all met!! Crab cakes, calamari, stone crab claws, made up our appetizers. Amazing stuff. crab cake was great and chunky. And the stone crab claws were great. tender and crabby! For my own entrée, I had the Alaskan king crab claws (apparently these are fairly rare as japan buys out majority of the claws and leaves the legs for America)... they were out of these world!! So massive! And just so tasty. And then I got 2 Madagascar grilled shrimp... I have never seen shrimp so big. They were so meaty, and grilled to perfection. I gotta say... this restaurant has a really easy job, because most of these shell fish just require to be cooked (without over cooking) and the rest is left to nature! For a great meal like mine, make sure your going on a company budget!!
(5)Justin S.
Let's start with the meat of the review (so cheesy, I know). 6 of us ordered the porterhouse $50, a reasonable price), 1 ordered the filet mignon. As a note, the porterhouse is 28 oz, 6 oz of which is bone, so expect to gain 22 oz in weight as a result of downing this sucker. The steak is quite good, a very thick cut. Incidentally, two of our steaks came out a bit overdone, and the waiter replaced them right away without us even really asking for it - fantastic service! One slight downside - the steak is on the salty side. It could have used a tad less seasoning. We tried one order of the stone crab, and we were not impressed. In my opinion, the crab does not have much taste, and they give you lemon wedges and a mustard/mayo dipping sauce for it. Great crab shouldn't require this. The crab is also served cold (refrigerated temperature), which seems to dull the taste. The side dishes were okay, nothing stood out. We tried five of the desserts, and the mudpie was the best one. The desserts are also cheap (2.95 each!). Overall, we had a good and filling meal.
(4)Bella D.
Loved eating here! Got my fix of CALAMARI and CRAB LEGGS~!~~! And tried the STONE CRAB!! loved it too! : ) Bring a pal and chow down on some good seafood! TGFS - thank goodness for Seafood!! : )
(4)Lily M.
I love this place. I go at least every other week and dine at the bar. The bartenders - Staats, Scott, Dan - are really great guys and make a mean dirty martini... one is usually enough!!! The crab cakes, lobster salad, and key lime pie are fantastic. So is the sweet potato pecan pie but it will only be available through the holidays. Don't be discouraged by the crowds, it's worth the wait.
(5)David R.
Excellent, freshly prepared seafood, served in a bright and lively atmosphere. Our server was very attentive and provide excellent information on the menu offerings and specials. Table favorites included the famous crab, along with the outstanding Black Cod. Steaks were well seasoned and prepared to order. While the wine list was very comprehensive, the offerings by the glass were more limited.
(4)Steve R.
I stayed away from this place a good long while due to thinking it was an offshoot of Joe's Crab Shack. Then we went here for some work thing. Overall, s'ok but I would never make it a destination. It's clearly geared toward being a lunch meeting type place, but in spite of the upscale vibe I found the seafood to be average. Service was good, fast and curt like you'd expect. They do seem to try to turn over tables quickly. I'd go back, but it's not somewhere I would get that excited about.
(3)Vince A.
Go here for the Stone Crab. Any of the fish dishes are awesome, they claim to be a Prime Steak house but I wasn't impressed by my Ribeye. The Key Lime pie is to die for though. Over all a fine dining experience but I won't be getting a steak there again.
(4)Dustin S.
In Chicago on business, found Joe's through Yelp! I was alone, so I ate in the bar. Long story short.......IMPRESSIVE meal! 4 succulent stone crab claws for appetizer YUM... BONE IN FILET for main course WOWZA (3 inches thick, crisp on the outside and like BUTTA in the middle) The roasted corn was amazingly delish, and the espresso and a slice of key lime pie finished off the perfect meal. As a Nebraska boy, it pains me to say that the best steak and CORN I have ever had were in CHICAGO! DAMMIT
(5)R. M.
I was in Chicago on business and based on the reviews here, we decided to give Joe's a try. We decided on this at the last minute and no reservations were available, so we sat in the lounge/bar. Getting a table there was a little tough too. I'd suggest calling in advance to get a real reservation. In terms of the food, I had the filet/king crab and it was phenomenal, and the mashed potatos were some of the best I've ever had. I followed the advice here and save room for a key lime pie - yummy! The service was great and the bartender makes a great martini. I'll be back when I'm in Chicago again!
(5)Scott N.
I'm hesitant to say this, but I'm just gonna go for it -- that was the best steak I've ever had! 30-day, dry-aged, bone-in, ribeye cooked medium rare. wow! Had the 2nd mortgage to start with -- stone crab, lobster tail, shrimp -- also amazing. Wait staff was decent, but he needs to learn what "Jack Daniels, keep 'em coming" means ;-)
(5)Evan S.
A very enjoyable eating experience, indeed! Had my end of summer dinner here with a partner of my firm and a fellow intern. WE WENT ALL OUT. Shrimp cocktail and crab appetizers, Lobster mac 'n cheese, steamed spinach, steak entrees. And we finished off with the key lime pie. Flanked with wonderful house wines, the experience was an unforgettable one. Add this place to your Chicago steakhouse tour!
(5)John G.
Joe's Stone Crabs is a fine restaurant, but all things considered (especially its cost) it's a little overrated. The food is very good, and sometimes exceptional. But after eating here a number of times I've found that the food and the service are a little inconsistent. While everybody is very polite, I've seen Joe's screw up orders a couple of times. They will acknowledge and fix their mistake, but it should never happen with this kind of frequency at a restaurant this expensive. They could stand to be a little quicker to remove these screw-ups from your bill, too. As a steakhouse, Joe's is good but not exceptional. Their bone-in steaks are the best options; the other cuts are just okay. For these prices, you're better off buying a steak at a nice butcher shop and asking me to grill it for you. The bulk of their seafood menu has some excellent options, like the blue nose grouper or the red snapper. But there are some mediocre dishes here as well so be careful what you order. The waiters will all tell you that everything is "excellent" but so did the guy who sold weed in my dorm in college. Joe's really stands out for two things. First, the stone crabs (surprised, right?). This is their specialty and is the reason to eat here. Although expensive, they are absolutely delicious and better than any crabs you've ever had (especially those ones). Don't bother coming to Joe's if you're too cheap to get the stone crabs. Better yet, come on your office expense account so you can get righteous and not worry about the bill. That's what I do and I get the jumbo ("market price") every time. Second, Joe's has kick-ass deserts so save room (which won't be hard if you order the wrong thing). The peanut butter pie is my favorite, but everything from the apple pie to the key lime pie rocks the house that rocks the body. If you ask, Joe's will kindly give you half-sizes so you can get a couple of desserts and try everything, fatty. Finally, they have the slowest valet here of all time. I have no idea where they park your car, but I think the lot is somewhere in the vicinity of 39th and Lake Shore.
(3)Mike N.
I was attracted to this restaurant because of its location across the street from my hotel. I also liked that it featured seafood. I was not disappointed. Even without eating their signature stone crab, you will not be disappointed. Good selection of seafood and steak. Nice salads. Good wine list. Excellent desserts. Steaks are cooked appropriately, fish cooked well with good sized portions. Sides are also well done. Friendly attentive service. Worth a return trip.
(4)Greg F.
Everything we had here was delicious, steaks, fish, sides, but the crab was definitely stood out from the rest.
(5)Hank's Dad R.
This was the place in Chicago which I had thought was going to be the food highlight oof our trip, but didn't deliver my high expectations. It is a classy place, a nice atmosphere, but does also come off a bit stuff. The service was very good and proper. For an apitizer we had Shrimp de Jonghe, which was fantastic. Something I'd never heard of but the reviews here tempted me and I am glad we did. We also had the stone crab claws, which are so raved about here. It was good, but not at all worth the hype or cost in my opinion. We both enjoy our entrée's. So overall it was quite good, but not as great as I had been hoping.
(4)Jacob F.
To avoid TL;DR, if you have a short attention span, skip to the bottom for a quick summary. Joe's is an interesting place. Originally a chain from Miami, the restaurant has sort of absorbed the Chicago restaurant attitude. Portions are big, the place has a distinctly non-avant garde décor scheme (not that it's not nice), the waiters wear tuxes and the patrons don't. However, in terms of food, the restaurant is anything but ordinary. I was lucky to get a pretty good sampling of the menu, as I started with the "second mortgage" seafood sampler appetizer and had the bone-in filet as a main course. The waiter was extremely good: he knew the menu very well, he was quick to answer any questions we had and while he did manage to upsell us into that seafood platter, it turned out to be exactly what we all wanted. He took pains to check on us often, refilled our drinks, and explained the ins and outs of everything we ordered as it arrived. Onwards to the food: the seafood appetizer was a great selection of the restaurant's signature shellfish dishes. The shrimp and scallop ceviche was nice and flavorful, with a citrus-y kick. The shrimp cocktail was nice, although the shrimp were certainly good enough to stand on their own. The stone crab claw was delicious, there was plenty of crab meat in the claw and it was precracked. Finally, the lobster cocktail (yes, lobster cocktail) was really nice. An interesting touch here is that they plopped a dollop of horseradish into the cocktail sauce, which gave it an interesting spiciness. Soon after they cleared these plates and dropped off some steak knives, they brought out the filet. I'm rather glad I ordered in the bone in cut, because the bone adds so much flavor. It was really juicy, perfectly medium-rare and seasoned very nicely. They also brought out a little dish of the seasoning they used for those that didn't think it was seasoned enough. The sides were also pretty great. The spinach with garlic was really flavorful, the stirfried sugar snap peas were delicious and the asparagus was pretty good too. I think we shouldn't have ordered the cottage potatoes, as they were kinda bland. Next time, I'm gunning for the hash browns or potatoes Lyonnais. The atmosphere of the place is interesting. It kind of has an air of old Chicago about it, with the big leather booths, private dining area and slightly dim lighting. The mood lighting is maybe a little heavy, but it's not really intrusive. However, the din of the restaurant certainly is. When we started our meal, it was hard to be heard across the table without yelling. It got easier when the dinner rush started winding down, but in the end it wasn't really a problem, just more of an annoyance. It also definitely helps to go with a great group of people (much love to my cousins and fellow yelpers Melissa F and Sara F). Just try to make sure your party arrives all at once, because they won't seat you unless everyone's there and the bar is always really crowded. So in summary: 1. The food's really solid in general. 2. Stone crab is delicious, as are the shrimp. 3. The steaks here are really nice, and the bone-in filet is great if you can tolerate a little bit of hacking to get at all of the steak. 4. The veggies are really good. 5. The waiters are good at their jobs. 6. Show up at the same time. 7. Going with family is lots of fun.
(5)Patrice G.
Just got back from a wonderful meal at Joes. There were 8 in our party so we had plenty of dishes to sample. Started off with a few crab cakes: extremely good and definitely recommended.. Then had some crab legs (shell cracked open made it so easy!) They were fresh and delicious! Side dishes (ala cart) were really good: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and Brussel sprouts (if you're a fan of Brussel sprouts, it's pretty good). Parmesan flounder was delicious as was the filet mignon. My daughter ordered the mushroom stuffed sole .... Mmmmmm. Pies are outstanding! Staff is professional, helpful and friendly. (There's only one downside and it's not about the food... Why not enlarge womens' restroom?? I'm not a big person and it was uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Must have been designed by a man!:)
(5)Lauren P.
i've been here numerous times and joe's never disappoints. the food is amazing and the service is always outstanding. i would even venture to say it's better than shaw's (shh!) everything i've tried from the menu is delicious, but i almost always get the crab bisque and stone crab plus a few sides. you'll also do yourself a disservice if you don't save room for key lime pie! my mouth is watering just thinking about it. go!
(5)ER S.
Very nice for New Year's Eve takeout... the stone crab legs with mustard sauce at home with some nice champagne and your significant other is quite a lovely way to ring in the New Year. The sides are standard steakhouse... I wish they were a bit more creative. The only exception is the potatoes with onions (Jenny potatoes?). They're so greasy you'll feel sick afterward, but they sure do taste good.
(4)Jay V.
Three words, KEY LIME PIE. end of review. service is always good to great, it's Melman!
(5)Jenny S.
WOW! Just ate here for the first time last night. I am still thinking about the great glass of pinot grigio from Italy. Maybe the best I have had! They sat us not too long after our reservation time. Not bad for a Saturday night. Likely they are on time because they have such a large and efficient staff. Service is outstanding -ask for Monique- one of the VERY FEW women on the wait staff. She is a terrific waitress. And it appears she has a loyal following. The food was prepared just perfectly and quite quickly. Again, everything about this place was efficient. The Mahi is a very tasty dish on the menu and I highly recommend it. Very unusual but delicious blend of herbs on top. The Jennie potatoes were so yummy. The rest of the people at my table loved their meals as well. I tasted the crab cakes and they were perfect and loaded with crab! To finish off the night our waitress informed us that first time visitors get to try the key lime pie on the house! WOOHOO and YUMMY! This place is first class! Cannot wait to go back to see Monique and the rest of the staff!
(5)Joy E.
I came here with my boyfriend for an anniversary dinner. I've been here a few times and the food and service was great. This is the place to go if you are celebrating a special occasion and want to dress up. We had the stone crab appetizer. The meat was succulent and juicy. The server gave us a warm towel with lemon to wipe our hands after, which I thought was a nice touch. After, I ordered the crab bisque. The flavor was good but a bit salty which disappointed me. For our entrees my boyfriend had the strip steak. He asked for it medium and it was cooked to perfection. I had the crab cakes. Usually when I order them I expect half crab meat half filler. But when I tasted these, I was pleasantly surprised that it was all lump crab. It only came with two portions but they were huge! By the time we were done we were so full and could not order dessert which I highly regret. All in all I would come back to this place anytime. It is a bit expensive but if you are looking for good food and service you must visit Joe's Seafood.
(5)Mork M.
I had a groupon so's I ordered lunch to go. I had the fish and chips and a slice of boston creme pie because it came out to be a dollar over the price of the coupon and being a cheap bastard I didn't want to spend money because a few weeks ago I went to Next to eat dinner, so sue me. The food was great, impeccable really, honestly they tried to kill me with all the extras and the butter and bread and the extra fudge for the cake. I'll come back and give it a sit-in review because ... well, I have another coupon and I'm a cheap bastard.
(4)Tim L.
Great Food and service. Everything we had was excellent. Would visit again.
(5)Meredith G.
Some might say this is where you go for a Chicago style steak & seafood dinner in the city. Reservations are a must and they have several private rooms available too. Our server was nice, but way to chatty. Just wanted him to pour the wine and go, but he lingered a bit to much. So, as a group of 6 we started with the in season Cold Stone Crab Claws from Florida. Then we ordered more of those and 2 bone in steaks to share. Plus the crab cakes that were fabulous. And the sides are family style. We had the garlic creamy spinach & a corn special side. Then came dessert and we had 5 to share. They are knows for their pies. My favorite was called Havana Dream and it was like a Dulce leche cake. I could've eaten it all myself, but other forks got in my way. We also had blueberry pie, key lime pie, & brownie sundae. We left with full bellies and will be back next year.
(4)Lydia Z.
Food was okay. My aged steak, for $67, was not tender or very good. I would have complained but it was a business dinner. Service was painfully slow but professional.
(2)Grace E.
4.5 Stars -- very traditional, very classy, very Chicago Upon walking into the restaurant, my dining buddy and I were greeted with cordial smiles. For those who may not have had the foresight or time to make a reservation, a cozy bar and cocktail area invites guests to grab a drink while waiting to be seated. After being directed past the penguin-suited waiters to our cozy 2-top table, we were charmed by the polite yet unpretentious service. Food: Large Stone Crab Appetizer - chilled and delicious. Honestly, at $24 per order, I was expecting this to be somewhat more spectacular, but I appreciated the simple dress of Joe's mustard sauce and lemon. It keeps the crabmeat tasting light and fresh. Wild Sock-Eye Salmon special - Flavorful, nicely seasoned, and thoroughly enjoyed. Bone-In Filet Mignon - Though I decided not to try some of the meat myself, my friend seemed to think this was a perfect execution of a filet. Pan-roasted Sweet Corn - This is the one thing you simply should not miss. After devouring the half-order of this side dish, we placed another full order of the corn before finishing our entrees. Don't get me wrong, the entrees were delicious, but the corn seemed to steal the show for us. Buttery, garlicky, peppery, with a zesty lime finish, we just couldn't get enough. Overall? It's nice. For a classy, enjoyable evening with traditional upscale steakhouse and seafood options, Joe's is a wonderful choice.
(5)Laura D.
If you haven't been to Joe's yet...you need to make your way there as soon as possible! While it's a little pricey, it's worth every single penny. Everything is cooked to perfection and the service is stellar. The moment you walk in the revolving door it feels as though you've stepped into a black and white movie where greats starred and ate decadent food. The dark wood, dim lighting, white linens, corner booths and the pictures of Chicago's past on the walls all add to how special this place is. The staff is in tuxedos and adds to the whole experience. While there are an abundance of waiters and waitresses around to help with whatever needs to be done, it is not overwhelming. They have perfected the dance of being there without having their presence felt as a swarm...I have yet to see any one of them run into anyone and they're moving constantly - that's impressive! Any steak you order will be better than any other you've had. The aged steaks are literally the best I've had and to make it a surf and turf meal is the way to go in my book. The King Crab is buttery (before the butter) and the freshest I've had. All the sides come in family style portions and I haven't had one I didn't like yet. The offer seasonal sides and dishes as well but their staples are so good you don't have to stray away from your faves. Dessert is amazing...their Key Lime Pie is divine. I don't even like key lime pie and this is something we have to get every time! That and their Boston Cream Pie is the best! They also have great cocktails and they'll make them any way you like. The Key Lime Pie Martini has a graham cracker/sugar rimmed glass that adds to the flavor without overpowering the drink. They also make a great Manhattan with Rye Whiskey. We have made this spot our go-to for celebrations and it has been a wonderful experience each and every time.
(5)Lina W.
This review is for Restaurant Week at Joe's. STAY AWAY during this week. Everything taste like pond sewage. My friend somehow convinced me to participate in Restaurant week at Joe's and it was the most overpriced and diarrhea inducing meal ever. Initially I thought $22 for a choice of Manhattan chowder or crab bisque, 4 medium stone crab claws, side of hashbrowns and cole slaw, and choice of key lime pie or banana cream pie was a sweet deal, but I should have adhered to the common wisdom, "you get what you paid for." Crab bisque - I didn't have any crab in my bisque, but now I know what melted butter, boiled heavy cream, chunks of tomatoes and garlic taste like together. Medium claws - these claws tasted old and bland. They were impossible to eat even though they were cracked open for us. The meat stuck to the shells and there was not much to eat. I lost the patience after the 2nd claw to even finish. Hashbrowns and Slaw - Somehow the proportions are stupidly off. We were given 4 tiny inedible claws and then a giant plate of approximately 2 pounds of burnt hash browns that floated in grease. Massive entree sized cole slaw was just shredded lettuce, relish and tomatoes topped sour cream. These were the worst sides I have ever had. Banana Cream Pie - Is this supposed to be melted? The pie was 4 inches of melting whipped creme and 1/4 inch of banana... Key Lime Pie - tastes store bought. Nothing special here. We ordered the crab cake entree since they claimed that the crab cakes at Joe's are "the best EVER." I've made better crab cakes myself. 2 little crab cakes for $29.90 is the biggest rip off I have ever encountered. You'd think Joe's would at least be more attentive to regular priced food items, but it looks like they half-a$$ed that too. Lastly, as soon as our waiter heard that we were here for restaurant week, he neglected to give us any further attention. Our waters were not refilled and he blew us off after we complained that the food quality was horribly prepared. His response was, "I'll let the kitchen know. " I vow to NEVER coming back here after getting such sh*tty treatment. To top of this review, I had stomach problems on my way home after my meal at Joe's and had to spend the rest of the day on the can. My general advice - Do not participate in Restaurant Week for ANY restaurant.
(1)Damian C.
I had crab for the first time last night in about 15 years. But last time I had crab it was in Virginia Beach. I remember it clearly. Family vacation... seafood restaurant... tacky fish bone skeleton hanging from the ceiling. Back in the days when I was a super picky eater and ate from only 3 main food groups: pizza, chicken fingers, and spaghetti. My dad made me try a bite of his crab leg and I thought it was awful and pretty much put an end to any chance of ordering it again. Thankfully, times have changed and my taste buds have matured and I am willing to try just about anything. I decided on Joe's for my 28th (eek) birthday dinner yesterday. I've been on a steak kick lately and sought out what appeared to be the best steakhouse according to Yelpers. We set a reservation a few weeks out and were able to go in yesterday on my actual birthday! The house was pretty packed for a Monday night at 6PM. We were seated in the back in a cozy booth. Our waiter was EXTREMELY resourceful and gave us the restaurant's history, all the specials, recommendations, and pretty much everything we needed to know and more. I did not realize that this place was originally more of a seafood and crab house and that steaks were a recent (well, not really recent, but you know) addition to their menu. Since I am not a crab connoisseur I got the full sales pitch on their famous and highly recommended stone crab. He sold us on it! We ordered the "Justin" cabernet to start, and put in our orders for the large stone crab appetizer, two petite filets (one with Alaskan King Crab), Jennie's Mashed Potatoes and Joe's Grilled Tomatoes. The crab was absolutely delicious! At $22 for an order of two it's a pretty tough expense to swallow if you don't like crab, so I was a bit nervous about it. It was tender and flavorful - I am now disappointed in myself that I haven't tried it in years! Chalk it up as a dumb, dumb teenage move I suppose. My only problem was that I kept chomping on hard bits of the membrane. I should have paid more attention when our waiter explained the best way to avoid this situation. I promise to take better notes next time! Random side note: I never knew that crab shells could be so hard. It was similar to a thick porcelain vase or tile. I probably could have made some fun jewelry for the females in my family. If I were crafty at all. Just sayin'. My steak was perfect. Juicy, seasoned wonderfully, a perfectly done medium steak. (I am normally a medium-well type of guy, BUT I've been shown the "medium-at-maximum" way). I can't say anything more about it that hasn't been said already. They really hit the nail on the head with it! The tomatoes were delicious and the potatoes were phenomenal. Another little secret - I don't like mashed potatoes. It's a texture thing. I can't help it. However, I was told by two friends that I must get the mashed potatoes because they are unlike anything I've ever had. They were right. Whoever Jennie is - I love you. They were so fluffy and covered in so much crunchy goodness that I couldn't put my fork down. Although they say the sides are large enough to share I would advise getting your own because they are addictive. A few things to note: *I felt a little underdressed in an argyle sweater, jeans, and a pair of Skechers, since the staff were dressed in tuxes and the after-work and tourist crowd were in. *The dessert they gave me for my birthday (a brownie sundae) was fantastic and you MUST MUST MUST save room for pie. I couldn't eat anymore, so I took a piece of the peanut butter pie home. My mouth is watering just typing about it. *Their timing is spot on. It seemed as if everything came out quickly and at the perfect moment. There were no long pauses while waiting for the next course and I never felt that we were trying to locate a missing course or waiter. *Ask questions. I learned so much about the restaurant, the food, and everything else. The waiter was a huge resource and I appreciated the time he spent going over all of this for us. For a random night out the place is pretty pricey but the food and the ambiance make it worth every penny. Just be warned that you will probably drop 2+ Benjamins on dinner. It's a great place to take a good friend, significant other, or someone you are looking to wow! Thanks to my date and the staff here - what a great place to celebrate my birthday!
(5)Xi L.
Overall, it is a five star restaurant. The stone crab is very fresh and tasteful. Steak is much better than some other big name steakhouse. The best thing is the professional service, which really makes you can fully enjoy the food. I will definitely visit it again to try others cos there are so many choices and cooking styles.
(5)Arjun M.
So far this is the best steak I've had in Chicago. I'm a huge steak fan and this place rivalled some of the best steakhouses I've experienced in New York. Bone-in filet mignon is an absolute winner. The seasoning is very tasty but doesn't overpower the natural juicy flavors of the meat. Very well balanced. I've even had fish dishes there that were spectacular (Dover Sole). Key lime pie is also fantastic. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Amelia B.
I confess. I'm not a steak person. Sacrilegious, i know. So when I moved to Chicago, I dreaded the 40 million steakhouses. And when you take a client out, or you go out of a nice dinner with people from out of town, EVERYONE wants to go to a steakhouse. Enter Joe's. Sweet crab legs. Oh sweet sweet crab legs. While everyone else can have their bone-in filets, I am in pure bliss with piles of crab legs. Definitely the best you can find in the city. There is no better place to impress a guest than at Joe's. The desserts are also to die for--peppermint ice cream, anyone? One note to the ladies---be CAREFUL when walking in heels. I've nearly fallen every time I've been here--the floors are super slick (especially after a few cocktails).
(5)Mary T.
If there's one thing my office knows how to do, it's throw a party. Of course we're good at our business too; if we weren't, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate. But I digress. Our party of around 70 was placed in one of the private rooms in back. One end of the room was set up for a sit-down dinner and the other outfitted with a bar and a few high tops. The bar setup made it easy to mingle and enjoy the passed apps (my kind of multitasking). During our cocktail hour, we had an amazing selection of appetizers with my favorites being the crab legs, seared ahi, and coconut shrimp. The bar staff was great, they make a mean greyhound and had servers milling through our group to ensure no drink ran dry. For dinner, we had a set menu, which was quite generous. We started with a Caesar salad and were given a choice of 9 entrees and three desserts. I opted for the ahi Asian-style and chocolate fudge pie. My ahi was not only huge, but amazing. Seared, it came with a side of fresh wasabi, ginger and soy sauce. My first bite nearly brought me to tears; not because it was so amazing (but it was), but because fresh wasabi is so fucking strong. The tiniest bit made my eyes water and my nose burn a bit, but I liked it. For sides we had grilled tomatoes, green beans amandine, and Jennie's mashed potatoes, all of which were fabulous, but especially those beans. Joe's seems to live by the saying "bigger is better." Everything here is huge, the desserts were no exception. Our dessert choices were: key lime pie, banana cream pie and chocolate fudge pie. I went with the chocolate and had no plans to share; however, I could barely make a dent. I swear that slice stood 4" high; even if I had started with dessert, I don't think I could've finished that monstrosity! Generally, service was excellent and very high touch; the only real service hiccup was at the end of the night. One of our planners was informed that Joe's had decided to close down our bar citing that they're a restaurant, not a bar. It certainly wasn't the end of the world and definitely wouldn't keep me from coming back here. I was enjoying catching up with people I missed before dinner and it seemed odd that they'd want to put our group out rather than make more money off of us.
(4)Peter H.
Joe's is my favorite restaurant, period. Bone in filet, fried asparagus, killer martini. Madagascar shrimp is huge, and amazing. Awesome desserts. Nice little bar area if you want to grab a bar table and get a drink and appetizer if you can get there right after work and beat the rush. 2nd mortgage is a delicious little sampler appetizer w/ceviche, shrimp, and a few other throw ins. You cannot go wrong here, Howie is the best.
(5)Jake E.
I took my fiance here the night we were engaged. Our meal was phenomenal and my stomach is still angry we have not been back yet. I was concerned about the ambiance for my first night out with my fiance, as I found it difficult to find any quality pictures of the dining room. However, it did not let me down as the lights were dimmed, solid wood decor surrounded the room with shelving of wine bottles and mirrors about as soft jazz hummed through the air at a level you could hear, but never that I had to talk over. We were fortunate to have a comfy booth to the side of the dining room and cannot thank the staff enough for accommodating my request to be placed somewhere intimate. The food was delicious. No question. The wedge salad was a wedge salad, yet I'm still dreaming of that damn salad. My fiance ordered the bone-in-filet and I the dry aged bone in ribeye. No complaints. Cooked perfectly and it came with this white-pepper-sea-salt-coriander-little-drops-of-Âjesus-laced seasoning on the side. For the sides, we ordered the broccoflower and brussels-sprouts both roasted to perfection and not overcooked (as I feel 95% of restaurants do to their vegatables). Nothing extravagant on the sides, but it sure was refreshing to have vegetables cooked as they should be. We sampled wine, ate stone crab, had more wine, and dessert. The peanut butter pie was excellent, surpassed only by my mothers. I used to wait tables and feel that somehow entitles me to have an expect opinion on how this sort of thing should go. That being said, our server knew every item on the menu, how it was cooked, what wine went well, which oils were applied, how long it was aged, down to the machines and knives they used to cut everything. Very pleased and very impressed from the host, to the coat check, to the waiter, to the bussers. I can promise I'll be back as the menu leaves many combinations and dishes to be discovered.
(5)Jen S.
Everyone at the restaurant was exceedingly friendly. We started with the Shrimp de jonghe appetizer which was very good. Our waiter warned it was very garlicky, which it was, but I didn't find it overwhelming. We chose crab cakes and the lobster stuffed sole for our mains and the roasted corn and mashed potatoes for our sides. I appreciated that when I asked our waiter what size side was appropriate for two, he said half portions (which were just right) rather than trying to up sell us to full portions. The roasted corn was amazing. I was surprised there are so many rave reviews of the mashed potatoes-we are pretty sure they were instant. Definitely wouldn't order again. The crab cakes were great as was the sole. We found the portions to be adequate. Others mentioned getting a piece of key lime pie from their waiters on their first visit, we were not so lucky. I agree with other reviewers that mentioned how tightly everyone is packed in. It was a battle getting to our table and once there, it is tight. We had a nice experience overall but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to go back the next time we visit Chicago.
(4)Tom Y.
Flying into town I had to try out this institution, I came here with a co-worker for a late-lunch. It was pretty empty by the time we got there and we were seated immediately, our server was super nice. They have a lunch special with 5 medium stone-crab legs with two sides and a slice of pie all of a reasonable price. The bread basket had a really good selection of different breads, not just your usual. The food was freaking awesome, the crab legs were good, the hash browns and the cole slaw was great. I had the key lime pie, and quite possibly it was one of the best key lime pies I have ever had. They were willing to substitute any of the sides I had for something else as well as the type of pie for dessert. Overall the food was great, almost a value. The only reason I didn't give this place 5-stars was because our water glasses got pretty empty on more than one occasion, and I was getting pretty thirsty. Tips: Eat here for lunch if you are want to save a few bucks, fewer people, same food better prices. If you are driving here just do valet parking, it is just cheaper than parking nearby.
(4)Michael K.
Pretty awesome place! Funny that it's probably the best steak I've had in Chicago (granted, haven't been to a few top chop spots that I'd like yet). Sides were great. Had the roasted corn, mashed potatoes and mushroom mac and cheese. Steak was pretty good and the seafood salad (lobster, shrimp, crab) was pretty awesome. Will try again and consider a 5 star once we try more traditional seafood from here! A def place to visit!
(4)Rebecca S.
Best stone crab I've ever had! Went here for my anniversary and enjoyed every bite.
(5)Josh B.
Pricey! The stone crab claws were good but I think were a bit TOO frozen - didnt' really feel they were worth the $.
(3)Stevie C.
THIS IS NOT JOE'S CRAB SHACK!!!! Sorry but that just annoyed me when I was talking to people about this place. I'm sure this restaurant was probably around waaay before the crab shack and now must suffer. I enjoyed the very attentive service and I was thrilled with my own filet. However, do be warned that it seems that a thick char on the outside of steaks is par for the course. I didn't mind it but others did not enjoy the method of preparation. Also, the Madagascar Shrimp are sold by individual shrimp. That can run up your app bill but they are huge and worth it.
(3)J L.
This is my favourite restaurant in town. Words do not describe how good it is. I recommend: Scallops Bone-in ribeye (dry aged if available) Madagascar shrimp (if you feel like splurging) King crab legs Stone crabs
(5)Kelly C.
I brought my parents here when they were in town visiting over the weekend. My mom's reaction after dinner said it all..."I can't remember the last time I had that great of a meal". Everything from the food to the service was outstanding. We started out with shrimp/scallop ceviche and it was amazing and had a nice little kick. My dad is not a huge seafood fan so he got the cole slaw - wow it was great. Everything was separate - the sauce was on top of the cabbage/lettuce mixture and 2 large tomatoes holding it together. Not sure if that description makes sense but I def recommend it. For dinner I got the petite filet and king crab legs. The crab was fabulous...it melted in my mouth. The filet was cooked perfectly. The seasoning was excellent on it but if you like a little more seasoning the filet comes with a side of their signature seasoning...I didn't think it needed it but my dad added it to his filet and said it was great. My mom had the salmon special (copper river salmon) and it was delicious. We also got the corn side....I never thought a corn side would be so good...it was grilled with seasoning. I could have just had a plate of that and been good! We also had the garlic creamed spinach. It was good but I was more impressed with the corn. We had the key lime pie for dessert and it was the best I've ever had! The server (can't remember his name) was impeccable. He explained everything about the specials and was able to answer any questions we had. Joe's would def be a place I will take out of town guests!
(5)Marisa A.
Joe's is the quintessential Chicago steakhouse. The hearty, comforting food isn't exactly eclectic but it's top notch. White tablecloths, huge wine glasses, sky-high pies. The waiters sport bow ties and make you wonder what kind of training is involved in becoming a waiter of this caliber. I've been here maybe three times, and I've always gotten the stone crab to start. I think I'll stop. It's very good, but as a non-afficianado of crab it just doesn't do anything special for me. Especially if I'm paying! But if it's your first time, you can't not get it. The real highlight of Joe's is their steaks. Perfectly aged and marbled. Their seasoning is sparse enough to let the flavor of top-tier meat shine through. Last time I was here, the waiter said that their absolute house special was the bone-in filet. It really is THAT good.
(5)Tracey H.
Finally made it here. Really not sure what took so long. Came here to celebrate my graduation with my family, party of 10. Darren was our server and he took excellent care of us. We noshed on a bunch of apps (fried green tomatoes, shrimp scampi, and fried calamari) which were all very well done. I got the lobster tail tempura which was delish, but also had a bite of my sisters filet mignon, which was excellent. For sides we tried a few things: the onion straws, mashed potatoes, and Mac and Cheese, all of which were phenomenal, especially the Mac & Cheese! All the desserts were wonderful as well, but the peanut butter pie was a standout--highly recommend for all you other PB fanatics out there! The atmosphere was nice, and Darren's support staff was great. Looking forward to giving it a shot one of these days when stone crabs are in better season!
(4)Mike M.
"Unbelievable" "Simply the Best!!" "Gotta try it" I heard it all. They were right. The place was packed for a Tuesday night. I was trying to impress a couple of big clients and I needed to trusted in Yelp! Online reservations were easy and the confirmation phonecalls and emails were received. We arrived on time and were promptly seated even though it was standing room only in the lobby. The waiter took a while to get the drinks but that was the only flaw all night long. We took his suggestion of the fresh cracked King Crab claws for the appetizer. Served cold with drawn butter.....wonderful. Very tasty meat, very tender. I also had to try the Oysters Rockefeller. I love me some raw cold oysters but this was my first Rockefeller. The hot spinach and cheese were delectable but almost drowned out the flavor of the oyster. Was that the point? Like the butter and garlic drown out the fact that you are eating snails?? Beats me, as I had nothing else to compare it to, but they were delicious. On with the beef. Big and tasty bone-in ribeye. Lightly buttered, perfectly medium with a bright pink (but not raw) center. The best steak of my life. I've had them all but nothing tasted better. The way God intended to serve a dead cow. Sides of green beans with almonds (perfectly crunchy), Special mashed taters and marinated mushrooms. Flavorful but not overly salty. Huge hunk of Pumpkin Chiffon Pie and a Cappucino topped off the huge meal. What?? You can't smoke cigars at your table in Chicago any more??? Fine. I know what I'm doing on my walk back to the hotel.
(5)Natalie N.
Going into this meal I had very low expectations. Even though I had never dined at Joe's, I felt like I had eaten at this same uninspired restaurant with a tired menu of crab legs and steaks many times before. Boy was I wrong. Started out with the oysters Rockefeller and indeed it is the best Ive ever had. Crab claws were outstanding. My fiance ordered the bone in filet and it was easily one of the best steaks I've ever eaten. Typically I'm not a fan of any steaks that are "bone-in" because it seems that the steak closest to the bone is always raw. This was not the case at Joe's. Also the spice mixture that accompanies the filet is spot on. I ordered the King Crab legs. The best king crab legs I've ever had. It's not the same ol' same... Not served hot and no drawn butter. This is served chilled with a spicy mustard sauce. So good!!!!! I'm so happy I got over myself and stopped being bitchy about coming to this restaurant because it was fantastic. Our bill came to 250.00 with cocktails, appetizers, and 2 entrees definitely not overly priced. The ambiance and seating arrangements leave something to be desired but regardless. GO TO JOES.
(5)Sahar M.
I love this place. I love steak salad ( ask for the one with old fashion style), soft shell crab, bone in filet and stone crab. My boyfriend also loves their burger.
(4)Melinda H.
The food here was amazing as well as the martini's. We loved it so much that even on our short little trip we had to go back for a second meal. Love the variety of oysters!
(5)Clifford S.
The scallops here are the best I have ever had and I have had them all over the country. I compare other scallops with these and they almost always are lacking. This is the only problem, they have ruined other scallops for me. Try them with Jenny's potatoes and finish with Key Lime Pie. Worth the calories and the price. Our favorite restaurant for special events. And scallops.
(5)Gary R.
I went to this place. It was good. They specialize in 'stoned crabs.' I've never actually seen a crab take a bong hit, but I gotta believe that would tenderize its meat and give it more of an herbal flavor. This is a great place to go when you are entertaining high level business people. Why, I'm not really sure, but that is what people there seem to do. Maybe its the staff that wear tuxedos or maybe its the creamed spinach. (business people love creamed spinach, and goat cheese for some reason) I had Halibut with a parmezian crust. I was a little concerned that that Halibut was not from Alaska. It never specified on the menu. That made me worry that it could have been from somewhere like Khaszakstan or even some back alley pond in Albania. Regardless, it was good. We also ordered the Lyonasse potato concoction. It was really tasty. My assumption was that it was made with bits of real Lion, which is a delicacy in Burundi. The peanut butter pie is hands down the best dessert in the city. Its light and flaky, and its like eating air until you realize you just became morbidly obese after one bite.
(4)Charles S.
Overpriced is the one word I'd use to describe Joe's. The food was good, not great. Service was good, not great. For the price, I'm certain there must be better restaurants in Chicago. I've had better steaks for a lot less money. I ordered the bone in ribeye medium rare and it was cooked medium with the outside being well. The flavor was okay but it seemed pretty tough. For a $50 piece of meat, I would have expected more. My son ordered the Bone in Filet, medium rare. It was cooked okay, leaning more towards medium. The flavor was good, but once again it was tough. A couple of bites were great, the rest of the filet was average. At $60+ I would have expected more. My wife had the sea bass, it was good but nothing you can't get at 10 other chain joints down the road for less money. The fish was prepared okay, the Asian style sauce was a little over powering for the buttery flavor of that fish. The seafood bisque was very good and my daughter enjoyed it. The sides were good, but basic and not cheap. The cocktail that the waiter raved about and said was so special turned out to be a $15+ fuzzy navel with a fancy name In a martini glass. Nothing bad about it, just a basic cocktail that I can order for less than ten dollars anywhere else. One other minor issue is their restroom. If I'm spending over three hundred bucks for a meal, can't you at least send someone in to the men's room to wipe the sink and take out the trash? I know they were busy that night, but an unclean men's room doesn't fit with fine dining.
(2)Evan S.
I ate here for a work dinner, so it wasn't on my dime, but this was as satisfying a meal as I can ask for. We had the stone crab and I ordered a filet. The place was packed and had a classic Chicago feel. I left full and happy.
(5)Tripp A.
Best steak in Chicago. Who would've thought, a seafood joint with amazing steak. Start it off with a crab bisque and you've got perfection! Only reason for a 4 star: we had a reservation, there were plenty of tables and we still ended up sitting in the bar-area for 15 minutes . . . watching others go by. Looking forward to our next time; from the other posts, I'm sure our service will be better then!
(4)Danielle C.
King Crab, Stone Crab, Crab Cakes, Crab Salad, Shrimp and Calamari. We HAD it ALL! And it was delicious!! I. Seriously. Love. CRAB! And so did my friends who were in town. We ate, and ate, and ate some more! In fact, we ordered appetizers of all the dishes- just so we could enjoy. I kinda think that is the way to go. Add on a couple of Key Lime Martinis and you have yourself an incredible brunch!!
(5)Gabe C.
Our servers name was Frank. He was FANTASTIC! My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary dinner here and we loved it. Loved the Stone Crab appetizer. We added an appetizer course of the scallops with bacon and kale: SO DAMN GOOD! Loved the crab bisque. Loved the filet mignon and alaskan king crab. Loved the Colorado cut lamb chops. Loved the cauliflower & creamed spinach sides. For dessert we had the signature key lime pie as well as the tres leches cake. Amazing! And Frank was fantastic the whole time! Attentive and really wanting us to have a good time. We will return and we'll ask for his section!
(5)Mari Y.
Went here for a friend's bday dinner. It's been a while since I've been to a steakhouse since I've given up red meat. As this was a special occasion, I made an exception. We started in the front room where we ordered drinks and tried to snag a table. Folks were definitely hovering around tables and were like vultures trying to grab any available space. Thankfully we were seated in 20 minutes with a good greasing! I thought that only worked in the movies but it also works at Joe's. The bf and I split the filet mignon classic and shared a number of sides and apps with the table - oysters, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese. We asked for the steak to be cooked medium and some areas were medium while others were medium rare. I prefer medium rare so it worked out well with my partner. Everything was rich and I was so full. I didn't feel like anything was greasy or bad for me so it was a nice feeling. For dessert, they brought out a dessert with a candle and we had the key lime pie and chocolate fudge pie. Yum on both accounts. Joe's is pretty chill and unpretentious. The servers wear cute little Swarovski crab pins on their lapel. Prices were high as expected but they matched the service and the quality of the meal. I'd go again as a guest but since I'm not into heavy eating, I don't see myself here in the near future.
(3)Moni K.
Excellent Food, Wine and Service OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER - the best ever!!! SHRIMP AND SCALLOP CEVICHE - excellent COLOSSAL LUMP CRAB CAKES - excellent CRISPY COD "FISH & CHIPS" - delightfully delicious MERLOT, CHARLES SMITH - Velvet Devil I had lovely time here. Solid 5 stars!
(5)Aron Y.
Remember to dress nicely for the meal, even for lunch. The Seafood Salad is the best salad I've ever had, with regards to both taste and look. I was never a big dressing person when it comes to salad but the dressing they used was tasty but not as strong as your normal, fatty, supermarket dressings. The salad itself is refreshing and colorful. Since it was my first time here, I got the Fishermen's Platter with some samples of everything for entree. Totally loved every bite of it!
(5)Paulette E.
Best food and service in Chicago!
(5)Tamera B.
I have to say that the food is SUPERB. The reason for the 2 star rating instead of 5 is because our celebratory dinner was kind of ruined due to a kitchen mishap. Hubby & I went to Joe's yesterday to celebrate both of our Feb. birthdays and Valentine's Day. Everything was going well when we arrived. We were promptly seated for our reservation. Our waiter was very kind. We had the crab & artichoke gratin as an appetizer, which was awesome. THE PROBLEM: Shortly after finishing our appetizer, my petite filet & king crab legs were delivered to our table along with the 2 side items that we ordered to share. So, I didn't touch my food for a few minutes because we were sure that hubby's food would be delivered within the next couple of minutes. After waiting about 10 minutes, his food had not been delivered nor was our waiter in sight. So, my husband urged me to go ahead and begin to eat because my "steamed" king crab legs & filet were cold at this point. Finally, our waiter appeared and asked us what happened to my husband's food and we informed him that it never came out. After some investigation, our waiter came back to our table and told us that it would be out "right behind him, in a couple of minutes". In the meantime, the couple sitting behind us got their food delivered to them and they arrived about 30 minutes after we did. After another 10-15 minutes, our waiter delivered my husband's food for him to enjoy with cold side items. I was 50% finished with cold crab legs and steak that I had been picking over in hopes that I would be able to enjoy a portion of my dinner with my husband. Our waiter apologized and said that the wait was so long because someone DROPPED my husband's plate in the kitchen and they didn't want to keep ALL of the food in the kitchen while they prepared a new plate AND it took them longer than they expected to prepare the new plate. I know mistakes happen, but this was our first time visiting Joe's, we don't get many date nights (we have a 5 & 2 year old), and we were REALLY looking forward to a fabulous dining experience enhanced by the well reputed world class service at a restaurant like Joe's.
(2)Erica H.
I can't say enough about this place! Service, excellent!!! Food excellent! I can't wait to go back again! Stone crab out of season and still amazing!
(5)Lucy S.
Went there for my anniversary a couple years ago. We had steak, crab, a little of everything. It was all good, but what I really remember is the key lime pie. I've had a lot of key lime pie in my life, and so far this is easily the best.
(4)Stacey S.
Joe's is by far my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Having said that I have only moved to the city for a month. Anywayz! We came to Joe's first time on a friend's recommendation and absolutely loved it. Must try the stone crab, filet mignon and roasted corn sides. My filet is perfectly cooked to rare every time. I had a bite of my husband's rib eye - didn't like it as much but that's cuz I prefer a different cut (namely filet). Roasted corn is so delicious. And of course you have to try their stone crabs - we had that for apps to share. Dessert we tried 2 different pies (peanut butter once and a different one another time) and the ice cream with chocolate on top. They are okay - I am not a huge dessert person though. Best thing is they can do half-portion desserts - always important since we always got really full from apps and mains. They have a good wine selection. We celebrated our 1-year anniversary here and had 2 glasses of proseco (on the house) which is always good. Excellent service and ambience. Valet parking available I believe for $14 (cash only). Will be back for sure!
(5)nicholas m.
5 for service. Our waitress Jill was amazing. Courteous, attentive without hovering and professional. 5 for food. My Ribeye was one of the best I'd ever had. The king crab legs were definitely the best crab legs I'd ever had. The key lime pie was amazing. Coffee rounded out the dinner nicely. 5 for ambience. I was given a beautiful booth in the corner. Loved the atmosphere. Would definitely come back.
(5)Tyler L.
Although an incredible place for crab and seafood, a lesser known secret is their prime rib, it's up their with D. Burke and the like.
(5)Lim K.
We went to Joe's for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. My husband ordered one of the lunch specials, grilled halibut. He liked it but it was soaked in too much sauce and did not have much grilled flavor. I had grilled beef tenderloin sandwich. The waiter asked me how I wanted my tenderloin and I replied, rare. He said that I was his kind of lady. However when I took a bite of my sandwich the meat was cooked almost medium. It tasted good so I did not send it back. I probably enjoyed it more if it were rare. My daughter ordered shrimp jonghe. It was very tasty but the shrimp was a little overcooked. Our side dishes, Lyonnaise and grilled asparagus were the best. Good service.
(3)Jean C.
Love the crab legs! Their steaks are also very good and don't forget to try one of their pie (key lime is a must)
(5)Marki L.
Love my Christmas gift cards. Shrimp for lunch and no kids. My husband ordered fried chicken. This is the best fried chicken north of 47th street. Fried chicken please.
(3)Alisha H.
I loved the crab cakes (didn't get to try the stone crabs so will have to go back for them), and the wine and dessert (a huge slab of apple pie) were divine. Great atmosphere too, and a huge back room space if you ever have a really big group event to host.
(4)Ellen J.
I don't get to Chicago as often as I'd like, but when I do - it's an absolute must to eat at Joe's. On my last minute trip last week, I alas walked in alone, early (around 5:30) to take my chances. They keep a few table open and I was early enough to score one. My mission this time was the stone crabs and I wanted a perfect wine to go with them...I usually go down the Chard path but the waiter suggested a white burgundy...indicating if I really didn't like it I could change. He also suggested that instead of all stone crabs, I try one from the west coast - he thought they were a little sweeter. Well, I'll be honest, I thought the crab suggestion was because it hasn't been a great season and they were short on the stone crab - but he seemed sincere (wouldn't let me get a full portion of the side I ordered - it's not on the menu but they do half orders...). The verdict? The stone crab met every expectation I had (yummmmmmmmmmmmmm) and the wine suggestion was perfect (as evidenced by the 3 glasses I did end up drinking by the end of the meal - 2 is usually all I ever do). And the west coast cousin of the stone crab? I ended up ordering 2 more after I finished my initial serving. Holy smokes - I'm not usually a big eater but they were fabulous - I just couldn't help myself. (Truly - if I'd been with someone, I might have been embarrassed at my gluttony). And the side dish I ordered (leek casserole thingy)...was finished off! Well and then, that wine - so I ordered the 3rd glass...and how do you sit at an empty table alone just drinking wine? I'm sure it's not that difficult, but the table looked empty so I ordered dessert. I got the Boston creme pie - I was having a comfort food craving I guess. It came with a thick covering of I'm sure wonderful chocolate, but I'm not not a chocoholic, so I took that off and just at the cake/cream...and swooshed it through the chocolate sauce that was swirled around the plate. It doesn't rate up there with the rest of the meal but it was perfectly fine, particularly as I enjoyed my final glass of white burgundy. So my server was spot on with his suggestions and was attentive enough making my solo meal comfortable and enjoyable. (oh and ps to the guy sitting at the table talking about Trading Places.....I think you underestimated how really young your co-workers were.........but I loved that movie when I was trading in Chicago.)
(5)Rhonda S.
Best crab cakes I've ever had!!!!! The file mignon was fork tender and the Alaskan king crab legs were sweet and tender and not fishy smelling or tasting. Great service everything was fantasticB-)B-)B-) OMG how did I forget dessert Keylime Pie=-O=-O=-O=-O=-O
(5)Mike H.
Pricy but fantastic. The bar area could use a redesign but other than that I had an amazing dining experience. We had a party of nine for my cousins birthday and had to wait a bit for out table to be ready but once we sat down everything was perfect. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable, his explanation of the dishes was concise and he recommended an excellent bottle of wine. I started with the mussels and then had stone crab for my entree. Others in my party had steak, seared ahi tuna and veal and everyone absolutely loved their meal. The steak looked amazing, a beautiful char on the outside and bright red in the center. After dinner wrapped up I was full, I was happy and out of nowhere the waiter shows up with one of every dessert on the menu each with a candle as an apology for our having to wait for out table. Great food, great service, great night.
(5)L B.
Excellent restaurant! We had the Sea Bass and bone in Filet. Both dishes were wonderful! The sea bass very flavorful and the filet tender with lots of flavor. Couldn't ask for better service or entrees. I'd go back to have that meal again now! Only item we weren't overwhelmed with were the pacific rock crab claws. The meat did not come out easily and the flavor was just ok. To our waiters credit, he took them back and we ordered oysters rockefeller which were very good. We also had the Banana Cream Pie with Foster Sauce and enjoyed it too. This is a restaurant you can't miss while in Chicago.
(5)Jeffrey M.
You eat at enough steakhouses and you figure out that a properly prepared prime steak is a properly prepared prime steak no matter where you are. What sets this place apart is the stone crab claws. A must do that I always make my starter. Followed up by a bone in prime steak.
(5)Karen M.
What an exquisite experience! Red wine constantly flowing in your goblet. Legs of moist crab joined by buttery scallops, huge grilled to perfection delicious shrimp teasing your appetite befor a perfectly prepared tender steak or seafood joins the table. Portions to accommodate every palate and appetite. If you still have not been totally satisfied appetite wise you can indulge yourself in more than accommodating portions of. Warmed Apple pie ala mode or key lime pie just to name a couple of their delicious dessert options. Don't be embarrassed to ask for a take home package .the staff is friendly, professional and more than willing to respond to your requests. Karen,Cuisenair-Matteson,I'll.
(5)Steve B.
Dinner and service was perfect! We came up from St Louis to celebrate our 30th anniversary and couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)Salena M.
Definitely get reservations for this place. It's crowded and worth eating at. We're from out of town and was the BEST Chicago meal we had among the many restaurants we've been to. I was surprised they had a kids menu which was perfect for our kids ages 5 and 7 and affordable. At the time we went, we were the only table with kids. The clientele were business groups, couples and families with "older" aged kids. My daughter loved the shrimp scampi with broccolini dish. Get the XL stone crab claws and the prime steak (I had the rib-eye) was melt in your mouth meat. The service was SUPERB. Very professional. I liked how they give you a fresh lemon squeeze spa time to clean your hands after we ate our crab claws.
(5)Kris L.
Ambience is elegant as clean, exactly what you'd expect. Service was fantastic. Loves: surf and turf, crab stuffed shrimp, wine list mmmm Cons: did not love the crab here sadly! A bit dry and my expectations were high. Will be back once I save up some dough!
(4)Winston G.
The bone-in steaks here are great. Had a NY strip bone in which was very tasty. Only complaint was that the steak was a little overcooked past the medium rare temperature that I wanted. King crab is really good here. I'm not a huge fan of their stone crabs. For sides, the mashed potatoes are great. Dessert - boston creme pie is a good way to finish your meal.
(4)Alex D.
Just a short review here - I was at Joe's back in October 2012 while attending a convention across the river, and I had the opportunity to take my mentor out to dinner, for a change. Because he had always been the one to take me out during my years of training, I wanted to take him to a place that would serve up a great meal! I can honestly say that Joe's did not disappoint! We had the Dover sole with tableside presentation, and it was perhaps the most delicious fish I've had at a restaurant. The only 'drawback' is the obvious popularity of the place, as we weren't able to get a table in the main dining room, but had to eat in the front area by the bar. Our waitress was awesome, and we soon forgot about our inability to get seated in the dining room - the night was great, and my mentor was quite pleased with our meal. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago... Who knows, maybe then I'll even try to make a reservation!
(4)Anne M.
Made a reservation over 3 weeks ago, looking to use up some Lettuce Entertain You gift certificates, and finally redeemed them (and then some $$) over the weekend. Me & Mr. were so looking forward to going, as we'd heard good things about Joe's as a Chicago-seafood place. Walked in right after a large herd of frat-type men - drat - so we had to stand around waiting in their crowded, uber-busy front room where the only 'wait' area is awkwardly standing around the front doors, encroaching the poor diners at those awful front tables between the door and bar. We actually stood outside for a little while, and then came back in and squeezed ourselves next to the door until our names were called. Thank god we were seated at a booth in the back dining room. It was equally buzzing and busy back there, but at least we were against a calm wall. Still, very loud and cramped. Started with a nice bottle of wine, and the plate of 7 medium claws. I'm not a fan of the cracking/pulling/cleaning of certain seafood, but after getting past that, these were really delicious, with the fantastic mustard/butter sauce and lemon. He ordered a bone-in steak, I had the parmesan flounder, we split grilled asparagus and a sweet potato - everything was great. And large-ish portions. We were definitely stuffed, but still ended with their 'famous' key lime pie, which was quite good. Maybe the best I've ever had. All in all, it was a great dining experience, especially as we had finally tried this well-known Chicago place. Good food, good service (very friendly/competent waitress), pricey, but nice to splurge every so often. Next, we're trying Shaw's, to compare....
(4)B A.
This place was fantastic with great food and excellent service. If you are wanting to dine more high end in Chicago I would highly recommend.
(5)Mango G.
Overrated. I ordered a scallop dish and all I got was two or three VERY small pieces for $35+. So disappointing :( Looking at all the great reviews, maybe I ordered a wrong dish..
(2)Kim B.
Went here last night for dinner. The atmosphere is very nice, waitstaff very attentative, wine was great, tuna tartar app was just ok, crab cake dinner was good came with a mustard dipping sauce that was good, tuna steak dinner was pretty bad (so tough I couldn't cut it with a knife or chew it and it was ice cold in the center. Had to send it back, which I NEVER do!). Didnt stick around for dessert. Don't think we will revisit this place, food was just ok for the expense. Expected better esp with the high zagat rating.
(2)Kenny g.
Update : Returned for our third year in a row and got the ribeye again. Everything I wrote previously stands. This is an amazing restaurant that everyone should try. Also, I think the king crab is better than the stone crab.
(5)Ali C.
Really superb stone crab claws. Fresh, firm, delicious.
(5)Sam M.
One of the BEST restaurants in the city. The food, service and ambiance is always excellent. Last night, it lived up to its expectations. Very good stone crab, appetizers (stuffed mushrooms/veggie salad). Even the bread is excellent. If you are not a fish eater there is still plenty of excellent choices. I had the Filet and my dad had the Fried Chicken. The friend chicken is some of the best I have ever had. The Filet was cooked to perfection. I did try a few of my party's fish dishes including: Dover sole, shrimp stuffed with crab; they were both delicious. All of their sides are also excellent. But make sure you save room for the dessert. My personal favorite, the banana cream pie. AMAZING. But back to the service. The waiters are some of the most professional around. She was patient, helpful and did not rush us. I will always consider Joe's for any special occasion and would recommend to any out of town guests.
(5)Ernest S.
We went here today to try their lunch restaurant week menu. I got the stone crab course and the stone crabs were sweet and fresh but it's their sauce that makes it really great. Wife got the shrimp scampi linguine which she had before and loved. Our server was fantastic. Very friendly and accommodating. However, there was an error with the bill and she sort of disappeared towards the end of the meal. But I don't want to factor that in too much as the restaurant started becoming extremely busy and it was probably quite hectic for the servers.
(4)Ming-Jou C.
I can't believe I missed Chicago Restaurant Week by one week! Especially knowing that Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is participating. Came here for an early dinner one night. Good thing because by the time we left at 8:30, it was packed and people seemed like they were waiting for a while. I had made a concerted effort to walk off my delicious rib lunch, and make room for this amazing crab I kept hearing about. We were seated right away, but were at a table about 5 feet away from the kitchen door. All night, waiters kept walking by and bumping by chair, even though I pulled it as close as I could. A tad annoying to say the least. We ordered some stone crabs for the table as appetizers. I guess they're from a different part of the Gulf and have a thicker shell. We immaturely dubbed them goth crabs because their claws had black tips. They were already cracked for us and the meat practically fell out as you grabbed them for your plate. The meat was so good, and the remoulade they gave you for dipping was pretty tasty. After we polished off the crab, out came our starters. I had the crab bisque, which was not too creamy and thick, but a good smooth consistency. There were bits of crab in there as well. I ordered a seafood chopped salad which normally comes with shrimp, lobster and crab. I asked them to hold the lobster and give me more crab, which they happily agreed to do. As our waitress told us, "We're pretty flexible within reason." Food was plentiful and the wine was really good. Service was friendly and the food came relatively quickly. Food wasn't crazy expensive, but it's not a cheap date either. By the time we left around 9, the bar area was packed with people, and it was the middle of the week. Already looking forward to going back next year.
(4)Jack F.
The grouper and sea bass were excellent. Service was also great, and the only reason I don't give 5 stars is a bit pricey for lunch
(4)Phillip A.
What an outstanding lunch! Erin our server was very helpful and not pushy.Came here on a week day with reservations for 11:30am opening time. Not crowded at all. The food quality was superb.my wife had the Mahi Mahi with Jennie's mashed potatoes good portions.I had the lump crab cakes 2 loaded with crab meat not filling that takes away from the amount of crab. These were the best crab cakes I have ever had and that includes Shaws Crab House in Schaumburg and the downtown Chicago location.Oops....almost forgot the fried calamari rates a 10 if you are a fan of squid. Desserts are massive so we opted for the half slice pieces. The Havanna cream pie and the chocolate style cake were still enough for each of us. We can't wait to return....worth the splurge every now and then.
(5)Christa R.
If given the choice, I'd walk down the block and sit at the Shaw's bar for atmosphere alone. But this is probably some of the best seafood you'll be able to find in the midwest. The key lime pie is to die for. Give it a whirl. Coffee service comes with real whipped cream. Really nice touch.
(4)Kathleen C.
Joe's has the best service that I have ever experienced and it is worth the $$$$ for a special night. I would definitely recommend making a reservation and if you don't have one, don't bother. The food is fantastic but I felt it was a little overpriced. I could order the same thing at Shaw's for a bit cheaper but I really felt like a princess having a server waiting on me the whole dinner.
(4)aneel u.
I was very excited they extended the restaurant week special, and hurried to make a reservation before starting back on the night shift next week....it was a so-so experience, so I'll break it down thusly: Good: * The restaurant week specials. 32 bucks for a pound of Alaskan king crab, plus numerous sides? Are you kidding? Great deal! The crab was perfect..we had it served chilled (as recommended by our waitress), and it was just sublime. The sides...eh. More on that in the "bad." For our starter, we both had the crab bisque, which was phenomenal. * Dessert. Yum. Key lime pie. I'm not even a key lime pie fan, and this was outstanding. * The waitstaff always kept the water glasses (and martini glasses) full. Bad: * This may be sort of nit-picky, but based on other Yelp reviews, I thought I would have the opportunity to swap out sides (i.e. mashed potatoes instead of hash browns, etc). Our waitress (kind of rudely) informed me that, no, the menu was set up that way for a reason, the prices would be all mixed up. The crispy hash browns were a big "ehhh", and the cole slaw was gross. I would have much rather have had the mashed potatoes and grilled tomato. * Our waitress made no mention of the fact that the restaurant week specials were still going on, and when we asked her about it, she bristled, regrouped, and then said she'd run to get us the menu. I realize that they don't make as much $$ when patrons order off the RW menu, but come on...I don't recall any other Yelpers mentioning that their servers seemed annoyed by that. * This is not the place to go if you want a romantic date. Wall-to-wall people (including the two lovely gents we had the pleasure of sitting by who just loved talking about cheating on their wives.) The acoustics are not great. So..all in all, this place has fantastic food (except the nasty cole slaw). I definitely felt I got my 32 bucks worth, hence the 4 stars, but I'm not holding my breath to go back and pay regular prices for snooty-ish waitstaff and having to yell at my dining companion.
(4)Rachael S.
Love, love, love Joe's! Every time I go to Joes - lunch, dinner, business event the food and service are fantastic. Some of my favorites are the crab cakes, sweet potato french fries, and stone crab. One night my boyfriend and I went to Joe's and were pleasantly surprised when they seated us in the back corner booth. Dinner was going great until I felt something under the table stab my ankle. I looked down and there was blood dripping from my ankle. A staple had come out of the upholstery so I called over the waitress to see if I could get a band-aid.... I wasn't going to let a little war wound ruin my dinner! She brought over the manager who apologized profusely and brought out a sample of each of the deserts on the menu. Not only was the service incredible, but the desserts were too! Watch out for the key lime pie.... its addicting.
(5)D N.
Went here and everything was exceptional. I recommend eating the stone crab and oyster Rockefeller apps. Do not eat here without ordering the bisque, it's so rich and tasty. Key lime pie and banana foster creme pie are ridiculous. Andy is the man when it comes to service! He really made the experience that much better!
(5)Steve M.
Enter Joe's only if you have a liberal expense account. We entertained our customer, party of 8. Everyone was completely satisfied. We had stone crabs, steaks, salads, deserts, wine, etc. This Russ guy though... I like good wine, and made this clear to our waitress. She sent Russ, the wine guy. Russ gave me the 'reserve' wine list. We ordered wine...Russ asked how things were going...then mentioned if we wanted a 2nd bottle, he had some that were not on the menu. Curious why he didn't offer the 'non-menu' wines the first time around. ... In the end, it is an expensive chain steak house. Sure, they have stone crabs, but I can name 10 local establishments that closely resemble the steak at Joe's. Again, they totally catered to us, but I'd never come back on my own dime.
(4)penn p.
Very disappointed . The crab was served with so many broken shell pieces it was not possible to separate the crab from the shell. Thus we paid $30.00 for coleslaw and potatoes. Would have sent it back but we were with a couple that recommended it. They are steak eaters and they were happy.
(2)Joy H.
I've been looking for a good restaurant in Streeterville when I travel to Chicago for work, and I think I finally found it! I stayed at the Marriott, so Joe's was right on the next block. I'd heard about stone crabs from a friend in Florida and figured I could finally try it out. Since I went by myself, I ordered the stone crab appetizer (2 large claws) and a baked potato. I used to live in the mid-Atlantic so I'm used to blue crabs, but these were on a wholly different level. The meat is really easy to get to since the restaurant cracks everything for you, and the texture is halfway between blue crabs and lobster. And even though I don't usually like mustard, the mustard dipping sauce the provide complimented the sweet crab meat perfectly. I liked the crab so much I went back the next day for lunch and got the Joe's Classic stone crabs which was 5 medium claws, coleslaw, hash browns, and key lime pie. I'm not a fan of coleslaw, so I was able to exchange that for their grilled tomatoes. The claws were excellent again, but I was a little disappointed with the hash browns. It was a huge portion, but only nice and crispy on the outside. The inside wasn't very flavorful at all. The tomatoes were okay but a little greasy from all the cheese and creamed spinach. The key lime pie was great, but not any different from what I'd expect at a nice steak place. The service was excellent and the waiters were always very friendly and helpful. The only real downer was the prices; this is not a cheap place! So I'll only be going back when I'm there for business.
(4)Shonda D.
Went there a second time this past weekend and Joe's deserves the 5 stars! We both ordered the Parmesan crusted Halibut - excellent; roasted corn - tasty; sauteed garlic spinach - perfect. Our maitre'd was phenomenal and the wine was delicious. Much better than the Trump Towers.
(5)Irena A.
I have been to this place once but I love it! I remember I had the most delicious shrimp cocktail!! The mashed potatoes are delicious also.. so is the spinach dip!! Have to go back here!
(5)Kelly B.
The only thing I've ever had here is the lobster bisque and seafood salad and they are both AMAZING. I've only ordered it for lunch when a vendor is paying, which is not that often, so I have yet to go to the restaurant. But I am amazed how much seafood comes in both. So fresh, too. Highly recommend you check it out.
(4)Mr. K.
The Best there is for King Crab Legs ! make sure to order them Cold. Remember they have already been cooked once right after they were Caught.
(5)George G.
Best full service restaurant in town. BAR NONE. Gotta try the bone filet, dry aged new york strip, king crab legs, all the appetizers and deserts. I recommend getting a table with Jasper. He is a wonderful person and an AMAZING waiter. Thank you!
(5)Jessica R.
I'm giving Joe's two stars, I never thought I would! My fiance and I walked into a fabulous old style restaurant with fantastic ambiance, packed at 4:30pm on a Saturday, and expected the best. We were super happy with our appetizers. The crab cake, chopped salad and stone crab were out of this world, and would go back for those. The bread basket was great too! Too bad that was the high point of our meal. For our main course we split Joe's famous scallops, which were the most flavorless scallops I have ever had in my entire life. We ordered a side of Jenni's mashed potatoes which were described as cheesy, but literally tasted like boxed mashed potatoes. I don't know what happened between appetizers and dessert. Service was fine, ambiance, again, was amazing, but the main course was so disappointing. I would go back for apps, but that's about it.
(2)Carmen C.
good seafood~delicious andthe service is very excellent~the price is a little bit high but it is ok~
(4)Fuffie G.
Joe...what has happened to you????? It's August And that means it's time for our annual birthday celebration. Last year we had a problem with the service, but this year you did us in with the food. The food has always been a slam dunk but tonight it was a huge disappointment. We started with the veggie salad that we always order. $ 13.00 for this salad and it pretty much looked like the size of a dinner salad. We asked one of the managers if this was a half order and he said no and basically confirmed what we were thinking that portion have been cut. My brother's fish for $ 25.00 was MAYBE 6 ounces. I ordered the scallops and they were fair at best. A plate of medium sized scallops with 2 lemon wedges an a sprig of pathetic parsley made for a poor presentation. Taste....pretty poor as well. Desserts were good and the service was excellent but I think the food and cost may have done us in. It makes me sad to write this review. Joe's has been a family favorite and we were all in agreement that's time to find a new restaurant for the August birthdays. See ya Joe...it was fun while it lasted.
(2)Christy W.
This restaurant is absolutely outstanding!! The food is outstanding and our server, Charles Raether gave us unparalleled customer service. I would recommend this restaurant to EVERYONE! Christy W.
(5)Jen C.
I was here to celebrate a birthday - and everything was just as great as before! Great food! I had to get Joe's Famous Scallops again...they do have another scallop dish (bacon-wrapped scallops) - but they're prepared differently and I couldn't pass up the Famous ones b/c they were so good the first time I had them. The side of corn is delish, and Jennie's Potatoes are really rich and good too. The service was similar - they're so busy that they can't be super attentive, but it's still good. They even brought a complimentary brownie a la mode for the birthday boy! Very nice :) Oh...the floors were really slippery...I don't know if they just waxed them or something but I felt like I was going to fall when I was walking on it and even heard some other patrons say the same thing. I would recommend it - make reservations weeks in advance or call the day of to see if there are cancellations!
(5)t k.
Staying across the street at the Conrad Hotel; expected to sit at the bar, eat something good/healthy but do it quicker than requesting a table in the dining room. Don't go to expect to sit at the bar and do as I did. The bar area is tight to say the least, really busy and crowded and the service is very slow in this area for obvious reasons. The food was good...but nothing to rave about.
(2)Kate S.
I came here while in town for a night earlier this week. The steak was good - I'll give you that. However, they get three stars because of the bar - the bartenders were friendly, had a great selection of wine, but it's not really somewhere you want to sit and eat your dinner. It's a fairly small bar that faces a wall with your back to the rest of the restaurant, so you're sort of forced to stare at walls all around you. And if you're dining alone, it's kinda fun to people watch, which you totally can't do here. It just wasn't really all that comfortable - but the food was good enough that I'd probably go back with others to get the full dining experience.
(3)Rob U.
If you haven't been to Joe's recently and you're reading this, get down there now while they've extended their restaurant week deal. Took the girlfriend for lunch and left feeling very good. We ordered the calimari in addition to the king crab lunch special and we didn't regret it, but it was definitely more than enough food. For some reason we thought the deal was too good to be true and filling at the same time, but it definitely was. Best crab I've had this far inland!
(5)Jennifer B.
There's a billion reviews on Yelp for Joe's. There's not much more I can add besides...come here for lunch! The atmosphere is the same and the food obviously tastes the same...but it's cheaper! On Saturdays/Sundays they have brunch specials for lunch.
(4)Lauren K.
Living in a town surrounded by steak, I was craving something seafood-y. I had heard from many locals that Joe's is their favorite restaurant, I had to give it a try. We sat at one of the bar tables, it offers the full menu, and ordered wine right away. The atmosphere is a little less formal here than the dining room and you can watch the baseball games! The waitress was knowledgable and patient....as the menu is quite extensive. We decided on the famous stone crab claw appetizer (Medium- 7 to an order), BLT salad wedge, the filet and the swordfish. The claws were disappointing, served cold and pre-cracked, which I thought was a severe disadvantage as the "crackers" in the kitchen clearly don't give a damn whether you have to search for small claw parts allover the meat. For $30, this was the biggest rip-off, and my boyfriend commented that Red Lobster has better offerings. The salad was yummy....probably because it has none of the health benefits of a regular salad. It's coated with blue cheese and bacon! The entrees, are straight up...no sides included, and OK. I would think for a seafood restaurant my swordfish could have been more tender and his steak a little less dry. I will skip Joe's next time and leave this place to the playboys and tourists.
(3)Yo U.
The plain burger here is very good value. Thank you for putting me on to Joe's for burgers, Chicago Magazine! Three points for improvement, though: (1) Always remember that diners should be offered bread service. The last time I was here, the waitress serving me neglected to do so. (2) Instruct your waitstaff to refrain from touching customers whom they don't know, even if such touching is done in a friendly and playful manner. It's unprofessional and quite likely unwelcome. (3) If a server messes up and this is brought to their attention, then that server should do something to take ownership of the issue and acknowledge their mistake. In my case, when the bread service was forgotten, something as simple as knocking a dollar or two off the bill or offering to comp a dessert would have done the trick. I wasn't annoyed, but I also wasn't impressed. The bread service issue might appear to be trivial, but when places like Outback and Red Lobster can get it right, you expect that a fancier place like Joe's would be able to do likewise. Professionalism and all that, you know.
(4)Robert R.
Haven't been for awhile but went back recently and was disappointed. Food was blah, service so-so and the place was packed like sardines. More tables than I recall with folks on top of each other. And the prices? Well, they didn't justify the meal or experience. In contrast, was recently at Capital Grill and the food,service, ambience were worth the price. I'm truly sorry to see Joe's slipping. It was a great place.
(2)andy b.
I love steak. It is my favorite food, and i consider myself an expert on steak. THerefore i will say this is my favorite steak in the city. The Filet is cooked perfectly and has alot of flavor sooooo good. Would be my last meal before i die
(5)Brandi W.
This was my letter to Joe's manager regarding our waiter, Patrick Burch. He is an AWESOME waiter!!! Ask for Patrick and tell him Brandi sent you! He just might tell oh that lady is AWESOME. LOL To whom it may concern: I have been meaning to write this for almost a week now. My boyfriend, Luke, and I have been huge fans of Joe's Seafood for almost 5 years now and we have never once had a waiter that we could say stands out as far as Patrick Burch has. We have had the pleasure of having him as our waiter twice now and I have to say he is not only a great waiter, but he is a great people person and has a wonderful personality to go with it. You can tell that he has years of experience and knowledge under his belt, which is very fitting for a place like Joe's. It had been a few months since Luke and I had been to Joe's and since we both watch Deadliest Catch we were going to have dinner in honor of one of the Captains that recently passed. I made my reservations almost 2 weeks in advance figuring it would be hard to get in and I wanted to request the same waiter as the last time but could not for the life of me remember his name, some reason I thought it was Eugene and not sure why. I just figured we would wing it and see who we would end up with since most of the wait staff at Joe's are ice, we just know that with Patrick you do not only get great customer service but the glowing personality. I was first to arrive for our 6pm reservation and when Luke finally showed up we were seated in the back right corner booth which was nice (Patrick called this the "VIP" section). Just as we were getting settled in and reading the menu (as if we really needed to since we already knew what we wanted) and were chatting about the day's events when Patrick walked up and greeted us. I was sort of shocked since I had forgotten his name to request him and we had just got done talking about him and wondering if he still worked there. After saying hello and asking for his name and explaining how I thought it was Eugene, we decided to take some time and mull over what we were going to have for dinner. When Patrick returned he recommended a starter which were the bay scallops and one of the side dishes which was the brussel sprouts with the apple wood smoked bacon which we did order and absolutely loved. I do not think out of the past 5 years that we have been going to Joe's that we have had anything bad recommended to us from a starter to the dessert. The last time we had Patrick I remember writing a review about the service, which has not changed in anyway other then great since, had how he was very personable. We both feel that Patrick is a great asset to Joe's and hope with the many years to come that we will be able to request him on our future visits. We truly enjoyed his conversations and service which was above and beyond the call of duty. We would love to be seated in Patrick's area for future visits if this is at all possible. I want to thank Joe's for a wonderful evening, great food and exceptional service provided by Patrick. Luke and I look forward to many future dining experiences with Joe's.
(5)Craig R.
Had a cocktail reception there last night. Service, food, and drinks all well worth the price! Crab was excellent!
(5)Andy G.
Very good food. A must experience.
(4)Donna R.
My favorite thing about Chicago!
(5)Josh C.
Years ago, I worked here while I was in college. That being said, I'm a bit biased, but I can also say that I've tasted everything on the menu and that I'm happy to report that I still haven't found something I didn't like. Joe's is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in the city. All of the food has a rather simple, family style service that will let's the food shine. The quality of the food is exceptional and the service is superior. My favorites on this expansive menu are as follows: 1. Fresh Alaskan King Crab legs. Forget Stone Crab. If I could afford it, I would try to eat my own body weight in these slender limbs of divinity. Mama, they are wonderful. 2. Bone-in NY Strip - Ask the server to have it sliced for you in the kitchen so you can share it, that way you get a little bit of everything. 3. Grilled Tomatos - I have never had a meal at Joe's without them. 4. Nantucket Bay Scallops (seasonal) - They're prepared in a light butter sauce with just a touch of salt and they're freakin' fantastic. Order two portions for an entree if you so desire. 5. Banana creme pie - All about the foster's sauce. Trust me. There are so many things to love about Joe's. The wine list is expansive and has some real gems, the signature cocktails are stupendous, and at its core, though it's a LEYE affiliated restaurant, there's a real family feel there.
(5)Amy J.
YUM! Everything on the menu is great and they mix their drinks strong! It's pricey and it's totally worth it! Oh, and if you do wear jeans, wear dressy jeans...this is an old-school swanky steak-house!
(5)Louis A.
I had no idea what a stone crab was before I came to Joe's. Actually...I still have no idea what differentiates it from a regular crab and will turn to wikipedia in just a few minutes...but I know that they come in 4 different sizes, look a little freaky (black claws), and taste amazing at Joe's. Thank you, Joe, for giving me a steakhouse experience with my fish. Way to go Joe, and way to go stone crabs!
(4)Leang E.
Do not get this place confused with Joe's Crab Shack. I told my girlfriend I wanted to go here for my birthday, and we almost missed out on this place and went there instead. It is pricey, but the crab there is excellent! The place is known for the stone cold crab which we did get in addition to the King crab claws. It's tough to give an opinion on the stone crab because I like warm crab better. The stone crab is prepared cold, which I was unaware of until I tried it. I may be slightly biased because of that and the fact that crab is my favorite seafood. The portions are huge, too. We had a baked potato that we shared, and we couldn't even finish it. If you are putting up the money to go there, you can be sure you'll be receiving quality service. There's a nice wine selection as well. Needless to say the birthday girl was happy and stuffed!
(5)Katherine R.
I went back to Joe's recently for a special occasion with my bf and couldn't have been more pleased. No really, I could not have been. We had cocktails -delicious dirty martini and appetizers to start. The stone crab was, as predicted, awesome. Such great flavor to them and the mustard sauce compliments it so well. We also ordered oysters rockefellar- I could have done without those. They were very meaty and the flavor was fine, it's just that I would preferred another order of stone crabs claws over oysters...ya know? Me, being the baller-shot-caller that I tend to be every now and then, ordered the king crab legs. Yes, they were $60 a la carte, but worth it. Per the server's rec, I ordered them chilled, not steamed. They were frickin amazing! I've eaten crab legs plenty before and even had them here, but these were the best, ever. Plain and simple, they were awesome, meaty and awesome. (I know, I repeated myself.) My bf got the bone-in rib eye and he was just as pleased. He did help me with a few knuckles (his fav) but other than that, I cleared my plate. The service was great, no compliants there. Literally, not one. He was attentive, nice and paid attention to what we were saying. Overall, great experience and a must for anyone. Again, pricey- but you get what you pay for. Make a reservation- it's always packed! And rightfully so!
(5)Vincent J.
The food would have been just as good and cheaper if I was in Florida, but the airfair would have set me back a few hundred. I liked Joe's, but couldn't help feel that no matter how nice the inside was, I was still just blocks off of Michigan Ave and tucked in the ground floor of a hirise. I don't have a problem paying for rent when I'm in a high traffic area, but I just felt like I was at any other tourist/suburbanite safe resturant. Joe's would be 5 stars if it was the little cozy place tucked back off of Taylor Street, that the decore wants to make it feel like. James, my server rocked and Scott & Stats at the bar were top notch. The people who work here know the menue up & down. The food was truely great. I really loved it, but it's just to commercialized. Well it is a Lettuce-entertain-you joint. I would giv eit 3 1/2 if they had 1/2 stars.
(3)Jessica S.
I went here for my birthday based on all the great reviews and I was not disappointed. We got the stone crab to start, dinner was a filet mignon cooked perfectly and the special salmon dish of the night with sides of broccoli and Jennie's potatoes. The wine and cocktails were great and the chocolate cake and key lime pie were delicious. Best of all was the service :) I would love to come back here again.
(5)Angela K.
I had the scallop and stone crabs. I had high expectations from reading the reviews and was a bit disappointed.
(3)Moe f.
Went on a Wed night for my sisters birthday and was packed as usual. The Madagasgar shrimps are amazing and they better be at $14/each. Stone crab good but almost cheaper to fly to FL for bigger, better claws. For entrees we had steak and seafood. The crab stuffed sole was bland. The dry aged NY strip was absolutely amazing but the waiter should have told us it was $60. All meat cooked perfectly Service was spot on. Kind of a touristy/biz crowd. Love it when they pre-crack my crab for me. I love crab, but it's so much work!! Probably better places in city but I'd go back in a flash if my wallet allowed me.
(4)Kymberly S.
I went to Joe's for lunch and it was amazing. We had the fried oysters for an appetizer which were delicious. The stone crab claws here are served at a perfect temperature and are refreshingly delicious. They have an excellent selection of seafood dishes which makes it hard to decide what to order. I visit Florida a lot and it was nice to see grouper on the menu which is not common for Chicago. The service here was impeccable and when you go here make sure you get the desert, you can even order half slices which are perfect for a little bite after a large meal. The key lime pie was absolutely the best I have ever tasted. I would highly recommend this place for dinner.
(5)Kim K.
While Joe's is an awesome restaurant, I'm writing a review today to thank Courtney for going out of her way today to help me get a key lime pie for my husband's 50th birthday. I won't go into the details other than to say that Joe's is lucky to have an employee who is helpful, friendly and efficient, and the next time I go to Joe's, I will be sure to thank her in person. Thanks! The Pie Lady
(5)Marcel M.
Headed over here for lunch. The service was great and the food was delicious. Lunch fare was pretty affordable and you should definitely try their steak sandwich... even the fries were amazing. Update: We headed here for dinner. It was packed on a Tuesday night. Service was decent (the guy forgot our onion mound) and the food was great. I wish I tried steak or stone crab, but I felt like a Fisherman's Platter. Broiled Cod and everything else was fried. Lightly fried at least. Be sure to get some drawn butter so you can dip your scallops in there. That tasted like good ole' lobster tail.
(5)Rosie Y.
Oops, I can't believe I didn't review this place back in January, when I first went :). This place is AWESOME, assuming you can afford to splurge on meals. The food is incredibly good... and I've tried a few entrees with my amazing mooching-off-other-people's-plates technique. The bone-in filet is one of their specialties, and is yummy in a melt-in-your-mouth tender kind of way. The dry aged New York strip is incredibly flavorful. Their stone crab is always fresh, and the scallops are cooked with a nice crisp exterior. I've also sampled a fish dish here, which was also very very good. Yummm. They say they fly in their seafood every day, and I believe them, based on the amazing freshness of their seafood--something you don't get as much in Chicago (seeing as we're in the middle of a giant land mass... lol). Also, their Key lime pie & coconut cream pie? Super yum, and big enough to share (assuming you eat moderately). Joe's also will bring out slice of chocolate cake/brownie + ice cream if (1) it's your birthday or (2) there are kids dining. Which is sweet, right? I love when restaurants do something special for your bday!! Their service is AMAZING. Unlike some restaurants (cough Mortons cough) which will not give you top of the notch service if you're in or look like you're in your early 20s (ie little cash), the servers here will treat you really well, and there's someone to come around and check up on you, fill your water, etc every 10 mins or so. The food comes out pretty quickly, and if you've never had stone crab before, the server will even show you what to do (um this involves peeling the crab shells which are already cracked and the process isn't hard, but well, you know). Oh, and when you're done, the server will squirt lemon over your hands (over a bowl) and give you a hot towel to wipe and make you feel all classy and rich. Haha awesome! (I think this is only if you order the crab, since you use your hands... but I bet you could ask even if you ordered a steak ;) haha) Parking notes: they do have valet, I think it was $12 or so? Pretty good, considering what part of the city they're in. Call to check the price though, since parking prices have been fluctuating a bit (ajsidofajsdfa!!!)
(5)Bryan R.
There really isn't much more to say that hasn't been said, Joe's Seafood is one of the best best restaurants in Chicago. If you come here, it's almost a sin not to get the stone crabs. These delicacies are amazing. The scallops here are also fantastic.
(5)Kevin C.
We started off with spinach stuffed mushroom, friend calamari and bread for appetizers. Then I couldn't say no to filet mingnon! We also had chocolate fudge pie for desert. This was my best steak experience while I was in Chicago. Everything tasted so good. Maybe we were just too hungry from a long day of walking around and waiting for the food. It took ~1hr for our main entree to arrive but you should probably expect this long of wait considering this is a relaxed / somewhat formal dining place. Plus, we also had 10+ people so that did not cut down the wait time. The server was friendly and attentive. The food was somewhat expensive, but worth it for certain occasion. This was a great dining experience overall.
(5)Kendra K.
I went with a date that - I guess to be impressive - decided to flip the host a twenty dollar bill to bypass the hour wait for a table. The classless host immediately started to suck up to my date and escorted us into the restaurant to be seated. I was so embarrassed and completely disgusted. That is one of the most classless things I have ever witnessed. I used to work at one of the most popular restaurants in the city and we used to rack up 2 hour wait times but if I were to take any of the bribes I was offered, I would have been fired immediately and rightfully so! They would have never allowed us to slap their customers in the face like that. I will never visit or recommend this place. It's disgusting to allow someone to bypass your waiting customers with a bribe. It's greedy and ungrateful. Additionally, their food was fine but not that great and way overpriced so they are lucky to have customers willing to wait at all!! My advice is give someone else your business because trust me, they don't appreciate it!!
(1)Paul R.
One of the greatest dining experiences of my life. First of all, if you come here, you gotta do it right: I'm talking appetizers, salads, entrees and dessert. Joe's is not inexpensive by any means, but the wait staff treats you like a million dollars when you're in for dinner and the food is outstanding. It really is hard to go wrong while selecting your entree, but as one of the cities finest steakhouses, my recommedation is to skip the kid's menu and go for the beef. Their prime, bone-in ribeye may be one of the tastiest, tenderest, and-dare I say-perfect cuts of steak known to man. Order it medium-rare and prepare yourself for one of the most memorable nights of your life. And, yes, I'm still talking about the steak.
(5)Laura H.
Oh my God, just go. You'll break the bank and it'll be worth every penny. The crab claws melt in your mouth, or is it that succulent drawn butter they come with? The bone-in filet makes me want to cry but just when I stop weeping they bring me a piece of banana foster cream pie and I crumble again. I can't possibly rave about this place anymore. If there's a heaven and this place doesn't exist there I don't want to go.
(5)Nancy C.
"Fantastic!" Bone-in steak is so juicy and delicious! King crab is great! 3 cheese mac&cheese is good... Grilled tomato side is good... Okay, I may sound like a broken record, but I highly recommend Joe's. It's the perfect blend between classy and casual. Prices aren't bad, and staff is attentive and friendly.
(5)Jeff Y.
best seafood in the city and the steaks are pretty damn good too. the king crab legs are huuuuuuge and delicious, and the stone crabs are great too. i recommend getting the second mortgage for an appetizer, especially if you haven't ever been here before. you get a little of everything and can decide what to eat more of next time. the service here is old school and very chicago, but in a good way. be sure to book reservations at least a week out, or try to grab a table at the bar if you go without one. and don't be scared off by the price tag. it's really not that much more than other seafood places in the area (devons, mccormick, etc) and the food is much, much better.
(5)Leo L.
I took my girlfriend here for dinner on a Friday night. When we walked in it was crowded, there was a line and the host told us the wait would be 1 to 1.5 hours. We were seated within 30 minutes though (yay!), and our friendly waitress quickly introduced herself and gave us a rundown of the nights specials. We ordered 2 crab appetizers (a medium serving of stone crab and a $36 King Claw appetizer). For the main course we ordered "Joe's Scallops". Stone crab was OK, its served chilled with lemon and some kind of mustardy sauce(?). I guess its not my thing, so I wasnt that into it. But the king crab claws were huge and did not disappoint. Joe's Scallops are marinated and fried and somewhat plain, but still very good and perfectly cooked. I do want to go back some day and try their other crab dishes and steak, maybe when my wallet fills up again. This place is way pricey but the service is great. Our waitress was one of the nicest Ive had. Even the bouncer/doorman whatever guy was very courteous and friendly. If price doesnt matter you should have a good dining experience here. Take a date.
(3)Rebecca B.
Joe's lives up to the hype. Everything I tasted was excellent and the service is impeccable. I had the filet, mashed potatoes, spinach, and boston creme pie for dessert (it was a work dinner and the menu was pre-ordered - don't judge). The filet was cooked perfectly, the potatoes were creamy and delicious, and the boston creme pie was amazing, although by the time it came out, I could only manage a few bites. Others in our party ordered salmon, chicken, a pasta dish, and a sushi-grade tuna steak and everyone said their dinners were amazing. You know it's good when everyone is gabbing away and then the food arrives and it's suddenly silent at the table as everyone gobbles down their food. Yum.
(5)AJ R.
I cannot say enough good things about Joe's. We have been there more than a dozen times--definitely our favorite restaurant in Chicago. It has the perfect combination of everything--impecable service, amazing food, and a formal yet not stuff atmosphere. It can be pretty hard to get a reservation on the weekends (for a reason!), so if you're thinking about it, book now! The waiters there are wonderful--attentive, but not overbearing. They clearly enjoy what they do. We have had a few of them several times... The food--amazing! Every time my in-laws are in town we have to go there! Our favorites include about any of the fish dishes, the bone in filet as well as their regular filet, creamed spinach, Jeny's potatoes, fried oysters, and you can't leave without getting dessert (they are all wonderful--we always get the boston creme pie and key lime pie)! We have also been to the Joe's in Miami, which is also excellent--same quality of food, but the service @ the Joe's in Chicago is unbeatable!
(5)eden s.
Never disappoints. Their drinks are perfectly chilled and and the service is really fantastic. The waiters know their product very well and are always so friendly --- you'd never know it if they got slammed. The wedge salad is great especially with their version of french dressing and blue cheese. WOW. The Alaskan King crab is so amazing, I want it everyday of the week. I prefer mine warm, but my husband likes his cold. Dipped in a pool of butter...what could be better? And they crack the shells for you! I would recommend the King crab over the stone crab. Gotta work too hard de-shelling the stone crab! The steaks are also great, sides - can't go wrong. Even their bread basket is fresh and fantastic. An out-of-towners dream and an in-towners favorite. OH, can't forget their peppermint ice cream and hot fudge for dessert. UH-mazing. 1 thing that does bug me about this place...why must you bribe the maître d' with a $20+ in order to get you a reservation??? Even on a Tuesday at 6pm for a reservation 3 months in advance? C'mon now.
(5)Maggie B.
I've never had a bad experience here. Yes it is pricey, and I recommend making a reservation. The crab & artichoke gratin is one of the most delicious appetizer-type dishes I've ever tasted. I've never done the tableside crab service, I'm more of a whitefish gal, but it's very impressive. We ate there last night and you would never know that it was packed to the gills, the service was excellent.
(5)Lauren J.
Great place...came here for my 30th bday dinner/eating tour of Chicago trip with my mom. We were visiting from out of town and a businessman friend recommended it who comes here often. He ended up making the reservation for us...the night before my birthday. No problem for Joe's though! They accommodated us and we didn't have to wait long before a nice table was waiting. Very appreciative of this as wandering the city would have been quite the bummer on a special night out. We tried the grapefruit margarita and keylime martini very good however keylime martini may have had too much grenadine as I couldn't finish it it was too sweet! We ordered the ceasar salad, nice & light, the jenny's (I think that's what they were) potatoes were so yummy I could have only ordered those and filet. It definitely needed the seasoning the leave you but it was good with a nice crunchy outside and a nice rare inside mmm. My mom ordered the crabcakes which were insanely delicious. I also caught the eye of the shrimp cocktail which I wish I had ordered too but I would have been too full. Next time!! The bread at the table was nice but not warmed. Service here was TOP NOTCH as I enjoy receiving from places like this. Our waiter went out of his way to recommend places to go after for a drink and really did a great job. You can tell they have great staff here!! Thank you for a great bday dinner joes!! Scene was very cool, businessmen and 30+ somethings...cool vibe in there with a late 20's decor, wood paneling etc.
(4)John Y.
Our company held the corporate dinner here, and it was great! The back area is separated by dividers with plenty of privacy for a private party. Food came out on time. I went with my usual Filet Mignon, butterflied, with a little peppercorn on top. It was cooked well. My buddy got the NY Strip, and it was even better. I am a fan of filet over the ny strip, but if you ever go here, go with the ny strip. They got it down at Joe's.
(4)Ami H.
Just dined here last night and it was yummy. The service and food are both great. Huge portion sizes and great stone crab! The guys all loved the steaks. Don't forget to save your appetite for some of their key lime pie. A definite place to eat at your next visit to Chicago.
(4)Neal K.
If you value the experience and the ritual of "dining out" as much as you value the quality of the cuisine, head to Joe's for a special occasion. The waitstaff is as good or better than any crew running a large restaurant in all of Chicago. Knowledgeable, professional, sincere, energetic, and honest (wish I could say the same of the patrons - OOoowwwhhhh). Don't fool yourself, this place will lighten your wallet and maybe even make you re-think any frivolous clothes, movies, or Whole Foods outings you had planned for the month. Everyone knows the story of this establishment - 1913 Miami Beach mom and pop lunch counter finds a way to make the well-armored "stone" crab edible, explodes in popularity, courts the rat pack and well-to-do retiree crowd, opens in a franchise in Chicago in early 2000's and instantly joins the upper echelon of Chicago's highly rated restaurants as well as settling deeply into the psyche of the upper crust "it's Tuesday, I don't want to cook (yawn)" and ladies lunch crowds. "We need more hot water and lemons, and stop looking at me young lady". There's also the occasional un-tethered lil' Lord Fauntleroy running up and down the tight spaces between larger tables. Sorry, but money and class are not the same thing, but I digress... The food - This is simple food cranked up to maximum volume. The stone crab is worth trying, it's a sweet version of what you know as crab. It's recyclable in a way - I think they only take one of the claws off these dudes and it grows back after about a year. Bitter or not, these dudes taste pretty good. Don't get anything smaller than large claws, the flavor just isn't there. FYI- it's only in season for part of the year in the fall. King crab when it's in season is the best available in the midwest. I'd argue it's more appealing to me than the $75 lobster tail and tastier too. Steaks are absolutely ridiculous. Bone in Ribeye wins the prize, along with salty seasoning add-ons. The sides are just as good as the main courses. Jenny's potatoes and beefsteak grilled tomato with cheesy spinach is mouth-watering. Desserts are made every morning on-site. The Cherry pie with great vanilla bean ice cream and jubilee sauce in the summer is one of my favorite sweet indulgences of all time. The wine list is extraordinary, but again, you really need to stop worrying about how you're going to pay for this meal, just get a bottle of Domaine Serene, and put it on the credit card. Trust me. Reservations are a must. Go early and leave when the crowds get there around 8pm. Or, stop by for a surprisingly affordable burger and coke for lunch - they even do that well. Don't know if brunch is still going, but they searched far and wide to find the most decadent smoked thick cut bacon that they swab down with maple syrup. Come ready for a tussle, because the entire menu is a left hook, jab, or mighty blow delivered directly to the solar plexis from this heavyweight of a joint. You should be prepared to be knocked down for at least a mandatory 8 count. Try this tip - split a steak , 2 glasses of wine, and 1 side if you want to walk out alive.
(5)Phil K.
Joe's was awesome in almost every way. I felt slightly out of place when we walked in - most of us were in our late 20's, which is a little on the green of the spectrum, at least the night we were there - I felt just fine once we sat down. The restaurant was crowded when we arrived at 6pm, and I'm sure it stayed that way for the entire night. I don't usually have a good time at steak houses, so I was happy to learn that Joe's specializes in seafood, but also serves 1st class steaks. Our table shared garlic prawns for a starter; they were perfectly cooked and delicious. For my entire I had one of their seafood specials - Parmesan crusted flounder - which was extremely good. You order several sides to share at the table, all of ours were excellent. We had creamed spinach, panko-breaded asparagus, "Jennie's" potatoes, and hashed browns. We were stuffed by the time we finished that off. Dessert was also excellent. The key lime pie is definitely just as good as what I've had in Florida, which is impressive. The apple pie was probably even better, and I'll definitely order that next time I go - hopefully soon.
(5)Ronnie S.
If you order the right thing, then it is the best ever! Otherwise the menu is ok for the price. The aged steak is like slice of heaven! Bring your friends who like to eat the heavy stuff!
(4)Alan R.
Chicago received a World Class restaurant of international renown when Lettuce Entertain You partnered to bring Joe's to Chicago. We go here every year for my wife's birthday. The second mortgage is the best appetizer at any Chicago restaurant. It comes with ceviche, stone crab, lobster and shrimp. The sweet potatoes are fantastic and they always have excellent desert if want something other than key lime pie. The service is also what you would expect from a high end restaurant. They will help with any suggestions about the menu or with special requests. A great place for a special date or celebration.
(5)Rachel H.
I went here for my birthday and was completely impressed. The atmosphere is perfect for a special occasion. I had a filet which was absolutely delicious and juicy as well as the second mortgage appetizer which has ceviche, stone crab claws, lobster tail, and shrimp on it I believe. It was amazing. The service was also top notch and when the waiter managed to spill a glass of red wine on my brother in law his steak was comped, his dry cleaning paid for, and we were treated to a wide variety of the desserts free of charge. The key lime pie is the best.
(5)Kathy C.
JUMBO BACK FIN LUMP CRAB CAKES: Yup. The real deal. I am always disappointed with crab cakes but I keep trying to find one that qualifies and measures up to the crab cakes in Baltimore. That means carefully handling the true back fin lump crabmeat (hard to buy in Chicago at this freshness level) - and not adding fillers. It should be presented just like these at Joe's - carefully shaped, sauteed and unadulterated. I have searched long and hard and have finally found a real crab cake in Chicago. One teeny tiny complaint: Not hot enough in the center (but they are JUMBO). I will be back.
(5)MJ D.
In my opinion Joes is one of the most consistant restaurants in Chicago. It is not inexpensive but the food & service is worth it. All the steaks our Prime and Seafood is fresh also I would definitly eat the Key Lime Pie but all the deserts are great.
(5)Sam W.
What an experience. This was my first time at Joe's and I was very happy with my decision to celebrate my 22nd birthday there. My family and friends (total of 5 of us) started out with Fried Calamari and 5 Large Stone Crab Claws. The calamari was decision and perfectly crisp. The claws, which represented my first experience with stone crab, were good but a little boring. The presentation was nice and I appreciated the pre-cracking of the claws, but pieces of shell would still find themselves in the meat. For the price, they really weren't worth it. Our entrees consisted of the Ahi Tuna, Tempura Lobster, and multiple orders of Bacon Wrapped Scallops. Each dish was incredible, and the scallops were perfectly cooked. The tuna was seared rare but a little bland. With a little help from some type of chili sauce that came with the Lobster, the Tuna became an instant hit. As for the Lobster itself, the breading was a little too much, especially since the menu read tempura, and not deep fried, as it seemed to be. Either way, fried lobster is a treat. For dessert, we all shared a slice of the Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie, and the Apple Pie ala mode. The crust on the Key Lime Pie was the best ever. The thinly sliced apples embedded into the Apple Pie was delectable, and the Banana Cream filing in the third pie left us all ready to be carted out in a wheel chair. The service was fantastic for a Saturday night and we all can't wait to return.
(5)Christine L.
This place made me ill....seriously! I don't know if it was a bad piece of seafood or just that everything I touched was insanely creamy, buttery, oily and fat ladden. My stomach can not handle that many rich foods in one meal. I had an encrusted tilapia that was far too greasy for my liking. Most of the table loooved the lobster bisque and potaotes lyonnaise but they made me sick. Honestly, that was the richest meal I have ever attempted to eat and just tasted like a chain restaurant to me. I know this place has a lot of fans but I'm certainly not one of them and can't recommend this place.
(1)Brad F.
Everything was soooo delicious here. I got the bigger filet which was excellent. I also got a caeser salad which was also very yummy. I ended up getting this awesome appetizer the shrimp de johnge which was amazinggggg i wanted more.
(5)Lisa K.
when youre looking to paint the town red, start with this old school chicago restaurant. excellent food, hands down, mmm mmmm mmmm mmmm good
(5)Jennifer H.
Consistently excellent food. Perfect place to take someone if you want a great food, great service and a great atmosphere. I'd recommend it to anyone. I've been for lunch, dinner and drinks and will go back many times.
(4)Tiffany M.
This is my FAVORITE restaurant in Chicago. So much so that my boyfriend took me here to propose last year....just when I thought it couldn't get much better than the King Crab Legs, Stone Crab and FIlet at this place he went and gave me yet another reason to rave! Service is always impeccable and it's always packed. Wish I could eat here every day, I'd give it eleven stars if I could.
(5)Chloe G.
I love Joe's! They have my favorite salad in the city, the chopped vegetable salad. It has 14 different vegetables and has this wonderful cheese on it and the creamy vinaigrette is amazing. Their steaks are also wonderful and come with a little side of this mixed salt that you can put on the steak...so delicious. And their pies are all so good!! I've had the key lime pie, the peanut butter pie, and I think a few others and they are all delicious.
(5)Steve H.
The bone in filet is amazing. This is one of the best restaurants in the city. If you are looking for a top notch steakhouse/seafood, look no further.
(5)Natalie B.
I live for this place! It can get expensive, but it is so worth it!. It has something for everyone on the menu and can meet any dietary need. The staff is top notch and the ambiance makes it perfect for any special occasion, or to impress a date.
(5)Bridget L.
Joe's was very hyped up when I came here for a birthday dinner so I had a lot of expectations. The service was excellent and the food was great. The stone crab, however, was a pain in the behind to eat!! The little shells were stuck in the meat. Every other bite was "crunchy". That was too bad. Overall though this place is lovely.
(4)Mandy K.
I went to Joe's last night and had the best halibut I have ever had in my life. It was parmesean crusted and perfectly cooked. To top it off, they put a delecious lemon butter sauce with it. The staff was attentive and friendly and the sides we ordered with our entrees, broccoli and Jennie's potatoes, were divine as well. All in all, Joe's is a perfect place for great seafood meal.
(5)carmen b.
Hello ,food snob here. I am from Northwest Indiana but know one thing. When I go eat in the heart if Chicago I know the restaurant will be good. This one is no exception. Stone Crab was great. Not to many places will crack and open the crab legs for you. Expensive, YES, but this is DOWNTOWN what do you expect. I must confess after a good tax refund my wife and I splurged. This is the place to do it. Yes we went overboard $260.00 with tip. BUT on a regular bassis it could be half that. So live it up sometime. Your not getting any younger.
(5)Chris G.
I have really bad experiences with Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. My worst two restaurant experiences have been at them. Maybe it is because of the semi-chain, semi-upscale restaurant feel to them that makes me feel like I should be relaxed, while the waitstaff always acts like the place is lavish? However, some important colleagues were in town and they suggested this place (know that I would have never picked this place - I don't eat animal). The waiter was awful and made all six of us feel like we made a mistake from the moment we sat down. He was rude and unhelpful. When I asked him for his suggestion, he laughed and said I should go somewhere else (I know, this is a seafood and steak house, but I didn't choose the place. Couldn't he at least attempt to be polite? Suggest some sides or a salad you jerk!) When I ordered three sides (after struggling to find something without animal), he asked if I wanted a separate check as well (Again, jerk!) The sides were not good. In fact, I am pretty sure the cauliflower and fried green tomatoes were pre-cooked, frozen and reheated before they hit my place. When he finally brought us the check (one check, please, jerk), he quietly dropped it off and didn't return for 15 minutes. Thanks, again, Lettuce Entertain You for another bad experience.
(1)Yuni c.
My family and I went to Joe's for lunch. It was quite packed! We had their Manhattan clam chowder, Stonecrabs, beef steak sandwich and seared tuna sandwich (we shared all of them). They were delicious and the service was exceptional.
(4)Melissa H.
I love this place! The Stone Crab is awesome! The seafood and fish is awesome! The ambiance is great, a big restaurant and lots of people, but you don't feel cramped and you don't feel like you can't socialize if you're with a big group. Make your reservations early! It is kinda pricey but it is SO worth it!
(4)Jim C.
Started. Out by waiting 45 minutes with a reservation. Second we ordered the whale as our appetizer and a Stone crab tasted very fishy. After complaining we didn't even receive a complimentary drink or any discount off our bill for the issues we had. Not that I was expecting a significant discount but a restaurant of this caliber they should try and take care of their customers a little better.
(1)Emily P.
Quite possibly the best lunch we have ever had!! The crab bisque was to die for, the stone crabs were amazing!! My husband had the tenderloin sandwich and it was the best tenderloin sandwich he had ever had. I had the seafood chopped salad and it ws perfect!! A must try restaurant
(5)Harvey F.
This is an excellent restaurant. I had a Cheeseburger and fries here and was delighted by the freshness of the meat, the efficient service, and the lovely decor. Given the size of the restaurant and its location, I think fifteen dollars for my meal was a reasonable price. I wouldn't mind coming back here next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Alice T.
Restaurant week here was really good. We were almost 30 minutes late, but they still held our table. Definitely make reservations though- I think the whole back section is for reservations. A guy was there before us, without a reservation, and he was still at the bar area when we left. We ordered the stone crabs menu ($22 for lunch). - Bread: I love when they have all sorts of options- there was a mini onion kaiser roll with caramelized onions inside! They also had a really buttery roll, cinnamon-covered bread stick thing (the same one that Corner Bakery does), and raisin rye bread. - Manhattan clam chowder- pretty much just chunky vegetable soup with clam. - Stone crab bisque- so creamy and good. Didn't get any crab bits, but the flavor made up for it. - Stone crabs (4 pre-cracked claws)- the lemon and Joe's mustard go so well with the crab, and helps bring out the freshness and tangy-ness. These were really annoying to eat though, because I kept eating shell... - Joe's cole slaw- not heavy mayo, tasted more like sushi vinegar, came with relish and a dollop of mayo, really, really good - Potatoes- like hash brown, but with a really crunchy (almost burnt) crust on top, super oily and heavy - Key lime pie- super tangy, not too sweet, probably one of the best key lime pies I've had, it would have been perfect if they used the graham cracker crumb pie base - Banana foster- too much whipped cream, not enough cream and bananas, also not too sweet I really like how they do all their sides as family style, instead of individual portions. The menu was also really thoughtful. For desserts, the key lime pie is paired with the seafood (a tangy end to the meal), and the banana foster is meant to be paired with the filet mignon (nice and creamy finish). The service was really attentive, and the food was really fresh. They don't skimp on portions and deliver a great experience.
(4)Angela T.
WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID than OMG!!! Absolutely SUPERB!!! I can't wait to get back to Chicago to dine here again!
(5)Maureen C.
Great service, great food. Will definitely be back! I don't know what else I can say to add on to everyone's comments here... except Go! =) You won't regret it!
(5)Cathy K.
Bone-in Filet was fantastic. Has a great crust. Bone-in Ribeye was amazing also. Crab was fine. Nothing out of this world. Ordered half slice of Key lime pie and Havana pie. I prefer the Havana.... Go here if you just want good quality meat. No fancy sauces needed here.
(5)Paul M.
I had heard the Miami location of this place was not too be missed, so when we had the opportunity to check this one out we jumped at the chance! For appetizers we tried the highly recommended Madagascar jumbo shrimp which I thought were only OK. The stone crabs which they are famous for were very good, precracked and easy to eat for shellfish, but honestly were overshadowed by the delicious Alaskan King crab! We also shared an order of the highly recommended fried chicken which was good, moist, well seasoned and not soggy. I ordered a dry aged steak for entree, recommended by our server, which felt like it took an hour to come :( once it arrived however, it was cooked to my liking medium rare and tasty. For desert, we had the key lime pie which was a surprisingly normal portion size and really good. Our party ended up fighting over it and ignoring the coconut cream pie accompaniment. A down side of the night was when our group had issues redeeming points for our drinks at the bar via the lettuce entertain you rewards program because apparently according to the rules the card holder and credit card holder have to match. We have not had an issue at any of the other participating restaurants in the area so we were surprised that restaurant manager was unwilling to accommodate us considering we had spent over $1,000 on dinner that night. He apologized to me afterward insisting he could not break the rules, but this sort of left a damper. Also, we made an open table reservation for this place and they did not take into account the special instructions for a gluten free menu. We ended up having to request one and defeating the purpose of "special instructions." Overall some really very good seafood dishes (CRAB!), but also some only pretty good ones and considering some other lapses in service and the high price tag to dine here I walked away with a less than stellar feeling.
(3)Shaun T.
The only reason I would not give this location 5 stars is because of the wait time and chaos of the waiting area. Other than that, it was a great experience! From the time we sat down, the service was superb! We visited on a Wednesday night on this day which may have been a busier time. We will certainly return but make our reservations for early evening hours instead.
(4)Jay J.
Top five restaurant for me. The stone crab is obviously amazing, the mahi was the best mahi I've ever had. Get ready to drop some cash though because you're going to have to sell your watch to pay for it.
(5)Maggie V.
I have been to Joe's a number of times for professional events and fun night out dinners. I have yet to taste anything mediocre let alone bad-- they simply have great food all the time. The wait staff is awesome, very attentive and great with recommendations for first timers as well as return customers looking to try something new. Portions are good sized, but you definitely want to save room for dessert. Key lime pie is amazing. The steak and the seafood are equally amazing. Highly highly recommend Joe's for a nice night out.
(5)Bethany H.
Maybe because it was restaurant week, we didn't get the full "Joe's" experience. We came here for a friend's birthday dinner, party of 10. While one member of the party got sent to the wrong table, and awkwardly had to explain that she did not know that table and needed help finding the correct table, the rest of us were seated rather promptly. Our server lacked a beside manner, whatever that translates to, in the food industry. When the birthday girl wanted to know what a rock crab was like, the server did not describe the crab itself, but rather how it compared to another type of crab the birthday girl had never tried. When she stated this, the server rolled her eyes and gave her a 6 word, vague response. Not helpful. There was some serious mix ups in our food order, which happens. But when a guest said that they did not get a lobster tail with their steak, the server argued saying he did. Ha! Really? The guest has never eaten lobster in his life, so I think he can be trusted to know his order. So let's talk food. IT was very good, although two meals needed to be sent back for correction. They do seafood quite well here and the steaks were great for a seafood joint. We enjoyed the tomato slices with a pesto and broiled cheese, and the mashed potatoes. The tuna tar tar and stone crabs were very good as well. Perhaps we will be back some day to dine there when it is not restaurant week.
(3)J. N.
If I could give a 6th star, I would give it to Joe's. Its simply the best. Its solid. Always packed, always flawless service. Its clean, its hip, they are on their game. Everything on the menu is absolutely amazing. The best restaurant in the city, hands down. Good luck getting that reservation.
(5)Carson K.
Exceptional service. Every waiter I have ever had went out of their way to provide a very personalized experience. For a nice meal on the town, this place is hard to beat.
(5)mike h.
Awesome beef and seafood, I travel a lot and this is a favorite!
(5)Melina R.
I didn't care for this place. My mom and I were starving on a Sunday night and while everything else was closed, Joe's was open. We didn't order what they are known for - seafood and prime steak, so maybe that is where the problem arose from.
(2)Ken A.
Good food indeed. We opened for king crab legs as an appetizer and they were delicious. I do wish I would have requested them steamed rather than chilled. My fault. Still delicious. After a nice Booker's whiskey, I ordered a a fantastic wine to accompany the NY steak that was cooked to perfection. Don't hate, but I can't remember the name. It was 20 bucks a glass and worth every penny. Man, I love a good wine. The mac and cheese for the kids was off the charts and I ate a lot of it. Creamed spinach always great... It's expensive but very, very good. Reminds me of the Palm.
(5)Ellen G.
This place is wonderful, perfect for a special occasion. The waiters in tuxes, the detailed explanations, everything perfectly cooked. Unless you have a good waiter or have inside information, you won't know that you can get 1/2 size side dishes and desserts for 1/2 price plus $1, which is fantastic so you can try more things. The asparagus is great--tender, sweet, not stringy. The baked potato comes with onion sour cream, basically onion dip on the side, the house recipe. If not everyone in your party wants steak, the menu is basically half steak, half seafood. The shrimp dejonghe is excellent, and 1 person got the crab stuffed sole. Havana Dream pie is tres leches cake, a Hispanic specialty since the original restaurant is in Miami. Not surprisingly, key lime pie is the house special dessert. I read the fried chicken is some of the best in town, which not the norm for a steak/seafood restaurant. Basically they have a full seafood menu plus all the usual steaks, so something for everyone. You have to reserve up to a month ahead or you will be stuck with going at 4:30 or 9:30. So plan accordingly, it's worth the wait.
(5)Melanie S.
Even though I just went here for lunch two days ago, I came here again for dinner last night. Yes, Joe's is a place I happily go to whenever I'm asked. Joe's is an offer you can't refuse. It may very well have been the best dinner EVER. Tonight my dining companion was a Joe's virgin and I was only too happy to show him the carnal pleasures of a bone-in ribeye perfectly prepared. We were seated and ordered a bottle of Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon, and with that my dc had Oysters Rockefeller and I had a mixed greens salad. I didn't want anything heavy to start as many delicious things awaited my consumption. Apparently, the Oysters Rockefeller rock. My dc offered me one of his but I politely declined. After his first taste, he mocked me deeply for my foolishness in passing on them. He made short work of the rest, pausing only for a perfunctory re-offer to me, so I am fairly certain he was secretly happy I didn't have one after all. We both ordered the aforementioned bone-in ribeyes, with a lobster tail, and then a bunch of sides. One of their specials was a cauliflower gratin. I love cauliflower and how can you go wrong when you add cheese and breadcrumbs? You can't. We also had a baked sweet potato, Jennie's Potatoes and Creamed Spinach with Roasted Garlic. The steaks were, as per usual, cooked to perfection. The lobster tail was rich and sweet, and was only enhanced by the drawn butter. What could be better, I ask you? I can make a sweet potato at home so I didn't really have any, but the rest of the sides were to-die-for, as always. Joe's also had a new dessert on the menu: a chocolate raspberry pie. I'm of the opinion that chocolate and raspberry happen to be one of the best flavor combinations one could hope to taste in one bite, so I was torn. You see, I always have the key lime pie or Havana Dreams cake. Oh dilemma. What's a girl to do? I didn't have to decide. My dc ordered all three. A chap after my own heart. The waiter gave us half portions of each one. Foolish man. Does he not realize who he's dealing with? The chocolate raspberry pie had a mousse-like consistency and was topped with fresh whipped cream that had a hint of Chambord in it. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Easily one of the top three dining experiences I've ever had. I think my dc would have to agree.
(5)Jaclynn G.
Best martini in Chicago! Seafood is to die for. I always head there for stone crabs and steak. Delicious!
(5)Megan K.
Joe's falls short for me across many different categories, and I always feel let down and disappointed when I leave this establishment. I've been here for both work dinners and personal dinners, weekends and weeknights, and it's always consistent, which is a plus on their behalf. My latest trip was on a Saturday evening at 6:30pm. I had made a reservation a few months out, as this place is always bustling and there is always a wait if you don't have a reservation. We checked in with the host and checked our coats (which is complimentary) as they prepared our table. We were promptly seated and greeted by our waiter who ran down the specials of the evening for us and took our drink order. Shortly thereafter he came back with our first round of drinks and we placed an order for an appetizer. For our drinks we decided to stray from wine and explore the cocktail list. I opted for their whiskey smash which was a little sweet for my taste, but for $11 it was pretty boozy and is on the cheaper end for cocktails when compared to other options in the city. My boyfriend went for their Rye Manhattan, which was your typical run of the mill Manhattan with a boozy brandied cherry. As we were sipping on our cocktails, our colossal lump crab cake arrived and we dove right on in. As many other reviews have mentioned, the crap cake is mostly crab versus the filler of other establishments. It was tasty, but it could have used a little more spice/flavor as it was lacking something crucial that I've tasted in other crab cake offerings. After we polished off the crab cake, our waiter came back and took our order. We both decided to get the petite filet mignon with the Alaskan King Crab legs. I ordered my steak medium and my boyfriend went with medium rare. We opted out of the sides and went with a split vegetable chopped salad instead. When our entrees arrived we were surprised to have lobster tail instead of the King Crab legs, to which our waiter was puzzled about when we pointed this out. He had us put our steaks on our salad plates, and whisked away the lobster tail, muttering his apologies. We cut into our steaks as we waited for our King Crab to arrive, and I noticed that my medium steak was closer to a medium-well, which was disappointing. When our waiter came back with the crab, he set them down and walked away, not even asking how our steaks were. This was a huge turn off service wise, as I would have pointed out that my steak was not cooked to a proper temperature. Regardless, I was happy to munch on the sweet and buttery crab legs as my consolation prize. The portion size on the crab is substantial at four large pieces, so between that and the steak, I was more than satiated. Now, onto the chopped salad. This was one of the most sorry excuses I have ever seen for a chopped salad. Sure, the vegetables were fresh, but they were boring. The dressing was watery and flavorless, the cheese was muted in flavor, and there was absolutely no seasoning to the salad. What a letdown. Now, onto the most depressing dessert ever. We ordered the peanut butter chocolate fudge pie, and what showed up was something I could have made in elementary school. The filling was simply whipped peanut butter in an oreo cookie shell that you could buy pre-made at the grocery store. For $8 this was an absolute joke and was reminiscent of a pudding pie. Totally uninspired and totally lacking for a steak house dessert. After this trip to Joe's I definitely won't be back on my own dime. I'd much rather go across the street to Benny's Chop House or to a local/non-chain restaurant such as Bavette's for my steak cravings.
(3)Stephanie H.
If you want to have a solid dining experience in every way - food quality and service - this is the place. Fellow Yelpers accurate describe service as top notch. Professional service that attends to your needs, assesses your interest in explanations, and won't over-interrupt a romantic meal! Food - I will never forget you oyster rockafeller! Spinach and rockafort (?) baked into dreamy goodness. I would go here just for that and the appetizer breads (mmm, dark bread with raisins! and so many more too!). I always preferred the ahi with a selection of side dishes. Potato choices are abundant and a variety of preparations, and there is usually a seasonal vegetable. I enjoyed the creamy butternut squash and their coleslaw which is a unique and refreshing dish (not creamy like most, more vinegar). It has been awhile since I frequented this place (I miss it so!) so I'm not sure what is seasonal these days.. bonus: Ambiance is great ! You can have a conversation with your meal! If you are on a budget try lunch. They have great salads too! NOTE: this is NOT to be confused with "Joe's crab shack" which is a totally different place.
(5)Dawn H.
There's not much I can say about Joe's that hasn't been said already, so I'll keep this short. PERFECTION. I've been here a dozen times, and each and every time, the food is outstanding and the service is impeccable. You know how department stores aim to be Nordstrom? Yeah....well, every restaurant should strive to be Joe's. I am definitely a customer for life! Enough said.
(5)John K.
One of the best, if not the best seafood restaurant in town. Never had a bad meal and never a problem with the help since we've been going there (for at least a decade I think). Almost any fish entree (Grouper when served was a staple with us, John Dory or Dover Sole, Black Cod - tender with a teriyaki glaze, Wild Salmon when in season, etc.) is great. King Crab while expensive is very well worth it at least once or twice. It's usually served cold but can be steamed (I like it either way but tend towards the warm version but the colder version can be tastier). The Stone Crab (it's namesake) to me is overrated with not much taste and drier than the King, hence the need for their dijon sauce. Their Madagascar shrimp are also very, very good. Extremely large (but not tough) and seasoned on the grill. An excellent diversion (coming from a person who likes shrimp but would not normally order them these are great). Side dishes are a treat too, sweet potato seasoned fries and grilled seasoned corn with lime are absolute musts when dining there. Service is excellent (both established and newer servers), always willing to accomodate a special request.
(5)Heather R.
Outstanding seafood. I had the daily catch, which was a table side filleted dover sole. It was phenomenal. We also ordered the king crab legs. The preparation is impressive, but I was not expecting them to be cold. I recommend grabbing a table at the bar. The dining room seemed a bit crammed.
(5)Michael M.
Great restaurant. Have been here many times. Would recommend the bone in filet, the fried chicken, the stone claws, the king crab legs, the sides and the deserts..ok pretty much everything. Can get quite pricey but will absolutely not disappoint!
(5)E Y.
Very good food and excellent service but it is on the pricey side. If you are on a company expense, this is the place to take your clients for dinner. I only had the ribeye but the seafood looked great as I looked at what others ordered beside me.
(4)Jeff F.
Ran in here last night for the Restaurant Week special: $31.95 for Salad, perfect 8 oz. Filet Mignon (best I've had in a while), Jennie's Mashed Potatoes (awesome), Joe's Grilled Tomato (lame) and Banana Cream Pie with Fosters Sauce (realized I'm not a Banana Cream Pie guy.) Would have easily thrown out 5 stars again since it is the best steak I've had in a while, but the service at the bar was off (waitress specifically, supporting staff were money). Good to keep in mind that you don't need to get a reservation/table and you can usually find a seat at the bar to eat dinner. It's a different experience at the table (better in some ways if you're game for it), but it's still awesome food.
(4)Ji K.
Bone-in Filet Mignon + Alaskan King Crab Legs = the best meal EVER This is no lie. I love to eat. I enjoy food very much. But never have I enjoyed food as much as I did when I had this amazing combination last night. It's two separate entrees, of course, but if you split them up with another person (which is what I did with my guy), you have yourselves the perfect surf and turf combo imaginable. What's so perfect about it is that both entrees are the best of its kind that I've ever tasted. So imagine eating them together. I actually thought I might implode upon consumption. If that perfection alone isn't enough, a couple stone crab claws are a delightful starter, the spicy mustard sauce that comes with the crab is soooo deliciously addictive, and the service is outstanding (our waiter was one of the best and our crab cracker is unbelievably skilled at what he does). I heart Joe's very very VERY much.
(5)Sherilyn L.
Joe's nails it every time. What can I say? It's a Chicago staple. Can't beat the Italian style, maffia like, swanky atmosphere. I even had my rehearsal dinner at Joe's. Again, orgasmic every time.
(5)Amanda L.
With a hefty price tag of $200, I desperately wanted to love my meal! Unfortunately, I just couldn't, as such a self-proclaimed seasoned, high-caliber establishment made various grave, and characteristically rookie mistakes. The stone crab claws my boyfriend and I ordered as an appetizer were extremely bland. I thought our entrees would be out of this world; however, I was seriously mistaken. After being talked into selecting the "finest Colorado-raised" $50 lamb chops by our waiter, I expected to be blown away! Wrong. I asked for a medium preparation and they were entirely raw as well as flavorless. Also, I just have to add...When you're expecting diners to dish out the big bucks, you should take the liberty to season their food before it makes its way to the table. When our waiter served our main course, he presented us with two small bowls of seasoning, which I found pretty bizarre. My boyfriend had to cut the top of this steak off because the spice mix proved to be way too strong. Overall, this was a totally bogus experience, and I for sure would not come back or recommend this restaurant to any self-respecting foodies.
(1)Kathy S.
Holy Cow. My company had the annual holiday party here and I have to say that I was extremely impressed. Everything was excellent from the service to especially the food. We started off with three appetizers (stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari and crab & artichoke gratin) and then a salad and all were very tasty. For my entree I had the ahi tuna which was fantastic but then I tried some of the stone crab that a co-worker got and instantly regretted not getting them instead. I have to note that usually I don't care for crab/lobster just because I'm lazy and I don't like having to work for my food but since they already crack it for you, it's easy peasy. I finished it off with a slice of their famous key lime pie and it was delicious but my heart really belongs to the banana foster, which I sampled as well. My only complaint would be that I made a reservation last night to take my fiance's family there in a couple days (I really loved it THAT much) and the host seemed somewhat rude but I'm going to give him the benefit of a doubt that it was a busy night and he was just stressed out.
(5)Marci G.
The BEST coleslaw in the whole wide world. Period.
(5)Louis K.
Absolutely fantastic. That's the only way to describe it. Every dish is outstanding, whether it be seafood, steak, dessert or a simple side. Free refills on soda. It is good for private parties, family dinners, everything. Small children may have issues, as this restaurant is packed with tables of people eating $40-$50 steaks, so be careful.
(5)Meg C.
My fiancee took me here for my birthday dinner a few days ago and it was everything I hoped for. The stone crab is great, the schrimp and scallop ceviche was excellent! Both of us had steak and it was fantastic as well. We were both too full for dessert. I hope to go back sometime soon!
(5)Shaun K.
Great, classic feel. Stone crabs are fresh and buttery. The seafood here is excellent.
(4)Jen K.
I must admit that I was really looking forward to this meal. I'd heard nothing but wonderful things about Joe's. Maybe they would have received 4 stars if there hadn't been all the hype. Regardless, I wasn't particularly impressed by the stone crab. My king crab was more of a scampi style which I didn't feel was reflected well on the menu. Bisque was good but I've had better. If you're in the area I prefer Shaw's for crab instead.
(3)Marissa D.
i've always had a special place in my heart for joe's stone crab. which is funny because i don't even eat crab. nonetheless, i love the classy atmosphere and the good service (sometimes you get a waiter who is a tad bit annoying in that outgoing, in your face sort of way, but that is what joe's encourages i believe). everything here is good. i've literally never had anything that didn't make me extremely happy here. the bone in rib-eye is incredible, as are the onion strings, the mashed potatoes, the fish, etc etc etc. now let me talk a little about the pie situation here. when you are at joe's you must get pie. i think the smart thing to do is order a few half slices. i recommend the banana cream pie, the boston cream pie, and if you are in the mood for something quite filling, the peanut butter pie. so don't go here if you are 'on a diet' or 'aren't really a dessert person.' those reasons are nonsense. YOU EAT THE PIE AND YOU EAT IT! ok that's all.
(4)Dolores L.
Superb service. Stone crabs were delicious. Fisherman's platter was a juicy array of calamari, scallops, shrimp, and cod. Bone-in filet mignon was juicy and cooked to perfection. Jennie's potatoes - cheese and potato lovers heaven. We also had asparagus to fill the vegetable quota, but it was also good. Wasn't too fond of the bread selection, but I don't mind because everything else took over the bread. Wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be - this was all about 120 bucks including a generous tip for a party of 2. Wanted to try dessert, but was too full. Maybe next time...
(5)Stephanie H.
I have only been once, a couple of months ago. Good experience. Went with a group of girls, we sat a nice round table. Steak was great, although mine was cooked to much, I ordered a Filet Mid-Rare and it came out closer to Mid-Well...the server was very good about it and brought me a new one pretty quickly. All of the sides were good...spinach and potatoes. We had a couple bottles of good wine. I look forward to going back.
(4)Ryan H.
Everything about our Joe's experience was excellent. My wife and my parents went to Joe's on a Friday evening. There was a 2-hour wait, but our reservations allowed us to be seated immediately. Our server was pleasant and really talked up the food. The stone crab are not in season during the summer; however, they do have rock crab (which I had), and they are a wonderful substitute. They come pre-cracked for you, and it is amazing how much meat each claw contains (I had 5 large claws, which was plenty). My wife ordered the filet, which was thick and cut like butter. We've been to Gibson's before, and I thought this steak beat anything we'd had there. The menu specials were all very good, and we ended up trying all of the special sides (they're made to share). The wine menu offered a great selection, with some reasonable choices so you didn't have to break your bank for a good glass of wine. The peanut butter pie was amazing, and we had a nice espresso to finish the night. Even though we have countless other restaurants we'd like to visit when we're in Chicago, we will be hard-pressed not to include Joe's in our rotation each time we come back. Highly recommended!
(5)Karen M.
Joe's is one of the BEST restaurants ever. Loved the ambiance, the service, and the food. Our group of 9 was wonderfully accommodated around a round table, and we had an evening to remember. Don't miss this Chicago landmark.
(5)Kara H.
service - excellent. Food. good. good, not great - and for the price - I expect great. I actually prefer Shaws.
(3)Kaio B.
seems to be very popular with the tourist but def a good place to eat if you are downtown. i would def recommend this over grand lux(thumbs down) i have had couple of dishes here and liked all of them.
(4)Alex S.
I was here for a rehearsal dinner and had the best filet of my entire life! It was absolutely perfect and I doubt I'll ever have filet that good again.
(5)Linda O.
Sought out this place for a late lunch because of all of the great reviews but seriously?? This place is not all that. The food is way over priced for the amount and quality. I had a petitie (1/3 pounder approx) filet mignon with three stone crab claws for $45. I added a side of a sweet potato. (Everything is ala carte.) I drank a lemonade. My bill was $68 before the tip. Don't get me wrong--I don't mind shelling out for a good steak and crab, but my tiny steak was tough and the crab legs, while tasty, amounted to about an ounce of crab meat, maybe. They say that the sides are large enough to share, but my sweet potato was smaller than your average restaurant potato and the sides that I saw served to others didn't look that big to me. The service is excellent, which why I am giving Joes two stars rather than one. I get the sense that this is a place where business people who can write off the cost of the meal take their clients who may be impressed by the cost. That's not me. Do yourself a favor and eat at Ruths Chris Steakhouse which is short stroll away. The prices are about the same, but the food is excellent and plentiful. Honestly, I don't get why Joe's is so popular.....
(2)Rich C.
I came here with the idea that this was just another steak house. I was wrong. We started with stone crab claws which were super fresh, sweet and delicious. Then I had the king salmon on the waitress's definite recommendation. Now I have salmon a lot at home, but I don't eat that much beef, so I kind of begrudgingly ordered it. Well, it was probably one of the best pieces of salmon I ever ate. Perfectly cooked, topped with a little crab, asparagus and hollandaise. We also had potatoes, spinach, and corn. I could have made a meal out of those 3 items. The potatoes are the kind you dream of, extra crispy on the outside and creamy and delicious on the inside. We ended the meal with a cherry pie that tasted like Mom made it. Wonderful service..it was a great evening.
(5)Grace K.
Hypertensive people might die here. Like - on the spot kind of die. It is as salty as can be. So then, why four stars? Well - - first off, it's a happening place, located centrally, and apparently, all of Chicago wants to eat here. Second - the 2nd Mortgage appetizer we had was just delectable. Fresh lobsters, shrimp and crab ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and the famous Joe's Crab Claws. Third - the meat itself was flavorful, good cuts. Even the Porterhouse, which is always riskier than say, the ribeye, was very, very good. I asked for medium rare as I usually do, and this was a bit overcooked than I would like (and like I said - so salty... omg was it salty.... water! water!) but all in all it was great. Fourth - the side of "grilled tomatoes" which are thickly cut beefsteak tomatoes topped with creamed spinach and cheese, was just earth-shattering. Amazing stuff and a perfect match to the steak. We also ordered the steamed asparagus with lemon butter that was also cooked well, and very flavorful. Fifth - the drinks were GOOOOOOD. I tried some kind of champagne martini they have, red in color - I know it had Chambord in it, but that was stellar. I then ordered a dirty Martini (extra extra dirty) which was great, with blue cheese olives - - yum, except in hindsight that was a bad idea given how salty the meal was - - my drink was even saltier. Holy smokes... if I weren't so healthy, I might have had a stroke by the end of dinner. Sixth, and definitely not last - was the great service. Starting with the maitre'd to our waitress, to the busboys - - service was excellent and extremely polite and accomodating. Look at it this way - - I still hand them four stars in spite of the salt attack they gave me because so many other things, like the service, made up for the illegal amounts of salt they used on the meat. Do try the pies. Yummy stuff - homemade pies. We had the Boston Cream Pie, as well as vanilla ice cream, and the peppermint ice cream (with bits of peppermint candy in it!) and all tasted great. Espresso was good, coffee was mediocre at best. Would I go to Joe's again? Absolutely. Next time, though - I'd specifically request "low salt" or even no salt in order to be able to season it myself. Seriously - if not for this little issue - I'd give Joe's a full, strong 5-stars! As a sidenote - dinner for two was costly in that the bill came to $200 odd dollars, before tips. Pricey at $100 pp..... probably charged me for the amount of salt they used!!!! I should add, though, that the drinks were a stiff $10-$12 per drink and we had four. The appetizer was $14.95 pp, and worth every penny, but definitely a bit pricier than you'd pay for a normal appetizer. And, finally - we ate a lot of food, so all in all, perhaps the price breaks down fairly...... Did I mention how salty it was? AGUA, yo necesito AGUA - - even now, some 7 hours later!!
(4)Jason B.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab is probably one of my top five restaurants in the country. I have never been disappointed. The food is amazing, the service is top notch, the ambiance is always on the right side of loud, i.e., this place is poppin' every night but in a good way. (Clearly the recession has not hit the corner of Grand and Rush). Whether you come for the stone crabs, the amazing steaks, incredibly fresh fish dishes, or just to kick a few drinks back at the bar you will leave happy (but definitely a little lighter in the wallet). Trust me though, this is money well spent.
(5)Tiff B.
We went to Joe's to celebrate Father's Day and it really is just an overall great restaurant. Everyone from the hostess to the valet were awesome and really provided seamless service. And the stone crab was to die for. Try the key lime pie too, it's delicious. And I don't even usually like key lime pie. It's just an all around great dining experience.
(5)Anthony T.
Hands down, this is THE best steak place that I've ever been to. I've tried many steaks in my life and each bite was simply amazing. The stone crabs were fresh and all that sides we picked out were simply amazing. The service was also the best service that I've ever received at a restaurant. He made good recommendations, checked up on us a few times (but not in a bothersome sort of way), conversed with us and made the experience just that much better. The whole restaurant was packed, and the setting was very nice, dimly lit and there was only a moderate amount of noise. This is one of the restaurants that I would go out of my way to go to again.
(5)Nancy M.
All I have to say is melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon cooked to perfection, and exceptional service!
(5)Megan R.
I am 100% obsessed with King Crab legs! This place had gooood ones! The atmosphere was cool, I loved their music (Sinatra) but it was a little loud for a romantic dinner. One tip - add salt to the drawn butter - it tastes a little too "sweet"...
(5)N P.
A friend of mine and I came here for lunch during the week for restaurant week. Great service and food as usual.
(4)Cathy B.
Our reservation was made for 5PM and when we arrived, we were seated promptly. We were seated at a table (I wished we had a booth) and it seemed a little crowded. The tables are a little too close to each other so doesn't give an intimate feel, instead a little claustrophobic. I had the bisque soup and it was delicious and my boyfriend had the chowder which wasn't that great. For entre we both had the Alaskin King Crab and it was a good portion and it was perfect. I couldn't finish my crabs so I ended up giving some to my boyfriend. It also came with two huge portions of fried hash browns and coleslaw. The hashbrowns were nothing special, actually had no flavor but I did like the coleslaw even though it was a little too oily. Overall I would give this place a 4 out of 5, the food was GREAT but the service was alright. Our waitress seemed a little busy and not on top of her game! This place doesn't compare to Roy's but its still a great place to go and try. Delicious food makes everything alright!
(4)Dan B.
The bone-in filet is the best steak in the city. Amazing!
(5)David R.
I'm not a big steak fan,but I tried the stone crabs . It was pricey but It was fresh and yummy. The Madagascar Shrimp and Oysters Rockefeller were fabulous :) Don't forget to try Banana Cream Pie with Foster Sauce, It was really good. We love love this banana!!
(5)Chiara H.
Yum, yum, yum! Their lobster is very delicious! I'm a mashed potato nut, and their mashed potatoes are to die for. My boyfriend and I loved everything about this place, from the service (their lemon hand washing technique is really cool) to the food. We'll definitely come back here again in the short future.
(5)Elizabeth N.
Obviously, as you can tell from all of the other reviews of this place, the seafood and steaks are generally pretty good, as is the service. I have to say that I didn't think the "Joe's Famous Scallops" I ordered last time were all that great. They were a bit too greasy for my taste; should've been more seared and less fried, I think. However, when it really comes down to it, one single word comes to mind when I think of Joe's: DESSERT. I'm a dessert fanatic. I'm a very healthy eater in general, but I do have the biggest sweet tooth, and believe me, I know my desserts. All of the choices here are phenomenal, especially the peanut butter pie (it's called peanut butter silk pie or something, and it is absolutely to die for, if you're a peanut butter person). The fudge pie and the key lime are also excellent.
(4)Lou L.
I was a little skeptical of this place after reading some of the reviews. But I must say I had such a wonderful experience at Joe's. I called the day we wanted to get a reservation and they had a cancellation, so my boyfriend and I got in at 7:00 p.m on a Friday night! We got there about 15 minutes early and were quickly seated in a quiet booth. Our waiter was great, very helpful. We ordered the stone crab bisque for an appetizer, which was sooo delicious! I ordered a half a pound of king crab legs and my boyfriend ordered the bone in fillet. We also ordered a side of asparagus. Everything was absolutely amazing! We were in and out of Joe's in about an hour, which is fine by us, we hate spending too much time in restaurants. This place is pricey, but worth the extra dough for a special occasion.
(5)Linnea B.
2nd Mortgage Appetizer is to die for! I thought I had eaten my best meal ever last time I was in Chicago, but that was before I went to Joe's! The 2nd Mortgage Appetizer includes Medium Stone Crab, Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster Cocktail, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche. Yum-O! Not only that, but we split a bone-in filet for an entree..tender and delicious, and the sides were great too! The service was fabulous. Do not miss this restaurant if you are staying in downtown Chicago!
(5)T W.
So, it's a seafood restaurant. I had the scallops wrapped in bacon. They were decent. Some mixed seafood appetizers were ordered for the table and they were fine as well. Is this the best seafood in town? No. Can you have a business lunch here and get back to your office within an hour-and-a-half? Yeah.
(3)Mariana P.
Yes, expensive, and possibly little overrated, but the food really is amazing. The wait staff are professionals, so much so that I think that if you asked them to shine your shoes you, they probably would. Make sure you get the potatoes! This is a great place to go every once in a while for that special meal.
(4)Bates N.
Seated right on the dot for our reservation for four. Friendly, efficient reception. Place was filled to the gills but didn't feel crowded or too noisy. Flawless service throughout. Chopped seafood salad copious and excellent. Stone crab good Filet and rib-eye tender and cooked perfectly. (the meat is already seasoned ... so don't dump on the salt and pepper until you try it) Parmigiana halibut excellent. Baked potato was not fluffy and mealy ... pretty soggy and heavy. (buy good Idahos, Lettuce) Sauteed garlic spinach oversalted. Grilled tomatoes flavorful and well prepared. Key lime pie very good ... but not the best I've had. Over-all fine dining experience. Expensive, but worth it. Lost a star for the two sub-par sides. .
(4)James K.
Joe's is my home away from home. I have eaten at this restaurant over 200 times and have walked away happy every, single time. Joe's serves traditional American cuisine (with a few twists like the Asian-inspired sashimi-grade black cod in a miso-terriyaki glaze that is simply the best fish dish ever created by man or God) and serves it perfectly. The staff takes extreme care in searching out the best possible ingredients from anywhere in the world as seasonal availability allows. While US Prime steaks are always available and delicious, frequent visitors will watch the exotic specials change with the seasons from Madagascar shrimp, to never frozen Alaskan King Crab Legs, then again to Dover Sole, and, of course, fresh Florida Stone Crabs from October through May. Despite prices that could reasonably considered high, the quality of the ingredients used combined with generous portions and consistently excellent preparation make Joe's a great value (though to be fair, the wine is a tad on the high side, but not nearly as bad as many competitors.) Executive Chef Gary Baca is almost always at the restaurant, for both lunch and dinner, and tirelessly whips up new creations while making sure that even the comfort and bar food items on the menu are both innovative and delicious, right down to the delicately fried chicken or the off-the-menu crab cake grilled cheese. Food wise, you simply cannot go wrong at Joe's, though some favorites include the shrimp and scallop ceviche, fried calamari with cocktail and tartar sauces, steakhouse salad with USDA choice fillet and crumbled bleu cheese, the twin tenderloin chopped steaks with grilled onions and peppers, the prime bone-in rib-eye, and a short rib special that is so tender that most waiters don't even bring out a knife for it. For sides, don't miss the downright decadent hash browns, or, if you have a guilty conscience, the somewhat-almost-healthy grilled tomatoes. As for service, the Joe's staff always treats every customer like royalty despite dinner crowds that can feel like they rival Soldier Field during a Bears' game. This one of the last few establishments that wholeheartedly lives under the seemingly forgotten mantra of "The Customer is Always Right" and will always overcompensate for even the smallest of rare slip ups. The staff is quite knowledgeable about the entire menu, and keeps well abreast of the many specials and wine. They're attentive and fun, and stuffy only when they can sense that's what a customer is looking for. Also, at least at lunchtime, they never forget a face, as their magical Maitre'D, Jim, can recount without fail the name of repeat companions of mine, even when their follow-up visits are three years removed.
(5)Robert S.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago: I eat there about once a week. The place is so popular that it gets a little crazy on Friday and Saturday night. The steaks are sooo addictive,especially the bone-in rib-eye and the bone-in filet mignon, but the seafood is excellent, too. For appetizers, I like the steamed mussels and the Madagascar shrimp. Save room for dessert; they have some great pies! Wine by the glass is pricey but very good; otherwise excellent wine list. Outstanding service!
(5)R M.
DELICIOUS! If you want a steak and a few stone crabs look no further! This place is cozy and consistant. My hubby & I come here for lunch, appetizers or dinner, meeting friends or just us, WE LOVE IT! We sit in the cozy, friendly bar area. Great location too...
(5)Jason P.
The other people reviewing this place know what they are talking about. I think the only reason someone would give this a 4 and not a 5 is due to service. I'm a pretty hard guy to please when it comes to table service. Afterall, you're working for me. With that said, the staff at Joe's was great when we visitied here. They were attentive, knew the menu down to the last dotted "i" and crossed "t". If I was on death row, I would probabaly request the stone crab as my last meal.
(5)Pamela L.
Joe's is outstanding! I went to the one in Las Vegas over a year ago and absolutely LOVED it. I couldn't wait to go to the one here in Chicago. I finally went last month for my birthday and every single expectation was met! Every detail there is thought of, the dress of the staff, the decor of the restaurant... it's all fabulous. The food is simply amazing.... it's near impossible for me to make a decision there. I definitely recommend the 2nd Mortgage appetizer... although pricey, it's well worth it. I had Key Lime pie for dessert... amazing. The wait staff is very knowledgeable and will explain the menu to you and help you with any questions. They truly spend a lot of time with you to make sure you are happy, but they are not overbearing, it's like no other service I've ever seen. Great for a special occasion, a very wonderful place!
(5)Tom P.
Ate there last night- fantastic! The best FRIED CHICKEN in town and only 15 bucks! Trust me on this. With a side you can easily split the portion too. Busy resturant, kind of a scene but the food was great. Hashbrowns were magic, and the chop salad I split was fresh and tasty with the right amount of dressing. Of course with wine our cheap dinner ended up being 500.+!!!
(5)Jim R.
The food was excellent and the service right on the money. The stone crab was to die for. Only gave 4 stars because it was my first visit. I'll try them again soon to see if they can be consistent. Great steak. Delicious Hash Browns.
(4)Irene J.
overall, i had a very pleasant dining experience. we made reservations and were promptly seated. our server made some good wine suggestions, but we ended up choosing our own. try the lobster appetizer; it is absolutely delicious! i had crusted halibut with asparagus. the halibut was wonderful. the asparagus had a bit too much butter to my liking, but it was a perfect crisp. someone else had scallops--they were ok. one of the red sauce seafood linguine/spaghetti was good. it has a kick to it. we had coffee (julius meinl-yum! their unique house blend is mild) and shared key lime pie. the slice was a good sharing portion, since we were all so stuffed! my only (minor) complaint was our server's noticeable agitation--he really wanted us to leave; he wanted to turn his tables. i understand, having been in his position before. however, he was too insistent, encouraging me to want to stay longer. this particular server also walked away while my friend was commenting on the server's comment--this is a major no-no in the restaurant industry. he just said what he needed/wanted to say and pranced off. i'll give him the benefit of the doubt that this particular wednesday evening dinner service was extremely busy. if you like steak and seafood--this restaurant should be on your list of "to visits." you won't be disappointed!
(4)Andrea H.
All I could think of as I was digging into my John Dory with salt and brown butter was, "somebody get the defibrillator". If you like butter and salt (a lot of it), this is your place. Good thing I love both of these things. I decided to have my John Dory with a side of brussels sprouts with bacon, bacon fat and butter. Mmmmmm...doesn't get better than that. The fish was delicious but I'm glad I got the sauce on the side. The fillets were perfectly salted and buttered all on their own. The sauce was good, but I think it would have been overkill had the fish been smothered in it. The bf decided to start with the stone crab bisque. It was very good but incredibly rich. I don't think I could have finished an entire bowl. He also had the stone crab, which he thought was good, but not phenomenal. He had the key lime pie for dessert, but I had to try the banana cream pie. It definitely lived up to the hype. That was the best banana cream pie I have ever had. In my life. OMG. You cannot pass this up. And they'll let you order a half slice. Perfect. Our server was great, but the only thing that bugged about this place was that the John Dory was priced at $35 on the menu but I was charged $39.99 on the check. It was the bf's birthday dinner so I wasn't up for the argument, so I let it go, but that bugs. There's a line for me. I can handle paying $35 for a piece of fish but that's about the max for me. I'm still annoyed.
(4)Donisha L.
Restaurant Week SUCCESS! First time at Joe's and it was great! 3 courses for $33, sign me up please and thanks. Throw in a bottle of wine and I'm a happy yelper! Stone Crab Bisque - Amazing Filet Mignon - Awesome Joe's Grilled Tomato - thabombDOTcom Jennie's Mashed Potatoes - Cheesy Goodness Key Lime Pie - ***Please insert word to describe the unimaginable... SURREAL** Our waiter Sean and the rest of the staff were so attentive and weren't too pushy with items outside of the restaurant week menu. It was wonderful! Will definitely be back!
(5)Eugene L.
Definitely in my top 10 meals of my life. Wasn't just the food, but it was the experience. Our waiter, David, was an awesome guy and made the dinner a really fun event. The presentation of the king crab legs was great and the steaks were top notch.
(5)Jeff S.
Amazing. The family and I decided to celebrate my father's birthday this year by going to a new restaurant, and I decided to take everyone to Joe's. My family agreed - one of the best meals ever. From the food to the service, I was extremely happy with Joe's. FOOD Stone Crab: AMAZING. A little sweet, but perfectly tender and delicious. Did I say that they were amazing? The house mustard was a perfect complement to the stone crab, but you didn't need it as the crab meat stood on its own. This is something that everyone should at least try when dining here. They're not cheap, but then again, you know what you're in for when dining at Joe's... Mussels: of everything I had tonight, the mussels were probably the least amazing. Not that there was anything wrong with them as they were great. But I didn't think that the broth was anything worth raving about, and that's one of the main reasons to order mussels, isn't it? Petite Filet and Lobster: I ordered my steak rare, and it came out just as it should. The main star however was the lobster. Joe's cooked it perfectly, and served it with drawn butter as lobster should be. It was your standard surf-and-turf, but it was delicious. Chilean Sea Bass: A bit salty, but good nonetheless. One of the items I thought was a bit overpriced, however. Seafood Chopped Salad: They give you a LOT of chilled seafood on this plate. A LOT. I don't normally suggest getting any sort of a salad as a meal when you go out, but this is something that would fit the bill as extraordinary and worth getting, especially for the price (less than $20). I was actually impressed with the amount of various seafood served with this one. Banana Creme Pie: Very good dessert. They don't try to throw a ton of sugar at you with this one, and everything blended together quite nicely. Would highly recommend. SERVICE Impeccable. Our server didn't over-serve, quick refills on drinks/water, nice explanations of items on the menu. Definitely world-class. VALUE/OVERALL I'll just say it - Joe's is not a cheap place to eat (unless you accidentally find yourself at Joe's Crabshack instead). But, I would consider Joe's a place to go on special occasions. The food is amazing, a low amount of noise, and all around service is tight and accommodating. I definitely found great value here, and look forward to the next time I go back.
(5)Marti V.
Sub zero temps may have kept some diners at home last night, which made room for us at Joe's. After a couple of perfect cocktails and a chat with expert bartender Dana, we were seated in the smartly appointed dining room. Our friendly and very attentive server was Cary, who was open with her thoughts on both the menu and the wine choices. We loved our stone crab appetizer, intended for one, but shared by two, and entrees of sea bass and potato crusted grouper. My date was reeled in to the grouper when Cary divulged that the crust is nothing less than crushed Lay's potato chips! After helping us select an excellent value in Pinot noir, Cary was busy with other tables, but managed to check in on us and made sure we enjoyed desserts. She had me at "mascarpone cheesecake" and my date had the key lime pie which he proclaimed, "fantastic". Joe's is a great reason to stay at the Conrad when it's -10 degrees. Bellisimo!
(5)Ryne D.
I seriously love the fact that my city is home to some of the best food in the world. And sure, while this Joe's isn't the original, i think it does the Miami flagship proud, and definitely is no shack. Jason C. and I hit up Joe's for restaurant week (which they had expanded to be a month long), and while they didn't have their star specialties on the prie fixe menu, we were still happy with what we got. Jason did not get the bone-in filet (one specialty of theirs), but the filet he got was still real thick and juicy. So find that juicy double. I did not get any of the stone crab (their other specialty), but they definitely had a good fill from my Alaskan crab legs, which were long, meaty, and sweet. The grilled tomato side we each got was surprisingly tasty, as it was served with cheese and spinach. But the pie. Oh my, the pie. The bananas foster was good, but the key lime pie was GOD. For the first time, I had a pie where the crust wasn't my favorite part of it. The tart citrus-y pockets of flavor in the pie really made it stand out. Rounding out our time there was our server Richie. While he seemed kind of put off that we were there for the restaurant week menu, I think it's because he really wanted us to enjoy their menu. He rattled off an impressive list of dishes that we had to come back to try, including their steaks and fried chicken (and who doesn't love good fried chicken?!) He also shot the shit with us for a bit, letting us know which local Chicago celebs were regulars and how times were for him growing up. Yeah, he was a really personable guy. I'll probably be back, mainly because I want to try the stone crab and that I promised Richie to bring someone there who I could impress and not just my roommate. Oh, and more pie!
(4)Caitlin G.
I've reviewed this place the last time I was there but I had to do it again. I thought I was in love with this place last time, but now truly I am not sure I could love any resturaunt more. Being the wonderful daughter that I am I took both my parents there for fathers day dinner. Like last time I knew that I must get stone crab claws. While pricey, they are a MUST HAVE! We chose the select size and they were delicious. Could have eaten those all night with that yummy mustard sauce! We also got the crab and artichoke gratin which was so yummy! The crab was not lost at all and was most of what you could taste. For entrees I chose the petite filet Oscar style (Oscar style means crab, asparagus, and bernaise sauce is bedded on top), my mom had the bacon wrapped sea scallops, and my dad had the veal Oscar style. Seriously best steak I've ever had, you can cut it with a fork. Just amazing and my parents raved about their entrees as well! Of course every great meal needs to be capped with desert. I had the Havana Dream Pie ( tres leeches pie with a layer of custard, whip cream and strawberries), my mon had the key lime, and my dad got the Michigan blueberry pie. Pies were to die for! I wanted to lick the plate! We all agreed best meal of our lives! Joes is not to be missed, seriously go there!
(5)Martin H.
Awesome crap cake (probably the best in my life). There are no words for the Filet mignon (The Original). Best restaurant in town! Wine list is not impressive though.
(5)Z K.
We went back to the restaurant after a not so pleasant experience. This time, everything was great and my wife and I enjoyed the entree's that we ordered. It was well worth the wait, since we went on a weekend.
(4)Paul O.
Can't go wrong. Great food and service. Get the seafood salad, best salad in the city and that is saying a lot since I go here for the steak.
(5)Ross W.
Back to the restaurant in 2012, and Mark Dewar was amazing. Too bad our favorite server is no longer there, but the food kept us happy. Everything we had was great - Stone Crab Claws, Lobster Stuffed Sole, Seared Ahi Tuna, Sauteed Garlic Spinach, and Havana Pie. Looking forward to our annual pilgrimage.
(5)Paul T.
Thoroughly enjoyed my time at Joe's. It's pricey, but the crab is fantastic; some would say "all it's cracked up to be" but I'm not as indulgent with my puns. The atmosphere is a bit more hurried than I would've liked. For the price, I would expect to make a leisurely visit of my table, especially when I've made reservations far in advance.
(3)Nancy W.
Best Dining Experience. Ever. I fly from SF just to indulge in the Chicago-style service, ambiance, food and fun. Michael Flynn, a Manager there was exceptionally friendly and helpful and made our dinner very special. I can't say more about eating here--always an experience to remember and reasonably priced, we feel. Keep up the great service, style and management. Only thing is, you have to book months in advance--how about expanding?
(5)Chelsy P.
Despite our bizarre waitress, the food was absolutely fantastic! The waiters are very well-versed on the menu and preparation. Went on a Sunday evening for family dinner and would certainly recommend and return.
(5)Angela S.
It's good here. It's not Shaw's, but it's not trying to be either. The food is is fresh and the service is great.
(3)Taz M.
From the service to the food - it doesn't get better than this. I know alot of ppl are sold on the trendy steak experience (Cut, David Burke's, etc) - save yourself from mediocre (at best) steak and head here. I chose Joe's for my husband's bday over a ton of the other high-end Chicago steakhouses because nearly every Chicago steak expert ranks Joe's at the top of their list. Here are the basics: order the surf and turf (I got the petite filet), definitely try one of their sides (roasted cauliflower is amazing), and make sure to have Sean as your server. The lobster tail here was even better than the ones I have had in SoCal...soo good! Beyond the food being amazing, Sean is probably in my top 3 list of best servers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting...he made the dinner over-the-top amazing. One more thing - they were completely booked for the times I wanted on OpenTable - I emailed the restaurant, and the manager there (Eric) booked our table - how great is that?! Enjoy!!!
(5)Selena L.
My girlfriends and I went to Joe's a few nights ago and all in all I was very happy and would definitely recommend it and go back myself. Every staff member we came in contact with was very warm and welcoming (despite it being Restaurant Week). Our filet was tender, delicious and had just enough flavor (extra steak seasoning on the side if you like). The stone crab legs were great as well. Friendly, not stuffy, great food...two thumbs up.
(4)Jonathan W.
I don't usually like giving five star reviews to places that already have 700 five star reviews but I think it's appropriate in this case. Every time I come here the service and the food are phenomenal. The wait staff is amongst the most knowledgeable I've seen - the can answer every question you have about the menu. Oddly enough I would recommend skipping the stone crab and focusing on the other seafood dishes. The salads are fantastic.
(5)Theresa S.
I have visited this lovely restaurant twice while shopping at Christmas. The 1st visit astounded me how good it was. The 2nd visit, while not astounding because I knew what to expect, was just as wonderful. An triple-A establishment. Don't miss it if you're visiting Chicago and can make reservations ahead of time.
(5)Tomas H.
Joe's, Joe's, Joe's...you used to be so great... I used to be a big supporter of Joe's, but it seems they have lost their edge, as of late. It is still busy with lots of corporate types and chicago socialites, but the quality of food has suffered...noticeably so. The last time I went I had the John Dory fish, which was one of my favorites in the past. This time it was dry and obnoxiously chewy. My server, Kelly, replaced it with the parmesian crusted flounder, which was oily and saturated with butter. It seems the only thing consistent about Joe's is the signature cocktails and Kelly's service. Definitely request her, as she will ensure you have a great time. The other servers seems to be too old and grumpy, or too young and arrogant. This is not the same humble and thorough service that used to set Joe's apart. Overall, this is a huge disappointment, as Joe's has lost it's touch and has fallen into mediocrity with most other over-priced restaurants in the city. Try it for yourself and be your own judge.
(2)Moe N.
Went here on Saturday night with a few of my buddy for dinner. We had the second mortgage as an appetizer and we ordered steaks for dinner. All of our steaks were cooked to perfection. But the best part of the meal was the dessert. "Jennie's pies" are the best pies on the planet. The chocolate fudge pie and the havanna pie are freakin awesome. I'm coming back for sure.
(5)Mahsa T.
Excellent food and excellent service. Their petite filet mignon is flavorful, juicy, and done to perfection. I've also had the cod fish and chips--fresh, light, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Servers are extremely attentive (maybe a little too attentive--listen, I'm not going to be your best friend by the end of my dinner so don't try so hard--don't worry, you'll still get a good tip ;) I just get annoyed when my waiter asks me too many questions that don't involve what I'm going to be eating and what I'm going to be drinking---none of your business if I'm a local or from out of town, do I look like a sucker (oops, I mean a tourist) to you? I am a local and no, I'm not going to let you talk me into ordering the more expensive items on the menu, but good try buddy!) But I digress. Joe's is pricey but well worth it. Make a reservation and enjoy the great food and service.
(4)Ferdinand H.
A last minute walk-in before departing on plane yielded a savoury surprise that tickled the palate pink. While the interior bears more in common with a Maggiano's or a Morton's, the decided emphasis on crab's leg demanded that we try the Stone crab legs. Before the food arrived, drinks were ordered and delivered - my sidecar was decent, though not mind blowing. The Velvet Tango Room still has my number. Cracked behind the scenes in the kitchen, the shells peeled off easily, yielding sweet crab meat succulently accented by the well balanced mustard with which it was paired. As these were snapped up in nary an instant, there was a brief wait before the bone in fillet came. Strains of Sinatra, Krall and Martin were the only tunes we heard - with one rendition of the girl from Ipanema that I sadly did not recognize. The actual fillet was a tad overdone; but the replacement was briskly handled with no complaints/resistance from the wait staff. While slightly more fatty than I would like immediately next to the bone, the meat was moist and tender and well prepared. Overall, an excellent experience.
(5)Marisol D.
Fresh Seafood and great wine. Great for a special night out because it is a bit pricey (given that side items are a la carte).
(4)Kenneth P.
My wife and I enjoyed our meal. I had the fillet which was cooked as I asked and was very good. My wife had stone crab claws which also were good but unfortunately the past year for stone crabs was not a good year and the claws were small and the price high. The wait staff was very attentive and efficient.
(3)Paul K.
Totally overrated! The crab legs tasted like the frozen ones you can get from Costco. The chicken had feathers on it. Very over priced. Would never go back. I had to eat somewhere else after I left.
(1)Summer S.
I am the type of person who goes to Joe's about once per year. The food and service and drinks are always incredible but the prices(!) keep me mostly on the Shaw's Crab House side of the street. This past Saturday, my husband and I took our in-laws to dinner at Joe's and had a wonderful experience. We tried medium crab claws from the baja peninsula (?), the chopped salad (always wonderful) and I got the petite filet (Rare+) paired with a large portion of king crab legs. Oh, and we had some friend green tomatoes that were fresh, fried perfectly and were delicious. Despite all the the food being out of this world (and all the drinks by the way) - the highlight of the evening was our server Denise. Denise went above and beyond in all respects to make our experience as enjoyable as possible. She was not intrusive in any way, but brought a good, positive vibe to the table - she was enthusiastic about the food and her recommendations and really made everyone's experience so great because everyone loved their food! She paced the courses perfectly and we never felt rushed. I even asked for a recommended glass of wine for my steak and she brought out the most delicious glass of wine I've ever tasted. She even got my father-in-law to laugh and joke around which was funny because he can definitely be too surly sometimes :) Anyway, everyone loved their dinner but were amazed by the service. Thank you so much Denise! We will request you next time we return!
(5)Chloe C.
Amazingly fresh and delicious everytime
(5)Jenny B.
Went there the fourth time yesterday had a great time. The stone crab simply the best you can ever have anywhere. Oyster rockffer fantastic. Perssco is wonderful. Service no complain. Only thing they can improve is I wish I can get some lemon water or wet hot towel wash my hand after the crab or seafood.
(4)Annie H.
Awwwwwesome! Loved the food and service was top notch... I'm glad I went with Yelp reviews and ate here during my weekend trip to Chicago. After having Portillo's only a few hours prior to our reservation, we weren't too hungry, so we ordered light. For appetizer, we ordered the Northern Rock Crab Claws with Joe's mustard sauce. SIMPLY DELICIOUS! I was extremely surprised especially since this was a last minute decision; we've had some really ehhh crab claws previously so I was quite hesitant to spend $25 on 7 claws, but this was a wise decision in the end. Fresh, meaty and the sauce made it all that much better. Entrees: Grilled Florida Grouper (kind of tough and didn't have any taste; had to eat it with the relish that accompanied the dish but still didn't enjoy the dish) Glazed Black Cod (fish was cooked well and delicious, but I felt the glaze was a tad too sweet) Bone-in Rib Eye (AWESOME. especially with their special steak seasoning) Petite Filet Mignon (my friend ordered this medium well so I didn't taste it, haha) We didn't have any room for dessert but all in all a fantastic meal and the service is seriously over the top. We were all dressed like we had just come from Navy Pier whereas all the rest of the patrons were in suits and/or business casual but we were not treated any differently. Thanks Joe's, I would definitely come back again if I was ever in Chicago!
(4)John K.
We went to Joes for my daughters 21st birthday and it was the best. Keith took very good care of us. The best bone in Filet that I have ever had. Everything was perfect. Thanks so much.
(5)Hamilton W.
I got to go here twice for a conference and both times the quality of the crab was excellent, but just know that stone crab is very bland by nature. The meat itself was juicy and easily separated from the shell but again the meat itself is just so mild. Maybe I've been spoiled by too much crab asian-style. Everything else I had was great, the sides, steaks, etc. Maybe stone crabs just arent for me.
(3)Christina C.
What a great place to fine dine and indulge in stone crab: perfectly cooked, chilled, then served with their special sauce. JUMBO crab claws are the way to go. The chilled, meaty claws paired great with their hot, melty oysters rockefellers. It had the creamy heartiness of cheese that marries well with the spinach, oyster, and mmmmm...I coulda sworn bacon bits :) Entrees consisted of thick slabs of bone-in ribeyes glistening with juices, a perfectly seared filet mignon, and a buttery-textured Chilean sea bass that was slightly sweetened with miso glazed and paired with salty bok choy. Sides were creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and my favorite fried green tomatoes. I left full and and fully happy.
(5)Tara C.
I went here a few weeks ago for a friend's birthday dinner. It is very expensive but VERY good. I did not have very high expectations because I do not eat very much seafood what so ever. Being that Joe's is known for seafood I figured I wouldn't really enjoy it much. However I was quickly proved wrong. We started with the lump crab cake (something I have never had before) and I highly recommend it. I do not like a strong fishy taste and the crab cakes definitely did not have that. I really enjoyed it. The girls at the table all got petite filet mignons and split the sweet potato fries and wild rice sides. We all loved everything. The meat was very tender and flavorful. I have eaten at a Gibson, Morton's, Flemings, Capital Grille and prefer Joe's sides and meat to all the rest. The boys ordered the fried green tomatoes, green beans, and something else as their sides and I tried those as well. Everything was so good. My favorite was the the fried green tomatoes. We were all full after our feast but they brought out a key lime pie for the birthday boy. I found room and tried it, it was AMAZING!!! Highly recommend it. The only down fall I found was that they pack you into the restaurant like sardines. The guy sitting at the table behind me kept elbowing me trying to cut his steak. We couldn't get out of our chairs without asking the person behind us to pull in their chair or move out of the way, and I was not even out in the isle and waiters were bumping me constantly trying to avoid collisions in the intersection.
(5)Tiff W.
Words can't do this place justice. Go for the bone-in rib eye & their stone crab. Get the second mortgage if you're in the mood (stone crab, shrimp, lobster, ceviche). Come here during Restaurant Week. Drop hints to the significant other for Valentine's Day. Suggest it to your out-of-town family & friends (and invite yourself along). Better yet, suggest Joe's to your bosses for a work dinner (free dinner at Joe's = license to go crazy).
(5)Jennifer H.
Good seafood but overpriced!
(3)Paul M.
What can I say? Great food, great service and nice decor. The prices are a little rich for my blood, but for a nice place in the heart of the city, it is about what you would expect. I had the crab cakes and they were very tasty and full of good chunks of crab. My coworker went for the $65 dollar ribeye special (we were being treated by a vendor of ours...way to stick it to the sales guys). He said it was good, but not even close to what you would expect for the price. That is his favorite cut of meat so I would consider him a good judge. Don't even walk in the door if you don't have reservations. The bar area was packed with people stopping in hoping to get a table. There isn't much standing room and you end up looming over people who are sitting at tables trying to enjoy their meal.
(5)Kara E.
I had been wanting to experience Joe's for YEARS! And, I finally got my chance when Restaurant Week 2012 rolled around. Because this place in notoriously busy and impossible to get a reservation, I was able to score a lunch reservation during Restaurant Week. I've heard people rave about this place and I was super excited to finally be joining all those people who have had the chance to go here. Well, after all that hype, Joe's was just meh. The place was absolutely packed for a Saturday lunch, I mean every seat was taken (most likely due to the cheapo menu for Restaurant Week). I went with the prix fixe lunch that included; a bowl of lobster bisque, about 6 stone crabs, a side of coleslaw and key lime pie. The soup was awesome, the stone crabs were just okay and sorta lacked taste even w/ the dipping sauce. I'm not a fan of coleslaw and Joe's didn't convert me to one either. My beaux went with the lobster bisque too, the filet mignon, joe's tomato's and the bananas foster. My bf seemed to really enjoy his lunch- he loved everything except the dessert. I got to snag a taste of the pesto/cheesy tomatoes and they were deelish. Service was impeccable even for the place being slammed. My only gripe is that this lunch that I had been dying for years to have, took a total of 40 minutes. We were in and out of there and it did feel a little rushed. Oh well, at least I can say I've FINALLY been to Joe's.
(2)Anna Liza P.
On our last day in Chicago, bf and I realized we haven't really tried any fine dining and my boyfriend recognized this place from the food network, so we decided to try it for lunch before leaving for our flight back to the bay. We got here at 1130 and were immediately seated. I've never had stone crab before, so our server gave a little explanation from how they are harvested to how they are prepared. Very intrigued, for appetizers we opted for the select stone crab (which was a mixture of medium and large) as well as an order of their oyster rockefeller. The stone crab came already cracked and perfectly chilled and served with their house mustard sauce. I was in crab heaven. The oyster rockeffeller were equally as good; warm, creamy and full of flavor. For our entree Bf ordered the NY strip while I ordered from their lunch special which came with a cup of soup, entree, 1 side, plus dessert for only $22. Awesome deal. I went with the stone crab bisque, a petite filet, a side of Jennie's mashed potatoes, and banana cream pie for dessert. The stone crab bisque was phenomenal. I could eat a bowl of that any day! The petite filet was cooked a perfect medium and was just the right size for me. The mashed potatoes potatoes were just okay, kind of on the dry side. I like my potatoes creamy. We also ordered a side of creamed spinach, which was just okay as well. The best creamed spinach I've ever had is still from Harris' in San Francisco. Our server was very attentive and kept our table clean with his little crumb scooper that he keeps tucked inside his jacket. I love those things. I ended up having to take my dessert to go because we were running short on time and had to check out of our hotel. I ended up eating it on the plane..."MmMmM".. is all i can say. Overall, it was a perfect last meal before we left the windy city.
(4)Jared G.
Great atmosphere if you like classic fine dining and great waiter service. Myself and 2 coworkers ate here the other night - we were seated right away, even though the place was jammed. We started with the Alaskan crab leg appetizer. How can you go wrong when they tee it up by cracking and prepping for you! Best I have had. Our waiter did a great job of suggesting mix and match options for dinner. We each ordered a steak with a group sampling of shrimp and scallops on the side - definitely the way to go. The sides were very large family style so we had spinach and lyonnaise potatoes, perfect. All in all a great meal, great atmosphere and expensive! I will absolutely go back. J
(5)Christina M.
I have been here a few times for business dinners. 1 Word - Amazing. If you like Seafood you will love this place - everything is to die for -- A+++++++++++
(5)Paul S.
My filet mignon was cooked to perfection. Service was nearly impeccable. The only misstep in this dining experience came with dessert. My tuxedoed waiter enthusiastically inquired as to what I might want. I told him "I could go for a bomb-pop or maybe an ice cream sandwich". He responded with a blank stare and slowly walked away. That'll cost you a star, buddy.
(4)Gregg D.
Christmas Eve in Chicago. On vacation. Why not splurge!? So we made a reservation for 10 pm (first one open 4 days out). Immediately seated, water and bread delivered promptly. The dining room is pretty small, but pretty. Tables are also well spaced so you you don't feel crammed in. Noise level is low and you can easily talk across the table and relax. Mark was our server and welcomed us warmly. 10:30 at night and, despite was probably already a long day, he was full of energy and we felt like we were his first table. He was patient and helpful in explaining the menu and recommendations. Tarted with the stone crab claws which comes with homemade mustard sauce. Served cold so you really enjoy the flavor. A bit overpriced, I thought, but the were definitely fresh and cooked perfectly. The shells came pre-cracked so easy eating too. I had a bowl of the stone crab bisque and it was fantastic. I would eat that as a meal by itself. Warm, creamy, big lumps of crab. My wife and I had the filet, my son had the rib eye. Perfectly cooked, nice charring on the outside, served with a special sea salt and spices mix on the side. Melt in your mouth. I only rarely eat red meat but devoured mine no problem. Mark recommended we split some sides. We got the grilled asparagus and mushroom Mac and cheese. Asparagus was average and under seasoned. But the Mac and cheese was a piping hot gooey dish of shrooms and asiago cheese. Fantastic. We were stuffed, but told Mark we would like to share a dessert, something to round out the meal. He said sure thing and disappeared, I assumed to get the dessert menu. Nope, he came back with a big slice of their famous key lime pie and 3 forks. Complimentary, he said, for choosing us during your visit to the city. Payment was prompt and Mark shook each of our hands and wished us a warm holiday season and Merry Christmas. Still full of energy! We enjoyed our dinner greatly and would come again. The menu even has cheeseburgers and light fare so you can get a quick bite and it doesn't have to be a big fancy meal. Only recommendation: please stiffen up the drinks. I ordered a vodka tonic and for $11 I would have expected a bit more vodka. Small quibble. Merry Christmas Joes and thanks for a special evening.
(5)Joseph C.
For steak or seafood, this is the place to come. Everything was fresh and cooked perfectly. The service was great. Definitely a great choice for a special occasion.
(5)Heidi R.
I came to Joe's with a friend who unfortunately doesn't like seafood. He brought me because I do. We could only get a reservation for 5PM during the week which was so early that neither of us were truly hungry. We had a cocktail in the bar while we waited for our table. The place looks snooty - the white table clothes and waiters everywhere but really we fell comfortable and the waiters were down to earth. My friend had the fried chicken which he absolutely loved and I ad the seafood salad. There was so much fish in this salad it was unreal. Neither of us could finish our meals and left completely stuffed and satisfied. I cannot wait to come back to Joe's and get the stone crab!! My mouth is already watering...
(4)Pascal M.
Your wallet's about to be as defenseless as the one armed crab that wanders the high seas. Joe's is a high end Steak and Seafood restaurant, so one would be foolish to think you can escape without dropping some dolla. Joe's is located off the corner of Rush and Grand, an area that's packed with restaurants. Joe's stands arguably right at the top. They've created a strong reputation, so they get pretty busy on the weekends. Best to make a reservation 2-3 week s in advance. The interior is nice. Lots of hardwood, high ceilings, and plenty of bar space. The bar is great if you don't have a reservation, their full menu's offered so you can just dine in there if you don't feel like waiting. I only caught glimpses of the dining area, but it looked really nice. A friend and I came here last night to have a full meal after stocking up over $200 worth of Lettuce Entertain You funds. Unfortunately, we found out just before we ordered a Dry Aged Ribeye, Alaskan King Crab, Mac and Cheese, and Broccolini. Fortunately, our server Amy told us the NO Friday and Saturday policy for my credits. Glad I didn't drop almost $250 of my hard earned dollars. On top of quick and efficient service, their considerate too. I'm looking forward to visiting Amy again to spend the balance on my card. GONNA BE A FEAST! We did however have the Jumbo Stone Crab (order of 3 with Mustard Sauce) and Shrimp Cocktail. Along with the Manhattan Martini and a Hendrick's Gin Martini, up, extra dry. Martinis were nicely made, they have all their products neatly organized at the bar, everything looks fresh and clean. I like this. The shrimp were plump and very fresh. Cocktail sauce was good too, they add a little extra horseradish on top. The Jumbo Stone Crab was remarkably fresh, being that we're so far from an Ocean. You may be a little disappointed due to dropping a hefty penny to get your Stone Crab Fix. While I enjoyed the the crab immensely, I still didn't feel the price tag was worth it. Only caviar and black truffles have made me feel that way in life. I think I'd prefer getting these online and shipped to my house. Joe's Seafood will deliver on all your expectations. Their as close to fine dining as a Steak and Seafood restaurant can get. The service is impeccable. Cocktails are made with precision and a wine list that's tailored to appease all tastes and preferences. The food from beginning to end is simply a winner.
(4)Cece P.
Joe's is Ahmazing!!!! Their food is extremely fresh and worth every penny. Their pies are to die for, my favorite: Banana cream pie w/ foster sauce (Mouthgasm!) Seriously, if you haven't been yet - GO!
(5)Ana C.
I have never had such good customer service in my life, not to mention that the food was delicious. As my boyfriend and I were eating we would turn around and our cup of water suddenly already refilled. I thought it was excellent that we never once had an empty glass of water. The fisherman's platter is a must it lets one try everything while in one simple plate and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the scallops and he seemed to enjoy those a lot. Finally the one thing that brought it above and beyond was at the end we were full for desert and we didn't feel like ordering any either. How ever our waiter brought us a slice of key lime pie after exclaiming that everyone has room for pie, and oh boy was he right. The best pie I've had. Everything was just perfect.
(5)Donna F.
I really tried this time to make Joe's one of my go to places and see it as nothing but another tourist trap. I even had gift cards to help pay my bill from the last time I was there and was not satisfied. It is nothing more than okay as far as quality of food goes. The signature stone crab is obviously frozen and lacking in taste. After charging $35.oo for 6 claws you'd expect more than that. On the whole the quality of the food doesn't make it worth the patience it takes to put up with the hustle and bustle. Let me put it this way--- I don't have much confidence in a place that actually measures the amount of liquor in a "jigger" for a drink that costs $14.00! Give me a break!!! \
(2)Jeremy C.
This was my 2nd time going, my wife's 1st time. She ordered the 20oz bone-in ribeye, and I got the Filet and Lobster Tail combination. I must say - AWESOME. The ribeye was perfectly cooked, seasoned great. The lobster was amazing...definitely something everyone should try. What was great too was that our waiter removed the lobster from the tail for me, making it much easier to eat. We also got a small order of the side of onion strings, which was plenty for the both of us. They don't state on the menu that you can order a reduced size of the sides, but our waiter told us that a small would be enough us. If you want a great steak place, and also a place to get solid seafood...this is the place to go. Make sure to call way in advance, especially when it's around the holidays or valentine's day, because this place does get booked up quickly. Also, once in a while you may see a chicago celebrity sighting! My first time going Scottie Pippen was about 3 tables over, pretty cool
(5)Mikal W.
Talk about feeling like a Proletariat at a dinner hosted by the Outer Party! I mean seriously, I was treated like an illegal alien at the Republican National Convention. Yes, in their defense I was in jeans and a t-shirt, but hey, they were my going out jeans, and in my opinion I smelled very nice. As a note, I even called ahead to check on the attire, and I was told that "the nice thing about Joe's is you can come dressed up or you can come casual since most of the people are tourists walking around the pier and strolling in". Also, there were a ton of people dressed down less than I was, so I was not standing out like a sore thumb or anything. Boy are they popular, for two days straight the earliest reservation they could do was 10:30pm; this was no big deal for us since we were out on the town, but we were excited because of all the buzz. We get in and take our seats and immediately our waiter has this snooty demeanor towards me, lucky for him he was not this way towards my wife, however, I felt as if he was trying to subconsciously trying to communicate with my wife and ask her what a beautiful girl like her is doing with a ragamuffin like me! Well guess what buddy, I may not look like David Beckham, but I do have something I am sure you do not have, a real HUGE personality! Funny thing is, after our dinner my wife asked me if I thought our waiter was disrespectful to me and trying to "sympathize" with her. What a horrible experience. Anyways, I digress..Let's get to the food, because even good food can still fix this situation. Of course we wanted to try their claim to fame the stone crab, so we ordered the appetizer version as well as their recommended fried calamari. Maybe it is because I am from Seattle, but their stone crab tasted like they came from a cut rate Vegas buffet, I mean seriously, I was expecting a food experience since this was their big thing, it was such a let down... A very expensive let down, I think the 6 crab claws cost us something like $34 dollars!?! I will say, the saving grace was the calamari, it was in the top 3 of best fried calamari we had. I was actually a little full at this time, but I was really craving their Cesar salad since it was "house made", also, I did not want anything too big since I knew we would be getting desert, therefore I ordered the Cesar salad for two for myself, and my wife ordered the Ahi Tuna. The waiter appeared very annoyed that I ordered the salad; I think he was a little worried about his bottom line.... I asked if they make the salad tableside, he stated that they did not; I found this a little strange for a steakhouse, but no biggie. I went on to ask if they make it traditionally with the egg yolk and sardines, he told me they do and asked if I wanted sardines on top. I said I will take it however they make it, I trust the chef. He then said "Sooo you don't want any anchovies?" I then replied "I want it exactly how the chef makes it, if that includes anchovies on top then great, if it does not then fine, if it is used strictly in the dressing then make it that way". Next came the eye roll, he said "I thought you wanted anchovies on it?" I am so annoyed at him, seriously, what is the deal with this guy? I told him "I was only curious as to whether this was made the traditional way or if they had their own twist, please just bring it to me as it comes". He lets out a big sigh and annoyingly says "uhhhh okay..." He kept eyeing my wife in such a way to say "who is this guy" my wife was not pleased. Our food comes and we were appalled, my salad for two was more like a salad for one and it was underdressed and the Romaine tasted like it had a little dirt on it/not properly washed. Maybe the guy was annoyed about the salad because he knew it was so small and tasted bad? Their dressing tasted like it came out of a store bought bottle, it was very disappointing. And my wife's seared Ahi had no care or attention given to it. The sear was majorly uneven and their marinade/sauce it came with was inedible, sweet like candy syrup? The food was such a letdown. This guy totally was acting like he was not going to get a good tip because we did not order drinks and did not accept his recommendations for their 3 most expensive items, however, our bill was still $140 dollars, I so did not want to tip this guy well, because he treated me like trash, but I did anyways, only 20% not the 30% we normally tip. I am assuming we just went at the worst day during their worst year with their worst waiter, there is no way this place is in general as bad as the experience we had, however, the downside is I will never step foot in another Joe's again, nor will I recommend it to anyone. A establishment should never make their customers, their livelihood feel the way they made me feel. I am so glad that others have not been treated this way. If our service was better it would have gotten 2 stars, but thanks to the waiter one star is all I can give.
(1)Katelyn C.
Holy reviews! Either Yelp or this restaurant are blowing up faster than I can keep up with! I was here about a year ago and absolutely had the best stone crab in all of the midwest. The dessert was a New York style cheesecake and I would just stick to eating dinner here and having dessert elsewhere! Definitely a cute place for a date, but the most annoying part was seeing two engagements, seriously guys...be original. It isn't even like a good view of the city or anything...
(4)Emmie N.
We stayed at the Conrad Hotel & since this was right across the street, we decided to try it. If you do go here, I suggest you get the Stone Crabs, that is what they're famous for. My boyfriend ordered it and it was delicious. I had Joe's Famous Scallops, not sure what they're famous for LOL. The steak my sister had was also a bit dry. I would only give this restaurant 3 stars but they get 1 extra star for their pies....THE PIES WERE SOOOO GOOD!
(4)John J.
Amazing. Great atmosphere. Great Food. good ol boys feel.
(5)Scott C.
Joe's delivers a great meal in a a nice white tablecloth atmosphere. Joe's was very close to 5 stars but the aloof service knocked them down 1 star. The service was attentive and our order was correct (even with some alterations) but the delivery by the wait staff made us feel like we weren't good enough to eat there. It's strange that you would get such service in economic times like this, but all I can do is reflect that in my review. On the good side the food was outstanding. Our meal began with the crab cakes (if you want more than 1 order the entree as your appetizer to save a couple of bucks) and the spinach stuffed mushrooms. The spinach stuffed mushrooms in particular were outstanding - the melted cheese on top was an outstanding touch! Everyone enjoyed their meals - in particular the Nantucket scallops were outstanding - so sweet and cooked perfectly! The other fish dishes, namely the sea bass were very good. However, the mahi mahi was OK - not bad but not outstanding. We had mashed potatoes and the grilled tomatoes as our side dishes. The tomatoes were outstanding with spinach and cheese melted on top. All in all, Joe's delivered a great meal meal that was enjoyed by our party of 5. We'll be back and perhaps a different waiter will offer a better experience for us.
(4)Ben K.
How did I live in Chicago for six years without ever eating here? Joe's is clearly a classic restaurant institution. It's a classy place through and through, and a very impressive dining experience. The strongest part of our meal was definitely the stone crab itself, an unbelievably succulent and delicious piece of meat, served with some fun auxiliary dipping sauces as well. I could probably have eaten an entire entree of stone crab, and very well might do so next time I'm back here, because as awesome as the crab was, my $53 bone-in new york strip didn't blow me away, and my wife's filet was fairly dried out despite looking the part of medium rare. Our sides were fantastic, our desserts were AMAZING, but for the price tag, I couldn't get past the fact that the steaks didn't send me home blown away. Next time I'll probably leave a little more impressed after sticking with the crab.
(4)Erin C.
By far the most under-rated steak house in Chicago. Absolutely love this place. Make reservations at least 3 weeks in advance but it is def worth the wait! Its very pricey but for a good steak - spend the money. Our service was great - the waiter was young knowledgable and energetic. Will def go back for special occasions.
(5)Jen B.
Hellllloooo decadent. I don't think it's possible to not be a complete glutton at this place. They start you off with a platter containing small lobsters (yes, the appetizer is a freaking lobster), huge shrimp, ceviche, etc. The move on to a surprisingly great house salad. It had corn and peppers and a yummy dressing....clearly not an afterthought token veggie. I then had crab cakes that had to be 95% crab. As a carb-a-holic you'd think the lack of breading would bother me, but no. Maybe the super heavy butter lemon dipping sauce made up for it. Yeah, yeah, pretty sure that was it. I ate so much that I almost couldn't fit in the asparagus, my most favorite of vegetable. But I'll be damned if I didn't put back three giant spears, plus a good helping of those amazing potatoes with caramalized onions. And a solid bite of key lime pie. Like I said, gluttonous.
(5)Mikey J.
Came here during Restuarant Week with a few friends. The place was bustling. We got seated and served rather quickly. I ordered the crab, while my friends mixed in steak and other selections. Overall, the crab and sides were okay, but not notably fabulous. Here's a tip Joe, don't put the hot butter tin for the crab on the cold crab dish, it warms up the dish and solidifies the butter! Kudos, to our server who was as friendly as can be.
(3)anthony t.
This is one of the best places in Chicago. Period. Great staff. Great food and although it is expensive it is definitely worth every penny. Bone in Filet, Colossal Stone Crab Claws and some key lime pie. It doesnt get better than that right there.
(5)Pamela P.
Delicious, fresh food. The lobster is divine. The Madagascar shrimp (when they're in season) are huge and savory and a taste you will crave. Obviously the stone crab is something to behold. The people can be a bit stuffy as is the decor-- a little steak-housian and dated but with the quality of the food totally outweighs any negative.
(4)John L.
Great service, unbelievable food, and fantastic decor. 20oz bone-in ribeye is life-changing. And the Alaskan King Crab is the best around. Also recommend the Scallops, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Stone Crabs are a must is you've never tried them before. On another note, the only reason we found Joe's is because we were turned away at David Burke's Primehouse at 10:02p, after a 10:00p close time. Big mistake, huge!
(5)Sarah F.
My experience here was mixed: excellent crab bisque to start and fantastic Key Lime pie to end. It was the stuff in the middle that's dragging down the rating a bit. I ordered off the Restaurant Week menu (extended through March) and got the King Crab Legs option. The crab legs came out completely pre-cracked, which was actually a bit disappointing because there was no work involved--just lift up the shell and eat the meat. That might be a pro to most people, but I like the challenge when it comes to crab legs. The legs were also huge--again, not sure if this is supposed to be a pro, but I find the smaller ones have a sweeter, more delicate flavor, which was lacking most of in these. The sides were downright bad. It came with 'hash brown potatoes' which was just squares of potatoes smushed into a half-moon--nice crispy outside, but no flavor to speak of except in the accompanying mustard dipping sauce. It also came with a 'coleslaw salad' which I guess was deconstructed because it came with a dollop of mayo and pickle relish on top of some shredded cabbage. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to mix it or what--one bite and done--just tasted like pickles. The ambiance was good--I was sitting in the bar area so it was pretty lively (even on a Monday night). Nice decor and music. The only thing that was a bit distracting was the host calling names over the mic in a way that reminded me a bit of a game show (you know, "come on down!"). So, the bisque and pie get 5 stars, the crab gets 3, and the sides get 2. If I lived here, I'd probably give it another shot--maybe go for the steak next time and sit in the dining room for the full experience--but definitely stay away from those 2 sides!
(3)PJ M.
Haha! I just read the review from the guy who said "your wallet's about to be defenseless..." This place was a 2-hour wait without a reservation so we snagged a round table in the bar area and locked in a bottle of Quintessa, so we offset the table situation by stepping up the wine - which for that bottle was priced really reasonably (first good impression). Next were the medium sized stone crab legs with the dijon dipping sauce (no I didn't care that the wine didn't pair) - the crab legs were rich and delicious. The bone-in Filet was next with the mac-n-cheese side, the Brussels con bacon and mash potatoes with some kind of schmutzy cheese. Filet was cooked perfect everything else was excellent. Ended with a key-lime pie, peanut butter pie and the chocolate fudge pie (custom sample plate suggested by our waitress)... Awesome.
(5)C B.
Ooowee, I'm bout to eat good..!
(5)Ron P.
Wonderful service and attention to details! (Chamomile tea had ACTUAL chamomile in it, the lemon hand washing after the crabs , we got a complimentary dessert for my birthday and then when we asked for half a slice of the famous key lime pie, they threw it in also. We had a large variety of dishes, from the wonderful crab claws, to the crab cake, the signature fillet mignon and the mahi-mahi, it was all great. all and all - a delightful evening.
(5)Nate C.
Fantastic time...the wait staff, bus staff, maitre d, all welcoming and attentive. Food was great, seafood shone brighter than the steaks, so make sure you get crab as an appetizer or entrée.
(5)C M.
It is by little coincidence that a venture to Joe's Seafood & Steak was partaken during my Chicago Steak Adventures. Having been disappointed on two prior occasions at different establishments, the third attempt would be the final accolade in this expedition. Having been recommended to attend Joe's by a long time steak affectionate, that resided in Chicago since his existence. A venture to this highly acclaimed establishment is not to be missed. The Ambiance: Despite the over-the-top decadence that sets as the decor of Joe's, the timely romantic yet quaint charm of the establishment produces both a welcoming and sophisticated feel. At first entry into the main dining room, patrons will be embraced by the upscale setup of the decor. Luscious velvet white table clothe sets the tone to the tranquil and sophisticated feel of the dining room. The white table clothe is further enhanced by the dark mahogany wood panels of the wall decor. To further aid in the romantic ambiance, the sublet tungsten fluorescent lighting that's accompanied by the lowly lit table candles provides the upscale yet modest feel of a more modern high end steakhouse. The Service: Our server (Shirley) should receive an abundance of praise for her dedication in providing both attention and service during the dining experience. Everything ranging from the wine recommendation, notable offerings, and portion sizes were commented on with incredibly resolve and accuracy. Furthermore, Shirley's ability to communicate with us provided the insight that allowed for us to further appreciate the experience. The Food... Appetizer 1 - Crab Cake w/ Spicy Aioli: The application is a simple Jumbo Lump Crab Cake that's deep fried and served with a side of Spicy Aioli. At first bite, the meatiness derived from the Jumbo Lump Crab Meat is the main staple of this consumable. Luscious and generous offerings of the crab meat were evident in each bite. Patrons will also find that the mildly seasoned crunchy exterior of the application provided the subtle flavor contrast to enhancing the buttery flavor of the crab meat. Appetizer 2 - Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: A basic application of a Shrimp Cocktail served with a side of Cocktail Sauce. There was nothing memorable about this application other than the simplistic but welcoming contrast between the sweetness of the Shrimp and the mild acidity from the cocktail sauce. An overall enjoyable appetizer Entree - 22oz Bone-In NY Aged NY Strip: Cooked to a perfect medium rare temperature, the NY Strip Steak contained a perfect contrast from the charred exterior and the juicy flavors within the meat. At first bite, patrons will find that the rawhide meatiness of the application is the most notable detection. The perfect abundance of marbling from the aged steak provided the additional flavoring. What's most important in this application is the cooking temperature. At a perfect medium rare, the meat contained a perfect textural contrast stemming from the charred exterior that provided the welcoming tenderness of the pink interior. No steak sauce is required for consumption; the mild salt seasoning combined from the juices stemming from the steak's abundance of marbling distribution is the foundation for the steak's invigorating flavors. Side Dish 1 - Macaroni & Cheese: Perhaps the excessive use of a certain bitter cheese was one fault in the execution of this dish. Of course, there was also the excessive cheese sauce that rested as the foundation. Nevertheless, the breadcrumb toppings provided a nice seasoning and textural contrast to the soft al dente body of the macaroni. The semi-bitter cheese sauce provided a stark boldness to the application. Although the extra reduction of the sauce would further enhance the richness of the application, the slightly watery sauce tainted what could be an abundance of bold and invigorating bites. Side Dish 2 - Steamed Broccoli w/ a Garlic Butter Sauce: As simple as it sounds, the Broccoli was steamed to perfection. The Garlic Butter Sauce provided a rich flavor that didn't hinder the earthiness of the Broccoli. Such an accompaniment allowed for a perfect balance of the rich steak, with an earthy alternative. Dessert - Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie: To end en evening of gluttonous consumption by an overwhelming dessert is one that's offered only at Steakhouses. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie was a decadence of flavors. From first consumption, the mild sweetness derived from the Graham Cracker Crust mellows in introduction of the semisweet mild chocolate sauce in this application. The rich and velvety flavors of the peanut butter work to engulf all other elements by providing a decadent exertion of succulent nuttiness. Notes on Joe's: - $100 Per Person (after tax & tip) - Order "half" portions of side dishes. The full size is unfathomable - Dress Code: Casual (but avoid shorts at all cost) - Reservations Recommended
(5)L N.
Great service, large cozy dining room, good wine list, delicious steak, stone crab and brussel sprouts. Classic steakhouse. Sharing is caring and very feasible here.
(4)Larry D.
Very friendly and attentive wait staff. Food is excellent and beautifully presented. You are treated as a friend not just another person through the door. I love it and go there whenever I'm in Chicago.
(4)Lynn R.
If you come to Joe's for restaurant week, you're going to need a comfy pair of sweatpants to wear afterwards. I've been wanting to go for awhile now, and when I saw this fancy pants place pop up on the restaurant week list I immediately coerced my friend into going to dinner with me. I'll admit I was a little disappointed at first that their famous stone crab claws weren't a part of the menu, but it's hard to be THAT disappointed when there's a pound of fresh crab claws awaiting. After being whisked away to a pretty little table covered in white linens, we decided on the stone crab bisque to start with. The portion was HUGE - and so rich and creamy that it could've been a meal in and of itself! The crabs legs came out quartered with the shell already cut/cracked. Those delectable little pieces came out with a slight pull of my fork. People will say the most fun part of it is cracking the crab legs but I'm sure those same folks would be converted once they had it this way. Delicious meal - but I ate so much that I kind of felt sick afterwards, so that tarnished the dinner for me somewhat. Also, our waiter looked like he might be hiding a few dead bodies in his mother's basement, so I was kind of on-guard all night just in case. So Joe's, you get 4 stars instead of 5, but I am definitely willing to give you another go-round!
(4)Si H.
We all agreed that it was the best filet mignon we've ever had in comparison to all the places we've tried in NYC. The stone crabs were fresh and tasty, but rather pricey for the portion. We took yelpers' advice and tried the key lime pie.....sooo good, even though I've never liked key lime pie anywhere else.
(5)AL K.
PERFECT. Make sure to have reservations. The place is packed all the time. The stone crabs are a must. Steak is grilled to perfection.
(5)Ric M.
Started off with a tasty cerviche. Transitioned to some succulent stone crabs lightly bathed in drawn butter. Finished off with the best steak I ever tasted (opt for the signature line). An extraordinary gastronomical delight. Highly recommended.
(5)Finn K.
This place is the definition of a five star restaurant. The service was excellent, the food was tops and the atmosphere was über classy. I had the bone-in Filet Mignon and my fiancé had the lobster, which I also tried. They nailed them both with utter perfection, shattering the expectations I had formed based on Mortens and Shaws earlier in the trip. Reservations are hard to get so I booked using Yelp and it found me a slot. I can't emphasize enough how satisfied I was, even though the prices were up there. The hosts were respectful and not snobby. I wore a suit to show some respect but it's not absolutely required. I would recommend some degree of formality though. Anyways, I never read reviews that exceed this length so in one word: GO!
(5)Linda H.
There were 6 of us with reservations on a Friday night. We were seated immediately (no easy feat on a busy holiday weekend when the place is slammed), and the impeccable service began the second we sat down. Bread baskets were placed on the table, water poured, and menus delivered. Enter Steve, our server, who was right out of Central Casting, having the PERFECT "Chicago Steakhouse Waiter" look and personality...professional, unpretentious, humorous and spot-on with the service. He told us about the food in great detail, answered our questions expertly, really listened to what we wanted, and delivered it. The place was packed, and it's just a great atmosphere. And even though the room was wall-to-wall people in a celebratory mood, you could still have a conversation with the person across the table. Whoever set up the acoustics in the place, good job. Before even having a bite of food, the place was a 5-star+ experience. The food just confirmed it all. The service continued to be perfect as the vegetable chopped salad was served (didn't notice what others had, but the salad was SO good). I got the crab cakes as an entree (some of the best I've ever had), others had crab legs and claws and Beef Wellington. Raves on the food all around the table. There is a great dessert menu, and I love that you can get 1/2 servings of anything. Half a slice of key lime pie was more than enough. I'm no expert on key lime pie, but it seemed like the thing to get, and it was really very good...but dessert that night was more of a formality, as the seafood is what I really enjoyed. All the desserts at the table looked excellent, including the tres leches cake which really looked like something special. When I think of Chicago, I don't think "seafood" (of course, they are known for their steaks too), but I do think that Joe's is one of the quintessential Chicago restaurant experiences. If I lived closer, and money was no object (yes, it is pricey) I'd be a regular. Thanks for being great, Joe's!
(5)Vaidehi T.
Took a friend out for her birthday dinner to Joe's last night. Wow - it was great. We walked in without a reservation, but we got there really early like 5:30 so we had no problems. We got a table right away. The service was impeccable. Neither of us were in the mood for crab, so we ordered the house salad and fish entrees. I ordered the Mahi mahi with chimichurri sauce and my friend got the parmesan crusted halibut. They had a bunch of specials for the day which all sounded delicious. The fish was amazing. Perfectly cooked, moist and flaky and chimichurri sauce provided the perfect foil to the fish. I loved it. It came with a jicama slaw, which was very refreshing - my only complaint was I wanted more of it. My friend loved her fish too - we wiped our plates clean. We also shared a side of grilled asparagus,which was pretty good. For dessert, they have started serving half pieces of pie which according to me is the perfect size. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake with pistachios and my friend ordered the key lime pie and again, it was a perfect ending to a great dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed, they don't rush you. It is expensive, but worth it because of the service and the food.
(4)Taylor O.
Traditional Chicago steakhouse setting with awesome service, great food, good wine and of course, stone crab. Make sure to try it when you are here!
(5)Diana M.
Judging by how difficult it is to get a reservation, I assumed this place would be amazing and I ave to say that it truly is. The food cannot be topped. Great quality steak and seafood cooked to perfection. I had the petite filet cooked medium and crab legs and it was PERFECT. You have to try the stone crab as an appetizer served with a mustard sauce. It is truly unique yet one of the most delicious types of seafood I have ever had. I also strongly recommend Jenny's mashed potatoes as a side... Mashed potatoes with asiago cheese folded in and topped with baked bread crumbs: HEAVEN. For desert, my husband who is true key lime lover swears it's the best he's ever had ( and he's had many). It is good but if you try the Havana dream pie, you will never wanna eat another desert. It had custard between two layers of tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries drizzled with caramel... Yeah it's incredible. I strongly recommend reservations ahead of time to get a good hour and don't be cheap, spend the money and really sit there and enjoy every bite.
(5)Joel M.
Their Oyster Rockefeller made me like oysters. I drank the leftover tangerine vinaigrette after my salad. I had the best tuna steak of my life. I got a free Key Lime Pie for being a "first timer" The waiter made me want to be his friend. I think that pretty much sums it up.
(5)Tricia R.
Excellent!!! During our wkd trip, we decided to try our luck on a Friday night and try to get in (despite our concierge telling us there were no available reservations until almost 10PM). We arrived close to 7PM and the place was PACKED. The maitre'd confirmed he had no tables until 10PM but that we were welcome to try to grab a cocktail table/bar seat if one became available. Luckily, a couple seated nearby at a cocktail table were finishing up coffee and dessert. I felt bad that it looked like we were hovering over them like vultures for their table, but they understood the situation (and the same happened to us as we were finishing up dinner, too!). We lucked out and were able to watch the baseball game on a nearby TV during dinner as well. Despite the crowded waiting area/bar/cocktail area, our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful. We ordered the stone crab claws (AMAZING!), the fried shrimp, the broccolini, and cottage fried potatoes. Everything was great and delicious. The bf also ordered a key lime pie to go bc he had heard so much about it and OBVIOUSLY had to try it. I only wish there were more of these around!!!
(5)Angela F.
Fantastic! My friend is a member of some Joe's "club" so we walked in and skipped the wait [when I saw how many people were waiting, I KNEW it was going to be good!]. We did it up right and had a 4 course meal. For an appetizer, we did the 2nd mortgage (crab, shrimp, lobster, and ceviche). Amazing! Then the crab bisque...also very good. For an entree, got the Steak & Stone Crabs...off.the.chain! We also had a few sides (sorry, can't remember exactly what) and they were [surprise!] delish. Had a pie for dessert (again, can't remember which one, this was in June 2009) and it was superb. All that fantastic, high quality seafood/food in general for only $100 each...not bad. Go enjoy the offerings here...go hungry and be ready to eat and be pleased.
(5)Jess S.
Wow!! This place is all that and more! The service was excellent. The wine list was full of amazing choices. The stone crabs were excellent start out with them. The dinner was amazing they had great steaks and make sure you try the special seasoning for your steak I had the bone in filet which made my mouth water and is one of the best steaks in all of chicago. Other people at my table had the Chilean Sea Bass which was absolutely amazing is a great lighter choice with a little sesame seed flare! The Lobster was super succulent and not chewy at all, The king crab legs are served cold I like them warmed a little but very delicious. All the sides were super good, we had Sweet potato fries an amazing cheezy mash potato, an awesome corn and fried green tomatoes just as good as momma makes down south! But now to the best part, the deserts! Wow save some room for these and split a few among the table. Everyone we had was so amazing but my absolute favorite was the Peanut Butter Pie A MUST HAVE! GO HERE
(5)Mike C.
Always crowded. Just an awesome restaurant. Had stone crabs for the first time and now am a HUGE fan. Those things are so freakin' tasty and worth every penny. This Chicago outpost seems to be always crowded as it is in the heart of touristville, across from the Downtown Marriott....my usual place of residence in Chicago.
(4)Judy M.
Ever wonder what a fat girl dreams about? Well, when she went to dinner at Joe's that night the answer is cake. Havana Dream, which is an amazing tres leches, to be exact. The food was good, but the service was impeccable. And wasn't he sweet for carding my over 30 self. Dinner consisted of stone crabs and a delicious corn side dish. We also got the mashed potatoes, but they weren't my thing, I had a bite and that was enough. After that, I needed something sweet.... and when the server went through the dessert list, and he noted his personal favorite was the Havana Dream pie, which was tres leches with something else. Well, let's be serious, he had me at tres, after that I didn't care what else was in it. Five stars for the Havana Dream pie and the service, 4 stars for everything else.
(4)Courtney M.
First time to Chicago. Actually used yelp to find a restaurant. It was absolutely amazing. Everything was so fresh, our waiter was wonderful, very informative, pleasant, and personable. I would recommend this to anyone.
(5)Julie S.
Based on the yelp reviews, I was pretty excited about going to Joe's. I have been to a ton of steakhouses - but I thought that Joe's would be something really special. I have to say - at best, it was mediocre. So we had an early reservation because we were going to see Book of Mormon - and we sat down and were served two delicious glasses of red wine. It was off to a fabulous start. The bread was good - although nothing really special - but it was looking good. We ordered apps - stone crab and the tomato side as an app. It was good.... but nothing spectacular. I had to season the tomato as there wasn't enough salt or pepper.... and the stone crab was decent. I am from Florida - so perhaps a bit jaded - but it wasn't anything special. we moved onto our main courses - a filet and a bone in rib eye..... both were overcooked - but mine went from medium plus to completely well done, so I sent mine back.... they were fabulous about getting me one that was right... and the second one was tasty! We also had the spinach with garlic and mashed potatoes. Both were ok - but utterly forgettable. We had the key lime pie and banana pie for dessert. Again, being from Florida, they KLP was good - but nothing out of the ordinary..... What was superb was the service. I was highly impressed and really appreciated the service and suggestions. Jamie was our server and I would recommend asking for her! Overall - it was a medium good experience.... I wouldn't refuse to step foot in there again - but I would have wine and a steak only. I probably won't be back.... I would rather go somewhere that has something special.
(3)Lauren B.
Crowded and expensive. The food, just good. Not good enough to make up for the long wait and noisy and pretentious atmosphere. This place appeals to tourists and people who are looking for a scene. There is so much better food in Chicago, especially for this price.
(2)Madelyn H.
this is a good place to go with your parents. maybe i think that because i go with my parents every year, but it has that old school quality and delicious, fairly traditional food. we always kinda do it family style which i think is a great way to go at joe's because they have so much fabulous seafood that you don't want to miss out by just order one. the service is nothing to write home about but not bad. must try: stone crab, king crab, nantucket diver scallops (both when in season), sweet potato fries good to eat: butternut squash (almost a dessert), jennie's potatoes, salmon
(4)Lauren H.
Had my work party here tonight. First, good wine and good french martinis. Second, good food. HAd 2d mortgage appetizer (lobster, stone crab, ceviche, and shrimp. yum!), caesar and chopped veggie salad, and stone crabs (yum but kinda wished I had had the filet as it looked good too). Fudge pie was not to my taste, but the key lime pie was yummy. This was the second time I was there, previously for lunch, and I hope to go back again.
(4)Kevin L.
I dragged my family out here while I was in town visiting for New Year's. We all agreed that the food was excellent. All of the dishes that we had were prepared exactly to order, and the service was great. Upon being greeted and brought back to the dining room through "the red curtains" we were seated in the back corner, with a great view of the rest of the dining area. The ambiance is comfortable, with a pleasant din of activity from the diners and wait staff, but still permits ready conversation within your own party. Our waiter was -fabulous- in every aspect. He was knowledgeable about the dishes, professional with his service, prompt, and thoroughly amusing. We all got laughs from his joshing around with our family. (Oh, and did I mention fabulous?) Like I mentioned, the food was great, and we tried it all. My dad had a steak that he ordered medium well (a little too done for my liking, but flavorful!), mom had fish that was flaky and delicious. My sister got the lobster tails which came right out of the shells with a pull of the fork - served with little butter and they were perfect. I had the scallops, and there were -tons- of them. Soft, chewy, and buttery, just the right consistency. I don't think you can go wrong with surf or turf here. I make special note of their giant crab leg appetizer. It comes with two king crab legs and two stone crab claws per person and their mustard dipping sauce. Maybe I'm not a crab aficionado, but all I can was that I found both types of crab divine - the king crab was hearty and sweet, the stone crab had a lighter, more delicate flavor, but equally appreciable. Sweet potato fries as a side item. 'Nuff said. And for dessert, my sister and I shared a slice of the key lime pie, per the recommendations of other Yelpers. It was definitely worth ordering. -Everyone- in my family ended up fighting over the crust, and my parents are the anti-desserters. Two thumbs up for this place, too bad I can't afford great food like Joe's all the time!
(5)John C.
So I know that many foodies will deny going here for a steak...that this place is a tourist trap. Well, I don't go here for the stone crab, that's for sure. And, when somebody told me that the best steak in Chicago (bone-in filet) was at Joe's...I laughed! However, I've now had the wonderful bone-in filet twice, and it is easily in the top five of all time steaks that I've EVER had. Ask for the reserve wine list. Try the "mortgage" app the first time, but after that, just skip it. The table side service Dover Sole is excellent!!! So why go here instead of Gibson's, Morton's, etc? I don't know. It has a much different feel than the classic steakhouses. And for some reason, I feel much more comfortable coming to this place. It is right off of Grand, so only a few Red line stops away. There are alternatives to super heavy steaks, and they don't parade the damn steaks around in front of you. They just know the food is good. BTW...I think the Stone Crab is the biggest rip off. Not because I think it is bad here (I've also had them in Florida), but because I don't like Stone Crab. I don't get it...all that work for a little piece of meat?!?
(5)Anjali B.
This is one of my favorite traditional seafood/steak places. I had my twenty-first birthday party here, as well as many other previous birthdays. This one was the best. I had a big filet seared rare, and a lobster tail on the side (not the petit steak n tails combo that I normally get, but a full, HUGE Australian lobster tail, and a full-sized filet). It was mind-numbingly delicious, and I had leftovers to take home. The crab bisque is a must, and I love the shrimp de jonghe, as well as the cold seafood platters they serve. A few years ago they had large king crab claws as a meal, and that was amazing, but I never saw it again. The desserts are amazing, too. I love the key lime pie. Excellent service too, every time I've been. Attentive, polite, and hospitable. :)
(5)Mike B.
Ambiance and staff were great. Service was outstanding. The stone crab and the lobster tempura are fantastic. We also got the crab stuffed sole w/ lobster sauce, which was good, but the lobster tempura was better. Also the lyonaise potatoes were good and the fried asparagus was a nice change from the usual steamed asparagus I usually have. Had a great experience and would dine here again in the future.
(4)Peter L.
I came here my first Saturday night after moving to Streeterville. The host pretty much laughed at me when I said I didn't have a reservation, which turned me into a committed Joe's-hater. A couple years later, my girlfriend finally convinced me to try the place out during RW... and I was converted. The stone crab claws are seriously amazing. The best I've ever had, which I guess isn't saying much cause I don't think I've had them anywhere else. The waiter was very attentive and helpful. Solid place -- if you're itching to unload your wallet, you could do worse.
(4)Samantha L.
By far my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Since I'm from Florida i grew up at the one in Miami and although the crabs are fresher down there it is still really good in Chicago. I've tried most things on the menu: shrimp, stone crabs, cod, salmon, steak, etc. Everything is wonderfful- you can't go wrong no matter what you order, but the stone crabs remain my favorite. The sweet potato fries and creamed spinach are a must for sides and of course I can't come here without getting a slice of key lime pie. I would recommend booking your reservation an hour before you actually want to eat because they tend to run about 45 minutes to an hour late on reservations.
(5)Linda T.
The seafood is so amazing and so fresh. The spinach stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes are to die for!! Ambiance is so romantic because of the dim lighting. It can get a little loud because of all of the people around you, but it doesn't really bother me all that much. If you're not a seafood person, they have chicken and other sandwiches, too. Joe's is a little expensive, but that's not something that would hold me back from coming again!
(5)Tara F.
I will keep this simple, if you haven't been, you just need to go! The atmosphere, menu, food, and service are exceptional. The most talented service in the area. A must for a special occasion!
(5)Matt R.
I went here for lunch during restaurant week and I was quite happy with my experience. If it wasn't for the overbearing waiter (I'm admittedly sensitive in this department) I would have gladly given 5 stars. First off, the restaurant week deal wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. So we went with just ordering off the menu and it ended up being the same price. Everything was well spiced and the fish was quite good! We went for the second mortgage for an appetizer. The second mortgage is just a big ol' collection of fish presented beautifully on a plate. The crab was fresh and delicious. For my lunch I had a bowl of the crab bisque. The bisque was rich and absolutely delicious! I'm still not sure exactly what all was in it...it was complex and the flavor was great the whole time. I would love to go back for dinner some time!
(4)Tara M.
I went to Joe's for lunch last week and it was great! I read through all of my fellow Yelpers' reviews and definitely took everyone's advice. Food: For our appetizer, we had the medium-sized stone crabs. They were a little difficult to eat, but very good. I did not use much of the sauce that came with them (I am generally anti-condiment) but of what I did try it tasted pretty good. For my entree I had the bone in filet, perfectly cooked at medium rare. This was, without a doubt, the best steak I have ever had! I also ordered a side of the Jennie's potatoes, but they went hardly touched because I was so in the zone with my steak. My lunching partner had the parmesan-crusted halibut special, which looked delicious (and he confirmed it to be so). For dessert, I had the key lime pie. The crust was to die for, and the filling was, well, to die for. I also ordered an extra slice to take back to the office for my hungry coworkers. Ambiance: Nothing special--very typical steakhouse feel. Full of business lunchers in suits. Service: Our waitress was very knowledgeable, and extremely chipper. My dining partner was actually a little annoyed by how "smiley" she was, I think, but I liked her. She knew her stuff, explained the basics to me since I had never been there, and provided prompt, appropriate service. I also loved the cute little crystal crab pins they wear! Certainly not a cheap lunch, ringing in over $150 for the two of us. But worth every penny (though thankfully I got to expense it)! I would certainly go back for a special occasion dinner or business lunch.
(5)Sara S.
Still the best steak house in Chicago. Sat at the bar and ordered from the full menu. King Crab, Bone in Filet split for two, half serve of lyonnaise potatoes and spinach. For dessert a half serve of Boston Cream and Key-lime Pie. Yum yum yum!
(5)Elleb K.
We decided to head for drinks after work before heading our seperate ways for dinner. They have a bar area and it was packed. By the sheer of luck we were able to get a table. Servers were freindly. We had a couple martinis which were average decent. We had their famous stonecrab, delish and the dip was heavenly. If heading here for dinner, make reservations, it is packed.
(3)Ben A.
Excellent service and Stone Crab makes it worth it if you are in the mood for good seafood away from the coasts. However for the high prices the appetizers and sides leave much to be desired. 5 stars for the main course, 2 stars for the sides/salads.
(3)Bianca P.
This restaurant is outstanding. I went with my boyfriend and another couple. We did not have a reservation when we went so got a round of drinks at the bar. I ordered a lemon drop martini which has a sugar rim and was very smooth. Once we sat down for dinner we ordered the 2nd mortgage (a seafood platter) and spinach mushrooms for appetizers. I am allergic to shell fish but on behalf of the other 3 people that devoured it, the platter was amazing! The mushrooms were cut in half and stuffed with spinach and then had Parmesan or Romano (maybe both) cheese melted on top. I could have had that for my entree and been extremely satisfied. I ordered the 16oz bone-in filet, medium which is a premier cut at the restaurant. It was the most magnificent piece of meat I have ever had the pleasure of eating! It was cooked perfectly and although I did not want to stop eating it, it was just too big too finish (Nick happily had it for lunch the next day). Nick, my bf, ordered the Alaskan King Crab which he was very pleased with. For sides we had creamed spinach and a sweet potato that was served with butter and brown sugar. Both very good. During dinner we enjoyed 2 bottles of Justin wine that was highly recommended by the couple we were dining with. Okay-now for the dessert- Are you sitting down? We had Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Chocolate Cake. The Chocolate Cake was a little rich for me but still good. The Banana Cream Pie was fresh sprinkled with candied pecans and the best Banana Cream Pie I have ever had. Now I am a big fan of Key Lime Pie and if I am somewhere that offers it, I will usually order it. This Key Lime Pie doesn't touch any Key Lime Pie, I have ever had- Even in Florida. Sorry all of you Floridians! Go to Joe's and see for yourself. It was outstanding! Overall, the experience was upscale dining at it's finest and the staff was very accommodating. So glad that even though it was suppose to be a 2 hour wait, we waited. It turned out to be about an hour. Very satisfying culinary experience.. Thanks John & Jenny for the recommendation!
(5)Yujin A.
I know I am picky when it comes to food, and I certainly become pickier when I pay over 80 dollars for my meal. I went there three times so far. Once I had Dover sole. The fish was very fresh ( I am from a coastal city off the Pacific... trust me,, i know my seafood), but it was simply fried. Other dishes I've tried were good, but nothing creative or amazing. Good ingredients though. I wasn't too impressed by their service either. The second time I was there, the service was impeccable, but not the first time or the third time I was there. I just think this place is a bit overrated and overpriced, but I have to remark that their lobster bisque is da bomb!
(4)Katie W.
Great place to take the parents when they're in town or to go with a group. The sides are phenomenal, service is outstanding, and I think it blows some of the other steak joints in Chicago out of the water. I wouldn't recommend as a romantic date place because it gets a little noisy.
(5)vitas z.
i can't say enough good things about joe's. that atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxed. the service is impecable. and the stone crab and mustard sauce is out of this world. i love to stop by here after catching a movie downtown, either amc river east to the siskel, for some stone crab and an ale. it just puts me in the most relaxed mood.
(5)Jason S.
Two words. Stone Crab! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. The crab and the dipping sauce are up there on my list of favorite foods. This place is on the pricey side, so I save it for special occasions or when the parents are treating;) Atmosphere is that of a classy steakhouse and the wait staff is always attentive, knowledgeable and seemingly having a good time. Dont skip on the fillet and make sure to get an order of cheesy potatoes for the table.
(5)steve h.
i'm a bisqueaholic. the stone crab bisque, try it in this subzero weather. warm ya right up. the stone crabs themselves, yes..you gotta pick out some of the shell crackings..but its a 'good' kind of work*. you know that your reward will be worth it. * i have been known to eat crab with tiny bits of shell still attached due to impatience. lets hope there are minerals or some sort of nutritional value to the shells. oh well.
(4)Jim G.
Loved it - the stone crabs are absolutely amazing. This is some of the best Seafood you can get in Chicago.
(4)S. O.
Yum! If you love seafood, fish or steak this place is fabulous! Everything is equally delicious, my friends swear by the steaks (try the bone-in rib-eye) and i LOVE the fish and seafood. I went with a big group and got to try the seafood platter, king crab, stone crab, ceviche, lobster....all fresh, tender and fantastic. Even the lobster, which is rubbery a lot of places, was succulent. I got the tuna for dinner and it was sashimi grade, well prepared and delicious. The sides are good too, go for the Jennie's potatoes! Oh and as for the service...the waiters were so attentive and pleasing that the sales traders I brought went back there the next night.
(5)Amanda D.
Wow! The crab was just fantastic- can't remember anything but that actually. But wow- I can still (4 months later) remember that crab!! Yum
(5)Steve D.
This is the second year in a row that my wife have gone to Joe's for our anniversary and I can guarantee we'll be going back next year. We arrived and were promptly seated. Our waiter Richard was awesome. Very friendly, and just the right amount of attention. We went for the stone crab which is the same as always, delicious. The mac & cheese is ubelievable and we had the sauteed spinach that was great too. We tried two desserts, the mint-chocolate pie and the gold brick, solid, just not as decadent as I would have wanted when the rest of the meal was so superb. I can't wait to go back, bonna have to be soon, everything that went past us looked so good from the fried chicken to the chops. One of the best restaurants in Chicago for sure.
(5)Rachelle T.
To be completely honest I think this place is totally over-rated. Having grown up in New England, where we know our seafood, I wasn't impressed by Joe's. It is expensive and everything is served ala carte which means a full meal (salad, entree, possibly a side or dessert) adds up really fast. The service was good and our waitress was incredibly attentive so I will give them props on that. The atmosphere is pretty stuffy and they obviously cater to an older crowd. Basically, if you're looking for good seafood you can find it elsewhere in this city at a much lower pricetag. If you're looking for the pretention and "name" you'll probably enjoy Joes.
(3)Jennifer S.
This place never fails to impress. The food is wonderful and the service is fantastic. Although not on the menu, I asked for a side of mushrooms and they were accommodating. Definitely need reservations and still may have to wait a bit.
(4)john w.
Excellent value with the extended restaurant week menu $21.95 for multi-course meal.. Filet and stone crab is good combo. Service above average. Great desert. Not the best, But good solid meal.
(3)Patty V.
Almost forgot about this place! Went with a bunch from work and had an awesome meal! Epic proprtions of food that will leave your stomach full and your wallet lighter-but it is worth it!!! Had the stone crab-of course. DE-LISH!!
(5)Chris H.
We went here for dinner last night and had a great time. King crab is in season now, and they bring it out and cut it open for you table side, terrific! After the crab, we'd both had enough seafood and went with steaks for dinner, the bone in fillet was, I think, the best I've ever had. All that said it is a little pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for.
(4)S to the izzo F.
One of the best restaurants in the city. Every time we go it's a good time as well as good eating. Not to be confused with Joe's crab shack please! that's an insult to good food!!!!!! Joe's is top notch in every way!
(5)Taylor O.
Seafood from Chicago that kicks ass. Cover your eyes and you might think you're on the coast. Soft shell crab appetizer deliciously lightly fried and dipped in to a perfect oil concoction. Alaskan King Crab Legs in heaping portions. Top it off with sweet potato fries. Lettuce take you there but its gonna cost you. Get the points card.
(5)K M.
I was a bit disappointed with my entrees both times I have been to Joe's, but I'd be willing to give them another chance because I keep hearing that everyone else loves it. It doesn't help that I'm not a huge crab fan I suppose. The desserts are also really great- I was here for a long office lunch oncce and we ordered a bunch of pieces of pie to share around the table, and they were all incredible!! I'd highly recommend saving room for dessert here! The service of course is excellent, and they don't seem to mind if you linger around and take your time with your meal
(4)Jendy B.
I won a $100 gift card to this place so I took a friend and myself out to dinner. We started out with a crab leg appetizer, salads, and a bottle of wine. I ordered some sort of crab stuffed fish and she ordered a steak & seafood dish, I believe. All in all, we had a great [and cheap] meal after using the gift card. Update (3/3/08): I went again the other weekend at 2 o'clock on a Sunday. Like it hasn't been mentioned before, but the stone crab appetizer is no joke. The bloodys are good with the garnish being superb (celery, lemon, and an oversized shrimp with a large feta stuffed olive). Our entrees were amazing and the desserts... wow, save room for dessert! The half slices are more than enough. We sampled a trio of pies-- key lime, banana cream, and double chocolate. The key lime pie was amazing and I'm not even a fan of key lime pie! Our soup, salads, lyonnaise potatoes, asparagus, and entrees were extremely satisfying. Our service was extremely professional.
(5)Adam G.
Joe's is very good. I love stonecrabs and must say they have the best! However, I' m not sure I would go there for anything else as I have never ever tried anything else on the menu. Overall, if stonecrabs or seafood is what you are looking for - this is the place!
(5)Ross W.
Although I sat two tables away from Jesse Jackson, the highlight was the stone crab claws and our excellent waiter, Howie. The food is terrific and atmosphere classy but comfortable. A must order is the bone-in steak (either ribeye or filet mignon). Also try the sweet potato (half order is plenty). Back to Howie--a great waiter that has a following and may be the most personable guy you'll meet to bring your food in hand. Ask to be seated in his section and enjoy.
(5)Kate W.
I've only been here once, but it was WONDERFUL! We didn't have a reservation, but we were seated very quickly. Our waiter was very nice and very knowledgeable, without being intrusive. I had the crab-stuffed sole in a lobster sauce ... it was incredible. My boyfriend had a steak which he said was "good," a very big compliment coming from his mouth. Not a place my budget can afford every day, but a great place to spend a special evening.
(4)David M.
Very, very good! I've been here about 5 times and have always been impressed with the service. I'm not a big fan of the stone crab but every thing else I've had here has been perfect. You can't go wrong having dinner here.
(5)Jason K.
I've always heard great things about Joe's so I was very excited when a very cute girl that I was dating took me here for my birthday last year. Since then I haven't been able to stay away! I'm not a seafood fan, but I love their steak. The sweet potato fries and desserts are great as well. It's pricey, but definitely a good spot for any special occasion.
(5)J D.
The best Oysters Rockerfeller ever.
(5)Grace G.
What I liked: Service...our server was accommodating and extremely polite. Everyone on the waitstaff was extremely attentive, and yet not overly attentive. Dessert...boston creme pie if you like chocolate and custard...yum!! Great people watching place. Great attention to detail. What I didn't like: What seafood place does NOT have raw oysters on the half shell? Of course, what they ARE known for are the stone crabs, but my husband and I found them to be tasteless, the flavor was too delicate to actually enjoy it...but, to each his own. The rest of the food wasn't wow...you get comparable food and even better food at places like Shaw's (another underrated Lettuce Entertain You venue, but not as pricey) or Catch 35. I had the crab legs, and my husband had the 22 oz. lobster. My husband realized he had made a mistake on his order, and while I loved my crab legs, I thought that the price was too much. I get crab legs at Shaw's or Catch 35 and they are definitely cheaper and just as good. I was definitely paying for the 'lack of atmosphere'. The lobster was ok, but it was bit tough and lacked flavor. We recommend sharing side orders...so do they. We both had the stone crab bisque, but we both thought that the delicate flavor of stone crab got lost in the flavor of the bisque. We also like our bisques to be smoother, and they put in some crunch into their bisque. Good flavor in the base, but I've had better bisque elsewhere. Our appetizer was the 2nd mortgage (that's what it is called, and at 14.95/pp, definitely named appropriately) which consisted of 2 stone crab, large shrimp, lobster tails and a ceviche which was the best out of all the appetizers. I don't know what the big deal is about stone crab claws...I believe the flavor is too delicate to enjoy, as I mentioned before, and the mayo-mustard dip that they serve with it overpowers what flavor the crab has. Decent wine selection, but once again, overpriced. Stick to the beer and liquor. Overall, I thought the restaurant itself was extremely expensive for no reason. It was loud, it had no 'atmosphere', but it is extremely popular for the business types. The waiting area is overcrowded with no atmosphere and no place to stand, the bar is too small for all the people, and while you can hear music above all the din, you really couldn't enjoy it. If you must try it, you will get great service, good desserts, and good people watching. But my recommendation is to head to Shaw's (downtown or Schaumburg) or Catch 35 (downtown or Naperville). If you must spend that kind of money, spend it on Nick's Fishmarket. The food is to die for there.
(3)Sheila D.
I love the steaks here! I know they are known for their stone crabs, which are amazing as well. I was more in a meat mood the last time I was at Joe's and opted for their steak. Now I'm not sure what to get during my next visit because both are such great choices! The sides are really good as well and you can't go wrong with any desserts on the menu.
(5)Ice Cream Truck I.
At first this place came across as sorta formal, but the workers were really cool. I took out two desserts late at the bar, staying at the Marriott across the street. The key lime pie was alright (not - - MUCH more whipped cream on this than anything else). The apple pie was superb - - a huge serving, dense with tart/sweet apples, not overly sugared; flaky crust. For lunch the next day, I went for the stone crab claws. I wanted the 4 claws for $17, and when I mentioned 'medium' on the menu, I thought that referred to the size of the claws. They brought a huge plate, I lemoned it and then realized there were 8 claws on the plate - - was the order right (maybe one claw is considered a pair?). I asked them, and they said I ordered a medium SERVING which is 8 claws for like $29. I apologized and told them I made a mistake and thought medium meant the size of the claws, not the order. They said they couldn't take them back because I had lemoned them. They let met eat them all and charged me only for four, which I thought was really cool of them.They could tell I was an outta towner because I walked in with my laptop case and rollaway, so they could have charged me for the whole order and not cared, but they were really customer-oriented, which impressed me. Oh, and I like that they had the basketball game on the TV last night. Only downside is that the bar waitresses seem to have a bit of 'tude (maybe because I'm not a drinker and was only ordering food?).
(4)Eric L.
Ive been here for dinner and brunch. Brunch is probably the best brunch i have had in chicago. crab is excellent.
(5)Tom W.
Wow !!! My review could stop there because this restaurant was that great, but I will elaborate just a bit. This restaurant really knows how to treat their guests and will go way out of their way to keep you happy. We start with a great BLT wedge salad and then dove into two entrees of their famous stone crabs and the king crab legs. It was a ton of crab meat and it was unbelievably delicious. They gave us a brownie Sunday dessert for our special night and when we commented that we had been thinking of the key lime pie a slice of key lime was brought immediately and free of charge. Both were to die for as was the entire meal. We also had the asparagus which I tasted but did not want to spoil my crab meal. Frankie was our waiter and he was a true professional and knew how to do his job flawlessly. If you come here try and sit in his section and you will be thoroughly pleased. The other men working our table were also all spot on and we never wanted for anything. Thank you Frankie and thank you Joes for an amazing meal and night.
(5)Rich F.
I'm always amazed at how good this place is when I return. The steaks are top notch, but on my most recent visit I had the grilled swordfish which was fantastic. The red claw crab legs served chilled and de-clawed tableside were out-of-this-world good. Of course, the stone crabs can't be beat. Only complaint is that a reservation means nothing here. This place packs 'em in-it's impossible to not spill your drink in the small and crowded bar while waiting for your 8pm reservation to be called at 8:45 over the impossible-to-hear sound system/microphone. Oh well, the food is worth it.
(5)Eddie O.
I've only eaten here once and it was unbelievable. We ordered a bunch of different things for the table because we couldn't choose between all the things that we've heard are so good. Both the stone crabs and filet were unbelievable. I was skeptical that a seafood restaurant could make a steak at the Gibsons/Mortons level, but it definitely was just as good (if not better). Stone crabs were amazing as well and I'm planning on going back for more before stone crab season ends in may.
(5)Dru G.
I didn't know it was possible for food to taste this good. I was really excited when Joe's opened up here because my family used to go during vacation in Miami many times. I wasn't sure if it could live up to the Miami Joe's legend, but it's done a very good job. The stone crabs and key lime pie are not only my favorite things on the menu, but they are my favorite foods in Chicago!
(5)Leigh L.
Fantastic service, food was great and the proportions were large. Prices reasonable for quality of food and service. Don't miss this place. Make reservations well in advance. Beware...only complaint...I did not save room for desert!!!
(5)Lawlibgal X.
Crabcakes are amazing. Stone crabs were delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend for a great place to eat.
(4)Julie M.
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience at Joe's! The atmosphere is a little old school for my personal modern taste but once I got over that I was totally sucked in! Our server, Rocky, has been with the restaurant for over 10 years and you could feel his pride in this place. He did a great job so service was outstanding. We both had fish and it was prepared perfect. We enjoyed everything we ate and even left with further plans for the evening thanks to the attentive staff. I will be back!
(5)Ws's Mama H.
Heard many good things about Joe's, so I tried. This is a classic restaurant and filled with mostly older folks. Service was good. For a starter, I've had stone crab claws, which taste just like any other stone crab claws served in other seafood places. There was nothing special about them. Highlight of this place was copper river salmon, which was fresh and succulent. I devoured it even though I was full. I would come back here again for some copper river salmon... mmMmm
(4)Lai X.
The first time I went there was to take my best friend out for her birthday. Since this restaurant got such raving reviews for their stone crab claws and my best friend is a huge seafood fan, I thought this would be a great place to go. We ordered the 2nd mortgage and some medium claws to start, followede by filet mignon and hashed brown. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by their seafood given the price, maybe because we've been to the original Joe's in Miami, the stone crab claws they are serving here are just not as pump and it was at times hard to break off the shells. And while the filet was good, but the hashed brown was rather overly "browned" - with lots of blackened char pieces all around. Anyways, the service was so-so, while our waiter was friendly, it was obvious he didn't want to spend as much time taking care of two girls in their early twenties. Also, I'm not sure if it's the time of the day we went, but the atmosphere at Joe's seems overly formal and a bit stuffy at times. Still, Joe's is Joe's, if you are in the mood to splurge on fresh seafood and great steaks, this place won't disappoint.
(3)Rahshonda K.
Joe's you didn't fell to disappoint this time and for that ...you got that star back!!! I went to Joes for a dinner party and it was 14 of us and Oz our waiter had his hands full with us but he handled us with care. The food was OFF DA HOOK! I loved the Filet Mignon, Crab Cakes, and Stone Crab Legs! So fresh its unbelievable. As usual I cant wait to go back!!!!!! PS. Try the Chocolate Fudge Pie...OMG I am craving it now its so good!!!!!
(5)Netsie T.
Took my dad here when he came to visit. The stone crab was superb and the key lime pie was spectacular. Definitely worth the price--thankfully, I wasn't paying.
(4)Ellen M.
My review is based on the fab holiday luncheon my company arranged. Oh, we did just fine. Lots of food, and everything I tasted was wonderful. I was sad because I didn't get a chance to have the stone crab, but I did get a fantastic ribeye, cooked beautifully, with lots remaining for the husband to enjoy later on. I have yet to eat more than about four ounces of steak at a sitting, this was no exception. It's so rich, I'm satisfied with a little taste. Appetizers, vegetables, all wonderful, all prepared with plenty of bejesus left. Service...extraordinary! Of course they did a great job during the meal. They even dropped everything to help my co-worker find her missing glasses. Flashlights were pulled from thin air to assist in the search.
(5)Carol K.
I've been to Joe's many times and never thought to write a review as there were already so many of them on here. But last night's experience with some out of town guests prompted me to write. I had relatives in from Wisconsin and taking them out to dinner is always a challenge as they are always flummoxed by the prices in Chicago and usually order drinks that the bartenders here tend to struggle with. Well last night was no exception. The obligatory Brandy old fashioned (who drinks Brandy outside of WI I wonder?) was ordered 3 different ways, and with three different garnishes. Well- this is one of the first places that has ever gotten these Brandy drinks right on the first try.Thank you Joe's. One less argument at the table. Our server took excellent care of us, swapping white napkins for black for those of us in dark clothes, taking the bickering at the table over "sharing of food" due to the perceived high prices (urrgh!) all in stride, and bringing a complimentary dessert for the birthday that we were celebrating. The steaks were excellent, the cold appetizer (2nd mortgage as they call it) plate delicious and my favorite- the grouper with the tomato cucumber relish- absolutely perfect!. Pair all of that with some of their famous hash browns and Jennie's potatoes (mashed potatoes blended with cheese, topped with buttered bread crumbs and broiled) and their well known fried tomatoes covered with spinach and cheese and we had a meal fit for royalty. Why not a perfect rating? We did have some issues with over zealous bus staff. Water was refilled sloppily- splashing us in the process- forks, plates and knives were taken and not replenished before people were done eating and overall it lent to a feeling of being rushed. But I was happy. The relatives went back up to the wilds of Wisconsin and I was able to return to my quiet home and think about the amazing food and how nice it was that someone else had to deal with my crazy relatives at meal time instead of me.
(4)Audre L.
I love the stone crab here. I love the old school feel of the dining room and service - watiers in tuxes. Certainly a different style than the Miami location which is just as nice but Miami cool-formal. Delicious. Glad to have it in Chicago.
(5)David B.
I've been to Joe's many times and have always had a 5 star experience. The atmosphere and service are great. Their entree's are excellent including the crab cakes which are the best that I've ever had. The sides are even better than the entree's. Don't miss the cottage fries and the roasted corn. Desserts are a must. The apple pie ala mode is amazing. Half servings of dessert are available, so order a few for the table.
(5)Sherie P.
Yum!! I love Restaurant week! I have been wanting to go to Joe's and this was the perfect opportunity. Lunch with the girls! We started off with some cocktails. The Basil Orange Cooler was so tasty. I thought it would be more bubbly from the club soda, but it wasn't. It had a nice basil flavor and not too sweet. One of the other girls had the South Beach Peach. It was much sweeter. It was very tasty too. To eat we had the Stone Crab bisque to start. It was creamy and had a wonderful crab flavor. Soooo good! I had the 5 Stone Crab claws with hash browns and coleslaw. The crab was great with their mustard sauce. I don't like mustard at all but I tried it and it was tasty. The waitress was wonderful and brought us some clarified butter since I'm not big on Mustard. The hash browns were crispy and delicious. I'm not a big mayo fan either, but the coleslaw was pretty good. I only had one bite. They mix it up in front of you so the cabbage stays crisp and it's sweet and very mayo-y. One of my friends had the filet with mashed potatoes and this tomato with spinach and cheese on top. The filet was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were delish. Now... This tomato... I didn't know what to make of it first. They must put it under the broiler to get the cheese melted but the tomato was still firm and raw. WONDERFUL! Next time I need a plate of those tomatoes! We had the banana cream pie and the key lime pie for dessert. Both were amazing. The whole desert menu looked amazing. I think I'll need to go back and try each one!
(4)Mike Y.
Went here for restaurant week and it is a good deal for the price! The service was excellent, first. On top of things, never leaving me waiting for anything, yet not too in your face. Great job there... especially during the extra busy RW. On to the food... I had the bisque, which was very tasty. I love a good soup and extra love when they create the soup right at your table; kind of gives it an extra flair. The flavor was rich, and creamy... mmmm.... Next up was stone crab with their cole slaw and hash browns. I did like that the crab was really nicely pre-cracked for you, but it was still really messy/awkward to eat. Still, it's a pricey product at a good price and the meat that you could get to was tasty. The hashed browns were really tasty. I liked the slight creaminess of the butter and I liked the stlightly browned top. Very delicious. The cole slaw, I was not too much a fan of. Essentially it is just a mountain of slow and you kind of have to mix it together yourself... It was only ok... I've definitely had much better coleslaw elsewhere. This ended up being a lot of food so I took home half of my crab claws and some of the hashed browns... a great meal for another day :) I ended with banana cream pie and even though I didn't really have much room for it, it was a pretty tasty pie. Great service, classy atmosphere, definitely worthy of its ratings. Great job!
(4)Charles H.
After years of travel throughout the country I have had the good fortune to sample some wonderful steaks and seafood restaurants. I can say without hesitation that Joe's in Chicago is the best for both. Their bone-in filet is unbelievable and is consistently cooked to perfection. Now based on how much I love the steak here I say with some excitement that the Stone Crab appetizer is the best dish in the country. I had this at least a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Now I will say the price can be a bit high, but you will never feel cheated. The service, food, and atmosphere are second to none. If cost is a concern my fiancee and I often go for lunch. You can get one of the best hamburgers in the city for a very reasonable $10 and then splurge on some stone crab. I also highly recommend the lobster bisque. Please go and enjoy
(5)mumin k.
I had one of the best steak restaurant experiences at Joe's. The bone in ribeye was excellent, the best I had so far. The service was also top quality. The waiter definitely knew what he was doping .. The most surprising part is that this place was not any more expensive than your regular steak house but it was much better than any other place i have been both in terms of food and service quality. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Hu Lee A.
Great! The crab was excellent, the cole-slaw divine, the steak pretty good for a seafood joint, and the key lime pie was just like it was in Miami. I would come back. There are enough managers on the floor to ensure service is well above average. Somewhat pleasantly surprised.
(4)Sheldon R.
Incredible experience. Bone in filet was "to die for". Our waiter, Steve, was fantastic. Loved it all.
(5)D H.
Simply delicious! Best ribeye I have ever had.
(5)Melissa V.
For the price I expected flawless and they didn't deliver. The basket of bread was good. The shrimp cocktail was very tasty (my favorite item). The chopped salad lacked flavor. The crab bisque also lacked flavor and had no crab. The filets were solid. My crab legs were suppose to be steamed and warm and they were ice cold. The waiter blamed the chef (very low brow) and never apologized or offered any compensation, which completely turned me off of this place. Looks like we were the few who didn't enjoy this place. For the price are you willing to find out if you might be next? I say skip this place!
(2)hanna y.
I was excited when a couple of friends and I booked Joe's Seafood for restaurant week. We came in with high expectations and left with all our wildest dreams come true. When I walked into Joe's I was taken aback by the layout. I envisioned a more spacious dining area but tables were pretty close to each other. We had to wait a few minutes to get seated and we opted to grab a drink at the bar. I was a bit apprehensive for our dinner, but was blown away by the service and food. I got the Filet, lobster combo. We started off with a soup, which I opted for the seafood bisque. It was one of the best seafood bisques I have ever had. From our entire table all you could hear was the clanking of the spoons and the licking of our lips. I had to refrain myself from licking the bowl clean (had I have been in a less public place I probably would have). When the food came out there was complete silence from our table as we savored each and every bite. Sharing the sides in a family style set up was also an added touch to our experience. And to top off the entire experience I got the key lime pie which left me wanting more. Aside from the food, the service was absolutely amazing. I can't remember the server's name, but he was very friendly and accommodating. What should have been 1.5hour dinner turned into a 3.5 hour dinner. Among our group of 5 we shared practically 4 bottles of wine and had a wonderful time. Our server was very attentive and joined in quite a few of our conversations. Thank You restaurant week for letting me experience a true slice of heaven! I highly recommend that you try Joe's. You'll leave happy and wanting more.
(5)Ang R.
**Restaurant Week Review** I loved Joe's. Everything was really tasty (except the insides of the giant hash brown cake, which were waaaay underseasoned, sadly.). I did the $33 stone crab menu, and I really liked everything I ate. I had a salad with Joe's vinaigrette--which is a really unique and interesting dressing, but don't get it if you don't like onion--and the other two at my table had crab bisque. They both LURVED the crab bisque. The crab claws were delicious as always (though such a pain to deal with, honestly.) and my husband liked his steak. The real winners, though, were the sides: mashed potatoes that were INSANE, delicious vinegary cole slaw, and the grilled tomato. The grilled tomato is really unlike any side I've had at a steak or seafood place, and I can't recommend it enough. So freaking good. (And the mashed potatoes, which I kept eating right through fullness. Did I mention the mashed potatoes?) Lastly, desserts. The Key Lime Pie had to be some of the best I've had in Chicago. Perfect crust, perfect acidic bite, lovely whipped cream. Husband had the banana cream pie, and he said it was mild and nice. Wish we could afford Joe's all year round! But if it's gotta be during restaurant week, so be it. If you can, try to get in. It's really worth it.
(5)Ross N.
Ahhh, Stone Crab just back in season and hit the spot, definitely 5 stars for those little guys and girls and sorry to steal one of your arms but you taste so good! Service was excellent and helped make the night that much better with some great friends. Don't hit restaurants downtown like we used to but $300 for 4, A LOT OF FOOD and bottle of wine and few cocktials sounds about right for what we were looking for. A little steep, sure, but just had to have those bottom feeders.
(4)Mat C.
Not sure why people go bananas for Joe's. It'a a lettuce restaurant. As a Miami native I can assure the only thing the original shares with this and the Vegas outpost is the font on their logo.
(3)Brittany H.
Absolutely loved this restaurant. The decor was cozy, elegant and charming. Impressive wine list...and the restaurant best renowned for its stone crab. Definitely the tastiest crab ever...thanks to its wonderful honey dijon dipping sauce. Forewarning, it was a bit noisy for a Weds. night...if you can withstand it. I liked the noise, it's what gave the restaurant its charm & liveliness. I don't eat red meat, so I couldn't tell you how their steak is, but for being a steak & seafood restaurant, I thought the swordfish was pretty fresh & not dried out at all. Aside from the wonderful stone crabs, you will find a unique and equally impressive list of side dishes, fried green tomatoes and candied yams with marshmallows on top. (it's not active on their menu....a special for the night). And forget about dessert.... it's monstrous! I will have to give props to our excellent waiter, Frankie. Aside from being attentive, assertive and extending his friendliness, he definitely knew his stuff. I wouldn't have remembered his name otherwise. I have been longing to go back to Chicago, or at least check out their chains in Miami or Vegas.
(5)Harry W.
Awesome food. Impeccable service, beautiful ambiance. The king crab legs were the most incredible and flavorful I've ever eaten. Watching them get cracked at table side was cool & the white gloves were a nice touch. We all had desert which surprisingly is limited to pie. We had 4 different ones @ our table and they all rocked! High end meal....high end price but well worth the $$$$. RESERVATIONS A MUST on weekends
(5)Haley S.
My parents were in town this past weekend and we went here for dinner on mother's day. Good shrimp cocktail, my dad like his stuffed mushrooms. I had the petit filet, which was very good, and my parents enjoyed their food. A little touristy, but it is River North. Also, some people like the overly attentive, overly friendly service, but it was a little much for this table of NY'ers.
(4)Mo A.
I had dinner at Joe's. The wait was 2 hours so I decided to eat at the bar. The waitress was extremely nice and deserved a good tip. However, the food wasn't that great and was extremely salty. I ordered the grilled fisherman platter with a side of onion rings and I couldn't finish either due to the amount of salt!
(2)William F.
Always a favorite. Our firm often has its functions there, and my wife really enjoyed dinner when we went together. Others swear by Joes for lunch, but I have only been there for dinner. A great establishment!
(5)Courtney W.
So, being from South Florida, I've been to the original Joe's so this place had a lot to live up to for me. I mean, come on, the original Joe's is on South Beach. You can't get much better than that. That being said, this place is amazing. My boyfriend brought me here for Valentine's day and it lived up to its name. I love crab and grew up on the stuff and their stone crab is the stuff of legend. Sure, you're going to pay a pretty penny but if you're down to splurge, make a reservation here stat. I ordered the stone crab and my boyfriend ordered the filet mignon and then we split it for a little bit of surf and turf. The drinks were strong and the service was the best that I've had in the city. Sometimes at fancier places, I feel like you get worse service since everyone is stretched so thin. Not the case here. It gets really busy on the weekends and holidays, we had to wait half an hour even with a reservation. The people watching is great, the crab is second to none, and the service is superb.
(5)Paul B.
I now know why the Stanley Cup made a stop at Joe's... Wow amazing seafood and steaks sums it up. Do yourself a favor, if you go to Joe's stick to what's in the name of the restaurant: Stone Crab, Steak, and Seafood. This was my first experience with Stone Crab and I was pleasantly surprised. Stone Crabs are sweeter than King Crabs and while they have less meat, the difference in taste was worth it. Continuing on with the theme of Stone Crab, I had the Bisque as two claws per person is a small appetizer. Again very pleased with the Bisque. And onto the entree, Bone-in Filet: Medium. It's 8:20am as I write this review and I would have another of these for breakfast it's soo good. It's a bit on the pricey side ($45) but worth every penny. I feel the need to justify my 5 star reviews and here the excellent, on point wait staff, prompt kitchen and a free dessert of key lime pie are my justifying points. If you're willing to splurge a bit definitely go here and don't order the fried chicken (why is it even on the menu?). Lastly a bit of a rant: I witnessed many men last night wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Seriously? Everyone that is employed by Joe's is wearing a bow tie and you're wearing shorts and a tee? Get your shit together and throw on some pants and at least a polo.
(5)Amee C.
The service was excellent and the meal was good.
(4)Chad N.
We went at 3 in the afternoon for our anniversary dinner. We loved it! We wanted to go Saturday night, but they were booked up, so we went to Mcormicks instead, horrible idea! At Joes we had the 2nd Mortgage and Fisherman's Platter as well as a cappuccino. It was great, and we were extremely happy with the portion sizes, taste and presentation of food. We were dressed casual and they treated us like 5 star guests and answered any questions we had with a smile and courtesy. Definitely a must go to for a couple while in Chicago.
(5)Heidy C.
Amazing food and amazing service. We went for my boyfriends birthday and had an amazing meal. Our server was very knowledgeable and courteous and didn't intrude at all. We started with the medium stone crabs and oysters rockefeller and both had the grilled fisherman's platter. all were delicious. the sommelier was very knowledgeable and picked a wine for us that matched our meal.
(5)Nina M.
I went here once for appetizers before a movie. This day later turned out to be one of the worst in my life. My car got towed...in a handicapped block...then I lost my key....anyways. So the scallops were great and I love the atmosphere in this place. Big tables. I swear that was my only time here. However, my sister insists that we brought my dad here once and he hated it. Then again she confused Smith and Wollensky's for McCormick and Shmick's so I can't trust that. To solve the issue I must return and eat the steaks/seafood.
(4)Lyndsey B.
My server, Charles, happened to overhear me mention that the cocktail I ordered was just all right, so he came right over and said, "That is good to know. You have to tell your server these things, because you don't pay for what you don't like." He immediately took the cocktail off our bill, no questions asked, and asked if he could bring me something else. If you want to enjoy a meal without ever having to ask your server for anything, this is the place to go. They truly know how to create a great dining experience. The delicious food seems like an added bonus next to the flawless service. What I Ate: Crab and Artichoke Gratin, Jumbo Alaskan Crab Legs Prepared Tableside, Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potatoes, Garlic Creamed Spinach, French Martini
(5)Ali W.
I came here with my family that was in town visiting. We made a reservation for 7 and were seated then. We arrived early, but they wouldn't let us sit until the entire party showed up. They were very accommodating for children with their childrens menu, which is also very reasonably priced. The servers have a lot of knowledge about the menu, which was very pleasant. My niece wanted crab and our server recommended the stone crab appetizer portion. It was perfect for her. The onion strings were really good and definitely enough to share for the entire table. We ended up taking the left overs home, but honestly they were not good the second day. I ordered the Fishermans Platter and it was delicious! It came with shrimp, calamari, scallops and cod. I was sooo full that I couldn't' finish the cod and ended up taking that home too. We also ordered the stuffed spinach mushrooms and shrimp as appetizers. I like shrimp so I didn't notice any strong fishy taste, but my niece did and didn't like it. We also shared the mashed potatoes and broccoli as sides- they weren't anything special.
(4)Leo I.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (hereafter just "Joe's") is a bustling, colorful restaurant. Although a S. Florida transplant, the restaurant has adopted well by adding steaks and fried chicken to the menu. The food overall is good, with exception of the sauteed spinach -- as-if wilted under a heat lamp might have been a more descriptive term. The service is superb. The noise unbearable. This place is a little too loud for my taste. Leaning across the table to hear and to be heard by your dinning party is not fun. Tables are packed too close to each other. The restaurant attracts a lot of convention-goers and businessmen on expense accounts, so overall it offers a low to medium value (good food at a very high price).
(3)Lily P.
We got there and were seated right away after checking our coats. We got a great table off in the corner booth and at first the place was empty (530pm RSVP) but by the time we left at 730 it was full. Our server SCOTT was really nice and helpful and had great timing. Overall the service was great in cleaning off the table, lemons and napkins to wipe off our hands, new plants, bowls for shells, and water refills. The food didn't take very long to come out and Scott explained the history of Joe's and everything on the menu. They had a nice bar in the front you can eat or drink at before your dinner and the wine menu has lots of choices. There's a parmesan crisp, raisin bread with sugar sprinkled on it which is amazingggg, rye - im not a fan of, pumpernickel, onion roll, challah roll....I couldn't figure out what all the bread was so I looked at a former review and the pic someone posted. We started off with the crab cakes which were really big and good. They come as 1 or a pair depending on if you want it as an appetizer or for a whole table. 1 is def enough for two people. The outside if very crumbly and the inside has tons of chunks. I wish it had more solid chunks of the crab meat. The scallops (NANTUCKET CAPE SCALLOPS) that were in season (the smaller ones on the market price menu) were amazing and tasted like little explosions of marshmallows (as the waiter described them) and Jlee thought the same thing. For our side we got the potatoes lyonnaise which came with caramelized onions in the middle and were really good. The outside was semi crispy and the portion is HUGEEE too much for 2 people and better for like 4-5. We got the king Alaskan crab legs (1.5 lbs) chilled and then they cracked it for us and cut it up into HUGE parts for us. We were unable to finish this and then we got the 7 medium order of stone crabs. This was probably more work than we signed up for since my friend almost chipped his tooth. We also tried the AMAZINGGGGGG KEY LIME PIE and seriously you can hate pie and you will like this. DEF TRY THE PIE!! I would just go here for dessert..yummm.. We thought it looked more like banana at first and the crust was home made and thick which made the pie amazing. The flavor was not overwhelming and it wasn't super tart and green. Perfect end of a meal and I can see myself ordering a pie to go in the future. Other people around us got a lot of other side which had huge portions..also the salads look very big and good. Just not in the mood for salad that night. The steaks were huge and amazing too and they had won an award for best steakhouse. They also do off the menu items and I asked for mushrooms and they apparently were ready to prepare it for me. I'm sure there are tons of items off menu. Overall great service, great place, food coma....I just wanted to pass out on my comfy bench and sleep. The atmosphere was pretty formal and most of the people there were older (30s and above), formal family dinners, or etc.
(4)Chris D.
Not bad. Not bad at all. The food, the great service, the quality and the knowledge within this popular spot is one of the many reasons why I try to make it downtown as much as I can for steaks and stone crabs. I have no complaints here.
(4)Charles J.
OK, it's official. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is my favorite restaurant in Chicago! Joe's has it all. Fantastic seafood, fabulous atmosphere, the BEST bar and some of the best "people watching" in the city. I've tried several of their seafood dishes (not had their steaks yet but I'm sure they're great too ) and you cannot go wrong. Very fresh, very tasty. Service was excellent considering the number of people they handle on any given night. So, if you love the best seafood you will find in Chicago, and enjoy eating with some of Chicago's beautiful people (don't be surprised to see local celeb or two), make a reservation and come to Joe's. Be prepared to "shell" out some cash but it's worth it!
(5)L. P.
the food was great and the service was exceptional. i came here for restaurant week and i got their steak. they definitely emphasize quality over quantity.
(5)Jackie C.
One of the best dinner's I have had in Chicago. I have been to many steakhouses in Chicago but this place is a step above! To start we got an order of the medium stone crabs. It was so good- the mustard sauce was a great addition. Next, our table ordered bone in rib eye, Joe's famous scallops, bacon wrapped scallops and the fillet and lobster tails combo with sides of roasted corn with cilantro and the potatoes which are hash browns and onions. ALL FABULOUS! The best was the steaks. They gave us seasonings for the meat which was really great and added a little extra flavor. Of the two scallops I would definitely suggest the bacon wrapped. They are six sea scallops and they have a great texture! To finish up, our waiter (who was great- John J.) brought us 2 free slices of key lime pie!! Great food, great atmosphere and great service. Will definitely be back the next chance I get. Also, try the peach martini- tastes like you're drinking a peach!
(5)Max M.
Mission Hater: failed. Everyone loves Joe's. Naturally, I decided that I was having none of that. After all, I am a proud contrarian. I wanted to hate Joe's. It's hard to hate a restaurant after the experience I had. The food and service was excellent. The gf and I ordered a bottle of vino. We shared the stone crab with mustard butter. Overrated? Hell no. Justified. We both ordered the filet and a side of green beans. The filets were grilled well. The green beans were AWESOME! I couldn't believe how good the green beans tasted. Needless to say, we were both really enjoying the food. And then the restaurant just elevated the experience...with amazing service The lamp at our table blew out. The server noticed and immediately escorted us to a new table. The servers brought our bottle over and reset the table in a matter of seconds. Our napkins, silverware, and water glasses were replaced. The service staff made us feel like we were celebrities. Joe's won me over. I will definitely be coming back for those stone crab legs and the terrific service.
(5)Amy H.
YUMMY. I wasn't even hungry when I went, but every bite I had was great. Martinis? Cheap and generous on the booze. Bread basket? Bountiful and full of variety. Steak? Cooked perfectly and juicy. Banana bread pudding? So GOOD.
(5)Vivian Y.
Scott, the bartender at the front does the best 'rim job' in town! The bloody mary I ordered was rimmed with salt, celery, blue cheese powder... Mmmmm! On top if that- the bloody is served with a giant shrimp!!! The best bloody in town and a great price for $10! Service was impeccable and fun! We ordered the '2nd mortgage' which consisted of top quality seafood- jumbo shrimp, lobster tail, shrimp and scallop ceviche,stone crab claws- a great way to try it all! I was a little disappointed that they didn't have oysters in the half shell but I was perfectly happy with my appetizer seafood platter!! Will have to to back for a full blown dinner soon!!!
(5)Funky Fresh F.
Very busy but we got high table by bar. Great service. We were group of 3 and shared all good family style. Both Alaskan and snow crabs and lobster were delicious - no butter needed. Fantastic crab cakes. Got bone in filet medium rare which was perfect. We got half slices of keylime, peanut chocolate cake - awesome, and tres leches. Best key lime pie ever - I went back next day just get another slice. Definitely go here. It's expensive but worth it.
(5)C L.
Perfect. Perfect food, perfect service, perfect atmosphere. Food. We had an heirloom tomato appetizer, sides of mashed potatoes and roasted corn, ribeye steak and lamb chops. We also had the peach and blackberry pie for dessert -- this was the one thing we weren't very impressed with that evening. We loved that this was definitely an upscale dining establishment, but it was still casual -- i.e., non-stuffy. Our server was superb, he had excellent wine pairing recommendations for us, and just really made us feel like the center of attention, even though he did have other tables too :-).
(5)Blake H.
Stone Crab Claws are AMAZING. They are so fantastic. Especially here. It is the only seafood I've ordered every time I have been there. But based on how amazing the claws are I am very interested to try their other stuff. However, I doubt I will ever get my fill. They're drinks were really good, especially the whiskey & ginger one. Also, the fried asparagus was brilliant. Each time I have been there, we have sat in the front in the lounge/bar section, and it was perfect. As long as I have crab claws, I don't need to be sitting in a proper dining room. Such a perfect place to get that fill of stone crab claws.
(5)Dr. K.
The lunch special was very reasonable (about $28.00) and came with soup, stone-crabs, potatoes, cole-slaw, and a piece of pie. Since the place is known for their stone-crabs, I thought they would be better. The came out (purposely) cold and the shells are pre-cracked. However, they were cracked so much that we sat picking little pieces of shell off of the crab meat. The atmosphere was great. I will go back, but I'm not getting the stone-crabs.
(4)Scott B.
Joe's seriously dropped the ball, in my opinion. I made reservations a month ago for wifey's B-Day party last night. Being the great hubby I am, I invited a party of six friends in order to surprise her. A few weeks ago, I called Joe's to see if we could up the party to 8. The rude girl who answered the phone, blatantly said "NO!" I proceeded to speak with the FOH Mgr. who sighed, then sighed again, but said "yep, I guess we can do that." I, in a VERY sincere manner thanked him, and he proceeded to say "yep" and hung up the phone on me. Yesterday afternoon, Joes called to confirm our 9;00 reservations. The girl, in a VERY condescending tone made it perfectly clear that all 8 of us must be there before they will seat us, otherwise, we forfeit our table. My problem with this is that it was a surprise party for wifey and I wanted all of our friends to be seated when we walked in. Joes didn't care, and said this is the "policy" and we must abide by it, or someone else will take our table. Now, seeing as though Joe's fucked up my wife's B-Day surprise, I was pissed. BUT, what can I do with a few hours notice? Granted, I called Flemings, then Keefers, and knew I was a fool for even trying. At this point, I honestly did NOT want to give Joe's my business.Nevertheless, I was in a no win situation, and had to keep my reservation. Upon entering, all of our friends were in the bar waiting. They also conveyed that the FOH staff were extremely rude & arrogant. I, being the assertive guy that I am, checked in with the host, and in their defense, we were seated slightly after 9:00. We were given a great table, seated right next to Brian Urlacher's party of 8. Our server was much more professional than the FOH staff, and explained the menu in a very thorough manner, without being annoying. As far as the food, wifey & I started with the stone crabs. They sucked! Seriously, this is a complete scam! HORRIBLE! We did try some of our friend's scallops and shrimp. Now, these were awesome! For entrees, I had the 16 oz. bone in filet. WOW! GREAT FLAVOR, but, I ordered it med. rare, and it came out medium. This was a complaint with everyone in our party, but we didn't say anything, as the server never (not once) asked how our food was. Wifey had the petite filet, which was good, but not nearly as tender or flavorful as the bone in filet. All in all, due to the FOH's arrogant demeanor, and the fact they screwed up my wife's surprise party, I'll refuse to ever go back. The service was good, but he never asked how our food was. The food was good, but not great. Seriously, there are other restaurants that offer top notch service, minus the attitude, and have better cuts of meat at the same price. Why would I ever dine at Joe's again? I WON'T!
(2)G H.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. I had the Parm crusted halibut which was fabulous. Wife had the crabcakes , smaller but very good. Shared cottage fries, good but not as outstanding as the ones in Vegas. Service was OK but not excellent. Nice atmosphere but I still think the one in Vegas has better service and a bit better food.
(4)Hong G.
1. the stone crab claw itself is overrated 2. i would highly highly highly recommend the bone-in filet mignon. i am more of a porterhouse (ny strip side please) person myself, but this is a great steak it is definitely on the pricier side
(4)Candyce P.
A group of 5 of us went to Joe's for dinner on Saturday for their extended Restaurant week specials. We had an 8pm reservation and were a few minutes late, but they seated us right away. The place was packed, and thank goodness for a coat check, because once you enter the dining room section, you'll see that there is zero room for anything besides yourself and a tiny purse. It looks like your typical steakhouse institution, which isn't exactly my favorite style, but it was ok. The ceilings were a bit low, and coupled with the fact that the tables are so close to each other that the poor servers have very little room to do their job, I felt a bit claustrophobic. I also got elbowed in the back twice by the server for the booth behind me. Anyway! Besides all that, let's talk about the food. There were two options to choose from: 1) Alaskan King Crab Your choice of an All Greens Salad, a bowl of Chowder or Bisque, 1 lb. Alaskan King Crab Legs, Hashed Brown Potatoes, Joe's Cole Slaw and Key Lime Pie 2) Filet Mignon Your choice of an All Greens Salad, a bowl of Chowder or Bisque, 8 oz. Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potatoes, Joe's Grilled Tomato and Banana Cream Pie with Fosters Sauce 3 went with the King Crab dinner, and 2 with the Filet Mignon. Our server (whose name I can't remember) was the sweetest thing. She was happy that we knew about the special menu, gave it to us gladly, and also told us about the other specials of the evening. When she took our dinner order, she also let us know that we could switch sides between the specials if we wanted to. Which was good, since those with the King Crab orders all hated cole slaw. I had the Filet Mignon, bisque, mashed potatoes, grilled tomato... and for dessert, the Banana Cream Pie. The bisque was good, and served very nicely - poured at the table. I will say that my steak was done perfectly. The other person who got the filet wasn't as happy with theirs. It was kind of cold and a tiny portion (for a 6'2" guy). Since we all got the same sides, our server brought us regular-sized sides to share at the table. We also ordered asparagus. She dished our sides for us, which was really nice. The mashed potatoes were soooo good! Cheesy, with some breadcrumbs for texture. Really good. The grilled tomato - not so much. I would've been very happy with a simple grilled tomato. But this one had a layer of creamed spinach on top and some cheese. The cheese looked like (and tasted like) a Kraft single. Maybe some Gruyere please? The asparagus were fine. Those who got the King Crab were very happy with it - huge portion! I tried a piece from my sister. It was very good and quite fresh. For dessert, the other 4 got the Key Lime Pie, and I got the Banana Cream Pie. We also ordered the Havana Dream pie.... let me tell you, it was dreamy, divine, decadent. We were happy with our desserts from the special.... but that Havana Dream pie is what would bring us back to Joe's - JUST for that dessert. It's a Cuban version of the Tres Leches cake, so not as soaked as the Mexican version. It had almost a custardy cheesecake texture to it - absolutely delicious. I may not go back to Joe's for dinner, but I sure will sit in the bar for a drink and a piece of that pie! Sidenote: Before dining at Joe's, please go to the restroom. And don't drink too much while you're there either... because the restrooms are ridiculously TINY. For a restaurant of decent size, with I'd say like 200 customers at a time, they really need a bigger restroom. As I pushed the door open to enter, I hit the lady waiting "in line" right outside the stall. There are 2 stalls and a tiny sink. So those of us wanting to wash our hands have to wait for the hoochie-fied gold-diggers to reapply their lipgloss in front of the only sink and mirror. A real negative for a restaurant of this caliber.
(3)Geoff G.
Joe's does it right! I have eaten at the Miami location twice, and I was hesitant to tryh the Chicago location. My instincts would normally tell me that it was a shame that they had multiple locations.... it normally never works out (i.e. Carmine's). The entire night was fantastic. Dana, the bartender, is a seasoned veteran and she knows her stuff. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the Templeton Rye Manhattans she poured throughout the evening. I started with the large stone crab appetizer. The crab was as sweet as a I remember it being in Miami and the mustard sauce was spot on. The 20oz bone-in prime rib-eye was an absolutely delicious steak. I can't imagine any steakhouse in Chicago topping this one. It had a perfect amount of spice and the fat marbleization was primo! I ordered the steak medium rare and I would argue that it came out closer to medium.... but still delicious. Definitely not worth complaining about. For sides, I tried to keep it healthy so I went with the steamed asparagus (without sauce) and grilled tomatoes. The grilled tomatoes had a spinach/cheese/pesto topping, which I wasn't expecting. I brushed the topping off and just ate the tomatoes. The sides were delicious and complimented the steak perfectly. For dessert, I decided to go with another Templeton Rye Manhattan :) Did I mention that Dana rocked as a bartender? Whenever I am in Chicago and am in the mood to splurge, I will never look past Joe's. The Good: Impeccable service, delicious food, meticulous cocktails. The Bad: Pricey
(5)George L.
stands out among all the awesome steak houses in the area
(4)Beth M.
I think I found my new favorite steak/seafood place in the city! This place is very classy, all the men, I say that because I only saw about 20 men servers in full tuxes...The service was impeccable...Our waiter was very nice and gave us a lot of attention and we asked him for his advice and we took it....We skipped soup and salad, because we knew our main course would be large enough. My husband ordered the bone in filet and I ordered the Parmesan Flounder. We shared the mashed potatoes and the asparagus....My flounder was fresh and just perfectly cooked, it was delicious. We did opt to have dessert, and it was nice because here you are able to do 1/2 slices of their homemade pies. I had a 1/2 slice of apple pie a la mode. It was still a huge piece and wasn't able to finish it. Being that this restaurant is a mixture of southern cuisine mixed with the northwest steakhouse. They gave us a complimentary slice of their famous Key Lime Pie being it was our first visit. Although I took one bite and thought it tasted too much like egg. Our waiter recommended a Key Lime Martini the next time we are there and I will definitely be back to have one of those....
(5)Chris M.
Never disappoints!!! Service....check, appetizers and salad....check, Dinner....check, dessert....check. Bonus was the complimentary champagne because we were celebrating our anniversary. Not expected, much appreciated. Will continue coming back for our anniversary!!!!
(5)Jill S.
Fantastic Food. DO order the stone crab. I could make a meal on that. The filet my bf got tasted amazing. I went with the Parmesan Crusted Halibut - after much debate, and waiter's recommendation - it was quite delicious and a huge piece of fish. Well worth the price tag. Ordered green beans as a side, they were a perfect accompaniment. Lastly, DO order the Key Lime pie. It was a mighty fine slice of pie. Was a little disappointed in the service, got seated 30 minutes after reservation time, and then felt rushed by our waiter. In his defense, I think he was just a fast-paced talker/worker, but would have appreciated a bit more space and time.
(4)Matt W.
Now this is a restaurant everybody needs to experience in their life. Everything on the menu is amazing and the quality of the service is just as good. When you walk into the dining room you realize the atmosphere compliments the food and service perfectly with the contemporary design to the superior acoustics. I had the stone crabs, crab bisque soup, and Alaskan King Crab legs and I'm still thinking about how delicious it was going down. If I could eat here every day I would.
(5)Rannel L.
My girlfriend chose this place (I helped narrow down) as our "dressy" dinner during our trip to Chicago. We made reservations and were seated promptly I've never had stone crab before and I must say it was delicious. We ordered the large appetizer and I love how it was already cracked for us. Very tasty without the lingering seafood crab taste. As for my entree, I had to go for the Bone In Filet Mignon. Winner, especially when the two people sitting next to you ordered the same thing (I ordered mine first). Steak was tender and juicy and I could definitely taste the flavor. However, it was a bit strong (I could pretty much taste the char) near the bone area but by that time I was already stuffed. We didn't have wine but I tried their mojito which was pretty weak. Service was also great but they can talk forever. I haven't been to very many steak restaurants before but this would go up there with Mastro's in Beverly Hills (along with the price).
(5)Rita S.
I went to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab during restaurant week. I tried a sirloin steak, but the steak was too salty. Considered with the price, I think it should be better. I've just been there once, and I didn't try the stone crab. The stone crab seems to be nice.
(2)Nate S.
I came to Joes with a group as an out of towner with high expectations. Was I satisfied? Yes, but not completely. Service/staff was excellent. The chilled king crab legs to start were amazing. The salads, especially the wedge were superb. Almost everyone I was with got the bone in filet - med rare. They looked pretty good. I chose the bone in ribeye. To be honest it was just mediocre at best. Dry. My medium rare was actually medium well. I was not impressed at all. The Mac n cheese and cream corn sides were pretty good. So overall it was an enjoyable dinner minus the steak. But the steak is the staple. It would be worth giving another try.
(4)Aaron S.
For my birthday dinners, one of my traditional choices of locale is a steakhouse (or all-you-can-eat, depending on finances and size of party). I combined a gift card I'd received for Lettuce Entertain You with some birthday money I'd already received and decided that Joe's Seafood would suffice. Seeing the "Steak and Lobster" deal, I was hooked. To Joe's! Unfortunately, the only reservation with 2 days' notice was at 4:30pm for dinner, but I didn't mind. It meant a late-wakeup could be had, then a leisurely trip downtown and some window-shopping before settling in for a nice birthday meal. Luckily, the early reservation meant there was no wait when we showed up and were shown to our booth. I agree with the review that the monologue presented by our server was rote memorization and droning, but it provided useful information. Like what a "shell bowl" is, and letting us know of specials not on the menu and reminding us that the entrees are a-la-carte and sides are separate. So we went with the "2nd Mortgage" appetizers, each went with the Steak and Lobster Tails entree, and we got a side of fries and side of fried onions. The server tried to warn us and nudge us down to a half-order of the onions because it's "so big", but I went with the full order. I know my fried towers of shoestring onions, and they're worth every penny. The aptly-named "2nd Mortgage" appetizer comes with shrimp-and-scallop ceviche, a lobster tail, a stone crab claw and shrimp cocktail for each person. It was my first time eating a crab claw, and while it was interesting, I'm not sure if I'll be doing it again anytime soon. Somehow I was more enthralled by the bread basket, containing an onion roll, butter roll, pumpernickel, rye, and some other pieces. Then they cleaned up and waitstaff came by to squeeze a lemon on our hands and gave us a hot towel. I don't know why classiness is sometimes next to creepiness for me... I know it's to get rid of the fishy smell and such, but it seemed creepy, that's all. And then it arrived. A gigantic platter of fried shoestring onions, the platter of french fries (that my girl loved grinding fresh salt onto) and our platter with three small grilled lobster tails and a petite filet mignon. I admit that the steak was delicious and perfectly done at medium-rare as requested. The lobster was delicious, but I was skeptical at the price differential of adding them to the filet mignon versus the amount of real meat to enjoy. I know quality means a lot, price-wise, but at some point quantity needs to factor in. That said, the food was delicious. The fries were not spectacular, but I had no complaints whatsoever about them. The onions were my personal favorite, and one of the few things I feel was worth the money. $6.95 for that much deliciousness - well worth it, and it was the only thing we wound up needing to take home (and even then, there wasn't much left). And then came dessert. I specifically made sure to leave room because of the rave reviews I'd heard about the banana cream pie and especially the key lime pie. And as we prepared to order, the waitstaff came by with a brownie sundae and a little candle. My girlfriend was initially amazed that they linked my offhand comment while ordering the 2nd Mortgage to bringing out something for my birthday, but I reminded her that I put down it was my birthday when making the reservation. Even so, we still ordered one of each of those pies. That was what did us in. The brownie mixed with hot fudge and ice cream was nice, and just as we finished, out came our pies. She had the key lime (and I had a few bites) and I went with banana cream (and she had a few bites). If I had to do it again, I'd have gotten the key lime as well, because it was knee-collapsingly awesome. If you've ever seen the show Dexter on Showtime, you'll know when I say that THIS is the Key Lime Pie he was likely looking for. Best I've ever had. The banana cream was good, but it needed more of that awesome Foster sauce to make it truly stand out above other better-than-decent banana cream pies I've had in the past. In the end, I can't give them 5 stars. I'd like to, but the price tag just gets stuck in my throat and I can't do it. Aside from the sides we got, everything else was either overly-priced or underly-portioned. Before the shoveling of onions at the end of entree time and then the desserts, I was a little upset over being not-so-full. If we were to visit again, our appetizer would instead be one of their soups (that I'm told is a little more filling) or something else that cost less than our sampler and comes with more food. My entree would instead be just a steak (bigger) and still have sides and dessert to make sure I was full. But yes, we will likely go again. Next time I get a gift card...
(4)Christina P.
Class, quality and jazz all the way! Joe's is such a gem in the city - wonderful menu selection, great service, warm ambiance, food TDF (to die for!), and the perfect spot for any special night out. Can't wait to return!
(5)Cassie L.
The place really derves all fives we walked in the waiter said it me about 5 mins turned around and sat us 1 min later the waitress was so nice and helpfull and the food was absolutly amazing
(5)Tricia G.
Food was okay. I'd say average. I took my husband here for his birthday and it was so stuffy! Older crowd with a very traditional atmosphere. I'd rather go to the Publican, MK, The Bristol, Custom House, Banderas, Hot Chocolate, ect. Wouldn't go again. Can spend money in better places.
(3)Ben W.
I'm about to leave Chicago and move back to Sydney. In the last 3.5 years I've been very lucky to have eaten at some very good restaurants across this city. Within that time I have eaten twice at Joes and both those experiences have led me to decide that Joes is a clear winner in terms of my favourite restaurant in the city. The food is fantastic, as it is at many restaurants in Chicago but the service was exceptional. I can't pinpoint what made it that little bit better than many other great restaurants but it was in my opinion. It's expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Chris M.
This is one of the best meals I have had in a long, long time. Sorry Mom, you're food is amazing too, but you don't make stone crabs. Maybe the reason why this was the best meal is b/c I went w/ people from work and didn't have to pay. So, if you wanna be a baller, this is the way to do up Joe's. For starters, go for the cold sampler appetizer plate. It comes w/ huge jumbo shrimp, mini lobster tails, and of course, stone crabs. It's all good. For the entree, I went with the waiter's recommendation of Chilean Sea Bass stuffed w/ a duck liver patae, and topped w/ black truffles. Holy sh*t, this was the most succulant piece of fish I think I've ever had. We had a couple sides too, the lyonaise style potatoes and some tomatoes topped with pesto and cheese....unreal. My only qualm was the wait. We had reservations for 15 people at 8:30 though, so we had to split up between two tables and they didn't seat us til' 9:15. Some things are worth waiting for, and this place is deifnitely one of them!!
(5)Erin F.
The food and atmosphere at Joe's was excellent! We went here on our first trip to Chicago and were very happy with our decision. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a reservation until 11pm (it was Memorial Day weekend), but we got lucky in the full service bar and sat down almost immediately upon arrival. We started with the stone crab as an appetizer - they are known for it, so you must try it - then had the bone-in filet for dinner. It was amazing! We ended our meal with their delicious Key Lime pie (1 to split). Also, make sure to try the skinny cosmos - although they go down a little too easy! All in all, a GREAT restaurant choice that we would definitely recommend! Service was awesome, as well.
(5)alexander p.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a must for all seafood lovers in Chicago. As a Chicago resident I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this place. The king Crab legs are simply fabulous! The place gets busy though no matter what day of the week it is and reservations are a must. It's particularly busy with the business folk at lunchtimes and early eve (recession, what recession?). Great food, great service and a highly polished restaurant whether it's a formal business dinner or a more relaxed family / friends outing this place is on the money for both. It's not cheap but great things generally aren't.
(4)Candice S.
I got a Lettuce Entertain You gift certificate for Christmas and decided to go to Joe's after reading such rave reviews. I am quite disappointed at the end of the night. The booth we were seated at was rather tight in spacing. It was difficult to get in without knocking stuff on the table. There was little space between the table and the seats...and I'm a pretty small person. Stone Crab appetizer - we ordered this because it was recommended to us, they're known for it, and it's in the name of the restaurant so we figured we couldn't go wrong. Even though it was expensive ($24 for 2 little claws) we thought it was probably worth the price. We were wrong. It's not that it was bad..because it wasn't, but it wasn't special and definitely not worth the price. I wouldn't recommend it. Stone Crab Bisque - By far the best thing we ordered Petite Fliet Mignon & Lobster tail - My bf ordered this and finished it rather quickly because it's not a lot of food. He was still hungry at the end of the meal. The lobster tail was really good though. Fliet Mignon (12 oz.) - I ordered this medium rare. The steak was a good size. The middle was cooked perfectly, but the edges of the steaks were really overcooked...so much so that I needed to take a few gulps of water to compensate for the dryness and finish the bite. At this point in the meal, I kind of lost my appetite and excitement. Key Lime pie - half slice was the perfect size for me. The pie was really good! Definitely minor redemption at the end of the meal Chocolate pie - half slice was rather large still. This was good as well, but I liked the key lime pie better because it's lighter. Pros: really excellent service and attentive waitress, great soup, able to get same day reservation, good desserts Cons: tight spacing in booth, food was just ok (and I really expected more for the price and the reputation of the restaurant)
(2)Tyler A.
For all you fellow penny pinchers out there: I did the math for you guys- The 21.95 restaurant "month" lunch is a better value for the steak, but the 31.95 dinner is better value for the crab Crab: 10oz for 21.95 vs 16oz for 31.95 Steak: 6oz for 21.95 vs 8oz for 31.95 Both are good deals overall and youre guaranteed to leave full because they serve you a softball sized fried hash or a loaded plate of mashed potatoes with your meal. A bit disappointed with the fact they didn't have the actual Stone Crab as an option but it was a good meal overall.
(3)Jacques M.
I've been twice for brunch and to say their Colossal Lump Crab Cakes Benedict is excellent is an understatement. The crab cake portion is excellent and the sauce is amazing. Maybe the best breakfast item I've had in Chicago. If your one of those people that likes being waited on hand and foot this is the place for you. The servers here practically join you for your meal. This isn't one of those restaurants were your beverage will sit empty for 10 minutes either. Service is good....maybe even too good (if you believe that's possible). My only very minor complaint was the host (The 2nd time I went). He seemed slightly annoyed that we didn't have reservations and stated "we would have to sit in the bar area" (as if it were a punishment), which was no big deal to us. We set very close to him during our meal and he thoroughly interrogated anyone that got near the main dining room, he did it in a way that seemed polite, but had a very condescending undertone. I found his "none shall pass" protector of all stone crab routine kind of annoying, but the food and service in this restaurant is top notch!
(4)Dawn D.
Thee best service I have ever received at a restaurant EVER. The food is excellent. We went there for mother's day and it was a wonderful experience from the appetizers to the desserts. BRAVO Joe's for getting it right every time!
(5)David E.
If you can get in and have the cash, this place is AMAZING! Service is top notch.
(5)Tracy L.
my last stop for RW, divine! they've got a great deal my plate: 1. Stone crab bisque- they pour it right in front of your thick and creamy ontop of a bed of peeled stone crab mm! 2. 8oz petite filet- so tender and juicy, got mine medium when i usually go medium-well, such a great choice! *side a: grilled tomato topped with something green and melted cheese surprisingly tasty considering i don't even like tomatos! *side b: mashed potatoes with a crispy topping, always loved mashed potatos 3. dessert banana foster pie- i don't even like bananas! but it was so light and fluffy topped with walnuts that had a deep flavor to them, they were airy and crispy, but added a good balance to the pie! boyfriend's plate: 1. stone crab bisque 2. Stone crabs- 6 claws is plenty, came with a side of mustard, but i'm sure you can ask for butter if you want * side a: hashbrowns, cut into thin squares, hard to to wrong *side b: coleslaw (didn't taste it) 3. key lime pie- SKIP. waaaaaaaaay to tart and a funky after taste like metal or something? i don't know but something was off there. all in all, wonderful dining experience. server was kind, even though some people treat you differently if they know you're only there for RW, christianna was awesome! we'll be back!
(4)Will C.
I took my Mom and Sister here for their birthday last year as this place was highly recommended....and what a waste of $400. The stone crabs were horrible....steak was mediocre and they even messed up on it twice. Price is not an object, but this definitely was not worth any of it. I yelled at my friend who recommended this place to me afterwards lol. GO TO PETE MILLER'S...MUCH BETTER PRIME STEAK, GUARANTEED
(2)Ingrid G.
I came here for Restaurant Week with a party of 8 people. The atmosphere is fancy and traditional, but very loud. (In all fairness, we contributed a good deal to the volume level.) The space around our table was also pretty cramped. Good service, though. All but one of us went with the crab, and it was delicious. I liked that it arrived pre-cracked "for your convenience." The portion was surprisingly large. The little hairnets over the lemon halves were a nice touch. Key lime pie was AMAZING! The food here is top-notch. Not the best place for a date (too loud and cramped) but I'd come back with a group of friends.
(4)Milly P.
There are amazing things at Joe's and there are mediocre things at Joe's. First with the mediocre - do not get the tableside service sole dish, it is extremely mundane and nothing to write home about. Also, their clam chowder is extremely disappointing. Now to the highlights - the steaks at Joe's are very delicious. We recently had the bone-in ribeye and I enjoyed it tremendously. Joe's is famous for their stone crabs, and they are very delicious. The last time I was there I had the tableside service alaskan king crab. Even though it was a little expensive, it was worth the $60. They were so HUGE and so fresh! Joe's added a new side dish to their menu, the roasted corn. You must get it. I woke up in the middle of the night craving the corn! Finally, Joe's has excellent key lime pie! Note, for dinner, you must have a reservation or else expect to eat at the bar. If you are making a reservation, give yourself more than 3 weeks! Final note, the restaurant is always filled with tourists. Just a heads-up!
(4)ning j.
How I love Joe's. It's rare for a seafood restaurant to have both good seafood and steak. This was my second time there and it was just as good as the first! For lunch, we had Jennie's potatoes, stone crab bisque, petit filet mingon, 1lb Alaskan king crab, and key lime pie. The potatoes had a nice crumble on top and the crab bisque was thick and had a slightly sweet tinge to it; just heavenly. The filet mingon was slightly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside...finally satisfying my craving for steak! My fiancee, who is obsessed with the crab legs loved it....as usual. I had to try their famous key lime pie so I got half a slice. It was tangy and chilled and quite good, but I felt a little sick after the whole meal as I was already so full. But I'm glad I tried it!
(5)Mike S.
Excellent food and great service to go along with it! A little on the pricey side, but the food and service make up for it. I recommend getting the Madagascar Shrimp and basically any of the pies for dessert! This place definitely lives up to the name
(5)Sunil D.
My favorite steakhouse in the city. Judging by how packed it is no matter the economic times or day of the week, I'm not the only one. With that said, be sure to book a reservation at least a few days ahead if unless you plan on eating past 9 pm or before 5 pm, and even then you don't want to press your luck. The steaks are to die for, in a city full of steak/chop houses this Miami transplant puts them all to shame. You combine that with their expansive and excellent seafood menu and you have a restaurant that justifies a bill of $100-150/person (assuming wine/cocktails, steaks, apps, salad). Their Kansas City Strip is my go to aka bone-in NY strip. The wedge salad is a must as is the 2nd mortgage appetizer that gives you a great sampling of their seafood (ceviche, lobster tails, shrimp cocktail and crab legs, which I usually get subbed out for their signature stonecrab claws). Even their most simplistic dishes are to amazing, the grilled tomatoes seem simple, but I've tried to duplicate them and not even coming close. Honestly, I could go on and on, I haven't had one thing on the menu that wasn't worthy of this five star rating. Even the burgers and fried chicken get rave reviews. I can't count the times I've been here, but service is always top notch, always friendly and personable and never overbearing or pushy with what you should order. They will bend over backwards with any requests you might have (i.e. the stonecrabs in the appetizer sampler) and always offer very helpful recommendations. Almost as if they know what you are thinking and will offer suggestions, before you have to ask. I remember the first time I went to Joe's, I had to be "convinced" to go there (which seems absurd looking back). It wasn't the first name that I thought of when you think of a great steak in Chicago, but after trying it for the first time five years ago I rarely go anywhere else because it just sets up for disappointment.
(5)Frank Z.
the decor was a tad old school stuffy, but that's Chicago, not much of anything else to find wrong here. fantastic food, exceptional service, great menu, if looking for a place to splurge, this is it!
(4)Kyle M.
Gorged myself over a feast from the sea. Started the night in the bar, the seating isn't laid out that well so it feels more crowded then it actually is. Drink was weak (Maker's and Ginger Ale). We sat in the back of the restaurant in a secluded section, table of 10. Server was awesome, did a great job explaining the menu and making you excited to order. Not that hard to get excited just looking at the menu though. Had a claw, some lobster, and a shrimp for first entree. Excellent. Bone in rib-eye for entree. Over-cooked for my medium-rare order, but the flavor was still great. They had an aged rib-eye on special that I passed up, but another person in our party who ordered this item mentioned it was overcooked, too. Didn't eat dessert, but didn't look like anything special. I'd return for the seafood, sides, ambiance, and service.
(3)Laura K.
This is by far the best downtown restaurant I have ever been to. And this lucky lady has been here THREE times for FREE! *jealous sneers commence* I had dinner here last Thursday for my company's employee couple event. Appetizers included mini crab bruchetta and scallops - both melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I tried their Ginger Sour, their specialty cocktail composed of Grey Goose, ginger liqueur and fresh sour mix, along with a slice of fresh ginger. It was by far one of the best drinks I've ever had - I just love ginger! For dinner I chose the crab cakes, which were excellent. Side dishes included green beans and mashed potatoes. And for dessert I had the Havana Dream Pie. It was lovely, but not as much my thing as I wanted it to be. Don't get me wrong, it was great and other people rave about it, but its more like a tres leches cake than pie. At my last two visits I had things like their crab bisque soup, fresh crab claws, crab stuffed sole, and banana cream pie - all equally superb. Service is excellent, but I've only been here for private events, so they are tipped in advance to keep me happy. This place is totally worth tasting!
(5)George P.
I literally have been having dreams about the crab bisque. The specials are always mind blowing. All of the sides are crazy too. Amazing experience. If you really want to impress your date, show her you know how to dine. Very pricey, but if you could cough up the cash, its well worth it. Lobster claws are the way to go!
(5)cynthia w.
We had a great meal here! There were 8 adults and 2 kids- one kid is 4. The waitstaff were very accommodating with crayons, fun place mats, and a drink right away for the little one. I had the seafood chopped salad, and the server was so nice and suggested the half order which was still huge. The salad had so much shrimp, crab, and lobster that it made the shrimp cocktail pale in comparison. I would go back just for the salad. I also had the petite fillet which was cooked perfectly. Others at the table ordered the fillet, and theirs were a touch overcooked. I also love that they offered so many types of pie to finish the meal! That's my favorite dessert. I look forward to going back!
(4)Dina I.
This review is for the stone crabs alone. For some reason, I always end up here for lunch consisting solely of a huge quantity of stone crabs and wine before, during, or after shopping. I haven't really tried anything else on the menu, but damn, their stone crabs are delicious! I am a bit of a purist when it comes to fish, shellfish, etc. (no sauces for this girl!), but I do love their mustard sauce and make an exception for it!
(5)Keith J.
One of the best steaks (bone in ribeye) I have ever had. Was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Don't forget the key lime pie, its a must..
(5)Zach J.
My quest to find the best steakhouse in Chicago started at Joe's a couple of months ago. It was my gf's birthday, and being the steak connoisseurs that we are, we were looking for a place that really delivers a high quality, succulent piece of meat. In a city like Chicago, I was overwhelmed with the many options of great steakhouses to choose from, but I decided to make Joe's my first based on their 4 1/2 star Yelp rating (which is difficult to pull off for a steakhouse in this town). The service was great and the there was a good energy in the resturaunt, not a drab up-tight vibe. Now I knew this place was primarily known for their seafood, but we came there for the steaks, which are also very highly regarded. That said, I couldn't pass up their stone crab appetizer (even though it was "market price"). I'd never had stone crab before, and I must say it was quite delicious. Our waiter gave us a quick tutorial on how to properly eat it, which was helpful. It was really good, and a great appetizer, but I was ready for the main course: the bone-in filet. In short, it was delicious. Melt in your mouth and a great peppery flavor. A truly fine cut of beef. And I don't quite recall the side items we had (probably because I was in what I like to call "steak-extacy" which is when a steak is so good you start levating off the table and you and the steak are one with the universe) but the sides were delictable as well. I think we had the truffled potatoes. I'm not sure exactly, but I can pretty much guarantee any side you order is going to be delicious. So, in summary, this is a great steakhouse. I can't say it's the best steakhouse in Chicago yet, as I have to hit up the other Chicago standards, but in any event, I am certainly glad I made it my first choice in my Chicago steak quest.
(5)Miguel R.
This place was amazing good. It was the perfect way to end the night after a fun day of drinking, the air and water show, two bottles of tequilla and a whole bunch of home made cookies. I don't know how I was walking, let alone alive, but I remember every juicy morsal of the filet - the garlicy mashed potates - and OMG the appetizer we ordered ( the stone crab) was SO GOOD. I must however appologize to the management for getting a little messy in the bathroom. I needed to wet my hair down, and got water all over the mirror, and I may have expelled a little tequila/cookie mixture on the urinal - but that all washed away with a quick flush. The staff was so quick to fill my water and tea. And the food was served pipping hot. no complaints, none at all.
(5)George M.
The stone crab claws with their house mustard dipping sauce are phenomenal! Service is first class. I usually eat at the bar solo and the bartenders are true pros. Stone crabs, lyonnaise potatoes, sautéed spinach, key lime pie. Mmmmmmm. Lobster was good, steak was decent .... I'd rather stick with the stone crabs anyways.
(4)Dee Y.
I am a bit picky with my seafood. I guess after going to Tan Cang for awhile, it's really hard to find anything that will beat them. Especially when it comes to lobsters or crabs. So, my expectation was high when I saw the 432 reviews and 4.5 stars with all people raving about the crab. Since it was my first day in Chicago, I was still a bit jetlagged with food. Meaning that I was not really feeling dinner because it was only 6PM in LA, and I just had lunch 3 hours ago. We opted to go light, and ordered a few appetizers instead. We had the stone crabs claws, the bacon wrapped scallops, sweet corn, and the crab bisque. First came the crab bisque. It was soooo good. I am particular about my bisque because I know they could get really heavy or really bland. It's hard to get it somewhere in between perfectly. So, they were actually mighty good. The crabs claws, scallops, and the corn came all together. The crabs were fresh and good. But it was a little on the bland side for me. It does come with a dipping sauce, so it saved the day. I guess I had too high expectation for them. The scallops were huge... They weren't kidding when they said it's like a steak. And they came in two, wrapped in bacon. The first bite of scallop were great. It practically melted in your mouth. But I found it after awhile, it sorta had a diminishing return. I am not sure why, maybe because I'm not really big on bacon nor scallop, and were surprised myself that I enjoyed the first bite so much. The sweet corn were great. It was very well cooked and well flavored. The price were on the high side. That's why it's a 3 stars. It's more like a 3.5 stars for me, but since there's no 3.5 stars option, I always round down. For the price and the review I read on yelp, I was expecting more. I guess I may not come back here again considering there are a lot more places in the area that I have not tried anyways.
(3)Matthew K.
There is little to say that other reviewers have not. The food is delicious, the service is perfect and efficient, and the ambiance is appropriate for almost anything (I think of it as a "softened classic American steakhouse" vibe, i.e., it's not just a bunch of dudes in ties pounding steak after a meeting). What sets Joe's apart for me is that in all of the times I've been there--and it has to be at least 25 times in the last 5 years since I moved to Chicago--I've never had an "off" meal. I think it is the most consistent place of its kind in the city. I don't know how they do it, but I'm really glad that they do.
(5)Scott G.
The bone in filet was amazing as well as the crab bisque. The creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were really good. The ceviche ... Wasn't really ceviche, I'd skip it. ... And was all a bit pricey, but REALLY good.
(5)A O.
This is a great seafood place that one can go to for midweek meal or formal celebration. The atmosphere is reminiscent of 1950s supper club from the music (always Sinatra-esqe) down to the maitre d'. I love the seared ahi tuna sandwich, stone crab, and the lobster bisque. The service is excellent and I enjoy coming there each time.
(5)Tina X.
the best seafood restaurant in downtown Chicago, the TOP & VERY BEST of all. I tried everything listed on their menu, their seafood dishes, items are all cooked in classic ways, perfectly prepared and individually well-made, dishes are simple displayed on plates but the favors are uncompilable, 5 stars for super delicious food!!! especially their most famous stone crab claws, big, fresh and juicy, full of favors. I've had good times for friend's birthday party in their privet party room couple of times, had drinks at their bar in the waiting area couple nights, ordered carry outs on the phone many times. I have to say, everything made at Joe's are super super super good! if you are a good food and seafood lover, you got try this place out!!! The services there are good as their foods, staffs (hosts, waiters & busboys) are all friendly & well-trained. I had many great memorable experiences at Joe's, I'd love to recommend this place to all people who had read my review for Joe's!!! one thing please notice, this place always packed with people at night after dark, you may need to wait long if you are a walk-in, it's better to call in for reservation ahead before you plan to go there.
(5)Chad C.
The king crab legs were delicious, and the bone-in filet was amazing as always. But I was really excited to try the tres leches cake, which apparently masquerades as Havana Dream Cake. It's basically tres leches cake with some kind of custard or pudding (banana maybe?) layered into it near the bottom. The pudding definitely added to the flavor, and the cake was super moist. However, the taste of the cake could have been a little better. Not bland, just blander than I like. But I give it an 8/10.
(5)Margaret N.
Throw your dietary restrictions to the wind, get the bacon-wrapped scallops and call it a night. 6 huge sea scallops cooked to perfection, surrounded by greasy, crispy, thick-cut bacon. If your mouth isn't watering by now, I question your humanity. I will be back for some amazing looking crab legs, more scallops and that peanut butter pie with hot fudge.
(5)Tiffy D.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab has by far surpassed any other steak restaurants that I have eaten at in the past. I was surprised at how quickly the restaurant filled up for a Tuesday, RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST! Our server Hank provided excellent service and made amazing recommendations from the menu. I had the petite filet that was cooked perfectly medium, and was pink throughout. The meat was juicy and full of flavor. I couldn't decide whether or not i liked it plain or with the additional lemon butter sauce, or the special house seasoning. Such tough decisions! Make sure you save room for dessert though, the key lime pie was amazing!
(4)Charlotte O.
We were here tonight for Aaron's birthday dinner, and I really really enjoyed it. Despite the fact that the place is really kind of over the top, really expensive, and the waitstaff use pre rehearsed lines, it is still really fabulous. The lighting is dim, and sorta romantic, the waitstaff, do not hover, but do pay attention. They are ready to answer questions, they check up on things, they clean up crumbs from the table, and explain what the silver buckets they bring out are for. To start we ordered the 2nd mortgage which is a great name because it is that expensive. I found the offerings here delectable. It came with cervice, a crab claw, a cocktail shrimp, and a cocktail lobster. Two dipping sauces. I have never had stone crab, and i found this so dammed tasty. Plump, sweet, wow. Even with all the work involved in eating it. The shrimp and lobster were also delectable. The cervice was some of the best I ever tasted. It was all very fresh. Oh yes, that cocktail sauce had really the perfect amount of horseradish in it. Their bread basket is even noteworthy. Onion rolls with onion on the inside! So tasty! We were given hot towels, which felt a little odd, but I suppose a classy night out should not involve your hands smelling like crab juice, but I am no expert on this. One thing that I think should be noted here, whenever the staff came around to clean the table, they used one of those crumb scraper do dads. Aaron and I laughed a little about that, because we recently saw an episode of "Check Please" where a reviewer was complaining about having to sit at a crumby table all night, so no crumbly tables at Joe's! Dinner came out shortly after, we both had the "Steak and Tails" We also got fries, and onion strings as a side. My steak was perfect. Cut like butter, super juicy, smokey crust, perfectly seasoned. Mouth watering good. The tails, were also fab, I was surprised to that they were cooked grilled, and the standard which is boiled. They were super flavorful and sweet. (They also give you drawn butter mmmm butter....) The onion strings were awesome. They were even more awesome when used to soak up stake juice. The fries were fresh cut but pretty typical, they had fresh sea salt on the table for them though! I really liked that. After dinner the waitress brought a brownie with ice cream and fudge on it, and a candle on top, to wish Aaron a happy birthday. Really nice service touch there, they noted it in his reservation that it was for his birthday. After we ordered both the key lime pie and the banana cream pie. It was really the best key lime pie i have ever tasted. I think if Dexter were real, this would have been the key lime pie he was looking for. The banana creme pie was better than average and really good, but I think it needed a little more sauce or a little something else to really make it stand out. Would like to go back again, would have to be super special occasion though, or something like that.
(4)Sara N.
Just finished a great lunch here....service was classy without being pretentious... I had the chop salad to start and the tempura lobster tails ( oh my!!!) on the side had a delightful roasted cauliflower... The perfect complement of flavors without feeling stuffed... Would definitely return!
(5)Michael J.
I will give it to you in 7 words... THE BEST PLACE TO EAT IN CHICAGO! and yes, I am yelling because it is THAT good! :) I travel a lot and Joe's is one of the best place's to eat in the country! Hands Down!
(5)Jonathan Z.
Across the street from the Conrad Hotel (marvelous), I tried Joe's based on reputation and Yelp reviews. I was duly impressed. The service was friendly and spot on to start. We started with a shared seafood chopped vegetable salad, a refreshing blend of vegetables and perfectly fresh chilled shrimp, crab, and lobster pieces. Not overly dressed, it is was a great starter. I had a bone in NY strip, dry aged Prime beef, perfectly cooked with a nice crisp crust, just the right amount of fat, and mouthfuls of beefy goodness. Creamed spinach was creamy and nutmeggy and mashed potatoes have a nice crunchy top. With a steak, 1 order of sides is plenty to share for 2-3 people. With a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, we spent just under $100 person which is in my mind, a fair value for the quality of the food we ate.
(5)Ryan M.
Let me try to sum up my numerous Joe's experiences in 10 words... Bisque, aged steaks, always leave completely satisfied and slightly inebriated. This is the 'comfortable old shoe' of nice dinner locations, the trusty fall back if other plans go awry. I can always count on Joe's for consistently delivering an above-average dining experience. Although I usually enjoy a medium-rare filet, it should be noted that the fried chicken is a sleeper and is probably worth a go.
(4)Nadia L.
YUM!! Heard about the "stimulus" lunch specials when I was researching for a nice place to eat on a recent trip to Chicago and was very pleased with the lunch I had here. With the "stimulus" lunch special you get a choice of either of the two below all for $21.95. Joe's Classic - Stone Crab 5 Medium Stone Crab Claws, Hashed Brown, Joe's Cole Slaw & Key Lime Pie OR Joe's Classic - filet mignon 6 oz. Filet Mignon, Jennie's Potato, Joe's Grilled Tomato & Banana Cream Pie When you are seated you are served an assortment of bread, all pretty good but nothing amazing. In terms of the meal itself, I ordered the stone crab claws option since I've never had that before and really enjoyed it. Their homemade coleslaw was delicious and the hash brows perfectly crispy. I also had a taste of Joe's grilled tomato and that too was another side I'd be willing to try again. Though I have to say the desserts at Joe's were to die for. The banana cream pie was fluffy and delicious goodness, if I could have flown a piece back for the BF I totally would have, he loved bananas. The key lime pie was also very smooth and tasty. I think what makes the stimulus lunch package such a good deal is that you get a main entree AND 2 sides AND a dessert all for one low price. Whereas if you order each of those items separately since everything is served a la carte it can get pretty pricey. Service was also very on point at this restaurant which is to be expected since it is a very nice place. Server was always there making sure everything was perfect, plates switched out, crumbs swept, etc. The location is also pretty convenient for it is walking distance from all the major hotels in downtown Chicago. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would go back again next time I'm in the windy city! Rating: I'd give this place a 4.5 star but since they refused to change the dessert for one of my friends even though she was allergic to key lime, I have to round down to 4 stars
(4)Michael S.
It would take a lot for me not to like this place, and I don't see that ever happening. You can't really go wrong with Joe's. In fact, on this visit, the steak was better (but it still isn't Morton's, and which is due to skipping the dry aging). Note that if you are going for the stone crab, pass on the medium size (which are like a tease), and go for at least the large ones. I can't believe I didn't get the key lime pie.
(4)Alex V.
I've been blessed to try the best steak houses in the Nation. Joe's was off the hook... Best 1 to date!!! Richie was a great waiter, & the Maitre de hooked my family & I up with the VIP seat ( Mafia style) for my daughters 17th Birthday. Enough, let's talk steak. Cole got the New York, Tash got the Filet w/ Lobster, & I got the Bone in Filet it was the absolute sicest ( yes spelled incorrect) Filet I've ever had...Recommend Highly X2... Sic, potatoes & broccoli were awesome as well. Joe's, Respect!
(5)Don J.
A very solid but more old school steakhouse/restaurant in Chicago. Joe's is a place that offers more than good steak & potatoes and is a great compromise for a group of people where some are looking for steak and the others are looking for fish. Joe's is a cheaper alternative to places like Gibsons, Smith and Wollenskys or the Chophouse and therefore can be viewed as a place that is more than just a "special treat" restaurant. The service is always of a very high quality regardless of whether you sit in the bar or dining room. The hosts do want to welcome you to the restaurant and actually care about how you are treated. The highlights for me in Joe's are: 1. Very good quality bread and good wines choices (choice of wine by the glass is small for a steak house however) 2. Oysters Rockefeller is very good here 3. All the steaks are great tasting however served very traditionally (just a big steak on the plate served with seasoning salt) 4. Jennies Mashed pototoes are great with golden topped cheese and breadcrumb. 5. Joe's famous scallops are great and it you like scallops you will love Joes 6.The stone crabs are obviously amazing as they are so fresh. Something that people don't appreciate is that Joes does adjust parts of their menu seasonally and they only put top quality fish on the menu. Joe's doesn't quite hit the 5 star mark as the quality of the steak isn't quite as high as Gibsons etc and some of their fish dishes come with gloppy looking sauces but definetly a restaurant that has something for everyone.
(4)Catherine W.
Decent restaurant; stone crab was delicious, but warning - a bit difficult to eat at a business dinner given there is a lot of effort to get the meat out of the shells (even though the restaurant cracks open a lot of the shells with you). I didn't remember it being this difficult a few years ago when I was there last. Great service, but didn't enjoy my meal that much because I felt it took so long to eat. Key lime pie - delicious.
(3)Kamilah S.
OMG, OMG, OMG, This place is thee best!!! The service, the food the ambiance, everything was GREAT. Keith, our server gave us history about the restaurant as well as the stone crabs (which were excellent). We had steak, lobster, stone crab bisque, 2 martini's, a hot tea, creamy garlic spinach, lyonnaise (fried potatoes with onions), 2 fish dishes. We were celebrating a birthday so we got keylime pie and a brownie sundae, SCORE. Tax, tip and valet under $275, but if you want quality, you are gonna have to pay for it and I will pay for it. I live to eat and I eat to live. I LOVE FOOD. I will be back. Thanks 2 billion, KEITH
(5)Aaron R.
Being from California, and frankly unimpressed with what Chicago had to offer up in pizza (sorry), I was a tad skeptical about steak and crab in the middle of the country. The ambiance was great. Staff was beyond amazing (4 people in the bar turned into 6 turned into being seated an hour before our reservation without a problem or a hint of attitude). Crab bisque and crab cakes were amazing. Girlfriend's salad was huge and tasty. Asian tuna (seared with a wasabi sauce) was to die for. The icing on the cake (well pie) was the slices of key lime pie the waiter brought (and comped) without being ordered. Next time I'm in town I'll be making reservations, without a doubt!
(5)Zach T.
We took a holiday lunch here. A coworker and I split the ribeye sandwich and the burger. They were both excellent. The ribeye sandwich was the star. Fries were nothing special. This place has the feel of an old-style classy restaurant, with the waiters in tuxes and all. But it feels very dated and like it belongs in Florida where it's headquartered.
(3)John M.
We had the most delicious dinner at Joe's and it was made even more enjoyable by our server, Hank. While we were dressed casually, Hank was in a tux as were all the other servers. Despite our dress, hank treated us as though we were royalty. He couldn't do enough to make sure our meal was the best we had while visiting Chicago and Joes for the first time. He even treated us to a slice of Joe's key lime pie to top off our meal. If you're in Chicago and want a good meal go to joe's. if you want it to be unforgettable, ask for Hank.
(5)Soyon L.
Exceptionally good. I was there two times one time for Dinner and one time for Lunch. It was exceptional for dinner but not for lunch. Do not get stonecrab prefix lunch. It's damn small. It's definitely worth spending few bucks more fore bigger ones.
(4)Christine M.
Top notch! This was a perfect anniversary dinner. My first experience with stone crab and it is fabulous. Our server, James, was great. Paced the meal perfectly, attentive, but not annoying at all. The stuffed mushrooms were absolutely the best I've ever had. We shared the king crab legs and two vegetable sides and could not finish. We expected the bill to be much higher than it was for the quality of the meal. Hope to go back soon!
(5)k E.
Great food with consistently attentive service.
(5)Sherry D.
After hearing about this place for years and trying to get reservations months out in advance with no luck, we happened to score on a reservation for this weekend. I had a $100 gift card, as well as $150 worth of points on our Lettuce Entertain You card... saving both for this occasion, knowing it was expensive. The place was mobbed. Lots of people waiting in the bar area. We waited about 15 minutes for our reservation, which was fine. We had a cocktail while waiting. Once seated our server was attentive and very knowledgeable. After reading about the stone crabs, we had to try them. We got the 6 medium for $42.95. That's a LOT of money for what you get. They were delicious, and the mustard sauce is yummy, but I would not spend the money on them again. The woman sitting next to us had a delicious looking crab cake, so I asked the server if I could do a combo of a petite filet and crab cake. No problem whatsoever, they were very accommodating. My husband went for the $50 bone-in ribeye (after the server tried to up-sell him on the dry-aged $65 dollar variety). We got two sides to share.... creamed spinach, and the house specialty mashed potatoes. My filet was like butter, and the crab cake was large and full of crab meat. My husband enjoyed his rib-eye. The potatoes were fine, and the creamed spinach was ok, nothing special. We each had a martini before dinner and a glass of wine with dinner. We split the key lime pie for dessert. I had read a lot of reviews raving about it. It was quite good. So, after enjoying our meal (1/2 of each of the steaks were put in a to-go box, as they were filling and huge) we were presented with our $240 bill. No problem, because I had $250 between my gift card and my LEYE reward card. Unfortunately, you cannot redeem your LEYE card on Saturday nights. I hadn't realized this, so.... after using our $100 off gift card, we still paid $200 out of pocket (with a $50 tip.... we always tip on the PRE-discounted amount). If money was no object, I would certainly return. If we had known up-front we couldn't redeem our rewards card, we might have cut back a little on the extravagant stone crabs and the $50 ribeye. The food was, without question, delicious. But the sticker shock of still paying $200 after $100 off for a dinner for two left us with a "was it worth it?" question on our mind. We decided, that while everything was lovely, and the food and service were excellent, it wasn't THAT much better than many of the seafood/steak restaurants in Chicago where we've spent considerably less. So, if you've got money to spend, definitely go to Joe's. Great service, no pretentiousness, excellent food. We could have saved money like the couple next to us who ordered the stone crabs, stuffed mushrooms, and then had a plate of what looked like KFC dropped down in a bowl in front of them, but I don't know.... fried chicken in a place like this seemed like a waste.
(4)Jamie L.
Great restaurant. Great service. Crab claws and key lime pie were very good.
(4)Justine P.
Joe's is the best seafood in Chicago. Shaw's of course is a close second. I know there is alot of hype on yelp about Frankie but I'm here to tell you that Sean is the THE BOMB!! He has the best sparkly crab broach, his service was the best and he was hilarious! ("do you want another adult beverage? I'm living vicariously through you") Couldn't have hoped for a better meal - ask for Sean and you won't be disappointed!
(5)M M.
This place is AWESOME. It's always really crowded and pretty loud in there, but the service and seafood are amazing. I love the big booths and dark wood. I think it would actually be a great first date location- not too romantic/quiet, but upscale enough to impress! The fish we ordered were brought to the table and de-boned right in front of us, which I had never seen before. It is a Lettuce Entertain You chain restaurant, but it doesn't have that feel at all.
(4)Suzanne E.
Joe's has by far the best service I've gotten since I moved to Chicago this summer. I dine out frequently and worked in the service industry for so long that now when I go out I really appreciate being taken care of, from start to finish. My boyfriend and I went to Joe's for dinner last Friday. We had reservations for eight thirty and even though the place was packed we got right in and the friendly host sat us quickly. Our server made us feel comfortable right from the start and was very helpful with answering any questions we had (I always seem to have a ton). We took him up on all his reccomendations and ended up getting a great bottle of pinot grigio, snow crab for an appetizer and split a caesar salad...I got the sea bass and my boyfriend got the new york strip for entrees. Everything was amazing and prepared perfectly. We declined dessert but the waiter brought some for us (complimentary) anyway, a sliver of the key lime pie and peanut butter pie...both lovely and unneccesary. Overall, great atmosphere, excellent service and amazing food. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)elizabeth n.
Even though I'm not a big steak fan, I loved Joe's, and look forward to going back. The service is excellent and the food is even better. They are well known for their Stone Crab but there were so many other things on the menu that I wanted to try. The sweet potato fries were amazing, and they are known for their key lime pie- which was delicious! I had the shrimp scampi and my date had the steak and lobster, and it was all phenomenal. Definitely worth a 5 star rating!
(5)Andrew W.
This place is really great. I go here every chance I get. Everything on the menu is good.
(5)Aubrey K.
Truly an all-star! I've been three times total and I've received A+ service each time and been overly impressed with the food. You'll want to try and arrive early in hopes of being seated on time. (The tactic worked last night). The whole menu is fantastic and offers something for everyone's palate (from a hamburger, to a steak, to fresh fish, and salads) to be delighted. I recommend getting the pair of kings which is a combination of the King and Stone crab. The crab cake is a must for a starter as well. We tried the blackened cod last night and it had an assign flare to it (nicely accompanied by broccoli). Normally I end up sharing several appetizers but this was a nice twist to go for an entree. Counting down the days till my next visit.
(5)J D.
We had dinner here with some family and were impressed. Joe's seems to always be packed -- we couldn't get in Friday or Saturday, and barely secured a reservation late on Sunday night. We shared an appetizer portion of the stone crab claws, which were good, but not that great relative to other crab meats, like king or dungeness. The mustard dipping sauce was awesome, however. Our entrees were all good (ahi tuna, various steaks, sole), as were the a la carte sides that we shared (a sweet corn special and green beans). The wine selection was impressive, but bottles were pricey as one might expect at a high-end steakhouse. We shared two desserts, the peanut butter pie and key lime pie, and both were outstanding. The service was pretty good and overall we would definitely return. Joe's lost one star only because of the very high price, difficulty in getting a table, and the crowding and noise -- we had to shout to hear each other over the other patrons around us.
(4)Bryant C.
After going to pretty much every seafood restaurant this city has to offer I have made my decision.... Joe's is the best. When you go here though, go all out. Don't try and skimp on anything or think you are getting out of there for much less than $100 a head. If you go in with the attitude you are going to have a big check at the end you will not have a complaint. The service is impeccable. The steaks are seasoned and cooked to perfection. I would suggest going with the bone in fillet because it does make a difference. Crab legs and stone crab was as fresh as could be. Only complaint is it can be kind of hard to get a prime reservation. Don't expect to call the week of and get a 7:30 reservation for a Thursday- Saturday table. It can also be noisy, so I would say it's the perfect place for a business type dinner or large party. Not so great at being a cozy intimate spot.... but that's expected. Enjoy!
(5)Richard C.
Very expensive, but well worth it after you taste the steak. They really know how to cook a steak because I've been here at least 5 times and everything is just perfect.
(5)Tobia C.
One of the steakhouses in Chicago where you can order a bone-in filet. The atmosphere, while not extremely unique, is pleasant...and the service is spectacular. The prices are very high...but if you have the extra cash to throw around, you are in for a meal to remember.
(4)maureen m.
Best Alaskan King Crab legs I have ever had in my life. I had them for an appetizer. I could not bring myself to order and entree at the toon of $56 bucks for the Crab legs, or $40 for a piece of Dover sole. Come on! Everything was ala cart that is rediculous.
(3)Dorival S.
This place is excellent for seafood or steak! I actually had one of my most memorable steaks here for my own surprise (an aged steak). This is showing as $$ but it is more likely a $$$$, but it's worthy.
(5)Alisa L.
Joe's is consistent and delicious everytime! I've gone there on many business lunches but decided to take my in-laws there for a nice dinner. We had the 2nd mortgage as an appetizer which consisted of medium stone crabs, jumbo shrimp cocktail, shrimp & scallop ceviche and lobster tail all served chilled over ice. Stone crab meat was sweet, lobster tail was so tender. The service is top notch...waitress was attentive and informative. We ordered the dover sole (which is a must since they are only in house on specific days), chilean sea bass, joe's famous scallops and my husband ordered the 28 oz porterhouse. Our entrees were accompanied by my favorite lyonnaise potatoes and the grilled tomatoes. We ended it with their famous key lime pie which is homemade everyday...the buttery graham cracker crust combined with the perfect tartness of the keylime is refreshing and a wonderful end to our meal.
(5)Dana P.
Joe's is one of my favorite restaurants in this city! The stone crabs and everything else are delicious! I love the creamed spinach and i really like the peanut butter pie dessert! The best thing about Joe's though is the mustard sauce - we dip everything in it from the raisin bread to the shrimp cocktail to the fries. My family goes here all the time for special occasions!
(5)Marley F.
We recently threw my grandparents anniversary party here and it couldn't have been better! I've never eaten dinner here before, but I was so impressed with the party! The food was unbelievable and the service was perfect. Everyone had a great time and we have Joe's to thank! I've been telling all my engaged friends they need to book their rehearsal dinners here!
(5)daniel w.
Been to the Joe's in Miami many times, but just tried the one in Chicago. Just as good and so cool you can make reservations ahead of time at this one. We ate so much and it was all so good. Started off with crab cakes and salad. Then got the large stone crabs...larger ones are easier to eat so I always get those. Sweet potato fries and creamed spinach were great as our sides. We were stuffed, but you can't turn down their key lime pie so we had that for dessert. Everything was really good.
(5)Amanda G.
This place is amazing. Always crowded (get there when they open or make a reservation). Pretty expensive but worth it for special occasions. Upper class crowd. We love their Stone Crabs, steaks, crab cakes, Jennie's potatoes, Fried Green tomatoes--pretty much anything you get is high quality and untouchable!
(5)Scott C.
This place is awesome and has unbelievable stone crab- it's the best out there...seriously everyone needs to go here and try the stone crab. People rave about the steak here but I definitely think there are better places to go and get a steak in Chicago, so if you're headed here, get the stone crab or the lobster. And the key lime pie.
(5)Ed L.
It doesn't matter if you go to the steak route or stone crab route at Joe's Stone Crab because everything on the menu is fantastic. I suggest making reservations before the end of May so you can try their stonecrabs while they are fresh. Then go back a second time for the steak!
(5)Zach A.
Everything here is awesome...steaks, stone crabs, keylime pie, drinks, fries...you have to get it all!
(5)daisy J.
this place is awesome! the food is excellent - from steak to stone crabs to fish. the havana dream pie is to DIEEEE for. the waitstaff is kind and overall, it's just a great steak experience! def recommend the bone-in-ribeye and bone-in-filet - yum! will be going back often :-)
(5)Sydney K.
Yes, you'll find all the attributes one would expect from a high quality restaurant at Joe's: attentive service, knowledgeable staff, quality ingredients and finished execution. But enough of all that. The main star is the stone crabs! On my first visit, our waiter strongly recommended that we not leave the establishment without tryiing the stone crabs, and I'm grateful for the advice. The stone crabs are sweet and juicy, accompanied by a creamy dijon dip that perfectly pairs with the plump crab meat. Yes, the steaks there are good, as well as all the sides....yadda, yadda, yadda. But oh, the stone crabs...
(5)Elizabeth C.
I usually go here with a large group of people and have never been dissapointed with the food or service. Sure the green-bow ties are kind of cheesey, but with such fantastic food and great liqour who can complain? Stone crab is great and I love their sweet-potato fries.
(5)Allison B.
Classy, Delicious, and Sleek. In a nutshell! Went here with friends from out-of-town and enjoyed a sophisticated meal with great service. Wine list and seafood are equally amazing.
(5)K S.
My wife and I went here on a whim, although I had heard of it before (I believe on the Steve Dahl show) we didn't know what to expect. It was heaven. I had the surf and turf with steamed claws and the filet mignon the first time there. We don't get out that much, so when I find something I like at a restaurant, I'm not likely to be swayed away from it. We've only been there a handful of times since then, but I get the same thing every time. My wife has had something different every time and we both agree, Joe's is our favorite restaurant. If we still lived in the city and had tons of money to blow, we'd probably eat there every night.
(5)Heidi C.
The atmosphere and ambiance were what you would expect from a similar location in Chicago, slightly loud with old world styling. My husband and our friend thought that the bone-in filet was quite possibly the best that they had ever eaten. I ordered the crab cakes, which were fresh and quite delicious. My friend ordered the veggie pasta(not on the menu, she is a vegetarian), which she also enjoyed. We had our four year old daughter with us as well. Our server, Michael (early/mid 40's with red/blond hair and a bit of facial hair) seemed almost hostile that we were seated in his section. He kept insisting that I speak up, and rolled his eyes each time he asked me to talk more loudly. He also forgot our daughters drink; we reminded him twice. My child will always come first, if she is happy, we are all happy. I find his dismissive attitude unwarranted. Twice when asking (yelling) a question, he completely cut me off, once actually leaving the table. My husband got the crab legs as well, and they were ice cold, not served chilled, actually almost frozen. I did taste these as well, and I found the meat bland and a very strange texture. (crunchy-ice?). When we tried to explain this to Michael, he actually waved us off to the busser(super sweet). It was borderline ridiculous. I find the service as important as the meal, and we were heavily disappointed with our experience.
(2)scott s.
Best restaurant EVER. Period. Have been here 10 times or so, and have never had a bad experience. The crab legs are the best I have ever had, and the bone-in filet is consistently the best steak that I have ever had, no comparison at all. The sweet potato fries are a good side, but you can't really go wrong with anything here. Service is always good, ask for Frankie if you want a great server.
(5)kb j.
This place is outstanding! We go here a few times a year. It's always really good and we've never been disappointed. Went here on a Sunday night. We had a reservation and walked right in (occasionally, with reservations, we've had to wait). We usually start with the stone crabs. As always, they are firm, cold and really good. Served with a mustard sauce. They also have outstanding shrimp cocktail and with a larger group its worth going for the "Second Mortgage" (an assortment of shrimp, shellfish, etc.). While you think of Joe's for stone crab, it really has outstanding steaks. I usually get the fillet Mignon and ask them to slice it. Charred to perfection. All of the sides are filling. Ordered the hash browns and was pleased. They are browned, crunchy and buttery. The portions here are immense and can be shared. It's like "Land of the Giants". Dessert portions (even in the half sizes) are large. Key lime pie is a signature dish, but I like the banana cream pie. I would not hesitate to bring out of town guests to this place.
(5)a w.
A pretty expensive restraunt to go too, but really well-worth the money spent. Their steaks are perfect -- done just right and really tender. The service here is excellent, the waiters will make sure that everything is absolutely perfect for you. The menu is pretty large and almost everything I have tried at this place has been excellent. The portions are big and everything is fresh. If you're looking for a great place for a big date or a special occasion, this just may be it!
(5)Nicola C.
This place is primo. I absolutely love it. It is a great atmosphere, and perfect for winding down after a hard day at the office, especially if you want to spend a pretty penny. It just has a great vibe to it, and has an excellent sea food platter as a starter. Great wine choice also, and the waiters are very well versed on their wine, and very willing to help you pick exactly what you are looking for. Highly recommended!
(5)m c.
excellent. went there twice on expense account, twice on my own dime- good everytime (ie, the former with expensive wine, the latter with something more reasonable). i highly recommend the bone-in filet and the dry-aged ribeye. both are supreme, though in their own way. both are big. i'd rate as one of the best in chicago, along with david burke's primehouse (better than the other chains like morton's/smith&wollensky and definitely better than gibson's- crap- or the saloon.). i could just eat the cottage fries by the bushel; however, desserts were disappointing- even the waiter made fun of the key lime pie. this is an easy place to bring out-of-towners to, but make reservations. you'd be foolish to try to walk in. service was consistently good as well.
(5)James M.
People seem to love this place. I really enjoyed it, but I won't be drooling over a return visit, except maybe for the crab...and oh my god is that crab good. We ordered some Alaskan king legs & stone claws to start off with. It was absolutely fantastic. I've decided that I could eat that mustard dipping sauce with a spoon and subsist solely on sauce and stone crab indefinately. As for the rest of the meal, my bone in rib eye was honestly kind of lame. Rib eyes are supposed to be a bit fatty, but mine was also lacking in flavor. $42 seems like alot for a chewy, not so flavorful steak. The atmosphere is crowded and was uncomfortably busy in the bar area (kind of reminds me of Gibson's- if you're into that kind of thing). All that said I'll probably end up back here after I start drooling while thinking about that crab. So 5 stars for crab 2 for everything else and we end up with a 3.5.
(3)Mark P.
One of the most flavorful filet mignons that I've had. Awesome seafood platters to start.
(5)Ashleigh B.
We moved to chicago a year ago from britain and decided to spend our 1yr wedding anniversary dining at Joes for the first time, after randomly selecting it from a number of restaurants to try.The Maitre d' was so unfriendly,had a face on like you were walking into a funeral, he was rude and his overall behaviour was so unwelcoming. Good food but wouldn't go back there.First and last time.
(1)Martha Z.
I dedicate my 100th review to Joe's, the ultimate dining experience for the ultimate yelping experience! Sorry cheesy Mr. Show reference there. Joe and I first met up for my college graduation dinner. My mom figured if she spent so many big bucks for my tuition might as well spend the big bucks on the meal. Joe's accommodated us to a tee, we all felt like royalty. Since then I have retreated back to this seafood pleasure paradise for birthday occasions. From dinner for two or for a large group you feel like an A list celebrity. Things that I can recommend are the second mortgage platter and some other combo appetizer, garlic gulf shrimp, crab cakes (the best I've ever had) and their fillet. Please save room for the key lime pie it is to DIE for! The only drawback I can think of is the impatient wait to be seated regardless of reservations or not. But when you are finally lead past that velvet curtain into a giant dining area and greeted by your tux-ed server it is definitely worth any wait!
(5)Tom M.
Went here on a whim on a Tuesday night with work associate at about 7pm. The wait for a table was about hour + 1/2 but we were able to snag a table in the bar area (unfortunately right next to the coat check, but better than waiting). They serve their full menu in the bar and it worked out fine. Service was kind of slow in the bar, but they were pretty busy. It took a while for the waiter to come take drink orders, and we picked a bottle of wine and it took FOREVER to come out, and it was the wrong bottle; finally got the right one and it was good. So another round of waiting and we finally ordered some food. Had a delicious pan seared/sauteed small scallop appetizer - very simple. It actually may have been an entree special but we got it for appetizer. I had the petite filet and stone crab combo. Crab was delicious, especially with the mustard sauce - they were cracked but it took some work to get the meat out. The filet was delectable - very good flavor, not just a hunk of meat. We also had the green beans - very flavorful for almondine. Also had some fries that were good but nothing special. Overall a good experience and would go back.
(5)Amanda L.
The food was good. Service was great but this place has a Schaumburg feel to it. Tons of people in and out the revolving door. No intimacy whatsoever. Some patrons were really underdressed too. Sorry but when spending this kind of money I think it could be a little more formal but then again there was a "Bar Food" section of the menu with $9 hamburgers and the like. I will not be back.
(2)Becca L.
WOW! I just went to Joe's Stone Crab for the first time and it really was one of the best meals I've ever had. I opted for the stone crabs and they were delicious. Writing this review is actually making me want to go to Joe's right now! My carnivore boyfriend went with the steak and he loved his meal as well. Peanut butter pie for dessert was to die for. Next I'll have to try the key lime pie that everyone is yelping about!
(5)Joe S.
Normally, we Chicagoans are hard on restaurants imported from other cities (Spago, China Grill). But, it's hard to NOT love JSC. The service on one visit was TOO attentive, that's my only complaint. Great fresh stone crabs, shrimp, excellent appeteasers, and a solid key lime pie. Sides are ample, tasty, well prepared. Careful not to fill up on the onion bread, it's delish. Wine list was OK, maybe now that Lettuce has hired Alpana Singh shel'll kick it up a notch.
(4)Patricia B.
The only reason it did not get the five stars is that it is more than a little pricey! But I loved my lunch here, with excellent seafood and salads, memorable and amiable service, and a terrific decor. I will save up and go back!
(4)Brenda M.
If you have never experienced a Chicago Steak house....this is the one to try. Southern roots allows them bragging rights to good key lime pie and spectacular crab bisque but the steaks are just as they should be.
(5)Mindy S.
Yum, Yum, Yum! I have to say Joe's lived up to all my expectations, and they were set pretty high. Everything was so fresh and amazing. We started with the madagascar shrimp which were huge and delicious with a great sauce. Then got the stone crabs and bone-in filet and the best mashed potatoes ever (Jenny's potatoes, or something like that - you must try)! We loved everything. Even my boyfriend who isn't a huge seafood lover commented the day after that he was still thinking about the crab legs. That should tell you something. We didn't have room for dessert, but after everything I've heard, guess we'll just have to go back!
(5)Kristina B.
This is one of my favorite places in the city. I have been here quite a few times and it has always been consistent. The waiters are friendly and very knowledgeable. The second mortgage is amazing--Stone Crab, Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster Cocktail, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche oh my! The crab stuffed sole is my fave entree. I hope to be back very soon!
(5)Matt G.
We ate at Joe's on a busy Saturday night. We had to make our reservations about a month in advance in order to get a decent seating. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated, which was nice since earlier reviews seemed to indicate that you had to wait even with a reservation. The dinning room was larger than what I expected, however it was quite crowded and noisy - maybe a little chaotic. We were seated in between two other couples. The tables are a little close together, so you can certainly listen in to other people's coversations. I also had my chair bumped into several times throughout the evening. I kept pulling in my chair each time, but somehow I was still bumped. Our waiter was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Overall, the service was very good. Attentive and fast, which is impressive given how crowded it was. The food was really the star of our experience. My wife and I shared the 2nd Mortgage appetizer. The shellfish was fresh and cooked very well...not chewy and overcooked. Wine list is decent, but a little pricey. We ordered a pinot that we've drank before...nothing surprising here. I ordered the bone-in filet, which seems to be one of the items they're known for. I ordered it medium, but it came out a little overcooked. Still, the beef was very tender and well seasoned. I very much enjoyed it despite the fact it was a little on the medium-well side. My wife ordered the Ahi Asian Style. Again, her fish was supposed to be medium-rare, but we thought it was a little overcooked as well. However, flavor made up for it. Another good dish. We shared Jennie's Potatoes as a side. These were amazing. Mashed potatoes with fontina and asiago, baked with a nice cheesy crust on top. Very good! We also shared their Key Lime pie for dessert. This was a recommendation of the waiter. I'm not a huge Key Lime fan, but this was very good. Very tangy and creamy with a beautiful graham cracker crust. Since this was our first time eating at Joe's, the waiter comp'd our dessert which was unexpected, but a very nice gesture. The reasons I did not give 5 stars: Ambiance - a little crowded and noisy. Prices - this place is expensive Otherwise, a very good restaurant and one I would certainly recommend and go back to.
(4)Jim D.
The blackened mahi mahi was excellent. Great service!!! The bread was also wonderful. Great Location with an excellent selection for everyone. You will not be dissapointed.
(4)Emily D.
I came here for my girl's birthday party, very nice ambiance. Our wait was well over an hour longer than our scheduled reservation but once we sat down the service and food definitely made up for it. We had a waiter designated to our table the entire night. He literally waited next to our table and got us everything we needed. Our glasses were never half empty, food was to die for, and I had so much fun. I will be coming back when the time is right as you do have to save up for something like this.
(5)Andre E.
My wife and I first went here a few years back and it is still on our top 5 or 10 list of places to dine. It is expensive but because of the atmosphere, the service and of course the great food it is definetly worth it. You know there is a funny story here as well when we first went here my wife had the stone crab and she didn't know it was cold...LOL. If you like stone crab definetly try these but remember again they are cold and most people like their crab at least a little warm. I also recommend the the prime steak even though i don't eat red meat...LOL and definetly for dessert the Key Lime pie. Please, Please, Please make reservations because if you don't i can guarantee you will be extremely dissappointed when you won't be able to get in seat unless your willing to wait an hour or more. Street parking...LOL forget about it take public transportation or if you are staying downtown just walk over. Dress casual because while they won't make to big a deal about it you will look foolish if you come in there with blue jeans and a t-shirt with flip flops on like they try to do at the Joe's down in Miami.
(4)Lisa Z.
Mmmmm, the seafood is good, but the steak is amazing! I really think they just may have the best steak in the city. I've never had anything but first class all the way at Joe's (not to be confused with Eat at Joe's Crab Shack).
(5)Lydia K.
Will have to give them another try. We didn't have a reservation, so we had to sit in their bar area for dinner. The food was just ok. Nothing memorable. I'll make reservations next time and review them again.
(3)Katie S.
I've been to Joe's several times now, usually for business occasions, and decided my wonderful boyfriend needed to experience it too. We went for a belated second anniversary celebration last Friday night. We arrived at 8:30 and were seated promptly at a cozy (but not TOO cozy) table for 2. Our waiter, Oz, was probably the best waiter I've ever had in my life, anywhere. He truly is a class act - if you end up with him serving you, you're very lucky indeed. Upon being told it was my boyfriend's first time at Joe's, he went through everything in just enough detail for him to really get excited about what we were about to eat. We ended up splitting a bottle of malbec, had the medium stone crabs for an appetizer (amazing) - for entrees, I had the petite filet and he had the bone-in filet. Both were outstanding, perfectly cooked, and seriously, that salt blend they give you to put on your steak? That stuff should be illegal. SO ADDICTIVELY GOOD. We got creamed spinach and Jennie's potatoes for sides and were satisfied but had just enough room for dessert. Oz said he had something great in store for us and brought out half portions of the banana pie, peanut butter pie and key lime pie, one of which was on the house - very nice of him, I thought. (And yeah, by this point we were already $200+ in and it didn't REALLY matter, but it was a nice gesture). My boyfriend said it was one of the best meals of his life. It was definitely one of the best meals - and best nights - of mine. I can't wait to go back to Joe's again soon.
(5)Danny C.
I went during lunch on restaurant week. I was told by a friend that the stone crabs were served cold, and that they were good, but nothing extraordinary about it...so I ordered the filet mignon instead. The meat at our table seemed somewhat undercooked (medium rare became rare, and well done became medium). Also, it tasted kind of salty. The waiter recommended to us earlier to try the sea salt, but I couldn't really taste it. All it did was make the meat even saltier...but maybe my tastebuds are just bad... But we didn't make a fuss out of it and still enjoyed it. Besides, it was very busy and no one really came by to ask. The sides were great though. I love the mashed potatoes, and the tomato thing was good too. The desert was just ok (we had the banana pie thing). The bisque at the beginning was also good, but I loved the bread. I liked the one with bits of bacon on it, and also the one with cheese. Overall, I had a good meal and would gladly go back again if the regular menu was slightly less expensive.
(4)Stephanie J.
Let me preface this review by saying I would have given the food 5 stars. Everything the boyfriend and I had was delicious! We started with the stone crabs, which I was a little hesitant about, but ended up being super delicious! I had the parmesan crusted halibut, which was absolutely amazing. Normally I'm against any sort of cheesy fish combination, but there were definitely no bites left on my plate. The boyfriend had the bone-in rib eye. I didn't try it, but he said it was very good as well. We ordered garlic creamed spinach and baked potatoes as sides. Thought the spinach was good, but not great. We obviously had to order the key lime pie for dessert.. the graham cracker crust was buttery and amazing! Overall... what a great meal! Now the downside... We were seated against a wall in one of the small 2 person booths. Nothing against that, a little cozy. The problem was that we were seated next to whom I assume was a VIP guest. All of the wait staff knew him, and stopped by to greet him throughout the meal. Again, not a problem. The problem was that our server decided to carry on an intimate conversation with this guy throughout our entire meal. Believe me, we heard about the intervention that went on with his boyfriend?? or brother?? Him trying to sell his apartment? Possible new employment plans? There were points in our meal that the boyfriend and I realized we were forgetting to speak to each other because the conversation next door was so distracting. I understand the table placement sometimes means some a little eaves-dropping, but this was ridiculous. What a delicious dinner wasted.
(3)Rick S.
Joe's was excellent. When something is this good, that really is all you can say. The calamari was most excellent, some of the best I've ever had, possibly in the top 5. The filet was grilled to perfection. It was simply tremendous. It was so good I was contemplating ordering a second one for dessert. The sides me and my two other colleagues had were the corn which was amazing and the hash browns. Both sides I wished I had ordered for myself. Just absolutely tremendous. Definitely on the list when back in Chicago.
(5)M D.
That crab bisque is fairly spectacular.
(4)Emily B.
4.5 - Joe's makes you feel exactly the way you want to the moment you arrive for your reservation. From the host, to the busser, to the general manager, they all seem to have a genuine respect for the fact that you've come hungry ... and with money to spend. The service is phenomenal. While waiters at some places may give a tableside spiel, Joe's does more of a menu presentation. It's captivating, I can promise you won't be thinking about what's on your DVR while hearing about the history of the restaurant or what luscious things are the menu for the night. The food is equally amazing. In fact, I think I may have found my new favorite filet mignon in the city. I nonchalantly ordered my meat "Rare Plus" as a test to see if the server knew his temps...he aced it. And so did the chef - it was prepared perfectly and served with a side of their special seasoning. Our sides were a sinful mushroom macaroni and cheese and a nicely done sauteed spinach with garlic. Their fresh-made pies could not have been better. Just close your eyes and pretend the Havana Dream Pie is fat free and you'll literally have a foodgasm, When Harry Met Sally style. Other notes: -The interior is polished and perfectly lit. It's not overtly masculine, loud, or romantic. It's just right. -Management is impeccable, they are calm, approachable and always appear in control, even during prime time on a Friday night. -Keep your eyes peeled, this is a celeb/athlete hot-spot.
(4)Aubrey R.
I'm just going to copy and my review from Open Table. It pains me to take away a star...but...for what we paid, I'd expect good service from ALL the servers. If you go to Joe's make sure Richard isn't your server. Only good when trying to pitch things to you and taking your order, after that, totally down hill. We ordered the scallop/shrimp ceviche to start. Meals, I got the parm crusted flounder w/a lemon butter cilantro sauce. My bf ordered a 24 ounce dry aged, bone in ribeye which was cooked perfectly. Sides, we had the mac & cheese w/gouda, bread crumbs & mushrooms and Joe's tomatoes w/cream of spinach on top & aged cheddar. My bf described it as an explosion of flavors in your mouth! We got a nice booth, food came out quick & was great, problem was our server, RICHARD. Didn't refill our drinks or check on us. We were done with our meal for 25 mins, he kept walking past us, tending to others. It took him another 10 mins to give us our check and offered no apologies. It was like he was avoiding us. Bad service, great food which is unfortunate.
(4)Jennifer I.
What can I say that has not already been said? Going to Joe's is like flying first class. A stellar experience all the way. The menu is great, the food is great, the waiters (in tuxedos!) are great. You may go broke eating here, but you won't walk away with any regrets. Be sure to make a reservation so you aren't disappointed...Joe's can get ridiculously crowded, even on a school night. And by the way, the fried chicken may very well be the unsung hero of the menu. Whodathunk????? You go, Joe.
(5)Eliza M.
I had a hankering for king crab legs. We had already been to Shaw's and wanted to try Joe's. On a Thursday evening at 7pm it was packed (make your reservations early!). Our waiter was professional and gave some great recommendations on food as well as wine. I've always had my crab legs warm but Joe's serves them chilled. I was a little concerned with this but the waiter assured me this was the way to go. He was right--they were delicious and the chilled temp really made the flavor come out. For dessert we probably should have gone with the key lime pie but we are chocoholics and opted for the chocolate cake. It was huge and at first we thought we had gotten a double order (we didn't). I also want to note that the onion roll in the bread basket puts all other onion rolls to shame. Why one star off? It's NOISY and cramped and didn't really have an intimate setting. There seemed to be a lot of out-of-towners in town for conventions eating here. For the money spent, we would have preferred a quieter, less bustling environment.
(4)Kara K.
A good friend had a layover in Chicago and didn't want to hang at the airport for several hours like a goofball. Understood. Where could we go to have a nice dinner downtown? Hmmmm....Joe's? Well, who, in their right mind, thinks they can call Joe's on a Saturday night to get a reservation for an hour later? I did and was, of course, told hell to the naw. But, she politely added, we could try to get a seat in the bar. So that's what we tried to do. This task proved to be tricky--we had to scout out main and secondary tables, check out the competition, position ourselves accordingly and prepare to pounce. We had our eye on a table of a party that was obviously about to leave when this couple, who came in after us, tried to non-chalantly make their move. Ohhh no pahdnahs...it doesn't work like that! I gave them the evil-eye staredown and they backed away like the seat-stealing beotches that they were! Other diners and a couple of servers laughingly commented on my methods--maybe they thought I was a bit insane. No. Just hungry. So on to the next....dining at Joe's is a real treat. Stone crabs are delicious and once you know the history, you feel privileged partaking of these south Florida delicacies. We started off with a bottle of Pinot Grigio and slowly moved on to the 2nd Mortgage appetizer which included jumbo shrimp, lobster cocktail, shrimp and scallop ceviche and Alaskan king crab; the Oysters Rockefeller and an order of 4 of the stone crab claws. TO DIE FOR! For an entree, we both chose the pecan crusted halibut and shared a side of the creamed spinach. This meal was simply outstanding and definitely called for a full day of recovery. This was my third trip to Joe's. The first was in Miami and the other two were at the Chicago location. All three occasions were beyond memorable in every way. Even though the bar was busy, our server still remained professional, friendly and was very efficient in delivering each order at the right time. The restaurant itself is very classy and diners know they have to bring their fashion "A" game. It was a great night.
(5)Jacob M.
Best dining experience on the Magnificent Mile in a week of eating! Definitely need a reservation but dress is reasonable, some in coats some in jeans. Service was outstanding, flexible, entertaining but not overbearing. Great seafood and steak options. Out table felt meat was on par with Gibson's. Side Items are really a highlight, try as many as possible. Desserts were mostly pies we had (in order of table voted popularity) #1 Havanah Dream, #2 Key lime, #3 Apple and all 3 were possibly the best of their ilk any of us had ever tried. You are going to pay for it, but great value.
(5)Leon N.
Went here for a business trip, and ate at there bar. Bartenders were very service oriented and very talkative. The entire place service is amazing. The filet with stone crab was the best combo steak seafood I have every had in any state. The blue cheese crumble on top of steak, and side of seasoning salt really added to the experiece . The key lime pie was amazing as well. Next time want to try the key lime salmon as well. This place is a must, would put it in the top 3 places to try in Chicago.
(5)Paul C.
I've been meaning to hit up Joe's for ages so decided to finally check it out for restaurant week. Very disappointing. For first course I had the house salad while my boo had the bisque. The bisque was tasty while the salad was nothing special. For main course we both had the steak and lobster tails. The tails were tasty and the steak was perfectly cooked. I definitely felt like I've had better steaks at some of the usual suspects in Chicago, but my boo says their steak is one of the best she's ever had. We finished with a delicious Banana Cream Pie with Foster sauce and a Key Lime pie which, I didn't really like, but I don't like Key Lime pie. My biggest beef here was the service. We were seated immediately, but service was very slow and not very attentive. We sat for multiple prolonged intervals without drinks on our table. We probably would've ordered at least one more round if the waiter had been even mildly attentive. There were also long gaps between courses where we felt abandoned by our server, especially between our main course and desert. It should also be noted that the place was not swamped at the time we were eating. We saw multiple empty tables including the one directly next to us. Restaurants at this price point have no excuse for neglecting their customers. At the end of the day I'd come back here on your dime, but would be hesitant to spend my own cash here. I'll get the same or better food at Shaw's for the same price and my waiter won't leave me feeling like a forgotten stepchild.
(2)C.W. J.
I was in Chicago on business for 10 days. Went here twice. Thankfully on the company dime. Seafood was awesome. Just no complaints. I really enjoyed it. If you are in the area you should go. I was at the Marriott nearby. Oh and the billy goat tavern is just down the street I don't eat beef but fun to have some beers and remember when SNL was funny
(5)Cindy K.
Hello Yelpers, Restaurant Week is heading our way, and I think Joe's is a must try when you hit opentable.com . I thought everything was delicious but expensive. If it wasn't for it being a special occasion (birthday), I wouldn't think it's worth it. But for RW? Great deal. We tried the 2nd mortgage and stone crab claws for apps. Thought the shrimp and shrimp ceviche were unremarkable but everything else great. They give you bread and crackers. The crackers are awesome. There's a bread with garlic inside that was also good. The other breads just took up space. The lobster bisque had a bit of spice and I liked it very much. Entrees were bacon wrapped sea scallops and bone in filet. I thought both were excellent. Overall I thought the seafood was better at Bob Chinn's but the bone in filet better here than the steaks I've tried at other places (Bob Chinns, Ruth Chris, David Burke's). Although to be fair, it depends on the cut. I'm not a big steak eater, so I don't know if you want to take my opinion on that matter seriously. I prefer seafood. The creamed corn tasted good but on the sweet side. The rice pilaf sucked and seemed like something that came from a box of Uncle Ben's. They threw in some chopped noodles that were useless. They also gave use brownie a la mode for the bday boy. It was disgustingly sweet-- and this coming from a chocoholic. However, it was on the house so thanks for the thought. We ate the ice cream :) Service is impeccable. Great for a fancy night on the town, but if you don't care about ambience then I would go somewhere more casual.
(4)Joseph H.
Took my 14-yr old son to Joe's the other night for a special dinner. Overall very good. Had stuffed mushrooms to start that came out luke warm...should have sent them back. the stone crab was sweet and delicious and he loved his steak. Food was good and overall a decent experience, but for the money, there are so many better steak houses (but you can;t get the stones!!) Not as great as I remembered, but good.
(3)Shirley A.
It was the first time I had ever had Joe's this past Monday. Let me tell you....I've waited FAR TOO LONG...smh. Everything was amazing from the stone crab claws to the key lime pie. Even my extra picky Asian mother was like, "I love this place! It's my new favorite seafood restaurant!" i'm shocked her first favorite was Chinese food ;) Will be back soon! Thank you Joe's for being so amazing!
(5)Colleen F.
Wait, you mean this isn't Joe's Crab Shack? Damn. Came here the other night to sit at the bar, sample some apps and meet a friend. Already a little fished out from Shaw's the night before we took it easy. We tried the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms which were a nice departure from the traditional sausage and breadcrumb mushrooms you'll find most other places. They were very cheesy but flavorful. I did find the delicate taste of the mushroom to be a little lost. We tried the Madagascar shrimp which were meaty and more like lobster IMO. They were good, not necessarily a show stopper. Shrimp Dejonghe was very well done and not too heavy on either the oil, garlic or breadcrumb. What really puts this place over the top for me, however, is the impeccable service. Atmosphere here is lovely and it's impressively clean and minimalistic inside.
(5)Christine K.
Our group of 8 had a 6pm reservation during Restaurant Week. I was excited as I had heard this place had wonderful food. After just a few minutes of waiting, we were seated. Unfortunately for us, our initial server was rude and he seemed annoyed with us that we were even there. Perhaps he thought we looked very young - we do look young but are in our 30's. He talked over our group conversation and threw down the menus. Strange. I certainly wouldn't have expected that from such an establishment. My friend talked to the manager (Ryan/Brian?) who was wonderful in switching our server for us and making sure that the rest of our evening was enjoyed. Our new server, bless his heart, was extremely attentive and always came by to check up on us and make sure we had everything we needed, from drinks to recommending appetizers to dinner and dessert. Since the server debacle, the manager offered to comp us appetizers to start our night. We ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and the Calamari. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious, I wanted to scrape my oyster shell for every last bit of spinach and cheese. The Calamari was fine - not too greasy, not too dry. Just right. The restaurant week menu was great I thought: -Manhattan Chowder or Bisque - both were very tasty, although I liked the Bisque just a little more. Who can turn down creamy deliciousness? My husband wolfed the Chowder down so it was definitely tasty as well. -Filet vs Crab Claws - The filet was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed a few bites of my husband's dish, even though I am not a steak person. My crab claws were just the right portion for me (a 5'3" but 3rd trimester pregnant woman can eat a decent amount!) I have to admit that the claws did stick to the shell and although I enjoy them, I had to dip them in the sauce to feel like my meal was flavorful. -Sides - Hash Browns, Mashed Potatoes, Zucchini/Tomato dish?, and Cole Slaw...all came in sizable portions and were good. -Dessert - Banana Pie or Key Lime Pie. I loved the Key Lime Pie and the husband loved the Banana Pie so it worked out well. Our group was very happy at the end of the meal. I would definitely go back for the regular menu.
(4)Debbie H.
I don't even know where to start. It was restaurant week in Chicago.. meaning nice restaurants with nice deals.. My friend's parents were in town so they took us out and the specialized menu for restaurant week was amazing. First, a three course meal was only $22 a person.. which is pretty ridiculous. You could choose the Prime Steak or Crab, but who would come here and get Prime Steak (I'm sure it's delicious, but come on.. they're famous for their crab). So, I got the Stone Crab, Tomato-based Clam Chowder, Cole Slaw,Hashed Potatoes and Key Lime Pie. Everything was so delicious, especially the Cole Slaw. I usually don't like Cole Slaw, but this Cole Slaw was AMAZING. We order a side of Sweet Potatoes, which can't really be messed up so it was good. They're also really generous with their amounts. My friend ordered the Crab Bisque, which melted in my mouth. She also got the Banana Cream pie..which also melted in my mouth. I love Crab and I love this place! I walked out of the place, full and completely satisfied! I will be coming back to this place, even for their regular price!
(5)Dee K.
Yummy, fresh stone crab, exceptional service from server Mark, very attentive server but not- in- your -face type, give you room to breath and enjoying, 5 stars for server Mark. My filet mignon was just average. Yet, rib eye was great... We were lucky to even get seats without reservation. Of course, we came a tad earlier than the normal peak dining hours.
(4)Nicole M.
Soooo over the weekend my boyfriend took me to Joe's for my Birthday dinner. Ohh myy Yumminess, it was the best dinner I had ever had!!!! Of course it was expensive but it was worth it for a one time thing. The only reservation they had was 4:30 and we called a week a head, which is pretty early for us but it worked out great in the end. Our waiter was Mark, very nice and attentive. We started off with the Stone Crab Bisque, Very good but wish they would put a little more crab in the soup. I got the Petite Filet and Lobster with Jennie Mashed. The filet, I asked for medium... I got medium/rare, which is no biggie it still tasted good and very tender. The Lobster was the best part, very yummy and melt in your mouth delish! Mmmm I wanted more when I was done and I am still dreaming about it. lol The Jennie mashed, were oh soo good and cheesy, went very well with the steak. My boyfriend got the 20oz Bone in Rib eye and said it was very good and finished it all. Sadly we were soooo full we couldn't fit in dessert. They have valet $11.99. As other have said the place it kind of crammed (table very close to each other) but since we were there kind of early, it was fine. Also the bathroom is very small only two stalls and one small sink. If I had the money... I would go here all the time! Mmmm
(5)Michael R.
Went here during restaurant week and asat by the bar area. We didn't have reservations and didn't want to wait. The staff was amazing and the food was delicious. The hostess had a very classy pin-up look to her. I felt like i had stepped back in time when I was here. There were all kinds of people in there and everyone was having a great experience.
(4)Jessica K.
I came in for a tea date with my daughter. Joe's is not too uptight to bring a four year old into. We got great service, and had fantastic loose leaf tea. The onion rings are awesome, and so are the sweet potatoes! I tried so many things I liked I cannot list them all! Everyone working there was so great! My only complaint, my waiter (Ben) was too handsome, it was distracting. Oh, and I ate too much... Which I blame on the free pie.
(5)Daniel L.
They make a great steak. They had a decent whiskey selection. Atmosphere is only mediocre. They pack as many tables as they can in the place so its loud and you're right up on the table next to you. Almost feels like a tourist trap. Probably won't be going back. Too many great steak places in Chicago.
(4)Chelo C.
Not bad. Expensive though!
(4)Daniel S.
Joe's was near the top of our food agenda during a recent Chicago trip, so we made a visit on a busy Tuesday night. In short, everything about this place exudes excellence. The steaks and seafood are among the best I've had anywhere, and the service was simply outstanding. First on our list was a pair of steaks -- a filet mignon and a 16 oz dry-aged NY strip. The filet was buttery soft on the inside and perfectly charred on the outside with a mild, velvety taste that's expected when a filet is cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The NY strip - at 16oz - was substantial enough to feed two persons, yet I managed to consume about 3/4 of it after devouring half of the filet. The strip was also a perfect medium-rare with a nice crisp crust on the outside. I uploaded a photo of this wonderful steak for all to see. Next on the list was a full order the of king crab legs. These are cracked and prepped table-side and served with drawn butter; all that's required is for you to lift out the meat and enjoy with the butter and lemon. King crab legs are a wonderful thing and I probably don't need to go into detail about how good these are, only to say that these were the most flavorful I've had in recent memory. Amongst the group we split orders of the macaroni and cheese and creamed spinach. Since I was mostly occupied devouring the proteins, I had very little of the sides, but they were both quite good. By now the group was stuffed, but this was a special night out for us so we went all in and ordered a pair of desserts: slices of Boston cream pie and banana cream pie. The Boston cream pie has a nice richness-to-lightness ratio and it held together very nicely, unlike at some other places where the cake falls apart after a few bites. The banana cream pie was sweet in its own right with perfect cream topping. Overall, I left extremely full but also 100% satisfied with the food and service. Back home in Los Angeles I have an abundance of top-rate steak and seafood choices, but I can say with confidence that Joe's has topped my list, and when I return I will certainly pay another visit. An easy 5 star recommendation.
(5)Ellen D.
If you love steak and seafood, then you will absolutely love Joe's. The quality of food here is outstanding and the service is impeccable. The boy and I came here for our anniversary, and he got major points for the restaurant pick! We started with the Crab and Artichoke Gratin - it was unbelievable - cheesy and delicious. I had a lobster tail and the man had a steak - both were amazing and cooked to perfection. This is a great place if you're OK with spending a bit more money than usual... but the food and service is definitely worth the money!
(5)Mihir P.
I'll make this quick. EAT AT JOE'S. Get: - Alaskan king crab legs and not the Jonah or Stone. - Bone-in ribeye or any of the other bone-in steaks It is "bang your head against the wall" awesome!
(5)Brent H.
Rock crab appetizer, 2 great bottles of red and the bone-in filet mignon makes for one great night at Joe's.
(5)B L.
A family member took us here in early November. We'd heard all the hype and opted to go. While my sister's sea bass was outstanding, my halibut was very very DRY. I was sorely disappointed. Service was good. The waiter was very professional. In the end, I think there's better seafood to be found in Chicago.
(3)Marisol D.
Great wine selection and ambiance. Although pricey, go for the stone crab claws as they're the best things on the menu (they are served chilled unless you ask for them to be served hot). Very pricey; not sure its worth the expense.
(3)Jeff D.
When I saw how highly rated Joe's was, I knew I had to step in to review this place and truly let you know just how God-awful it is. We took my wife's parents here for my mother-in-law's birthday in July. Our steaks were not prepared the way we requested them. Our waiter talked to us about our menu choices, served us a bottle of wine, and was never seen from again. Service? The O'Hare Terminal 2 McDonald's has better service. Food? I would have been more satisfied with Outback Price? COMPLETELY not worth it. I think this place is a tourist trap. It's right near the Nordstrom near Michigan Avenue and a bunch of hotels. So if you're a tourist and you're looking for a GREAT Chicago steakhouse, DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME GOING HERE. There's nothing authentic or remotely good about this place. Ed Debevic's may be the only place worse than this that I've been to in Chicago.
(1)Trish C.
This place makes me wish I lived in Chicago. Alas, I can only enjoy while on a business trip. We were only able to sit in the bar area (they were booked solid) but service there was impeccable. One coworker had asked for a "manly" drink and was given a Manhattan but I guess it was too manly for him. :) But our server promptly took it away and gave him something else, no charge. She made it feel like we were sitting at a regular table, giving us ample attention and time. My two coworkers had steak, both cooked to their specifications and cut like butter. They split a BLT salad, which they couldn't stop raving about. I took the fish special, the John Dory, which was served with a brown butter sauce and all I can say is, if I could have fish like that every day, I'd never eat meat again. Our sides were the Jennie potatoes and the sugar snap peas. As a carb lover, you can't go wrong with cheesy potatoes topped with toasted bread crumbs. And I've never been a veggie lover, but I could eat those snap peas every day - so crisp and flavorful. Dessert was to die for. Havana cake (picture tres leches cake for rich people) and banana cream cake. Be sure to make room. You locals are lucky to have a place like this.
(5)Charles H.
I had the filet Mignon and fried green tomatoes, my girlfriend had the stone crab and something else. The service was really friendly and helpful. The place was cool, really chintzy. The best part was the other customers. These really fat, pissed off rich people. At one point one of these femme-yuppies came racing past our table, into the bathroom, on the phone, screaming at the person at the other end to call 911. I had a really good time.
(4)Rodrigo J.
The bone-in filet was very good and the stone crab was good also. I ordered my filet medium and it was cooked perfectly! I will be back again, next time I will try the bone-in ribeye!
(5)Kellie A.
Food and atmosphere were both great
(5)C-Line H.
Joe's never, ever, EVER disappoints me. I start with a good cocktail (a STRONG South Beach Peach) and medium stone crabs with extra mustard sauce! Crabcakes, bone in filet (rare!), Joe's scallops, lobster tempura, crab bisque, roasted summer corn (in season) and my hot damn favorite... Nantucket Cape Scallops!!!! So sweet that they melt in your mouth - and so rare to get a chance to wrap your lips around them! And if you ever get the pleasure, have the John Dory... I promise it will make your life (only in season, and I always get lucky!).
(5)Barri S.
This review is for brunch. The have a special brunch menu for $25.00 you get 3 courses. Absolutely amazing!! The banana cream pie is life changing. If it's Sunday and you're reading this, leave and go immediately!
(5)Christina G.
I am writing a review even though I haven't been here in at least 2 years, because I MISS THIS PLACE!!! They have the BEST stone crab and steak, no shock or surprise there! Service has always been top notch. Wines are great and your glass is always filled. The restaurant gets full but the crowd is fun considering the prices are so high end. Need to take some time out and get back here!!
(5)Adam M.
I just returned from lunch at Joe's, and overall it was an enjoyable experience. The service was attentive, quick, and did a good job of explaining items on the menu and the daily specials. 4 stars We had the crab cake and the ceviche; the crab cake was delicious and contained a very generous portion of crabmeat. The ceviche was fairly standard fare, although seemed fresh. 4 stars (4.5 for the crab cake, 3.5 for the ceviche) Flavor-wise, the stone crab bisque was delicious, although was lacking in crab - it was pretty much a bowl of well seasoned cream, with a few tiny bits of crabmeat at the bottom - I expected more. 3.5 stars I ordered the 8oz filet my main course - I asked for it medium rare, and it came out slightly past medium; the inside was lightly pink, but it was definitely overcooked. I also found the meat to be overseasoned - it was too salty. I've had a lot of better prepared, better tasting steaks than this. It was disappointing. 2 stars The side dishes were good - Lyonniase potatoes and asparagus. The potatoes were perfectly cooked, however the asparagus was slightly underdone - and a tiny bit rubbery. 3 stars It ended up being about $30 a person for lunch. Not exactly inexpensive. Overall the meal was very good, aside from the filet. Also to note - I wasn't the only person in my party who's steak was overdone.
(3)Luke S.
This place is my favorite restaurant in the city, but they also have the best service. Frankie is the best server in Chicago (tied with Dee from La Gondola). They make you feel like royalty and the food is cooked to perfection! It's worth every penny! Get the steak (bone in filet!).
(5)Colleen D.
What is so special about snow crab claws? This is the 2nd time I've been duped into ordering them and they are tasteless. A TON of work to get a little meat out of the small, sticky shell and then nothing. No taste whatsoever. I've had other entrees here and everything else is top notch. I wouldn't have thought to order steak here but a server one time highly recommended it and he was right on. All of the side dishes are very good - today we had Jennies Potatos - seemingly plain but very good. The bread basket - very good. Home made cole slaw was pretty good. I've had spinach in the past - excellent. Scallops on special - excellent. Desserts - key lime pie and banana foster pie - excellent - not too big but sharable. I'll definately come here again but if I have a taste for crab - I'll skip the hype of the claws and go for the legs.
(4)Cecilia T.
My husband and I came here for Restaurant Week and had a great experience! I'd say the best thing about Joe's is their top notch service - they are very personal and attentitive. For starters they offer a special variety of yummy dinner rolls and breads. Multiple waiters greeted us, filled our water, and our own waiter gave us 3 complimentary wine tastings and we settled with a glass of Zinfandel. WINE: Rox was our waiter = he was so great and charming! He knew his wines although don't be afraid to disagree with his suggestions as he aims to please! He also suggested other Pinots we might like and ended up writing down both the name of the wine we selected as well as other Pinots that he had suggested were great and could be bought at Costco. How thoughful! Our wine was served at the perfect cool temperature STARTERS: -The best selection we had that night was the Lobster Bisque - it was really tasty and a standout dish!! I'm still thinking about it right now. Mmmm mm mm ENTREES: I ordered the Filet Mignon & Lobster Combo - the beef was very high quality but because Joe's puts the spices on the side to flavor to your taste , it wasn't as mindblowing of a flavor as Ruth Chris's steak that comes out flavored and spiced to perfection. Not a fan of sprinkling spices on my beef - i'd rather it be already grilled/marinated into the beef. The Lobster was pretty good. The side items were huge - a generous side of potatos and a flavorful spinach and cheese dish that was delish. Super filling so we had our sides to go. DESSERT: By the time we hit dessert, I was completely stuffed, but this was SO good. Probably my next fav dish after the Lobster Bisque. We ended up wrapping leftovers for this as well! ATMOSPHERE: Acoustics are great in this restaurant - despite being crowded due to Restaurant week, we felt private and comfortable in our booth and could hear each other just fine. I definitely have to say that Joe's Restaurant Week deal is EXCELLENT - you get great portions but come on an empty stomach if you expect to make a dent in the food!
(4)John B.
Unbelievable. One of the top five meals of my life. A Monday nite and the place was absolutely jammed. 15 of us from work had the private room in the back. Amazing wine and martinis to start the evening. Appetizers that were out of this world. Coconut shrimp, mushrooms, stone crab and potato medley that was amazing. And then, the Dover Sole filleted table side. The tastiest and most cooked to perfection piece of fish ever. And then deserts of all kinds including the famous key lime pie which was terrific. The banana cream pie and chocolate cake were out of his world too. Do not miss this place if you are in Chicago.
(5)Shark S.
OMG, truly Joe's is the best. Been there a dozen times but pease, Beth R shut up. No one cares about your 3rd party life.
(5)Angelo P.
I have visited Joe's for lunch on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed with the food or service. Bread basket is very solid; butter is excellent. Note: I like reviewing the rather insignificant things, but they do make a difference in my eyes (more on that topic later!) In terms of the soup, I would also say it's average. The lobster bisque sounds better than it actually tastes. Don't expect to find large pieces of lobster in it. Salad however is excellent, as they offer many unique dressings all of which are delicious. I am a HUGE fan of all of their side dishes and appetizers, especially the oysters Rockefeller, Jennie's potatoes, and hashed browns. Even if you do not like oysters, you will love the oysters Rockefeller guaranteed. In terms of the steak, I would say it is simply above average and not excellent. I recently ordered the rib eye based on the waiters strong recommendation (side note: he looked like he was near orgasm as he was describing the taste of the steak) and I was not impressed. While it was cooked according to my specifications, the taste just wasn't there and I felt it was not up to par with what I would normally expect from a place like Joe's. The seasoned salt was probably the best part about the steak and I would've been pretty disappointed without it. A high quality steak should taste great on its own and seasonings should simply be an added bonus. I can honestly say I can make a better steak at home for a 1/4 of the price if not less. I imagine their stone crab is probably the way to go based on other people's reviews... The desert is out of this world, especially the chocolate peanut butter pie and key lime pie - nothing beats it, but I'm sure it comes with a 4,000 calorie per slice price tag. Awkward transition but nothing screams you are in a high quality restaurant like super thick disposable napkins in the bathroom and state of the art splash guards in the urinal. I am definitely a fan and wish more restaurants invested in the little things like this. Overall I would say Joe's delivers excellent 5 star service (if you are into that), though I would say food is somewhere between 3 and 5 stars depending what you order.
(4)Dave P.
Just one more thing I love about Joe's in addition to the bowl of crab bisque is that they serve @Intelligentsia coffee.
(5)Phyllis S.
Hi Everyone I only went to Joe's once, and that was enough to have me write about this pace. This establishment is packed especially on the weekends. But trust me if you can get a reservation just go get seated and be treated!!i The wait staff is fantastic, the food is marvelous. For the life of me cannot recall exactly what I ordered but it was sinfully delicious. It is a bit pricey but totally worth every penny.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Sarah M.
Most DELICIOUS dinner I have EVER had in Chicago! AMAZING! I ate every single bite off my plate. The Seafood Salad was so yummy! HIGHLY recommend for special occasions.
(5)Suzy D.
We came here for dinner with my in-laws. We ordered some crab legs to start. My husband and his parents all got steaks, and I got the dover sole. Everything was delicious! I think I personally still prefer the steaks at Gibsons, but the pro of coming to Joe's is that they have great steaks, as well as some tasty seafood...so in a way there's a bit more variety. Everything feels old school and traditional. This is a great place to bring parents! Just be sure to make reservations.
(4)emily h.
Simply the best!! Love this place! My husband and I have been here a handful of times but usually reserve it for special occasions because it is a little pricey. We lucked out a few weeks ago and a friend hosted the rehearsal dinner for his wedding here. SCORE!! I ordered the bone in fillet Mignon!! It was really tasty! My husband literally was licking the bone he liked it so much!!! If you come here, I also recommend getting the hash brown potatoes!
(5)Donald W.
Great restaurant. My wife and I went their to celebrate our 1 year anniversary and absolutely loved it. Not the most intimate setting but the food and service were excellent. Not a crab person but we both had the lobster and it was cooked to perfection along with the filet.
(5)Jason W.
I was here about a week ago with some friends in from out of town. Unfortunately, this was not a stellar performance. While I have never had a bad meal here, I would say that this was the worst meal out I've had in a while. Of the four of us, 3 of the dishes were overcooked. This included what should have been a beautiful aged steak, the special fish of the day, and the scallops. I do not expect this type of food from Joe's, and it has not been my normal experience, but I think it is only fair to grade them honestly on the meal that they served. And it was poor. That being said, I would still go back here and recommend Joe's. The only reason for this is that I have had several excellent meals here in the past. But if this had been my first meal at Joe's, I would not give them a second chance. I would encourage anyone eating here that is not satisfied with their food to send it back and have it redone. They would be happy to do it, and frankly, you should get a high quality meal here, which is their norm.
(2)Jennifer S.
Excellent restaurant - the service was top notch, the atmosphere was upscale and lively and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the king crab legs and the scallops - yummy!
(4)Erin K.
Had a great lunch here the other day! My boyfriend and I split 3 apps: the crab cakes, crab au gratin, and the shrimp de jogne. Everything was good but the crab au gratin was definitely the best! Our server was Liz- she was great. She was very friendly and attentive and took care of everything perfectly. Only thing I'd say is this restaurant is just not quite my speed for lunch, just too formal (and too much food for me that early in the day! i go into food coma!). Much better atmosphere for dinner, in my opinion. Great spot, though. I'll definitely be back for dinner. And hopefully brunch too, their crab benedict sounds amazing!
(4)Shayna N.
I took my husband here for his birthday dinner (just the two of us) and we had a fabulous time. The dining room was packed but they seated us in a corner booth, which was both private and romantic. The service was also incredible. There was a hole team of attendants from the server to the bussers to the guy who opened our wine, the guy who delivered and refilled our waters. Everything was perfectly on time and we never waited or had to ask for anything. Our server was also super friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. We ordered the following: - king crab claw - bone in filet mignon - encrusted flounder - creamed spinach side - mashed potato side Everything is a la cart so we got to pick and choose our meals. The sides were both gigantic and definitely made to share. EVERYTHING was super delicious. AND at the end of the night they brought out a complimentary key lime pie and fudge brownie with ice cream and a candle with out me even asking for it (I had told them it was my husbands bday when i made the reservation, that's all) It was a truly memorable and special night.
(5)Jessica D.
Joe's is like the person you can never say no to and why would you?? This place speaks for itself! I haven't eaten anything here that I didn't like (lobster tails, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, stone crab) but the absolute best is the alaskan king crab!! The sweet succulent taste is so mesmerizing that you will go home, dream about it and leave you craving for more! I absolutely love this place!
(5)Angel N.
Their stone crab claws are to die for. The special mustard-y/horse radish sauce that comes with it is SOOO delish. And I'm not even a fan of cold crab claws and horse radish. Definitely make a rezo as this place was still packed at 11pm weekend night. From what I remember, everything we ordered was amazing including their desserts. It's all a blur now but I remember when my filet mignon came I barely had room anymore and then of course somehow I managed to gobble a bunch of their desserts. LOL.
(5)Cindy K.
Loved it. And our awesome waitor prevented us from ordering too much food. The steak and stone crab was fabulous. The manhattan clam chowder is hands down the best i have ever had. And we saw hank Aaron.
(5)Karen L.
This is such a great deal during restaurant week! You get great food and great service! I will have to admit, I am not one to love this type of restaurant - old school, classic Chicago steakhouse, that frequents tourists, locals, and celebrities. They do some darn good business there, I am amazed they would even participate in Restaurant week. It was a zoo the night we went. I tried the crab bisque - VERY tasty! I would definitely get that again. For the entree I opted for the stone crabs. They were good, but too hard and messy to eat. Luckily after dinner they came around with a lemon to wash your hands and then gave you a wet hot towel. I loved this!! I also tried the filet, which was fantastic! It was done perfectly for sure. The side dishes were just ok to me, we had a party of 6 so had all of the sides with the different entrees we had. The hash browns and special potatoes were mediocre, as well as the cole slaw and tomato salad. We were all so full that we could barely eat our dessert... but I will have to admit the key lime pie was rather tasty! Overall, a great dining experience. Loved the service, and was a excellent value during restaurant week. You have to try Joe's at least once in your life.
(4)Julie N.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago - excellent service, food and atmosphere. Been lots of times and keep going back for more.
(5)Ian S.
Went here for restaurant week last year and didn't disappoint. Food was great and servers were really nice. Service was prompt. Next time I come here, I definitely wanna try more from their menu. Overall, a good experience for a quick lunch. Definitely will be back
(5)Chris S.
If I had to eat one restaurant in Chicago before I died this would be it. First, they get their seafood flown in fresh from Miami where the original Joe's Stone crab exists. Second, their steaks are the best I have ever enjoyed. Don't get me wrong you are going to drop some coin to eat at this restaurant but this is a great "occasion" type of restaurant. Again, when my wife and I visit Chicago we try to have one of our dinners at this restaurnt. Please go eat here.
(5)Hannah C.
WOW. Took my grandparents here and fell in love. Not a carnivore or shellfish-eater (which you'd think would be a problem considering the name of this place), but there were plenty of other options. I ordered the salmon which was ridiculous. Their sides are absurdly good (um Lyonnaisa potatoes....uh-mazing), even my chopped salad was incredible. I can't remember what dessert we all split but it was GF and, you guessed it, delicious. They are also a member of Lettuce Entertain You so they have a gluten-free menu and it's not one of those pathetic one-item gluten free menus....I promise. Our waitress (can't believe I'm forgetting her name) was superb and super beautiful, and totally put up with my extremely particular grandfather very graciously. Will absolutely be going here next time some generous visitors come to town...
(5)Tiffany T.
I will give their filet mignon an honorable mention, but the thing to try here are their stone crab claws!! It was the most memorable part of my dining experience here and I would come again just for those crab claws. Definitely on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for!
(4)Ly C.
I LOVE this place! I can't believe I didn't write a review until now. If you ask me where I want to go for lunch or dinner at anytime, this is hands down my first choice. Every time I've been there, the food is top notch, and the service is always excellent. Plus the price point is very fair for the quality of food you get. I've had the filet mignon (super juicy, not dry at all, cooked perfectly), the crab claw (sooo tasty I could eat a bucket of it), the seafood salad (YUM! so refreshing with a light, not creamy dressing! and tons of seafood), side of potatoes (humongous! yet I have to fight myself from finishing it). BUT the highlight of Joe's is their dessert. I would kill cute animals for their Banana Creme Pie, drizzled with caramel and roasted sweetened pecans, it's just heaven in my mouth. Other people also love their key lime pie and peanut butter pie, (which admittedly, not my favorite flavors were also yummy) but for me nothing beats the banana creme pie.
(5)James S.
Very good dinner. Waiters in black ties, Dress Casual should is the scene. We had the medium Stone Crabs to share at the table. Very Sweet. Served cool. Bone in Ribeye Steak special was amazing flavorful, the Bone in Filet was tender and cooked perfectly. Loved the Blue Cheese with Bacon Wedge Salad. Just an overall good experience. Service was very professional.
(4)Graeme F.
Solid seafood restaurant - beware the side dishes, the portions are massive but incredibly tasty. Simply amazing desserts too.
(4)Ryan W.
They really do it right at Joe's. My fiancee and I have gone a couple times for special occasions. I loved the bone-in fillet I had the first time- it's a must try for steak lovers. This last time I was there, I had the petite fillet with Alaskan King Crab legs. Simply awesome. With all the great restaurants in Chicago, this is one of our top few. The only downside is that due to its popularity, it's hard to get a reservation. We found the trick: 4:30 dinner before a Bulls or Blackhawks game worked great!
(5)Lisa J.
Hands down the best service and meal of my life. Creative and talented bartender, very helpful and professional waiter. He offered great suggestions. Fish, crab, steak, soup, pie- all spectacular. Come hungry!
(5)Darrin D.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Chicago. King Crab Legs Chopped Salad Fried Chicken (split with the table, its the best you will ever have) NY Strip or Filet depends on how hungry I am. every time...
(5)Cyn C.
Himiny Jiminy!! How can Chicago have better seafood than Boston? INCONCEIVABLE!! But Joe's Crab has bested all of the traditional seafood restaurants I've tried here in Boston. The experience seemed to be perfectly matched with the Sound of Music soundtrack... so... "let's start at the very beginning... a very good place to start..." 1) Reservations are a must 2) Coat check by the door 3) At the table, you are immediately greeted with water, and a DELIGHTFUL bread basket. The bread basket almost needs it's own review (There's a parmesan crisp, raisin bread, rye, pumpernickel, onion roll, challah roll, and more, oh my!) "These are a few of my favorite things..." As appetizers, we ordered some stone crab claws (their signature dish) and their special (Alaskan king crab legs). Both were served steamed and chilled. The stone crab claws are served with a super yum sauce (like kind of horseradish-y/dijon mustard-y). It's a very meaty crab. The Alaskan king crab legs... HOLY MOLY they were SO BIG. And juicy. And sweet. MY absolute, hands down favorite dish of the night. By the way, both kinds of crab are served pre-cracked, so that you don't have to work too hard for your dinner. "I must've done something good" To deserve dinner at this place. A terrific choice for a special occasion! I ordered the chilean sea bass (omg, it melted in my mouth) served with a sweet tomato coulis, friends ordered the fisherman's platter (broiled) and crab cakes. The broiled scallops and shrimp were excellently seasoned and perfectly cooked, and the crab cakes were crunchy w/o being greasy. We shared sides of broccoli (served with cheesy butter sauce on the side) steamed asparagus, and a baked sweet potato (served with butter and brown sugar). I could've made a meal out of the sides. "So long, farewell" We finished the night off by sharing a piece of the key lime pie. It was good, but I think perhaps my tastebuds were done by that point. My friends were joking that you almost can't drink the water b/c the service is so attentive (new plates for every appetizer course, table crumb cleaning, water all the time, warm hand towels, etc etc). Our waiter was spot on with his recommendations (on food, wine, dessert) and I can not wait to have another chance to dine at this exceptional restaurant.
(5)Johnny R.
I'll confess, I'd like to eat steak every day. Now that I have that out there, let me share my nice dining experience at Joe's. Wally K. served us, he is great. Gotta say, when your primary contact at a restaurant has a great attitude and likes what he does, it adds to the dining experience. I had some stone crab appetizers with their mustard sauce. Nice. My inner glutton wanted 20 of them. I had the dry aged ribeye, I think it was 40 days. Very tasty, very juicy. I thought it was very good. I didn't add any salt or pepper, it was really perfect. I don't recall what it cost but if it was $35-40 I'm okay with that, but not much over. Had the key lime pie... Ka-pow! Had zingy nice flavor. Great crust. FYI for the bizz crowd, I got in at 11:45 and we beat a massive crowd by about 15-20 minutes and then it was completely crowded. The restaurant I think is good place to have a bizz lunch. I don't think I'd go there with the wife but only because I think of other places with more smoky ambiance if you know what I mean.
(4)Jeff L.
My issue is one of expectations. For such a highly rated restaurant I expected MUCH better. Food was "good", but -had to wait 40 minutes past reservation time to get our table -which wouldn't have been a problem if the bar area was in any way adequate for the wait (they have way too many tables shoved into this space and far to few servers - 15 minutes to get first drink) -dinner table was not a standard size, it was tiny (and we were in the dining area, not the bar). Its almost as if the professional management of this Lettuce Entertain You chain has taken control and calculated that smaller tables will allow more tables and then more checks and thus increased profits. My seat bumped up against the chair behind me and the table wasn't big enough to hold our food -waitress was VERY friendly and apologetic. No issues with her. -ordered 2 very pricey bottles of wine, but took way too long. we had to wait 25 minutes for first bottle (about 15 minutes after a solo drinker was served her wine by the glass). Our second bottle didn't come until 10 minutes AFTER entree was served (and only because we had to ask for it again). My only conclusion is that this is why i don't like chain restaurants. They lose the passion of original owners. This place is set up to maximize profits, which i have no problem with, but its not worth a 2nd visit (and I wish I'd gone elsewhere instead of my 1st visit).
(2)Amy A.
I love this steakhouse. Great tasting steaks. Best crab bisque ever. And who knew grilled tomatoes with pureed spinach and cheese would taste that good???
(5)Brian M.
Great food, great service, waiter Hank was great. not cheap by any means but you get what you pay for.
(5)Rakesh S.
OMG!! OK. So they weren't the best at keeping my reservation time - 15 min late. But that is pretty typical for busy restaurants, and definitely worth the wait. Best service I have ever had at any restaurant. And I am a service snob. So this may not be the best place to bring your 2 year old and 11 month old kids, but they didn't mind. I was in Chicago and wanted great food, and wasn't going to let my kids keep me from getting it. Did my server mind? Absolutely not. Kids menu, spoons to play with, bread to throw!! Never batted an eye. Bread basket was not stingy. Many different varieties. My favorite was a toasted raisin bread. I know, it sounds weird and I almost didn't try it. Stone crab were an interesting new delicacy. Good I must say. Oyster Rockafeller was the best I've ever had. When the 11 month old got a little ruly, we asked to have the entrees packaged up to go. Not a problem. Was quick and prompt - prior to nuclear meltdown. That was a welcome service I would pay twice as much for. Food was still great at the hotel. I cut my filet mignon with a plastic fork. Yep, you read it correct. A PLASTIC Fork. Better than Bern's steakhouse. Not sure how, but you'll have to trust me - it just was. Crab legs were great too - although I could have eaten a few more. They packaged it with melted butter. Scallops melted in your mouth. Shrimp were huge and succulent. Everything was top par. FYI, I ordered the filet/crab combo dish and sampled my family member's dishes. One regret. I should have ordered dessert to go as well. If it was on par with the appetizers and entrees, then I have my last meal all figured out.
(5)K S.
Oh my- waiting area is tiny, chaotic and loud. Cocktail waitress was one unhappy, snarly camper on the night of our visit. So entrance and 45 minute wait over our reservation time was unpleasant. Thank God once we got in, our waiter Tim made up for all of that. He was fantastic. Great service. Great sommelier, great wine selection. Food was excellent. We will be going back (and staying away from the cocktail waitress!).
(4)M G.
Delicious food. I'm not a big fan of seafood but this place makes me love it. Good service too.
(5)KM M.
I'll keep it short and sweet. AGAIN, I love this place. Excellent service, amazing food. Top of the line for both. And, the fact that they've extended restaurant week for the entire MONTH of March, oh Joe's... did you do that for my birthday month? I appreciate it, and I'll be back. I can't stop thinking about the key lime pie.
(5)Kappa Y.
I had originally assumed this place was a tourist trap. I was missing out. Ive gone 4 time in the last year and love it. One of my favorite places for steak in Chicago. I recommend the oysters Rockefeller over the stone crab though. Great professional service. Place is always packed however you can always mange to carry on a conversation without trouble.
(5)Sasha M.
I had a good time at Joe's last night with my besties. Reservations were at 9:00 we got seated right away. Our waiter (I forgot his name) was really attentive. I got the Alaskan crab from the restaurant week menu. Wow my crab bisque was yummy. It had alot of flavor i'm still thinking about it. After that my crab came with hashbrowns and cole slaw absolutely delish! My crab was served hot it was so fresh, good flavor to it. I barely dipped it in the drawn butter. My hashbrowns were really good it's big too! I had to hook it up a little bit with black pepper and my favorite ranch dressing lol! Now the coleslaw I took one look at it and didn't even bother it had to much relish in it. Last but not least the key lime pie it was great not to tart or sweet it hit the spot definitely! It was cramped we were seated between two parties yikes! It was ok though because a guy from one of the tables started talking to me so of course being me I started flirting *giggles* he was so cute. I had a great time at Joe's can't wait to come back.
(5)Gary B.
I grew up in the restaurant business and know good food & service. Joe's food quality was excellent along with a generous portion size. The apple pie was the best I had ever had (made in house). The highlight was our server Monique. She was so genuine and sincere. She really had our best interest at heart throughout her menu explanation and service. She made. A great meal even better with attention and professional attitude. Ask for her if you book a reservation.
(5)Jenny T.
Before celebrating such a classy event like Matt L's bday , one must eat equally as fine. Joe's was the place to celebrate good food, good drink, and Matt's birthday dinner...without Matt. Sorry 'bout that bestie. Ryan's family took me on Saturday night & boy was I impressed. We began the night with Madagascar shrimp, which are shrimps that are definitely bigger than my fist which are thrown on a grill & seasoned to perfection. We then had to try the Stone crab, which was absolutely sinful. I mean the freshness of the crab was something I had never experienced before & I like my seafood. I wasn't a fan of the dipping sauce, but I'm not big into mayo so that may be why. We then also had chopped salads, which were really good. The dressing was a tad too creamy, but the crisp lettuce & the very light blue cheese made up for it. On top of all of this, I also had an entree. I had their grouper special, which came with a pineapple/mango salsa on the side. I really really wanted to like this dish because I'm all about sweet & savory, however, the fish was sooo sooo salty. It didn't stop me from eating half of it, but I had to down a whole glass of water to keep from having my tongue dry out. Oh shit, I almost forgot about the sides! We had the most delicious & cheesy Mac n' Cheese, which I definitely had seconds of. We had asparagus, which was very plain but I love asparagus so I didn't mind at all. Finally, we also had a tomato side which was a tomato slice with creamed spinach, bread crumbs, and cheese on top. Those were really good, but I was a bit scared to have my own so I kept stealing bits of Ryans. We didn't stay for dessert since we were already late for Matt L's bday, but I wouldn't of had room anyway. After writing this review though I don't understand where all of it went & am definitely planning a trip to the gym, ha!
(5)Jad N.
Wasn't a big fan of the crab (just don't like crab in general), and I've had much better ceviche elsewhere, but the entrees more than made up for the lackluster appetizers, with a nice juicy steak and lobster-stuffed sole, and the excellent, unmatched service.
(4)Emily U.
Went here with a group of 6 to Restaurant Week. PHENOMENAL! The waiter was so friendly and gave great recommendations, everything we got was good, can't say enough great things about the restaurant and everything we ate. I've been there full price before and would definitely go again.
(5)Chris L.
This is hands down the best seafood restaurant in Chicago. Period. Frankly it might even be the best restaurant all around. I use to live in Miami Beach and frequent the original Joe's there. Turns out this place is not affiliated except for having purchased the naming rights. That gave me pause, but the Chicago iteration of Joe's is really quite amazing. There is not really much else to be said, its that kick ass. If its out of your price range check them out for lunch, same great food at slightly lower prices and getting a reservation is not as challenging.
(5)Nancy S.
Inexperienced Maitre d'. Kept telling us to, "Please move". The lobby was like a sardine can. I asked him, "Where are we supposed to go?" He said, "I don't know." And, then, he kept asking us to move. Very frustrating. I've been there before & had great food. But, that night, my filet looked beat up & was cold. There are other steak houses in Chicago.
(3)LetsBeHonest O.
LOVE this place! This was my last full meal in Chicago and I wish I came sooner for another meal. Had the seafood salad and man, was it good! This place has plenty of rave reviews, so I will safe myself the time and energy.... Come here. Bread basket is bomb!
(5)Dee L.
Came here specifically for the stone crab. Seated at the bar area which was much more comfy. The dining area looked too froo froo for us. :o) Ordered Joe's Classic meal entailing us to yummy stone crab claws, hashed brown potatoes, cole slaw and key lime pie for dessert. The potatoes came in the shape of a dome, browned and crispy on the outside and soft cubs on the inside--not hashed, very tasty. I was amused by the claws. It comes cracked for you and I can tell why. The shells are super hard, probably 3 times as thick as crab shells, maybe as thick as a quarter. Flanking the shells off the tasty meat, they land on the plate delicately ringing clink clink. Good stuff.
(4)Dan C.
Great job Joe's! We went during "restaurant week" because I was under the impression it was VERY expensive. However, after looking at the full menu, it isn't priced as badly as I thought. We WILL be back. I loved the staff from the second we walked in. Even during "restaurant week" they treated us like we were regulars. I figured we'd get some cramped table by the kitchen. They put us in a great corner booth which was very comfortable. Food was amazing. I've been talking about my steak for the past week. The side dishes were HUGE! We ended up taking them home and they reheated very well. My only criticism is for the small crab claws. While the flavor was great, the way they were cracked left a lot of tiny shells behind. That doesn't feel good to bite into one of those. We ended up adding some crab meat to our scrambled eggs the next morning and still got to enjoy some crab shell. Regardless, great overall experience. You're going to drop some bills, but I think it's worth it.
(4)Brad B.
Normally, I'd avoid this sort of place as pricey, loaded with tourists and whatnot. However, a small group was headed to Star Trek at one of the theaters close by and we were pressed for time and unimpressed with other options....so we landed here. Sitting in the bar area at the hightop tables, we informed our waitress of our mission and she immediately sprung into action. Good wines ordered by the glass. Appetizers of crab cakes all around and main course orders in. The crab cakes were really good. My lobster / crab / seafood chopped salad was really lovely and my dinner partners enjoyed their food as well, my buddy's pork chop was reported as possibly the best ever consumed. Sure, its a bit pricey, full of tourists and whatnot but, quite enjoyable despite its obvious shortcomings. I approve and will return.
(5)Candace T.
The food was tasty and plentiful, but too pricey for me, If I hadn't been on the boss' tab. Hands down, the best part of the meal was the dessert. I had the tres leches cake, which was amazingly creamy and sweet. My friend's fudge cake was also delicious, and not too chocolatey. Disappointingly though, the key lime pie that got such raves on yelp cam in incredibly tiny portions compared to the other desserts. Even if it was delicious, it was such a letdown when it came, no wow factor at all. Wheelchair accessibility review: The restaurant is easily accessible through the front door. While I give points for not requiring some back alley entrance, this restaurant fell victim to the problem of having the accessible (non-revolving) door locked when I arrived. Not really a big deal for me, because I arrived with friends, but I always dislike the idea of needing to ask help from strangers (had I arrived alone) just to get into a restaurant that knew I was coming (we mentioned the chair at reservation placement.) Additionally, I'm unsure if there was another women's restroom that I missed, but the one I was directed to was incredibly small and unable to fit my chair in. Unless you can easily transfer, you're probably just going to have to hold it.
(4)Ben B.
We went to Joe's last night with a group of 11 people. Everything was fantastic. The black cod was the star of the dinner. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender with cinnamon and ginger sauce, more like a dessert than an entree. My wife and I split the bone-in filet mignon, medium-rare, and it was tender and flavorful, with just a slight crunch on the top. Jennie's potatoes are also a great pick, with garlic and cheese, but the fried green tomatoes are still my favorite side dish. I would highly recommend any of these. Joe's steaks are as good as any other steakhouse I've been to in Chicago. Paired with a set of excellent seafood dishes, Joe's has clearly earned its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Chicago.
(5)Bill R.
Come Hungry! Great steak and seafood and man, save room for dessert!
(5)Kevin L.
Wow! The food is well worth the $$. Petit Filet and Lobster Tail were AWESOME! Blows Ruth's Chris out of the water!!
(5)Zach R.
Mke reservations early - this place fills up fast. Unbelieveable food. Great service. On the loud side, but it does have a good energy to it. Skip the madagascar shrimp and stick to the stone crabs. Delicious. BLT salad is phenomenal. Steaks melt in your mouth.
(5)Linda C.
we were here 2 weeks ago. we had the pre fixe classic lunch of 6 ounce of filet mignon,stone crab bisque soup,hash brown potatoes, and grilled tomato. We also had the fried Fisherman's platter with shrimp, scallops, calamari and cod. We also shared the sauteed garlic spinach . we finished with the banana cream pie and orange sherbet. (I was waiting for a FREE slice of key lime pie. I read on YELP that all new patrons were offered a slice of free pie) This did not happen. So sad since we were asked if we were ever in Joe's before.
(4)Bert N.
Thank you Joe for giving me the opportunity to award you a well-deserved 5 stars. I've been wanting to give out such a rating for quite a while now, but restaurants have just been disappointing me. Not you though. I was worried that being a fine dining establishment, Joe's might give me a fuss about coming in shorts even though it was lunch. That was not the case. From the second I came in, everyone, from the host to the various servers, treated my party with great respect. After being seated, our server, Mark, asked us if we have ever been to Joe's before. We admitted that we had not and he kindly took the time to explain to us the history and reputation of the establishment. We ordered the Medium Stone Crab Appetizer (4 pieces). The stone crab claws are handpicked and it shows. They were amazing. What made it even more outstanding was the addictive Joe's mustard sauce. This is a must try. The Stone Crab Bisque was very flavorful, but I wish it had actual chunks of stone crab. For the entree, I ordered the Joe's Classic Filet Mignon lunch special. The 6 oz filet that came was excellent. Definitely one of the better steaks that I have had the pleasure of eating. The Jennie's potatoes were pretty good as well. It was not too rich and I like the fact that the bread crumbs on the top were extra crispy. The grilled tomato was ok. It was covered in spinach and then a layer of cheese. Not on par with everything else I felt. The banana cream pie for dessert was good. When they say a sliver, its not really a sliver. It is a decent size dessert. What makes this place great in my book is the fact that their service is so awesome. The servers are dressed in full tuxedos with bow ties and all. They are attentive without being overbearing. After eating our stone crab claws, our server came over with lemon and hot towels. He squeezed the lemon on to our hands as we lathered the juice over a bucket. We were then provided with hot towels. It was nice to be catered to like that. Awesome awesome place. Highly recommended.
(5)Damon M.
There really isn't much more that I can say that hasn't already been captured in my fellow Yelper's responses. So simply put, this place is amazing. Incredible Steak. Incredible Seafood. Incredible dessert. Incredible Wine. Incredible Service. Was this a lazy man's review? Yes. But that is because I was at Joe's last night and am still in a blissful food coma. Enjoy.
(5)Joe D.
I travel to Chicago regularly and always go to Joe's. It is by far, my favorite restaurant in the country. I love everything about it, the bone in filet and the king crab legs never disappoint. I do not know how to describe the atmosphere, but I love it. The best part, my man Oz. He is a professional of the highest caliber and has become a friend not to mention the best waiter I have ever had.
(5)Seema A.
Best steak in the city. Hands down.
(5)Sydney F.
First trip to Joe's=success! I have been dying to go here since I saw it on Food Network and I absolutely love seafood. I happened to be looking through Chicago's restaurant week menus and stumbled upon Joe's and YATZEE! A 3 course dinner for $33 or $44 a person (depending what you get). IOpen Table had nothing available listed for this weekend so I called and got an 11 pm reservation. We never go to dinner that late but it was a small price to pay for a little slice of heaven. We arrived early to have a few drinks at the bar while we waited and they got us in an HOUR early. Bravo! My boyfriend takes us out for nice dinners but I figured this was a deal enough where I could pick up the check. Don't get me wrong, after a few glasses of wine and a couple of cocktails it still wasn't cheap, but for two to eat and drink at this lovely establishment, $159 was totally do-able. We got the shrimp johnge appetizer (DE-lish!), and he started with a salad and I got the crab bisque which was absolutely heavenly. I will be craving that soup the rest of my life. He got the filet & lobster tail, and I got the stone crabs. Everything was awesome!! The steak was a little bit overcooked-ordered medium rare, served medium-and not the best steak in the city, but it was good! (C'mon, it's Chicago, there's a lot of other steakhouses to compete with) The dessert was also delicious- banana cream pie to die for and delightful key lime pie. Nice wine selection. Service was impeccable- Keith was an awesome guy to have helping us. This place is awesome for date night or celebrating!
(4)Sam C.
excellent steak and seafood. went for a business dinner, perfect. seated immediately, prompt and excellent service. great wine list, had broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms (amazing, with cheese), potatoes. steak was one of the best in the city. crab cakes delicious. i enjoyed the key lime pie immensely, as well as the ice cream covered in a chocolate shell. overall fantastic dinner
(4)Karina B.
Best meal during our stay in Chicago! Traveling with two young boys to a very, very busy and cramped restaurant could have been frustrating but the very attentive wait staff and prompt sommelier had us enjoying a bottle of Hitching Post and the 2nd mortgage appetizer before any meltdowns could ensue (Mama's meltdowns that is). The 2nd mortgage was a wonderful sampling of lobster, jumbo shrimp, king crab and scallop ceviche. Well worth it and superior to the Dr. Jeckyll platter from Hyde Park. The ceasar salad with sardines was delicious with plenty of garlic and lemon! The bone-in ribeye and bone-in filet were well seasoned and cooked perfectly! They offer a pretty traditional children's menu of tenders and burgers for a reasonable $7-8, but the Bros split a grilled teriyaki chicken and loved it! Take note, portion sizes are very large! As a family we split the 2nd mortgage, one ceasar salad and 2 sides with our individual entrees and were beyond stuffed! My one and only complaint was with the grilled tomato side item. A large sliced tomato topped with spinach and cheese and then grilled sounded lovely...but the cheddar cheese just didn't work. But that is a minor issue compared the the overall wonderful meal and experience!
(5)Ting C.
Excellent food and service. The bone-in filet is a must-try!!
(5)Cynthia L.
I've eaten here three times. The first time was outstanding, but the second and third times were meh...less than desirable. This place is unique in that you can order stone crab. I think for Chicagoans and most Bob Chinn-followers, stone crab is new and exciting. I think that's how I felt the first time I had them. They were succulent, and sweet. The mustard sauce is tasty, spicy and a great compliment to the stone crabs. LIke I said above, the first time it was a novelty but the 2nd/3rd time it was meh. Not sure what happened but it just wasn't as tasty as the first time. We ordered the steaks too but I prefer Gibson's. I wouldn't go back to this one again.
(2)Jeff L.
Great service and food! will definitely be back again.
(5)Jenna S.
There isn't a lot that HASN'T been said about Joe's. But, I still will write a review to testify that I LOVE IT. The steaks are always cooked to perfection, the crab (and mustard...mmmm) is one of the most amazing foods I've ever experienced, and the service is spot on. Make your reservations in advance, because of course this isn't a last minute place!
(4)Mike K.
Great place to celebate a special occassion. Took my wife their for our annevisery and they rolled out the red carpet. Maybe the best servers in the city. The food is fantastic, everything is well prepared and flavorful. Had grilled octupus, it was literally out of this world.
(5)Nathan N.
My girlfriend and I went here recently. Steaks are killer, stone crabs and crab cakes are the bomb. My favorite restaurant in chicago by far.
(5)Kiera D.
Love this place. Amazing food and consistent. The waiters are very friendly as well. Stone crabs are a must-try. Obviously... It's what they're famous for! :)
(5)Les K.
An expensive restaurant that did not live up to the standards it should have or feel like a reasonable value. Things started off bad because we had to wait an additional 25 minutes for a 7PM Sunday night reservation (using Opentable.com ). It did not help that the maître'd was gruff and did not in any way act apologetic for the delay. Between the packed crowd waiting in front area and the overall table density and layout, the place felt claustrophobic. The saving grace was that our server was exceptional and the food quality was generally pretty good, but overpriced. Overall I think I would skip this place in the future.
(3)Elena M.
Joe's, in my opinion, is not only the best steakhouse in the city, it's all-round the best restaurant from start to finish. I've been here MANY of times over the years, and each visit is consistently good, always with fresh, stellar ingredients. The Stone Crab is excellent and a great way to kick-off an awesome dinner. Another star appetizer is the Oysters Rockefeller. A must-try for anyone who loves a savory, cheesy, smokey, melt-in-your-mouth flavor...even non-oyster fans can love this. STEAK... I always go with the Bone-in Filet Mignon. This particular steak raised the bar for every cut of beef I've had in Chicago. I'm the sort of steak fanatic who likes their meat prepared simply... no fancy sauces, just a nice rub of salt and pepper. Always cooked perfectly to request (rare+ for me)... this steak is full of prime beefy goodness. And it's big, so no worries on getting a wimpy (bone-in) Filet here. My friend always gets the Bone-in Ribeye and considers it one of the best in the city... And they have both wet and dry-aged steak. You can't go wrong with any of their sides, but I usually get the Mac & Cheese and it's always tasty. Dessert is a must at Joe's. The Key Lime Pie -- the recommended and most popular -- is absolutely delicious and a perfect ending to a fantastic meal. I'm not a huge fan of sweets, but this pie is something special. Overall, this restaurant is worth the money and likely to please everyone from steak fans to seafood lovers. You'll see why there's always a wait for reservations... It's an unforgettable meal that will make you happy, and talking about for months, even years to come.
(5)Sara I.
I went here on Sat night on my first trip to Chicago, based on the Yelp reviews. I wasn't sure what to expect as the reviews are alittle mixed. I have to say, our meal here was supurb, so good we went back the next day fro brunch right beofre going to the airport to fly back to LA! We had the filet on the bone, this was the best steak I have ever had-cooked to perfection! crispy goodness on the outside, pink and juicy inside+++ We started with the lobster salad, this was also amazing! so bright and flavorful, with big chunks of lobster! Sides were: fries (yum), satueed spinach (very yum) and asparugus (just good ole asparagus here). Will definitely be back to visit Chicago, and will stop at Joes! By th way, we did not have reservations on a sat night, but were able to sit in the lounge right away, it was early though 5pm.. Truly a memeorable meal :)
(5)Agnes F.
Great seafood... oysters, stone crab, chilean seabass, salmon, cod, lobster bisques etc, supremely fresh and well executed service friendly and knowledgeable a little pricey? yes, but its worth it
(4)Scott S.
Joe's is a wonderful surf and turf restaurant with excellent service, great meat, but first and foremost wonderful stone crab. I had never tried stone crab before. It's a lot of work to extract the meat (you think regular crab shells are tough to crack?), and the meat is small (like crab always is, given the work), but it's luxurious and wonderful. So what's the big catch? Two that I found: 1. Pricey. Not a little pricey, but exorbitant pricey. This is high for a steakhouse, without the commensurate quality. 2. Even with reservations, at peak times, you may have to wait for your table. This is something I never like.
(4)May T.
While I half expected this meal to be representative of any upscale chain steakhouse like Ruth's Chris or Fleming's, I was really quite surprised by the quality of the ingredients, the execution of the food and the crowds. This place was crowded on a Sunday night, and if you didn't have reservations, you had to wait about 2 hours if you walked in around 7pm. Damn. In this economy?! Anyway, we know this because we walked in 2 hours ahead of our reservation (yes, I am prone to bouts of idiocy) and experienced first hand the crowds at 7pm. So, we hightailed it back to the hotel bar for another drink (or two or three), and waited for our table. It was worth it. The stone crabs are very sweet and the mustard sauce is scrumptious. I even dipped bread in that sauce. We shared a filet (perfectly cooked, medium rare with meat so tender, we didn't really have to chew) and fried chicken, which our driver from the airport recommended. Meh on the fried chicken, which wasn't seasoned well and I could only discern a salt brine, but WOWZA on the crab and steak. I loved their fried green tomatoes, which had a seasoned bread crumb crust and dip that matched the tartness of the tomatoes with some sweet creaminess.
(4)Beth F.
I took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner and the place was great. I enjoyed the restaurant because nothing was overdone or pretentious. I usually enjoy fine dining, but my boyfriend prefers a more relaxed atmosphere. We got an upscale meal without the snobbery or over-thought menu. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful. We started our meal with the Oysters Rockafeller. Usually oysters leave me wondering where the rest of the appetizer went, but these were delicious and perfectly portioned. Our server did mix up who's steak was to be prepared which way. I asked for medium rare and got medium. My boyfriend asked for medium and got medium rare. However, even a medium steak was cooked with care and perfectly seasoned. Our sides, the asparagus and Jenny's mashed potatoes, were well portioned and flavorful. Perfect compliments to a wonderful filet. Dessert was great... I was torn between the Havana dream and Key Lime pie. Our server suggested we got half of both. The Havana dream ended up to be just that--a rice pudding based pie served with fresh fruit and whipped cream. The key lime pie was tart with just enough sweetness. While I was happy with the wine list, we were a little disappointed with the beer selection. There was a surprisingly limited menu of beers to choose. If you are going to do valet, make sure to pull up to the door on the side of Rush street, not Grand. They will make you pull around. I thought that was a bit tacky since they are located on the corner of Rush and Grand. Overall it was a great experience. The prices were high, but not obnoxiously so. The service was good. The food was memorable.
(4)Nimit P.
It's hard not to like this place. The steaks are prime and cooked to perfection, the seafood is fresh and always plentiful, and the atmosphere is classic. If you're a fan of stone crab then you won't be disappointed. They have them in every size and you can order as many are as few as you need to satisfy your appetite. I would recommend the garlic spinach and Jenny's mashed potatoes. As far a steakhouse goes, the rules are pretty simple. Just keep the wine glasses full as you clean your plates. Hard to really go wrong at Joe's.
(4)Tammy H.
I'd give this place just two stars, but they seated us without a reservation in the bar area with a full menu and it was still classy. So they get an extra star. BUT, they get such a low rating because they are SO over priced. The steaks we ordered we great and prepared just like we wanted them to be prepared. We ordered the mashed potatoes (they have some fancy name on the menu) and are positive they are the powdered kind you get at the grocery store with some stuff thrown on top. I'm a snob about mashed potatoes... But instant mashed potatoes should not be housed in a place such as Joe's. The onion strings are as good as everyone says they are and they give you A LOT of them. My key lime pie, although tasty, was still frozen in the middle, so that's a no-no also. Weber Grill is just down the street and around the corner (I think. Either way, it's really close) and much better than Joe's.
(3)Tony L.
Stone crab!
(5)Taylor D.
Hands down the best seafood place in the city! Yes, it is VERY expensive, but you get amazing service and food. The lobster tail is incredible, and get the roasted corn for a side! DELISH! Make reservations because this place is packed every night of the week!
(5)Jacob J.
Expensive. Very, but worth it. If you are planning to go, do it all out. Stone crab is a must have. Steak is a must, try bone-in its divine. You will be full and happy.
(5)Claire B.
My hubby and I visited Joe's during Restaurant Week. A perfect Saturday evening dinner (and also our anniversary!). I ate the Crab, he had the Filet, and we both started with the Crab Bique. The food was impeccable... absolutely delicious. I loved the Key Lime Pie and he raved about his Banana Creme Pie. When we made our reservations, the host asked whether we were celebrating a special occassion... we told them it was our anniversary and they served us an additional free desert! Brownie ala mode. The only downside to the entire evening was that we were both SO STUFFED after the meal that we felt a little sick. Surely no fault of Joe's... just our overzealous bellies. I would definitely recommend Joe's for a Restaurant Week dinner. 5 stars!
(5)John G.
I just don't get it. It was good but it wasn't amazing.
(3)Candace M.
I ate here last night for a client event and I must say we had exceptional service and great food! I had the steak (cooked to perfection and tender) and lobster tails (butter sauce devine). I also had mac & cheese and green beans which were tasty (yum yum). For my drink I kept it simple and had a cosmo while everyone else had wine. For desert, most of the guests indulged in the key lime pie but I was the oddball and opted for the banana cream pie which was simply delicious. When they brought it to me there was a candle on it in recognition of my b-day that just passed, my client is such a gem. I had a nice time and this is on the top of my favorites list!
(5)Peter H.
I'm not a big fan of Stone Crab so my opinion is probably biased. I started off with the 2nd mortgage (funny name and fitting as it was expensive) and I was impressed with the quality of the seafood. Saying that, I was unimpressed with the small lobster tails and the clams weren't that appetizing (think we left most of them on the platter) I was surprised to hear that the bone-in filet mignon was their signature dish but I ordered it based on my waiters recommendation. It was cooked well but under seasoned for my taste. After a pinch of salt, I was pleased with the juiciness and quality of the beef. The side dishes (hash browns and asparagus) were mediocre. Overall, I enjoyed my meal but I've had better seafood (hugo's frog bar) and better steaks (wild fire/tango sur) for the price.
(3)Jessica R.
I don't even know where to start. This was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Every moment of our evening was delightful. It was also pretty cool that Aaron Rogers was dining behind us when we got there. And when he left, the booth was replaced by Devin Hester. How neat! Our server, Charles, was beyond attentive and helpful. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel right at home. We will definitely be requesting him on our next visit. So onto the food. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller and Fried Oysters. The Rockefeller was simply outstanding. I could eat them all day, every day, and perhaps bathe in them, for the rest of my life. The Fried Oysters were also very yummy. Next, we chowed on some Madagascar Shrimp. Perhaps Madagascar is like Texas, in that everything is bigger. MUCH bigger. Had I seen this thing walking toward me, I would have run away screaming. Good for me, they were dead, baked and begging me to eat them. Holy yum! Since we had never tried Stone Crab Claws, we moved onto that. They were a bit difficult to eat, but so worth the time and patience it took to release that succulent claw meat. Joe's prides themselves on their Stone Crab, and I can see why. Now for the main event, and my mouth is watering as I type. My boyfriend had the Bone-In Filet which was out of this world. I had the Crab Legs and believe me when I say this...You will NEVER have Crab Legs this amazing. They were absolutely to die for. Oh, and I can't forget the side of Jennie's Potatoes. I don't know who Jennie is, but I want to give her a big hug for creating such exquisite potatoes. They were baked with Asiago and Fontina cheeses and topped with bread crumbs. Fantastic! Dessert was equally as mind-blowing. We had the Peanut Butter Pie with hot fudge and a slice of Key Lime. They were both pretty unbelievable, but our favorite was the Peanut Butter Pie. The light creaminess of the pie was perfectly balanced with the crunchy Oreo Cookie crust. It was fabulous. I cannot say enough good things about Joe's, and I cannot wait to return. All in all, you can't get much better than this.
(5)blondyne b.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday after a hair appointment. My waitress was great and informative, I love great customer service. I ordered fried shrimp, king crab, and fries. The fried shrimp were delicious and so were the fries. The crab legs were cut into pieces already open...no work for me! This is by far one of my favorite seafood restaurants. A little pricy but you get what you pay for. The only this is they do not validate your parking for the garage.
(4)Emily C.
Breaking it down for you.... AMAZING: Steak. - Thick, juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly Stone crab - Sweet, tender, easy to get out of the shell, and dipped in this inanely good mustard sauce. Jennie's Potatoes - Mashed potatoes with loads of asiago and fontina cheese baked in, covered with bread crumbs. The service - holy jeebs, these guys are so cool about explaining stuff and check on you constantly. Dessert - we tried the Key Lime Pie, the Bananas Foster Cream Pie, and the Tres Leches Cake. All were out of this world. Good: Crab Cakes- they were really good but missing something I can't put my finger on. Drinks - tasty, but nothing out of the ordinary. Eh: The space - I hope they think of buying a larger place so they can spread out the lounge and dining room a little. It was jam packed and hard to hear. Still, if they can pack their place like sardines on a Thursday night in this economy, they are doing something right. And obviously, in my opinion, they're doing LOTS of things very, very right.
(4)Cheryl S.
I'm aware there are some 560 reviews for Joe's but I absolutely MUST put in my two cents!!! Words cannot describe how much I love this place!! If I could give it 100 stars, I would do so in a second. I feel like royalty when I eat here! Our waitor, Frankie, is the best waitor in the history of waitors! Funny, charismatic, helpful!!! Impeccable service from everyone in the restaurant, from start to finish! As amazing as the service is, the food is just as great! I've had both the Alaskan King crab and the stone crab (on special for only $33 including sides and a dessert during restaurant week, mind you!) AMAZING quality fish! The side dishes are bigger than your head! Whatever you do, make sure you order any of the delicious potato dishes with your meal!! You will leave in a blissfully full, euphoric state!! Best restaurant in the city, hands down.
(5)awesome H.
First off great service and very good drinks. Can't say enough about the waiter knowing their menu. However I didn't feel the food was on bar with say a Ruth Chris or Morton's. The steak was goodtbut I found the sides just ok. Lobster looked great but I went with the steak. Don't get me wrong its a good steak house but Chicago has better. Small extra tid bit, Philly Flyers dinned there the same night as I.
(3)Robert T.
Steak arrived at room temperature, but besides that all was good. Joe's has been sliding over the years in terms of quality and service
(3)Karen C.
I came here for Restaurant Week for lunch. Everything was really good, but the bisque and the banana foster were amazing. My friends who had the steak thought it was really good, especially with the spices it came with. Our server was great. He tried to accommodate for my friend who doesn't eat seafood, and even though I changed my mind on which dessert to take home after he came out with our packed-up desserts, he was very nice about it. Bottom line: If I could, I would come back for lunch for Restaurant Week. It was a good deal, and the food and service were great!
(5)Jeff S.
Very solid, high-end restaurant in Chicago. I went with a group of 10. Would have been a 5 star rating had our waiter been a bit better. He was an incredibly nice man, but unfortunately was horribly overwhelmed with the situation. He forgot to bring my drink, then came back to tell me that my particular scotch order was 86'd. My friends had their drinks a full 15 minutes prior to me getting mine, but, in the end it was really not a big deal. We ordered an oyster appetizer that came with our entrees (I had to remind our server) and he still charged full for both plates. A minor annoyance, but still worth mentioning because of the price you pay to dine here. The food was fantastic. My girlfriend and I split the bone/in filet, and the Bay Scallops and both were delicious. I was quite surprised with the quality of the steak; one of the better cuts I've had in the city. Another BIG bonus is the $20 corking fee/per bottle. Instead of dropping $100 on each bottle, you can bring your own wine and have them cork it for a mere $20. Definitely one of this restaurants better options. I'll be back. The entire staff, including our bewildered server :) was incredibly inviting, friendly, and fun. I just hope if he serves us again, he's gotten a bit more comfortable waiting tables at a restaurant of this caliber.
(4)Paula T.
Went there for a friend's birthday last night...full of tourists, but what can you expect, in River North? Menu was ok, not that many healthy options (meaning not including butter and cream). The ceviche appetizer was delicious, but after 30 minutes of waiting for a table (with reservations), I was starving. Stay away from desserts, are they are huge and heavy. But overall an interesting atmosphere, giving way to good conversation.
(4)Jenna D.
While my review for the items had previously still stands and I do highly recommend this place for the standards (filet is incredibly tasty as I'm sure are their stone crabs.) This update is only about their brunch, which I had the poor fortune of having recently. I had the grilled tomato eggs benedict and it was actually disgusting....and I never say this. The tomato was covered in a thick and unadvertised layer of pesto and the entire thing was drowning in a non-traditional "hollandaise" sauce which was apparently cheese based and tasted like melted cheese wiz. It actual makes me sick to think about it. I just want to recommend you do yourself a favor and stick to their standards...you'll be thrilled you did...and very very sad if you don't.
(1)Matt Z.
WOW! Stone Crab Claws were delicious, The crab cakes are a MUST... Some of the best I've had from anywhere in the world. They are amazing!
(5)Rebecca H.
We went to eat here a few months ago after amassing a pile of gift cards to Lettuce Entertain You. Somehow we managed to get a reservation only a week in advance - but caution as this usually means you get the worst table. We did get the worst table in the place. Near the busy kitchen, between 2 large and loud groups with 2 inaccessible chairs due to corner-cramming of the table. Anyway, we knew this would probably happen so no hard feelings towards Joe's. However, it was kind of disheartening to wait 30 minutes for a 5:00pm reservation... and the host was a major jerk. There was no control over patrons in the bar and in line - both melding together and making a crowded mess of us trying to figure out how to get dinner. We started with the special - Alaskan king crab appetizer. We skipped the stone crab and after seeing one of our neighbor guests order it, I'm not sure I would have liked it. They cut the legs up for you and make it very easy to eat without spraying your dining partner with crab juice resulting from a poor plier position. The drawn butter was good. We then split a salad. The bread was good - there is a roll that has onions INSIDE the roll - holy crap it was good. We both had the bone in fillet. It was one of the best steaks we have ever had. They were cooked perfectly and the proper temperature. We also had Jennie's potatoes and green beans. They were decent at best - mostly lacking much flavor. We finished with key lime pie - which was awesome! The guy clearing our table made a comment about which one of us would finish off the last few bites of pie - it was like he was our mother telling us to clear our plates before we could be excused. Anyway. The drinks were not original and pretty overpriced. The service was great - our waiter had a human expression (not overly cheery like at the other LUEY) and was helpful without being annoying. We had a good time. I like places where they don't bring each course while you are still eating the previous one. I like places that don't rush you out the door when you are done.
(4)Dana M.
I'm a total seafood lover and I've never even heard of Stone Crab... My bad and my loss until now. It's a thicker shelled crab than dungeoness, blue, and Alaskan so Joe's does you a favor by cracking it very well for easier access to the sweet meat within. I wish we had stopped there with the appetizers becuase the shrimp cocktail was by far the worst I've ever had in ny life. I've never tasted a meally chlorinated shrimp before... Really Joe's... Your bad. I'll definitely come back but beware of the shrimp cocktail! Dinner was delicious aside from that disaster. They are certainly known for their bone-in filet fir good reason. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The grilled sweet corn was incredible as were the cheesy mashed potatoes. Next time I'll save room for desert. All those home-made pie options were mouthwatering
(4)Rebecca C.
I'm a total sucker for the side dishes at this place. I once had a delicious parmesan crusted halibut on special that absolutely KILLED me...but, I digress..SIDES: Aside from your main dish, make sure you make room for these... Fried Green Tomatoes (sliced, breaded, and deep-fried to perfection -- yum!!) Jennie's Potatoes (Mashed taters covered in cheese and bread crumbs) On the healthier side, the Asparagus is delish! Get this side grilled! If you not totally stuffed (hell, even if you are), get the Key Lime Pie for dessert.
(4)Steve T.
I'm conflicted with this review. I want to give it 3 stars for the following reason, but will give it 4 since the food was delicious. The 3-star complaint is because we weren't seated until 30-45 minutes after our reservation time, which in my perspective then becomes call ahead seating, which a reservation is NOT. The front desk guy was also quite bitchy to us about it, and for this being a very popular and somewhat upscale establishment, was not acceptable. It's really never acceptable, but with the reputation they're supposed to have, they should check their bitchatude at the door. That said, the food was delicious, so I am rating the food, not the front desk. I ordered the sea scallops wrapped in bacon, a baked potato, and had a couple glasses of wine. The scallops were extremely fresh, soft, and not sandy at all. They were perfectly cooked, and the bacon added just the right addition of extra flavor.
(4)Eric E.
Awesome! I had one of the best steaks ever.
(5)Rika K.
Good stone crab. Decent steaks. Great pies. Sides are absolutely horrible. Probably the best thing on the menu is the ahi sandwich. Great flavors. Would have given it 4 stars but its so expensive that you really just expect more out of it.
(3)Pam B.
Joe's was a great experience for New Year's Eve. We had made reservations for 9 PM, arrived about 10 minutes before, and were seated right at 9. Our server was very attentive to our needs and timely with bringing us drinks and our food. The food was DELICIOUS!! My boyfriend and I each ordered the Filet and Stone Crab combo, the Jennie's mashed potatoes, and green beans. No appetizers even though I had thought of ordering the Stone Crab as an appetizer but I am glad I didn't. The combo was very filling! Steak was done just the way I ordered (med-rare). Jennie's mashed potatoes are a must!! The breadcrumb crust along with the cheese mixed in the potatoes are a wonderful combination :) Green beans were flavorful and cooked just right... Also ordered the banana cream pie, since I am not a fan of Key Lime pie. Excellent choice and way to top off our night! Overall, I can't say anything bad about our experience and my expectations were exceeded! Glad we went and would definitely go there again.
(5)Louise H.
My first time visiting this restaurant. It was a very busy Saturday night but we were promptly seated at our reserved time. Our waiter Oz was very knowledgeable, funny, and attentive. We ate the pretzel crusted char, filet, Jennie Mashed, and asparagus for our main course and all was cooked to perfection. We also had a crab cake appetizer which was very good. It may have been a tad too lemony but the sauce on the side was delicious. Despite the crowded dining room the noise level was surprising low. I would recommend this place but definitely make reservations.
(5)Michael L.
Great dining experience. I highly recommend Joe's to anyone looking for great service, great seafood, and great steak! The wife and I started with stone crab claws and the green salad. I didn't try the salad, but my wife said the balsamic vinigrette was tasty and she finished the entire salad. The stone crab was good, but of course not as good as fresh in Florida. For entrees, we had the bone-in ribeye and a fish special of John Dorry which is a nice meaty white fish that is only available for a few weeks a year. My ribeye was terriffic. I liked it for the same reason I like Ruth's Chris: It was well seasoned and topped with butter. Butter makes everything better! For sides we had garlic creamed spinach and sweet potato fries. I told the waiter the spinach was so good, you couldn't tell it was a vegtable. I'm not the biggest veggie fan, but I've always loved creamed spinach. Probably because it's as healthy for you as cake! The fries were also very good, especially dipped in the leftover mustard-mayo from the crab claws. For desert we shared a slice of key lime which was the perfect ending to the meal. Thanks to Mel S. for her recommendations!
(5)Sue L.
I am ashamed and am writing this review with my head hanging low to say that one of the BEST crab legs I've eaten can be found in Chicago--not San Francisco (don't hate me SF)... If you ever find yourself in Chicago, you HAVE to stop at Joe's for some stone crab AND oysters rockefeller. I'm back in San Francisco now and am craving some crab and oysters big time.... FYI: This Joe's is in no way related to Joe's Crab Shack
(5)J. J. E.
OMG forget the food, get the key lime pie martini. It is totally awesome. You'll swear that you are drinking a great key lime pie. Okay, after 4 or 5 stops here having the martinis, we tried the food and it was good as well. Okay, we admit it, our bar tab usually exceeds the food bill, but this is a very outstanding restaurant. We've never made is past the bar to the actual restaurant (always felt we were under dressed), but the food was very good, but the key lime martini.....to die for.
(5)donato d.
My wife and I had a late lunch here and were very impressed not only by the food but by the great service we received from the friendly staff, Our sever Veronica was a gem of person, very professional.Please ask for her if you get a chance to dine here. Juan who assists in the dinning room was very attentive to our table needs. He also made one of the best short espresso that I have ever had. Great food,Great service, Can't beat this place. Hey Veronica .... sure beats New York !!!
(5)Erik S.
Let me start my review by saying: What weirdo could give this place less than 5 stars..? If you want to eat at a place where every dish on the menu is close to or the absolute best you have ever had, eat here. Everything I have had here has been good. From the amazing steaks, to the swordfish, the crab, the friggin baked potato... Literally every dish is taste artistry. Nothing disappoints. You cannot hype this place too much. I hype it up to my out of town friends and it always hits them like a bomb when they eat here.
(5)Erik B.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. This is my third trip here and each time it is fantastic. There is very little to critique about Joe's except that it is hard to get a reservation and that it is not cheap. Dinner for two will run 210-260 before tip with a bottle of wine. The service here is top notch, the food is incredible, the wine list is great and the atmosphere is nice and clean. I now have the food down to science there. To start, get the Alaskan King Crab Legs. I know they are known for their stone crab but the king crab legs are the best I have ever had. They cut them and dress them at the table, to avoid any crab juice incidents. They just taste so fresh, they are well worth the price of $55 and are big enough to share, possibly for 4 people. Now for a dinner for two, I will split the Glazed Black Cob and the Bone in Fillet. I believe that they have the best steak in town with their bone-in fillet. Now, I will say that with competition in Chicago, saying best steak is very arbitrary but I like Joe's. The Black Cod is so f'ing good. The combination of savory and sweet is just delicious. I really cannot say enough about this cod, it will make your mouth water. For sides, I recommend the broccoli and the mashed potatoes, both are very good. For dessert, I have had 6 different items off the menu and I still cannot decide on a winner. They are all great and I do not think you can go wrong.
(5)Deanna C.
I was taken here for a lunch interview which made the experience both awesome (free food? uh... yes, please!) and a little nerve-wracking. Never having been to Joe's before, it took be a little bit to decide what to order (everything sounded sooo good!), but ultimately, I went with the bacon wrapped scallops. Everything tastes better with bacon! Ohhh emmm geeeee..... these babies were the biggest things I've ever seen and hooooly cow. I have never had scallops like this before. The taste of the sauce, the bacon, the texture of the scallops... it still haunts me to this day. Even if you told me that ordering their steak would bring me fame, fortune, and glory... I would order their bacon-wrapped scallops every single time. We also got a side-order of corn to split. Did I mention we got a free slice of their key lime pie? As far as key lime pie's go, this one was pretty exceptional. I wouldn't say that key lime pie's are my favorite as far as pies go (I'm all about the cheesecake), but Joe's has just the right amount of tartness mixed in with the sweet. The waitress was very attentive and helpful with recommendations, and just a personable person. The atmosphere actually made it such that I felt really relaxed during my interview. We all had a good time enjoying the good food (courtesy of the company), good conversation, and I am happy to report that I have a second round interview coming up in a month =P Of the Lettuce restaurants I've been to thus far, Joe's is one of my favorites!
(5)Brian M.
This is the best restaurant in the country, hands down. The crab is amazing. Ive been here 10 times and would give a 5 out of 5 for each meal.
(5)Rahul S.
Wow it's been a week since i've been here, and i'm still gushing over the meal I had last Fri night!! It's gotta be one of the most fantastic meals i've had in quite a while! Reservations are a must here. I arrived w/ a group of 10, and we still had to wait about 30 min for them to get a table. Upon seating, they gave us a bunch of bread baskets including a variety of breads from cinnamon raisin to flatbread, very excellent way to start out! For my meal I decided to splurge and get the Steak & Stone Crab, which is a petite filet mignon and select stone crabs. I overheard our waitress mention we could substitute a bone in filet, so I decided to do that. I would HIGHLY recommend this combo, their bone in steak is one of the most succulent i've had ever, it just melted in my mouth. They give this seasoning mix on the side which you totally have to sprinkle on the steak, the flavor just bursts all over! Also medium rare is what you want to get, it was cooked soooo perfectly!! I can't say enough about the Stone Crab Claws either... they were so incredibly meaty and fresh. I also enjoyed the fact that they cut up all the claws so it's super easy to eat. Don't forget to squeeze some lemon on them and use the honey mustard dipping sauce, it rocked!! For sides we ordered one of the potato dishes w/ a au grautin crust on top which was delicious. I didn't particularly care for the garlic cream spinach... the texture was not really to my liking and too 'creamy'! So I have one warning... when I substituted the bone in steak for the filet, I didn't realize they only have a 16oz vs. the petite filet 8oz!!! Therefore I ended up eating way more than I expected, also got charged an additional $28 or so more for getting the bone in!! All in all this place is simply fantastic, everyone HAS to come here and try the steak/stone claws!!
(5)Katie P.
I did a bad thing before going to Joe's... I dreamed about this place for at least a year, maybe two. I've wanted those stone crabs for so long. Cut to Chicago Restaurant Week and a way to give them a try without spending half your rent to give it a whirl. The first thing that I want to mention is that our server was so nice! I'm a sucker for pleasant service, it rights a million wrongs. Anyhow, I feel like I should have fasted for a couple of days before going there. The BF and I got the exact same thing... Bisque, Stone Crab, and Key Lime Pie. The Bisque was really good. I particularly like the way it's served. The bring your bowl and in the bottom is a medley of crab, celery, etc... and they pour your bisque over the top. It was really rich. I learned my lesson from another CRW stop and only had half my soup so that I could have my entrée. Then they brought out the crab. It just looked awesome! We were also served family style a plate of hash browns and cole slaw. I love potatoes maybe more than anything in the world but that plate scared me... it was the size of someone's head. The crab was tasty but that bisque was so filling that even though I only had half of it I was already uncomfortably full after 2 claws. I had a little bit of the potatoes, we boxed up the rest and had them with breakfast. Yum. We got the Key Lime Pie boxed up to go. I was sooo good much later in the evening when I wasn't feeling so full. The real kicker is that I think this place would have been given 5 stars if I had gotten the filet because it's hard to enjoy crab when you're looking out the window at snow and people running about in their winter coats. It just ruins the idea of crab. I miss summer. :( Why can't CRW be in August?
(4)Sandeep P.
I'm not going to go into detail with this review (there are plenty that have already highlighted the best of the best at Joe's) but I have a few short opinions of the restaurant. 1. Absolutely fantastic service. We were nearly 30 minutes after our already-pushed-back reservation but they were still able to accommodate us, and did so pleasantly. That's a rarity in Chicago. Our waiter was extremely attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, and was affable to boot. 2. The food is great, but some options are better than others. Seriously, it is. I loved the fried green tomatoes, the crab cake, and the sweet corn. Neither I nor my companion were as impressed with our entrees however. He ordered the stone crab, the raison d'etre for this restaurant, and was simply not impressed with his portion nor flavor. I ordered the fillet mignon, and while it was certainly alright, it was most definitely not the best fillet mignon I've have in Chicago. 3. It's pricey. No, I mean, REALLY pricey. I came in here expecting to eat about $40-50 a head, but walked out with a $76 a head bill. The cause? Stone crab. $40+ for just a few small crab legs. Really quite disappointing. Don't skimp on the sides or appetizers, however- they were the highlight of the meal (as I mentioned earlier). While I'm not disappointed, I will have to think twice about coming here again on a truly empty stomach (or at least when I'm picking up the tab).
(4)Rodney O.
For me, Joe's is the absolute best place to eat in Chicago. I know, that statement is a little subjective and definitely hard to prove, but I really love the place!! From the awesome wait staff to the food, it's hard for me to want to eat anywhere else in Chicago. We always get the stone crabs to start and the bone-in filet for the main course. Our waiter always has great recommendations for the sides and desserts. Oh, if you go, ask for my man Oz. He's a cool cat and has a ton of stories.
(5)Megan G.
Joe's never disappoints. We were here for my bf's birthday and our server took the best care of us even though our party of 2 clearly wouldn't be tipping as well as the large groups he was also managing. The food and service is always top notch and no one walks in the door thinking they'll be enjoying a bargain meal so you get what you paid for. Everything was great but I was especially excited for the fried green tomatoes. Those are hard to find in Chicago! My only complaint was that we made reservations but still had to wait 30 minutes for our table. The place was HOPPING so it wasn't super shocking, but the attention we received from our server made up for the annoying wait.
(5)Eric F.
The food was very good. Our seating was terrible. We were seated next to the main thoroughfare for the restroom and a small wait station. One of the guests in my party was bumped in to every person that walked through there. We moved our table as far away as possible, practically on top of the table next to us, but people continued to hit her. We notified our waiter, who then fetched a manager. The manger seemed indifferent, asking "what would you like us to do?" Four of the five of us had a good experience, but for that one person, dinner was a nightmare. Have had much better experiences at other steak houses in Chicago and will probably choose one of them next time we go out for a nice dinner.
(3)Greg D.
Amazing. Simple as that. A couple bottles of wine and some great food. Expensive evening but well worth it. A rundown of what we ate: Shrimp Cocktail - I don't know why my friend ordered it but he loves shrimp cocktail and it was decent but nothing special. Crabcakes - One comes in the appetizer portion and it's enough for two. I have a love hate relationship with crab cakes. They are either awesome or terrible. These are amazing - crispy flakes on the outside and delicious lump crab meat on the inside. King Crab legs - Yes, we ordered the entree portion and split as an appetizer. They crack the legs for you at the table and these were delicious. You could get away with doing this as an appetizer for 4 or 5 people. Bone in Ribeye - All three of us got this as a our main course. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, my new favorite cut of steak. I get this again in a heart beat. So, I recommend getting some kind of seafood appetizer and a steak. A salad is a salad, you can get that anywhere. Do what they're known for - steak and crab. You can't go wrong and won't be disappointed. Perfect for a date or a group of friends.
(4)Varsha L.
Joe's is great, our server Monique was awesome! Very nice and the service there was very good as well! One thing that was annoying that was not the restaurants fault was this girl that kept talking so loud to her friend, the friend didnt even speak it was her going on and on and on...she was louder then the groups of people in the place! Pros: I loved the stone crab's, they were delicious! def try the South Beach Peach martini, YUM! I had the chopped vegetable salad which was very good, very fresh! Also had the King crab mac and cheese, also very good! It was our anniversary so we got dessert -the gluten free truffle pie and I really couldn't eat more than a bite since I was so stuffed! it was really rich but good! Monique gave us a Key Lime Pie also to go on the house, that was really nice and unexpected, I normally would never even order Key Lime Pie but I ate it later on that day and it was very good! Half Price cocktails in August, gotta go back for that this month for sure!
(5)Brit T.
The seafood is amazing but the ambience is stuffy. That's pretty much all I have to say.
(4)Esther Y.
Went back for one of the bone in steaks. Um...can you say nice and buttery?! WTH? WHY DID I NOT EAT THIS BEFORE?! It was AWESOME. The fiancee and I split an order of crab, had 1/2 orders of 2 sides (mac & cheese-very smoky and pretty good, and the Jennie's potatoes) and then shared the steak. It was a great amount of food and we left very, very happy. PS. even eating at the bar with all the table stalkers was still worth it. Never mind the fact that before my meal I, too, was a table stalker-and a damn good one at that!
(5)Alan R.
This hot ticket doesn't disappoint. The crab legs, yes those that we know and read about and lust over are finally mine as they are served at the table, but what the hell? one of them is off... it tastes too wet... I tell the server and he removes it and brings back some new ones along with some complimentary lump crab cakes, we are happy. Everything is wonderful during the first act, the apps shine here. My partner and I share a bone in rib eye and calfs liver with onions and it is luscious! The tomato sides we decided on, fried green and a take on tomato prov were exciting, tangy and delicious-- the spinach cheese topping sounded more like a grind up in price than a sensible option, but its not, they were fantastic! One thing I love about upscale places is they offer a wine selection and the service to back it up-- usually. They really care here about pairings and aren't about cranking up the ticket, our wine course was fantastic, and it was all by the glass. Yes. Love that. The dessert service was unremarkable, I went for the cold box Key Lime, it was good but not as good as other Yelper's have exclaimed. Eh, I'll be back-- I'd also like to try the Vegas location. I have to save the five star review for total execution, they're worthy, but didn't hit it with the not fully steamed legs app, and the service at the end of the meal didn't live up to the promise at the beginning. I expect at these prices, not just a good start, but an excellent finish. Still, this is a great establishment. I really wish Yelp would offer 1/2 stars, this is clearly a 4 1/2 for me. Highly recommended.
(4)Lindsey O.
I have eaten at Joe's 3 times and have been duly impressed each time by the quality and taste of the food, courteous wait staff, and the key lime martinis. If you feel like a steak, get the bone in filet. It's one of their signature dishes, and it's one of the most flavorful tender pieces of meat you'll find. I love their seafood salad and shrimp scallop ceviche. The wine list at Joe's is also extensive. Great place for an anniversary or if you want to blow your date's mind in general. I don't give out 5 stars often but go to Joe's and you'll see why.
(5)Kristin G.
This the best restaurant in Chicago for crab and lobster and has the best lobster bisque I have ever had. It is a must try (and try again...). My favorite thing to get is the petite combo with filet mignon and lobster. So delicious... This is a place that you come for a special occasion to have amazing food and service.
(5)Cherry W.
Nice and Fresh Stone crab!
(5)Tim P.
Joe's Stone Crab is a fantastic restaurant. The Stone Crab appetizer is fantastic. It is a must try unless you are getting the Stone Crab as your main course. The steaks are also very good, as were the appetizers and desserts. The ambiance was A+, fitting for a lunch or dinner business meeting, a night out with friends or date night. While expensive, Joe's Stone Crab is a place you must visit at least once.
(5)John M.
Fairly expensive. Good food. No too intimate. Somewhat crowded. Very good, almost cloying service.
(4)Jonathan F.
Went during restaurant week for my birthday and I was so looking forward to going to one of Chicago's best restaurants! DO NOT park in the parking garage because Joe's does not validate!! It will end up costing you $38.00 to park if you stay 3 hours. Either use the valet parking for $14.00 or go to Nordstroms across the street to buy something and have them validate your ticket. I think it is $8.00 for that. Anyways back to the restaurant. For the first course I had crab bisque soup. Very rich creamy and like butter. Delicious. There are very small pieces of crab that I could hardly find but they were in there before the waiter poured the soup. Anyways for the main (second) course I had a filet mignon steak and stone crab. The 8 oz. steak was perfectly cooked and delicious. The crab legs (1 pound) was just the best crab you can get in Chicago. All this came with a bunch of sides. The grilled tomato with a pesto top was just ok. The hashed brown potatoes were okay as well. The garlic mashed potatoes was my favorite... delicious Their coleslaw is the freshest and tastiest coleslaw. Not to die for but if you are a coleslaw fanatic you might just pass out. Did i mention the crab? It was very fresh and a lot of meat! By this time we were all full... (stuffed really... literally)... and we had banana cream pie (good... like home-made and way better than Baker's square)... and KEY LIME PIE.... This is the best key lime pie anywhere... I mean it.. I forgot that I was already full when i tasted it. The service was good and they didn't mind us taking 2 hours to eat our food. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you have a few hundred dollars to spend or go during restaurant week where you can get a good deal. This time a 3 course meal cost $32.00 each. CHEAP if I may dare say for a restaurant this good. It was like stealing... ok maybe not. I would still go back and order from the regular menu. The food is definately worth it, but be ready to pay the price :0
(5)kinke s.
the best seafood restaurant in downtown Chicago, the TOP & VERY BEST of all. I tried everything listed on their menu, their seafood dishes, items are all cooked in classic ways, perfectly prepared and individually well-made, dishes are simple displayed on plates but the favors are uncompilable, 5 stars for super delicious food!!! especially their most famous stone crab claws, big, fresh and juicy, full of favors. I've had good times for friend's birthday party in their privet party room couple of times, had drinks at their bar in the waiting area couple nights, ordered carryouts on the phone many times. I have to say, everything made at Joe's are super super super good! if you are a good food and seafood lover, you got try this place out!!! The services there are good as their foods, staffs (hosts, waiters & busboys) are all friendly & well-trained. I had many great memorable experiences at Joe's, I'd love to recommend this place to all people who had read my review for Joe's!!! one thing please notice, this place always packed with people at night after dark, you may need to wait long if you are a walk-in, it's better to call in for reservation ahead before you plan to go there.
(5)K K.
Not much to add to already massive and more accurate reviews of this "traditional" steakhouse. Its one of my 'go to' steakhouses. Certainly not the best but it is up there. Ive been here many times and the service has been good to excellent. My wife and i took my mother for her birthday last month and she loved it which is saying a lot as she is quite hard to please. Of course, it is about the food in the end. The steaks eg bone-in filet are tremendous -- maybe not as good as Mastro's or Chicago Cut's in my opinion. I dont think that their seafood selections are as varied as they could be but they do lobster and stone crabs very well. The wine selections are excellent. The dessert esp the key lime pie is a great ending to any meal. It is rather busy most nights which is always a good sign of quality and freshness. The ambiance can be loud and businesslike but you can find few nice intimate and cozy spots in the back. The price is comparable to what you get from an upper tier restaurant like this. Parking is parking in downtown -- expensive. In conclusion, it is a reliable place if you're looking to impress someone or find a good meal in downtown - cant go wrong here.
(4)Robyn F.
I had a wonderful experience here last night. The service was absolutely impeccable -- just the right level of being helpful. My companion and I got: Entrees: -Medium stone crabs -- really tasty and sweet. It was a bit messy, but it was worth it. -Filet mignon -- It was good, but lacked some flavor. They provide additional spices on the side in case you want to add more, and it was definitely needed. Side: We got a side of hash browns, which were really delicious on the top, but left a puddle of oil at the bottom of the plate. Dessert: Key lime pie. This is their signature dish. It's pretty good, but a little too tart if you eat the whole thing yourself. Overall, really great experience, and I left the restaurant stuffed.
(4)Martin J.
Perfect place for an anniversary dinner! Great food, advice and atmosphere!
(5)jill a.
lives up to the hype! The scallop and shrimp ceviche was one of the best i've ever had. Great stone crab, great king crab (love that they crack them for you), great shimp, lobster...loved the extensive wine list...it was just tremendous. bravo!
(5)Celia S.
Love, Love this place! The food was amazing! My husband and I went the day after Valentine's day and although it was busy they staff was extremely pleasant and accomodating. So we started off with the 2nd mortgage which consisted of Lobster tail, shrimp/scallops ceviche, snow crab legs and shrimp cocktail. OMG! The seafood was so fresh and yummy! Best ceviche I've had! As for entree's we ordered lump crab cakes and a bone in filet mignon! The crab cake was full of crab unlike most crabcake filled with mostly breadcrumbs. Oh and the filet was delicious! Seasoned perfectly and juicy to the last bite! For dessert we had a half slice of key lime, havana cream, and banana cream....all were so yummy! Let me just say the Havana cream pie was so heavenly! Hands down a great restaurant! I will definitely we returning in the near future.
(5)Tarra B.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Chicago, IL -- Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is located at the corner of Grand and Rush, just steps from shopping on Michigan Ave! This restaurant has become one of Chicago's top destinations for prime steaks, the freshest seafood and world famous stone crab claws. The atmosphere is elegant and sophisticated. It is also a great place to grab a glass of wine right after work! I celebrated my 30th birthday here and it was an absolutely, amazing experience. I had the board room reserved for 20 guests total (including me) and the staff took very good care of us. We ordered a variety of steaks and seafood and everyone seemed very pleased with their dinners. Thank you to Joe's for making my special dinner a huge success!
(5)Katy F.
I loved my experience at Joe's. Our waitress was great with wine recommendations and her suggestion of the bacon wrapped scallops did not disappoint. My husband and I had a nice, romantic dinner with great service. I would recommend this for a romantic dinner or a place to eat for business functions. As previously stated, the scallops were the biggest and best I have had, but we also had the crab cake and mussels for an appetizer. Both were fabulous and the mussels were cooked perfectly. The Key Lime Pie was a great finish to our wonderful dinner. If I could afford it, I would eat there once a week. SOOOO Good!
(5)Adam K.
As it was explained to me by the person who took us here, "when you think about Steak in Chicago, you think of Smith & Wollensky or Ruth's Chris, and while those are good steakhouses, they aren't the best, this place is the best." After the steak I had (12oz. Filet Mignon), I have to say I agree 100%. The waitstaff was truly phenomenal. I said to my wife after we ate, "I wish every restaurant sent their new waiters for a meal here simply to learn how to be a proper waiter/waitress." They knew everything about the menu, they knew the wine pairings and they were personable, I felt like they were there to serve us, not to just get us in and out of the door. The food was very good, my wife had the salmon which was also perfectly cooked. We sampled some of the stone crab and it was fantastic. This place is pricey, so it's definitely more of a special-occasion place for most, but it's worth going here to experience it at least once.
(5)Adam K.
There isn't enough room to write about how wonderful this restaurant is. First, make sure you get reservations plenty in advance. Secondly, get the tableside-cracked crab legs. Best we've ever had. The steak...again, best I've ever had. And I've had a LOT of steak (Ruth's Chris, Mastro's, Flemming's, Hyde Park, Morton's, Smith/Wolensky, etc., etc.). I only wish we had a Joe's in my hometown. This place was amazing. We can't wait to visit again when we're in town.
(5)Cynthia F.
Everything was pretty darn great! From excellent service to the delicious food. We started with the tempura green beans and a crab cake. I ordered the stuffed sole. My sister had the mahi mahi, and my mother had the rib eye. We shared the mashed potatoes and cauliflower sides. I also had the crab bisque. It was all incredible. We were all like "mmmm....mmmmmmm" the whole time. The only negatives are its loud and VERY crowded / cramped. Not a quiet intimate romantic dinner place in my opinion. I think its better for a group of friends or family looking for a really good quality, delicious, expensive "show-offy" meal. With that said, it is rather pricey--but you DO get what you pay for and I do not mind that!
(4)Juju K.
Whether you're in Chicago for biz or you are a native, this place is definitely worth at least one visit. However, I plan to visit again when I'm in Chicago next time. I got what this place is known for- stone crabs and bone-in filet mignon. Loved them! I got the med size crab app (4 kinda smallish crab legs) cuz this was the cheapest option but I really enjoyed having them as app and picking out fresh crab meat definitely worked up my appetite. Another memorable app was the crab bisque. It was too yummy for words. My filet came out perfect. I requested for med to med-well. I was a bit concerned because this in-between kind of doneness is hard to achieve. However, they're professionals and I shouldn't have underestimated the grill masters at Joe's. Not only was the meat done perfectly to my liking, the seasoning was right on. I'm not really into steakhouse scenes but I totally dig Joe's. It has the old world steakhouse charm but has an airy Miami quality too. It's not too stuffy and the servers are true professionals. Our waiter, Howie, was attentive without being overbearing or snooty. He also didn't give me any attitude for ordering the stimulus package (quite a deal but you have to ask for it). It was a great experience. Try it, you won't regret it.
(5)Billy E.
Great location, great vibe, very Chicagoan for a Miami staple. I took a star off because even though from caesar salad to steaks, my medium stone crabs were ice cold, like frozen cold, not cold because that's what keeps stonecrab from losing it's flavor but down right frozen meat. Returned with another order...eh, kind of had me at goodbye on the stone crab. Cool place though.
(4)Vanessa H.
We just dined here for an anniversary dinner and let me tell you, this place is awesome. They have valet in front or there are parking garages nearby, valet is cheaper though. The host was extremely friendly and found my reservation no problem, even though Open Table reserved it under my maiden name. The waiter was very knowledgeable about seafood and my husband ended up getting the steak and crab legs, served cold with a butter sauce. He said it was delicious. We both had filet mignon, it was perfectly seasoned. We also ordered a side of the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, both equally tasty. our waiter was very attentive and we didn't have to wait for anything. They also served us a complimentary dessert and our waiter even remembered small details, such as the anniversary year we were celebrating. Sure, it was pricey, our bill was easily over $100, but you expect that going into a place as nice as this. Overall, a great experience, thanks Joe's!
(5)Dave A.
Okay, this place is amazing. Few restaurants really excite me, but the bone-in filet is what im ordering for my last meal if I ever get on death row. Of course, the crab is great and precracked very well so you can just dive in. This place is always really crowded. We went on a Tuesday afternoon, and we still waited 10 minutes for the table we had reserved. A Tuesday afternoon! In this economy? The service here is really top notch. They seem to be very well informed and friendly and know just when to get out of the way. I would not recommend this place for a date. You should go there with a loud group, because that's what's gonna be there.
(5)Jay Y.
Wow a lot of good reviews sorry to say mine was not. Was greeted by a seemed to be rushed waiter, got the stone crab appitizer it came out well a little less than warm not hot or cold which you may expect. My steak a bone in ribeye delivered was a new York, umm not excepatable for the price, had to wait while my wife hesitated to eat hers until I had mine. Ehh I'll say I'd give it another try I might have just got a fluke bad service
(2)Daniel S.
I was skeptical of JSC at first. Located in the heart of tourista-ville, my thinking was, how could this be a good spot? Well, it actually is in a well coiffed river north sort of way. The space is gussied up to look like an old skewl steak house (think Morton's), so strike one for the decor. If you can get beyond that, you'll have a solid meal. It was client's that choose this, so I had set the bar pretty low. I ordered a manhattan- they don't have rye- but redeemed themselves by mixing a solid cocktail. Our waiter, Chris I believe was his name, was very amiable and knowledgeable. We started with the second mortgage, and each had our own entree. The scallops- one of the specialities of the house are of unsurpassed quality. I also recalled on this visit, that I had been here previously and they delivered well. So the lesson to take = just because it's river north doesn't mean the place is going to suck. Perhaps not the most innovative but it sure was good.
(4)Scott J.
STRICT policy on everyone being there to be seated! NO one allowed to come late. Why? They need to turn tables. The maitre'd made me and my out of town guest feel like dirt. We had to persuade him to let us be seated while our business consultant friend finished up a big presentation. We could only sit down once we agreed to give up our table by a certain time. Didn't matter that we had apps and a couple bottles of wine. Crab is overrated here--go to Bob Chinns. Bone-in halibut was AWESOME. $54 for 5 crab claws where you get about 2 bites from each. Snooty check in on a Monday night was stupid and gave a poor taste to my friends from DC, Boston and Portland who were all in on business. No doubt this poor service story will find its way to the speaking circuit by these business consultants. Thanks for the poor service example Joes.
(2)Kenneth C.
This is from a 12/2008 visit. 1) 1 Twenty-ounce bone-in ribeye steak 2) 4 stone crab claws 3) 1 eighty-pound baked potato 4) 1 shockingly delicious and full-bodied Merlot This is a small nationwide chain of restaurants along the lines of Morton's or Houston's. The place has very nice decor, I am assured by my straight friend that the waitress who served us is, like, totally hot, and the service was scary. I mean, we're talking bread crumb disposers, squirting lemons on your hand and then offering you a wet, warm towel between courses good. I LOVED this place. It was, you might expect, not a cheap place to go. Nor however did it break the bank. I was pleasantly surprised when we got the check, as I'd expected to spend about $50 more. I had everything I'd wanted and it was still not what I had thought it'd cost. Verdict on the stone crabs: Not as good as Alaskan King Crab Legs, or Maryland Blue Crabs, in my opinion, but that was made less of a problem by the truly excellent mustard dipping sauce they gave me. Verdict on the bone-in ribeye: Wow. A lean rib-eye? Wut. It was extremely fantastic. Verdict on the baked potato: As both my friend and I noted, it was quite good, but really, baked potatoes aren't anything special.
(4)Paul K.
Howie deserves a promotion/raise/my firstborn! This was probably the 3rd best steak I have ever eaten in my life, and if you ask my stomach, heart, and arteries... they will tell you I've eaten a plenty of steak. Upon arriving, was greeted by a man standing high above the bar/waiting room. We had arrived exactly at our reserved time and had to wait 5 minutes on a Tuesday. After sitting down, an already busy Howie told us to not get too excited about the menu yet, as he was going to wow us with what he had to say. After he recommended the Parmesan Crusted Salmon and the Pan Seared Key Lime Butter Salmon, by girlfriend and my sister decided to try those respectively. I tried the 22 oz. Ribeye, per Howie's recommendation. The Parmesan Crusted Salmon was cooked perfectly, crispy crust with a medium cook of the salmon. The Key Lime Butter Salmon was made to perfection. The sides of Mac n Cheese and Green Beans Amandine which were delicious (granted they were also $7 each). Overall, their dishes were great. Now the glorious piece of ribeye that could've left a smile on my face if I were hit by a cab on our way out. It was cooked perfectly (medium). The seasoning of simply salt and pepper definitely made the steak rich with it's natural flavor. They used olive oil and butter to give it its extra "UMPH!" but it was glorious. Normally eating twice as fast as anyone I go out to eat with, I ended up finishing well behind everyone, savoring each bite. Howie was a great waiter, bringing us two desserts for my sister's birthday. He was very attentive, informative, and was by far the most courteous waiters we have. While I did bust my wallet wide open for this meal, it's definitely worth going back due to the meat and the service.
(5)Sloan R.
If you order the Bone-In Filet and Jenny's Mashed Potatoes, you'll likely have on of the better "meat and potato" meals of your lifetime!
(5)Lauren R.
Crab legs from Joe's = TO DIE FOR!!!! I must go at least twice a year, though it is a little tough on the pocket it is absolutely worth every cent. You know what I like best about this place, they treat you like a Queen (or King) everytime you go. The bartenders are great and know how to mix a drink. They have an old time feel about them, which makes you feel like you are in a classic Humphrey Borgart movie. My favorite spot is at the corner of the bar, regardless, if you get a table or just sit at the bar the service is fantastic. The waitstaff is knowledgable and never makes you feel like a fool for asking questions. As a first time crabber (a few years ago) I needed a little assistance in understanding what I wanted to order. The waiter was professional, patient and a delight! Now let's talk real business here, FOOD. The king crab legs (with table side service of course) makes you feel like you are in the highest end restaurant in this city. The crab legs are consistently out of this world and Joe's is generous with the butter for your dipping pleasures. Jenny's potatoes and creamed spinach are the perfect accompanyment to sweet and tender crab meat. The wine choices are phenomenal and the dessert is not to be ignored. I have had the key lime pie, which as others stated is delicious. We also had the raspberry crumble, which was like heaven in my mouth. My suggestion is to come here extremely hungry. You may have to wait a bit but you can eat at the bar if you are flexible but its worth every penny and you will be licking your chops after the fact. Bon apetit!!!!
(5)Melie M.
One of my favorite steakhouses in the city..hands down. I love a good bone-in filet, esp. when it's cooked to complete perfection. We started our meal with the calamari, which was fantastic. Seriously, some of the best calamari I've ever had..maybe it's the horseradish dipping sauce? Not sure, but it is RIGHT. I also splurged on the calories and got the crab bisque. Really good, but I was kind of disappointed that they didn't have lobster bisque. I know it's a crab house, but I'm a little biased and it's my fav. The bisque, though rich and delicious, was lacking any substance. No crab meat...not the end of the world, but would've been a nice touch. All in all, great meal and the steak was phenomenal. Gave my dog the bone when we got home and McNulty definitely approved.
(4)John S.
Went to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab for my sisters birthday. Arriving really early for our reservation i was surprised that we were seated rigth away. When we entered the dinning room the first thing I noticed was how close the tables are togather. My sister who is lucky to weigh 115 pounds had to work a puzzel to get into her chair. After we were seated our waiter came by and told us all about Joes. I must say the service here is really good. Our waiter knew the menu well and was extremly friendly. For an appitiser we had the stone Crab. The Stone crab was very tasty especially with the homemade mustard sauce. For dinner I had the 16oz bone in Filet. The steak was cooked perfectly and had a great char on it. I also ordered a side of fries. The fries were good but I expected steak fries and was kind of surprised they weren't on the menu. We also ordered the Hash browns and those were amazing, I recomended getting them over the fries. For dessert I ordered the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime pie was very good. It was nice and tart something I rarely find. Over all the meal was very good, would get 5 starts if the dinning room wasn't so cramped.
(4)Alex F.
The food at Joe's is above average, but I can't award any special stars for that because that is the expectation when you charge top-tier Chicago prices. Joe's is hyped, so I went in expecting a five-star experience. Let me work backwards from five to outline how I arrived at three. I realize Joe's is a fancy, expensive place in River North, but there seemed to be a level of pretension among the staff and clientele that doesn't exist at the other equally fancy, expensive restaurants I've frequented. One star gone. My expectation of the food went flaccid when my plate was set down in front of me, because although it was tasty, there wasn't much of it. Even the sides, which are recommended on the menu for "two or more people," were a large one-person portion. Another star gone. The menu is extensive and you actually CAN get a number of the entrees for under $30 unlike those other, less-pretentious places. Additionally, the service is knowledgeable and the history is apparent, hence the remaining three stars. But when splurging on meals in the future, I'll choose to break the bank elsewhere.
(3)Judd C.
The company we were with was the best... This is a place I would compare to Ruth's Chris. It was good but nothing special. The steaks were all over cooked so I would suggest asking for it next to raw! I ordered a medium rare and it was well done. I had read previous reviews but didn't listen... Sides were good but the wedge salad was lacking that rich blue cheese, it was clearly not maytag...
(3)Jane T.
Went here to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was top notch service, decor and dining. We were about 30 minutes late for our reservations ... and you know how some restaurants give you that "glare" once you tell them you've finally made it? Well Joe's is not one of those places. The host was extremely friendly and accommodating and did not make us feel guilty about our tardiness at all! The drinks were sensational as well, the Key Lime Martini is the best I've ever had - the graham cracker rim! YUM! Try the Bloody Mary as well, the presentation is gorgeous. I loved that they offered "bone-in" varieties of steaks, which provides a juicier meat. The stone crab is a MUST - it's in their name, how could you not! Everything was served and presented beautifully, especially our crab bisque. Don't miss out on the dessert menu either ;). And definitely make reservations. Don't worry too much about the dress attire either, I noticed a lot of guys in tshirt and jeans.
(5)Kim N.
Came here again July 2010 and March 2011. Even on a Sunday night, the main dining room was completely booked. Luckily, bf and I scored a table at the bar. The key lime pie martini, stone crab bisque, and the stone crabs (and the homemade mustard) were just as good as I remembered. But now, they also give you drawn butter too!! Service was also impeccable. I ordered a steak and also really enjoyed it. Bf got the mahi mahi and enjoyed it as well.
(5)Sophie D.
I took my parents here when they were in town -solely- for the Alaskan snow crab legs, which are in season only for a couple months. We went for lunch to try and take some cost off, and though it was still pricey ($200 for the 3 of us), it was well worth the splurge. I should preface my review with the fact that I have an abnormal obsession with crab legs. I drool just thinking about them. Seriously, it's Pavlovian. I've had many crab legs in my time, and these were exquisite. The meat was divine, and the preparation was perfection. The crabs come out ready for you to fork right out of the shell straight into your lovin' mouth. Very little work with such a huge reward. Like I said, obsessed. Along with 2 lbs of crablegs, cold and hot (I preferred hot, no contest), we also tried the garlic creamed spinach (incredible), the acorn squash w/ marshmallows (yum), a bloody mary (the shrimp is a nice touch), and stone crabs as the app (meh, i could actually do w/o those even though they're the specialty). Service was impeccable, and the bread basket they give you to start is a perfect combination of flavors. Prior to and after the crab feast, you also get a nice warm cloth with a lemon handwash, which is another nice touch. If you like crablegs like it's your job, and don't feel like going through the hassle and mess of opening them yourself (and you have some pennies to spare), go here and go here now - while they're still in season!
(5)Lisa V.
Lobster! King Crab Legs! Stone Crab! and more! This was my first experience having stone crab.....can't say I am much of a fan. I think the claws look like they could be poisionous? Anyone else feel me on this?
(4)Alyson M.
Ate lunch here on my last day in Chicago and what treat! Our server Denice was amazing! She made us feel like we were regulars. I had the stone crab and let me tell you, worth every penny and believe me when I tell you, they cost a lot of pennies! Also had the coleslaw and it was terrific. Even if you are stuffed to the gills you have to have the key lime pie. It is to die for! This was the most expensive meal I had on my trip, and this was for lunch, so be prepared. Again, worth saving for.
(5)Reis D.
I just got back from Florida where I had three different key lime pies over the course of a week. No my pants don't fit me anymore. At the end of the week my mom asked me what my favorite was and I said....Joe's Stone Crab in Chicago. SO GOOD. I think they keep it in the freezer because it comes out so cold. Go get it. Oh the rest of the food is delicious as well.
(5)Catherine K.
This place has one of the best filet mignons and stone crabs I've ever had! The steak was so tender and juicy on the inside and had so much flavor that I could have kept eating it all night. Joe's is known for their good reputation with stone crab and rightfully so! It was so good! The service was excellent and my boyfriend and I couldn't have been more satisfied that night!
(4)Samantha F.
We thoroughly enjoyed this place. My husband had the New York "Bone in" strip and I had the Australian Lobster tail. Both items including the Seafood combo appetizer was excellent. I suggest making reservations at least two days in advance. Make certain that you ask to be seated in the dinning room, otherwise you may be seated in the bar area with TVs. Ranch rating 7 out of 10. excellent place atmosphere and wait staff.
(4)David Y.
This place is pretty amazing. We went on a hungover Sunday morning, and granted they servers will talk your ear off with their specials but thats their job and they are good at selling you on an appetizer, and we started with the crab legs (they were already cracked too which was nice). So good. We then split a salad, which was a meal in itself by the way. The deserts were amazing as well, if you are a first time customer you get a comp and we got the key lime pie... So good. Complimented with roobois tea also. I had the seared ahi tuna sandwich and it was great. Sometime I will try out a dinner entre, but all around a great place. I heard it was the #1 rated resturant in Chicago and now I know why.
(5)Valerie M.
I went for restaurant week. I had the crab claws. It was a very different experience. I didn't like them and I wish I would have had the steak which is what I really love but i had to try something new. It came with cole slaw and fries and those were good. They serve the crab claws chilled and they crack them for you. I feel like I kept getting pieces of meat with shell in it. Bad experience, next time I'm sticking to steak. Knife and fork simple as that. Excellent quality crab if you like this style of crab legs. just not for me.
(4)Jewels F.
Hands down my favorite steakhouse-EVER. The bone-in filet is awesome. For desert, I love love love the peppermint ice cream. It is a must. Love this place! Plus the service is unmatched.
(5)Patrick H.
I ordered delivery for our office through Grub Hub (which contracted it to Dining In) OH MY GOD!!! This was wonderful. Everyone food was cooked perfectly. Not only was it delicious, but it was beautiful. The chef also put some foresight into what we would need to enjoy our meal. For the steak, they included special plastic steak knifes. For my crab, the shells were cracked so I had no trouble getting to the meat. The legs were even slit down the middle so I could even easily remove the piece of sinew in the each leg. Just beautiful. (I have avoided ordering in in crab for years because last time I had to improvise with a claw hammer and a pair of pliers.) For Desert, I had the key lime pie. It seemed to me that each dish I had has only a few ingredients. But when simple quality ingredients are lovingly prepared by a brilliantly skilled chef, his technical virtuosity makes the flavors explode in your mouth. OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! What a wonderful meal.
(5)Mike E.
Popular spot. Four of us co-workers got a table in the bar and wound down with Ginger Sours after a brutal day. Some day we hope to get a meal there.
(4)E M.
I came here for a holiday party and I couldn't believe I got to step foot in a place like this. Joe's looks like touristy shit on the outside, to be honest, and in the 5 years I've passed it I never would have guessed what was on the inside. But that doesn't matter so much, I think, because everyone who's anyone was there -- and those are the people who have obviously kept Joe's alive and kicking for all these years. That place is true Chicago swank. People are crammed together and low-to-the ground around solid, dark-wood tables, drinking brandy and eating the most amazingly lush platters of seafood. Our room in the back had the nicest, most down-to-earth servers -- in direct contrast with the crowd -- but they were people-pleasers all the way. I hope they were tipped well because they did everything, everything right and did it with experience rather than saccharine-sweet fakey nice. I looooved the tenderloin. I'm allergic to seafood, but my fiance said it was the best raw lobster and crab he'd ever tasted. Although I tried to stop eating, I couldn't stop at the dessert -- it was done by someone who really knows what they're doing. And -- although I'm sure this was only indicative of the fact that we had our own bar back there and a few pourers to boot -- the drinks were generous-times-two. I loved it. On someone else's dime, I'd go back and hang swankily any day.
(4)Julia Y.
Good in Vegas. Good here. And I heard - good in Miami. Sooooo good. Recommended: Large or Medium (not jumbo; the larger the crab, the tougher the meat) Stone Crab; Bone-in Rib Eye; Chocolate Mousse Cake. Heaven.
(5)Keith H.
lobster bisque and key lime pie were amazing, service was excellent
(5)Chris L.
I was here for a company dinner, and this place was excellent. I had the king crab legs with scallop. Awesome. I also tried food from my coworker's plates and it was very good. The service outstanding and the ambience is real cool. I will come again if in the area!
(5)Monica H.
It is always a good experience at Joe's. It is funny though with all the elegance to have to be called via a microphone at the bar when the table was ready, as if we were at an open market. When seated in the main hall the service was very good, well educated and friendly at the same time. The stone crabs this time were not so special, though good. The meat was delicious. The whole experience is great.
(4)Mike P.
We always save up our Lettuce Entertain You giftcards to hit this joint. What isn't great here if you like steak and sea-food? Bring me a crab the size of that thing in Cloverfield, a big-ass salad, and half a dead cow. Then I want 2 lbs of apple pie for dessert. I can't promise I won't break the floor walking out, but I'll try my best.
(5)Stephanie B.
Upfront I will say that this was the best stone crab I have ever tasted. That means alot coming from someone who spent 7 months living on the east coast for some job training! My date and I went on a Tuesday night. We thought about making reservations, but decided not to since it was the middle of the week and figured it wouldn't be too busy. Boy, were we wrong. The place was packed! Luckily, there was an open spot at the bar. We ordered some drinks, waited for our table for about 20 minutes. We were sat at a table that had a lot of traffic being that it was located RIGHT by the entry point from the waiting area. Other than the poor location of the table, the atmosphere was nice. Our server was very knowledgeable of the menu, and had suggestions for us when we asked what type of side dishes and desserts to order. We ordered a couple of dishes and split them between the two of us. We ordered the stone crab appetizer (if the market price wasn't so high, we would have ordered the largest dish possible!), the stuffed spinach mushrooms, and the seafood variety dish. I am not sure of the exact title of this dish, but it had shrimp, calamari, and a couple of other things... At any rate, the quality of the food was superb. I have never tasted such fresh, clean seafood in my life! On top of that the stuffed mushrooms were out of this world. Cooked to perfection with just the right amount of cheese and butter for added flavor. We also ordered the Jennie's Potatoes, which I would strongly recommend for any starch lover. Loads of cheese and bread crumbs, bursting with flavor. Yum yum yum! For dessert, our server suggested the key lime pie. We were too full to eat it at the restaurant, so we ordered a slice to go. WOW! The flavor was amazing, and the crust was perfect. Definitely the best key lime I have ever had. If you go, try to go with a full wallet so that you can go all out. The only thing I regret is not getting more stone crab. I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Curt S.
Incredible...I've ate ruth chris, gibsons ect and this is by far the best steak I have ever had. Been here 4 times love the bone in new york strip 22 oz and hash browns. Guaranteed a great dinner with nice atmosphere and great service.
(5)Mike T.
A bit disappointed. We had to wait 35 minutes, even if we had made a reservation more than a month in advance. The maitre d's answer to this was "there are people who have been waiting more than you", which, frankly, I found unacceptable and unprofessional. No complimentary drink or else was offered to compensate for the wait. I tried to keep an open mind concerning the food though, and the food is good, but not excellent. We had stone crabs and Nantucket scallops for starters. The stone crabs were ok, but nothing to write home about. I am big fan of crab: I had eaten at Miami original Joe, and the crab there was 100 times better. The scallops were delicious though. We had crab cakes (very good) and tempura lobster tail (good) as the main dish. Their key lime pie was very good. Their macaroni and cheese was too liquid and not particularly tasty. We had a bottle of Gewürztraminer: very good, but it wasn't cold enough. All in all a good place, but definitely not worth the long waits and the ridiculous reservation times. There are many other establishments in the city which are at the same level, if not better, and offer a better service.
(3)Shalena P.
Thank you to the people who posted photos! I felt like our server would have fallen over if he had seen us do it! I'm certain he was appalled at our southern accents and accordingly downgraded all of his suggestions. Such as, if we didn't want to order a full order of stone crab, he could just charge by the claw; and offered to do half orders of pie for dessert. I'm sure he thought we were going to skip out on the check when we saw the total! However, his service and knowledge were excellent and so was dinner. I was thankful for the small stone crab order as I was not a fan. Very professional fine dining experience. Dress up, hide your accent and come with a full wallet!
(4)Tom S.
Sweet and sustainable Ah the sweet, succulent and delicious stone crab claw. I've always loved them and have devised my own sauce to serve with stone crab claws at home, but believe me, you're not really saving any money by buying them at the supermarket [if you can even find them], so why not let the experts at Joe's Stone Crab serve them to you and show you how. Joe's used to be a regular haunt when I worked near there, now it's more of a special occasion place because it's a bit out of my bubble, but it's always on my radar. Unless you have a reservation, you should just suck it up and sit in the bar. It's the same menu and the same drinks, but you don't have to wait 3 days for a table. Service from the front house [management] can be a bit staid which might read as standoffish, but sometimes I wonder if they are just caught in the tide and the people who are really supposed to be greeting you and registering your reservation are out back having a cigarette. Waitstaff and bartenders [in particular] are excellent. They own "service" and most with a smile. The food as steakhouse is not unique, but Joe's brings the seasonal stone crab claws to the menu. The claws come in different sizes and portions and depending on what your overall dinner plan there is, you'll want to choose carefully. The waitstaff isn't out to up sell you and will be honest about portion sizes and what you should expect. The best of the best will show you a trick or two for eating the claws, if not, just ask. You can do Joe's on a budget, especially if you just want a drink and the experience of trying stone crab claws for the first or the hundredth time. Anyone wary about eating stone crab claws from a sustainable point of view should know that stone crabs regenerate their pinchers and that raising and harvesting stone crabs and their claws is a type of aquatic farming. They are a viable and sustainable seafood source and delicious to boot!
(4)Anne Marie J.
Went for my birthday dinner date and I loved it. The stone crabs are fresh (without the fishy smell!) and are good with or without the special mustard sauce on the side. The crab bisque had an excellent creamy texture and a handful of lump crab sitting in it. The sole and the tilapia were also fresh (I swear this quality is hard to find in Illinois) and had great sides that compliment the type of fish it comes with. Bonus: my fiance ordered a dessert secretly for my bday and they gave us what he ordered free PLUS the complimentary brownie ala mode. YUMMERS! I heard the bone-in filet is devine and the oysters rockerfellar is "AMAZING" - will be back for it!
(5)Bill Z.
Our server Andy was super cool. We didn't even use the menu. The stone crab left a little to be desired...I am surprised they are known for this. The King Crab legs were some of the best I have EVER had, and I live near the beach! The Sole was cooked to perfection. I asked them to leave the roe, and it was delish!!!! Great dinner date!
(5)Joy E.
Always an Outstanding dinner. We order he Nantucket Scallops whenever they are in season! Always treated well, and appreciated the service from Jasper the waiter.
(5)Michael L.
Ate here earlier tonight, 100% satisfied, great dinner experience. Had a 5:00 reservation and the person I was meeting was late, like 30 minutes almost. The host was super cool and said not to worry and we would have a table when he showed up, even though many people had come through looking for a table. The waiter was cool as well. Appetizers were excellent, stone crabs and Nantucket cape scallops which the waiter called "the candy of the sea". The filet was pretty good, I was expecting a bit more, but then the Alaskan King Crab legs were so good I couldn' t complain. With desert you can get half a slice of something if you want to try a few so we got the Havana dream pie and the chocolate fudge pie, both were unbelievable. Their beer selection is limited and they don't have anything on tap, but the food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent.
(5)Andrea R.
I grew up at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami so I was ecstatic when they opened one in Chicago. I feared that the stone crabs wouldn't be as fresh as they are in Miami, but I have been pleasantly surprised with each visit to Joe's. I can't resist the stone crabs, but my friends have gotten the steaks and say they are comparable to Gibson's and other Chicago steakhouses. The sweet potato fries and keylime pie (you've never had pie this good...even if you aren't a fan of keylime) complete this meal. Edit 1/21/08: Joe's remains my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Actually it's probably my favorite restaurant everywhere! And I discovered a new dessert. Yes, the keylime pie is uhmazing, but be sure to get some peanut butter pie (WOW) as well. You can even order half a slice of each!
(5)K T.
I eat here whenever I am in Chicago and it is always excellent. Bisque is awesome.
(5)Kelly R.
Truly outstanding quality of both cuisine and service. Expennnnsive.. And worth it
(5)Anastasia K.
Well, yeah, the first time I dined here I was amazed and impressed by the service and the food, but the several times I've been back have never lived up to that first experience, and I don't plan to return unless someone else is paying. The service is generally fantastic, but if you know what you want the waiters don't care and will ramble on (though quite enthusiastically) about all the specials and the way certain plates are prepared. On the other hand, if you don't know what you want or have questions, the servers are amazingly helpful and will answer you without any condescending tones. The bussers are great, so don't forget that part of your tip will be split with them - be fair! As far as the food goes, the steaks are always good. I've even been there on days when the managers took particular cuts off the menu because they weren't up to their standards. FYI - this place runs on FRESH FRESH FRESH food - every main plate is flown or driven in that morning, beef AND seafood. I've had the king crab legs twice, and frankly, Pappadeaux out in Westmont has this place beat by a mile. The portions are HUGE when the legs are in season and the pre-cracking is a nice bonus for your tender hands and fingers. The restaurant recommends eating them chilled, but I had them steamed both times and both times I was a little bit let down. For dessert, you absolutely MUST try the peanut butter pie. The peanut butter is whipped into a mousse-like filling and the oreo crust is simply over-the-top delicious. Apps, entrees and desserts are king-size proportions so plan to bring something home or leave a bit behind to prevent your belt from popping off. Finally, a word about the valets - they park in the same garage I do for work and they are RECKLESS with patrons' cars. So fair warning --- if you plan to drive here, park on your own (there's plenty of garages / lots nearby, although pricey) or walk from somewhere nearby.
(3)Erica K.
Went to Joe's for our holiday office lunch. I work in nonprofit development and my office is full of lovely ladies and only one man. Our token bit of testosterone was unable to attend so when we walked in there was an overwhelming sense that this place is a boy's club during lunch. The ratio of men to women was insane. Anyway, I thought the food was really good. I wouldn't say it was great though. My steak was well-cooked, but a bit too salty. The stone crab appetizer we all shared was really good. I would probably just order the crab if I went back. As for service, it was kind of weird. Our waiter tried to be funny but came off as kind of a jerk. He kept addressing our table as "Girls" which annoyed some of my coworkers. Then he pitched us a bunch of salads off the menu as if that's all women order. Screw that. Gimme my steak! I think if we had a better waiter it would have been more enjoyable. Either way though, they have some damn good seafood.
(4)Brenda M.
I travel to Chicago every couple of months for business, and the bartenders always remember my name. The iceberg wedge salad is one of my favorites and the steak is wonderful.
(5)amy k.
Not impressed - the food was OK, but not worth the price. The menu listed on the outside window (for passersby) was different than the inside menu (prices were about $5 more expensive per item on inside menu). To top it all off (because prior to this, I was able to overlook the aforementioned details), I came home with a severe case of food poisoning. Couldn't keep anything down all night. This was the only thing I ate yesterday, so I can't imagine where else my bout of poisoning would've come from.
(2)Brandon G.
Very impressed. Impeccable service. Had the stone crabs as an app. They and the accompanying sauce was fantastic. Girlfriend had sea bass, I had the bone in filet.... both were absolutely fantastic. Recommend the parmesan crusted potatoes and flash fried green beans for sides. Probably the best green beans I've ever had. Key lime pie a must for desert. I made reservations 3 weeks early for a week night.
(5)Abby T.
Sean was our VERY helpful server. He was extremely knowledgeable and made my first visit (FINALLY!) to Joe's a pleasant one. We ordered the seared tuna, madagascar shrimp (HUGE!) and a couple pounds of crab. The crab here IS amazing! We sat upstairs, what seemed away from the rest of the restaurant. I would be interested to sit amongst the commoners next time. :-)
(5)M. M.
Was here recently for a business event. I'm giving only three stars because with a limited menu and eating in the private party room in the back, I didn't feel like I got the full Joe's experience enough to evaluate properly . However, the service was great, the food I did select from the choices offered (I had some type of beef dish with sauce and veg) was good, and they didn't skimp on the wine. The desserts are HUGE, just warning you. Their specialty is apparently key lime pie, which alas, I don't like (not the restaurant's fault, I've never cared for it). We walked through the main restaurant a few times to find our party room, to use restrooms etc. and it was really hopping and jammed even though it was midweek. Don't even try to come here without a reservation, as there were people standing around waiting up front and there's not much room to wait. Very cozy atmosphere, very retro, with waiters in old fashioned vests and aprons, big open space with a wooden floor and round tables close to each other. Warning: The open floor plan makes the main restaurant VERY VERY LOUD so this isn't the place to go for an intimate discussion, nor is it particularly romantic for a date night. Come here to eat and drink, preferably a lot, and you will be fine. I would like to stop back when I can have more food choices since what I had was obviously prepared for a set event budget and I think I could have done better picking out stuff on my own.
(3)Tony T.
I dropped in here with friends the other night after a lengthy hiatus and Joe's (once again) exceeded all expectations. The only knock is that we waited 45 minutes past our reservation time. The manager, however, made it up to us with complimentary drinks and King Crab apps. I would never call Joe's authentic Chicago and it does seem to be heavily populated with tourists and business travelers so be prepared to be jostled in the bar while you wait. But the wait is worth it. The service was flawless, the dining room is beautiful, and all of the food is magnificently prepared and executed. We enjoyed Dover Sole, steaks, and scallops. All were delightful and the deserts were sublime. The crowds keep me away from this Chicago favorite but huge numbers have not diminished this place one bit. Kudos to Lettuce for keeping it real.
(5)LReets B.
I just had to take the time to write a review for this place because it is one of the best restaurants i have ever dined at. I am from Boston and visited Chiacgo this past weekend with my boyfriend. His friend suggested this place and i scoured online for reviews, all of them were amazing. i now know why. First, we had a 9pm reservation didnt get seated until 9:30, so for this they gave us a free appetizer of crab legs, shrimp, ceviche, and lobster. it was delicious and couldn't believe it was free, the manager came over and said they do not like to make people wait. Then our waiter was phenominal, so friendly and down to earth, and we actaully had a good conversation with him about his move to chicago. Next, the actual food was delicious. I got the miso sea bass special, never had better sea bass in my life, my boyfriend got the bone in filet, best steak ever. For dessert we couldnt decide between the peanut butter pie or chococlate pie, so the waiter brought us half of each. Both incredible. The servers squeeze lemon over your hands and bring you a hot towel between courses to cleanse your hands. The service was just incredible. Did i mention we were standing next to Scotty Pippin in the bar while waiting for our table? You have to go here!
(5)K P.
Crabcakes and the surf and turf are excellent. Beautiful spot in the heart of downtown. Pricey but well worth it!
(5)Craig H.
Fantastic! Bit of a wait to get but we got a table in the front section pretty quickly. The stone crab was excellent even out of season. A must is the Dover Sole prepared table side. Excellent night!
(4)Al L.
It is a good steakhouse but in the city where steakhouses once ruled - it does not compare to some of the others. It is a lettuce entertain - so use if you have gift cards. The service is always pretty good and the food is pretty good (again, not the best in the city) but good. If you go there, dress up a little nothing bothers me more than seeing people in gym shoes and shorts when the servers are wearing tuxedos. And yes, try the key lime pie.
(4)Amy C.
This was by far the highlight of my trip to Chicago. We went here for our "nice dinner" during our quick weekend trip to Chicago and everything bypassed our expectations, We were in town during a crazy citywide convention so I was sure to make reservations early for this place. We were seated as soon as we walked in which was very impressive since we were a little but early. As they sat us in the cute tucked away corner of the restaurant we could not help but people watch as we were seated-- lots of big hair, make-up and gold straight out of "Absolutely Fabulous" which was entertaining. A second after we were seated, a couple sat next to us that the lady must have bathed in her old lady perfume- all of a sudden it was all I could taste and knew that we had to move or my dinner was going to be ruined, Although they were super busy, the host was very accommodating and laughed a little as he put us in our new table next to a couple of cougars who at least smelled better. I had the best steak of my life, and my boyfriend got the snow crab as highly recommended in the reviews. It was so good! We split the creamed spinach and potatoes and walked out happy. It was a perfect dinner for our last night in Chicago.
(5)Mon C.
The chilaen sea bass had to be one of the best I've ever had. It was so moist and flakey. The fish just melted in my mouth. I'm hungry just thinking about it! The special sauce that comes with the stone crabs was good, but not necessary because the crab was moist and very tasty on their own. Finally, got the morracon shrimp based on the reviews. I think those I could have done without. I was not nearly as impressed as everyone else was based on their reviews. I think that the shrimp was ok, but not that good. The shrimp was impressive size wise. I would definitely recommend coming here to anyone in Chicago looking for some yummy, be it very pricey, seafood.
(4)Ania L.
The last time I was at Joe's Seafood was in December. Our company had the Christmas party in the back of the restaurant. While the food is probably the best in Chicago (my fillet was excellent - made exactly like I wanted) , the setup of the restaurant isn't the greatest. It's very crowded. Our room was in the back; and every time you need to use the restrooms, you need to walk through the whole restaurant, in between all other people, to get there. Not very convenient (nor easy, after 3 or so pomegranate martinis).. Other than that, every single food (& drink) I had that night was great! The appetizers were amazing, main course was delicious, and dessert melted in your mouth. I highly recommend this for a date night (although it might get a little pricey)!
(5)Kel C.
The service is great and the filet mignon was perfect. I sat at the bar and really enjoyed myself. Nice wine list too. I am from Maryland and am in Chicago on vacation. Been to the Joe's in Vegas and both locations are wonderful.
(5)Whiskey L.
this place was jam-packed when I showed up on a Friday night. Perhaps this was why the service seemed both slow and rushed at the same time. Never a good combo. Scallops apps are often serve as a good litmus test, and Joe's Famous were underwhelming. The steak was overcooked, but the saving grace was the delightful lobster tail.
(3)Kristen S.
A great experience overall. Joe's service and food will blow you away. Additionally, as someone who is gluten-intolerant, the staff was sensitive and knowledgeable about food allergies. I took my husband here for his birthday on a Saturday night and it was crowded but we had a corner booth table with a great view of the restaurant. Loved the seating and the atmosphere here at Joe's. The staff is dressed in tuxedos - with rhinestone crabs on the lapel for "flair" as we discussed with our good-natured server, Christopher. So be sure to dress appropriately for Joe's in business casual attire. The food is perfect. My husband had a dry aged new york strip (20 oz) and I had the wild sockeye alaskan salmon and both were the types of dishes that melt in your mouth. I'd like to try the stone crabs next time I visit with someone who likes or knows how to eat shellfish. We also had the sugar snap peas on the side and my husband ordered the Louise's potatoes which was mashed potatoes with fontina and asiago cheese with bread crumbs on top. He loved these potatoes. For dessert we had orange sherbet, which was creamy and delicious... almost like home-made. The service was excellent - even beyond excellent. The food is great but the service is what gets Joe's the 5 star rating. Our server and the host were attentive to my husband's birthday and my gluten allergy. Our server ensured that the bus people used separate utensils when handling my food and even had it come out separately after being cooked in a separate part of the kitchen. It was amazing. If you are in Chicago and you try just one restaurant, try Joe's. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Francine P.
The reason they are getting stars is because they have a good rep and their food is still good cold. The service was slow. Our food came out cold, but it took an hour before we got our steaks so we weren't about to send it back and wait another hour. Our water glasses were empty. We were filling our own wine glasses. The restaurant wasn't even full.
(3)Kara G.
Although we were late for our reservation and had to wait a bit to be seated, it was worth the wait! Our server was a little inattentive, but it was crazy busy, so a little understandable. We had the calamari (just the right crispness) and stone crab claws (actually not the best I've ever had, but pretty darn good), and I ended up sharing the bone-in rib-eye and chilean seabass (my fave!). Both were DELICIOUS, we ate every bite, and the potatoes (jenny?) were sooooo good. One side is enough for four people, so be sure you don't over order on those. Dessert was incredible as well- and the portions are HUGE, enough for at least 3 people, if not four. We got the coconut cream pie, banana cream pie, and some kind of chocolate pie that was orgasmic. Mmmmm..... One critique- they only had one selection of a Malbec on their wine list. Not the worst thing, but variety is the spice of life. So although I ate wayyyy too much and almost put myself into a food coma, I can't wait to go back!
(4)Katrina M.
I've had two lovely visits here with family. Frilly interior, yet polite, casual demeanor seen throughout this place. Spacious arrangement of tables. Diners ranged from the old to the very young. Food is full of flavor..I loved the mushrooms and calamari for appetizers. However, I didn't like the little lake accumulating in my steakhouse salad. It was so water-y! Other than that, I loved everything else. The peanut butter pie was the best too! It was yummy, and totally bearable; not like pies that are so rich & sweet you have to sip water after every bite :P
(4)Tony C.
This used to be one of my favorites and still is in my top 5. I always get shrimp cocktail which they have a pretty good cocktail sauce. My favorite steak is the bone in rib eye which is so well cooked. I think the vegas location is the better than the chicago location. They also have a nice wine list. I have had meals in the bar there a couple of times and I liked the prime rib sandwich. It is worth going to for sure when in chicago or vegas. UPDATE: Went there Friday night and I had a chop salad (60% of it were onions) and the vinaigarette was just too sweet and otherwise bland. I ate half of it and the server asked me how it was and I said too many onions and she laughed. I ordered a petite filet medium rare. it came out medium well. SO DISAPPOINTED!!! so now they go down to 2 stars!! I prob won't be back.
(2)Ann C.
I've been to a lot of 5 star steak restaurants around this country, and the bone-in ribeye I had here was one of the top 3 steaks I've ever had in my entire life--I've actually been dreaming about it.
(5)Katie W.
All I can say is amazing, best restaurant in Chicago
(5)Stephanie R.
Wow. I'm speechless. I just got through with dinner here, and let me say they did not disappoint! Despite being incredibly crowded, the waitstaff was consistently attentive and made this Saturday night dinner a fabulous occasion. Thanks Joe's!
(5)Lisa B.
We recently went on our 4th visit to Joe's, and unfortunately, my husband and I are still not impressed. Joe's has proven to us to be nothing more than a name with a failure to deliver on great and memorable food. We started with the Manhattan chowder - it was nothing more than a $7 bowl of vegetable soup. I had a special, the Dover sole stuffed with mushrooms with a lobster sauce. It was good, a little salty, but nothing memorable. My husband had the pretzel crusted arctic char, it was overcooked. We had 2 sides, the mac and cheese, which was good, and the garlic creamed spinach. The garlic creamed spinach was easily the worst part of our meal. They must infuse some herb into the cream sauce - however those herbs are totally overpowering. I must say, I always love their Key Lime Martini and typically when we get it, the second mortgage is a great way to start a meal, but I just can't see myself coming back to this place time after time when I'm not blown away by their food.
(3)Linda E.
What can I say about Joe's that hasn't already been said. This place is THE BEST seafood/steak place in the city. Make reservations because i think most of Chicago and surrounding suburb agrees! The service is exemplary. I have never had a poor meal or dining experience here. The standout dishes I've had are: the Lobster bisque, garlic creamed spinach, the lyonnaise potatoes, the Seabass, garlic crusted grouper, the petite filet mignon, and my favorite Key Lime pie. Bon Appetite!
(5)Kim R.
We are sure to secure a reservation every time we are in town and have dined at the location in Las Vegas many times as well. It has never been a disappointment and the only thing better than the food is the service. This is no secret people, so make sure to get a table straight away or a wait and/or not so great reservation time may be in your future. During dinner, I'm always scanning the room, watching all the staff that so quickly, quietly take care of every detail....it truly is a dying art. On this recent visit we had the kids ( 8 & 11) along with us and they were treated as small humans, not an irritation as some of the nicer restaurants have done in the past. It is one of life's pleasures to share a nice meal with the family. My husband and I have favorites at Joe's and have never had cause to stray. Do yourself a favor and just simply place this order: crab bisque, maybe a caesar salad and the stone crab claws ( don't forget a glass of sancerre ). Otherwise, you just may be a fool.
(5)Nazario O.
We came here for Father's Day dinner and it did not disappoint. From getting the shrimp cocktail to it's crab bisque soup and finally to the 20oz bone in rib eye, my stomach was satisfied. Of course adding a little old fashioned apple pie a la mode was the fantastic finish I needed to an awesome day. Definitely lived up to its word as being one of the best in Chicago.
(5)Josh W.
great atmosphere- just walked in, was able to sit right down in the bar area- great steak, great pie. With all the great choices in streeterville- this has to be at the top of the list!
(5)Margaret L.
My husband and I went to Chicago for a weekend get away for some good food. He kept insisting on coming to Joe's and since we didn't make reservations, we walked in early: 4:30p. The Maitre'd invited us to sit in the dining room instead of the bar and then the evening began. We had the medium stone crab for an appetizer... It was absolutely delicious. Pre-cracked and ready to eat. Delicious. Main entree: I had the petite filet mignon (delicious) and he had the Fisherman's platter: all grilled but with the calamari fried. The flavor on the shrimp was amazing! Sides: spinach, asparagus, and mac 'n cheese Dessert: good 'ol pie. We left so full and my husband suffered with food coma. The ambiance was amazing, the service was great... we'll be back for more... so go get some crab!
(5)Megan H.
Busy! It was packed when we showed up for dinner, without a reservation, but we were able to grab a table in the bar and order dinner. The crab was fantastic, and the peanut butter pie for dessert was even better!
(5)Christina M.
I was dissappointed in this place. I guess the bread basket costs extra because it never showed up. The crab soup was excellent and perhaps I should have stopped there, the salmon very very ordinary. Now: My date made reservations. I asked to be seated before he arrived however was told to wait in the reception area, which perturbed me. Since when is My date more important than Me??? The place was still empty and the host had the time to show Me to the table. (I routinely arrive early to scope the dining room out so that we are not playing table roulette later when I dislike the assigned table) FYI people: attractive woman + average executive dude = I'M the one driving this sale!
(3)Isabella W.
I might have had an off day. I was looking forward to Joe's ever since I moved to Chicago 4 years ago. Sadly, it did not live up to its hype. Went for lunch and had stone crabs and stuffed mushrooms. Stone crabs are seriously over-rated..sure, it might be a novelty out in the midwest, but it wasn't that fresh, and I wasn't a fan of the sauce. Give me some Maryland blue crabs with Old Bay sauce - I'd choose that any day over stone crabs. Mushrooms were good, but nothing to write home about. What made matters worse was my entree, the grouper (special) I ordered with a mango ceviche. The grouper (a meatier fish) was bland in flavor and appearance - I couldn't even finish half, and I usually devour fish if it's in front of me. I was left with the mango ceviche (which was 10x more flavorful) and the hashbrowns (which I think was the highlight of the meal). The asparagus with lemon better was overcooked, soggy, and sad. I'd give it one more shot to redeem it's 2-star rating in my book, and maybe get the steak next time. All in all though, it was extremely disappointing.
(2)Larry B.
I don't recall ever tasting anything quite like the Alaskan King Crab here. The flavor seeps out of the meat when you bite into it. I also loved how they cracked the shells open
(5)Andy C.
Went here for the first time for lunch. Nice atmosphere and decor inside. The thing I liked about it was there was no dress code and you would feel comfortable whether in jeans or in a full suit. The service was excellent and we were even offered a complimentary slice of key lime pie because it was our first time. Both the steak and seafood are great. We tried the stone crab claws (which were competitively priced with other restaurants) and thought they were tasty as well.
(4)K B.
Fantastic food, great service and atmosphere. Please make reservations.
(4)Alicya M.
I've never been disappointed at Joe's! It's a fave spot for my guy & I to hit whenever we have a little extra $ to splurge. I couldn't tell you about the stone crabs, unfortunately... because every time I go, I remember how fantastic the last steak was! I LIVE for their petite filet mignon. That is the only red meat I've had in years, but I can't resist! On our last visit we had the special, Madagascar shrimp (giant, but pricey @ about $13 EACH). Fantastic!! ...And how do you get the baked potatoes to taste like that? Are they marinated or were they spiking my drinks? Try one. You'll understand. The wait staff is always on their game, with prompt service and recommendations (I'm a wine idiot.). Decor is pretty upscale, so dress to impress. (Last time Senator Bradley & one of the Chicago Bulls were in the tables next to us, if you get my point.) The place is always packed, so make a reservation, and make it early. Don't forget your credit card (our dinner and drinks for 2 usually run us about $175-200), but you'll agree it's money well spent.
(5)Jennifer G.
This past Friday (2/19/10) was the first time I have ever been to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. Once we were seated our waiter greeted us. I do have to say this waiter kept us laughing through the entire meal. He had some great stories and funny lines. He had some great recommendations which my boyfriend took him up on. I did the pre-fixed menu. I was blown away with the steak! The steak seasonings weren't a bad addition. My boyfriend had the bone-in ribeye which he ate all of it and said it might have been the best he's ever had. There is no question about it, we will be back!
(5)Po R.
I've only ever dined at the bar here and always get the same 3 things - the Bloody Mary, the crab bisque and the Char-Broiled Beef Tenderloin Sandwich. All three are the best I've ever had. It takes all the strength I have to refrain from licking the soup cup and the rim of the Blood Mary glass! Yummy! They also have great service and ambiance.
(5)E P.
Went because of the good reviews...HOWEVER...left after waiting around a tad and watching how ugly people got d ue Joe's policy of not having a waiting list for the bar tables. Super uncool and preventable! I would expect that the management would care more @ the customer experience in the bar area and start using a proper wait list like the regular restaurant area. It is aggravating to have people walking in and grabbing tables even though others are obviously waiting. People waiting were glaring at and hovering over diners in an effort to grab their table. Not a pleasant thing to watch or put up with...so we left and went to Shaw's 2 blocks away. Shaw's was incredibly good...and they had a list for seating at the bar!
(1)Stephanie P.
I came across Joe's from these Yelp reviews and while on business in Chicago recently, I decided to give them a try. I went on a Monday night and they were packed. I didn't have a reservation as I was dining alone. I decided to wait in the bar area to see if a table opened up. This is how great the staff is there. Lisa in particular, saw me standing alone, asked if I wanted a drink and if I was dining alone. When I told her she immediately made it her mission to find me a table. And she did. I had a nice table in front of one of the tv's to enjoy the b-ball playoffs as I dined. She brought over the menu and gave me the lowdown of all their signature dishes and answered any questions I had. Her suggestions were amazing and the food was phenomenal!!! Hands down the best meal I had on this trip. I started with the Stone Crab appetizer and it was the best way to open up. Tasty crab legs that you have to peel but they do such a great job of pre-cracking that the meat literally fell out of the shell. And they were tasty with or without sauce. I also asked for a side of butter as well. Sooo good. Next up I had the wedge salad in which they chopped for me to make it easier to eat. I had to stop myself as to save for my entree. It was delicious. Next up, the Parmesan encrusted halibut with a side of mushroom mac n' cheese. HEAVEN! That's all I have to say...I felt like I needed to be rolled out of there but everything was amazing. I enjoyed the food and the entire dining experience. The staff (Lisa in particular) are rock stars and make it that much more enjoyable. This will definitely be a permanent stop if I'm back in Chicago again.
(5)Charlotte Y.
I endured one of my biggest pet peeves here the other night - the advancing of horribly, consistently indifferent service when a server knows they're getting their 18% gratuity! My family dines here frequently. Dad loves the steak and halibut; Mom loves the stone crabs; Sis loves the side dishes; Bro loves seafood in general. So, we dined here for Mom's birthday over the weekend (maybe that was the problem). In any event, despite the consistently decent (not great, but above average) food, our server fell off the planet! I think I spent my entire evening looking for him and attempting to track him down. Quite literally, I asked for refills on Mom's iced tea, asked for more water for myself, asked to place our dinner order, asked that our table be cleared and asked to see dessert menus (best banana cream pie around though)! I should have served the table!!! Why is it that when a server knows they're getting the 18% gratuity (as it's built into the bill with large parties) they decide to slack off? And the thing is... he was so clueless with my annoyance! So, if you want a no frills service experience with decent seafood and steaks, this is the place for you.
(2)Shannon S.
Went for the first time for my birthday. Food and service were amazing! Went back again for my grandma's 80th birthday (which was during restaurant week) and it did not disappoint! Will definitely visit again soon.
(5)Joe R.
If I could give 20 stars I would. This is my favorite restaurant in the whole world. You walk in the door and the crowd is there. Even though I make reservations I have to wait for a table. That is ok because it give me time to have a drink. A whiskey. They fill it to the top. It might be $15 but is like a triple. Then the service. They must train for years -- because they are the best I've seen. Make you feel comfortable while being informative to the max. Now the food. I always get Porterhouse. Why not get the best of both worlds -- filet and sirloin. Paired up with a red wine and sides shared for the table. I am in heaven. I dream of this place. I actually don't get steak out unless I am at Joe's. I guess that means I should be visiting Chicago more than every 2 years.
(5)tracy d.
Anyone (including me) can rave about Joe's for dinner but I want to let you in on a little secret- it's just as great for lunch! In addition to smaller portions of most dinner items, they have a tenderloin sandwich with a horseradish sauce that is to die for. Or get the steakhouse salad. Lettuce, tomato and blue cheese with a small NY strip steak on top. How can you go wrong with that? If you work nearby, call ahead an order a salad for pickup and you're out the door for $15 with a lunch that will make the rest of the office jealous. The other thing we like about Joe's beyond the standard dinner is popping in for early evening drinks on the weekends. If you get there before it's busy, you can relax in the very comfortable bar, drink a very generously poured cocktail (or two!) and order a few appetizers. Joe's service is always stellar and I've never had a bad meal there. A full dinner can get costly if you go all out, but you get what you pay for: wonderful atmosphere, great service, food done right and tasty wines. If you want to spend less money, go to McDonald's. If you want a meal that will impress you and your friends, go to Joe's.
(5)William K.
I'm going 4 stars. It would be easy to do five, but I'm saving myself for the right girl. Huh? There are some definite five star things you should order though: 1) The crab legs... get the big ones. I don't know what they do to them or where they get them, but something weird is going on. They are awesome. 2) The Jenny potatoes (I think?) which are just (cough) au gratin potatoes. Get them and send me the bill if you don't start a new religion based on the experience. 3) This is a weird one, so buckle up... the key lime pie martini. I'm not a martini person, and key lime pie is like my 237th favorite pie, but it's amazing. Try one for dessert, like Kim39. The surf and turf (filet and lobster tail) was great. Big, bad asparagus... yum. Shrimp and carb cake appetizers were very good as well. Ed and Holly looked like movie stars. Of course, Kim39 and I were aglow after hoisting a few drinks with the Poap earlier in the evening. This is a 4 1/2 star place. The only ding for me was the atmosphere. It was kind of businessman cold. I like businessmen, but it's kind of nice when a restaurant has a little warmer ambiance. Oh yeah, and bring your wallet! With so many unique five-star elements... we will be back!
(4)Vlad T.
I knew the steaks were good - had carry outs from this place, but never expected to be impressed. My wife and I did not have reservations (I called earlier - they were booked) but showed up at 6:30 pm before going to the theater hoping to get in (had lettuce cards). We were seated immediately!!! Waitress - fantastic, helpful, knowledgeable - a pleasure! Had stone crabs appetizer - so good, we shared a bone-in fillet medium-rare +, which was fantastic. And then a highlight - crab legs, cold, best I've ever had: juicy and sweet, not salty, not messy at all as they do most of the work for you table side. All this was accompanied by Grey Goose dirty martinis with blue cheese olives!!!! Yes, it was expensive, but it was certainly memorable!!! And, of course, key lime pie - so refreshing! I must say though that a grilled tomato (side dish) was ruined by american melted cheese on top! It just did not do it for me! I would have been happier with goat cheese or mozzarella. Still 5 stars!!!
(5)Kelly K.
The crab bisque and the seafood chopped salad are my lunchtime standbys. I generally come here when I'm in the mood for seafood but not sushi. The service is fast and I'm in and out with time to spare during lunch.
(4)Cin K.
They have the best burgers and fried chicken I have ever had! The burger is quality meat and the fried chicken is crispy and moist. Along with the fried chicken I had their mashed potato, spinach stuffed mushrooms and grilled asparagus. Love their food.
(4)D T.
I have been here 352 times, and I'm not going to tell you anything you probably don't know. This place is AWESOME and a go-to for my husband and I. It's just as good as the Miami location. It's big, it's loud and over the top. Very Chicago. I have had every single item on the menu, whether ordering it myself or sampling someone else's. These are my stand outs... 1) Stone Crabs- they're as awesome as everyone says. (I could eat the mustard alone, and rub it all over my body) 2) Oysters Rockefeller- delicious. 3) Manhattan Clam Chowder- Fresh, tasty, awesome. I think better than the Bisque. 4) Seafood Chopped Salad- Amazing. 5) Grouper- It's very good, but I'll take the crab stuffed sole over this. 6) Crab Stuffed Dover Sole- It is definitely one of the best fish dishes I have ever had. Even my husband orders this now. When ordering the quantities we do, a steak can be too much sometimes. 7) Bone-in NY Strip- I definitely "meat cheat" for this one. I LOVE strip steak; I definitely think it's the tastiest cut of meat, and add a bone?!?!? Heavenly, so flavorful. 8) Lyonnaise Potatoes- rich, delicious, I'm gaining weight thinking about them. 9) Sauteed Spinach- I don't like butter, cheese or cream in my vegetables. The creamed spinach is way too much when eating this massive dinner. 10) Boston OR Banana Cream Pie- Everyone raves about the Key Lime Pie, but I need sweet, not sour, for a dessert. We leave a few pounds heavier, a few hundred dollars broker and very, very happy. This place just never disappoints. Like I said you can't go wrong, but those are my favorites. Enjoy!!!
(5)Matt J.
The absolute best Key Lime Pie in Chicago. It's worth the $30.
(5)Fast T.
Bar: bring your 'needs improvement' employees here to lower the boom. so many loud people and employees moving to and fro, they won't hear you tell them how awful they are, you wont hear them whine about this and that, and you'll be dialed in with HR. Seriously, you've been to this place before. Standard lettuce entertain you recipe for the decor. Ambience: see above. Gobs of tables burning off profits, big celebrations after a long day at McCormick, happy couples in town for a visit. Everyone is laughing and backslapping...it's like 2006! A few different rooms, sitting in the middle looked a bit daunting with a LOT of large round loud tables. We had a booth, which was much better. If you want to have any substantive conversation, get a booth. Again though, after a few beers i could have been convinced i was walking through A Maggiano's, Shaw's etc. Grade: B Food: was with foreign clients that did not drink wine, so no comment on substance other than the list was extensive. Standard beers with craft specials. Many rounds of goose island matilde, all refreshed appropriately. Listen up...they don't have the words stone crab in the name as a bait and switch. Get them. A range of sizes to fit most budgets, we ordered the third largest which is a plate of six and added two more. Four gents were satisfied. If you are into the stone crab claw, dive right in. Next up was a typical wedge salad, it was good but again, this isn't calculus. As long as it's big here, the customers are happy. Rounding the corner was the regular filet, a medium affair. Temperature and progress, spot on. The price reflects the quality, you pretty much get what you pay for here. The steak knife sat on the table, only a fork was needed to cut the filet. A la carte Sides were creamed garlic spinach and some other potato concoction. Dessert was presented gratis (nice) as it was clear to our server that our guests just arrived off a 12 hour flight. Key lime pie, very good. Grade: B+ Service: very nice. Not too intrusive, worked with a language barrier in a transparent fashion. These folks turn tables with a lot of warbucks blowing holes in the expense budget. Also, there's a lot of stuff going on here including various celebs and athletes. These servers are the people for whom industry night discounts were invented. Grade: A- Overall: it is what it is. The Lettuce version of a Chicago steak and seafood place. If That is what you are looking for, The food is good, the booze is flowin', your worries are left with the doorman. B+
(4)Jennifer R.
WAAAAY overrated. To me, this is purely an expense account place. Prices, for what you receive, are ridiculously inflated. I chose this place based on the good reviews here, and was so disappointed! First off, our stone crab claws were PUMMELED, not just cracked, and it made them darn near impossible to eat. There were shards of shell in every bite, and we are big crab people. Such a bummer. The dining room was very crowded, almost like one of those family-style Italian joints feels, not a place that charges this much for a steak. Not to mention, we had a reservation and had to wait another hour in the VERY crowded bar to be seated...there have got to be better choices! Yuck!
(1)Retired B.
Stone crab is not as delicious as dungeness crab, I am sorry to say. However, it is still tasty and it was interesting prying out the meats from the claws. (That's all you get- claws with the pinchers, not the other legs.) I tried the lunch special (?) that came with 5 medium claws, cole slaw (a little too soupy for me), really good hash browns, and a slice of banana cream pie for like $22 which I thought was a really good deal. Service is very friendly. They let me substitute the dessert of banana cream pie instead of key lime pie even though they said that they do not normally do that. And they also let my friend substitute her coleslaw for some other type of veggie. I did notice that they do tend to say the same message over and over again though, so I am sure it is just memorized. "Hi. welcome to Joe's blah blah blah, have you ever dined with us? Well, let me tell you about the blah blah blah." I wish I could come on a business trip so I can get to try all the other items. Most of the clientele seem to be business people.
(4)Nicholas W.
What can I say? It's reliable and great.
(4)Timothy D.
There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said. This is a top notch restaurant with amazingly fresh food and impeccable service. It is pricey but you certainly get your monies worth. My only complaint is that this place is so damn popular it gets very crowded and you have to make reservations pretty far in advance (especially if you are a party of 4 or smaller). Recommend the 2nd mortgage appetizer (sub out crab legs for stone crab) and then split the king crab legs (table side service) for dinner. Pair it all with champagne for a special night out.
(5)QB Chicago B.
Ok...I haven't been here in some time. I mean we have so many new and wonderful restaurants to choose from....spoiled! But I forgot...this is my fav place! Although usually crowded, you have the option to eat barside. But the meal is worth the wait if you decide to eat in very traditional dining area! Always consistent great service, super fresh fish, pre cracked crab and always left overs to take home. Expect to leave well fed...from the appetizer to the desert....a home run!! Love Love Love this place and this time I won't forget it!
(4)Lyndsay G.
Joe's is a very fancy restaurant, far more fancy then what I am used to. I used to pick up food for my bosses at work here at my old job and the host would wear a top hat so it def caught me by surprise. the employees here are very helpful, responsive and are generally hilarious. I only had contact with the hostess of the carry-out section, but they always ran down exactly what I order and made sure everything was in the bags. Considering I would order between 100-200 worth of fish, that def helped. The leftovers I had were alway delicious, but I could never afford this place otherwise.
(3)Nick C.
So I have finally made my long overdue pilgrimage to Joe's! I ate their last night with my girlfriend and her aunt and uncle. The place was completely jammed, and their was a large group of people in the bar area waiting it out in hopes of a "no-show." We had 6:30 reservations and were seated promptly. Unfortunately, we were seated in a booth instead of a table, but I knew I would I live. Our waiter showed up soon after we were seated with the menus, and the busboy was right behind him with the waters and the bread. The bread was pretty good, but the cinnamon raisin was by far the best... too bad their was only one of them for four people to split. For appetizers, we ordered the highly touted Stone Crab Claws, the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms, and the Fried Calamari. In my opinion, the Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms were the best of the appetizers, and they were so well done that the layer of cheese on top of the mushrooms was not necessary. I actually removed the cheese from my mushrooms so I could fully enjoy the spinach flavor. The fried calamari was perfectly fried, but on "par" with what you would expect from a high-end steakhouse. Now comes the shocker, the Crab Claws, were, in my opinion, just OK. I know some people will scoff at the suggestion that Joe's Crab Claws were not the Holy Grail, but I have had better, and I do not think I would order them the next time I go to Joe's... the high price doesn't help their case either. My only real complaint about Joe's was created at this point in the meal. Our busboy was overly aggressive, and a bit bothersome. He was insistent about removing plates from the table and actually took our appetizer plates from the table before we had finished all of the food! Yes, we had stopped eating for a minute or so to converse, but I had been eyeing those last two mushrooms only to seem them swept off the table, by what can only be described as the Terminator of BusBoys... his mission, confiscate anything and everything! This gentleman was so insistent on dumping water into our glasses that, not once did he do so without spilling water all over the table... excuse me and I apologize work once or twice, but he was just reciting them in order to seem proper. He also leaned his entire body over our table to reach the still half full bread basket and plates on the other side. I know he is just doing his job, but I could have done without the table being shaken like a 50lb weight just fell on it, and even more so, without his body all over my clean dinner plate and silverware. Maybe I am just being picky, but at a restaurant of this caliber, I do not expect that type of service. Anyway, he did not take away from the rest of the night, so that is enough about him. Now onto the highlight of the meal, STEAK! My girlfriend ordered the Petite Fillet, her steakhouse standard, her uncle ordered the NY Strip, her aunt, who gives up meat for lent, was forced to forgo a steak, and of course, I went with my steakhouse standard, and ordered the NY Strip - Medium Rare. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Potato Fries, and Sauteed Garlic Spinach as our sides. All of the sides were wonderful and the Fried Green Tomatoes were a fantastic surprise... we only ordered them because we have never scene them on a menu before. The Sweet Potato Fries had a brown sugar, and nutmeg (I think it was nutmeg) sprinkle over them that made them addicting. The Sauteed Spinach was perfectly done, and in my opinion, a much better accompaniment then its creamed counterpart. What can I say about the steaks, they were all perfect. There comes a point when you realize Prime Cut Steaks are, well, Prime Cut Steaks, and that is what the majority of top-tier steakhouses serve. However, the rub/seasoning at Joe's, combined with their cooking method (absolutely perfect char to the steaks) made my NY Strip one of the best I have had. I did need a moment or two to recharge my appetite before I could finish my steak, but I made sure to wield my very large steak knife, just in case our busboy was going to try anything funny. I did not eat dessert because I gave that up for lent, but our table ordered a piece of the Key Lime Pie and a piece of the Boston Cream Pie, both looked and were described as, very good. Joe's is a great steakhouse... It has a lively atmosphere, and the food to justify the hard to get reservations. For anyone who lives in or near Chicago, it is a must try. It's also perfect for someone looking to impress visitors. I have a hard time admitting it, but I would probably say Joe's is better than Gibson's if it were a Chicago only restaurant.
(4)Wesley W.
Great service, great food, great experience. We had some lobster size prawns as appetizers. We then had surf and turf with king crab legs and ribeyes. Wine list was extensive and the place was not ostentatious. I go there every time I'm in Chi-Town.
(5)Nicholas H.
Once - This is a GEM in Chicago. An amazing staff that is eager to satisfy your every desire with their rockstar menu. Like I said before, we go here at least twice a month, and each time is even better than the next. Despite the fact that we always choose to dine in the bar, we always get the tenderloin sandwich, accompanied with several sides like cream corn and asparagus. One would figure that the bill would set you back a small loft or timeshare in Miami. Although, it is actually EXTREMELY affordable. That is until you get dessert, in particular the Banana Cream Pie. Which actually isn't that expensive, until you decide to just purchase the whole pie to-go. Which we have done several times. *blushing* *SNAPS FOR JOE'S* I WISH I COULD GIVE THEM 20 STARS - THEY DESERVE IT - AND ULTIMATELY REMAIN MY FAVORITE CHICAGO RESTAURANT!!!!
(5)Charles L.
Very good food, to be sure, but not the most amazing in town at these price levels. I should specify: I had the crab cakes and various appetizers; their calamari was delicious, the others more average. My crab cakes were good but not great - this Florida boy was nonplussed by the crab cakes. The key lime pie was great - this Florida boy was plussed. Also, the place does have a cool, sort of classic feel. If you're ok with a fairly high bill and are looking for a sort of formal-ish night out with very good food, this place is not likely to disappoint.
(4)T Mir S.
One of the best seasfood places in chicago... fantastic service, good wine selction, great steaks, and awesome seafood... try the stone crab appitizer, fish is fresh as hell, flown daily
(4)Tony P.
Here in Chicago for first time with my wife(no kids) for our 10th yr anniversary to experience some fine dining. We heard a lot about how good are the restaurants in Chicago and decided to check out Joe's(recommended by many). It was just ok compared to Mastro's or Ruth's Chris experience where we live in Orange County, CA. The place was very crowded(Friday night) and we had to wait 45min. past our dinner reservation time. Our server sort of rushed us in ordering; I think he may have tricked us into getting the dry-aged bone-in-ribeye and special live stone crab that is rare because we found out the price was $60(felt like 180z) and $70 for the rib-eye and stone crab respectively when we got the bill. The 20oz bone-in rib-eye on the menu was only around $40 which I should have ordered because the dry-aged did not taste any better than my previous experience with bone-in rib-eye at Mastros , Ruth Chris, or Fleming's. On top of that of that, we bought our own bottle of Opus One 2001 and offered the server a glass to share. Well, this usually works and our corkage fee is almost always waived. However, he did gave us free deserts, but he also gave it to others near our table. So overall, we were disappointed. Maybe we had high expectations but we had better food and experience at Mastro's, Ruth Chris, and Fleming's.
(3)Haley M.
On my first-ever trip to Chicago there were so many steak houses to choose from. Old-style Chicago institutions, chain favorites, trendy see-and-be-seens. We settled on Joe's Steak & Stone Crab and I can hands down say this was the best 2 hours of my Chicago experience. Joe's doesn't fit into the good steakhouse category. It doesn't even raise the bar. It takes the bar, bends it in half, kisses its muscle and laughs menacingly. I'll start with the atmosphere and service -- Joe's has a classic feel. The light music, waiters in suits and ties and early 1900s decor makes you feel like you are Marylin Monroe dining alongside Joe Diamaggio before you head to the theater for The Music Man. The service was extremely attentive but not overbearing. I was definitely impressed by the waiter's class and willingness to do everything in his power to make us happy. On to the main act. The food. This was the best meal I've had in a very. long. time. Every morsel, every taste, was superior to most I've had before. I had never had stone crab and I recommend it, especially for the creamy mustard they so intelligently pair with it. The steak is juicy, savory, delightful. We tried the stuffed tomatoes, fried green tomatoes and cheesy mashed potatoes for sides all of which disappeared rapidly. They are known for their desserts which certainly did not disappoint. This meal brought me to a zen-like state of dining pleasure that I will still be talking about to my grandchildren. Go to Joe's. Fly to Chicago this weekend and eat at Joe's. Move to Chicago and live above Joe's. Change your name to Joe. This place is amazing.
(5)Kim C.
Found myself on a Saturday night with no dinner reservations and a friend from out-of-town to feed and entertain, and thought I'd give Joe's a shot. We were not surprised to see a mob of people waiting for tables, and learned that there would be no tables available until 10pm! We were lurking around in the bar area, when a waitress approached us and asked if we were looking for a place to sit. She then gave us quick tips on which tables were about done and ready to leave, so we were able to keep an eye on them and snatched up a table within 10 minutes! The wine list was extensive, and we ordered a bottle of Gewurz (yum!). My wild alaskan salmon was delicious--literally melted in my mouth. My friend's crab cakes actually tasted like real crab (!!), and the fisherman's platter is a MUST for seafood lovers. My friend had the calamari fried, and the scallops and shrimp grilled. According to him, the scallops were amazing, plump and juicy. Overall, I had one of the best dinners I've had in a while. The waitress was helpful, the food was good, the wine was great.. writing this review makes me wish I had $80 to spend on dinner everyday =(
(5)Colie L.
Oh my gosh, so great! My boyfriend and I came here for date night and I was a little nervous because I have Celiac Disease and trying out new places is always a little nerve-wracking. The server was so great, he was so personable and very knowledgeable in the gluten free menu. Our server made wonderful recommendations based on my dietary needs. After our dinner we stayed in the bar to watch the end of a Hawks game. It's a nice separate space from the bar to the restaurant so the two don't compete in noise level. While pricey at first, you get your bang for your buck and we walked out very full and happy! We loved it so much we came back a month later!
(5)Mei Z.
Typically, I am not a fan of classic American restaurants (why eat out for steak + potatoes, I say?) but this is the most reserved restaurant on opentable in Chicago so I went for restaurant week 2011 lunch for the prix fixe menu. I got the clam chowder, stone crab and banana cream cake. Food: Tomato based clam chowder was very small and acidic. Big mistake with the soup for me, apparently the seafood bisque was to die for. Stone crabs were decadent and juicy. We also had a large heap of hash brown like potatoes to share and coleslaw which was mixed by the table. As a big carb lover, my fave part was probably the potatoes. Although simple, it was deliciously crunchy on top and moist in the middle. Dessert was fine, very sweet with lots of banana and icing. Ambience: very classic Americana feel. Service: excellent, we all had lemon squeezed on our hands and a warm towel to clean off the fishy smell.
(4)Das T.
Absolutely the best seafood restaurant, but perhaps the best restaurant in Chicago, period. I've dined here about 5 times now, and for my last experience, well, it just reminded me why I love coming here. The dining room is gorgeous; the plates and silver are all top-notch and classy; the service is outstanding. Just had appetizers and wine this time, and the server did not bat an eye nor give any kind of attitude for me and friend not ordering "entrees." --Had the enormous black mussels...wanted to swim in the sauce. --Crab cake was big and puffy and lightly breaded and fantastic...didn't even need the sauce, just a little lemon (but the sauce is really good!) --Scallop and shrimp ceviche tasted incredibly fresh and citrus-y. It's expensive, yes, but I've never ever left here feeling like I didn't get a great value for my money.
(5)Missy M.
Friends of mine gave mixed reviews before I went to eat here for the first time so I was skeptical from the get go... however since we had some nicely amounted Lettuce Entertain you gift cards it made the experience a little more appealing! The Tails & Turf (filet mignon and TWO lobster tails) was SO DELICIOUS. I am salivating just thinking about it. The service was great and the wine flowed (we selected the Wild Boar's Pinot Noir which I would highly recommend). I would pass on the Stone Crab if I ever went back. They were good, but the hype killed it. If I am going to get crab there is only one place I am going- The Half Shell! Last but not least, if you go here take everyone's hint and get the key lime pie for dessert. You won't be disappointed. Then be prepared to fall into a food coma on the way home...
(5)Tonya H.
My company is in DC but was sponsoring a conference in Chicago and I had to find a restaurant for us that would accomodate a dinner for about 50 people. After doing some online searching, including Yelp, I chose Joe's and was not disappointed. They put us in a great private room in the back. Our wait staff was wonderful and professional. And the food was delicious. All of the conferees enjoyed their entrees, especially the crab cakes and stone crab claws. I liked the food so much that if I ever go back to Chicago I will definitely go to Joes for dinner.
(5)M B.
My husband and I took a trip to Chicago recently, and I wanted us to have at least one nice sitdown meal during our stay (especially because we had a lot of pizza and burgers and other on-the-go stuff and I was tired of that). We were heading from our hotel to North Michigan Ave. for a boat tour, and we searched Yelp for places that we'd pass on our walk and Joe's popped up, so I suggested we try it. We were a bit intimidated when we walked inside and saw that the staff members were wearing tuxedos (we weren't dressed sloppily, but my husband was in shorts and I was in jeans), but we relaxed once we saw that the diners were pretty much all tourists like us. We were seated immediately and given ice water and a basket of bread, and our waiter quickly took our drink order. The water was refilled several times during the meal by another waiter, and all empty plates were promptly taken away once we were finished with them. I ordered the filet mignon and my husband got shrimp scampi. Sides need to be ordered separately ... we went with garlic creamed spinach and cheesy mashed potatoes, all of which was great. The waiter suggested a half-portion of the potatoes since my husband had pasta, and I wish we'd also gotten a half portion of the spinach because we couldn't finish it all. The table next to us ordered the stone crab claws ... the waiter brought it to their tableside, donned a pair of gloves and cut open the claws for them. I thought that was neat. The crab claws seem to be their big thing, and I heard no complaints from the patrons next to us so I'm assuming that they were good. We ordered a piece of key lime pie for dessert, which was also very tasty. The waiter brought us the bill and said that the pie was free because it was our first visit to the restaurant (he asked us at the beginning of the meal if we'd visited before, and since we said no he went into a short talk about its history and their crab claws and such). Not sure if that's standard practice or not, but it was certainly very nice of him. The price was very reasonable, and we were both very happy that we chose to eat there.
(4)Emily P.
Steakhouses are my thing and surf and turf dishes are my thing. With that being said I have been to MANY great steakhouses and this did not impress me. The tables were insanely close together. This place is super crowded. This is what I had: Mac N Cheese side dish - It was good but not creamy good. Roasted Corn - Delicious Ceasar Salad - One of the best ceaser salads I ever had Alaskan King Crab Legs - Yes they were very fresh. So fresh that it was just flown in and has never been frozen. I have just had bigger and better and was not impressed. Filet Mignon with Lobster Tail - Lobster Tail was very good. My filet mignon I ordered medium and it turned out okay. The outside was a little too over done. Key Lime Pie and Boston Cream Pie - I love dessert after every meal and was very disappointed that all they had was pie but that is what they're famous for! The pies were good but nothing worth remembering. And I wish they had more pie selections especially if that is all you are going to have on the dessert menu. Would I go here again? Yeah why not.
(3)Venkatesh B.
We had a magnificent experience from making a reservation online ( opentable.com ) to exiting the doors with our neatly packed desserts to go. The Alaskan King Crab legs with drawn butter were perfect with generous portions of meat and came pre-cracked by wait staff so you don't have to worry about mess or ruining your nice clothes. Sides were separate but large enough to share and all delicious, although the mashed potatoes, fried asparagus, four cheese mac all had similar flavored crust. We are from out-of-state and would definitely come here again. Our server Monique was absolutely lovely and so professional. We could tell she takes pride in her work and made sure we were having an enjoyable dinner from start to finish. She is a gem and it was a pleasure having her during our dining experience. The supporting wait staff were also superb.
(5)Brenda H.
I went back to Joe's during Restaurant Week this year and had low expectations. I had just come back from a trip to Vegas, where I had heavily enjoyed my trip to Joe's in Vegas. I no longer order steak well-done.. for the first time in my life, I can now eat jalapeños.. and I developed a peanut allergy at 27. I know I'm getting off topic but I just wanted to express that my taste buds have changed. The Restaurant Week special allowed me to try new things from Joe's, like their soup. I had the stone crab bisque, which was so creamy and flavorful. I don't even like crab but I could eat that again and again. I had the filet mignon with their two sides--tomatoes and mashed potatoes (both are good choices). Everything was done so well that I couldn't imagine complaining. They ran out of the dessert they offered for Restaurant Week so I was given the whole dessert menu to choose from. I forgot to mention my friend and I split a burger with fries as an appetizer. It's my favorite burger anywhere and I couldn't leave without him trying it. I think this burger was even more delicious than usual. Joe's Chicago really delivered, despite it being one of those days I wouldn't have blamed them if the food or service wasn't perfect.
(5)J S.
Love joes. Go every chance I get. In my opinion the bone in filet is the best steak in Chicago. Never disappointed with a visit to joes. Food and service consistently top notch. Gotta eat here when in Chicago. A+
(5)Victoria R.
Been going here for years and just can't get enough. I usually only go for lunch but have been twice for dinner as well. The stone crabs are phenomenal. They are cracked and ready to go with mustard sauce that is to die for. The menu is quite varied with many options for all types of food lovers. I usually stick to tons of select crabs, salad and the sides. The fried asparagus and sweet corn are to die for. Wine list is solid and desserts are out of this world. Always amazing service. Ask for Andrea if you really want to be taken care of.
(5)Clover H.
Filet mignon and salad is nice ~
(4)Betty W.
Best place to get a ribeye steak so yummy and great hang out place with friends vary clean great service will come back again !!!
(5)Andrew T.
I'm afraid I cannot be as complimentary as most folks. For what Joe's costs and the rave reviews I have always heard, I have to say I was a little disappointed. For starters, I have to make a comment about atmosphere. I usually don't let this bug me too much, but again, for a "fine dining" restaurant like this, I kind of expect a little more civility. Unfortunately, the host station and waiting area are basically one and the same with the bar and some high top (I assume first come, first served) tables. It's very noise, very crowded with both patrons and wait staff worming their way through any waiting customers, and they're forced to call your name out over an intercom as though it's some kind of local watering hole. Once seated, our party of four ended up in a booth in a corner, which was kind of nice, being out of the way and a little quieter. As for food, we started with the namesake stone crab - just one claw for each of us, since it seemed silly to come and not try it. Turns out...we could have skipped it. It was very watery, oddly textured, and nearly tasteless. A member of the party who has eaten at the Joe's in Florida reports that it's much better there, which i could easily believe, but this was just not impressive. There was also an order of the lobster bisque which was good, with a nicely textured cream base, but didn't make me jump out of my seat or anything. For the entree, I do have to specifically call out our waiter. After three of us ordered the petite filet with king crab legs, he pointed out to us that the crab served with those filets is frozen, not fresh. And if we wanted, it would be basically the same price if we just each ordered a petite filet and then about 1.5lbs of king crab legs, since then the crab would be fresh. That's awesome advice, and we were glad to have it. I think they probably should note on the menu that you're about to get frozen crab meat, as I really wouldn't expect *any* of the crab to be frozen at a place like this that trades on its seafood. We also ordered the crab hot, since we all agreed we preferred that to chilled. My steak was properly cooked, but was a little unremarkable. Was it good? Yes. But it doesn't really compare to the filets I've had at other steakhouses in the city, especially III Forks and Chicago Cut. Didn't have exceptional flavor, wasn't exceptionally tender, no delicious grill crust or salt and pepper outside. The crab legs had great flavor (reminding me why lobster ain't got nothin' on good king crab) and good texture, but honestly could have been hotter. They were basically warm - and again, we all agreed that we've best enjoyed them when they come out piping hot. Our service, as mentioned was very friendly, and I liked the fresh lemon and hot towels to clean hands in between courses. Really nothing wrong with the service. Price was just high for what I think we got. I think we could easily have spent the same amount of money for steak or seafood elsewhere and been just as happy if not more happy. Our visit was motivated by a huge number of gift cards, which tempered any bill anger, but still. So I'm wavering between three and four. Good service...very good king crab...OK steaks...bad stone crab. I think what tips me in the direction of three (and a strong three) is that the namesake item on the menu was just not good...plus nothing else was able to really blow me away or make me forget about it. I think we'll look elsewhere before returning, especially in this price range and genre.
(3)Rolo R.
This is our 2nd time here, the reason we came back is the first time we had an awesome experienced with the food and service, so we came here again to celebrate a birthday and an engagement celebration. One thing I will say is the food is still good, but this review is about our experience and the communication throughout the entire staff. I made a reservation here about 2 weeks ago about the birthday and engagement we're celebrating. Our server wasn't really paying attention to us since he's got a party of about 12-14 people next to our table. Seems like he's struggling keeping up with all of the tables, I understand that, but the establishment he's working we expect more. I had to tell him we're ready to order our main entree. After our meal is done, he did show the dessert menu, but we decided to not get any. After that he just turned around and gave us the check like he was in a hurry to get rid of us. Before I paid, I went back to the front to ask the host if there's a note on the reservation I made 2 weeks ago. He said yes, so I told him our server just handed our bill and we're paying it now, but nothing is said about the birthday now the engagement we're celebrating. Really disappointed that this is not communicated properly and felt like we were being rush to eat and leave. Not a single manager came to our table to apologized. Lastly we flew here from California to celebrate this important day, but shorthanded by the experienced here. Don't think we'll be coming here with family and friends.
(2)Mark C.
This place is consistent. Lunch is a pricey endeavor, however, it is definitely worth it - I just couldn't afford it daily. I enjoyed the "Classic Crab Lunch" with the Soup, Crab, Jennie's Mashed Potatoes (superior to the other ones), Grilled Tomato and a Banana Pie Dessert. Crab is definitely 5 stars and delicious with the butter they serve (and it's not a lot of work since it is pre-cut in the shell). The Mashed Potatoes - yummy. Grilled Tomato was OK, I would have liked a little less of the cheese.. kind of seemed like a dare to see how unhealthy they could make a tomato. Pie was way too much on the Whipped Cream side.. deducting a star for that. It was basically 3/4 Whip Cream to 1/4 pie with some carmel sauce on the bottom.. just not up to the standards of what I'd expect here. My dining companion always has the Steak Salad, he loves it and it's a great lunch selection. Also, recommend the cappuccino for dessert.
(4)Shawn C.
Sea food ceviche is incredible. Always a great place to poeple watch. Food has never disappointed. We always like to sit in the bar area if you can kind a table. Shared a table with strangers. Very good and friendly staff. Highly recommend this establishment.
(5)Susie C.
Of all the places we went to during our visit to Chicago, this was my favorite on so many levels. Excellent service, pretty good steak, and OH MAN the stone crabs! Fountains of stone crabs! Listen to the 1000s of other reviews here. We're all raving about the same thing, you can't go wrong. The boston crème cake is pretty decadent too. Cheers!
(5)Ariel L.
Possibly the biggest rip off of a restaurant ever. $75 for an order of King Crab legs? Frozen Stone crab legs for $55? One min crab cake for $15? Give me a break. If you are loaded and money falls out of your pockets when you walk down the street, and you want an average seafood meal in a loud and crowded restaurant in River North, go here by all means. If that isn't you, avoid this place at all costs. Oh, and we were seated a 35 minutes after our reservation time. If you've been in business for that long you should be able to figure out how to schedule your seatings. And if you are going to make your diners wait that long, try at least sending us a round of drinks to tide us over. I clearly won't be going back anytime soon.
(2)Danielle Y.
Really great steak. Try to avoid the appetizers, the portions are small. We went during restaurant week and the prices weren't terrible.
(4)Jin V.
The best rib eye that i have ever had. Bone in and and cooked to perfection (medium) with right amount of charring. Get a little crowded but every good place does. Great selection of wine as well. Wife had the salmon and she loved it as well
(4)Roberto M.
Best Sea bass I had in my life And the shrimp and scallop ceviche was great I can't wait to go back
(5)Corey W.
Was here for a conference wth my wife and Joes single handedly saved the Chicago dining experience. Usually not a fan of the seafood restaurants but Joe's has turned me into a believer. What really took my experience over the top was the honesty and recommendations of our server Charles Hill. He sent out a key lime pie as my wife was asking to split one with me. Joes will undoubtedly be my first stop when I return to Chicago!!!!!
(5)Lisa H.
Joe's is a favorite of ours. Every time we visit Chicago, the first restaurant we chose to visit is Joe's. The food is superb and the service is outstanding. I write to share our experience last Monday, April 14. We had a 7:00 p.m. reservation and we were advised upon checking in that the dining room was running 30 minutes late. It was the first night of Passover and many people were celebrating the holiday. At 7:30, we inquired about our table. A manager came over, immediately apologized for the wait and seated us at a lovely table. Not only did he apologize again, he advised he would be sending over an appetizer "the Whale" to express his apologies. Then, our server apologized as well. In minutes we were enjoying king crab legs, stone crab claw, ceviche and shrimp. It was delicious. Joe's repeatedly demonstrates why it is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago with its consistent food and exemplary service. Our experience Monday evening could have ended with disappointment and dismay. The staff of Joe's made it into a positive and we enjoyed a wonderful evening. Other restaurants should take note. Thank you Joe's for your hospitality, service, and delicious food. We will be back!
(5)Marc R.
Made a reservation a couple of months ago for this coming Saturday night. (In case you don't know, you have to make reservations months in advance for a weekend night.) A conflict came up and I called to see if there was a chance of moving to Friday night. The hostess said no, but she would connect me to a manager to see if we could avoid cancelling. I was pretty surprised. Along came Dustin. He sounded like he was counting the number of reservations and, long story short, said that he would hate to promise something that he couldn't deliver. After a short conversation about what times and days were good for us, he was able to move us to the following Saturday at the same time. Way above and beyond, as far as I'm concerned. They want our business and earned it yet again. We eat here once or twice a year for special occasions. The food is amazing, but the service is what keeps us coming back time after time.
(5)C R.
Fantastic! My wife and I went here last night and really enjoyed the place. It was definitely one of the best steaks I have had (20oz bone in ribeye). The crab bisque was perfect and their ceviche was some of the best I have ever had! Denise was our sever and she was outstanding. When I am back in Chicago I will definitely be here again. Highly recommend it.
(5)Ahmad N.
Went to celebrate my wife's birthday. I had the ribeye which was excellent and my wife had the crab legs and she enjoyed them. The waiter said to save room for dessert on him (without us asking or mentioning it was her bday), and brought us out a brownie sundae. I was not impressed as the brownie was rock hard. so i asked him to bring us the havana pie instead. Next time you want to give free desert out, make sure its something good instead of rock hard leftover brownies.
(4)Tonye T.
Great food. Relaxing atmosphere. Kinda gives an old school vibe if that makes any sense. Will definitely be back when the pocket book allows.
(5)Paula M.
I have been going to Joe's for over 7 years. I love their crab claws with the special sauce. And everything else in their menu. The maître d' is phenomenal. He always address you with your first name and make you feel like a millionaire. I love it. Their steaks are excellent and I love the crab stuffed sole. When I want to impress my business associates, Joe's is the place to take them. The only negative is the parking guys. Not pleasant!
(4)Maggie Z.
went there with my ET. they have great sea food. But too many people so it's noisy and tight.
(4)Laila C.
Came here for lunch and I absolutely LOVED how they fully understand the lunchtime crowd. Our server asked us at the beginning if there was a certain time we had to get out by and fully respected that and kept everything at a great pace. We had the shrimp/scallop ceviche which was fresh and delicious. I had the lunch special with the 6 oz filet, king crab and asparagus. Loved it. The king crab was sweet and fresh, the filet was the perfect size for lunch. Overall, great place for a business lunch!
(4)Shaurna A.
I went with a group of colleagues for an out of town meeting. Very popular place, reservation was for Monday 7:30, we were seated around 8:00pm. I had the Stuffed Lobster Sole, it was very flavorful, flakey and perfectly cooked. The group had to share sides. I requested the sweet potatoes and asparagus. For the sweet potatoes I was thinking a fluffy soufflé casserole-y type dish, but it was one baked sweet potato with butter, which really isn't much for sharing. I would have gave 5 stars but we kept having to remind the waiter of our wine and cocktail requests. We all enjoyed the desserts. I ordered the Cherry Jubilee, it was good, but it was cold. Would loved for it to have been hot with the ice cream. :) The others really enjoyed the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Key Lime Pie.
(4)Lloyd M.
I have been trying to get through the top-32 Chicago steak houses and Joe's kept falling through the cracks, in part due to the difficulty in getting a reservation, despite the great Yelp ratings. I finally made it there a week or so ago and it quickly jumped to the top-5. I had the filet mignon and crab legs as my entree. I was able to upgrade to the full fillet as I find it morally reprehensible to order a petite cut of any steak. Although not normally a filet eater, this one was perfect. It was very nice size and cooked exactly as I requested. I was a little concerned, as some (including Chicago mag) had written Joe's steaks are good but not as great as other Chicago steak houses. I do think this filet matched up well. The only thing that may temper it was that the crab legs were so incredible it is hard to match the level of awesomeness. With Shaw's and Bob Chinn's, there are many good options for crab. Also, Joe's name is all about stone crab, which I do not prefer because of the shell, so I was not expecting such awesome crab legs. They were incredibly sweet, you could have them for dessert. Again, I have never had crab legs like these and can't get them out of my head. Two other plusses were sides. The fried green tomatoes (a daily special) was great, as were the Julie's mashed potatoes. As someone who recommended the latter to me before I went said, not sure why mashed potatoes are that good but these are. He was right. Nice that they also allow you (and encourage you) to place half orders of sides. Only disappointment was the asparagus. Nothing special and the sauce was bleh. Had the key lime pie for dessert. It was good but did not feel it was as unique as the entree, tomatoes or potatoes, despite the hype. The other thing I want to note is that the atmosphere is more formal than even most steak houses. Much more a jacket and tie place than I am accustomed to these days, even more than a Mortons or Mastros.
(5)Marie D.
Stone crab, good wine and fantastic dessert... what more can you ask for? This place was great. The service was wonderful and attentive and the food was divine. Definitely stop by if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)Jenna B.
Always an amazing experience when I come here for dinner. We came for a birthday and the experience was fabulous! The waiter and all the restaurant staff were super helpful and always ready to take care of everyone's needs. The food was delicious... Loved the herb chicken and fried chicken! We got multiple slices of pie that were all amazing. I would recommend the banana based pie!
(5)Alex Y.
Wow! What a great experience and superb service from start to finish. My colleague and I grabbed lunch on the way to the airport. We were promptly seated and warmly greeted by the server. We ordered drinks, the crab bisque, seafood salad, and seafood platter. After ordering, we received a nice selection of bread (regular roll, onion roll, sweet raisin bread, and breadsticks). The soup was excellent and served shortly afterward. Everything was prepared to perfection. The lobster, shrimp, and scallops were incredible, not under or over cooked. We decided to pass on dessert as we needed to catch our flights but I will definitely return to Joe's the next time I am in town.
(5)Brittany B.
Favorite Restaurant. Joes has a level of service that most places have forgotten. I have never been disappointed. The staff is well dressed and they are attentive to everything. The kind of place where your water glass is never less than half full. The food is phenomenal. Try the bone in filet if you're hungry. The New York strip is great too. Chilled crab legs. But most important- the key lime pie. Yes yes yes. Do not even think of leaving without it. If you're not dressed for a big dinner- or don't have the time, their bar is full menu and has several high top tables as well.
(5)Jordan E.
Excellent dining experience, definitely order the stone crabs or the king crab (get it chilled). We both got the filet & tail after some crab - steaks were cooked perfectly and the lobster was fantastic with a nice portion size. The mashed potatoes were also superb. Highly recommended and the staff was excellent as well.
(5)Jennifer M.
Service was amazing. We were a little crammed in. Monday night and the place was hopping. We had the $75.00 (no joke) appetizer of alaskan king crab. Very good, probably not worth 75- but it was fun watching them de-shell table side. I always have to comment on the cocktails, since that is so important for me. I had a lemonade mojito, delish. For dinner I had the broiled shrimp with baked sweet potato. Loved how they gave me a little brown sugar with butter for the potato. Not sure how, but it was the best sweet potato I've ever eaten. All in all, great evening. - Side note: they will absolutely not seat you until your entire party arrives.
(4)Fumie K.
Waited for years until I finally decided to try out this place... and it was okay. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but it's also nothing special. It is way too overpriced for what it's hyped up to be... My boyfriend and I ordered the lobster bisque, filet mignon, and stone crab legs with side dishes. More than the steak/crabs, it was the bisque and side dishes that left us with an impression. Get the 'grilled tomatoes' and 'sauteed garlic spinach'. You won't be disappointed.
(3)Selma C.
I came here with some of my largest customers because this was recommended as one of the best places in town. I don't have any complaints about the food but the hostess was one of the worst I've have. We had a reservation for 8 people. And 7 of us arrived. Let me just note that one of my customers is handicapped and needs assistance standing up. I explained the situation about the flight delay and the fact that one of the guests was handicapped. The answer I got from the host was "well, there is nothing we can do about it, we will have to wait to get seated." I had to talk to the manager and make it a big deal before they actually sat us. For a restaurant with these prices, I would expect a much better service. Definitely not recommending it to anyone
(2)Crystal W.
I had a great dining experience here. I hate that the reservations were full, but the food and service were great! We had crab stuffed shrimp, fried oysters, ceviche, and creamed spinach with a few delish lemon drop martinis. The crowd is mixed, but very sophisticated and the service was great as well. Although very pricey, I will definitely return!
(5)Katie H.
Chilean Sea Bass, baked sweet potato and coconut cream pie (you must ask for a side of chocolate sauce). Need I say more?
(5)Candice W.
We had an awesome time. Was a beautiful atmosphere, super friendly wait staff and amazing dinner. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)Roel A.
The best seafood and steakhouse in Chicago. Whatever you order you can't go wrong. The steak is a must!
(5)David B.
Awesome place with great food and atmosphere! Erin was incredibly knowledgeable and she made us feel at home!! We will be back!
(5)Joseph L.
It's high end expensive. But it's well worth it. The crab claws are best the bigger they are. Don't try the small ones to start. The crab bisque is the best I've ever had. Better than most lobster bisque. The prime, bone in filet is top notch.
(5)Zubair Q.
Great place / great ambiance / great food / the shrimp with crab meat is the best item on the menu and the stone crab is fantastic. CON - need better desserts - i was disappointed and the only reason I am not giving them 5 stars.
(4)Lisa P.
My husband, my son (11 yrs old) & I went for Mother's & Father's Day dinner there in late June because we love seafood and are always on the look out for a (new to us) great spot. Joe's definitely delivered! We had a reservation, but still had a bit of a wait...the bar area was crowded and all the tables taken so we just stood there...so, a little awkward. Not my favorite part. Once we sat down we got served like royalty. The wait staff is first rate professional, they are dressed to the nines and super attentive & helpful. They really made the place special. The food was top quality too. We tried the crab cake appetizer and it was incredible! Big beautiful chunks of crab...yum! Don't miss it. I had the fisherman's platter, grilled (except the calamari, fried). It was all cooked perfectly. My son had the fish & chips, which he loved and I thought looked great! My husband had the filet mignon and Alaskan king crab legs. He had nothing but positive words for everything on his plate (though I know he could have eaten a little more legs for $55/plate). We didn't try the famous stone crabs...want to leave something for the next time. We will definitely return for another meal, but I hold back on giving it five stars because, for its class, there were a few things that seemed lacking to be "as good as it gets." For example, why (over) charge for sides? Seems abusive and greedy. And it seems like everyone got a complementary taste of some pie, I don't remember trying... again, perhaps a consistency problem?
(4)Diana K.
This restaurant might intimidate the younger crowd at first glance with its white table clothes and waiters dressed in tuxes, but it's a great meal for all ages. I've been going for years now and the food is consistently good and the service is always top notch. It's a hidden gem for brunch on the weekends as well. You can get a crab cake Benedict for under 20 bucks, makes you reconsider how much you spent on that mediocre fare at rockit, huh? Great Bloody Mary too. I had my after wedding brunch here and they did a wonderful job and it didn't break the bank either, private room and all. Lunch and dinner are also great, and it's a great place to take out of town clients. They crack the crab for you, so you can eat it quickly and you don't need a plastic bib. They have some simple tasty sandwiches like a French dip that the men drool over as well as nice fresh seafood choices and salads. Some must orders- the fresh spring corn side dish (in the right season), seafood salad for a light and fresh lunch, the manhattan chowder, any joes lunch special (tons of food for like 30 bucks) Parmesan crusted fish, fisherman's platter and finish with the Havana dream pie, it's the best dessert. Also a big fan of their peppermint ice cream which sounds boring, but it's delicious and refreshing too!
(5)Bernice M.
I was visiting Chicago for a training. It was delicious. Our waiter was wonderful. I highly recommend this location.
(4)Malia M.
Reservations / Host: (3*) Well, I'm not a Somebody. If I were a Somebody I would have merrily shaken hands with the host with the mostest and had a fair shot at being bumped before people with reservations. There seemed to be three occurrences of this while we waited 30 minutes past our Wednesday evening, 2-person reservation. The theme for these Somebodys were slick-haired jacket-guys with young, pretty blondes on their arm and older women clad to the floor in fur with their smartly dressed husbands. I'm none of these. So, we waited while the flesh was pressed again and again. The host made it difficult to stay skeptical since he was so charming, ultra attentive and detail-oriented. And let's face it, Somebodys return frequently and Nobodys, not much. Table Service: (5*) Matt was EXCEPTIONAL - yes, caps lock exceptional. He made us feel like Somebodys. He was incredibly personable, giving us a brief run down of the wine list and entrees with personal recommendations. He was attentive at every stage of our meal, checking in constantly. Thanks, Matt! Food: (5*) The lobster was the finest I've every had. The petite steak was very nice, but better with the rub. The mashed potatoes were the best I've had. A crispy crust (panko?) to top it off was the clean-up hitter home run. Amazing. Garlic tossed spinach was bright and perfectly garlicky. I do not even favor Key Lime Pie, but Joe's had me wishing I had met a Key Lime I loved 20 years ago. Like, so I could eat Key Lime Pie at every meal and compare the richness, silkiness and crustiness. In short: I'm in love. Key Lime, will you come home with me. Price: (5*) It's unfair to classify this as $$$$. We spent $144 and were nourished with: Petite Steak Petite Steak and Lobster Garlic Spinach Side Mashed Potato Side Key Lime Pie 2 glasses of Pinot You can't eat for one person on $200 at, say Next. So, It's a little unfair. there were plenty of entrees in the $20-$30 range. Sides and desserts were around $8-ish. So, if you weren't some Bank President, you could budget it accordingly. Summation: All in all, I would go return. I would most likely set my seating expectations low and be much happier about the entire experience.
(4)Tonya W.
The food and service were both great. Ambience was nice but, the noise level was a bit elevated for an upscale steakhouse.
(4)Stacy J.
Seriously one of the best meals ever. I would highly recommend Joes for dinner for anyone in the Chicago area. We came here on a friends recommendation and I'm so thankful we did. We had a table for 8 and every one of us had steak and each of us had cleaned our plates. I had the petite filet w/ crab and just the thought of that entree has me salivating wanting more. The menu is definitely pricey but worth saving your pennies for. Make sure you have reservations it was packed solid when we had reservations for 9pm.
(5)Kevin R.
This was by far one of the best dinners I've ever had. I took my girlfriend for her birthday and everything was perfect. We were given a great table, our server Christia was awesome and the food was unreal. Shrimp Dejonge was a great app and the Filet Oscar with Bearnaise was sooo good. Joe's is definitely my new favorite restaurant in Chicago.
(5)Conchita B.
The first night we go to Chicago a lot of the steaks houses refused services because we were "under dressed" after walking all over the place for 30 min in the cold weather. But Joe's not at all they welcome right in and they won my heart by how the hospitality was. Our server she was wonderful I loved how she took the time to remember our names, and making sure that we were doing okay checking up on us and everything. Their calamari was to die for the marinara sauce was put the cherry on top and the calamari was so so good the bread was just crispy the way I like it. My steak was juicy and tender it was delish. Their Mac and Cheese was delish with just the right thickness of the cheese. And the cream of spinach was perfect. I think the Chicago has the best hospitality especially at Joe's!
(5)Joseph G.
My only experience here was surprisingly bad, given how well people have rated it. A colleague and I chose to have a late lunch here a recent afternoon. The lunch rush was definitely over and there was ample staff on the floor, but the service from the minute we walked in the door was slow-to-horrible. After waiting five minutes in an obvious spot near the host station for someone to at least acknowledge our presence, we chose to seat ourself in the bar. Then, it took another ten minutes for our eventual waitress to appear at our table. (When we asked the not-busy bartender for assistance -- eight feet away -- he instructed us we would be waited on shortly . . . as opposed to him helping out and at least taking our drink order) Once the waitress attended to us, she turned out to be amazingly slow and rarely made an appearance. The food was both cold and not spectacular when it eventually arrived. Then we had to chase her for the check. Apparently, this place and it's managers and owners (where the real problem lies) is content with a regular crowd and not interested in building new clientele (we are less than a five minute walk away). My colleagues and I are accustomed to spending a decent amount at any restaurant we chose to frequent. Not that the owner will care, but we'll take our clients elsewhere.
(1)Mike R.
Reservations are one month in the future. Reserve early or you can eat in the lounge, simply hunt down a table and wait for the people to leave. Move quickly as others are scouting and doing the same. The food was well worth the wait. We ate in the lounge with a 35 minute wait. My wife and I had the signature snow crab legs for an appetizer, Fresh and delicious. I enjoyed the dover sole while my wife had the crab stuffed shrimp. Both were to die for! Save room for dessert, the coconut cream pie was exquisite. A very nice sized portion perfect for sharing. I will be back with friends!
(5)Colin S.
Everything is excellent here, including my favorite server Charles H! I've been coming here for years when I was in town for business or leisure. Now that I live here it has become my go-to! Treat yourself to the 16oz bone-in filet!
(5)allison k.
Never a bad choice for steak and seafood. Always very well done.
(4)Elizabeth M.
The food is amazing and the service staff - although old-world-ish and strongly male - is excellent. Maybe the old worldishness of the place is what accounts for its charm. More importantly, the food is incredible and worth the price.
(5)Joseph V.
Maybe I'm a bit biased because I paid half price for my food because of the Lettuce entertain you gift card, but this place was good! My wife and I went here for our anniversary and they did not disappoint. The service was great! Our waitress even took a selfie with us! The food was "Amazing" as my wife says. We can't get enough of those Snow King Crab legs. I would suggest coming here during the lunch hours because the food are cheaper and they have a lunch only deal on steak and crabs.
(5)Bill M.
Went for my wife's b-day. Nice atmosphere. Great drink menu / wine list. We had soft shell crab app, she had lobster stuffed sole. She really liked it but warning, it's very creamy. I had crab cakes. Sides were roasted corn (good) and grilled asparagus (tasty). Dessert was key lime pie and brownie. Food quality was good. Service was very attentive. My only complaint was portion size on entrees was very small. We paid $165 for 2 people AFTER a $50 LEYE gift card. So expect to pay a lot. If they beef up their entree portions a bit, maybe they could reach 5 stars. Would recommend.
(4)Danya S.
Was not the experience that I was hoping for. I don't know if my expectations were too high, but here's my scoop. My friend was coming into town from New York for my birthday weekend. He loves a good steakhouse, and my parents and grandparents said this place was special. So, I wanted to show the New Yorker what Chicago has to offer, and I thought this would be a good place for a birthday dinner. I made reservations at least a month in advance, but of course they only had 10:00 reservations, which didn't bother me since we attended the Bulls game before dinner. We get there exactly at 10, and were seated right away. Okay, so no problem. The waitress was friendly, we ordered drinks and appetizers and this is sort of where the experience went downhill. We ordered the whale and a wedge salad. We wanted to dine and take our time and enjoy my birthday dinner, but they were clearing our plates before we were even finished. The ice tray that the whale is served on still had food on it that needed to be chilled, but the bus boy took the multiple food items off of the ice, put it on a side plate and took the ice away. Why? I don't see the point of it. I felt so rushed, and I don't think they were trying to turn our table it was past 10:00 at night. And even if they were going to turn the table, don't do that, especially from such a "fine" establishment like Joe's. Then we told our waitress just to slow things down, we felt rushed, etc. etc., and she responds with: well what else do you want me to do? Um I don't know, say you're sorry, treat us nicer, accommodate the paying customer? Then she avoided us for most of the rest of the night. I was not as happy with this restaurant as I expected to be. The whale appetizer and wedge salad was tasty. The peanut butter pie was epic, the dessert was probably my favorite part (hence the picture). But I will not be returning here unless forced. Sorry Joe's I've had way better experiences at Gibson's, Bob Chinn's and Rosebud's.
(2)Andrew A.
"We don't have Stone Crab tonight but you can order the Whale and that will have plenty of crab". The whale....plenty...sounds good. $30.00 pp. Ok, I guess. The whale arrives and it's akin to the old television ad "where's the beef?". We asked the server and she answered confidently that this was it. 4 pieces of seafood for $30.00pp. Then there was that awkward silence where she knew it was a small portion and agreed but couldn't really agree outloud. I will say that the Chilean Sea Bass was very good (for that they get an extra star). And....don't worry, the dessert was big. So glad I paid 6.95 for a large piece of mediocre cake and 30.00 for 4 small pieces of seafood. The ambiance is great. The server was good enough. The problem is that you can't really sit and enjoy your meal. Their staff is almost too efficient and rushes you out. To the Joe's staff...you have a great establishment. The Whale?!?! really??!?? I get it...because you can. Won't be going back anytime soon. #insulted.
(2)Zeid S.
Eventhough we had reservations we waited for 20 minutes, but it was totally worry the wait. The service is fantastic, the bread is fresh, diverse, and exceptionally tasty. We had the crab claws and calamari for our appetizers, they were delicious. Had the filet oscar, the crab stuffed shrimp, sea bass, seared ahi, and the bone in halibut. They were all exceptional. But the best was probably the halibut. Portions are satisfying. 5 stars easily.
(5)Tom W.
Had a possible bad night turn into a great one. Had a problem with valet right off the bat but the manager of the restaurant, Sean Hale, who could not make up for the valet problem, more than made up for it in other ways. The food was outstanding and the service was great. It was really nice to have a problem fixed so quickly and make it a great night. Thanks again Sean.
(5)Donald M.
Had a great meal here with my wife and two sons. We had a 6:30 reservation on a Saturday night and were seated promptly at 6:35...nice! Our waiter was fantastic and attentive even though he was being consumed by a bachelorette dinner going on at a nearby table. We saw him hand out about 10 separate checks to their table...come on ladies...bring some cash and do your math!
(5)Joanne N.
Boyfriend and I went here for Valentines Day. We love it here and agree its probably the best restaurant in Chicago, you just have to be ready to "treat yo'self" He likes the bone-in, and might I say it is delicious. I've had both the lobster and crab legs and neither disappoints- seriously fantastic. Obviously you should start out with some stone crabs as that is their signature. Overall, really great atmosphere, always wonderful service, and the food just cannot be beat.
(5)Hannah H.
Service was impeccable, atmosphere was very sophisticated, and the meal was to die for (well, the stone crabs and the steaks). The creamed spinach, not so much. The little plate of stone crabs seemed to be such a pitiful portion, but the meat itself was good - they should have an AYCE of these! Perfectly cooked, peppercorn-crusted, juicy, tender, and lovely in your mouth. Savory and steak-y at the same time. Unbelievable. Very pricey, so if you get the Lettuce Entertain You gift cards during the holidays or for your birthday, take advantage of it and go here! ;) You need to valet, unless you want to park at Nordstrom's across the street for $5 (but you need a receipt of a proof of purchase at he department store!). +wonderful steaks +stone crabs! +$5 parking at Nordstrom's (validation)
(4)Beth H.
We went to Joe's for Valentines Day dinner. Everything was perfect from the food to the service. Our server was very attentive, professional and helpful. There was an incidence where my boyfriend received the wrong entree and it was immediately taken care of. Our server brought us two glasses of fabulous sparkling wine and THREE desserts to make up for the mistake (at no charge). The food was amazing!! I would definitely recommend the king crab legs and key lime pie as exceptional menu items..but who am I kidding? EVERYTHING was OUTSTANDING!! Thanks Joe's for a great Valentines Day!
(5)Raven T.
We sat at the bar and had apple Martinis and fried shrimp at the bar. Low lights and cool ambiance. Dana waited on us and she was nice!
(4)Mikey L.
I recently went them with family to celebrate my graduation and was recommended this restaurant by a colleague. The restaurant was great and the staff was very courteous. I had a wonderful time with my family. The waitress was phenomenal and they couldn't have had a better time celebrating my graduation then going to this restaurant. Out only issue was small servings for the sides for our size group but that we all had a good amount of food and will definitely enjoy Joe's again!
(5)Michael W.
I recommend the Diet Coke
(5)Stefanie K.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Delicious! Everything on the menu is great The service is wonderful, very attentive. I come here once a year for my anniversary and this time, we had complimentary champagne. Wonderful! The fish is cooked to perfection. The potatoes are to die for. Make reservations because it fills up fast! Valet parking is available or there are some garages nearby. Love this place!!!
(5)Nick L.
Joe's came highly regarded so we decided to try it for steaks and stone crab. Figures they were out of this elusive stone crab. You'd think it were a unicorn or some kind of white rhino.. I'm not actually convinced stone crabs exist. Rock crab as a replacement was pretty good. My filet was a little overdone and dry but good otherwise. We had some halfwit eating with us at the table that still has a piece of crab shell stuck in his throat to this day. He did offer some valuable advice to avoid the crab bisque.. he said he crapped his brains out last time he had it. My other friends didn't heed his warnings and spent the night married to the crapper. They described the experience as like poking a hole in a bag filled with soggy cocoa puffs. Key lime pie was pretty good.
(3)Margarita B.
This place is absolutely incredible. We went as a group of 6 people, and every single person walked out with a big smile on their faces. We arrived on time for our 8pm reservation, and had to wait for about half an hour to be seated - which we were okay with, we just grabbed drinks from the bar (more to come on this, below). Everything from the bar was delicious- the mixed drinks were great, the wine too. Great start to our night. For dinner, we started with an order of the stone crab appetizer for the table - very fresh, and so tasty. Fair warning, this is a semi-finger food. My boyfriend and I shared the crab bisque and Joe's salad. The bisque was very flavorful and creamy, and well portioned - I wouldn't have wanted any more, but there was enough for both of us to have enough bites. The salad was very simple - nothing special to write about. Now, the fun begins. We ordered the dry aged bone-in rib eye, medium rare -fantastic! Super flavorful, cooked to perfection. We also ordered Alaskan crab legs - holy smokes! They are served cracked already, so all you have to do is eat it off the shell. Each bite was better than the last. We also got some sides that we shared for the table. We got mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, wild mushroom mac and cheese, which were all good. The potatoes were a bit too cheesy though. We also got the special of the night, Brussel sprouts (with pork belly) - not sure why I never thought of this before, but WOW, how delicious. Just when we thought we were done for the night, we were brought out 5 deserts (1 was for my birthday, and a few as a "sorry we kept you waiting so long"), on the house. We got the chocolate cake, peanut butter cake, key line pie, dulce de leche cake, and banana cake. The order I listed was the order I enjoyed the deserts. None blew my mind, but a little bit of sweet was a nice way to wrap up the night. Phew - that's all I have to say. Come here. Eat the steak. Eat the crab. You will love it.
(5)William S.
Crab legs are wonderful, sides always great, service impeccable, another memorable great dining experience at Joe's - FINEST steak in Chicago !
(5)Dax R.
The food, steaks, and service is always great at Joe's. We had our Christmas party here for 25 people. this was the 2nd year we had our party at Joe's. They were accommodating and as always, my steak craving was satisfied.
(5)Jeff M.
We were weary shoppers on the miracle mile and Joes was our refuge! We were so very pleased with our experience here. We started with shrimp cocktail and bloody Mary's. You get a bonus shrimp with your Bloody Mary. It was very tasty. It killed me to pay for the Florida Stone Crab. I eat it all the time in the Bahamas fresh caught. I ordered the large they were plated perfect and oh so good. The service was spectacular. The bananas foster pie was the best banana pie ive ever had! Loaded with fresh whipped cream and bananas foster sauce drizzled over it. Plenty big to share. Lunch was more expensive than my flight home to KC but food and service were commensurate with price.
(5)Paula P.
Went in with my husband for lunch. We were walking around downtown and initially headed to the not yet opened Shake Shack when we passed this place. A man painting signs on their windows said it was good. We did not have a reservation and were pretty hungry so we asked to sit in the bar area. The host said that the window counter had some of the best people watching in the city, however he didn't mention the "car watching" of the white Bentley parked in front. I had the steak wedge salad and it was perfectly done. The bread basket had a nice, variety of breads. Service and atmosphere was excellent!
(5)Jennifer C.
Joe's in consistantly very good. High quality seafood and steaks paired with excellent service without being overbearing. I frequently choose Joe's and will continue to do so. Here is a tip: even if you can't get a reservation, you can usually wait a few minutes and get a seat in the bar area.
(5)Jamie M.
This was the ultimate dining experience. This was our first time and they took care of us and made us feel so welcome. Our server was phenomenal and the other wait staff very attentive to our needs. I had the fisherman sampler and all of it was great. Then to top it off, the manager,Joe, came to greet us and they brought us a free slice of key lime pie, which they are famous for and now we know why!!!!!
(5)梦羽
Really great restaurant. Crab claws are delicious. Their steak is perfectly grilled, really tender inside while the outside is a little dark. If one like steaks, the Filet classic would be perfect. However, I wouldn't have given a 5/5 without its service. The service is surprisingly well. The waitress was really thoughtful about pretty much everything. Highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Holden C.
Had a good meal at Joes. Lobster tails were very good. Seafood salad was excellent. I'm a sucker for Pie. We had several selections and shared them. Pies were great! Seriously, the food is fine but go for the desert. Yes, server and service were very good.
(3)Janelle C.
The service is excellent and the food is fantastic. When the crab claws are in season, they are a must order. You won't find better crab claws. So many delicious items on the menu, be prepared to splurge.
(4)Nida K.
The atmosphere might be a little bit stuffy but dammmmmn their food is good. My friend and I just walked in and they said they were completely booked. There was open seating in the bar area and we snagged two seats in front of the bartender. I really wanted to try their ribeye, but I just didn't have the room for a 16oz of meat in my belly so I opted for a lighter option, the parmesan halibut. Service was pretty good and the bartender informed us that they had half portions for the sides which was awesome for girls who were still somewhat full from the last meal we had. The parmesan halibut was incredible. It was crusted with parmesan and the halibut was cooked to perfection. We ordered a side of garlic spinach and we thought that it may have been the best spinach we've ever had. My friend ordered the salmon, which was good also but I'm not a huge fan of salmon. Joe's menu is very extensive and has many options for steak and seafood. We topped off our meal with the key lime pie (half slice) and it was the happy ending to our meal. We felt a little underdressed since we were out walking out and about all day. It's a fancy place and we didn't get the memo so if you decide to dine here, make sure you slap on something nice.
(5)Al M.
AMAZING!!! The salmon was out of the planet... from New Orleans to the south pacific... i have not tasted such a well prepared dish... thumbs up... and a definate Pow.
(5)Sean R.
Fried green tomatoes are excellent. Mash potatoes fantastic. Filet mignon has a great flavor. Service is top notch Eat here. The chef was accommodating to some menu edits even on a lunch special. This was a random choice but a nice surprise for lunch in Chicago.
(5)Claire F.
I went to Joe's for a business dinner and there were a few great things about it, mainly: 1. The service 2. The ambiance 3. The seafood The I placed service first because I felt the waitstaff really went above and beyond to make sure we had a great evening. This included bother bringing out a dessert for a coworker who was having a birthday and bringing us two key lime pie slices with candles as our team was celebrating the end of our project. the waiter was informative and attentive, not the mention entertaining. Ambience was a close second because the restaurant is lovely (though reminiscent of many of the other Lettuce restaurants). Lastly the seafood was the favorite of everyone at our table. We had stone crab to start, which was fun, and then a few of my co-workers got lobster tail and king crab legs, which had better reviews than the steak which was ordered by the majority of the team. I ordered the steak and it was good, but when paying that much for a steak it should be good, and the sides were pretty average. Therefore, I recommend getting the seafood if you are looking for something special.
(4)Boom Y.
A must do on any trip to Chicago. Our server, Stephen, was wonderful. A very pleasant experience. It was our first time here and he made us want to come back on our next trip. We had the King Crab entree and a couple of Stone Crabs, excellent! A key lime and banana creme pie. Definite return. IT IS EXPENSIVE but worth it. Extra points for the service! Make reservations too.
(5)David M.
My party went for the seafood - Stone Crab, Shrimp Cocktail, Bone in Halibut, and Grilled Seafood platter. Everything met expectations. An excellent choice in River North area.
(5)Joshua H.
This place is a family favorite. We love it in Miami and we love it here in Chicago. The stone crab is great when in season and when out of season they have interesting alternatives like Pacific Rock Crab Claws. The steaks are great always, especially the bone in Filet. My wife says the classic cocktails are terrific and "will put hair on your chest"!
(5)Simeen A.
5 star all around. Seriously. I would go back in a heartbeat. I made a reservation on Open Table and made a note that we were there celebrating our wedding anniversary. From the moment we checked in, I think 4 different people wished us a happy anniversary. It was really thoughtful! (Take that, Alinea!) I really don't have a negative. The service was impeccable. Charles, our server, was great. I felt well-taken care of but he wasn't intrusive. The food was fan-freaking-tastic. I've had seafood all over Chicago (Catch 35, Devon Seafood Grill, GT, every steakhouse in town) and I think Joe's does it best, hands down. We started with the jumbo Alaskan king crab legs. They are expensive- but they are worth it. They're served all cracked and cut open so it's minimal work but they were delicious. (Also, honorable mention for diverse and delicious bread basket!). For our entrees, I had the miso glazed Chilean sea bass, and my husband had the mahi mahi. They were so flavorful, and so fresh. We're both from Florida so we know seafood, and it's tough to get good seafood sometimes in Chicago because we're so far inland. Our fish last night was absolutely fantastic. Sometimes fish is just so plain- but here it was really flavorful and delicious. We also shared the garlic creamed spinach and the mashed potatoes- both great. Because it was our anniversary, we were given complimentary "mocktails" which was a nice surprise. We don't drink, but I think normally they'll bring out champagne so the mocktails were special for us. Also, since it was our first visit to Joe's, we got to try the key lime pie on the house. And it was great. AND we also had to order the Havana dream pie since we are both obsessed with tres leches. And it was so rich and delicious. I feel like this is such a boring review- Service great! Food great! Great great great! But I really was so pleased. For a special occasion, I really felt like they took great care of us and we're already talking about our next visit- and we will definitely request Charles! Thanks, Joe's, for helping make our wedding anniversary so special!
(5)Charles S.
What can you say about Joes that hasn't been said! Its a Chicago gem and a destination for special occasions. Great Steak and seafood! One thing I can add that might not come up, is that the Cesar salad is the best Cesar anywhere!!! Home made ingredients make it a must have! Tip: Make a reservation well in advance.
(5)Sofiya C.
I'll start with the good- we made reservations weeks in advance for restaurant week for Sunday lunch. There was 9 of us. They were accommodating. The food was good. We got stone crab, lobster bisque, crab legs and steak and dessert. Everything was delicious. Moving on to the bad- some of the worst service at a high end restaurant in Chicago I've ever experienced. Starting with the host who when I approached saying that 2 people from our party couldn't attend (due to a death in the family in fact) he gave me attitude. Was extremely rude. Then we waited forever for our waiter. Meanwhile my husband spilled his water (the table had a huge ridge in it and the glass tipped over) not one bus boy or waiter came by to help clean it up. My husband ended up wiping the water off the floor with his napkin because he didn't want anyone to slip and fall. Finally we got acknowledged. But everything took sooooo long. It's Sunday around 130pm so it's not that busy. Everyone was far from friendly. Maybe because we didn't give out the "big spender" vibe... But still everyone should be treated with respect. Service here is defiantly horrible. Go to Shaw's or Morton's and get quality food with good service. Skip the headache of rude staff here.
(2)Jen K.
I am very late in writing my review. I went during lunch awhile back with 2 friends. My only gripe with the place is that they will not seat you, even with a reservation, if your whole party isn't there. It is very upscale, to the point of being a little stuffy, but the table settings are lovely and the service is impeccable. A waiter spilled a drink that splashed on my foot and he was more upset about it than I was. Mistakes happen. I got the crab legs with a side of lyonnaise potatoes and garlic spinach. The butter was lemony and went great with the perfectly steamed legs. The potatoes were very good and the spinach was incredible. I was very happy with my meal but nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the havana dream pie I had for dessert. This thing was the baby of a tres leches and yellow cake. It was so moist and creamy and the whipped topping was just amazing. I want to have 5 of those for my birthday. It is quite expensive but a great experience.
(5)D W.
O.M.G. The fried chicken dinner is the best fried chicken everrr I believe Joe's Grandma is back in the kitchen frying up chicken in a cast iron skillet LOL Also a special note about the crab cakes and key lime pie because they are simply beautiful (s/o to Al Green) :) xoxo
(5)Eunice B.
King Crab Legs are to die for!!! Yum yum!! The service was excellent! Cant wait to come back!!!
(5)Mark B.
I been to Joe's in Las Vegas a couple of times and have never been disappointed. I was anxious to try the Chicago location. I always order the Joe's famous Stone Crab. They are cracked open and are filled with succulent meat, served with a mustard sauce. It is some of my favorite crab i ever had.I usually order the large ones. I always get cole slaw and hash brown to round off my meal. You can't better crabs anywhere. They are a little expensive but worth every penny. Service is always fantastic. Next time I might order a steak, they always look so good. Come to think about it I will stick with the crab.
(5)Cat G.
Soooo good. What more can I say? I made a reservation for 9pm, and the night started off with a bit of a hiccup as our table wasn't yet ready when we arrived, which is just a pet peeve of mine. "You can have a drink at the bar while we get your table ready" just means "bad service AND we're still going to try to sell you something" to me. Once we were seated, though (9:16pm), everything else was perfect. Service was very friendly and informative but not intrusive, and everything we ordered was delicious. Highlights included the stone crab legs (don't leave without trying them, seriously), the crab bisque, the roasted corn, and the spinach-stuffed mushrooms. I had the bone-in ribeye, which was tasty if not particularly memorable. All in all, pricy but worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Tracy H.
Just went here this past Saturday night for my BF's birthday dinner. Amazing! Seriously, this was billed as a 5-star experience and we weren't disappointed. The service was absolutely fantastic. I'm pretty sure our server's name was Steven. He was very helpful, funny and he totally put us at ease. We enjoyed the RW menu. We each got the stone crab bisque and it was delectable. Very sweet and creamy. Oh, and all the yummy breads in the beginning are divine. Then my BF got the crab legs and it was a massive plate. They were so sweet they didn't even need butter. I got the filet and it was cooked perfectly. The char on the outside was also very good. The sides were great, except I wasn't a fan of the grilled tomato. Meh. But the potatoes were very indulgent. Then we got dessert. (I know, sooo much food!) I got the key lime (the rave reviews are spot-on) and my BF got the fudge brownie pie. Since it was his birthday, they had candles and sang a little. And even gave us another dessert to boot! Overall, this was just amazing. We never felt rushed, the pacing was excellent and the service was about as good as you can ask for. I was super impressed. Pricey? Sure. But the RW menu was a great deal, and we had tons of leftovers. Go with a big appetite! And I rarely give 5-star reviews, but this was about perfect. Oh, one thing: This is a nice, classy place. Please don't be like multiple people we saw with their faces buried in smartphones. Come on, people! If you can't enjoy each other's company here, I feel bad for you.
(5)Jeff C.
might be the best steak in chicago. food and service always great here. I have eaten here many times, with groups, and for lunch, dinner. It's excellent.
(5)Claire Y.
Wine is good. Food is okay. Super crowded and more of a "typical River North" place that's full of older people in suits.
(3)Debbie D.
Seafood in Chicago? Umm.. isn't it suppose to just be gourmet pizza and hotdogs.. WHY NOT?! STONE CRABS. I had never had them before. Being in New York, I am used to blue crabs and is not really a fan of crabs cause its usually small and little meat. The meat is sometimes sweet but you really have to eat it in season. STONE CRABS were super pricey at Joe's but it was worth every penny. It was so juicy and full of flavor. I didn't think 7 was enough. The service was amazing and so was the filet mignon steaks I had.. but seriously stone crabs.. just grab a bottle of wine to match a couple orders of stone crabs. THEY ARE SOOOO GOOD.
(5)Monique B.
Another trip to dinner for restaurant week and I have to say this is one of the best deals I have ever had at restaurant week. The restaurant was packed, and for good reason. The menu included either a lobster bisque, clam chowder or salad as a starter, a choice of an 8 oz. petite filet, which was a good size or 1 lb. of Alaskan King crab. For dessert there was a chocolate mousse pie, a key lime pie or something else. We both had the salad, which unfortunately was a little dull, just greens and a vinaigrette, but nothing special. The rest of the meal more than made up for it. With your entree you get two sides, and not just small sides but full dishes that are big enough to share come with each entree. I didn't know this, and ordered a side of brussel sprouts along with our meal. When the food came out it filled the table. My friend devoured her king crab and I couldn't get enough of the filet. It was perfectly cooked and came with a small steak salt seasoning, which was delicious. Because there were two of us we got 4 sides with our meals. Grilled tomatoes, mashed potatoes, potatoes & onions and creamed spinach. We also had the brussel sprouts I ordered. Everything was absolutely delicious. We ate as much as we could and had everything else wrapped. For dessert, we tried both pies and they were unbelievable. Despite being full, we both finished our desserts and would have licked the plates clean if we weren't in public. The key lime pie had the most delicious crumbly crust and was tart and delicious. The chocolate one was not too sweet, but nice and rich and chocolatey. Service was impeccable and everyone from the bus boys to the hosts and the waiters were attentive and happy to help with anything we needed or wanted. The ambiance was nice, but nothing amazing and maybe for restaurant week it was absolutely packed. Every seat was taken and the bar area was full. I highly recommend making a trip to Joe's, especially if you can go during restaurant week. Make a reservation, because it gets crowded. And we went on a Wednesday night. I will definitely be back to try them again.
(4)Ryan E.
I have to admit, I didn't get to see the menu. We called days earlier but could only get reservations for 5at 4:30p. My seminar ended at 5:00p. So, my wife ordered for me while I rushed over. I missed appetizers, but had some of the delicious cheese bread. I had seared tuna. It was seared tuna. I did have bites of everyone else's dishes which were all excellent. For dessert we had 4 different pies which were all excellent. This restaurant is fine dining and the service is exceptional. With certain dishes they prepare the final touches in front of you at the table. It was on the pricey side but definitely worth it. If I ever get the chance to come back I will probably make reservations way in advance and try another dish. Anyways, highly recommended for a quality meal.
(5)Amy A.
Outstanding- consistently great food and service. The only negative is that reservations can be hard to come by and walk-in is extremely difficult during busy times at the bar. However, that only shows that this place is busy for a reason. The seafood it always fresh (I love the seafood salad) and the bread it awesome. Great drinks, atmosphere, and always pleased when we leave.
(5)Steven L.
This was a great dining experience. From start to finish, it was one of the better meals of my life. If you're not in a rush or have a big table of clients, place your trust in the staff. My party of 6 had no clue what we wanted so we let the staff order for us and they were spot on. Bone in filet was awesome. Great quailty meat that was cooked to perfection. Sides are good but not amazing. It's okay, I was to busy eating the crab and steak...nom nom nom! Here is why I am mad: Peanut Butter Pie. I say again, Peanut Butter Pie. I am mad because I will NEVeR see peanut butter the same. Joe's Peanut Butter Pie is the best peanut butter I've ever had. In the history of my life. Like forever. And ever. You will notice that I capitalized Peanut Butter Pie because it deserves respect and attention. Peanut. Butter. Pie. DO IT. Wait...did I mention the best part? PEANUT BUTTER PIE.
(5)Patricia D.
The shopped steak was perfectly cooked to order and tasted great. The spinach filled mushrooms are a must, so amazing! The asparagus were good but nothing to write home for. Good fresh lemonade. The bread basket was the only thing we absolutely didn't enjoy. Some bread variants just did not taste good at all. The one with raisins and sugar does not fit at all as a side.
(4)Lauren H.
Exellente!!!!! I never have a complaint about the food or service here. Everyone is so nice, witty and accomodating to all your needs. Took my big sis out for her birthday and she was so in love with my crab bisque she had to have her own. She had some garlic shrimp dish while I got the Filet Oscar--YUMMERS. LOVE that cheesy flat craker in the bread basket and of course the key lime pie- the apple pie is just as delicious. **Never attempt to walk in without a reservation to this lovely establishment. I was lucky to get a last min late dinner seat when I called at 10am.**
(5)Rebecca C.
First thought was this place in Chicago could not hold a candle to its original on Miami Beach. Was I ever wrong. Joe's in Chicago is better, cleaner, better service and better quality Cold Stone Crabs, seafood, fish, and steaks. Got to try the fried chicken one of the diners at my table ordered. It was the best and sweetest chicken I've ever tasted. Same for the mac-n-cheese, the Brussels sprouts, the crab bisque, and the always phenomenal Market Jumbo Stone Crab Claws. Pure heaven in every bite. If you make reservations and go closer to 6 p.m., there's a little more breathing room than when you'll leave around 8:30.
(5)Carrie S.
Loved this place! Great seafood options, have to try the stone crabs. Our waitress recommended an amazing wine. Very knowledgable and friendly staff.
(5)Alzetta H.
I'll begin by saying I only gave 4 stars because we had to send back a bone-in filet, their signature steak. Was offended that it even made it to the table. Ordered it medium and at first glance, I knew it wasn't medium. However, the situation was handled graciously and we enjoyed our overall experience. The food was incredible and I can't believe it was my first visit. While the steaks were full of flavor, there was a dry seasoning blend which accompanied the filet. It was amazing!!! The king crab legs, cut tableside, were delicious. We also had the beef Wellington. It was a different experience but just personally not sold on the steak in a pastry concept but it was very tasty. The service was amazing although I was left perplexed by calling to see if a reservation was necessary while we were literally outside of the restaurant awaiting valet. I was told they were pretty full and given a reservation for 30 minutes later. We walked in anticipating a wait and noticed about 1/2 the tables were empty. We were seated immediately without mentioning the reservation we had for 30 minutes later. Couldn't figure that one out. I will definitely return. Actually can't wait to return.
(4)Danielle D.
The experience here was simply amazing! We had no reservation but managed to get seated right away at a cozy table in the back. Our waitress was truly a gem as she was attentive and friendly. The food was perfect and the service was on point. We sampled everything from stone crab to steak and was not disappointed. To top it all off, since it was our first time at Joe's, our waitress gave us a complementary piece of Key Lime Pie which I still daydream about to this day. I am officially a fan!
(5)Monika P.
Came here for a team work dinner.. LOVED IT! I'm not a foodie by any means so I don't like weird funky seafood (I don't do steak either) however I had the Mahi Mahi, great dish! Plus tried some of the appetizers, Joes fried chicken was good! Nice atmosphere and great service! I'm looking forward to coming back.
(5)neal s.
Love this place. Always great food and have never been disappointed. We live nearby and come for a lot of special events. Last night it was to have their Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) menu. Service as always was super (thanks Delores). Everything was excellent and the brisket was so good it should really be on the regular menu. One thing that really impressed my was that they called me to see if I was going to make a reservation for the Holiday, unusually proactive. Here in River North were there are a ton of restaurants, Joe's continues to hold its own as one of the best.
(5)Bernie B.
Excellent, Superb, Extraordinary Food, Service, Ambiance & Drinks!! By far, the best restaurant I've ever had the pleasure dining in. That's a big deal because I'm a Foodie & have been to great restaurants. I was in Chicago visiting family & ate at Joe's. I will definitely visit Joe's EVERY TIME I visit Chicago from now on! King Crab, Lobster Tail, Chilean Sea Bass, Calamari, Mac & Cheese, Sautéed Spinach, Apple Pie, Fudge Cream Pie, Martini & a Double Espresso...Delicious & 5 Stars. Loved It!!!
(5)Allison M.
This was my first visit to Joe's, my second restaurant week experience. The food was outstanding. While my boyfriend and I waited for the rest of our party to arrive (note: they will not seat you without your entire party) we stood in the bar and had a couple of cocktails and the fried calamari. My dirty martini and his Manhattan were both quite good. We order calamari frequently when dining at seafood restaurants, and we both agreed that this fried calamari was some of the best we'd ever had; the texture of the calamari was tender and not overcooked, and the breading was light but flavorful. I highly recommend it. They have a limited wine by the glass menu and a more extensive choice of bottles. I didn't have a problem finding a cab sauv at a reasonable price, though. For dinner, we enjoyed the crab bisque, the King crab, filet mignon and sides of potatoes and creamed spinach. Note that the sides are a la carte and are served family style, meant to be shared and certainly big enough for 2-3 people. The King crab was the standout. If you're going to Joe's, please don't skip this. It was perfectly chilled and served with warm butter for dipping. I also loved that Joe's does most of the work for you by splitting the crab shell. The meat fell right out and there was barely any work involved. My filet was also cooked well, with a light salt and pepper seasoning. For dessert, we enjoyed the key lime pie and the banana pie with fosters sauce. If you're looking for something light to cap off the meal, go with the key lime pie. The banana pie, oppositely, is huge and very rich (but delicious also). The restaurant was packed, even on a Wednesday night, and I've heard this is how it usually is. We waited about ten minutes after our reservation time to be seated. It's a bit loud in the dining room, but we didn't have a problem having a conversation across the table. I'll definitely return to Joe's when I'm looking to splurge on some great crab!
(4)Stephanie P.
Absolutely delicious . Great wait staff who are knowledgeable and accommodating. Food is good quality and worth the money.
(5)Lindsay H.
I went to Joe's for lunch on a recommendation from friends; we had the Seafood Chopped Salad, Fried Chicken, and Key Lime Pie. All food tasted extremely fresh and was seasoned well, but not spectacular. The chicken was delicious. Portions were reasonably size; perfect for lunch. Our waitress was training another new waiter, and she stopped by our table frequently asking us if we needed anything. We would be in the middle of conversation, and she would interrupt. In my opinion, she was trying to show the new waiter how to be extremely attentive, but I think good service understands the needs of the diners, not persistently checking in. Joe's gets three stars for: 1) Presentation. Did not find it anything special or innovative. 2) Taste and presentation for the price: not worth it. 3) Service: I get that people have to be trained, but I would not like my dining experience to be impacted negatively due to it.
(3)Kathleen M.
Phenomenal service! Our server Erin was amazing! 5 star for the service. Their steak was good, but was not very impressed with their king crab legs.
(5)addy t.
Awhile back, someone who I can only assume really wanted to impress me took me here for our first date. Since I told him that I was a very finicky steak eater and have had the best steaks only in LA, he decided that Joes would change that impression. Although he was wrong and we never did go on another date, I did enjoy JOes Yummy peanut butter cake. I can only assume that he knew someone there because I think we received extra special treatment. Our food seemed to come out much faster than everyone else, and for someone reason we received much more food "on the house" than we ordered. Knowing I wouldn't be footing the bill, I decided to have the bone-in fillet with a side of lobster tail and lobster mac and cheese, with a side crab claws and a bottle of wine. :) Hey you're only young once. Everything was above average, but not anything I'd pay what ever he paid to experience again. I'm a true believer in fine steaks, the one at Joes didn't make the books.
(4)Danni L.
Ordered a lot of appetizers and tried their salmon special, they are very delicious. I'm giving it a 3 star because the service is bad. The servers are condescending which I really don't like with expensive places. Our server pointed a fork at me while telling another person about my drink preferences. It is not a polite way to refer to people.
(3)Angie D.
Boy, oh boy, did Joe's make up for the less-than-stellar service that I mentioned in my first review. Despite the fact that I gave them a five-star review, a manager read through my entire Tolstoy-esque review (one of 800 something reviews they have) and messaged me personally to discuss how the experience could have been better and to get more feedback on my experience. As if that weren't enough in and of itself, Joe's sent me a gift certificate to apologize for the service. Well done, Joe's! Truly a phenomenal example of customer service and going above and beyond!
(5)Sean H.
I made love to a steak...wait what? It was one of those meals. The reason it didn't get 5 stars: 1) the sides were lame. I didn't expect them to meet the standard of the steak but they were far short 2) the service was a bit shoddy
(4)Fredrick B.
Although there continues to be a shortage of Stone Crab, the Alaskan King Crab is so delectable that I almost did not miss them. The Rock Claws are not as good as the Stone Crab Claws, no matter what the waiters intimate! The vino list is very diverse in its offerings, and more than adequate in my view. The meal was stunningly good, the service polite but not overbearing, and I enjoyed Joe's as always. Recommendation: Alaskan King Crab Steamed or cold; Salmon; and that corn! Very tasty indeed.
(4)L. Danovia ..
My husband and I visited for our one year anniversary. We had high expectations for the food, drinks and service. The host at the front desk asked that we wait to be seated as the wait staff was in a meeting but would be done shortly. After waiting about 10 mins past our reservation time, we were seated. There were already diners dining in the area we were seated. ::scratcheshead:: My martini was good, food was okay, dessert was good. We went, we saw, we conquered. No need to return.
(2)Al M.
Joe's did the trick for a classy and memorable meal in the Wind-Town. This restaurant, just a block off the Magnificent Mile, is so popular that even at 5:30 pm on a Thursday night we had to eat in the bar area because we had no reservation. A very good sign of things to come. The staff in the bar area was genuinely interested in making sure all customers had excellent service whether they were drinking or dining. The trademark stone crabs are pricey but worth it as they never fail to satisfy the craving. The calamari was also delish while the filet was top notch. Although the beer offering was small, I noticed with enthusiasm that they offer Anchor Steam in bottles, my west coast favorite. Overall, this ranked as one of the best meals I have had while relegated to a bar area.
(4)Jeff R.
Awesome, great service and great food. We went at lunch and it was still pretty crowded so a reservation is recommended. Get the stone crab!
(5)Candy C.
That food was too too good! The service was excellent! I am totally speechless and too full to move.
(5)Jennifer C.
Crab bisque was probably the best bisque I have ever had, so good! Dover sole equally delicious, peanut butter pie for desert and a waiter who could be Bradley Coopers twin brother, Joes in Chicago for the win!
(5)Bob D.
Went there for dinner this weekend. It was good but nothing I'd rave about. Had the bone in NY STRIP. It was fantastic. Seasoned great. Cooked great. The banana nut cream pie was amazing. What wasn't good and frankly gross: the mashed potatoes. We could stab them with the fork, extremely dry and over powered with even more dry bread crumbs. The green beans were cold. Also had the bisque. Soup was warm but no where near hot. It tasted ok, but not bad. The steak made up for it all and then some.
(4)Tara S.
Lunch review: One of my all-time favorite lunch spots (both Chicago and Vegas). Seafood chopped salad is outstanding, and they always have a great wine list. I could easily ruin my entire meal just on the bread basket. I made the mistake (?) of telling our fabulous server that I had an affinity for the cinnamon raisin bread (crispy, sugary, omg...) and he brought out a whole stack of it! So of course, I was oblilgated to polish it off. We shared an order of the stone crab claws which are rich and decadent, and somehow, 1,000+ miles from any ocean, super fresh. My husband always gets the cheeseburger (I know, I know... but it's an AMAZING cheeseburger). And, because I was still able to walk upright, you can get a half slice of pie! how perfect is that? So I went with their famous key lime and was not disappointed.
(5)Arlene G.
my bff & i went here yesterday for an early dinner & we already knew it was going to be pricey but we were ok with it. OMG!! if i ever go 2 jail & i was given a last meal, this place would be where i would want my food from! we had the the monster appetizer with all the seafood samples in it & what a way 2 start our meal off! EVERYTHING was delicious!! i ordered a caesar salad & was kinda disappointed by it cuz the dressing wasnt as flavorful as i would have liked. but then had the chilean sea bass with bok choy & this was ABSOLUTELY THE BEST FISH IVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! the fish was thick & had the consistency of a crab leg but it was so soft that it was meltin in my mouth!! my bff got the t-bone steak & that was pretty juicy too! we shared the green beans, mac & cheese and each got a baked potato. we both kept ranting & raving how good our food was! then we shared the havana pie wich is like a tres leches cake with a cake on top of it. it was sooooooo yummy! our bill was a little over $200 but we didnt even care it was definitely worth it!! AND our server Matt was awesome! he was friendly, gave suggestions & even gave us a FREE slice of their key lime pie cuz it was our 1st time there! how nice was that!? thanks matt & joe's restaurant!
(5)Anthem R.
The ahi tuna burger was delicious. Even more amazing was the perfect service from the bartender Dana as I devoured my dinner at the bar. In town for business and I can't wait to return as much for the service as for the meal.
(5)Ruben G.
Great selection. Best meat quality accompanied with the best service. A great experience and must while in town.
(5)Anny N.
WOW this place was absolutely AMAZING! I went here for a birthday celebration and we had the best service and food. We all had different dishes and I had a taste of a bit of everything. My favorite was the chilean sea bass and the crab claws. The chilean sea bass was so fresh and just melted in your mouth. Our server was fantastic and even surprised us with 5 free desserts for my friends birthday. I would highly recommend eating here if you are a seafood lover!
(5)Bob D.
Best Key Lime pie I have ever tasted. Amazingly good. Service was top notch and the food was great too.
(5)Jianghui W.
The most fresh seafood I had in Chicago. It is located near Nordstorm. Signature stone crabs make me feel I was in Miami. stone crabs match the masterpiece sauces are perfectï¼ Alaska crabs are a little bit salty.
(5)Rafael B.
Dinner with my wife and 12 yr old daughter. Reservations through open table @ 8 PM. Place was packed on Sunday night. Ended up skipping the appetizers because I forgot to place the order. We planned on starting with crab cakes. Ordered 16oz ribeye prepared medium. Seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. It was well prepared. Excellent dish. My wife ordered a flat fish - dover sole. It was an excellent choice. The fish was well seasoned, arrived and served table side. When they were filleting it, they did not serve other parts that are not typically served. Daughter had a skirt steak. Order the side corn. One of the best sides ever. Had a bottle of wine to go with me and my wife's meal (we took a cab back to the hotel) Service was excellent. Had a complimentary desert -- key lime pie. Wife preferred something else (but I knew she as coming back later in the week (work related) so I did not see an issue with this. If I were to return, I would order seafood for a change (and not forget the crab cakes). Price - it was over the top for me. Overall, everyone had a great dinner experience.
(4)Bari S.
Outstanding food, great service and high quality food. I got the King Crab legs - chilled. They were outstanding. They melted in your mouth. Huge portion, you can probably split them. We got a lobster tail for the table which of course was exactly how we expected it to be - great. The brussels sprouts were great, so were the mashed potatoes. My brother and I split a salad, which was perfect because the salads are pretty large (especially if you're getting them as an appetizer). Make sure you save room for dessert! Their pies are to die for, and they have plenty of options to cure the sweet tooth or the chocolate tooth :) Highly recommend you come here - but expect to pay - it's not cheap!
(5)Craig R.
This restaurant really is a legend in Miami and came with emphatic recommendations in Chicago. We went for lunch, thinking a a great meal is often best enjoyed in the middle of the day. Needless to say these were fully warranted. The interior is classic and professional. The wait staff and service are top notch, efficient, and friendly. More importantly, the food quality, preparation, and presentation are near flawless. We started with crab bisque, which was rich, fresh and crisp ingredients, splendid crab, and satisfying. As good as any I've ever had, and worth coming for on its own. We then split a fried oysters appetizer and Alaskan king crab. Stone crab is their specialty, but Alaskan crab is my favorite. I was thrilled that both dishes exceeded my elevated expectations. The crab was sublime. I'm not sure their is a better food, and it was done spectacularly. The fried oysters were terrific. But they were always intended to be compliment to the crab. Great seafood is rarely cheap. And Joe's is certainly not. But it delivers in every single facet of quality and execution. A wonderful experience and meal.
(5)Amy S.
Best meal I've had in a really long time. We came for restaurant week, which always looks like it will be just the perfect amount of food, or maybe a little less than filling, but this was so filling that none of my friends could finish their dishes. We all started out with the Crab Bisque, however, my friend found out the bisque is made with Lobster shells as well, which she is highly allergic to (and she told them that in the beginning of the meal). So after she had a few bites, a waiter came around and took it away from her, and gave her the salad (which was the other option for the Restaurant Week menu). Out of our group of 6: 2 people ordered the Lobster Tail and 6 oz. Filet 3 people ordered the Crab Legs 1 person ordered the 8 oz. Filet Mignon All the sides came out family style, so we all got to try a little bit of everything (mashed potatoes - SO creamy and delicious, potato hash - delicious, and grilled tomatoes). There was so much food to go around that not 1 person could finish their meal. The options for dessert were Key Lime Pie and Banana Foster Pie, both were absolutely delicious and the perfect end to our meal. All in all, I would definitely come back here for restaurant week next year!
(4)Joost G.
First rate wait staff, great food but in the end rather pricy. The wait in the bar area was not the greatest, as there was no space to sit down - luckily it was short, but I would hope that when you make a reservation for a specific time and you get called back to confirm that time, your table would be ready. The food and the waiter compensated easily for that minor drawback.
(4)Jennifer B.
Exceptional service. Nice ambiance. Privacy between tables. Delicious and fresh fish. Loved the vegetables. "Hustle bustle but not loud"-Jim Williams
(5)Leon W.
stone crab = amazing! can't be beat. to be honest, there's not much more you can say than "it's so freaking good and you need to eat stone crab at joes". so delicious!
(5)Dzifaa L.
Great food.
(5)Diane K.
We had the stone crabs, Alaskan king crab legs, with a side of the garlic spinach and broccolini. Everything was delicious! Excellent service and we even got a slice of their key lime pie for free!
(5)Joseph S.
Are as Joe's while on town for a conference. Service was attentive and professional as would be expected. Ordered the filet (medium) and split the crab cakes. Crab cakes were spectacular. Filet was okay - by my interpretation, my medium was more like medium well. Had nice seasoning. Havana Dream Pie was great. Overall, a quality steakhouse.
(4)Zareen J.
My husband and I went there for our one month wedding anniversary and we absolutely loved the place. It's a little towards the pricer side, but food and overall environment made it worth the price. Very friendly and professional staff. We had Liz as our waitress. She was amazingly nice and did a great job explaining us the specials and the menu. She clearly knows how to do her job right (thumbs up for LIZ ). Also, she was kind enough to put dessert on the house once she found out about our special occasion. Their spinach stuffed mushrooms is a MUST! It's prolly one of the best I've ever tasted. We are definitely coming back to Joe's Seafood!!
(4)Arnie G.
Wow! The seafood, salads, sides, and desserts are amazing! We've been back 4 times and never been disappointed. James is the best waiter. If you go to Chicago, eat at Joe's!
(5)Connie H.
Had dinner here last night and it definitely met my expectations. Not a fan of cold crab so we passed on the stone crab but everyone I went with really loved their food. My dad kept raving about how well his chilean sea bass was flavored and cooked, my mother loved her sea scallops with pork belly and my brother's petite filet and lobster tail were great as well. We did have to send back the filet as it wasn't cooked to specification (came out medium when ordered medium rare). Therefore I docked a star. A place like this really should be able to get this done the first time. However our server may have misheard my brother so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. I ordered their lamb chops. They were good, but I've had better. The mint chimichuri sauce though was delicious. We had a 4pm reservation but it took them near 10 min to seat us which I wasn't too pleased about but the service after seating made up for it. Jamie was attentive and pleasant and our waters were always filled. For dessert, I had to get this peanut butter pie everyone's been raving about and now I know why. It was peanut butter heaven in my mouth. SO FREAKING GOOD. If you like peanut butter you will not be disappointed. I will definitely come back again, I have my eye on the petite filet. I had a piece and it was perfection.
(4)Pete P.
I think this place is highly overrated. I have been here three times. The food isn't bad at all, but nothing extra ordinary either. Well, at least the stuff I tried. 4 stars
(4)Michael C.
Great steaks, and Stone Crab. Never a problem there, and always a real pleasure to meet friends there. Best times for easy seating/service is late lunch (after 1 pm) and prior to 6 pm, in my experience there.
(4)Mike D.
Let me start this out by saying I am a big fan of the original Joe's in Miami. I go there every time I am in Ft Lauderdale visiting friends or in Miami on vacation. I have never had a bad experience. This Joe's in Chicago is in partnership with a restaurant group called Lettuce Entertain You. They own about 45 restaurant stores/chains. We started with a recommended special, Nantucket Bay Scallops, sautéed in garlic butter. They were excellent. Small, crisp on the outside and juicy inside; they were perfectly cooked. For the main course we had an order of Jumbo and an order of Large Stone Crabs, a couple of broiled tomatoes and hash browns. Basically the same order we get in Miami. We also ordered a bottle of overpriced French Chablis, but since it was a couple of days after Christmas we decided to indulge. Nothing like crisp chilled Chablis to accompany the Stone Crabs. This is where any comparison to the Miami location comes to a grinding halt. The sommelier poured the wine and put the bottle in a communal ice bucket. We drank most of our first glass with the scallops and then the waitress poured our second glass. I didn't pay much attention to the bottle but when I tasted the wine I could tell it was not my Chablis. I called the waitress over and she showed me the bottle and sure enough it was a Pinot Grigio. She said it belonged to the table next to us who were having dessert and proceeded to get us new glasses and pour our Chablis. There was no apology and worse than that she never explained to the other table what had happened. They were out two full glasses of their wine. Of course, this left me wondering "what if she had poured some other table two glasses of my wine?" The entrees came out. Unlike in Miami, they do not automatically offer you a bib with the Stone Crabs. I'm sure if you asked, you could get one. The broiled tomatoes were cold and the hash browns were lukewarm. The Jumbo Stone Crabs were a little mushy. The Large Stone Crabs were excellent. It has now been an hour since we ordered. Although we were not in a rush, we were hungry. We did not send the tomatoes or hash browns back to get them warmed up. I hate sending something back, almost finishing your main entrée, and eating the sides by themselves. The waiters are very bellicose and love to tell stories about themselves. We heard from the waiter behind us all about his travels to Napa. Our waitress gave us the Wikipedia version of Nantucket Bay Scallops. You might be enamored with conversational waiters but I like them to take my order, bring my food when its ready so it is warm, and pour me the correct wine. As we left, we told the manager about the wine experience. He gave us his card and told us to call him the next time we were in. Not sure when that next time might be, since we were visiting from Dallas. It is a possibility all the positive reviews are from people not familiar with the original Miami location or just had steaks. There are a lot of reviews about the steaks and fried chicken. Or maybe I just got them on a bad night. But at these prices, there should not be a bad night!
(2)Freda M.
Food was great as expected. Service was pleasant and respectful. We even got the stone crab, which is different and delightful.
(5)Phung V.
My wife and I had a reservation here tonight. We came here half and hour early. As we enter Joes , the atmosphere was good. As we walked towards the host to check in, there was a couple in front of us. Two guys walked towards us to stand in line behind us, a few minutes pass the couple in front got done with talking to the host. Then then host pointed his finger to the guys behind us, they got in front of us and started to talk to the host. Conversation and laughter went on for about 5 minutes. After ignoring us, he finally asked us how can I help you. We told him we had a 10:30 pm reservation and would like to cancel it. He asked us why, we just told him we didn't want to dine tonight. Terrible first time experience. Haven't had this kind of service before. Probably wouldn't came back. Ended up goingvto Eddie V's prime seafood across the street. Hopefully that will be a better experience.
(1)Nicholle K.
This place was so good! Had the fish and chips, the tartar sauce was amazing. My friend ordered the flounder and it was amazing. It's a little pricey but it's delicious. I highly recommend it. The service was excellent.
(5)Brianna T.
I came to Chicago for Chicago's Bridal Fashion week, took greyhound across the country (was a first) and didn't stay at a hotel because some she restrictions so I stayed with family in the south side. My gig was downtown Chicago and since I live in Arizona we really don't have fresh sea food and I long crab so why not go here? I didn't know it was a real fancy restaurant because I was just wearing comfortable walking clothes because I just got done from my fitting. When I came to the restaurant some of the people were eyeing me. I didn't know you had to have a reservation so I was privileged to get a table sort of. I was eyes and I wondered was it because the way I dressed, had skinny jeans..leather like jacket with a beanie and sneakers and everyone is dressed up. I understand if they thought they thought I was going to eat and run being a very high end restaurant. I ordered crab, Alaskan King crab which was about $70 dollars..they didn't have regular garlic butter and in fact had to get the manager to tell me that O.o. I was hungry after the crab but didn't want to pay another 70 so I got the cheapest "steak" their steaks average about $40-$50 and I got mine for around $30 and it didn't come with sides which it should. It's expensive, I also got a side of mash potatoes ( a lot of good but didn't really eat any fast good on the greyhound up there) and the bill came up to $115 I tipped my waiter big, more of a way to not judge by a book by it's cover tip because she was eyeing me too. Other than, they were good to me but I'll try to come again when I have another gig in Chicago. PS: I loved how the crab was already out the shell and was ready to eat, I'll give it an extra star for that.
(5)Deb E.
Love the fried asparagus!
(4)Steven S.
It doesn't get any better than this. Joe's Seafood here in Chicago resurrects the lost art of the classy restaurant experience. Dined here on three occassions and sampled much of the cuisine. I can't recommend it enough. The service staff are true professionals. They dress, act, and look the part. Their knowledge of every aspect of the menu is superb. Let them know what you like and sit back and trust their recommendations. It's really that easy. Oh and don't skip dessert here. Please. Just don't do it. As an added bonus, I got to sit (for a moment) at Al Roker's table. Now this may not be your experience when you visit, but hey - anything can happen here! It's just that special.
(5)Mark K.
Dinner party for 8 Saturday night. Food was delicious as always. But, unfortunately our server, a young women serving middle section of restaurant was way off her game. Service was slow and inconsistent. Worst part was we brought three bottles of outstanding wine and she really screwed it up. No decanting of a 99 Insignia. And the whites kind of disappeared! Very unusual.
(4)Olga S.
Amazing, just amazing food. I'm so in love with their crab bisque that the first thing I will do during my next Chicago trip is getting here for the bisque. However, we didn't have a reservation (not so smart of us), walked in and were seated near the opening doors, people with reservations were dressing right at the tables where other not-so-smart-guys-with-no-reservations were eating. So first and above all, do make a reservation
(5)Diana P.
Ahh, Joe's, who can come here and say they don't love it??? NOBODY NORMAL that is b/c it hits all your expectations. You want a solid, good meal, make memories and dream about the next time you'll be coming back? Then this is the place for you. A lot of Chicago's "famous people" come here often such as Bears players, celebrities visiting from out of town and politicians. Proves it's a really good place, right? Lots of repeat customers, such as us. Great for groups too and parties. TIP: Make reservations in advance!
(5)Ross R.
Expensive. Great steak. Excellent service. Better than Sullivan's or Capital Grill. If you're looking to drop $50 or more on a slab of meat, you'll get the best bang for your buck here.
(5)Heather L.
Joe's is an institution we finally had an opportunity to visit. The stone crabs are so sweet. The order of medium claws left me satisfied. My husband got the bone-in ribeye and it was cooked wonderfully as well. He said that aside from having a little too much char, the cut of meat was incredible and well seasoned. The mashed potatoes and mac and cheese we ordered with the mains were very heavy sides - not in a bad way, but if we were to do it over again, we might have balanced our meal with some fried tomatoes or greens.
(4)Katherine C.
Consistently one of the best restaurants in Chicago. I ate here 1-3 times a month while living in Chicago between work dinners, birthday dinners for friends and delivery through grubhub. It's the best steak and seafood combination restaurant in the city. I usually start with a crab bisque or chopped seafood salad, order of large stone crabs or jumbo shrimp app and then get the petite filet medium rare or fish special and lobster mac. Don't forget to try the cheesecake and key lime pie. The Lettuce Entertain You group is always top notch though so I wouldn't expect anything less. You never have a bad review when you bring a client here for lunch or dinner. My ONLY bad experience in 6+ years dining here was a weird tasting stone crab delivery that I emailed the restaurant about and they paid for my meal AND gave me a gift card to apologize. I look forward to many, many more delicious seafood dinners here.
(5)Tim E.
I am sometimes skeptical of "Lettuce" venues but Joe's was a treat but flawed also The restaurant was absolutely packed on a Thursday, even during a Bears (albeit pre-season) game. Our group was 3 couples and the 5 to10 star and beyond experience was definitely the service. Our waiter and everyone assisting him was spot on point. I drink ice water often during my meal and never..I repeat never ..was my glass even a 1/3 empty before replenishment. Our waiter presented the restaurant history, the signature crab dishes and the specials like an excellent radio or TV host (would not be surprised if he wasn't a "starving actor") One of our bottles of wine (and we killed several) was a little off tasting (one of our group tasted it first but missed the flavor) and they quickly (light speed) had another on our table with deepest apologies. The crab appetizer is served perfectly cold with fresh drawn butter. We had them serve it family style in the center of the table. The forks and tongs were flying dangerously close to flesh as we all wanted to insure we got our fair share! :-) The Madagascar shrimp was also excellent with sauces to die for. So why only four stars you ask? My entree (which sounded so great when the waiter presented it as a "special") was really undistinguished. It was a 6 ounce filet served "Oscar style" with asparagus, but the steak lacked flavor, the Bearnaise was just OK, and the Oscar was one piece of crab. The filet lacked the quality "steakhouse shape" that you would expect at a high end restaurant. The unevenness of the thickness of the cut made it deliver the entire spectrum of temperature throughout the cut. I would get some medium rare (my order) but with much of the thinner ends featuring medium to medium well inconsistency with each bite i took. I was so impressed with everything else but my meal did disappoint. In all fairness to the restaurant I did sample my wife's halibut which was fabulous but a quick look around the table and I thought everyone who ordered the filet like me was looking disappointed. I almost went down to 3 stars but the appetizers, service and deserts did not deserve the abuse. I am unsure if i will return or not. It is pricey of course and to miss the mark on a special surprised me a bit. Maybe a bit too much. We will see
(4)Jen D.
I've been a long time fan of Joe's for as long as I can remember since moving to Chicago 11 years ago. The steaks and fish are always fresh and excellent. Service can't be beat - it's attentive and the servers have personality. Very knowledgeable too. One of my favorite things about Joe's is the crab bisque. There is no better place to stop for a mid-shopping lunch than Joe's for a bowl of crab bisque. Last but not least, the stone crabs are awesome. It's not an easy food to eat - even though they are cracked, it's a lot of work to separate the meat. But it's worth it. They have a great lunch special - 5 stone crabs + cup of soup + potatoes + cole slaw + key lime pie for $27. Take note - you won't recognize the coleslaw as coleslaw when it arrives on the table, but stir it together and you'll enjoy. It's strange, but delicious.
(5)Erin J.
Made a reservation for 2 two months in advance for 6:30pm on a Friday night. We were seated a little after 7pm and were offered complimentary dessert for the wait. That seemed to be the offer of the night because everyone around us got "complimentary dessert". I'm not going to waste my time finding words to describe the food. It was good, but not good enough to say we'll be back.
(2)Genevieve S.
The steak and crab were delicious!!! Had the beet salad from the specials menu and was pretty disappointed. Not much flavor and the watercress seemed on the verge of going bad. Great service! I'd definitely come here again if I was in the mood for a tasty steak (and/or crab!).
(4)Xianghui Z.
Great services (a little bit overwhelmed although on a Sunday afternoon) and the price is reasonable. I will come back occasionally when I want seafood.
(4)Greg B.
Our sever was fabulous and helped us explore the menus. Salmon was a little dry but King Crab was wonderful.
(3)Arden M.
It lives up to the hype. I had the Tuna, which was prepared like a steak, cooked perfectly and really fresh. It is very expensive but very good food. Very old style Chicago.
(4)Realtor Karl B.
If you're trying to impress your significant other, bring them here. But don't forget to bring at least $150 for 2. Tasted some good steak, good fishes, good mashed potatoes, sweet fries, good lobster. But, it all comes with a high price. $12 valet, $7 beers, $11 cocktails, and $40 entrees. Make sure to make a reservation - this place was packed on a Wednesday evening.
(4)Bryan L.
My partner and I had dinner at Joe's tonight. We were promptly seated for our 6pm reservation. Grey Goose Martini's were good, about $15 each. Oyster Rockefeller appetizer was tasty, nice tangy cheese, I thought they were a little skimpy on the spinach, and the oysters themselves? They were in large shells, BUT about the size of a marble...I really wonder if they didn't cut 2/3 of each oyster off to sell to another table for their fried oyster appetizer. My partner ordered the petite filet, I went for the bone-in prime filet (~$57), "the Chef's favorite", medium-rare. It was brought out and looked well done...one slice off confirmed it was far from medium-rare and it was promptly sent back. A second attempt was delivered within 10 minutes. At first, thought it was cooked correctly, but soon realized half of it was medium, one side was the target medium rare. The staff offered to make yet another one, but I didn't want to waste another steak, nor wait for any longer. My partner enjoyed his steak and his was cooked properly. I enjoyed my second one, but was expecting to be wow-ed. I have to say Ruth's Chris usually puts out a filet that hits the mark better than the one tonight. We split the garlic sautéed spinach, it was good, but we make it better at home, without the stems. Key lime pie for dessert, it was very good...and ice cold. The manager comped my steak, nice touch, and maybe the pie. Our server was attentive and personable, and in no way rushed us thru dinner. I'd go back again, but I would probably steer toward the seafood. Celebrity sighting next table over, Steve Harvey. Attire was nicer casual, ran the gamut from jeans to suits.
(3)Thamer B.
This place has been my favorite restaurant for a long while till last weekend, my cousin came in town for a day and we had a tight time frame before the flight so we planned on going to Joe's for lunch and then a small tour by the river before taking him to the airport. That was my first time having lunch at Joe's and I don't think I would do it again. It wasn't crowded although our was a Saturday afternoon and it was the three of us, me my wife and my cousin, Joe's has been always a top notch in everything from service to taste except on that day when we had a very long delay and had a mistake in one of the orders, I needed to ask for the manager twice which was not really nice, I don't like when I have to complain instead on someone checking on us. Anyways the manager did something after all although our experience that day was awful but beside the many times Joe's been amazing in, I would definitely give it another chance, but I'll make sure its has to be a dinner.
(4)Kevin C.
Amazing! that one word sums up my experience and the quality of food at Joe's. Don't be mistaken for the crappy Joes crab shack....... This place is super high class although you wouldn't know it from the outside. Kinda a funny looking sign on the outside of the building but once you enter its a pure high class establishment. I went for lunch with 2 couples and we were dressed down, i had on shorts and a polo. I wouldn't recommend shorts for dinner for sure its a much nicer place then that. I had the swordfish and it was amazing. For sure this place is expensive but its worth every penny!
(5)Joanne C.
Very nice. Very nice indeed. I had dinner with my family at Joe's this past Sunday. I'm glad I made a reservation because it was packed. I'm guessing the bar area is first come, first served and fine for a quick bite. However, if you can, make a reservation so you can sit inside the dining area. It's much nicer. For starters, my dad and I had oysters Rockefeller and the rest of my family had the stone crab claws. I'm not usually keen on eating cooked oysters (I prefer raw), but I will always eat oysters Rockefeller. I never say no to melted cheese with spinach. EVER. I can't eat crab so I don't know what the claws tasted like. I asked my sister and she tried to spare my feelings by saying they're OK but then she said, "Sorry. I can't even lie. They taste really good. Sweet." So get the crab claws. For entrees, I had the lobster roll. I was trying to decide between steak or scallops but then I saw the specials menu and picked the lobster roll. I'm glad I did.( I can't eat crab or shrimp, but I sure can eat the hell out of a lobster.) This was my first ever lobster roll. I know, I know: some might say it's sacrilege since I didn't have a proper one from New England but I live here and this was in front of me. Opportunity costs and all. I loved it. The roll was crunchy and filled to the brim with lobster meat. I was surprised at how much lobster I got. I appreciated that there was not a lot of seasoning or herbs in the mix because that would mask the natural sweetness and flavor of the lobster. It came with sweet potato fries and a little side of coleslaw. I would definitely order that again. I can't speak for any other entrees but everyone enjoyed their meals (mahi mahi, 16 oz. rib eye, and seared scallops). The service was great. Plates were cleared quickly and the table was scraped of crumbs after each time plates were removed. One of the best parts of the meal (besides the food) happened when the busser came to clear our appetizers. He squeezed lemon juice into our hands followed by a hot towel so we could wipe the seafood smell off our hands. Lovely. It is a bit pricey and can get very crowded and loud. For special occasions or as a "treat yo'self" meal, I think it's worth it.
(4)Brandon B.
We came here on a recommendation from a friend and were very pleased. The waiters and the rest of the staff were exceptional. My wife has an allergy to eggs and inquired about a certain salad dressing. She was told that it did not have eggs, so she ordered it. When it arrived she poured the dressing on the salad and was about to take a bite, when one of the waiters that was there when she asked came running to our table and told her to stop! He had inquired with the chef and found out there was egg in the dressing and he apologized profusely for his misinformation. He took the salad away and gave her a new one. I was immediately impressed with how quickly he came to the table to rectify the problem, but was also impressed that the manager came over right after to also apologize. (It's one of those things you would expect, but doesn't always happen.) To make things even better, the four people at our table all got a free dessert because of the mix-up. Oh, and the food was exceptional as well! We will definitely come back again.
(5)Jacque D.
This is hands-down THE best restaurant in Chicago. I am legitimately obsessed with this place. I first went here on July 4th 2012 - I had just moved to Chicago and my parents were in town visiting and we wanted to go somewhere special and I saw that this place got so many raves and then I learned why. Since then, I go back every year at least 4-5 times a year. I would go all the time but I am not a Rockefeller and this place is $$$ - I would say for two people I've never seen a bill there under 200 dollars. The service is excellent and attentive. I don't think i've ever had a waiter there that was anything other than perfection. They are on Opentable which is nice for making reservations. You MUST make a reservation or you are going to be spending an hour or two waiting for a table (Not that it isn't worth it...but still why wait?). Since going there the first time we have made a tradition every year of going on Christmas Eve. I made a mistake the first year and waited until the beginning of November to make a reservation - and then I was informed that all reservations for xmas eve were gone by the first week of October. So I called back every other day for 3 weeks and finally was able to steal a cancellation (it was basically a Christmas miracle). Last year, (having learned from my mistake), I stalked OpenTable every day starting in September to see when I could make a reservation for Christmas Eve. The reservations only go out so far but they are updated every day and so I checked and waited until that wonderful day when December 24th became available and made my reservation! The food tastes like heaven - Lobster is always cooked to perfection - I could just sit at one of their tables and eat Lobster every day if I had the chance. Mac & Cheese is excellent as is the Creamed Spinach - But in actuality I have tried most of the sides and I have never had one that wasn't a religious experience. The Boston Cream Pie is just phenomenal - it's like someone imagined what the perfect food experience would be and then baked that pie. If you live in the city and haven't been to this place...what are you waiting for? If you are visiting you have to go...you just DO...you will not regret it
(5)Natasha F.
This is the best stake house I've ever been to. I've been here over 5 times but have never been disappointed. Great service, cant go wrong with any food or cocktail everything is just so perfect.
(5)Nickie K.
We stopped in here for lunch 12/26/2014 for the first time. What amazing service and our food was GREAT! Per our receipt our waiter was #1557 Anthony. There was a large group next to us that was well taken care of as were smaller groups and families. We had a variety of things of our lunch including crab cakes, fish tacos, sauteed spinach, bisque, veggie linguini, banana cream pie....they make everything in house and it was wonderful. We will for sure eat here again when in town. They had plenty of staff making sure everyone was well taken care of. LOVED IT! Next time we would love to have dinner type meals when we are more hungry than we were for this lunch. Business casual to dressy here....enjoy!
(5)Leslie B.
There is simply not a bad aspect of Joe's. It's always a special occasion when my family comes here and we always leave feeling as though we probably won't want to eat for the next week and a half. Starting with the bread basket, ask for extra onion rolls...you won't regret it. Their crab cakes are truly one of my favorite meals ever, save yourself some room for the side dishes and desserts, order the appetizer portion which is one massive crab cake instead of two. Their steaks are also very delicious, but I find myself leaning towards crab items here (crab cakes and stone crabs). Their side dishes are awesome, don't skip the hashbrowns, which is basically a brick of deliciousness. Cannot go wrong with the mashed or cottage fries either. During the summer, they have a spectacular sweet corn side, do not miss out on this. I've also enjoyed their mushrooms and sauteed spinach. Side dishes are in large portions, fit for sharing. Dessert. Do NOT allow yourself to be "too full" for dessert. Seriously, I know you are at this point, but I won't hear of it. Highlights are the coconut cream pie, apple pie, peanut butter pie (insanely rich), and their seasonal berry pie has always been on point. My sisters are casually obsessed with their peppermint ice cream if you're into that. One of the best elements of Joe's is the service. I have never had questionable service here and by the end of the meal, most waiters are basically sitting at the table, part of your family. Full of great suggestions, they make the dining experience wonderful. Do yourself a favor and go (actually, try to get TAKEN) to Joe's.
(5)Phillip Y.
Joe's Crab shack is very popular and tasty in Houston, where I'm from. Joe's seafood in Chicago is also delicious and popular but completely opposite in the atmosphere. Joe's seafood is extremely classy, professional and the service is great. We went on a Monday and the only reservation time we had was 4:30. I was expecting it to be empty at that time but the restaurant was already half filled. We got the stone crabs as recommended by our waiter, a salmon filet, and crab bisque. They were all delicious. They also gave us complimentary key lime pie for our first time. The key line pie was a little too sweet for us. Overall the restaurant is high quality and we are glad we came here during our vacation in Chicago. (Stone crabs are MUCH cheaper in Houston though :p)
(5)jack w.
Went to Joe's tonight with my wife , and had a excellent dinner . It started with our waiter Justin , he was very friendly & professional with the food and recommended the Florida crab craws that was so sweet , we started with seafood salad , crab craws and finish it off with fillet mignon & lobster tail that was so delicious . And Justin treat us with a slice of key lime pie , since this was our 1st time there . And that made it the best meal we had in Chicago . Will be back , whenever I come back !
(5)Annie N.
I had to try the stone crabs! I had to! I can be a snob when it comes to food, been there, done that is pretty much my attitude (I am grateful for growing up in another country where people eat pretty much everything) ! Yet I've never tried stone crabs before. And I've had plenty of seafood and crabs in my lifetime, so stone crab was next on my list! We came here for lunch with a reservation. My dinning partner was running late but our table wasn't ready. Hmmmm! The moment he got there we were seated promptly! We had some appetizer and soup to start before ordering what we came to have: stone crab! The soups were amazing. I barely order soups at restaurants (except when I'm eating asian food - we MUST have soup with our meal), but boy I'm glad I did. Rich and flavorful. A great start! The crabs came out shortly after. I was soo excited to try these. They were good, but I didn't see why they were such a hype! Although the other person loved it. He kept raving about it and couldn't have enough, so he ended up finishing my food for me! I wanted to save room for dessert, which of course was the key lime pie! They were goooooood! I never like key lime pie, and honestly this is probably the only place i would order them. I really liked it, and he loved it - he kept smiling as he took each bites. I swear in our years of knowing each other I've never seen him this happy with a food (or with anything in general). This is now the part where i compliment on the service which was exceptional. The server was very polite and attentive. I can see why this place is expensive and popular. Lots of people were having celebration, even for lunch! The place has an old-money feel to it with the wood, the decor and the service team in suits. Not my cup of tea, but I appreciated and enjoyed it. Of course it was pricey but hardly can you find something around this area for cheap. Suitable place for special occasions.
(4)Dennis T.
Favorite and most consistent steak and service in the city. Always a memorable meal at this Lettuce restaurant.
(5)Bryan M.
Awesome! Expensive, but awesome! Stone crabs (my first time) were delectable. Some in my party have also eaten at the 'original' Joe's in South Florida, and also enjoy stone crabs from there. They were not disappointed here. The table shared the stone crabs, and then endeavored to experience the various fish and steak offerings. None were disappointed there, either. Desserts we also fantastic. Waiter did a great job of engaging the various idiosyncrasies of the 5 members, as well as overseeing the team attending to our table. My only complaint - when walking in off the street, one passes through the (crowded) bar. The host is across the bar, towards the restaurant. The service staff in the bar is faaaar less patient than those in the dining area. After being in the bar area a couple of minutes, and none of the several staff attended us, we ventured to the crowded bar to fetch drinks. While patiently waiting at the only open spot, we apparently were blocking a waitress who made it a point to use words, expression, and body to repeatedly chastise us for blocking her. Instead she could have politely said something like: "Hey, would you mind clearing the path, and after I take of my current customer I'll come see you for your order." I know, one can dream. Yes, there were unicorns and rainbows in my dream when she said that, too. (They're so fluffy, I'm gonna' die!) Anyway, on balance, an Excellent restaurant!
(5)Amy C.
3 stars for the food, 3.5 stars for the service. I think Mastro's and capitsl Grill are better than this so my rating are compared with what I had in the past. Colleague and I came to Chicago for a conference...so we are not Chi natives. We both had crab bisque which were too salty. Chopped salad was good and we shared a bonein rib-eye steak which were a little tough. For dessert I had the banana cream pie which was ok, everyone raves about it and I don't see what the big deal was. My colleague had the Havanna pie and she said mine was better. I don't care for tres leeches so... Service was ok to good...after the main course was delivered he kind of disappeared... I wouldn't come back here again if I were in Chi'town unless I was going to have snow crabs.
(3)Erica M.
Don't ever order take out from here. It is very evident that they are not very concerned about getting the order right. When you call to let them know that you received the wrong food they immediately want to blame the food delivery service. It had nothing to do with the food delivery service it was on their end.The manager will offer to replace your food but it'll take another hour to get to you which does no good when it's already 9 o'clock at night. I have been a manager of a restaurant before and it's not hard when there's only two items in the order to get it right. If my staff made a mistake I would go above and beyond to fix it but it's clear that is not the police here. Very disappoint in the service especially since I had to order food from another restaurant to be able to have dinner for the night. I let the manager now what was sent was not something I couldn't even eat as it makes me sick, it's not that I was just upset about getting the wrong food and being dramatic about having to order pizza then.
(1)Matt A.
This was an amazing experience, OZ our server was incredible. He knew the menu, the specials the pairings and he made our evening so enjoyable and stress free. This was an amazing experience. i know this is a lettuce place but you would never know it - they are current with their menu, service is amazing and they have the drink menu to boot. come enjoy the food and request OZ - you wont be disappointed.
(5)Eric W.
Stone crabs are incredible... Bone in filet was the best I have had. Service was impeccable. Looking for a great steakhouse? Check it out! Old school and everything is great!
(5)Michael C.
I came in here spontaneously because my friend was craving a steak. Luckily for us, the front of the restaurant is first come first serve, as we did not have a reservation which meant we would've had to wait a few hours. We luckily found a couple leaving as we got there. I wasn't too hungry so I split a 24 oz dry aged bone in rib eye and grilled asparagus with my friend. I have never had a dry aged steak before, but it was one of the most delicious steaks I've ever had in my experience. Tender and juicy, and the seasoning salt they had added even more flavor to it. This place is more on the fancier and expensive side, but def. Good quality.
(5)Athena C.
Even though this restaurant started in Miami, which I did not find out until I was seated, I was very happy with their food and services. The restaurant has a very nice old gentleman diner club feel to it. All waiters are wearing suits in black and white and bus boys eagerly attend to your water and bread basket. We were here for lunch so we took advantage of their brunch special. I got the stone crab that comes with 5 claws, soup and a dessert. My husband got the filet Mignon special which also comes with the same deal. To our surprise, the lobster bisque soup was creamy and savory. Our entree actually also comes with their coleslaw, Jinny's mashed potato, home fries and grilled cheese tomato. The stone crab claws are chilled and cracked so there is not much labor and mess involved. Still, you do need to get your hands dirty but it is definitely worth it! The special mustard dip for the claw is absolutely amazing. The portions are pretty good for girls I believe although for guys this might not be able to keep you full. Their sides, especially Jinny's mashed potato is one of the best I have had! It has melted cheese, bread crumbs on top and is buttery and smooth. The coleslaws are on the sweet side and the grilled cheese with tomato is also excellent. My husband got his filet Mignon medium rare but I think we should have got it rare because it is not as tender and they could be. The dipping sea salt was good enough to turn the steak around. We ended our fanfare with their delicious pie - Banana cream pie and Key Lime pie. Both come in generous portions and both are unbelievably great! Most people vote for the key lime because it is more refreshing. I would love to return to try other seafood dishes for sure!
(4)Wendy H.
Best Filet Mignon EVER. Beats every filet I've ever had in New York at least. Ordered and received a perfect medium steak that was tender, juicy, and everything you would expect from a filet mignon. They also have a delicious Key Lime Pie. Even my friend, who normally dislikes key lime pie, loved it. Friendly staff too.
(5)Ed S.
This was our 1st experience at Joe's and we picked it because of Yelp. It's a 5 star restaurant all the way. Our experience was guided from our great server - Mark, the tall one - who did a fantastic job. We went with some of his recommendations from the steak, to the king crab - and he did not steer us wrong as it was all delicious. He even recommended the cheesecake for dessert and it was to die for. And his attention to detail was great. This is my new favorite restaurant when I visit downtown Chicago.
(5)Rachel S.
I was hesitant to go here for fear it would be too touristy. Man, was I wrong. I took my boyfriend here for a birthday dinner and was impressed from the moment I checked my coat. The wait staff was superb and very knowledgeable. We ordered a lot of food and everything was great, but by far the best thing I had was at dessert time - the Havana Dream Pie. These guys make their own pies and serve very generous slices. This pie was the best dessert I've ever had in my life. I will take friends/family here for dessert and coffee when they come in town.
(5)Annissa H.
We started with the stone crab and I loved how perfectly the shell was broken for us that it just crumbled off so easily. The sauce that comes with it was interesting, it tasted like a light dijon mustard. It was good but i think i prefer regular melted butter. This is not something you can get just anywhere so if you don't frequent this place often, let alone don't live near a Joe's Seafood you should most definitely get this! Best filet mignon and lobster tail of my life! The steak was the perfect size, very thick, so juicy and tender. The lobster tail was so big and meaty. I was very pleased. In addition we had the asparagus, which was good but nothing particularly special about it. The hashbrowns were delicious as well. If you love potatoes like I do, you can't go wrong with it. For dessert we had a key lime pie and it was so awesome! Mind you, this was my very first time trying a key lime pie as I'm usually turned off by the artificial green appearance of most, but theirs wasn't the typical rich cheapy green like others. It was fresh, crisp, and just so delicious. The blueberry pie was also so good. I really wouldn't be able to pick one or the other as being better since they're both such different types of pies. But if you are really full but still want to have dessert, I would suggest the key lime pie since it doesn't feel as heavy. The muscat dessert wine was okay, a bit strong for my taste. The waitress was super friendly and very helpful with suggestions.
(5)Amanda C.
My friend and I ended up here on accident thinking we were going to Joe's Crab Shack. We hadn't been there either so we didn't realize until we walked in. This is a fine dining experience. I enjoyed waitress, Andrea, was very knowledgeable and patient with us as we couldn't decide what we wanted. The bread basket they brought out had a nice little variety. I especially liked the sweet one with raisins, and my friend loved the roll stuffed with onion. We had never eaten Stone Crab Claws before so she suggested that we get one claw just for kicks. The mustard sauce was ok, I'm not sure what all the fuss is all about with the stone crab claws. I think I just prefer King Crab. I will not hold the restaurant accountable for that, I think thats my personal taste. It was definitely fun to try. My friend got the tempura lobster which came with tempura vegetables and a very yummy sauce. I enjoyed it and she devoured the whole plate. I ordered the Alaskan crab leg lunch special that came with corn, potatoes and pie. I thought is was soooo cool that they crack the crab legs for you!!! It made it so much easier to eat. I'm usually stuck sitting over an hour trying to eat a full pound! Ha! The sides were very tasty and were large portions. For dessert mine came with the havana pie which was delicious. We each had a delicious cappuccino and the awesome waitress gifted us a key lime pie to try. I thought it was ok, I am just not a fan of key lime. It was very limey, but the texture was nice and it was a cool treat to a hot summer day. Waters were always filled. Ambiance was wonderful. Why only 4 stars? Although the food was great I'm not sure that I'd jump to go back. Not sure why.
(4)Mira C.
This place definitely lives up to the hype! Everything from the service to the dessert was fantastic... We started with an order of the large stone crabs and it was delish, we took our servers advice and decided to order the large size, too bad they didn't have the jumbo available ;0( We got the bone in halibut which was light and fresh and cooked to perfection... also the bone in filet was to die for and cooked to a perfect med-rare. The wine that we were paired with also was a perfect fit for fish and for the filet. Seriously had barely enough room for dessert but still opted for two... The banana cream looked way too sweet but to my surprise it was lighter than the key lime pie both were a great way to end the meal!
(5)Iain T.
I wanted to add these comments. When I want to eat well and treat myself to good food this is where I want to go. Sitting at the bar is my favourite spot. Sitting at a table in the bar area is a alternative if I am in a group. I love the oysters rokafella and crab cake. Tried to find somethung comparable in London and failed. Love watching the dinner room and bar staff interact. Well dressed and professional staff and your comfortable when your casual which always works for me. Probably sign out of Chicago with lunch tomorrow.
(5)Rebekah V.
It's a seafood place.....but I prefer steak. :) My filet mignon was grilled to perfection and perfectly paired with a delectable pinot noir. Atmosphere is lovely, upscale, and the waitress was a little over-the-top exuberant, but I'd rather have that than someone in a bad mood! The downstairs bathrooms could use quite a makeover. Two stalls and one sink for the women's. So when one woman is waiting for the one using the sink to be done washing hands and touching up her makeup, anyone walking in hits the former with the door!! Very cramped and, in my opinion, inexcusable for such a nice restaurant.
(4)Angel C.
Came during restaurant week and ordered a couple of stone crab legs. The portion was HUGE, and we really struggled to finish the sides. I found the meal to be a little too heavy for me, but I think that was mainly due to the sides. The stone crab legs were really good, so I'd definitely recommend giving that a try! However, since I am from the West Coast, it was quite easy for me to get stone crabs at the supermarket and just make them myself. There isn't all that much skill required for making them since most of flavor just comes from the crab itself. The dessert here is definitely too heavy for me. I could hardly finish 1/3 of the pecan pie... Service is great like most upscale seafood restaurants. I had an enjoyable experience in general, but considering the price here, I would probably would not come again unless it's restaurant week...
(4)Tatiana B.
Best meal I have had in a long time! Our waiter Darren, was fantastic, and personable.
(5)Charlotte P.
Excellent food & service each time I've been here. The stone crab was excellent but the ahi tuna & the sole were fantastic. Great sides and incredible desserts. Pricey yet definitely worth it.
(5)David R.
Instead of rhapsodizing ad nauseum about my recent experience at Joe's, I'll be succinct: it was one of my favorite meals of the last several years. After two-plus years in my bookmarks list and hearing Melanie S. singing their praises, my expectations were high--and Joe's exceeded them. The word "feast" seems anemic for this purpose. Thanks to our two generous friends who treated us to dinner to celebrate our wedding, this was a three-hour orgiastic celebration of fine food and companionship. The only negative came at the beginning--the sad discovery that Joe's makes their Tom Collins with a mix. A mix! I've always appreciated a well-crafted Tom Collins, but it seems increasingly difficult to find good ones in Chicago, even in a place that focuses on old-fashioned service and craftsmanship. This failing usually triggers a major loss of respect from me, but everything that came after completely erased it from my mind. With food this good, I definitely will return, and when I do I'll just order some other cocktail. The meal itself was spectacular. Impeccable service from Mark, who started us with complimentary sparkling wine. Enormous shrimp cocktail and delicious spinach-stuffed mushrooms to start. An absolutely exquisite bone-in ribeye cooked medium rare--steaks like this are one of life's rare sublime pleasures. Excellent sides as well: brussels sprouts with prosciutto; roasted cauliflower; fried asparagus; and cottage fried potatoes. And to finish us off, Mark trotted out four of their desserts for our delectation: key lime pie, peanut butter pie with hot fudge, Havana dream pie, and peppermint ice cream. I left the peanut butter pie to my wife, but liberally sampled the other three delightful dishes. The key lime pie deserves its reputation; I would definitely order this again. The meal was outstanding and the overall experience absolutely superb across the board. I regret that it has taken me sixteen years of living in Chicago to make my first visit. I will be sure that the second is much sooner.
(5)Kate K.
A week later, the one thing I can't stop thinking about is the delicious corn with cilantro side dish. Good service and appealing, low lit sexy setting. Great place for a first date! Tuna tartare was okey...nothing that great...but the filet on a bone was outrageous!!! The stone crab claws were so yummy...would definitely recommend.
(4)Jeong K.
Great service, great friendly staff and great food. Its a thumbs up for the stone crabs however; will make my way down to Miami to try their items as well. The steaks where pretty darn melt in your mouth texture (med. rare). What do I recommend? Filet mignon & stone crabs that's all you need to order. Do not waste your time eating anything else from their menu. Trust me. Overall rating is a 4 b/c of the friendly staff and decent crabs and steaks.
(4)Courtney O.
I LOVE JOE'S. I mean, I really love Joe's. I am not a steak person by any means but this is the best steak I have ever eaten! Seriously. The BEST. I do not crave steak anywhere else but Joe's. My husband and I have been to the Chicago Joe's and the Las Vegas Joe's. All are awesome. We have sat both inside with reservations and outside at the bar. Everywhere you sit the service is excellent. I wish there were more Joe's so I could eat steak more often!
(5)FoodLover Z.
I went to Joe's with big expectations after reading the Yelp reviews, and I must say that I was a little disappointed. The ambiance was great, the service was impeccable, and the appetizers, sides and drinks were amazing. The steak was good, but not great. Which is why the rating is 4 stars, and not 5. Overall, really good place for special occasions.
(4)Pauline C.
Great place for sea food if you are in Chicago. Very busy so make a reservation! Service was excellent and the food was great! We found it by accident but what a pleasant surprise! I highly recommend it and will be back my next visit to Chicago!
(5)Kai Y.
Decided to look for a place for seafood during our last day of our Chicago long weekend trip. Shaw's crab house (which we have been to and liked) wasn't open that day. We picked Joe's. We decided to eat in the bar area. The place has the authentic Chicago feel to it. The interior was classic - dark wood ceilings and mahogany tables. The inner dining room has dining booths also bearing dark colors. The servers were dressed in black and white. Old pictures were hung on the walls. We instantly loved the ambience. We ordered the stone crab claws, seafood salad and jumbo prawns. All of them were delicious. We told our waitress we had a flight to catch and were kind of in a hurry. They were nice enough to accommodate us by putting food on our table fast. It was a great experience dining at Joe's. We would love to go back next time we are in town of Chicago.
(4)Sabra R.
I recently went to a birthday celebration at Joe's Stone Crab in Chicago. I was almost as excited to spend time with my friends as I was to eat what I had long considered to be the best crabcakes in Chicago. After raving about the crabcakes to the people in our party, I excitedly ordered the $27 crab cake entree--which consisted of 2 large crabcakes, served a la carte. I dont know if Joe's changed the recipe or if I had fooled myself into believing that the crabcakes were better than they actually are. What I do know is that I was incredibly disappointed and will likely not order them again. The crabcakes were breaded and fried (I could have sworn that they'd been broiled in the past) and the center was just....mediocre. Very few lumps, not enough seasoning, uninspired flavor profile. What a huge letdown! I'm back to a crabcake-free existence in Chicago. Sigh.
(2)Melissa C.
You don't think you should order fried chicken at joes but if you don't you're missing out . it is some of the best fried chicken I've ever had ...the sides at this joes are smaller than the joes in miami so we were able to try a few . reservations are must if you don't want to eat in the bar or wait...this location is always busy
(4)Yann P.
On a Saturday late lunch, starving, we followed the advice that friends gave us. Choice between a formal dining room with tables fully dressed, or the bar section, with high tables. We settled for the high tables. Quick and efficient service, we ordered the Joe's stone crab lunch, their "signature" lunch choice. It was great. Even the hash brown was delicious, crusty. The crab was excellent. And as a finishing touch, a waiter comes with sliced lemon over a small bowl so you can clean your hands after eating the crab :-) The ambience is very cosy. An all dark wooden bar, two discrete TVs, a good mix of people. We'll clearly go back for trying the rest :-)
(5)Jay S.
Over 1200 positive reviews....this place must be great and Chicago is suppose to be a great place for meat lovers. After Flemings, Morton's, Alexander's, Chicago chop house, House of Prime Ribs, Fogo de Chao, we were so looking forward to a Great Meal at Joe's. The ambiance of the restaurant is a nice start.... The host & order takers all dressed in their tuxedos, service impeccable and the decor richly decorated..... Stone crabs are easy to cooked/steamed and cracked so nothing extraordinary about them! Since not much effort is involved in the cooking/cracking processed, I would call their stone crab average. The petit filet mignon are petit ... Perfect for a small eater. Their specialty is the bone-in steaks and so we tried the boned-in New York strip. So looking forward to the steak and while cooked perfectly - medium rare - we were disappointed with how Joe ruined the steaks with their very salty ground pepper + spice rub. We could not finish the steak b/c it was way too salty! The best entree was the dole sole presented to us in a nice filleted presentation. The fish was perfectly cook! Not much to steaming the green beans and brocollini either. the key lime pie was good but nothing out of the ordinary. I suppose that if we spend $50+ on a steak! I should have something to rant and rave about. I honestly wanted to like this place but it's more of a gimmick place.
(3)Laura S.
We were a little hesitant to go to Joe's since reading some of the reviews, but we thought we would give it a try. We went on a Monday evening and we were totally delighted with everything. The food was spectacular, our wait person was wonderful and all in all it was a wonderful experience. We would definitely go again but probably stick with going earlier in the week.
(5)Garad C.
Joe's definitely exceeded my expectations! Incredible service from the moment we walked in. A classic steakhouse, our waiter, Justin, was friendly, extremely knowledgeable and made our dining experience truly memorable. The King Crab was delicious, the bone-in filet prepared to perfection and the Manhattan's were perfectly mixed.
(5)Mike T.
I stumbled upon Joe's after dinner plans went sour at another restaurant not too far from their location. This happened to be a pleasant surprise because Joe's was a great experience. I was initially told it would be an hour wait and within twenty minutes they had found me a table. The service was exceptional, every last need was waited on without me even needing to ask. These steaks were large and some of the most flavor rich steaks I've had in Chicago. Since it was my first time the chefs sent out a complimentary slice of cheesecake for my guest and I, and we both found it to be amazing. Give the cheesecake a try if you still have room for desert after all that steak and seafood!
(4)Beth R.
Once upon a time, there was a girl with a fantastic life. This girl married her book club crush, managed to befriend some awesome people, and although she yearned to adopt all the dogs in the world plus the GEICO gecko, she was temporarily satisfied with one cat. This story involves her husband and two of their aforementioned awesome friends, and what happened one night when they ate dinner together. First the girl and her husband arrived at the restaurant and enjoyed some people watching before their friends came. There was a busy scene in the bar area, including some tourists who may not know better than to wear a camouflage hunting cap to dinner, and some locals who do. Mostly it was the latter. The enchanted couple were joined by their similarly enchanted friends and everyone enjoyed a drink. The girls had a cocktail made from two great tastes that taste great together: orange and basil. There was also gin, as the girl realized as she attempted to put one foot in front of the other on the way to their dinner table. Since the group was in a celebratory mood, there were many, many foods eaten and it might be impossible to list them all. The girl's favorites were the stuffed mushroom appetizer, the roasted cauliflower, the cottage fried potatoes, and her delicious Ahi tuna steak. The tuna came with a sweet chili sauce that set off fireworks in her mouth. The only disappointment was that the brussels sprouts had prosciutto on them, which made them off-limits. But considering the overall volume of food she ate, it might be for the best that there was something she had to refuse. After dinner, the group lingered and tried not to cry about the empty plates littering their table. Then dessert arrived. The four items included two pies, a cake and a huge scoop of ice cream with hot fudge on the side. They shared, although the girl could have eaten the ice cream by herself, as peppermint stick is her very favorite ice cream flavor in the world. She stopped after several bites and let the others have a turn. She did not extend the same consideration with the peanut butter pie, and unfortunately dominated it rather obscenely. The evening ended as it began, with excellent and warm service from Mark, who graciously advised the girl on fish choices and didn't appear to judge her for being a snorting pig during dessert. The considerate service was completely in line with the restaurant's classic elegance and comfortable but festive ambiance. The friends left the restaurant but kept their memories of foods, drinks, laughs, and newfound slang for sexual intercourse. It was a rather perfect evening and the girl felt so lucky to have had the company and to have taken part in the hedonism. It was a quintessential special occasion. The end.
(4)Marc S.
Sorry joes. While I usually give you a chance tonight I was really underwhelmed. A very very large group dinner - the salad was small and unimpressive and the bone in filet was overcooked. Not just mine. Everyone at the table. Nobody asked how it was, if they were correctly prepared. Coffee service was poor and the coffee was bad. The pie was the highlight of my meal by far. I can only guess how much the company paid for this meal, as they do every year, but the group delivery was just not good. Also the back room for being a private space was very loud. Will go back but hopefully you guys scour the reviews and see that a usually satisfied joes customer thinks you need to brush up on your big group service.
(2)Afzal A.
Went there on Sun 15 minute early for reservation they wr very nice and accommodated us we had the best experience waiter Kavin was very polite and great recommendation which we appreciated had a bottle of red wine bang bang biscuits shrimps wt risotto for appetizer, knowing that there portions big reinforced by Kavin we split our entrée which was Mediteranean sea bass was gr8 best fish I had but all ws in the presentation 2 separate guy prepared and split our entrée it ws just perfect, I wl definitely go there again little bit on expensive side but the presentation service ws worth it and then it is Chicago our bill ws with 2 split meal bottle of wine 2 extra drinks desert $200 + valet & 20% tip ws happy we chose that place
(5)Andrew K.
I had Joe's for dinner a couple weeks back.... It was so good I went again the next day! The fried chicken was a surprise winner. Top notch service.... They gave me 4 pies for free because it was my bday!
(5)MmeMorticia D.
This is such a well-oiled machine with quiet, yet staggering, confidence in its menu, service and overall experience that it does not need gimmicks of any kind. Faced with trepidation over preconceived notions of what I imagined to be a stuffy 'keep it at a whisper' men's meat club, I joined a party of friends celebrating a birthday. Five seconds in and the attentive service from everyone who greeted and escorted us to our tables piqued, maintained, and surpassed my expectations. I am not a fan of fish or bronto-sized pieces of meat (although I love crab legs, I can never finish them) so I requested the crab cakes- delicious. HUGE portions of everything. My party covered the table with (orgasmic) spinach stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari, seared ahi, petite filet, calf's liver, creamed spinach and green beans amandine (which I wanted to lick clean). Our waiter extraordinaire (I want to say Frank but apparently I kept calling him by a different name, which he never corrected, that became a running joke w/him, lol) "Frank" blew us away with his impeccable efficiency and friendly/approachable demeanor. The sommelier paired everything perfectly and complimentary birthday desserts (key lime pie and chocolate fudge pie) were graciously brought to our table. First class treatment from start to finish. Btw, touching story about the Swarovski crab pins they wear, you should ask!
(5)Nadia S.
UHHH-MAZING. Brought my parents here when they were visiting and was initially worried bc of the loud ambiance. But we were taken to an amazing big ol corner booth, which of course my old school parents loved, and it was perfect. Our server was perfect and explained everything to us perfectly. LOVED the stone crabs OMG- it was my first time and it def won't be the last. wow. They bring out an extra seasoning mix that you can add to your steak - which is WOW. SO good. Our server even gave us some extra to take home to use later with our cooking. Really loved Joe's and can't wait to come back very very soon
(5)Try O.
I know all places are going to have good and bad reviews. We had a terrible experience at Gibson's Steakhouse the night before. Came here on our last night in Chicago and had a complete 180 experience from Gibson's. Our food and service both were excellent. From drinks,app's to entree's and dessert, everything was just great. Will definitely go back when return to Chicago.
(5)KT A.
Dustin, the waiter was amazing! We went there on 10/27 for lunch. I ordered cheeseburger, cream of spinach, and mac n cheese and for desert I got a brick sundae. All was amazing! My friends got fillet Mignon, snow crab legs, sweet corn, and mash potatoes and a Boston cream pie and they enjoyed it immensely. Its pricey but sooooooooooooooooooo worth it!!
(5)Suby B.
from chicago to vegas- the best service, seafood, ambiance. takes my breath away. wonderful staff, food variety, seating, comfort, hospitality. the whole 9 yards...love you guys...xxx
(5)Jordan M.
I've only eaten here two or three times in about three years so I can't comment on the entire menu (such as the eponymous Stone Crab) but what I have had has all been excellent. The various cuts of meat (Ribeye, New York strip, etc.) were as good as any in the city and the family-style sides were both plentiful and delectable. A favorite menu item of mine is the super flavorful Stone Crab bisque and at $7.95 it's a great option if you're trying to save a few bucks on your tab. The bread basket is unbelievable (the onion roll and something with bits of chocolate in it stood out to me) and always has me asking for a refill. And finally, the service here is second to none. I don't recall our servers' names but I still remember their faces several months later because of the impression they left with me.
(5)Crystal W.
Glazed sea bass, baked potato, and garlic spinach = heaven. This place is consistently great. Make a reservation. You will NOT get in without one or a very long wait. Even the bar is a pain in the patoot. But if you're single and willing to sit at the bar or at the ridge along the wall, you can usually find a place and they'll serve you the entire menu. Definitely a must. Very good.
(5)Amanda F.
I have to give 3 stars because I was SO disappointed in their stone crab claws. I had been looking forward to this restaurant for awhile and finally got to order and try their crab claws - 6 pieces for $49.95. I know I should have been wary since we were not by the ocean, but these guys are supposed to be famous! The claws were tasteless and almost rubbery. I tried the first one and thought I must be missing something. I offered the next one to my friend and she said the same thing. I talked to the waiter and he seemed very blaise about it - asked what I wanted him to do about it? I said that he could just take them away. He then said that the stone crabs had not been a good batch this year and I would have been better off getting the king crab - well thanks bro, you could have told me that before I ordered! We had a large table - 8 people in total - and everyone else loved their food. I had the crab bisque to start off with and it was to die for! I would come back just for that. The server was great other than his odd attitude about the crab claws. He was very attentive and had great offerings for each of us. I would go back here and sit up front (less formal area) just to get the crab bisque.
(3)M M.
Great service and not disappointed in the food, but nothing blew me away. Try the king crab legs...
(4)Carol H.
First time there and was not disappointed. Everything was fabulous! A perfect finale to my birthday celebration. Give it a try!
(5)Valerie F.
Was in Chicago for a vacation and visited Joe's for dinner on May 19, 2013. The place was super packed. My husband and I had a reservation and had to wait an extra 10 minutes or so for our table. The tiny extra wait was worth it. The food here is amazing. It's pricey but well worth it. And the staff is wonderful. For appetizers, we shared the tuna tartare (amazing) and the chopped salad (delicious). For dinner we shares the dover sole (fantantic! - it was a special that day) and the steakfrites (filet mignon cooked to perfection that melts in your mouth). Our server was Darren and he was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and soooo friendly. He gave us a complimentary slice of key lime pie (which was mind-blowingly delicious!) Next time I go to Chicago, this restaurant will be on my list of must-do's.
(5)Lynn W.
The service at Joe's was GREAT but the food was only ok.
(3)Jason L.
Overrated....Overrated....Overrated.... This place is so pretentious. The staff is unfriendly. They just seemed really uptight. It is not a fun place to eat. The worst part is that the food is nowhere close to being worth what they are charging. It is just not that great. There are so many better restaurants in Chicago.
(2)Linda B.
In town for a sales meeting last Wednesday evening and my team of 7 was looking for a good place with seafood and steaks. We couldn't have been more happy with the choice of Joe's. If you want an intimate quiet dinner, this is not the place but it was awesome in every other way. We were seated immediately, since we had a reservation (that doesn't always happen). We were given quick, attentative and knowledgeable friendly service. The food was amazing. We all loved everything. The wine selection was extensive, a little spendy but great choices. I had the seafood platter and so did the person next to me. We marveled at how perfectly cooked and seasoned it was, not dry at all, sooo tasty. We each shared sides and I especially loved the creamed spinach and the mash potatoes. The waiter was so good (sorry I can't remember his name) and recommended pie for desert. We shared the key lime, peanut butter, strawberry and cocount cream pie. I have to say I think my favorite was the peanut butter, but close was the strawberry and the key lime. This was an exceptional dinner with impeccable service and attention to every detail. Thank you for the memorable evening.
(5)Maura S.
It is with a heavy heart I give Joe's a poor review. I have been here at least a dozen times. It is one of my dad's favorites and it was one of mine. This review is for the father's day brunch fiasco. As I mentioned, this is one of my dad's favorite restaurants in the city. My sister has an allergy to shellfish and during our previous dining experiences this has never been an issue. It was a HUGE issue on Father's day for whatever reason. Once we mentioned this to our server, the brunch went downhill. I get that they are looking out for her, but the limited menu they presented to her was basically herb chicken. So a $30 chicken breast with herbs on it. That's it? In a world where Vegan and Gluten-Free reign supreme, you have nothing else to offer my sister who isn't allergic to shellfish by choice. She ended up landing on a side order of mac and cheese and they even fought her on that. The manager did nothing to help us out besides come over and tell me that this was all they could do. Nothing reflected on the bill either. I took my sister to Al's real quick after a $200 brunch. Sadly, that is my last time at Joe's. A very large Chicago staple like that should be able to offer someone a larger menu and at least be kind about understanding that fried chicken and herbed chicken are very different and while the offer for herbed chicken was sort of nice, it certainly is NOT a helpful comparison. Thankfully my dad still managed to have a nice day, but we will be visiting Shaw's in the future where they were able to cook items separately for my sister allowing her almost full access to the menu. WHICH IS NORMAL!
(2)Danielle L.
Service was impeccable. Our waiter, Darren, was engaging, friendly, and extremely helpful. All first timers, he walked our party of seven through the process and made great suggestions (start w King crab legs, some calamari, and the specialty cocktail "old Cuban"). The food was outstanding. The men had steak (cooked perfectly), I had Joe's scallops (perfectly seasoned and surprisingly filling). The sides were fresh and tasty . For dessert, I recommend the tres leche cake. We did a sampling of everything and that was everyone's fav. The ambiance was conservative, simple, classy. It was pretty crowded with a mix of ages, although it tended to be a slightly older crowd (many above 35). Joe's is one of those places where you do not mind paying high prices because it is well worth it.
(5)Betsy P.
Excellent, as usual. The stone crab was perfect, and the king crab and jumbo shrimp plus ceviche were delicious. Order the "Whale" and the grapefruit margarita.....perfection!
(5)Jennifer N.
Went to Joe's in Feb- LOVED IT!! Its a great place & the service is top notch! Our Waiter was Steve K & he was Fab! We had the 2nd Mortgage & was worth every penny! Crab Bisque- Devine! Steaks great too! Just Go!
(5)OG W.
Had an opportunity to visit Joe's this past Friday to kick-off restaurant week in Chicago, and I was impressed. The ambiance, to me, is the best part of the experience. The lighting, noise level, professionalism of service staff, and decor reminded me of something from "Goodfellas". It had that old mafia/mod/gangster feel like classic 30's Chicago is famous for. The food was good as I expected it to be. I wasn't blown away by any means, but I wasn't disappointed either. The steak was good quality, but over-cooked as I asked for medium-rare temperature on my filet and it came out barely pink in the middle. I was with my date, and didn't want to be that guy who sends it back. Her steak was cooked to a more favorable center temperature so I just went with it. For me, the saving grace was the lobster tail which is the best I've had in the city. It was perfect texture, flavor, and freshness. Overall, the ambiance was the best part. The food was on par, but apparently their steaks aren't as consistent as I would have like for an establishment of this price point and reputation. I would go back, but I would definitely try other places before repeating dinner at Joe's
(4)Kathleen C.
One of my absolute favorites in Chicago! The mushroom apps are a great way to start, and the Alaskan King Crab legs are incredible! The service is always wonderful. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Morris N.
I've been here a few times and every time the service has been great. I've had the stone crab before and those are awesome. On the most recent visit I had king crab legs for appetizer and stone crab bisque, both were delicious. For my entree, I had Chilean sea bass which included some baby bok choy. For the portion size at $29, it was a bit pricy but still very good. At the avg/pp price it's not your everyday place for a meal but a great treat for more of a special occasion.
(5)Lauren F.
If you've never been to Joe's, I suggest you remedy that ASAP. No, I'm not talking about Joe's Crab Shack-I'm talking about the classy, elegant Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. I have never been disappointed at Joe's-from the tart Key Lime martini, to the irresistible assorted bread basket, to the stone crab, the steaks, the sides, the desserts, and just the overall ambiance of the place....I could go on and on. Joe's was the first place I tried stone crab and I really don't know how it could get much better. I'm not a real pick-my-food-out-of-a-shell-to-eat-it type of girl but for some stone crab, I can do a little work. It can be a little pricey for such a small amount, but give it a try at least once and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you don't want to go all in with the stone crab legs, at least try the crab bisque. This bisque is velvety smooth and when they bring it out to you they pour the bisque over chunks of crab in a bowl at your table. So so sooo good-trust me on this one. Not only does Joe's have great seafood-their turf options are amazing as well. I've never had a bad steak at Joe's. The filet mignon is my go-to, dry (i.e. no sauce) and cooked to perfection-so delicious. Their sides are big enough for two and you'll be fighting to put down your fork when you start getting stuffed but you just want one more taste. I love the grilled tomatoes-the pesto on top is just awesome. The hash browns are another one of my favs-so crispy and buttery...my mouth is watering just thinking about them. Heaven forbid I not mention their smooth, cheese and breadcrumb topped mashed potatoes-hello carb overload! They also have a very unique cole slaw that is very tasty as well, if you're a fan of cole slaw of course. I don't think you can really go wrong with anything you choose. Save some room for dessert-the Key Lime Pie and Bananas Foster Pie are fantastic!
(4)Molly C.
This place is fantastic. I have never been let down on my multiple visits here. The waitstaff is great. I love the lobster bisque and the stone crab here. Also, save room for dessert. The key lime pie is my favorite.
(4)Denise W.
I ate here for the first time about two years ago during the NBA combine. The food and service was exceptional. The stone claws could not be beat! I highly recommend this restaurant for their service, quality of food, and ingenuity!
(5)Luke T.
The food is good here and everything is fresh but I like Shaw's a little more because they have better drinks and clam chowder. The bread selection here is good but they serve a weird non cream based clam chowder that isn't very good. Also it's a little stuffy and formal here for the type of food they serve.
(4)Robert W.
Absolutely delicious, even if you don't have the crab. The steak is unreal, service is great. Definitely try the brunch if you can make it, one of the best-kept secrets in Chicago for brunch.
(5)Kevin G.
Since my last review almost two years ago, I would say Joe's is even better. The menu's selections never fail to disappoint my cravings and the service is still excellent. We always look forward to dining here.
(5)Vivian C.
Oh man, oh man, oh man! I literally just finished eating here an hour ago and it was ah-MAZING, so I had to write about it. The hype is real guys!! I made a reservation for 6:30pm for my parents and me and literally, this place is PACKED (so def make a res on OpenTable). We were told we would be seated shortly when we checked in but ended up waiting around 20-25 min. At that point I was thinking to myself, this better be worth it and it definitely was! Service: The host is super friendly and you can tell that he's been working here for a while as he knew many of the parties checking in. Our waiter, Charles, was very nice and polite and gives us time to review the menu instead of rushing us knowing that there are at least 10 parties waiting for a table outside. Food (we shared everything): - Medium stone crabs: YUM. So fresh and comes with a sauce but I didn't use it since the crab was super sweet. - Seafood salad: WOW. It was huge and had more than enough lobster, shrimp, and crab to keep us satisfied. It also came with a bunch of different veggies (fava beans, radish, carrots, lettuce, celery, yellow peppers..). We were so pleasantly surprised by this dish! - Crab stuffed shrimp: SO GOOD. It comes with 4 medium-sized prawns but each one is literally STUFFED with crab meat. It's kinda heavy but oh man, so delicious. - Mac n cheese: ORDER IT. - Creamed spinach: this was the one thing that was only OK so I advise skipping it. We didn't plan on ordering dessert but Charles brought over their signature key lime pie on the house because he said he didn't want us to leave without trying it - amazing!! Overall, this place exceeded our expectations and I would totally return when I come back to Chicago next time. Also the prices are completely reasonable for what you get. Seriously, MAKE A RESERVATION. I'm serious. Really, really serious. But if not, the front section is first come, first served. GO!
(5)Kay S.
I loved it here, the food is fantastic. They're very knowledgeable about gluten free. Being a celiac, this is always make or break for me when trying a new restaurant. They went so far as to explain that celiacs need to stick to the gluten free menu, but those who are doing it as a lifestyle preference can have their regular menu dishes altered. Sold! I had the shrimp and scallop ceviche and alaskan king crab legs. Both dishes were amazing and the boyfriend's dishes looked just as good. They have a great selection of drinks too! I wish I could have stuck around for dessert, but it was lunch and I was a little pressed on time. Wonderful service too. Will definitely be back again for a longer, less rushed date night!
(5)Shells H.
Crab cake melts in your mouth. So delicious. We had the crab stuffed shrimp and filet mignon with side of roasted sweet corn. All delicious. Be sure to call ahead as they seem to book up quickly on weekends. Service probably one of the best I have had. Noise level is a bit loud and isn't as spacious as it should be. Overall, if you're in chi and craving seafood, this won't disappoint.
(4)Stefanie A.
Had a PHENOMENAL wedding anniversary dinner here this past Saturday. We made reservations about a month in advance- something you def need to do! We went with our good friends who were also celebrating their wedding anniversary, and all four of us thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Our server Steve was AMAZING. Please someone give that guy a raise! He was so attentive and helpful. Gave us a great recommendation on a bottle of red wine, as well as his recommendations for what to eat. My advice to you is....come here VERY hungry! There's ALOT of great stuff you'll want to try! It's also nice to come with a group/ that way you can share/sample each other's stuff. For apps we got the tuna poke, stone crab claws and the crab cakes. All delicious! For our entrées: I did the jumbo lobster tail, girlfriend did the king crab legs, and both our husbands did the bone-in filets. We all shared and had the most amazing surf & turf dinner. For sides we did the mac & cheese and corn. Mac & cheese was out of this world. When the dessert menus came out, we all had our eyes on 2 things. But when Steve came back he took our menus away, and said "I have a surprise for you". Steve came back with EVERY DESSERT on their menu- on the house! You should have the look on my girlfriend's husband's face (he's a HUGE sweets guy). Wow. Couldn't decide which one I liked best but I gotta say their banana cream pie and key lime were standouts. Thanks Joes and esp Steve for such a memorable anniversary dinner!
(5)Sierra G.
Mahogany, waitstaff in white blazers, top quality steaks and seafood, all topped off with pure class. I have no idea why it took us so long to go here. This place stands out along with Bavette's and Chicago Cut for top notch steakhouses in Chicago. The thing that really sets this place apart is the classic atmosphere and crab. I didn't even know how much I liked crab until I experienced it at Joe's. There is also a gin/basil/grapefruit cocktail that is also not to be missed. Get dressed up, go hungry, and enjoy a top notch Chicago dining experience.
(5)Andrea A.
Every single dish I tried was 5M worthy: mmmmm! We chose Joe's Seafood and Steak after seeing 1,475 Yelp reviews (about 95% of them positive) and we weren't disappointed. We didn't have to worry about parking since we walked from the hotel but they did have valet service. The maître d greeted us warmly as if we were regulars and escorted us into the main dining room. The ambiance was classic: dim lights, luxurious dark wood, white tablecloths, leather upholstered booths and servers in tuxedos. 1950s era tunes like Big Maybelle's "I Got a Feeling" played softly in the background. The restaurant is located in a pedestrian-heavy district but there are no windows so it's definitely private. Great place for a client meeting or a romantic dinner. The dishes on our table: Crab Bisque This creamy soup had no detectable bits of crab but huge crab flavor. Crab Stuffed Shrimp Four jumbo gulf shrimp were stuffed with sweet crab and topped with a buttery cream sauce. I was surprised to find such fresh tasting shrimp in the Midwest. Our server said Joe's longstanding relationship with Joe's Stone Crab in Miami gives them access to the very freshest Florida seafood. Grilled Seafood Platter* Madagascar shrimp, lobster tail and scallops coated in cream sauce and served with crispy potatoes. Filet Mignon* Lyonnaise Potatoes Crispy pan sautéed potatoes with caramelized onions...total comfort food. Sautéed Broccolini The stalks were still vibrant green with a hint of snap when I bit into it. Nice buttery flavor too. Roasted Sweet Corn This side dish had straight-from-the-garden flavor with a crispy char on some of the kernels. Joe's Grilled Tomatoes* Key Lime Pie One of the best versions of key lime pie I've ever tasted...creamy and tart with a sinful blob of fresh cream on top. Havana Dream Pie Vanilla custard sandwiched between two layers of tres leches cake topped with cream and drizzled with dulce de leche. Glazed strawberries were served on the side. Gold Brick Sundae* A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with nuts and enrobed in a Magic Shell like chocolate coating. * I didn't taste these dishes. The service we received was quite good. Our server was friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu and she timed each of our courses well, giving us time to linger and talk without being rushed. She checked on us numerous times throughout the meal but never in a way that felt intrusive. The ladies' restroom was spotless and they have super thick, cloth-like paper towels. They're neatly folded, stacked in a dispenser and are monogrammed with the restaurant name. I almost never talk about restrooms, but I had to mention that one thing. Just another classy touch that represents the level of quality and attention to detail at Joe's.
(5)Mark G.
Amazing service first off, very down to earth staff that comes of genuine and not forced. Very classy inside as well, makes you feel like this is a fancy place name aside. Great job on both of those. I had the surf and turf with the filet and king crab. The steak was very good, nice flavor and great cut. I do think they are a bit high prices on the menu though. The king crab was excellent, they did an amazing job with it and I would love to try more seafood here which were priced a lot better than the steaks. Had the key lime pie for dessert, loved every bit and was definitely worth getting. Loved my meal and experience here, lived up to the hype.
(5)Mary S.
Honestly can't say enough good stuff about this place. Have been here a handful of times, usually for celebrations or holiday. Most recently made reservations for a Sunday evening with family and were seated promptly after all guests had arrived. The wait staff is extremely professional without being stuffy and are always super knowledgeable about the menu. Started with some oysters and the amazing (you MUST try) crab bisque soup, along with some stone crab (the mustard sauce is a great addition!). Never felt rushed to put in our entrée orders and the waiter wasn't hovering or ignoring us. I ordered the salmon (a little too pink on the inside for me but I'm picky with fish like that) and the rest of the table ordered the large crab cakes and a flank steak. Everybody raved about their entrees. We also split the four cheese mac & cheese side (amazing!), roasted sweet corn (probably our least favorite thing all night) and Jennie's mashed potatoes (so creamy!) sides. Of course, had to try their raved about Key Lime Pie (really deserves the rave reviews, I want to go back just for the pie) and the peanut butter pie (super PB). We were stuffed leaving and really got our time and money worth. Overall, another great experience at Joe's. Not to be missed if you're looking for a nice night out to celebrate a special occasion, or looking for a swanky date night.
(5)Celin W.
Other than the initial rockiness of waiting ~20-30 minutes to get seated as a table before us didn't leave, this was a good experience. We got 5 slices of pie as compensation for the wait, which I guess helped overcome the fact that the wait was not pleasant...but I don't blame them for the wait. Just thought the wait itself could have been managed better. On the main course note - had a seafood platter (scallops, shrimp) which was fresh and delicious. Mac and cheese side was also notable and would recommend. Not a fan of the creamed spinach. Mash potatoes were not bad. Others on table seemed happy with their steak. Excellent key lime pie. Also enjoyed the peanut butter pie.
(4)Andyman S.
Lunch reservation with decadent dining for two in mind. We ordered: fried oysters (lightly dusted in seasoned flour, not heavy, delicious), calamari (some of the most tender I've had), crab cake (large and almost entirely crab, and could have used a touch more binder and seasoning to firm it up a bit, but tasty), wedge salad (nice, but strangely unidentifiable bready blobs in there), seafood platter (Madagascar prawn was wildly over cooked, tough and chewy, I pointed this out to the waitress, and another far better one was brought out. Lobster was nice, scallops were extremely tender, not seared very well), fried chicken (delicious, although spendy chicken at $18). I'd go back, skipping the platter and ordering more appetizers and a la carte items. Pretty good place, but a little more care on the grill is needed, and a little more on the butter and seasoning. Wine list looked very reasonable, although we didn't order any. Comped us key lime pie, which is in the fridge along with leftover fried chicken. Stuffed to the brim...
(4)Tim K.
I LOVE seafood! I really look forward to special occasions when I can justify shelling out some extra dough to enjoy good, fresh, high quality seafood here in Chicago. It was my wife's birthday, so off to Joe's we went! We arrived right at our reservation time and worked through a portion of the crowded bar successfully to a friendly host who seated us right away. Our waiter was quick to take our drink order and explain the "market card" of daily specials. We opted for "The Whale" cold appetizer seafood tower for two, crab bisque, the filet and lobster, and the seared scallops. The good: The crab bisque and the filet were terrific. The bisque was silky smooth with some yummy bits of crab at the bottom of the cup. The sherry came through nicely and mingled quite well with what I assume was a crab stock. It was served a bit colder than I prefer - but very good. The filet was a nice surprise. It appeared to have been seared off on a flat top and had a wonderful crust of their very own spice rub. That rub is also served on the side leaving the diner with the ability to add more should they desire. It was cooked to a perfect medium - and also evenly cooked (in other words, the warm pink center was actually in the center - that seems to be something of a dying art). The bad: The "Whale" seafood appetizer was good, but also disappointing. At $21.95 per person - a bit pricey for an appetizer - I was expecting a veritable cornucopia of seafood. Here's what we got to split between the two of us: 2 jumbo shrimps, 1 smallish lobster tail (2-3 ounces, I'm guessing), 2 snow crab legs, and 3 or 4 ounces of ceviche. That's it! Quite disappointing. The jumbo shrimp cocktail was only $15.95 and probably had more to eat than each half of the $21.95 whale. My advice; skip it and go with anything else. The ugly: The seared scallops were woefully overdone and were just this side of being suitable for on ice use at the Hawks preseason opener on the 22nd of September. I detected no seasoning on the little rubbery paperweights, and the roasted corn sauce was equally disappointing. There was almost no flavor to the sauce - check that - there was no flavor to the sauce. The service was very good; attentive without being overbearing. We got through dinner in about an hour - a good thing as we also had our 5 year old with us who was patiently waiting so she could indulge in some chicken nuggets later in the evening. I think Joe's Prime would be a splendid place to take a group to, especially for a business lunch or dinner. It is a bit boisterous in the restaurant, but not in a bad way. It seemed like everyone was having a good time - it was a happy boisterous. Next time, though, I'm going for the steak.
(3)Courtney H.
We came back for my birthday with my whole family and a friend in late August. Again, we got stuck in traffic but they held the table. The food was again amazing, even better than the first time if that's possible! Our waitress was phenomenal and they brought me out a dessert because she heard someone say we had a birthday at the table. I can't stress how great of a place this is!
(4)Alan T.
My wife and I just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary here to cap off a great vacation in Chicago. We had a great dinner at Joe's and enjoyed everything we ate. I don't normally write reviews, but the service here was great, so we wanted to write a quick blurb. Jeff, our waiter, was attentive, friendly, and made great food recommendations, including an awesome key lime pie. The whole experience was very memorable.
(5)Alexis B.
FINALLY!!!!!! I've always wanted to come to a Joe's stone crab establishment. I hate how some of my simple folk people, think I'm saying Joe's crab shack LOL. Not even on the same level. So the Doc wanted to do a brunch at our hotel but I didn't want that. He already had his say for dinner the night before so today was my turn! Took a cab and walked in around 1ish. We didn't make RSVP's but if you want to sit in the main dining room, I suggest them. We sat at a high top in the bar area. Their high seats are quite comfortable but they do pack these seats in and that's uncomfortable for those trying to make there way to the actual bar. We had a nice server. She had a few tables and never showed a sign that she was overwhelmed especially when it got super crowded. Also the bartenders have to look of an old school steakhouse type of feel :) Now for the food!!!!!!! Steak Tartare: Nice ring of tartare with a lovely raw quail egg to smother the tartare mmmmm. This was my second time having tartare. I'm used to seeing Beef carpaccio on the menu, so any chance I see a beef tartare on the menu, I'm getting it!!! The dish was perfectly seasoned. Not over seasoned and not bland.. Thank god. The texture was luscious. It also comes with a nice little plate of charred crostini's to spread it on. What a solid well executed simple dish. Stone Crab: AKA star of the show. We ordered the medium serving and if my stomach was large enough, I would order a large portion all to myself with a nice glass of sweet wine ahhhhhh. Anywho, this was my very first time having Stone crabs. We don't get those here in SoCal and if anyone has the dibs on where I can, that would be SWEEEEEEEET!!!! Luckily the waitress told me an alternative crab that almost has the same taste, that could be found in my hood YAY!!!!!! Back to the crack stone crabs. This was probably some of the freshest seafood I've ever had. I also love how easy it is to get the meat out. I'm pretty intimidated by shellfish that make me work for my food LOL. I feel like a cavewoman trying to open up shit HAHA. Ever since my last bite of these crab claws, I've been thinking about them weekly. You can not come here and not order these. It would be disrespectful to their namesake! Roasted Turkey sandwich: Yea I got a turkey sammie for my main meal LOL. I purposely ordered this because my hotel room didn't have a fridge and this would be the easiest leftover to travel with back to the room HAHA. I'm the leftover queen! The sandwich comes on a toasted multigrain bread and is stuffed with carved turkey, avocado, pork belly, tomato and sprouts. I usually hate sprouts, but these were no bother. Nothing super mouthgasmic about the sandwich, just a solid fulfilling sandwich. It also comes with fries but I wanted onion straws and those were nice and crispy with a little sweetness. I could eat a whole plate of those! I kinda wish I ordered the DIP, but my leftover priorities took over ;) Branzino w/lemon and capers: This was the Docs dish but of course I had to get a taste in! We also ordered broccolini as a side. If you're watching your weight, this is a great dish to be had. But lets be honest who would be watching their weight visiting Chicago. He lives here and can have Chicago eats anytime LOL. His dish was very good. Again the seafood is outstanding on its freshness. It was nice and flakey and the broccolini was a great pairing. So yea if you're a health nut, this is the dish for you :p Of course I was tooooo full for dessert and I had shopping to do. I didn't want to go to that 7 story mall full as F! I can't wait to go to Joes again and hopefully I can visit the one in Vegas since that's as good as it's going to get, to get those claws!!!!!
(5)Jeff S.
Had lunch at Joe's last Saturday (7/11). Heard great things about their stone crabs (especially the mustard sauce) and had to try them out. Sat at a table near the bar which was a lot more of a casual setting (people were in shorts, sandals, etc). Ordered nothing but seafood - dozen oysters (mixed), 1 lb of king crab legs, and a large order of stone crab (5 pieces). Of the three, the king crab legs were my favorite as they were huge and meaty. The legs are already cut so no work is required and you are instantly rewarded with jumbo crab meat. The stone crab claws were very good as well but you have to do a little more work for the salty meat. Oysters were on point as well. Service was okay. Nothing special. But at the bar, I am more lenient on that.
(4)L W.
It was my husband and I's second time celebrating our wedding anniversary at Joe's. The food as always was delicious. We would especially like to thank our waitress Denise - she was absolutely fabulous and made our dinner very joyful. I would like to give her 5 stars and
(5)Ellie W.
If you're looking for good seafood in Chicago this is the place! My mother and I went for late lunch around 3pm. The host suggested we sit in the bar area to be served quicker. Our waitress was friendly and was helpful on what to recommend. FOOD: My mother ordered the Seafood Salad ($25 ish) and I ordered a lunch special of Alaskan Crab (about six crab legs, corn, potatoes, and Havana Pie $28 ish). The waitress allowed me to order a baked potato rather than the ones the meal came with. Also, because I am allergic to gluten she suggested I get the gluten-free brownie sundae. My meal was AMAZING! The crab legs came "pre-cracked" and easy to eat, the potato was large, and the corn is literally the best corn I have ever had ( it is grilled with spices, a must try). My mother also expressed she was pleased with her "flavorful salad". SERVICE: The waitress was helpful to start off with but then we barely saw here after ordering. The "bus boy" refilled our waters, took our plates and pretty much took care of us. PRICE: A little pricey but totally worth it!
(5)Danielle S.
The food was decently good here, but nothing really impressive. It's what you expected from a good seafood house but nothing above and beyond. Oysters were fresh. Out waitress was nice and took good care of us. Maitre D was clueless and looked arrogant? We walked in can't find reception desk. He murmured, we looked back thought he might help us but he was like go to that guy with green tie. We followed his instruction, went to the gentlemen. That gentlemen was talking to other waitress, saw us coming but did not stop chatting. We didn't want to be rude so we waited the conversation to be over. Then he looked to us with no face expression, no how are you kinda greetings but only said hi and waiting for us to say what we want to do. We asked "do you still have a table for two, we do not have reservation". He pointed two tables and said, those two are available, pick one you like. Nobody walked us to our table. Based on the ratings on Yelp, the price and such, we expected a more welcome attitude and more helpful service. So with the average food and below average overall experience, I'd say I'll never come back again.
(3)Jason B.
This might have been top to bottom one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. The service was attentive but yet not annoying, and every bit of the food was out of this world. We tried oysters on the half shell the champagne butter was amazing, the lavash bread was outstanding, and really wish that we had ordered two of the ahi tuna appetizers. Three of the four of us ordered the filet which was our only low spot as my wife's steak was a bit over cooked for medium rare. They brought her a new steak and a new baked potato within 6 minutes. Our hold out that ordered the crab cakes was just as pleased with his dinner, as we were with the steaks. I would give them an extra star if allowed the food was that good.
(5)Danielle S.
I'm sure you wouldn't go here for fried chicken BUT it is the best! So juicy and the outside is so crispy, cooked perfectly every time!
(5)Adam A.
Amazing steak, superb stone crabs and life changing crab bisque. What can I say. Be sure to start with the bisque, roll into some amazing stone crabs and then dig into a bone in fillet. Amazing.
(5)Brian K.
Came here for my birthday last year. Very nice establishment. Ordered both crab and filet mignon. Both were exceptional. Had an old fashioned and it was by far the best. I've yet to find one better in a restaurant setting, although they probably exist in the realm of specialty cocktail speakeasy type places. The service was what you would expect from an upscale restaurant. I have zero complaints and look forward to returning.
(5)Natalie D.
I came here on Saturday with my family. This was my second time here although my parents have been maybe 5 times. I am not used to ordering crab so my dad did the ordering: we got a pound of the large stone crab claws. They were good. I don't really understand why ppl love them though. My dad loves crab and even prefers it over lobster. I think it's good but maybe I just need to try a different part of the crab? Like legs? I think last time we had King crab legs bc the stone crab was out of season and I remember liking that better... Anyways.. My sister and I shared the tuna tartar app. It was solid but not our favorite in the city. (We love Pops) I got the roast beef/steak sandwich which was soooo good! I recommend putting their horseradish mayo on it! It comes with horseradish but more is better in my opinion. Last time I was here I ordered oysters but ever since I moved to the Midwest I've lost my taste for them. I remember that they were really good here but I can't elaborate. I'll have to go back and get some ;) Drinks: Perfect Bloody Mary! Nice spice and good amount of horseradish too I also got the old fashioned: I'm on a mission to try all of the classic cocktails. It's not a fruity drink and doesn't try to be however, there was a very nice citrus flavor. I would totally get it again! Service: We made a reservation that morning. We were 10 min late. We were seated right away in a big beautiful booth. Our server was adorable and very helpful, patient, and just ideal. That's the word I would use for Joe's -ideal.
(5)Sabrina C.
As one decides to take on the quest of finding the best steak in Chicago, Joes should be a stop on your list. I went here on a weekend with a small group of friends and had quite a good experience. The drinks were nice. A tad bit pricey, but good nonetheless. For the appetizer, we went with Calamari since the Rockefeller Oyster was sold out for the day (I hear it's amazing). It was actually quite delicious. For dinner, I had the medium stone crab - cooked perfectly. Someone in my group ordered the Filet Mignon - it was good, however I've had much better. The sides that you order are huge!!! I requested the cream of spinach and the mashed potatoes and three of us were able to eat off of them and still have some left! The cream of spinach was throughly enjoyed since it was obvious it was homemade with its hearty leaves of greenery. Yum! In retrospect, the food while tasty, didn't shoot off fireworks for me. Yeah I think the place may be more hype than anything. However what totally enhanced the experience (and what I think helps the "fireworks" shoot off) is the level of service; it was exceptional. The staff totally pays attention to you and you never have a moment where you feel abandoned at your table. They are very knowledgeable of the menu and therefore able to make great suggestions and answer any questions. The ambiance is perfect for an intimate date as well, if you so desire it. Valet parking is available so you don't have to fight with the crazy street parking. Joes is a place I would totally go back to..... minus all of the hype.
(4)Eugene P.
When you can't find anything wrong about a business then you have a winner. My first impression of this place in one word was "class." So this is how the rich and famous dine. Everything about this place was fantastic. The servers were on point, as was the food. When the food tastes as good as it did at Joe's nothing else matters. I've been to other high end steak and seafood restaurants but this place was far above and beyond. The crab cakes were on the mark. I didn't get to taste any seafood but the BONE IN FILET MIGNON was awesome! I have never had a medium steak cooked any better. I'm a pretty big eater and a 16 oz steak usually has me feeling satisfied but not this time. It was so good I wanted to eat the bone with it. The only critique I can give is that it might have been a tad bit to salty. I need to go try the original location in Miami and I'm for sure going to the Vegas location. Joe's, you have my approval (not like that means anything LOL) Tip: make a reservation even on weekdays, valet was $15 when I went, and enjoy the food.
(5)Christine E.
The service at Joe's is great. In addition to our server, the manager and sommelier also stopped by our table to make sure we were enjoying our dinner. The food is amazing. Our faves here are the Alaskan king crab, oysters rockefeller, bone in filet mignon, and crab stuffed shrimp. Really, there's nothing here we haven't liked.
(5)Chenghua C.
Even though the price is a little expensive, but the steak they have is truly delicious, amazingly!
(5)Elina S.
All I gotta say is I can't believe I didn't freaking come here earlier. I've had this on my bookmarked list forever now and it is definitely worth the hype and if you live in Chicago or are even coming here for a weekend getaway, this is a MUST try place in Chicago. I absolutely LOVED It but wouldn't say it's the best place I've ever eaten which is why I didn't give it 5 stars but I am definitely a fan and will definitely come back here again when the opportunity comes. I did make reservations like 2 months in advance to get that nice 7pm Saturday night dinner slot. Upon arrival I did request a booth for my husband and I for a more intimate and not as loud feel because it is jam packed. I loved our booth it was on the first floor and it was towards the end so it definitely had that nice romantic, private feel to it. Our server was super nice and as everyone says, service is on point over here, nothing was forgotten and everything was presented perfectly, she gave us some great recommendations and we obviously started with a few drinks. For an appetizer I decided to forgo my usual calamari just because I wanted to do different. We did get those over talked about stone crabs and they were phenomenal. 7 medium ones were $40 which I thought was kind of expensive for what you are getting, but they were delicious, I just wish there was more of them. The mustard mayo sauce that is served with them is to die for but you could also get their horseradish cocktail sauce as well on the side. For my entree I decided to get the crab stuffed shrimp and they were delicious. The shrimp were huge and there were four of them and they literally tasted like lobster because they're from the same family and these were gigantic shrimp. My husband is a big fan of lobster rolls but they didn't have any so he ordered the alaskan king crab roll and I took a bite of it and all I have to say is that it is EVEN better. I mean for $25 or so you get so much luscious king crab and the brioche fun is warm and buttery and it was delicious. Also, it is served with their sweet potato fries which are my favorite things ever so that is always a plus. Oh, how can I forget about their legendary bread basket, I was hoping it would be amazing but I only really liked the warm onion bread roll, everything else was kind of just blah. Sorry, although Joes definitely wins for the freshest seafood, Wildfire has the much better bread. I'm kind of all over the place today, must be all that amazing seafood that went to my head, it really was super fresh and some of the things I felt like I was back in Boston having delicious crab by the pier. Okay, so onto the dessert, we couldn't decide so we got both the key lime pie and the banana cream pie and they were both delicious if I had to choose which was better for next time it would have to be the key lime pie because it had the perfect amount of tanginess to it. Except I need my dessert to have chocolate and lots of it to be exact. Overall, an amazing place, definitely save up for a special occasion or that perfect date night because it's definitely not cheap, but truly awesome. Amazing service, like I was truly impressed and a nice atmosphere to eat all that fresh stuff from the ocean. My only thing is that they need to make those stone crabs a little cheaper or serve more of them.
(4)Barbara L.
Four of us from California just had dinner there!! Chris was our server an he was outstanding. Chris was very attentive, polite an knowledgeable about the menu. We had miso sea bass, crab stuffed shrimp an seafood salad. All was the best! For desert we had cherry pie, an peanut butter pie, at Chris's recommendation. He didn't let us down. The deserts were divine!!!!! You must go an ask for Chris...
(5)Amy H.
I went there for my one year anniversary with my boyfriend. He placed a reservation for 4 PM, so when we got there the streets weren't that bad. You should valet because I didn't see any available street parking there. I did see some parking garages though, but for the same price ($15 plus tip), it's more convenient to valet. When we stepped in, the dining area was pretty empty so there wasn't much of a wait. We dropped off our jackets at the complementary coat check. The aura is very intimate, dim lighting, classy. We came in dressed up, because my boyfriend saw on yelp that it said dressy. That is false. A lot of people there wore jeans and nice sweaters. We were overdressed compared to everybody else. The waiting staff was dressed very nicely though. In regards to the food, the food was excellent. I ordered crab stuffed shrimp and he ordered 6 oz filet and tail. So yummy! James, our waiter, was so patient when I didn't know what to order and also when I was confused on the mixed drinks. Clearly, I don't come to up-scale restaurants on an everyday basis. I was very happy with my experience and to top it off, I got a complementary key lime pie, the dessert specialty at Joe's.
(5)Dalia M.
Most of our experience was good except for the initial wait. We waited about 20 minutes for our reservation in their small bar area. Also, getting a drink from the bartenders was impossible. They weren't super busy but just sort of ignoring the standing patrons. 10 minutes later, I finally had my glass of sauvignon blanc. Once seated, Hank was wonderful with our table of 7. We went family style on everything - crab claws, rib eye, NY strip, filet mignon, halibut & sides of creamed spinach, mac & cheese, potatoes (with onion - something French?). YUM. I've been to the Miami location which is just as pricy but more seafood than steak and a little more casual given its down in Florida. This location was different but great. Fantastic food, fancy ambience, $$$$ is what you'll spend.
(4)Jill D.
Stone crab claws with their mustard (or whatever that is), key lime pie, seafood tower, bread basket, amazing service...need I say more? I'd eat here once a week if I could afford it! Great wine list too.
(5)Margo R.
Here in town for a long weekend, incredibly pleased we found this. Food was excellent. Rib eyes were perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked. Stone crab was delicious; would never have considered a mustard sauce, but was perfectly paired. Veggies were great as well. The staff here is warm and professional, not stuffy at all. The sommelier Matt was incredibly helpful in helping this California wine aficionado choose the perfect wine to complement our meal. Our waiter, Danny Morales, was exceptional. He expertly guided us through the menu, and made sure our dining experience was wonderful in every way. Just a delightful evening.
(5)Lavinia C.
After going ice skating for the very first time ever in my life with my man, (and might I mention, I didn't fall... yay me) we got hungry and wanted a delicious steak... 'cause nothing satisfies hunger like a good steak. So I did the usual, got on yelp and searched... and Joe's popped up! (Thanks fellow yelpers!) From the few reviews I glanced at, Joe's looked like the perfect place to go! Now with it being Saturday night, I figured I should call and see if there was a wait -- and of course, I was told it would be about 2 hours. I was told, however, that if we sat in the bar area, it would still be a full menu, but it was a first-come, first-serve basis. My man and I decided to try our luck so we stopped in, and lo and behold, there was a table in the bar area open... as if it was waiting for us! We quickly pounced on it and got settled in, patiently waiting for service. It took a wee bit for the waitress to come over, but it was only because it was quite busy. She brought over our menus, got our drinks, and got our food order in pretty quickly. I ordered the Filet Oscar cooked medium rare, and HIGHLY recommend it!!! The filet was so tender and flavorful, cooked absolutely perfectly; my knife went through it like butter. My man ordered the Bone-in Filet, which was so tasty, and tender. Since the filets are "a la carte" we ordered mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms to share. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and good, with some ooey gooey cheese throughout, and the mushrooms were sautéed to perfection with mouthwatering flavor! Well, the food certainly didn't last very long... For dessert, we ordered the Peanut Butter Pie with hot fudge, and the Havana Dream Pie (don't panic, they were both HALF slices... yes, you can do that, so that you can try more than one flavor of pie). And I ordered the Classic Irish Coffee to go with the pie... Mmm! When our dessert came to the table, they accidentally brought us Key Lime Pie and the Peanut Butter Pie; now I'm not a fan of Key Lime Pie, but I tried it nonetheless (I thought it was the Havana Dream Pie, only realized it was Key Lime after taking a bite), and it was actually pretty good. The Peanut Butter Pie didn't stand a chance though... I devoured that half slice! We told our waitress about the mixup and she corrected it and brought us the Havana Dream Pie quickly... and I had a few bites of that as well (which was amazingly delicious! I recommend it!) The Classic Irish Coffee took a while, and right when I started thinking our waitress maybe forgot to put the order in, she brought it over, apologizing that the bartender hand-whipped the cream for it so it took extra long... but she told us that it was "on her" for taking so long. She was an absolute doll; I wish I could remember her name. All in all, the experience was great... the atmosphere was laid back, and the food and staff were phenomenal!!! We will definitely be back again, however this time, we'll make a reservation ahead of time so we can experience dinner in the dining room.
(5)Kristin L.
A million stars! Not always a fan of chain restaurants but this one truly takes the cake. I had some of the best lobster I've ever had here at Joes. It was cooked to perfection. Same with stone crab, oysters, king crab.... its all fabulous. Never disappoints. 5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Amy B.
Found Joe's from google after I typed in "best restaurants in Chicago." It was among the top 5 most recommended eateries. I was not donned in proper seasonal attire but once we arrived at the restaurant, the heat and the smell of deliciousness helped me forget about the relentless Chicago cold. After we were seated, Hank, a very welcoming and friendly gentleman, greeted us with a wonderful intro of the history of the restaurant and the dishes that make Joe's one of the most attractive dining spots in chi-town. By then, we knew we were in for a scrumptious ride. We were first timers to this place and was happy to learn about their Florida stone crabs. A bit of history and background info sometimes helps elevate the taste of the food. And it surely did. They only harvest the right claws from the crabs and place the crustaceans back into the water to allow their limbs to grow back. Stone crabs are known to lose their limbs easily. This way, the crabs can continue to live and hang out with their buddies in the pool. Happy crabs make great food. Stone crab is a must-have at Joe's as it's their signature dish. The mustard sauce that comes with it gives the meat a creamy, nutty flavor. It tasted so luxurious that I was hooked on every savory bite. If you love fish, you can't go wrong with their Chilean Sea Bass. For oyster lovers, go with the fresh oysters. They were so wonderful I thought I tasted the ocean.
(5)Ria S.
We celebrated our sons 20th bday here. Everything from the service to the food was phenomenal. We really liked our server who although I don't remember her name I do remember she has red hair and has worked there for years. My sons had never been but they totally enjoyed it. Make sure you make a reservation because they are always crowded.
(5)Courtney F.
I was recommended to try this place by a friend who used to live in the city and I thought it was a great, solid steakhouse. Service was wonderful. I had a petite filet mignon and shrimp cocktail. Food was good, but nothing extremely memorable. However, there was a nice classy atmosphere that would make it totally worth going back.
(3)Frank M.
So while nothing was bad, this place wasn't great either. Service was fantastic, stone crab was good, key lime pie was great. The artichokes we had were underripe and shouldn't have been served, they shouldn't be hard. The spinach was good, but for $8 I expect baby spinach or at the very least stems clipped. We also has the seafood platter that was good, but not amazing. This place is overall good, not great. Service was fantastic overall, however.
(3)Esther H.
Everything from start to finish was amazing. No extra frills or too much seasoning. The food was so fresh and delicious. The different choices of bread were perfect. The stone crabs are so meaty you actually get more filled up than you expect. The steak was SO good! (We got the bone in prime rib) The scallops were the exact amount of food you need even tho you think it's expensive for just 3, after I started eating I stopped complaining. The pies were SO good. Havana was a dulce de leche, cake, custard aka HEAVEN. And my idea of Key Lime was green and jiggly but theirs is the absolute best. So creamy and enough citrus to love the key lime without it overpowering the dessert.
(5)Kelly P.
I've heard all the rave reviews about this place from colleagues and was told I must get to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab on my next visit. So since work brought me back to Chicago last week, this was the first place I hit. Although I didn't have enough time to relax in the dining room, my schedule did allow me to have a nice steak salad and a rose sparkling wine in the bar area. I also made sure to check the place out which hopefully could justify my review without experiencing a full dinner. When entering, I took a quick look around. I loved and sensed a bit of elegance and degree of that old school vibe, typical of Chicago steak houses. Waiters were dressed in standard black and white and maitre d's pleasantly greeted all guests as they made their way through the bar and into the dining room. My service was great, even at the bar and I loved the taste and portion of my steak salad which basically took care of my appetite like a full meal. The bar also attracts a lively after work crowd that gets there quite early so getting a seat might be a bit challenging after 5:30pm. I hope to return to this place when I have more personal time to relax and enjoy a full dinner, soup to nuts. The menu is comprehensive but pricey but appears to be well worth it and supported by the restaurants stellar reputation on steak and seafood.
(4)Elaine T.
Get the stone crab! You won't regret it.
(5)Tana N.
My favorite Chicago restaurant. Went on Friday night with another couple and it was phenomenal! We started with stone claws as an appetizer, which come with the famous mustard sauce. For dinner we had crab legs, scallops, dover sole and a ribeye. Sides of roasted corn(this is a must if you come here), mashed potatoes and cole slaw (another must have). Our waitress was fun, energetic and on top of our needs before we had any.
(5)Kristen M.
HANDS DOWN THE BEST. Our server, Danny was just AMAZING!! Very fun, exciting and knew the menu back to front - great at recommendations and anticipated every need - including our pie choices : ) The food was delicious - I don't typically like crab, but I had the Stone Crabs with their famous Joe's mustard dipping sauce - WHOA I believe they have changed my mind about crab. *Best Tip about this place: Get all the pies!! Key Lime Pie was ice cold and Delicious, the Havana Dream Pie was Unbelievable, and the Peanut Butter Pie was extremely Light & Fluffy!!
(5)Allison L.
The food was delicious!! We had our company holiday party here in one of the back rooms so I can't judge on the atmosphere of the main part of the restaurant. If you want some of the best seafood ever, come to Joe's.
(5)Ken O.
I had a craving for great chicken and since Bub City was closed for a private function, my second choice was Joe's. This restaurant never disappoint me. I had opted to dine in the bar area since it was more casual. I was greeted by Alesia, who was very pleasant throughout my meal. Since I have a craving for fried chicken and I heard Joe's chicken is out of this world, that's what I had ordered with a side of fries. Alesia had advise me that it will be about 20 minutes, so I had added the Caesar Salad to start with. The runner had brought this good size salad (bigger than I thought it would be) within a few minutes. The dressing was just right - let's face it, the dressing makes or breaks the salad. The accompanied roll basket had various types of rolls. Roughly, twenty minutes later, my entree was delivered to me. OMG,,, the chicken was so good - so juicy. The fries were seasoned just right. Did I say how great the chicken was? Again, Alesia did check in with me. Everything was fine. After eating two pieces and majority of the fries, I was done. The other two pieces are going to be great snack for later. However, I did make room for a slice of the Peanut Butter Pie. It is rich but so good. Take your time with this dessert. BTW, the dessert menu has several great options without being over the top with options. Well, I wasn't able to finish the slice, however, it was a great leftover for later. The chicken and pie didn't make it to the next day. For an outstanding dining experience, check out this restaurant.
(5)Dannie C.
This place has an average of 4.5 stars across 1400 reviews for a good reason. Their food may be pricey but it's of extremely high quality and out-of-this-world delicious. Also, even though I've only ordered takeout from them (more than half a dozen times and counting already), I can see that they really treat customers with care and respect. My favorites: #1 Chilean Sea Bass: Love the miso glaze, subtly infused into the fillet, which is always tender but not flaky. Bok choy complements it very well. #2 Seafood Chopped Salad: Generous amounts of Alaskan king crab, shrimp and lobster. This may be an expensive salad but it is certainly one of the best salads I've ever gotten #3 Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese: This dish really elevates mac & cheese to a new level. The mushroom fragrance is infused into the pasta and it almost tastes like a truffle cream pasta that boasts of flavor as well as subtlety #4 Grilled seafood platter: A tad on the expensive side, but these are succulent servings of Madagascar shrimp, lobster tail and scallops, grilled to perfection (This list has been growing...) Why I said that Joe's really seems to care about their customers: 1) Every takeout dish is boxed nicely, with a sticker on top labeling the item + reheating instructions. I've never seen a restaurant do that! 2) Every order comes with an elaborate bread basket. That too is labelled: onion pumpernickel (delish!), raisin crisp (also delish!), cheese crisp (getting the idea yet?), challah knot (last but certainly not least), etc. I need to come dine at this restaurant in person soon.
(5)Michelle W.
Everything was amazing! The service was the absolute best, super friendly, very knowledgeable, and the food came out very fast. I had some stone crab, Alaskan king crab, and jumbo shrimp for an appetizer. All 3 were as good as it gets and very fresh, which was my concern considering this was my first time really eating seafood in the Midwest. For the entree, I ordered the filet mignon and lobster tail. The lobster definitely stood out to me more on the plate, even though I'm usually less of a seafood person. The filet mignon was still amazing, but I think if I went back I might get the ribeye or lamb chops instead. I also really enjoyed oysters, sweet potato fries (they put a hint of cinnamon and sugar in them!), the grilled tomatoes, and the other vegetables were nice additions to the otherwise more protein heavy meal. I think what I really appreciate about this restaurant is they really take out all the struggles you usually find with eating seafood and just deliver to you the best quality food. They even went around and cleaned our hands with fresh lemon and a hot towel after our appetizer. For dessert I would've loved to get one of their amazing looking pies, but I was just too full so I went for the mixed berries instead which were a great finish to the meal. Overall this was a great restaurant that I would definitely recommend for celebratory occasions.
(5)Arthur M.
First time eating here. The food was great! From the bread in the table to the banana cream pie. For my app I had the crab claws, nice and chilled. Then I had the sea bass. WOW! That's all I can say. Very clean and atmosphere was the cherry on top. The waitress Colleen gave us the VIP treatment. I travel to Chicago over the next few month and yes I will be back here!
(5)Nancy M.
My sister and I visited Chicago this week to celebrate our b'days. What a great city! I found Joe's online (googled Chicago's top restaurants). We had the crab bisque and the petite filet mignon. Best steak ever and we loved the mashed potatoes. Also, enjoyed the ambience -- formal but not intimidating. We went back the next day (after shopping) for G&Ts and a shared order of calamari. Tasty and our waitress was very nice. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Layan A.
Nothing short of amazing. The food is exquisite. Come here after you get a paycheck, it's super expensive but well worth it. Calling ahead doesn't guarantee a table right away and you will still wait up to 30 mins. Service is great as well.
(5)Michelle P.
This was a great place for some phenomenal Stone Crab! Our waiter was awesome, the food was great, the atmosphere was fun too. Next time we are in Chicago, I will be back :-)
(5)Randy F.
Wow, Joe's, you really impressed. As a Californian, the first thing I think about when I hear Joe's and Crab is the ubiquitous and casual Joe's Crab Shack on the West Coast and most of the United States. While Joe's Stone Crab is also a chain, it's completely distinct and has locations only in Las Vegas, Miami, and Washington D.C. The atmosphere is also much more upscale. Whereas our recent meal at Bavette's seemed like a throwback to a speakeasy and the 1920's era, Joe's has a class and business ambiance reminiscent of the white table cloths and formally attired waiters of the 1950's. It's obviously a place popular for business and power meetings, although they were a small scattering of casually dressed families throughout the dining room. Service is both efficient and professional with water glasses being filled seamlessly and dropped spoons being replaced quietly and quickly. Coloring books and crayons are provided for the younger clientele as are high chairs and booster seats for those with young family. But Joe's is really about the seafood. So you can imagine my disappointment when they told us they had already sold out their small and limited allotment of their famous Florida Stone Crab Claws. Crab season supposedly has been tough so this is becoming a more common occurrence. Our selection: Mojito - classic cocktails done without fuss. Nothing fancy or innovative but refreshing. Crab Bisque - excellent. A very small scoop of crab meat is placed in the center of a large bowl and the bisque is poured around it. Served piping hot and both rich and full of crab flavor. Pacific Rock Crab Claws - related to the Florida Stone Crab Claws and much more abundant. We opted for an order (by the lb) and found them strikingly similar in appearance to the Florida Stone Crab. Chilled and pre-cracked for easy eating, the Pacific Rock Crab Claws were super fresh and delicious. Supposedly, Florida Stone Crab Claws are even sweeter and even better, so now I'm convinced I'll have to be back or find them. $42/lb. Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Legs - Offered with table-side service, the Alaskan King Crab Legs are brought whole to the table and expertly cracked in minutes by the waiters. Chilled and served with their signature mustard, they pop easily out of the shell and are amazing. I've had Alaskan King crab cooked many ways, but these were some of the sweetest and freshest I've had. Four Cheese Mac & Cheese - a cheesy and delicious classic side dish. Vanilla Ice Cream - complimentary dessert. Good quality vanilla bean flavor. Key Lime Pie - their signature dessert and served chilled like the seafood. It's perfectly tart with a wonderful crust. As a first time diner, they also made the single slice (plenty for sharing) complimentary. Overall, we had a great meal at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. The old school atmosphere and up-scale service were a joy to have and they didn't blink having our family sitting right in the midst of power dinners between businessmen and professionals. The seafood was top notch and every dish was fresh as can be. Now that I know what Stone Crab Claws are, I am on a mission to have the select Florida Stone Crab claws. Everything is expensive here, but it truly is a top notch dining experience if you can swing the visit. (reservations recommended as it seems most people can and make dining here a priority even on weekdays) Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab accepts credit cards including American Express.
(5)Vaibhav V.
Even in a city known for its steakhouses, Joe's stands out strikingly! Easily one of the best dinners I have ever had. Outstanding service as expected. Significant variety in the dress code also by the way: some people were wearing black ties, while there were a significant number in polos. I even found a few people wearing shorts! Jumbo Lobster: 5/5 -- Incredible. Cut perfectly so that the lobster could easily be plucked out without getting your hands dirty. Warm melted butter served on the side. Portions were very generous (should be generous too; after all, we dropped over 70 bucks for it). 24 oz. Rib Eye Medium: 5/5 -- Literally perfect. Served with some steak condiment on the side. So juicy, so flavorful. I could eat this every night. Apple Pie: 4.5/5 -- One of the best apple pies of my life. Served with a scoop of ice cream, the crust was crunchy and the apples were incredible (not too sweet). Whether it's a special occasion or you just want to spend loads of cash on a random evening, this place is perfect.
(5)Lizzy C.
I came here during chicago restaurant week. Everything is great.
(4)Dana G.
Gotta love Joe's! This is a family favorite and we come here every time we do our annual Thanksgiving shopping trip to downtown Chicago. STONE CRAB = AMAZING! Can't be beat. To be honest, there's not much more you can say than "IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD AND YOU NEED TO EAT STONE CRAB AT JOES". So delicious! We always get the lyonnaise potato. So great - they can make them extra crispy (that's how my mom always orders them). We also always get Joe's chopped salad. They recently changed the ingredients a little but honestly it's still wonderful. I also like the shrimp cocktail, ceviche is great too! Love the bread basket. Seriously people, come hungry. Service is always fantastic! Helpful yet not overwhelming. Make a reservation even for lunch if you don't want to wait. Great ambiance -- love the old school classy vibe inside. Yummy wine list -- lots of great options. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Stephanie L.
FINALLY! After a day of personal shopping at Nordstrom's, we stopped in and were able to snag seats in the bar area. DAMN this place is BUSY. Its lunch on a Friday...dont these people work?? Bartender was nice enough. I did the crab stuff shrimp. Damn, they were good. Also had a bite of the lobster roll...delish. Its pricey, but what do you expect for a fresh seafood place in the heart of shopping downtown Chicago that is a chain??? Nothing less than what we got. Overall, they do have delicious seafood. The ambiance is not really my scene. Def pricey, as expected. Service was good...no complaints there. Worth a stop if you dont mind walking in or if you can snag a reservation.
(4)Dana O.
We dined here tonight to celebrate my law school graduation.The food and our waitress were amazing. The maitre de was horrible - he tainted our dining experience from the minute we walked in. The Amazing Part: Our Waitress Anna H.!!!!!!!! She was amazing and took great care of us! We never had to wait around to find her when we needed something, and she was fun to talk to and very knowledgable about Joe's and life in general. The food is also A++++. The lobster tails, macaroni and cheese, and crab-stuffed shrimp were literally mind blowing. But to be honest, everything is good. We were in a large party and I sampled many of the dishes - they were all delicious. The Not-So-Good Part: The maitre de. When he walked us to our table, he called me over to talk to him. I was thinking he was going to congratulate me for graduating law school or tell us to have a great meal. Instead, he said, "I spoke to you on the phone earlier to change the reservation from 8 to 10 people right?" Yeah. "Out by 8:30 RIGHT?" Um, yeah. He pretty much told me that regardless of what we wanted to order - dessert, apps, meals - we would be asked to leave the restaurant promptly at 8:30pm to accommodate another party of 10. He kept walking into the dining room to checking on us to see what course we were on - he was looking directly at our table and did not even glance at any of the other tables. To add insult to injury, he sat us directly in front of the kitchen. Everyone at the table could converse only with the people directly on each side of them because the kitchen was so loud. I could barely hear my mom's champagne toast. Anyone who has worked in a restaurant knows what it means if the host sits a party next to the kitchen - not good things. We could hear all the staff's conversations and had to keep moving our chairs closer to the table because of all the foot traffic. Even with reservations, large parties are not very welcome here. If you are in a smaller party, I definitely recommend, because the food and the service are top notch.
(3)Jim S.
Hands down the best restaurant in Chicago. I've eaten everywhere this great city has to offer, from Portillos to Tango Sur to Gibsons. Joe's always tops the list. I have the wonderful luxury of having a girlfriend who works for Lettuce Entertainment (Shaws, which is delicious also) and we often receive a pretty nice discount, however that's not what keeps me coming back. The food is incredible, the service is top notch, and the atmosphere is perfect. I'm a steak eater and she's seafood, however I've found myself eating the King Crab and falling more and more in love each time. I'm not sure you can go wrong with anything on the menu, but I always recommend the Filet with any Bisque soup they have. Their sides are huge and built to share, and their drinks are built to make you want to eat even more. One piece of advice. It's obviously not a cheap restaurant, so you might look at the prices and be shocked a little. If you're coming here, price shouldn't matter. Cover up the prices when you're looking at the menu, you don't want a high price to sway you away from trying some of the best steak and seafood this city/country has to offer. You won't be disappointed here.
(5)Jordan P.
I can't believe I've never written a review for Joe's! Shame on me. Joe's is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city. It's another quality Lettuce Entertain You restaurant (seriously, how do those guys have so many awesome restaurants?). I've tried nearly everything on the menu and all of it is delicious! I'd eat here everyday if it wasn't so expensive. Here's just a few of my favorites from the menu: the stone crab claws are to die for (the mustard dipping sauce is amazing); Jennie's mashed potatoes are some of the best mashed potatoes I've ever had; the Parmesan crusted fish tastes amazing; and do not miss the key lime pie. People also tend to enjoy the steaks here, although I normally go for seafood. Also, check out their seasonal pies. I once had a blueberry peach pie here that I still dream about to this day. The salmon is also surprisingly good. I normally steer clear of salmon at restaurants because it's often over cooked and under seasoned, but these guys nail it every time. I highly recommend adding it to a salad. The fish and chips and the burger are also definitely worth checking out if you're in the the mood for either of those. Yeah, yeah, I know I've essentially listed the whole menu, but you seriously can't go wrong here. In addition, the service is impeccable. It's exactly what you'd expect from a top notch restaurant in Chicago. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and anticipates your needs. I've also been here for several work events that were great. They have several event rooms throughout the restaurant. Again, at all the events I've been to here the service has been amazing. The food has also been shockingly good considering that they had to prepare it for 50 people all at once. Finally, you should also try having Joe's delivered if you're up for a weeknight splurge. The quality of the food is still amazing and they've never gotten my order wrong. The kitchen meticulously labels everything in the bag, separates cold and hot food into two bags, puts any chilled seafood on ice, and even sends along free bread and butter. Trust me, it's worth getting it delivered. If you can't tell by now, this place has stolen my heart. Trust me, just go.
(5)Kate W.
Oh Joe's. You please us so. We had a small engagement party at Joe's the day we got engaged. We returned last night, a few months after getting married, to celebrate quietly before my husband leaves for a long business trip. Our waiter was fantastic--super attentive and very sweet. I had an excellent sauv blanc, and my husband enjoyed a manhattan that was good but not great. We shared our entire meal. We started with the delicioso bread (that onion bread? heaven). We shared the fried calamari and a crab louis salad---so, so delicious. I really love that salad. We then shared some of the large crabs that were on special that night, which were totally delicious. We also shared a plate of the fried chicken. Here is my best kept secret about Joe's: THE FRIED CHICKEN IS OUTSTANDING, AMAZING, PERFECTION. Joe's is famous for its crabs and its steaks, but I promise you: the fried chicken is unreal, the best. I can't say it enough. You have to try it. Best of all, the meal was totally free! Even though we went on a Friday, Joe's recently changed their policy and now you can use your Lettuce points on a Friday night at Joe's! It was such a wonderful surprise. Luckily we had more than enough points saved up from our engagement party to cover dinner. A meal that good, at no cost to us? There is nothing better. We left excited and happy--the perfect way to celebrate a very happy and exciting time in our lives.
(5)Andre W.
After seeing countless reviews for this place I figured it was time to get my butt over here to see what the fuss was about as this seems to be one of the most popular seafood joints in the city. Me and my mom decided to dine here recently...as we walked in the servers greeted us and showed us to our seats in the dining area. When you first walk in its more of a bar area. Our server Steven was great as he was full of jokes and quite helpful when it came to picking out goodies. I started out with the tuna tartar which was pretty good. I then decided I wanted a 9oz lobster tail in my life. I got that along with the asparagus. the lobster was pretty good and the asparagus was ok. For dessert, I got the key lime pie...pretty damn good as Steven said it would be. Definitely a good spot, but might be a little overrated.
(4)Loralyn D.
We went for a nice dinner while in town and Joe's Seafood didn't disappoint! The stone crab is expensive but worth every penny. Make a reservation in advance. We made a reservation about 1 week early and the only time available was 9:15pm, which is pretty late for a weeknight.
(5)David B.
The team from Joe's did a fantastic job with my party of 20. We were set up in a private dining room and the dedicated staff performed flawlessly. The food was excellent and they have a good quality wine list. Will definitely return! Make sure you ask for Megan...her level of service is a cut above most.
(5)Joe P.
Top Notch Service and Product.
(5)Chris F.
Thank goodness for modern transportation...if you have a craving for good fresh seafood out in the midwest, you're covered here at Joe's! You can come in here dressed up or dressed more casual which is convenient. I'm a sucker for Bisque so had to have that. It was good, and though bisque's should be creamy i wouldn't have minded some big crab chunks in there. With "Stone Crab" in their name, you KNOW you have to order that. The concept of a "mustard" sauce with crab seemed wrong to me ( too biased with butter and lemon over the years i guess), but theirs is pretty good. Now for those used to getting legs and claws like everywhere else for snow crabs, king crabs, blue crabs, dungeness, etc, it's different with stone crabs...you literally only get a plate of claws. The cool thing they explained was that these crabs actually can grow back the claw! So they pull'em out, get a claw and toss'em back and they regrow their claw. That being said, and this is PURELY a personal issue i think, maybe because i'm just not used to it or maybe its the black tips of the claws it was a little bit freaky visually to me at first seeing this pile of black tipped claws. I got over it though and they tasted good.
(4)Teresa Z.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!!! This place was definitely the highlight of my Chicago trip for sure. I made a last minute Friday night reservation for 4 because we were in Chicago for Easter and realized it was stone crab season so we're like why not. Thank goodness they had a reservation for 530pm and upon walking into the restaurant they told me they were completely booked out. The hostess led us to our table and we were greeted by our server right away. Our server's name was Denise and she is AHMAZINGGGG. We gave us the menus and proceeded to explain all the different options they have (and she definitely highlighted the important stuff which was helpful since the menu was SOOOOO long). She was very knowledgeable and told us how the stone crabs were different between the medium, large, and selected. She describe certain dishes that made me want to order it right away. After extensively explaining the menu to me she gave us some time to discuss amongst ourselves. She came back a few minutes after but we couldn't make up our minds yet because there was too many options and we were debating between many things. When she came back to take our order i had to ask her again what her opinion was because i was between the filet and lobster tail or the chilean sea bass. I ended up with the chilean sea bass because she described the flavor so well. For starters we had the crab bisque soup and the stone crabs. I have never eaten stone crabs before and she simply described how to eat it as she was serving it on our plates. The stone crabs were boiled, chilled,a nd cracked so it was very simple to eat. BOY WERE THEY FRESH!!!!! it was delicious and coming from me it means a lot because I don't eat seafood due to the fishiness but this crab was nice and juicy with no fishiness a all. The mustard sauce that comes with it complimented the crabs very well and before we know it the crabs were all gone. The crab bisque was also DELICIOUS! super flavorful and again not fishy at all. ONTO THE ENTREE!! I got the chilean sea bass, my sister got the filet with alaskan king crab, my mom got the dover sole, and my dad got the filet with lobster tail. To share, we got the mac and cheese, sweet potato, and asparagus. The chilean sea bass was DELICIOUS!!!!! it came with a few pieces of bokchoy but the fish itself was super fresh and the miso glaze gave it the perfect sweet tangy taste. The dover sole was fried and the chief comes out to filet it in front of you which was definitely a plus. Denise came back to the table as our food was serve and we talked about stone crabs, again she was super knowledgeable and told me when stone crab season started and ended and some history about the restaurant. All the dishes were delicious, but if you were to order just one entree i would definitely go with the dover sole!!! Mac and cheese on the side was definitely most worth it. When it came time for dessert we honestly did not have room for anything so we were gonna share one pie amongst everyone. We asked Denise if we should order the tres leche pie or their signature key lime pie. Without a second thought she goes "why not order both? we do half pies!" I was so excited to hear that I told her we will take both then. After a couple of minutes she bought it out and they were DELICIOUS!!! Me and my sister were both kind of shock how big they were for half slices and we were saying how if we ordered whole slices we would never finish. But desserts was definitely the cherry on top!!! Denise came over again to ask about the desserts and we said it was amazing, and she tells me they were actually full slices! Denise knew we were from out of town and said the key lime pie was on the house!!! AMAZING SERVICE!!!!!!! I would definitely return to this restaurant next time I'm in Chicago but besides the amazing food, the server was DEFINITELY the biggest highlight of the meal!
(5)Joanna T.
In my top 5 picks for best all around restaurant in this magnificent city! I have had the pleasure of dining here numerous times and each and every time I walked away impressed and so, so pleasantly full. From the cocktails to dessert, nothing is a miss. One of my favorite cocktails here is the South beach, hold the sugar rim. For starters I never pass up the Madagascar shrimp which is truly jumbo in size and flavor. Steamed crab legs are so fresh and delicious. The filet or NY strip are both amazing, sea bass so flavorful. The sides are huge and shareable. I can go thru almost each item on the menu and the descriptions would not do them justice, I simply don't have enough adjectives! And really, stop reading this and just go try it!!! Don't skimp on dessert, they have several tempting choices but I always seem to return to the best key lime pie I've had. Ever. And they also have a key lime cocktail. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will walk you thru any questions with a smile. The service is always impeccable. This place is always busy, so make your reservations ahead of time and come hungry!
(5)Jake C.
From the food and wine to the service everything about this place is impeccable. I would always recommend dining in the bar if the dining room is booked. The cocktail servers are awesome, ask for Neda!
(5)Craig L.
We dined here on Sunday evening and had a wonderful experience. We had a waiter with 16 years of experience and it showed! We had crabs, shrimp and oysters all prepared perfectly. Then we had a mix of steaks and seafood for dinner. The food was great, the service spectacular. You will enjoy your visit.
(5)Patrick M.
Started off with The Whale for 2. Might have been better to order it for four people as it was so delicious. After that we had the Colossal Lump Crab Cake and the Ahi Tuna Tartare. Both were very fresh and very good. For dessert we had the Seasonal Berries with whipped cream and chocolate sauce and the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime Pie is by far the best in Chicago.
(5)Fred W.
Best seafood in Chicago! Great atmosphere and staff is fun and professional. I've been many times and will continue to go whenever I crave great seafood. The banana cream pie is also amazing and I have actually ordered extra to take home with me for the next day.
(5)David O.
We went here for a romantic night out and Joe's did not disappoint. Monique helped us with decisions on our meal. She recognized that we were on a romantic dinner date and bent over backwards to accommodate us as well as even after our meal. She taught us about the restaurant and the history of this part of town. Both Monique and her partner made the date so much more romantic and educational. We will definitely be back!!
(5)S H.
This review is for the bar (service in restaurant has been hit or miss)... Whether you're shopping mich ave or visit during (packed ) weekend night- Scott and Dan are THE BEST in the entire city ! True professionals, if you're having a bad day you will leave with a smile on your face. The pair are charming, HILARIOUS, attentive. Dan knows which wines we like before we do (never any I've heard of and I'm always making a new list with his help). Scott has literally chased and caught purse snatchers (rare for area but this is chicago). Dan (dimples to die for when he flashes a smile ) and Scott (a friendly hug when you're at your wits' end ) are charismatic and genuine, making the most hectic of crowds seem like a breeze! In closing, top tier Chicago steakhouses are great, but you'll never know what you'll get at the bar. Joe's bucks that trend -- a bar experience worth grabbing a stool for.
(5)Stella S.
The food and the service is fantastic. Our server Steven M gave us incredible service. We had the oysters rockafeller, king crab louis salad, the grilled platter with shrimp, lobster, and scallops, jennie's mashed potatoes, and the chilean sea bass. Everything was super!
(5)Seif A.
Food was really great and very good service and waiters but the problem is that after eating their food I immediately got diarrhea. That was the only bad thing about it but everything else is excellent.
(5)Caroline A.
Stars all around! My boyfriend took me here for a Bday dinner and we couldn't have had a better time. The waiter was incredibly sweet and knowledgable about every dish. He even brought me a chocolate cake with a candle in it! The atmosphere and ambience were fun yet classy and fit the theme of the restaurant beautifully. The fried calamari was tasty but very big. My blackened swordfish was excellent and my boyfriend's sea bass was delicious. If you have a sweet tooth like I do the caramel popcorn chocolate cake was nothing like I've had before. The tables are very close together and it is pretty easy to overhear the convo happening next to you. The hostesses were having a very intense convo about hooking up with some guy I probably could have gone without hearing. You have to give this place a try!
(5)Ramsey B.
In Chicago, this is perhaps the BEST restaurant which features seafood and steak. The jumbo lump crab cake and wedge salad (bacon pork belly makes this salad 2nd to none) makes for a perfect start. I've had their steaks (porter house, filet mignon, etc) and they're as good as anywhere else in the city of Chicago. The salmon is excellent until the last bite!
(4)Akber S.
I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. Stone crab is over rated. I found the meat to be sweet and light, but difficult to remove from the shell and enjoy. It was more of a pain than an experience. The king crab leg on the other hand is monstrous chunks of crab easily accessed because they cut up the shell for you (rather than just smash it like the stone crab claws). I need to come back here to try their fish dishes. But for sure they steak and lobster is on point. I recently went across the street to Eddie Vs for some lobster tail and was thoroughly disappointed secretly wishing I was at Joe's. And of course the service was on point. The dessert was delicious. The coffee was quality Highly recommend.
(5)Chris G.
Havana Dream is maybe the best dessert creation being offered anywhere near the Wrigley Building. Imagine a cream pie that got it on with a Tres Leches with notes of passion fruit, lime and maybe lychee. Smokey, tender, grilled fisherman's platter might have you ready to pounce and the filet is perfect for a glass of old world red. Service here is quite attentive and the classic jazz really gets me worked up into a nice lather. :) Just don't walk through the natural mystic before being seated in one of the darkest corners to ever grace a mafia-free restaurant, though. Will freak. yew. owt. 0_0 Just can't believe I've visited as many times as I have without checking in with y'all about how this is such a bitchin' Lettuce Entertain You restaurant.
(4)Kelly S.
This place knows seafood! I went here for a work dinner and it did not disappoint. We started off with the whale appetizer, king crab, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and scallops- something for everyone! I had the jumbo Alaskan king crab legs for dinner and what a smart choice that was! I love how all the seafood is all ready sliced open for you- no mess. Cant wait to go back!
(4)Brian S.
Do you know why things are expensive? Because they are awesome - Joe's falls into this category. Make reservations well in advance. When in Rome.......order crab legs here! Cocktails are tasty and the bar area is first come first serve.
(5)Anony B.
Had a stone crab (select) and marinated skirt steak and both were satisfactory. I usually order bone in fillet but it wasnt available at lunch time so had to order something else. Also had a rhaspberry pie but i think banana cream pie is better. Portion was crazy for my pie even if i ordered a small one. Wish they served hot stone crabs....
(5)Mat W.
We were with awesome hosts, which helped, but we tried a little of everything, I'd swear. The crab claws, madagascar shrimp, asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, steak, dover sole, the chilean sea bass, 3 pies, and quite a bit of wine. Service impeccable, fish was succulent, steak was like buttah, asparagus crisped to perfection. Service was wonderful, a great place all around.
(5)Monica B.
I've been here several times (especially for work), and my recent visit was no disappointment. We shared a great bottle of red between the four of us and shared several items from the menu: Stone Crabs: One of their signatures -- must get Oysters Rockefeller: My first time, and I loved them Lamb Chops: I didn't try it, but everyone in my party loved them Filet Mignon: Cooked perfectly medium and wasn't overly-drenched in butter Wild Mushroom Mac & Cheese: the addition of mushrooms hit the spot Mashed Potatoes: surprisingly my least favorite. Extremely dry and bland Old Fashioned Apple Pie; Amazeballs! Was so stuffed for dessert, but a few bites went a long way Chocolate Fudge Pie: As a chocolate addict, this unfortunately didn't hit the spot This place is always bustling and there's a reason why. Great if your group is in the mood for a variety of things. Great staple in the River North area.
(4)Gregory P.
This place makes what I consider to be the perfect Martini.... Perfect Size, Perfect Temp, Taste Amazing and 3 Olives without asking!!!! I can see myself have another, and another, and another. I would like to have this Martini everywhere I go. 5 OLIVES!!!
(5)G. B.
A Chicago must! You will not be disappointed! Stone crabs are excellent! Fresh Alaskan Halibut incredible.
(5)Kara B.
Love the food here. It's one of the places I haven't written a review for but love. I feel like the rest of the reviews attest to how amazing it is. I love the bone-in filet. The seafood is great. My boyfriend loves the fried chicken. I lost a star for the judgey waiter we had last night. He seemed miffed by all of our ordering decisions. He was much more to polite to surrounding tables... hmm.
(4)Roro S.
The most unbelievable food I have ever had, the cod was to die for, the king crab legs are sweet and a must , and for desert the Havana pie ! I have never tasted anything like it !!!!!
(5)Niti B.
I was here for a private dinner and it was delicious! I had started with stuffed mushrooms and they were stuffed perfectly. For dinner I had the crabcakes and they were light and flaky with a perfect crust. Our sides included asparagus and parmesan crusted mashed potatoes. I enjoyed the potatoes but the asparagus were pretty bland. The best part was the banana cream pie! With a drizzle of caramel and pecans this piece of pie was huge! It could have been a meal on it's own. And I wouldn't have complained once! I was very glad to have only eaten one of my crabcakes to leave room for this delcious dessert. Great service and decadent food is a great combination for a night out.
(4)Shuo F.
This has got to be my favorite steakhouse in Chicago. I always try to make it to this place everytime I'm in town. The ambience of the restaurant is what I'd describe as perfectly busy and gives off a 50's vibe. There's always a full house when I go, but the service is never slow. The servers are always polite and attentive. I actually have not tried any of their seafoods, despite everyone on Yelp seem to highly recommend it. Whenever I go, I just can't order anything other than their steak entrees. I've had the bone-in filet and the ribeye which are just fantastic, full of flavor, rich, and tender. I highly recommend it these two. For dessert, I highly recommend the keylime pie. The taste and texture is the same as when I was in the Key West. I have not tasted anything close to it anywhere else in the MidWest. The price here is on the high side, but the food and the experience is well worth it.
(5)Danielle W.
We went to Joe's for my birthday dinner last night, as were in Chicago for a wedding during my birthday weekend. I had never had stone crab before, so I really wanted to try this place, especially after reading so many great reviews. We sat in a really great corner booth, which was private and super quiet. The waiter, Matt, wasn't extraordinarily friendly to me, which made me pretty uncomfortable for the rest of MY birthday dinner. My husband and I were joking around and apparently, Matt didn't find the humor in it, so I got the cold shoulder for the remainder of the evening. The food was good - nothing out of this world, but good. The stone crab was so-so. Not a whole lot of flavor and very hard to eat. But they weren't bad. The green bean amandine and mashed potatoes were the strongest part of the meal. My husband and brother in law ordered rib eyes, and they also said they were good, but not great. My sister in law had the fried chicken, which she loved. Then we had dessert. We had a piece of boston cream pie, key lime pie, fudge pie and the Havana something or other pie. The waiter put the candle in my husband's dessert and then remembered it was my birthday after lighting the candle. He then switched it over to my piece of Boston cream pie. Awesome. But the dessert was pretty good. Overall, the service was what really lost me. If the food was good, but not great, and the service was outstanding, I would give this place 5 stars without a doubt. But to make a customer feel uncomfortable is just unacceptable. And after spending $400 on dinner, it would've been nice to feel special on my birthday.
(3)Mike M.
Great place for any occassion! Dover Sole is awesome and they always prepare the crab legs just right. Don't forget the dessert when you go to Joe's. Half slices of the pie are more than enough.
(4)Cindy H.
Delicious as usual. Would have been a better experience if I could have sat in the dinning room instead of the bar, but due to not booking a reservation and my date being late, I decided not to push the issue. Good service, but always come back for that amazing sea bass. Delicious
(4)Quin T.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants!! Joe's is known for their stone crab claws and I am willing to bet that no other restaurant in the country can top them. I love my seafood warm with drawn butter, so I was a little hesitant to try the crab claws because they are served cold with a mustard, horseradish type sauce. They were so amazing, that I had 2 orders. The crab claws come in sizes ranging from small-large. Don't even bother with the small order, just skip right to the medium and large. You'll thank me later. This restaurant is old school and so is the service; always first class. My boyfriend treated me to Joe's for the holidays and the entire waitstaff had diamond encrusted crab (Joe's mascot) brooches on their suit lapels. Everyone was just so classy and I have come to appreciate their standards as many restaurants are starting to adopt a more laid-back approach. Just an FYI, if you are planning to dine at the location in Downtown Chicago, and it's near the holidays, it would be wise to make your reservation at least 2 months in advance.
(5)A P.
The service is exceptional! Patrick, our waiter, managed to synchronize the appetizers, meal and dessert for both tables. Quite a feat considering a party of 16. His recommendations were perfect and the food was amazing - delicious, great presentation, cooked perfectly! Definitely a new favorite restaurant!
(5)Samahna S.
Dinner was amazing thanks to our fabulous server Sarah D. She was spot on with service, food suggestions etc.. Thank you Sarah and everyone else for making our dinner so sweet!
(5)Zorin D.
While your wallet may suffer a bit for the meal you will have here. The pricing is on the high side but it is well worth it. Being a native of Miami, I've been to the original Joe's a few times, and while I can't speak on the freshness and quality of the Stone Crabs here, I would highly doubt that you would be disappointed with them based on the high quality of the meal that I had there. The steak that I had was second only to the ribeye I had at David Burke's. It was well cooked and allowed the appropriate resting time before it was delivered to my table so I didn't cut in to my steak and see all those great juices run out on the table. I also like that they serve the Tuna Tartare over ice so that you aren't cursed by the horrible taste of lukewarm raw fish. The other appetizer was the stuffed mushrooms that were some of the best stuffed mushrooms I've had. But realize you aren't sparing any expense in the calorie department with this rich cheese and butter laden dish. The greatest thing about this place is that despite the focus on Seafood and steak, they have a Gluten Free as well as a Vegetarian menu. Both of which are available upon request and both provide tons of options. They even have quite a few Vegan options as well, which is insane to think of when you think of an old school steak and seafood place.
(5)Tom S.
Service was great the food was was excellent. Table was ready on time I really enjoyed the Dover Sole.
(5)Eric Y.
Went here for a corporate sponsored group dinner. As such, there was a limited menu but it was very good for this type of thing. Our tables were already set with "The Whale" which is their version of a seafood tower. The Whale is aptly named as it is a whale of a seafood tower. King Crab legs. lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, shrimp/scallop ceviche, artfully arranged. What a whale of a way to start this meal! The salad course was Joe's chopped salad which is just ok but the peanuts were a really nice touch. I opted for the seared Ahi Tuna which was served rare over a crispy potato cake with spinach and a mushroom bordelaise sauce. The tuna/bordelaise combination was a little weird for me. Side dishes were wild mushroom mac and cheese and crispy brussels sprouts, both of which were fine. Others at my table had the crab cakes which were deemed "excellent" and the Chilean sea bass which looked better than my dish. My dessert choice was the Old Fashioned Apple Pie a la mode which was as good an apple pie as I've had in a long time.
(3)Isabel C.
This place is pricey but you get what you pay for. Everything was amazing! I started with the crab bisque which was fabulous and finished off with the crab cake, Brussels sprouts and mashed potato family style. The Brussels sprouts were amazing and the crab cake was meaty and delicious. Last was the famous key lime pie which was good as well! The bread assortment is pretty great too! You can't go wrong with lettuce entertain you spots! Only down side was portions on the family style side dishes for what you pay for you should get a little more on the sides!
(4)David Rey S.
Shocked. I expected a trendy overrated tourist trap. Not at all - I had the Sockeye Salmon with slaw, while eveeryone at my table had something different and all was great. Service was excellent even though the place was jammed. Can't wait to go back...
(5)Joe M.
Steak was perfect. Potato was not. Had to send it back. Tasted like it had been cooked in the morning and reheated. Funny they did not ask me if I wanted another one. We had 4 others at dinner and all were very pleased with the meal. I would go back.
(4)Alon S.
Amazing food, amazing settings. The Crab Bisque was just perfect, definitely among the best soups I've ever tasted. The Filet Mignon was perfectly made. Notice that it comes a bit spicy, surrounded with black pepper. Will deinitely come back here.
(5)Mary-Jane A.
Probably had the best steak ever, the food was excellent! Also had the stone crab claws to start and they were amazing! Server knew what he was doing and looked after us well. Very expensive but worth going to once in awhile.
(5)Saba A.
Beautiful Restaurant! It's a must do in Chicago, and I'm just surprised I hadn't stepped into Joe's sooner. Went with a group for lunch during restaurant week, and walked out so happy. It was a busy Saturday afternoon, the crowd in the bar was filled with people chatting away and catching up with friends and family on a wintery cold day. Entering the dining room was like entering in a scene of a Film Noir movie. White tablecloths, servers dressed professionally in a romantic quiet-like environment, dark cherry wood type of furniture. We got seated on a round table and a few minutes later, got two servings of warm bread and butter to be passed around the table. Our server was phenomenal, taking orders from ladies first apart from the way we were sitting, addressing us with ma'am and sir, pronouncing our last names when presented with the check. Repeating our orders to make sure he is getting it just right. Clearing our tables, refilling our waters, making suggestions to my friends with nut allergies, so all in all, if you're looking for the best service, come to Joe's. They know exactly what they are doing. After the bread, half of us ordered cold crabs, and half of us ordered steak. Both, delicious. The best and often overlooked at any restaurant, were the sides. Mashed Potatoes were so flavorful, and not too salty, you can really taste the rich potato taste. And ended with banana cream and tres leches dessert. I would go back to Joe's and sit at the bar with coffee with just those desserts. Please save some room of those. This is a great place where I can see myself gathering with my parents, or taking a client out for lunch/dinner. I will definately return to Joe's.
(5)Barry C.
Had lunch here, started with a chop salad than a variety of shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab cakes, and salmon. Added sides of steamed asparagus, corn, potatoes, and mushrooms for sides. After that onslaught of great food followed it with a variety of desserts. Everything we had was delicious so this is a spendy but good place for a meal.
(5)Jason A.
I've been to Joe's several times, but the last was probably the last. Joe's is a solid "old school" joint. However, after over the years its seems to be sliding and after the last visit, that I will detail, it wasn't worth the hefty bill. First of all, we arrived for our table and were made to wait 9 minutes after being checked in holding a 2 month old and a car seat for some inexplicable reason, without any explanation. For a place that prides itself on service for me to stand there with no one telling us the reason for a delay at a 5pm seating when the place is slow is beyond unacceptable. Secondly, upon sitting, the service was so slow we didn't even get a glass of water until nearly 525. Just seems unorganized. The food which is normally solid was really hit and miss. The server played up the fish special, of how it was his favorite dish on the menu, the potato flounder, so I bit. What a mistake. This was a garbage entree. The potatoes were boring and and the fish had no taste. What a waste of a meal, boring. My wife ordered her steak medium rare, and came out medium+. They brought a new steak right away without question, but they should know how to cook a steak right the first time. 3 fatal mistakes is to much for a high caliber place.
(2)Samantha R.
Let me start by saying the service was exceptional! Me and my husband dined here yesterday I had the caesar salad which was very fresh, delicious! My husband started with the Manhattan clam chowder he said it was very watered down and not enough clams.. for dinner my husband had the filet oscar he had no complaints cooked perfectly and very flavorful! I had the filet speciality soak in soy butter also full of flavor very delish! The baked potatoes however were very dry and tasteless.. for dessert we had the turtle pie which would have been good if it wasn't so frozen. You need a knife to cut threw the pie.. too cold for pie.. it was very expensive too but it did have a nice atmosphere.. we also got to see Jimmy Butter from the Chicago bulls which was very cool in my husbands book!
(3)Polly S.
My husband made reservations at Joe's to celebrate our first anniversary and considering the price point, I would say he was right in considering it a special occasion spot. It's the type of place to bring your out of town parents who will be impressed by the service and old time NYC steakhouse feel. The dining area is massive with tables clustered right next to each other. You'll hear your neighbors conversations but that adds to the hustle and bustle atmosphere. Servers are dressed to impress and accommodating and attentive. They aim to please and it doesn't surprise me that Joe's has an outstanding reputation for service. We discovered a new red wine we like here, Vietti, and have since purchased bottles for our home. My husband had the stone crab claws with a chopped salad and I had the lobster stuffed sole. Great dinner and a complimentary key lime pie to boot since it was our first visit to the restaurant. We'll be back for anniversary #2!
(5)Kristin S.
A classic Chicago go-to-spot, and classy dining affair, they could use to diversify the menu to cater to the vegetarian and gluten free diners. Prompt and professional service staff, and the atmosphere is everything you would expect from such a Chicago dining staple. According to my dining partners, the steaks and crab are really great. And I really do love the unique bread and cracker choices. The vegetarian options I've tried have been absolutely awful though. At one point I ordered a cauliflower steak (which is a favorite item I've ordered elsewhere frequently) and it came out relatively hard/under-cooked and yet completely charcoal black on the outsides with zero flavor (besides charcoal.) For this level of dining establishment (and for the price) I would really love and would expect to see something of the same caliber and prepared with the same care as the rest of the carnivorous menu options. The wild mushroom mac and cheese was really pretty good, but the brussels sprouts were not a favorite. Now the Jennie's mashed potatoes? AMAZING! They do a nice take out food presentation with high-end sturdy containers that have lovely little nicely printed labels on them.
(3)Ashutosh T.
Really enjoyed the ambiance, felt like I was in Italy. I got the Halibut and asparagus which was peeled! The dessert was tasty - havanna pie, but the breads were the best :)
(4)Donald C.
A 5 star review for what some might consider a chain restaurant?? I know, I know...what's the world coming to? But there it is. We got seated right away, the waiter Tim was excellent, professional, and had terrific recommendations, the appetizers were wonderful, and the Copper River Salmon was absolutely out of this world. The Bananas Foster was good, but very very sweet. The Key Lime Pie (evidently from a century old recipe and YES, with real Key Limes) was great. Go. Try to get a table or booth against the wall and out of the fray of the center of the room. You'll be able to hear your partner better (assuming you want to hear your partner better) and the dinner will be much more pleasant.
(5)Hady E.
High class restaurant , the steak was amazing. Prepare yourself to pay a chunk of money. We didn't have a reservation but we arrived early than dinner time so the waiter managed to find us a space for two. We ordered the starters with the stone crab , shrimp & crab legs . It is good for one person. I had the bone in Newyork strip loin , by far that was one of the remarkable steak I had in my life & I had many.
(5)Kristin R.
To be fair, we didn't have reservations so we had to keep eyeing the other front tables by the bar so that we could scoop it up before anyone else that didn't have a reservation! The ambience was very lively and full of happy, eager, hungry carnivorous patrons. Our server was wonderful, quick and offered some great recommendations and information on the different ways of how the steaks were cut and cooked. I had the scallops and my husband had a filet, I believe. We also ordered a side of green beans and potatoes, with a steak tartare appetizer. The food did not disappoint! Just remember to make a reservation!
(5)Charesse H.
Googled "best steak and seafood in Chicago" and this place came up. Busy Sunday evening. It was just myself so I waited for something to open up at the bar. Definitely make reservations! As busy as they were, service was on point and waits for drinks/food/service were quicker than I anticipated. I ordered the filet mignon + lobster tail, it was delish. Steak was a tiny bit on the saltier side but cooked perfectly; Lobster was huge! You also get a variety bread basket before your food. Definitely will come back if I ever make my way back to Chicago!
(5)Rayfe G.
Steak and seafood?! How can you go wrong? This place is amazing. I came here on July 4th for a nice dinner before the fireworks at Navy Pier. Everything about the place was top notch, from the host to the waitress to the food! I highly recommend the stone crab - they come in cracked shells and a nice bucket for you to put the broken pieces. Don't be afraid of eating and getting crab smell on your hand, because the server brought us a hot towel and even squirted some fresh lemon juice onto our hands! Talk about great service! The bone-in ribeye was cooked to perfection, juicy, and perfectly charred. It was delicious - definitely top 10 of all the steaks I've had before. Overall, one of the best meals ever. Highly recommend this one! A little price-y so maybe save this for fancy/special occasions ($50+/person easily), but great experience and well worth the money.
(5)Debby W.
So they say the second time is a charm!! They're right. Went to dinner on Easter with the Family, this was a do-over, the first visit to Joe's was not very good. But this visit was the bomb-diggity!! Our server was amazing the bus-ers were as attentive as our server. Dinner was fantastic, my son and I shared the Love Boat, it was beyond delicious, Entrees' were divine. The presentation of the fish course (Dover Sole) was beautiful. And I could just keep this going. Thank you John A., your kindness and understanding was GREATLY APPRECIATED, and to Steve, we will be seeing you again. It's safe to say that Joes's Seafood, PSSB is definitely one of my favorite Chicago hot spots.
(5)Cynthia L.
Expensive restaurant, but the food and service are great. I've been here before, but on my most recent trip we had Anthony as our waiter. He is the best. When he discovered that our dinner was in celebration of my friend becoming a U.S. citizen he extended his service even more. The cherry pie is excellent. And don't miss the crab bisque.
(5)Tina C.
I've heard so much about Joe's that it was finally time I went it! Came with my family today and have had many recommendations. We did the crab claws, tomatoes, mashed potatoes, crab legs, fried chicken, and of course the bone-in filet which was incredible! Not a fan of key-lime pie but Joe's key lime pie was amazing. Everything was delicious and beyond my expectations. Denise was our server and was absolutely fabulous and had us cracking up and was very engaged with us-she made our dining experience very special-highly recommend this place for any occasion!
(5)Lindsey S.
Once again, Joe's delivers! The Filet Oscar was cooked to perfection and the wine was a great compliment to the meal. Will definitely be back!
(5)Amy R.
You'll find me here for every special occasion - birthday, anniversary, etc. Steaks top notch, stone crabs and desserts all A+. Wine selection is good but pricey. 3-6 month reservation required. Only wish the space was bigger. Tables are tightly fitted against one another and booths on the small side.
(5)Anica L.
It was ok for the price. For someone who loves seafood and trying new places this was not my favorite. I think the best thing out of the crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and Madagascar shrimp was the crab bisque soap for $8. Probably will not return.
(3)Steve T.
Great energy and atmosphere on a Friday night. Seated on time and immediately greeted. Great crab appetizer was the perfect starter. The crab bisque was rich, and full of flavor, I'm just a fan of crab meat in the bisque. We ordered crab stuffed shrimp and the grilled platter. Both were excellent. The grilled platter with scallops, shrimp, and lobster was again perfectly cooked with a hint of char, especially on the shrimp. The crab stuffed shrimp were excellent and more to my wife's liking than mine. A side of grilled cauliflower in sage brown butter went perfect With it. I think I have found my seafood Gibson's.
(4)Nida F.
My husband is a frequent luncher at Joes, and one night after work suggested we dine here for dinner. I was hungry-- so I happily agreed. We snagged a table in the bar only to be greeted 15 mins later by a waitress with way too many tables to serve. She was great- just restaurant mgmt must have mismanaged the tables that night, bc it didn't make sense for her to have the entire area on such a busy night. We ordered an app,salad and each had meals (cocktail shrimp-- not deveined!!) and ceasar salad (yummy)-- the apps took a good 15 mins to come. We were surprised considering the simplicity of our choices- salad & shrimp! Then the meals... Another 15-20 mins-And they were COLD ! My husband ordered his steak medium rare, and his steak was gray and well done. My stuffed shrimp weren't lukewarm, they were cold. We tried to flag our waitress, but she was busy w/ other tables and after 5 mins, we just ate . She finally came to check on us and against my hubby's wishes, I told her about his steak, she said she'd get him another one, but he'd already ate bc we were hungry and its awkward waiting when no one comes to you. My shrimp were left basically uneaten. The waitress felt bad, gave us dessert to go on the house, but for seafood and steak house, protocol should be to have u cut the steak when it comes out. Maestros, Hugo, David prime-- they all do that! Or at least comp the steak! Needless to say, I won't be going back, and after this experience, my husbands lunches ther have also stopped!
(2)Rowena M.
It has been years since we've been here and it didn't take long for me to remember why we haven't come back in a while. Joe's was a choice after my graduation ceremony and our group of 9 was famished by the time we arrived. A little mixup with the reservation time had us waiting for our table even longer which was a little annoying. Once seated, I was disappointed that we were shoved in a table all the way by the back of the restaurant - it was dark and the table was crowded; I don't really think it was meant to accommodate 9 people but since we had 2 kids, they must have thought they only occupy half the space! I even noted on the reservation that we were celebrating a special occasion. I didn't do this to get a free slice of key lime pie but rather a polite request to give me a decent table. While the food was good, it was nothing special. Service was pleasant but everything took so long - making the uncomfortable seating even that much unbearable. I might have enjoyed the average food if the seating had been more comfortable. I'm pretty sure it'll be a whole again til we return.
(3)Lee P.
Our dinner was simply superb! Additionally, Scott is absolutely fabulous! We enjoyed time at the bar with Johnny tonight! Then we had the added pleasure of Scott! Not only is Scott darling, he did not recommend anything that we would not absolutely enjoy! Our steaks were awesome and the sides did not disappoint! Our evening was outstanding! Lovely venue within walking distance of the Omni Hotel on Michigan Avenue!
(5)Arianne M.
The food was great! We were in Chicago for the weekend and we're looking to get all dressed up for dinner and chose this place because of the reviews.The steak was cooked well and I loved the side of seasoning they give you! The seafood was a delicious and fresh as we're used to in San Francisco! Our server was very knowledgeable and friendly. We couldn't decide on our dessert so he secretly hooked it up and gave us the other for free! Cool guy and I wish we could say the same for other members of their staff buy I was uncomfortable just walking to the bathroom because I could feel eyeballs from people sweeping and cleaning up. Not cool. Other than that, it's a cool dressed up surf n turf date night spot!
(4)Sandy T.
It was my boyfriend and I's anniversary and of course I always pick the restaurant. :) I have been dying to try Joe's for FOREVER. I made reservations almost 3 months in advanced too (whenever open table finally had the date I wanted available). So of course I wanted to try the stone crab, steak, and some sort of seafood. I am very spoiled with good steak and seafood at my house from my mother. There isn't anything that ever compares. But when something is good I just know it's good. And that's where the steak comes into play. We got the bone-in rib eye which not only had very good flavor, but it was juicy and perfectly cooked (medium). If I were to go back to Joe's I would go for the steaks! Maybe it is unfair to mention this.......but I just came back from Key West and had AMAZING stone crab there. I figured an upscale restaurant like Joe's would have something decent. I must say I loved the mustard sauce, but was disappointed in the quality of stone crab claws...very disappointed As for the seafood we had..I just ordered the seafood salad. I always like having something fresh with my meal. I must say it was good, but the seafood salad at Maestros was way better. Funny though right? I like the steak better at Joes but the seafood salad at Maestros...Oh well! So overall 4 stars for food...but I subtracted one star because I felt like they were rushing us. Of course we were prepared about what to order but they just brought out all the food at once...I wish I could have just enjoyed the moment a little bit longer...It was my anniversary of course...but from sitting down to getting the check we were out of there in less than an hour.
(3)Andrew S.
I've been to Joe's a number of times. It's consistently one of the best steakhouses in Chicago. It's packed Sunday through Saturday which should tell you something. Nothing is bad on the menu. I will always return.
(5)Amy D.
First visit. Food is off the charts. Love the elegant but informal atmosphere. Unlike so many Chicago restaurants, the noise level was very civilized. Front of house staff was incredibly professional. Overall, one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long, long time
(5)Alex And Roxanne B.
One star for ambiance. Another star for the food being "ok"--it wasn't the worst food. We've experienced better. Overall, this place was a huge disappointment. It was incredibly overpriced and the menu is misleading. It is also overrated. A few reasons why it is overpriced and how the menu is misleading. They go hand-in-hand, and here is why: "Appetizers:
(2)Connie L.
Each of the dishes we ordered was good, but pricey. We split a shrimp and scallop ceviche amongst four people, but we each only got a taste of it--the dish would be a decent size to split amongst two. We also split a medium stone crab dish, which I did not think was worth the hype. I ordered the Fisherman's Platter, which consisted of shrimp, scallop, calamari, and cod. The dish was cooked well and I scarfed it down instantly. My brother ordered a salmon dish, which he did not find filling...so he ended up eating off of both my mom and my dad's dishes. And then he proceeded to raid the fridge when we got home. The service was great--it seemed like our table was watched over by hawks. Every time I set my glass of water down on the table it was refilled again and every time a crumb dropped on the table it was swept away in an instant. However, although I enjoyed the meal, I probably would not make a special trip out to the city (I'm from the suburbs) to eat here again.
(4)Elaine B.
Love this place. Service and food are always spot on. You know what you're getting and it's consistently great. One of Chicago's best!
(5)Gina M.
Come here for a special occasion and be ready to spend some $. The food is absolutely worth it: stone crab claws and Chilean Seabass were my favorites. My only reason for giving it a 4....hard to get a reservation and we were sat right next to the bus boy station. My wonderful date and delicious food made those things easily forgotten. I'd come back for something special on someone else's tab :)
(4)Eve P.
Great food! Great Customer service! Thank you Charles and Elias for your great customer service!! Everyone is nice at this place and the food tastes delicious. What I ordered: Manhattan Clam Chowder Fisherman's Platter (grilled) Hashed Brown Brownie Peanut Butter Pie w/ Hot Fudge We had some shrimp too but I'm not sure what it was called. This place reminds me of Shaw's as far as the seating goes. I visited late Friday evening, May 9th 2014.
(5)Dennis S.
Would have been a four star, but the fabulous service made it five. We went for seasonal seafood that even Shaw's didn't have that day - Nantucket Bay scallops. We each had a double order of the appetizer scallops since they were not available as a main course. Delicious, so tiny, tender, and tasty. Lightly cooked so they were soft and bursting with flavor. We had sides, bread, wine, etc. But the scallops were the reason we were there and they came through 100%. To our glee we also had great service - friendly, talkative, and attentive. The service made the outing that much more enjoyable, and a five star experience.
(5)Benjamin D.
Joe's is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The Stone and Alaskan Crab is great. The Fried Chicken is UNREAL. The Bone in Filet is awesome and the only place where I don't order a NY Strip. The Crab Cake is top choice (All lump meat, no bread crumbs) The Service is Flawless. The Atmosphere is perfectly busy... .... And finally, desserts, particularly the Key Lime and Peanut Butter Pies are out of this world. I love Joe's, and next time you're in Miami, go to the original location as well.
(5)Maisee T.
This was by far the BEST meal we have had! We had wanted to try this place for a long time and was able to snag reservations for our one-year anniversary (we had tried to get reservations for NYE but could not). After glancing over the menu, we decided to split the one and a half pound of Alaskan King Crab legs, a side of the mushroom Mac and cheese and asparagus. Best decision! Surprisingly, we were full off of that. The crab legs came cracked and ready to be picked up; they were so plump and juicy. The asparagus was amazing, but the mushroom Mac and cheese were beyond anything that I've had. I actually had to force the last few bites down because I was so full off of the crab legs, but I didn't want to waste the last good bites of Mac and cheese. Finally, for dessert, my boyfriend decided on the Dreamy Havana while I settled on the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime was a little too tart for my tasty, but my boyfriend licked his plate clean. Our server was knowledgable and attentive. The whole experience was what I had expected which was good service and good food. We definitely plan to come back!
(5)Derek R.
Love this place. The waiter Zed, great fella, a consumate professional. Good ambiance, has a south Florida feel to it. Steaks are top notch. Bone in ribey is top 2 in my Chicago rank, right behind Smith and Wollensky's. Nice place, great food, fair prices, and located on a bustling corner just off of Mich Ave..
(5)Hollina U.
Came here for lunch and had amazing service. I tried the large stone crabs, stone crab bisque, grilled tomatoes, roasted corn, and crab stuffed shrimp. Everybody comes for the stone crabs, which to clarify, is just the stone crab claws. I didn't know that. A friend who used to live in Miami told me that stone crab claws regenerate and that down there, they can only cut off one claw at a time to wait for them to regrow. The bisque was delicious, and I really enjoyed the shrimp, which was stuffed with the crab cake mix. The roasted corn was the perfect supplement to the crab and shrimp. For dessert, I was told as a first time diner, I would be treated to their famous key lime pie. This was served frozen, and was absolutely divine. They let you order half slices, so I got half peanut butter pie and half chocolate fudge cake, which was perfect-- a bite of each and you have a peanut butter cup! Or a peanut butter chocolate Oreo, the best Oreo ever--- but I think that's only sold in Asia, so maybe nobody knows what I'm talking about. What blew me away was how attentive the server was, and how knowledgable he was about Joe's history and how happy he was to share all his knowledge with us. Definitely a great dining experience.
(4)Shan D.
Solid place for seafood. I don't eat beef but my friends all love the steak here. Been here a few times and am never disappointed. The cold crab is simply delicious. It's a perfect compliment to the heavy sides. The service is even better. The staff is so friendly and attentive. Overall, a great experience.
(4)Pete B.
After you tire of all the mediocre places where you waste good money on bad food and/or service,try Joe's. It is not cheap,but you truly get what you pay for in this case. Our meal began with bread and water...ha! you say? This is bread from well,not heaven,but the closest bakery to heaven around. There are onion rolls,rye,and my favorite,a flat-bread that is about 1mm thin,crispy but the seasonings really make it a standout. Being Shrimp deJonghe lovers,we had to try the appetizer. There were 6 medium shrimp bathed in a buttery garlic sauce topped with delicious breadcrumbs. It is one of the best versions of this dish we have tried,and we've tried quite a few. On to the salad,and this is another winner;the BLT wedge.Crispy pork belly that I describe as a much better version of bacon,grape tomatoes,chopped egg,blue cheese,and two kinds of dressings. Wow! It is our new favorite salad. After this,what could top it? The entrées,of course. Crab cakes and my Joe's classic two-course lunch. This time I chose the Alaskan king crab with Lyonnaise potatoes,roasted sweet corn,and choice of Key Lime,Havana Dream or Banana cream pie for dessert. Oh my,those king crab legs even though served chilled,were the best I've ever had,and the potatoes,and especially the roasted sweet corn,were some of the best sides ever,too. We almost couldn't finish the Key Lime pie we split. It was a bit frozen,but thawed quickly,mostly in our mouths. Save up your money and hop on the train and/or bus and see what you're missing (if you haven't been here) If you have,you know what I mean...Oh baby,that's what I like!
(5)J K.
I was recently in Chicago (my former home town) and tried this restaurant near my hotel. I had heard of the Miami location in a South Beach cookbook, so I decided to try this one. We had the crab louis salad, stuffed spinach mushrooms (rich), key lime pie, banana cream pie, and the brownie sundae. No, not all at once--we liked it sooo much that we came back for lunch the next day! I could not believe how good the crab louis salad was. Entirely fresh and lovely flavors. To be a bit snarky, I live near San Francisco, so I was not prepared to acknowledge that this was the best crab louis I have ever had. Dungeness crab is considered a symbol of San Francisco cuisine and this crab salad outdid any I have had anywhere on the west coast. I have loved crab louis from my younger years and have had plenty of gooey mayonnaised versions. This dressing was so balanced and enhanced, rather than covered over, the fresh taste of the crab. In fact, it was a visit to the west coast that introduced me to my love of crab louis. To come back home and find this wonderful version in my old backyard tickled me. I also like key lime pie and found this version to be very good. In addition, this restaurant had a very good glass of chardonnay and we liked the cocktail we had. (Chicago knows its cocktails ;-) ) However, another big plus dining here, are the gluten free menu choices. My guest with celiac had the best lunch where flavor was not compromised at all with delicious choices. In fact, they don't "cheat" on their recipes adding flour where it isn't necessary to smooth sauces or whatever. In fact, that gluten free brownie was excellent! If I could have handled that much food three days in a row......LOL In short, my next trip to Chicago will include this restaurant for sure.
(5)Chai S.
Excellent dining experience. Great service from the staff. Nice, friendly, and informative. Food was excellent. Their selection of breads they give you are quite amazing as I found myself chomping away on them all night. Stone crab definitely lived up to the hype. Big, meaty crab claws with a clean taste to them. Make sure to order the larger sized ones. The bone in filet mignon was definitely nothing short of amazing. Juicy, high quality cut of meat that melts in your mouth. That bone really adds a whole new dimension to the cut of meat. Doesn't really get any better. Would come back here in a heartbeat.
(5)Randy G.
When we stopped in here for a business lunch it seemed like a normal place. One of our colleagues family members work there and recommended some dishes and it was all good. The fish and scallops I had were the best tasting that I've had since being done in Florida on the gulf. Well done.
(4)John G.
Came hear for lunch. Had the seafood ceviche, and seafood salad both were excellent. Service also was top notch.
(5)Happiness L.
This review is for late night dining. After going to Joe's twice after 930 in the evening I noticed that the service could use much improvement. The first time was a few months ago and even though most tables cleared out while we were there it just took so long for people to come to our table to take care of us throughout our dining experience. Then last night a friend and I had a reservation and arrived early and were offered the bar area or wait for a table in the dining area. So we chose to sit in the bar area. Service was very slow, The server who was taking care of us didn't even take the time to stop and listen to what we were requesting as she started walking away while I was still talking, I ordered a beverage that was never brought to our table, and my friend was never offered a coffee refill. The food as always was very delicious. The ambiance as always was very nice. Improving the service for late night dining should be a priority especially at fine dining prices.
(3)Moda M.
Celebrated our son's 21st Birthday here (before he left for Vegas to celebrate without mommy and daddy around). LOVED everything about this place...our waiter was top notch and very attentive without being invasive...the perfect balance! He made wonderful suggestions regarding meal choices and everything we ordered was mouth watering delicious. The best part was we couldn't decide on which pie to try for dessert...we discussed several on the menu with our waiter...decided on two...and he brought out ALL FIVE that we discussed! Stop reading the reviews...just go! : )
(5)Kim N.
I keep hearing about stone crab, but as a Californian, I dont ever see it out here. Having a couple meals left in Chicago, I had to see what was well regarded but something I couldnt get at home. Well how about something I could and couldn't get? Steak and Stone Crab! Now let me say stone crab, it aint cheap. I decided to do a plate of mid size claws and a NY Steak and the crab was easily more than the streak. However I had to try it, I was on vacation and I blew it out. Steaked is cooked perfectly, and the claws were big, meaty and hearty tasty. Add to that some clarified butter and you've got a mid day coma waiting to happen. I had decided to sit at the bar and do some people watching. Lots of interesting folk go in and out through this resto. Biz folk, tourists, bday parties, old folks, families. It runs the gamut. My server took good care of me and in taking, they say they can do something like 400 covers in a turn if they had to. That's insane. Watching the staff handle all the types of patrons is kind of fun too. Not sure what the dining room is like but the bar area is enough to seat what most restaurants would have. Solid place, solid food. Now I know about the stone crab!
(4)Anonymous F.
Service, ambiance, food was all immaculate. Lobster bisque is heavenly, their steak and crabs are so mouthwatering!
(5)Helen E.
Came in for a late lunch for our anniversary with our 3 kids. We have been to the Joe's in DC and we love that location. The oyster rockafellar were very good and my husband as kids loved them. My ribeye came out a bit undercooked for my liking but I was ok with it. My only complaint was the people on table behind us cursing and my kids could here. Overall, we had a great experience and they even gave us a anniversary dessert.
(4)Matt G.
One of me and my girlfriend's favorite restaurants hands down. You get what you pay for. Great food and even better service. We go almost every anniversary and its so good and so consistent. I have done the alaskan king crab legs, surf and turf (filet and lobster tail), key lime pie. Listen, whatever you get its gonna be good. Make sure you make a reservation ahead of time, it makes it easier for you. Get your car valeted and have a great time.
(5)Jane F.
Awesome dinner had by our party of 10!
(5)Justin B.
I always try to make it to Joe's whenever I am in Chicago. The entire place just has a Rat Pack feel. You are walking through a door into a boutique Vegas restaurant in the 50s or something. Every detail is addressed in a meaningful way to make an impression on you and provide you with a memorable and luxurious dining experience. Every time I start with the stone crab claws. They come with a spicy mustard dipping sauce that perfectly complements the meat.. which is a unique taste if you haven't had it. You have to get the bone in filet and the king crab legs... Personally, I always elect to get them lazyman style. With meat this good, why leave anything to chance like messing up a crack as you fatigue from your food fest? The wait can be challenging, even for lunch, but the bar area is spacious with good flow, and there are times when I wish my table hadn't been called so fast!
(5)Ange L.
Yelp, you've done it again. Everytime I turn to you for suggestions on a place to eat or a beauty practitioner, you hit the nail right on the head. I went to Joe's this past weekend for a nice meal with the hubster. I had the stuffed shrimp with crab, baked sweet potato, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and hubby had the bone-in rib eye. He loved his steak, and I thoroughly enjoyed the shrimp. But the highlight of my dinner was the mac and cheese. I rarely like mac and cheese at restaurants, but this was delicious!! If you want a nice dinner out with good food and great service, check out Joe's.
(5)Michael G.
One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food and the service were both perfect. Started with stone crab and raw oysters and let me tell you, being from Florida I'm spoiled with good stone crab. There stone crab are flown in fresh daily and they are amazing. The oysters were great as well. The three of us had the king crab (which was the best king crab I've ever had in my life), the tuna fillet mignon cooked rare and was out of this world and tasted exactly as it sounds, and the Chilean sea bas which was also perfect. We ended with the tres leeches cake and key lime pie. Excellent food and top notch service with perfect timing. I highly recommend you eat at Joe's!!!
(5)Agustin K.
Came for a private corporate event held at the back room. Agree with everyone's comments that service is great. It's a prefix menu. Claws not included (completely understandable). The prefix menu includes seafood and steak selections. I got the crab cake. It was good but I've had better. The asparagus side was the star of the night for me at least. When I am ready to cough up that $55 for the claws I'll come back.
(3)Jason M.
Joe's in a Nutshell Not only is the food some of the best you will ever taste, but the dining experience is unreal...they make EVERY customer feel like a King. The below is why. My wife and I are waiting for our table at the bar and an elderly woman near us spilled her drink and broke her glass. I don't know if she was drunk or senile, but she immediately began blaming the spilled drink on me, and ventured to say that I intentionally knocked over her glass. Long story short, she made some disparaging, racist remarks about me and oddly enough President Obama (bc Im black I guess) and called my wife a slut (bc she's white I guess) and right there in front of the whole bar it was a 27yr old black dude, his 25 yr old white wife, and a crazy old lady having an increasingly loud argument that was getting pretty heated. When the manager, Joe, came over to investigate he used his bartender to get the full story, ushered us away to the host desk, and low and behold we were rushed to a prime seat and given a discounted meal and free dessert. I've worked in a lot of restaurants, and many managers would have not investigated, but instead taken the side of the elderly, most stately looking person involved. But Joe and the rest of the staff took it upon themselves to diffuse the situation...and make sure that my lasting experience in Joe's was the great food and tremendous service...not the racist old lady that barked at me from the bar. After the way they treated me, I would of been happy if the food weren't delicious beyond belief. But it was. Not that this place needed another great review...but I owe them for turning what could of been a ruined night into a memorable one.
(5)Linda L.
It's really good fish and of course stone crabs . Fantastic desserts . Terrific wait staff.
(4)Morgan S.
absolute favorite place for stone crab in Chicago. love just popping in for a drink and some appetizers. always delicious! on busy nights, you have to have a reservation. they pack the place full and it is extremely loud and difficult to hear anyone that isn't sitting right next to you. my family and I went (table of 8) and I could not hear anyone across the table from me.
(4)Liz S.
We recently went to Joe's with a group of 5 for my husband's birthday. We were seated in the back room, which was so much quieter and less hectic than the main dining room. Service was great. We got the stuffed mushrooms and calamari for the table to start. My husband and I each got the petite filet, which were cooked very well. The other diners enjoyed their seafood dishes. Many reviewers mentioned that they got a free slice of key lime pie when they said it was their first time at the restaurant. I don't know if this is a policy but this wasn't the case for us and this is why I took off the star (and also because they gave me a bit of a hard time for adding one more diner). We specifically told the server that none of us had been to Joe's before but no pie was forthcoming. We did order a slice at the end of the night to share and it was excellent.
(4)Tom B.
We stopped in for a late lunch at 2:30, and the restaurant was surprisingly busy for that hour. Service was prompt if a bit stuffy. Prices are high for lunch, but the food quality was very good. The crab cakes were outstanding. There is little of a vegetarian nature on the menu, but it was possible to modify a sandwich to make an acceptable entrée. It did have to go back to the kitchen once to come back with all the right ingredients. The sweet potato fries were good, as was the coleslaw that is mixed tableside. I don't usually like sweet slaw, but there was a good combination of sweet and sour that made it interesting. The key lime pie did seem like homemade and was quite tasty.
(4)Kourtney R.
Incredible service and food is always good. It's always packed because of this reason. This is my favorite restaurant hands down!!
(5)Joseph M.
One of the best dinners ive ever had. EVERYTHING was great. Fried ckn and Tuna Tartare as apps. Best fried ckn ever. Great crab bisque(very thick and even more filling with the delicious onion rolls), the Stone Crab was awesome. It was my first time having it. And got to try a bite of a dry aged prime bone in ribeye which was a nice treat as well. Overall a wonderful meal. Thank you Tim
(5)Michael C.
Excellent service and great seafood. I have nothing to complain. We enjoyed our lunch here.
(5)Justin K.
Incredible setting in my opinion. Old fashioned was ok. Stone crab was tasty and interesting. Bone in Filet mignon was superb and the added seasoning was spectacular. Get the bone in filet.
(5)Nancy B.
Great food, great service!! They even had reading glasses to help this old lady see the menu! Great dining experience!!! Highly recommend!!!
(5)Elizabeth K.
Ateat the bar bartenders were fantastic Dana has been there for 14 years was very attentive and service was great. Very disappointed in the Dover sole, over cooked for $44. My husband had the French dip and he enjoyed every bite.
(4)Kimberly D.
My favorite restaurant in Chicago for upscale dining. Whether you want a steak or seafood you cannot go wrong with Joe's. The waitstaff dresses in tuxedos and is very attentive. It is usually crowded inside even with a reservation you may have to wait. They make an excellent martini and have an extensive wine list. My personal favorites have been the oysters Rockefeller and the ribeye. I also had sea bass that was delicious. The sides come ala carte and are big enough to share. The sweet potato had a caramelized nut spread that was out of this world. I haven't tried the stone crab but anyone I've ever dined with raved about it. I can't say enough about Joe's. From the attentive, well-dressed staff to the excellent food this place is consistently 5 stars.
(5)Angela W.
The stone crabs make down as one of the most memorable food I've ever eaten. It is absolutely delicious. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked. The rib eye was so juicy. One of the best I've had. The service is fantastic too, really enjoyed speaking with our server. This 5 start is well deserved.
(5)Christina L.
I went to Joe's yesterday after waiting for two weeks to get a reservation! This place is extremely popular, so definitely make you reservation 2wks or more in advance. My bf and I ordered steak, king crap, corns, dirty martini, Matilda beer , half a slice of Key line pie and Havana Dream pie. The steak needs to be medium rare! It's not chewy, it's fabulously delicious and soft. You have a choice to put a bit of a salt and pepper and that makes it up for a slightly boring taste. King crap comes with melted butter- and it just MELTS in your mouth. It can get a little bit buttery, so get your beer!! To cancel out :) corn is very unique and delicious. It's slightly crunchy, which makes it uniques. Key like pie is what they are known for- but I personally don't like key lime pie, so they were nice enough to bring out half and half of two different dessert under my choice. Key lime pie is a bit sour as it should be, but the crust is a killer! And whip cream slightly covers up the sour taste. Havana dream pie!! was amazing- it comes with whip cream and strawberries on the side. The bread is very soft, but covered with a bit of a melted sugar- which made it more unique. This list of order was perfect for two people! I know the meal itself is pricy, but definitely have to say it's worth it!:)
(5)Cla S.
4.5 OUT OF 5 Sometimes you just get what you pay for I suppose. At #JoesSeafoodPrimeSteakAndStoneCrab, that is certainly the case. We arrived with no reservation. We had been walking up and down Mag mile for the better part of the day and needed a meal pronto. The formal dining room only caters to reservations but the host encouraged us to wait for a table in the open informal dining space upfront (first come first serve). So we literally stalked a few tables until we spotted a set of matrons asking for their bill. Bingo! Twenty minutes after our arrival we were seated and ready to eat. And did we ever! Every dish served and every glass poured was enjoyed. APPETIZERS We had the colossal lump crab cake and the fried calamari- both were phenomenal and if you read my reviews you know I am never impressed with calamari in the North American region! The crab cake was the slightly better choice, and I love that it comes in an appetizer size (one cake) or in an entree size (two cakes)- we got the latter and shared. ENTREES I went for the large filet mignon (12oz as opposed to 8oz) with the Four Cheese Mac and Cheese and my friend tried the special, a Steak Au Poivre topped with mushroom with a side of Jennie's mashed potatoes. The Mac and Cheese was just what I needed in my life at that precise moment, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Mouth-watering through and through. The steak au poivre was a limper cut of meat and the potatoes didn't floor us but they were good- I think I like my mash made traditionally or extra creamy and this one was very textured with a panko crumble finish. But we couldn't complain about the actual taste of anything, except maybe the special's watery mushroom sauce. Also, that steak was ordered medium yet served medium rare but the waitress noticed right away and corrected that. Consequently, and within minutes, a manager on duty brought us the new plate, apologizing profusely for the oversight. Great service makes up for bad anything. WINE & DESSERT My friend and I love our sweet tooth. Throughout the meal we sipped on a French riesling (Alsace region), although we should probably have opened with a white for the appetizer portion of the meal then moved on to a red with our entrees. But we enjoyed the riesling too much to entertain that notion. Definitely a quality vine. For once we did not have dessert. We polished off our wine and had coffee instead. If it weren't for the initially undercooked steak (the special) and a couple absences on the menu (better desert options), I would have given Joe's an unabashed 5 out of 5. But quality meat and wine, wonderful service, free wi-fi and a classy environment earned Joe's more than a 4. So glad this was my last meal in Chicago. I RECOMMEND- The crab cake paired with at least a glass or two of the Kuentz-Bas Riesling. Also many of the patrons seemed happy with the stone crabs. EXTRA TIP- Save NO room for dessert. None of it is as appetizing as the main dishes. And stay away from the specials- go for that prime cut of meat or that great catch and spare no expense; you'll be happy you did.
(5)Martin L.
What a brillant Location! On a Travel Trip to Chicago i stopped here for lunch! We had the Stone crabs First and After it The New York Strip Steak with Spinat and wild mushrooms. The Stone crabs were exzellent and One of The best reccommendations i have got from Service Personal. They were easy to eat After you have got it and The dip was delicious. Strip Steak was perfectly grilled with a Perfect crust was like Heaven.
(5)A Adam S.
The premier seafood spot in the heart of Chicago! Pros: Great ambiance. Giving you the classic upscale east coast feel. All servers are formally dressed and ready to serve the plethora of clients that visit this iconic spot. Great bar waiting area with several Tvs to see the action. The signature stone crab is a must. Also a huge hit is the halibat with mustard kick and crispy relish. A+++++ Negative: would be the price points are a bit high for the crab. We were also a bit delayed in getting our order taking and food served. As this spot is well know and as such - always very busy. Novelty: signature stone crab and high-quality seafood!
(5)Jean L.
One of my Chicago favorites! (this and David Burke) First things first..get a reservation (yelp has a great link to do it so just get one and save yourself a wait, or worse..no table). If you're not sure what to start with, I say go with the 2nd mortgage. It's $18.99 a person, but comes with the smaller stone claws, lobster and scallop ceviche (bomb), jumbo shrimp, and lobster tails (small ones, but SO good) We also ordered larger stone crab claws. They're expensive, but it was worth trying (they were a different size from the ones in the 2nd mortgage) I had the bone-in ribeye (a little salty for my taste, but still good), my companion had the bone-in fillet mignon (wow!), and a bottle of wine. We also ordered a side of mac and cheese with mushrooms, and grilled asparagus (I didn't understand why this was about $3 more than the other side appetizers, but the dish was pretty damn good). The end result was a bill of about $300 for 2 but mmmm it was so good the price was justified. Lastly, you know how steakhouses always seem to have a surplus of staff just standing around? Although Joe's has lots of staff, none of them seem to be just standing around, in idle...bonus points.
(5)Mark H.
It would be a terrible mistake to confuse Joe's Stone Crab with Joe's Crab Shack. Originally from Florida, Joe's Stone Crab is legendary for their stone crab claws. The interior of this location is pretty basic with a bar as you enter and leads into a separate dining room and wine room in the back. The tables are placed without an inch to spare literally. The staff is friendly as most are in a $$$$ place. Although ours was attentive but had a bit of a short term memory problem. Nevertheless, the food was simply amazing. The filet was prepared perfectly. The Alaskan crab was precut and not salty. Shared a Belle Glos Pinot noir bottle to pair the food. My new favorite seafood place. No wonder their waiting list is so long. If you have a special occasion and want great food, this should definitely be an option .
(5)Steve D.
A quick update on my previous reviews. Joe's was solid as always. Had the grilled seafood platter this time and it did not disappoint. It is hard for me to come here and not get one of their fantastic steaks, but we were scheduled for a different steakhouse the following evening so I went for the seafood. Just great. Everybody in our party were once again pleased. That's Joe's. Always a solid choice for great food and service. Cheers to all
(5)Lindsay B.
We had a great time at Joe's Seafood restaurant- we went in a group of six, and all six of us had never been to the restaurant before, but had heard great things. We were there to celebrate a major birthday- I can tell you the prices of this location make it a special occasion only kind of place for us, but that is okay- there are plenty of special occasions in life to celebrate. The first thing I want to say about the food is that I had never eaten crab legs before this restaurant- so I actually can't compare them to anything else, but I found them to be delicious- served chilled. Everyone in our group loved their food- we tried their crab bisque, mahi mahi, filet & crab legs combo, and I had the Jumbo Crab Legs served tableside. Everyone literally cleaned their plates (or husbands helped us finish the food off). For dessert, the restaurant brought some as it was my friend's birthday- and brought two slices of the amazing Key Lime Pie for the rest of the table to split- all on the house- wahoo! Our waiter Mark was fantastic! My grapefruit margarita was delicious, and the gentlemen who had Old Fashioned were happy as well. Service was impeccable. We were 40 minutes late due to terrible weather, and they still had our table for us. They politely gave us a time we would need to be finished by as someone else had reserved the table- but we still had two hours to eat. I will absolutely come back to this location again if invited- we had a marvelous time! One last item- the yelp page says dressy- and many people were, but many people were also in jeans and nice tops- so you can take that into account.
(5)Ric V.
Amtrak Capitol Limited is a great way to get to Chicago and points in between. The Train station in Martinsburg,WV is really classy but I never seem to be there when it is attended. You are on your own until you board the train. The Service Is Terrific and The Personnel Are couteous and Very Helpful. For senior citizens it is an economical and relaxing way to travel. It's not as fast as a plane but it's a NO stress way to travel. Your luggage is with you so it doesn't get lost. You Can Access It Along The Way. The food is a little pricey but very good. No airline peanuts. If your not in a hurry relax and let the folks at AMTRAK do the driving. A great way to go. Thanks to everyone working on the Capitol Limited for a very nice trip.
(5)Jennie D.
My boyfriend and I ate here for the first time on our anniversary, and the service was EXCEPTIONAL!!! Our waiter (Darrell or Darren?) was friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. When we arrived at the table, he served us two complimentary glasses of champagne. Once our food arrived, he thoroughly explained how to crack open and eat the stone crab, which I was initially worried about. I'm Filipino, so I grew up eating crab on a regular basis...but I really didn't want to get that messy in such a nice establishment. I was pleasantly surprised that the stone crab was very easy to eat and delicious! After our main course, we ordered a slice of their infamous key lime pie; it was amazing AND COMPLIMENTARY! If you're planning to dine here, try to make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance.
(5)Stephen Z.
We had a hard time going up with a rating. Service (Steve) was exceptional. Great knowledge and suggestions. Maître 'd was professional and made everyone feel like a regular, repeat customer. Bus boy (man) was a little in coordinated and bumped into table and well as knocked over glasses. Decor is old school steak house. White table cloths, wood and carpet. Red drapes. Right out of the speak easy and never updated to contemporary style. Areas were a little run down. Now for the food. My wife had the shrimp cocktail and it was very good large shrimp. Her main was a filet minon with lobster tail. She thought the lobster was cooked very well and not over cooked. Nice. The steak was Ok. Not great, just ok. Not very tender or juicy but cooked to Medium as ordered. I had the crab bisque and it was flavorless. No seasoning with very limited crab. Poor. Don't order. Then I had the bone in filet minon. Not seasoned very well, not tender and lacked real steak taste. Very disappointing. We shared the two sides. Mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. The mashed potatoes had too much cheese and crumbs and too little potatoes. The asparagus was ok, but nothing special and peeled. First time I have had peeled asparagus. We decided not to have desert but they gave us a free slice of key lime pie. It was excellent if you like lime. Really cleansed the pallet. Overall, based on the cost of the meal I would say we were disappointed. No where near a top quality restaurant.
(3)Wayne H.
Best steak ever! The bone-in filet at Joe's is the best steak ever! I have tried steaks at many other Chicago restaurants and Joe's tops all. Joe's is also my go to restaurant for special occasions. They also serve excellent Alaskan king crab legs. Really fresh considering we are in the mid-west. I'm not a huge fan of the stone crab. Not because they are bad here, but I don't particularly like them in general. For dessert, you must try the peanut butter pie!
(5)Connie T.
We had a great meal here. They were out of the stone crabs they are known for, but our waiter advised in any event that the stone crabs were not in season, and the rock crabs were better that night. So, we got the rock crab claws, and they were sweet and fresh and delicious. My ribeye steak was fantastic. It was rich, tender, and flavorful. We also had the roasted sweet corn (it comes off the cob), which was buttery and delicious, and the broccolini. The service was excellent.
(4)Catherine G.
Me and my boyfriend love this place, great stone crab, service and we always have great waiters. We had the fried chicken today and it was amazing! Very crispy and moist, to die for. The desserts are awesome, banana cream, keylime and coconut. You really can't go wrong with anything it joes! I love this placer and my boyfriend come at least once a month.
(5)Sally F.
How does this place have so many glowing reviews? This is not a sophisticated restaurant by any stretch of the imagination. The ambience was horrible. I will primarily focus on the ambience in this review because I think that tells you a lot about the kind of people it attracts. My husband and I came here in May 2010 (so it could be different now). I can't give a true review for dinner because we just had appetizers and drinks. We go to Chicago often and love to try new restaurants. This was hands down one of the worst "appetizer/drinks" experiences ever. Maybe it was the night we went and the crowd that some restaurateurs convention bought in. It was very busy, and loud. We didn't have reservations, but we just wanted appetizers and drinks so we were seated right away at a window which was perfect. We ordered the famous "stone crab" and we also ordered crab cakes. Both were okay. Seriously, highly over-rated. I was not blown away by our food. When you are getting into a higher dining price point you expect the diners will likely be fairly decent and respectable people, but the people who were there were not what I expected. Lots of loud obnoxious sloppy drunks. It was like I was at some sort of Frat party for 50+ year olds. The host would get on the mic every 15 minutes to announce a table was ready. What kind of a place does that? Just imagine the noise of the restaurant and then an announcement coming on to say "Joe's is now seating Mary's table of four..." and "Joe's is now seating Dan's party of eight.." etc. This was about as relaxing as eating in Grand Central Station. The place was just too noisy to be considered anything but a low-brow dining experience. I could overhear every conversation around us because everyone was packed in like sardines and everyone had to yell to be heard. The table right next to us were telling (yelling) at each other these jokes that they seemed to think were charming. The jokes started something like this:"You know you're from a trailer park when..." as well as "you know you're a redneck when..." I could not relax and enjoy a glass or wine or our appetizers. It felt quite uncomfortable. I could not wait to get our bill and leave. In a nutshell: you are getting a chain restaurant experience and you are paying a lot more for it.
(1)Pascal C.
This is a great place for good steak and decent seafood. The service is excellent and provided good recommendation.
(4)Matt S.
Outstanding. Our server Jeff was engaging and made some great wine recommendations (so much so that he advised my girlfriend on a different wine pairing with her sea bass and she loved it). What else is there to say about the food, the bone in filet was amazing as was the stone crab and shrimp cocktail. Key lime pie was great too!
(5)Jim M.
service, most of the food, ambience all excellent wife and I ordered Halibut for special evening, sooooo salty it was inedible, supervisor replaced and the replacement filet (single not double ) was much less salty but soggy. It seemed like they either defrosted something or rinsed with water. At 34$$ a pop, I expected a lot better. In all fairness sides, salad stone crab all excellent as was attentiveness would try again but several other fish houses downtown were more consistent also this was a Thursday and they were packed
(3)Rosanna L.
Joe's you are classy, upscale, expensive. I attend this lovely place for Chicago Restaurant Week and base on that experience I don't think I'll ever be able to cough up the $200+ to have dinner here. The RW Menu was set ( chicago.simpleviewcrm.co… ), you either went for the stone crabs or the filet. Meat or seafood? Hash browns or mash potatoes? Cole slaw or grilled tomato? Since my bf was going for the filet I opted for the stone crabs. We both had the lobster bisque, which was quite delicious and well-seasoned, while a few other in our party had the chowder and surprise! It's a red chowder versus the norm white, creamy. That didn't tickle them fancy. The stone crabs ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) were fresh and slightly salty, but where's the butter? Yes I'm one of those. Butter me up baby! The 6oz filet ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) was cooked to perfection and probably one of the best I've ever had! Scrumptious! The hashbrowns, mash potatoes, grilled tomato, and cole slaw just felt like a big mess ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ). The potatoes were eh, didn't stand out or caused any raving. The cole slaw was boring and lack seasoning. The grilled tomato was actually delicious, wish we had more than one piece/filet entree. For dessert we either got the banana ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) or key lime ( yelp.com/biz_photos/joes… ) pie. I'm not a "lime" dessert person so ended up with the banana pie which was decent. So the food wasn't bad right? Well, let me tell you about their service. It definitely did not live up to an upscale, fancy restaurant standard. Our server had an attitude where he didn't care to wait on us and ignored our table quite often. We started counting how many times we would have to ask for straws, it ended up being 6! (We received it the last 15 minutes of our dining experience.) And we constantly had to ask for refills on our water, which left a lot of us thirsty. It took 15 minutes from when every single one of us finished our entree to receive our desserts. That's a really long time for desserts that doesn't have to be cooked. The bussers constantly kicked my chair and didn't even apologize, although they acknowledged that they kicked my chair. Wow, thanks. Oh, can I have some water now? Service like this makes a lot of people not try RW because of the perception this would happen. Who knows maybe it'll be different if I came here for dinner and dressed up, but I'm still a paying customer and would expect the same service as anyone else. I was incredibly turned off my the service and so was the rest of my party with that being said Joe's definitely won't be making our RW List next year.
(3)Wilkins K.
Hop in a taxi for a less than $10 ride from Union Station, , or take a 25 minute zig-zag scenic walk up to and along Michigan Avenue to get to Joe's and enter into a world of bygone culinary perfection. The manager/host was very personable and professional, and the server was affable and ebullient. The sedate decor was perfectly augmented by the rapt attention given to the presentation of my order. The Manhattan Chowder was tastefully delicious and set the stage for the hale and hearty Hash Brown compliment. The delicate batter brilliantly counter-balanced the fresh robustness of the shrimp. It was a truly a meal that will forever resonate across the landscape of my mind's eye
(5)Steve D.
For my first time visiting, 5 stars for my lunch experience. (Within reservation) Stone crab. Steak and the Riesling are all amazing. So I decided to bring my wife to check this beautiful place out and expecting have as great experience as I had last time. But for tonight, one star rating!!!! I know....let me tell you why :( 1. I had reservation by 8:30 since they were fully booked during the dinner rush hours. We're sit by 25 late :( And the "big" host even arranged the walk in couple had a table before us. What!? 2. They out of my favor big or jumbo size of stone crab. What!? I thought this is what joe's famous for, I felt liked same as Mcdonalds sold out of Big Mac. But anyway, we ordered the mid size instead. Still pretty good and fresh. 3. We ordered the double cutter lamp chop. It came out with wrong "temperature". What!? Too bloody for us and it was over salty. 4. The worst thing was our service. They seems rush us out since we were the last table of her section. But come on..... We pay for $195.00 for two people. How's work!? With 3 what!? And 1 how!? I feel very disappointed about this fancy place!!!!!!
(2)Eric B.
Even the bread was delicious. The only gripe I might have was three coffee was only average. But who would go here for coffee.
(5)Tim O.
I had a fantastic lunch here. The tuna tartare was refreshing and the crab roll was incredible. I can't comprehend how people are throwing around the words "average" and "decent".
(5)Scott E.
Great service starting from reservation being ready right on time to full service waitstaff (each waiter served no more than 2 to 3 tables) all wearing tuxes. Food, drinks, appetizers all brought out in very timely manner. Food was excellent. 3 of 4 had steaks, which were fabulous. One had crab, shelled table side. All very good, all of us left very pleased. Expensive, but worth the money for the great experience. Not a single complaint amongst the four of us. Perfect evening with friends/clients. Bravo!
(5)Tboo Ted M.
Awesome! Could be the best meal I have had in the city. Order "The Whale" as an appetizer, it's a bit pricey but worth it. It's a taste of all that's good from the sea. The quality and the service make it a top notch restaurant that will satisfy. As an added bonus, we usually see someone famous.
(5)Michael A.
I took my best female/ great High School friend out for her birthday. Our waiter was Mr. Darren. He WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT!!!... If a restaurant need to train their staff as to the CORRECT way to serve customers, they NEED to call upon him for training!!!... He was VERY attentive (but not overbearing), VERY accommodating, funny; witty, etc,. Just too many wordsto describe our experience and food which was excellent... Nicely seasoned, etc,. The kitchen cooked her steak a little too long, but they took it back and re-cooked it to perfection!!!. (No harm no foul)..... I will DEFINITELY be back with my wife to eat the WONDERFUL food and experience Mr. Darren once again!!!.... A+++
(5)Saul G.
If I could sum Joe's up in one word, it would be professionalism. From the reservations process, through the greeting and to the end of our meal, every staff member was excellent. While the lion's share of the kudos go to our waiter, Darren, the experience was consistent. On the food alone, I might yield four stars. The service takes it to five. We are seated in a cozy booth, A small, variegated bread basket arrives, My wife had a glass of Pauly Riesling, while I enjoyed a Negroni and my son slurped a dirty, blue cheesy olivey Martini. The smallest of the three sizes of stone crab was the only one available. We had the Pacific crab claws instead - Darren likened them to a sauvignon blanc with the standard stone crabs being a chardonnay - an apt analogy. Cold and meaty, they were excellent. My wife's halibut filet was a small portion - but then again Darren had advised her that the on the bone halibut was the larger portion. We didn't get a taster. Fils and I both went for the bone-in rib steak. Perfectly cooked it had been buttered and seasoned to a delicious richness, but the mineral taste of the beef was somewhat obscured. I would have preferred a little maitre d hotel butter on the side. Blame Del Frisco's and Ruth's Chris for creating a taste for these buttered steaks. Darren did present us with a house made seasoning blend that mitigated the butter.. I would rate the steak as solid, but not the best I have ever had. For sides we went with an special of braised artichoke hearts with a bit of fennel, the roasted corn, and sauteed spinach. The artichoke hearts were the best - the portion was small but serving fresh artichoke hearts is a lot of work and costly, so I get that. I thought the roasted corn was nothing special, although better than the version at Primehouse. Bones in Atlanta is my choice for corn side at a steakhouse. Sauteed spinach was a generous protion, not oily, could have used a bit more garlic or other seasoning. Glasses of Paradoxx red washed the steak down - they were superb, if pricey at $20 each. Being newbies we were gifted with a slice of key lime pie, and one slice served three after the sumptuous steak. Double espressos were coffee bar quality, quite good. To sum, as a comparison, I'd say the meat was about as good as I got at Chicago Cut, but the overall experience here was far more pleasant. I suppose my only complaint is that this is part of the Lettuce Entertain You Archipelago and not the natural born offspring of the Miami Beach original. Also, plates are removed too swiftly, but that seems to be a Chicago thing, so when in Rome......
(5)Diane Z.
The Key Lime pie was the best I ever had. Not too sweet or tart. Everything else was ok. The food didn't taste as fresh as the waitress kept saying were the extremely high standards of the restaurant. We had the Madagascar shrimp which was one of the specials that night and it was only really memorable because it was $14 a shrimp.
(3)Amoli P.
Two words for you: Crab. Bisque. That's all you need to know. My husband and I went to Joe's last Thursday to get him a good steak and it was a wonderful experience as usual. Joe's was pretty packed on a Thursday night and even though we had a 7:30 reservation, we had to wait at the bar for about 30 minutes before getting seated. Not a problem since we were in no rush, but do keep that in mind as it happens quite often so try to go there without needed to rush in and out. We were seated around 8 and started with two orders of the crab bisque. For a brief second we thought about sharing one bowl of the bisque and ordering another app to share, but then realized we would be fighting over the soup because it is just that good. Joe's gives a pretty impressive bread basket with a great variety. But the problem is that you typically starve yourself all day to enjoy Joe's to the max, but then you're so hungry when you finally get there that you fill up on the delicious bread. Which I did. And between the soup and the bread, I was pretty much full before the rest of the food even came out. For our entrees, I went with the potato crusted grouper and he ordered the bone-in filet cooked medium. The grouper was good - not amazing, but good. It was cooked to perfection, had a great flavor with the chive butter on top. Had I known how full I was going to be, I would have ordered something lighter and not crusted in potato flakes. Also, grouper is a tricky fish because unless it's super fresh, it has a slight fishy taste to it. I expected the grouper at Joe's to be devoid of any fishiness, but there was a hint of it and that was disappointing. My husband's steak, on the other hand, was perfect. Cooked to perfection (others have complained on yelp about Joe's not properly cooking the steak to order, but we've never had an issue there and it's always come out perfect). The flavor was amazing. It came with its own subtle rub, and then on top of it they brought a cup of some amazing seasoning to add to the flavor. He was on such a high sodium flux after the meal that the poor guy had to drink water all night to quench his thirst, but it was worth it for that flavoring. For our sides, we ordered the mushroom mac n cheese and the fries. Ordinarily we never would have considered something so ordinary as fries at Joe's, with all their other amazing sides. But the gentleman at the bar next to us while we were waiting was eating fries and after that it's all we could think about. And they were delicious. The mac n cheese was, as always, phenomenal. Here's the thing about Joe's - the servings are gigantic. Yes, it is expensive, but no more so than any other steakhouse in Chicago. I love stone crab but I don't love it enough for the price. To be honest, I'd be perfectly happy, and perfectly stuffed, just ordering the bisque and a side salad or the mac n cheese. We ended up taking most of our sides home and I only finished half of my grouper. So given the fact that we over ordered, our bill was still only around $110 for the two of us, not counting alcohol. Not too shabby. If you love stone crab or king crab or steak, this is the place for you. And if you don't feel like an expensive night out...just go for the bisque and a martini.
(4)Marjorie F.
If you are trying to impress clients, Joe's is the place to go. I recently attended an educational dinner sponsored by a medical product company. The servers were extremely attentive. My wine glass was always full! The food was absolutely wonderful. We started with a platter of king crab legs, shrimp & scallop ceviche, jumbo shrimp, and fried calamari. For my main entree, I chose the lump crab cakes. Dessert of choice was the Havana Dream Pie. With each bite of all our the selections, I could not help but succumb to every delicious morsel. I had to be ROLLED out of there. The only thing that I thought needed improvement was the room set up of the event. There were partitions that made one big room into smaller rooms. We had to pass through a gathering of lawyers in order to get to our area (just what you want to see when you are going to be bonding with doctors - ha!). The room itself was nice, but the conversations from the other room could be heard, even with the door closed. Our speaker was not set up with a microphone at the beginning of his presentation, so he had to raise his voice in order to be heard by folks in the back. After a few minutes of struggling, he was finally given a mic. Overall, this place is impressive. I will definitely come back with a few friends and get a non-work related feel for this place.
(5)Sabrina J.
We came here during our quick stop in Chicago because of the great reviews for their stone crabs. The oyster Rockefeller were very cheesy and delicious as well as the stuffed mushrooms. My fiancé loved the stone crabs but I thought they were really bland and I ended up giving him my plate. I'm a huge sea food fan so I was really excited to try the stone crabs...I don't really understand the hype behind them. 4 stars for the great appetizers and service.i took one star off because their dishes aren't consistent in quality.
(4)Jack G.
The food was good, my king crab legs were great, the calamari a bit greasy, but the atmosphere left much to be desired. Service was good, the staff friendly, but a more intimate atmosphere is needed.
(4)Henry J.
The Stone Crab is awesome, really, really, really good. You get the idea. Prices are high however, service not so great, and a long wait for the food to arrive. For food alone, 4 stars, the rest of the experience drags it down to a 2. Welcome to the typical Chicago restaurant experience.
(2)Christina Y.
The crab bisque is amazing---5 stars! Don't try the beef sandwich. It was dry, bland, and horrible. I ordered medium rare and it tasted like med well. The horseradish sauce that it came with has not enough horseradish and there is nothing else other than beef and bread so overall a let down. 1 star. I ordered carry out--wonderful service n great packaging with cute MMs.
(3)Csaby C.
Great ribeye, and fillet mignon the fisherman's platter was also good, service was just ok because we were there late at night they didn't really bother to make it a great experience..
(3)Lana L.
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab sounds like a touristy, chain restaurant, and they do indeed have 3 locations - Chicago, Las Vegas and DC... as well as the original Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. However, the experience of eating here was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Chicago. As soon as you walk in, you realize this is upscale dining... the decor reminds me of Capital Grill. Our friendly waiter asked us where we were traveling from (I take it this is a popular spot for out of towners), and gave us an overview of the menu. He didn't rush us and in fact, suggested that we not order everything at once since customers tend to have eyes bigger than their stomachs. So we tried 2 types stone crab claws, one from Florida and the other, from the pacific coast. I found the ones from Florida to be a tad sweeter and enjoyed them the most. The claws were pre-cracked so it was easy to get to the meat. Honestly, it was like heaven in my mouth. Chunks of fresh, dense meat in every bite. We didn't even use the horseradish mustard and just squeezed fresh lemon. My only lament was that they didn't have oysters on the half shell (they have a sister restaurant two blocks away called Shaw's that carries that). In addition to the crab claws, we also got the sampler which included king crab legs and ceviche and a shrimp cocktail. The sampler helped get a feel for their other seafood offerings, but it's the crab claws that shine. Hearing that this was our first time at Joe's Seafood, we were given a slice of key lime pie on the house, and it was divine. And I usually don't like key lime pie. Nice crust, thick, creamy filling and whipped cream to top it off. I'll be back here if I'm ever in town.
(5)Melanie F.
Looooooooooooved it. Started with crab cakes, they were delicious with and without their mustard sauce. Bread was okay, but the filet and lobster tail was so unbelievably good. Crispy asparagus, cauliflower, and Jennies potatoes, all good. Ate until we could hardly walk.
(5)Elaine M.
Joe's was my first introduction to "Chicago Restaurant Week". What a great deal. I love it and will be looking forward to fully partaking in Restaurant week next year. That being said walking into Joe's is like walking into something from the sixty's. Love that old time, elegant feel. Having never been there before, the waiter was kind enough to provide the over 100 year old history of Joe's. The restaurant week menu provided us the opportunity to have a three course meal at a great price, $33 per person. We all opted for basically the same meal with a slight variation in our dessert choice. To begin the meal we all had the crab bisque. It was a wonderful, delicious, creamy bowl of coziness. For our entrees we had the stone crabs. Served cold and pre-cracked. The are sweet and yummy but a bit of a pain to get all the little bits of crab out. (You don't want to waste any!) Also, being pre-cracked is handy but leads to some shattered little bits here and there that you have to be careful of. For the sides we had the hash browns, mashed potatoes and coleslaw, all served family style. All were terrific. Finally for dessert three of us had the key lime pie and one the banana cream pie. The key lime pie was good but I have had better. Even so, I would still order it again because it fits in so nicely with the crabs and vibe of the place.
(5)Andrew K.
Stone crab, shrimp cocktail, filet, lobster, and Pinot noir! Who could ask for anything more! This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of the Windy City...literally, this food will "blow you away!" And yes...the pun was intended! The mood is very intimate yet busy. The lighting is dark with spotlights shining down onto the center of each table. The servers are all dressed with black bow ties and are some of the most knowledgable servers I have ever met. My glass was never empty and the meal was set at a great pace. The wine was delicious and the food is something to be talked about for days...or even months after the meal. The bone-in filet was to die for and the lobster was so succulent! The shrimp cocktail was so amazing. The shrimp were huge and the cocktail sauce had extra horseradish so that I could make it strong enough for my taste. The stone crab was awesome! We had the large claws and they were delicious!! And the dipping sauces paired so well. I can't wait to take my next vacation to Chicago so that I can come back to this amazing dining establishment! Joe's is definitley FOR THE WIN!!!!
(5)Donna L.
Can't believe I waited this long to try these crab legs!!! But always good timing... They were succulent, juicy and tasty! Chilled was very, very good. We started with the seafood salad which was also deeeelicious. MUCH MORE than the average salad... With the crab legs we tried the fried green tomatoes which were awesome!!! And the asparagus you can never go wrong with. The wine list was great, I stuck with the Chardonnay.. And dessert was thee best part!!! Havana dream pie was so fluffy and creamy... Nothing like I've had before. The Key Lime is what everyone raves about but it was okay to me... Banana pie was also delicious! Will be back!!! ASAP!
(5)Linda V.
I love seafood, I love crab. Therefore, I love this place so much. All dishes in here are so delicious and fresh. The staff is awesome. :) What an amazing restaurant!
(5)David S.
Enjoyed the food. Really liked the ambiance of the restaurant. Food was forgetful, but service was solid. An ok experience overall.
(3)Kenneth P.
Outstanding. Have eaten here many times. Great service, the king crabs are delicious, best steaks in town and the service is great. Try the bone-in filet or the rib-eye. Best steaks in Chicago.
(5)Melissa B.
I wish I could give this place more than five stars! We were unable to get a reservation but found a high top table in the bar area. Everything we ate was perfection and our server gave excellent service even though the place was packed. We had the second mortgage as an appetizer....well worth the price. Dinner was a filet oscar style. For sides, we shared potatoes, corn and broiled tomatoes. Even though we weren't hungry for dessert, we shared the pumpkin and key lime pie.
(5)Carrie W.
So this was our first time to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab.... and surely it won't be our last! My husband's parents and ourselves, me and the HB, went out to dinner at Joe's last night... It was perfect. We met up in the bar at Joe's, got there a little early and we ordered a cocktail. Our reso was early so the place was a little empty when we arrived, which was fine by me! That sat us and we realized a booth was not right for us.. more elbow room was needed so the staff was able to move us to a table with no problem. Our tuxedo-clad server arrived very promptly and went over everything (our folks had been there before, so we needed a quick low down)... from how Joe's arrived to Chicago (the original is in Miami, they also have a place in Vegas), to the specials, to their fresh Stone Crab claws... to their Prime steaks... to the wine listing... there was a lot to go over! Bread service started... and it was awesome... so many great options in one little basket... they even had Pumpernickel! (my favorite) We started with something called The 2nd Mortgage (and they can design for the amount of people that are seated)... a great sampler of Stone Crab claws... pre cracked and opened, ceviche, huge shrimp cocktail and spilt lobster tails. They serve it with two sauces, which you really didn't even need because everything was just so buttery and good. And since it was so buttery the service staff came through with lemon, which they squeeze into your hands and then wrap your hands in a hot wet cloth. Awesome. By this time our initial cocktails were finished and wine service started... Since the folks and I were going with seafood and the husband went with steak... We went with a bottle of Sanford Chardonnay, and the HB went with a glass of Orin Swift's Saldo Zinfandel (something you never see by the glass). All selections were perfect for our perspective dinners... Entree wise we went for their King Crab Legs (which were HUGE! and they cut and crack table-side, very cool), their Nantucket Bay Scallops (which were seared to perfection!), their Large Eye Tuna with a Bone Marrow Bord. sauce (perfectly " not cooked"... served med. rare... and the sauce was to die for) and to finish it out we had the Prime Kansas City steak (Medium Rare perfection). SO GOOD!!!!!! Side wise (which are meant to be shared) we went for the Fried Asparagus, yes Fried Asparagus... served with a Lemon Butter on the side. And then we went for the Celery Root Gratin. You don't need to go with a potato when you go with this. So creamy so good. By the time dinners were over... we thought we were done... but heck no... dessert was in order! Order their Banana Cream Pie and their Key Lime Pie! Awesome to say the least! So creamy, so good... but the best part is, is that you can order half slices! The half slices are just enough, no need for those HUGE oversized slices that some other places (not gonna name any names) need to sell you. Coffee service was awesome (everyone gets their own individual sterling silver coffee pots), but of course I had to order a Cappuccino (because that's what I do!). I wouldn't change a single thing about Joe's.... at all. So go here to just have apps in the bar with a glass of wine or go for the full fledged dinner experience... because it's just that good overall.
(5)Vivi G.
A place with a lot of memories. Love their seafood, fresh and delicious. We have stone crab legs every time and they've never let us down. Also the Alaska king crab legs are madly great. I have seafood salad every time and I'll never be bored of it. Their steaks are not as wonderful as their seafood, I think. Thus definitely try their seafood dishes first! Writing this review makes me miss Chicago so much.
(5)Jay I.
Went to this place with a friend from out of town for Saturday dinner because I had a 100 bucks gift card. After the big disappointment of Morton's, I really had no hopes for other steakhouses in town. However, plethora of positive reviews about this place led me to try this instead of using the card for the souffle at L2O (which I will do in the near future, too). Got there at 6pm without the reservation, and the host told us there was no seat available in the dining room until 10:30pm... This was even worse than what I thought (2 hour wait... read from some reviews)... However, there was also the bar area, which is first come first served, where you could get the full menu. We got a table at the bar after waiting for like 15 minutes. So we ordered a couple of cokes (free sodas by the way), a 20 oz bone-in ribeye for me, a 16 oz ribeye for my friend and a baked potato to share (100 bucks with tax before tip). My ribeye was amazing. It was pretty well seasoned, and very tender. It was a bit undercooked for my standard of medium, but it wasn't too bad. Oh the bread and salted butter were good, too. The server was very attentive. Overall, I had a pretty good experience. I still don't think Joe's is as good as Peter Luger (this one will be hard to beat for sure... bummer for all the other steakhouses I will review in the future), but a solid option for a good steak in Chicago without a doubt.
(4)Klima K.
I will never feel enough for their snow crab legs! It's as fresh as those I tried in San Franscio Bay!
(5)H R.
Been here a few times actually. Joe's will send your taste buds to another level! Like peach? Try the peach beach vodka drink, it was so smooth and sweet. As an appetizer, DO NOT let yourself miss out on the BEST crab cake you'll possible ever eat! I could have had 3! Oysters Rockefeller was alright but nothing compared to that crab cake. The jumbo lobster tail was almost buttery it was so good solo without even dipping it in the garlic butter dip it comes with. And they are truly JUMBO! Chilean sea bass was great. My husband had bone in filet and rock crab chilled all of which was great. Hardly had room for desser but ordered banana cream pie with foster sause anyway. any room i had left was well filled with the perfect end to a fantastic meal! Not to be randomly gross but that was the tastiest overly full burp ive ever had! Try it! You will thank me later! Ill be going back! Next time ill get 2 of the peach drinks, 2 crab cakes, and that monster lobster tail. This is what dreams are made of. For some who never over eats, this is the place where I just cant help myself.
(5)Clark C.
Very good service. Our waiter was very attentive and accommodating. I went with a party of 4 and none of us were blown away by our entrees, but they were certainly of high quality. Just didn't provide me with the feeling of, "Oh my god, this is soooo good!" The best part of the meal were the desserts. They were all phenomenal. If you have room, anything on their dessert menu will be worth your coin.
(4)Richard Y.
its ok
(4)Chris B.
We had a late lunch here and had a great experience. Tenderloin sandwich was great and so was my filet.
(5)Yves M.
If there were 10 stars I would give it. I have eaten in over 3,000 restaurants over the past 45 years in over 15 countries and Joe's is in the top 5 in the world. Where else can you eat fresh Alasking King Crab Legs and fresh Stone Crab. And the steak? right up there next to Ruth's Chris Steak House and Gibson's. And you may be puzzled about what I am about to say........fried chicken. That's right, the best Damn fried Chicken in the country. Anything you eat at Joe's will be the best you ever had. The most professional, respectful, knowledgable, friendly servers you will ever experience that will attend to your every highly detailed need. A wonderful luxury atmosphere packed every night with the highest class patrons. CLASS, LUXURY, DELICIOUS - ELEGANT - FUN - Joe's has all of the elements of being rated as the highest available in the market. An experience you will never forget.
(5)joe k.
We had a large party of 8 and none of us were disappointed in the quality of the food. Our waiter was personable and made some good suggestions. The busboys (men actually) were a pest however because as soon as you put a fork down they took it away. It was clear they were pushing us along which I found distracting. I almost said something to our waiter to have the guy take a chill pill. But as we started late for dinner at 8:30pm it was fine as I did not want to be there all night. So the fish was excellent and the prime steaks were done to perfection. The sides were a bit so so but if you want to carb load take the mac and cheese. Wonderful. My only disappointment was with the bread. Poor quality. The prices are steep for most items on the menu but if you can splurge it was worth it.
(4)Ashley C.
I've been going to Joe's for years and just recently went again...it's as good as ever!! The filet and crab leg combo is a must! The sides are big a definitely meant to share. The mashed potatoes are the best side along with any seasonal veggie! Joe's is a Chicago staple that has yet to disappoint!
(5)Diana R.
Very good place to celebrate over dinner, or to enjoy a mildly exorbitant restaurant. Dress up for the dinning room; casual dinning available in the bar area. The food is great, slightly over cooked for my taste, but still very delicious. The food is not decorated when served. The service is great!! The price is more than reasonable for the quality of the food and the feel of the atmosphere. The only thing I don't like is that their dinner plates are worn out. Highly recommend.
(4)brandie y.
Two words: Madagascar Shrimp .... I know most chain type restaurants lack something, but, I have a new addiction to the Madagascar Shrimp at Joe's. First, they are enormous! Two of them is pretty much a meal. They have a great flavor, garlic for sure. But the cool part is they are fire grilled on a skewer of sugarcane. Wow. They are served with some sort of aioli, but don't need it at all.
(5)Steven F.
You gotta drop some cash here, but worth it. Bone-In Ribeye - great, lot of meat flavor Bone-In Filet - the best, ridiculously tender Stone crab claws - So MF sweet and bunch of flavor. these are a little expensive but you gotta get at least a couple each. I don't remember the sides being anything great, but the steak and crab claws were so dam good it was an after thought. They put a great sear on the steaks so 90% of the inside is that perfect pink. Service was top notch. Whiskeys were reasonably priced. Went on a sunday night and the place was packed.... i would say a little bit too packed. We had to wait about 30min past our reservation time, but they comped us appetizers and desserts! Could've been because it was my buddies' bday or could've been because they are just nice people; probably a little of both.
(4)Lindsay Y.
Joe's never fails to impress! The first time I dined at Joe's was while I was visiting my sister in Miami Beach. It was a beautiful, breezy night and the restaurant was set right next to the ocean. We ordered the stone crab (what else) I was blown away by how scrumptious it was. There is nothing quite as delectable as stone crab (in my opinion). Joe's key lime pie was also out of this world. I definitely frequent the location in Chicago as often as possible.
(5)Magen M.
So the food is really delicious. It is worth a four star for sure. When my waiter was around he was very attentive and helpful, however he didn't come around that often. I hate sitting for 10-15 minutes to wait for the table to be cleared and to receive the check, after I've finished eating. Another thing is that the prices are a LITTLE steep, in my opinion. I know this is a fancy place and all that... but $10 for a plate of greens is a bit much. It literally didn't have anything else but greens. No carrots, radishes, tomatoes, croutons, onions, nothing. It was really good (the dressing is delish) but $10? Come on... I absolutely don't mind paying good money for good food, but the dishes that come with no sides are a little too much. Two crab cakes for $30? They were great, but still. $10 mashed potatoes? um.... a little high. That being said, I'll probably be back because finding good crab is hard. But this is definitely a special-event only place.
(3)Steve S.
Disappointing. I was told a few times that this place was great, and the yelp reviews generally support that. But my experience was just ok. Based on my experience I wouldn't recommend it. I started with the stone crab bisque. It wasn't hot enough and was way too salty. I only had half of it, as the salty-ness became too much before long. Then I had an appetizer portion of the Nantucket scallops. The waiter told us they were special. They weren't. The table got fried green tomatoes and I will say they were awesome. Among the best I've had. I also had the "2nd mortgage", which was a cold appetizer of about equal parts jumbo shrimp, stone crab, lobster and ceviche. Nothing had much flavor at all, except for the ceviche, which was ok, but nothing special. I tried my wife's mahi mahi. It was just ok. And then in the end we got Key Lime pie, which was very good, but they had run out of the peanut butter pie dessert. They gave us a credit for that which was appreciated, but since it only saved us 2% on our group's bill it didn't make the overall experience anything more than mediocre.
(3)Weijia L.
Went there on my last day in Chicago. It was a Friday evening, around 6:00pm. No table was left. So my girlfriend and I got a space in the waiting area, which was also crowded. The service was attentive and hospitable. And our food came fast. The crab was fresh and had a clean taste. The steak was cooked nicely. I'm not a fan of steak so I'm sorry I don't know what to say. I had apple pie and she had key lime pie, as dessert. The portion was huge LOL The only complain I had, or maybe it's my fault? I had a gin and tonic but I wanted no ice. So the waitress handed me a glass with gin filled the bottom half with a slice of lime and a small bottle of tonic, which meant I had to pour the tonic into the gin. Now it makes me feel so weird. I should have asked her why. The reason I give 3 stars is because 1. I love the crab. 2. the gin, and the tonic. 3. Hope next time I could give an extra star. 4. It is pricey at some point.
(3)Stephanie H.
I came here for my birthday dinner and loved it! I had the flounder and sweet potato and OMG was it delicious!!!! My bf had the steak and it was cooked & seasoned perfectly!! I kept on stealing bites! It was a really great experience, we sat in the bar area which was soo full but we got a table right away. Tip, chat up some conversation with someone who's ready to leave from their table bc that's the only way you will get a seat. Hovering was a bit awkward but it paid off. I'd def go again!!
(5)Doug S.
Took my boss here for lunch, good career move. We ate NY strip steaks cooked perfectly. Then we had key lime pie for dessert, just fantastic. This is a great place for lunch.
(5)Serena B.
I used to work for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They have a yearly event called Four Stars for Charity. Joe's was one of the 4 star restaurants that participated. The sauce that you dip the crab in? *faints* It's literally the best tasting stuff I have ever had. I got a chance to eat there some years back and I felt like royalty. Everything was delicious.
(5)Courtney W.
Whenever I am in town for business this is always my first stop for dinner. The staff is so accommodating and helpful. They welcome us and make us feel like we never left every time we return! The seafood is insane from the stone crab to the dover sole to the fisherman's platter... You can't go wrong! If you're in the area this is a dinner you won't regret!!!
(5)Bill B.
Recommended by the W Hotel's concierge Eden Bernal, this became the beginning of a beautiful even for all. The lobster was amazing!! Actually everything was cooked to perfection and Liz, our waitress, was phenomenal. This will be a continual place for us to dine and tell friends about when they visit Chicago.
(5)Chris T.
Ok...... I am writing this review as a HUGE FAN of the REAL Joe's in Miami. Look, there are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this place...if I didn't know what to expect I would probably give it a 4 or 5 as well. But I do know and Compared to Joe's Stone Crab, this place should be burned to the ground and the earth salted so so that no other restaurant can grow in its place! (The same goes for the Fake Joe's in Vegas!) Dramatic? Perhaps. If you want Joe's Stone Crabs, and the experience that goes along with eating them, get on a plane and go to Miami...don't go here. The meat stuck to the claws. That only happens when the claws were frozen. Now, don't get all "it was a cold winter" because it wasn't!!! I went to the SoBe Joe's just a few weeks ago and the meat came off the claws and the cartilage like it was butter!!! I asked the waitress up front if they were fresh, told her I have been to the Miami spot a dozen times, and she assured me that they were identical. NOPE! My bad. Why would I believe her? Why did I think she would know? shouldn't have. The tomatoes with the spinach and cheese? (If you've been to the original, you'd know) NOT the same. The tomatoes are sliced. SLICED!!!!! what the heck!?!?!? That a big deal. Trust me. Oh! And there's too much Nutmeg in the spinach. The fried chicken? (You get that as an app and split it.) First....$20 ($7 in Miami) Second, just not as good. Alright, I feel like I'm just complaining. Which I am. So I'll stop. It's my fault. I should have known better. I'm an idiot. Perhaps I'm just writing this review to remind myself not to do dumb things? Yeah. That's it. Hey Cat! There's only ONE Joe's!
(1)Kevin A.
I got the Halibut it was very moist and juice. Also, got the roasted corn, hash browns and peanut butter pie for dessert, EVERYTHING was fabulous. The best seafood place, highly recommend. Hear their steaks are awesome too.
(5)Zac R.
The best crab legs I've ever had. Expensive, but worth it.
(5)El B.
One of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had - the food was fantastic and the ambiance was lovely, but what REALLY wowed me was our server (Darrin). He is such an utter professional and was truly born to do this job. He actually got me and Mr. Bee discussing the psychology of being a truly excellent server because he was so gifted at it. Without even knowing it I was getting an extra appetizer, an extra cocktail, extra this...and I was happy to do so. I look forward to going back - I know people go for the stone crabs (which were fabulous) but I REALLY loved my stuffed sole. Also, the piece of shrimp I got in the 2nd mortgage was without a doubt the best piece of shrimp I've ever had. Gigantic, meaty, flavorful....that's what she said.
(5)Misoo M.
Great service, decor, and (most importantly) food. I had the pleasure of trying: Scallop shrimp ceviche: Presentation was beautiful, and flavors were good. One of the better ceviches I've had in Chicago. Filet mignon: Delicious, though I asked for medium rare, and it was definitely cooked medium to medium-well, which was a little disappointing. I normally don't put anything on my steaks, but the salt-coriander thing it came with was actually quite good. Mahi mahi: Decent, but nothing to write home about. There are better dishes here. Mashed potatoes: Smooth, not too buttery, and a nice cheesy flavor. Went great with the filet. Key lime pie: Fresh, tangy lime and a delicious crust. This pie singlehandedly turned my key lime pie-disliking boyfriend (who initially refused to have any) to a key lime pie-believer (who ended up devouring half). It's that good. Leave some room after your meal for this!
(4)Alex Z.
I really wasn't sure about how to start off my meal here. So, I took a dive and went for the coleslaw, least expensive appetizer on the menu. That ended up being one of the highlights of my meal. I hate coleslaw that is drowning in mayo, but this slaw was oil and vinegar based, allowing me to still get that great crunch from the cabbage. The New York Strip, off the bone, was phenomenal. I had it cooked rare, and every bite just melted in my mouth. They cook the steak with a butter glaze on the outside or something like that in order to give the exterior a crispy texture. This was the best piece of red meat I've eaten in my life. I ate all 16 ounces too. The Key Lime Pie is a must, and the Coconut Cream Pie wasn't too bad either. Aside from food, the service is at the same level of the food. Nothing less than perfection. Fillets of fish are boned right in front of you, they'll accommodate most reasonable requests, and they keep things professional. However, our waiter wasn't too detached to get some light-hearted conversation going. If I had a fat wallet, I'd be over here once a month, but a college student has to be realistic. I was lucky my mother had been saving numerous Lettuce Entertain You gift cards and was willing to take me out to dinner here.
(5)Gabrielle R.
AMAZING! Food was delicious, waiter was great, service was wonderful. I took my mother while I was in town for business. We ordered a bottle of wine. The waiter filled our glasses and then took the bottle away. I thought to myself, "What if I need more?". Well, not to worry- any time one of our glasses was getting low, the waiter was right there to fill it. I would highly recommend this place- just keep in mind that it is pretty expensive. Recommendation: you'll have to make a reservation ahead of time. Their spots fill up very quickly. And if you don't have a reservation, sometimes they get last minute cancellations, so keep checking back.
(5)Brian G.
what can u say about this place that hasn't already been written. we just nibbled at the bar and had some wine. a chatty and friendly bartender made us feel very welcome. if I had to criticize anything it might be the restaurant could benefit from a "freshen up" decor wise. other than that if u can get a reservation before 11 and after 4 - it's a no brainer. bring lots of money for it is not cheap.
(4)Kurt B.
Classy space, expertly executed seafood, very expensive. One of the best special occasion restaurants in Chicago for seafood lovers. Everything is very expensive, but also well portioned and cooked perfectly. Getting right to the main attraction -- the crab claws are outstanding. Extremely fresh, perfectly cracked, tender, moist, sweet. I didn't think they even needed their dipping sauce, just a hint of lemon. Crab cakes were 95% cake, delicious, and very similar to the Baltimore style of rolling crab up into a ball, coating the outside, and then sautéing or frying the ball. Hash browns were good, though nothing special. Fried green tomatoes were on the side of very green and very good but not destination-dining good. I'd order them again. Clam bisque soup was outstanding, manhattan clam chowder was merely good with way too many carrots for me. The breadbasket was excellent, the highlight being some kind of paper thin flatbread covered in celery seeds and parmesan. I've never tasted anything quite like it and I loved it. With two appetizers, two entrees, two drinks, and one dessert expect to pay well over $120, and much more if you order a steak. But it's worth it. To my experience (though I've never been to L20) this is the best seafood restaurant in Chicago. Better than Shaw's, Hugo's, Bob Chinn's, etc. The only negative note is that their bathrooms are tiny and not well kept. They weren't exactly dirty but they're kind of gross considering the presentation, cost, and clientele at the restaurant.
(5)Susan S.
First time diner at Joe's Seafood and the food lived up to it's reputation. We all consider ourselves "foodies" and one of us is a chef at a competitive restaurant in the area. First time eating Stone Crabs and they were fabulous! Joe's Scallops and Crab cakes were also ordered and our group was very impressed. The service was great always checking on us and ensuring we had everything we need. Nothing but spectacular.
(5)Yoo-Jin L.
I attend Joe's for Chicago Restaurant Week and I loved this lovely place. It is hard to have nice and expensive seafood dishes for under 30 dollars. So I took a chance to attend for Chicago Restaurant Week. The food came out quickly and crabs are pre-cracked so I could eat crab without making any mass to crack crabs. I really liked how they cracked before they served it. Also potatoes and salads for sides are tasty too. They made a good combination with crabs. If it's not too expensive, I would like to go again.
(4)Junchen F.
Their fried calamari and sea bass are tender and tasty beyond one's wildest dream. These are 5 star dishes. The lobster tail is also good but I am not a big fan of lobster anyway. The fisherman's platter is a dud. These are 3 star dishes, considering their price tag. On average, 4 stars.
(4)Adriana B.
Oh lord, the food is great. Everything from the bread to the appetizer, to the main course and finally dessert. The service was exceptional as well. We had the stuffed spinach mushrooms as a starter (yummy, even the bf who doesn't like mushrooms enjoyed it). Filet mignon and crab legs for the main course. The desserts, everything was a sin
(5)Susie C.
Wow! That's all I got to say... just kidding. Wow! comes in many factors - the food, service, and man it is super crowded! We came here two weeks ago trying to get a table for dinner but unfortunately we failed at that because it was a Friday night and we made the reservation a bit too late. They are super packed so my fiance made reservations for us two weeks later which makes it today! They are still super busy on a Thursday evening, unbelievable. Our waiter, Hank, was very nice and informative. Since it was my first time (my fiance's second) he told me what Joe's was all about. I didn't know what stone crab was so he explained to me what it was, how they capture it, and how they extract the right claws from crab. He pretty much gave me information that I didn't know and I appreciated that. Onto our courses, we started out with the lump crab cakes as appetizers. OMG, it was so good. The best crab cake I've ever eaten! Their crab cake had less filling and LOTS of crab meat. Then we had the grilled lobster tail. That was very tasty. Although it was a bit "grilled too long" since we tasted the "burn-ness" of the fire on the lobster. It was okay. We had the 1.5 lb Alaskan King crab legs. Wow, they are filling! They are huge and tasty! Hank and another waiter brought our lobster and crab legs over and broke the legs in front of us. They pretty much did all the work and we ate. Yum! (My fiance told Hank that we don't like to work to eat crabs since they're harder to eat) Lastly we ended with Havana dream pie. Wow, that's another wow. It is a light pie with a very creamy filling. Topped with whipped cream and some kind of sweet hazelnut(??) sauce that made it delish! I'd come back here again...if I want to spend another $200 on dinner for 2. lol.
(5)Lily F.
Delicious filet mignon, they always get it right. And their sides are equally amazing! Love the atmosphere, their martinis and just about everything else. I've had steak in a lot of places, and I only trust Joes when I want to go out to eat it. The price isn't too kind, but it's worth it!!
(5)Lu C.
The food and service there is amazing and impressive, especially for the steak, tastes really good and better than any restaurants so far I had been.
(5)Daveney C.
Best steak in the United States. Ur welcome.
(5)Christina S.
I had some of the best filet mignon here I got it medium rare and it was delicious. my friend had some of their crab legs so I tried his and there was no complaints at out table. My only complaint would be the long wait to get onto the restaurant. This is a must go to restaurant.
(5)Brandon T.
Came for a birthday, expecting much more than what I was given. We started with some kind of chowder, which was the best thing we had the whole night. Next was our entrees, which consisted of over cooked shrimp, poorly cooked filet and crab claws that were mediocre. Brought my mom a brownie with ice cream for her birthday dessert "on the house" that tasted like it was straight from a box. Had never been before, and it would take a lot to convince me to come back. Huge disappointment...
(2)Mel S.
We came here for lunch during Restaurant Week and despite my initial misgivings (I find most fancy restaurants to be disappointing in the end) it was a pleasant experience. First off, the atmosphere and service is 110%. The complimentary coat check is a nice touch, but having somewhere to wait would have been nice, we were basically standing around a bunch of tables while we waited to be seated. Everything on the menu sounded amazing and it was hard to make a choice. I ended up going with the Restaurant Week special, though. First the complimentary bread was great - not your normal regular loaf of bread or dinner rolls, it was a mix of different breads, including an amazing sweet raisin-y crisp that awakened our sweet tooth. The Stone Crab Bisque was SO rich but only in the best way. I ordered the rock crab, which was only disappointing because I found out I'm not much of a crab person. It was really good, but then just became overwhelming (it was a LOT of crab!) the "hashbrowns" and coleslaw on the side were delicious interpretations of said dishes. I particularly liked the coleslaw. And to top it all off, the banana cream pie was AMAZING. I'd been saving room for it (albeit very little room) and it did not disappoint. I was afraid I'd have dreams about this pie after I returned home from vacation. All in all, a great meal with top-notch service. I was so full I could barely move, and we left with 3 boxes full of leftovers.
(4)Moe T.
Love it. Great ambience, great food, and not too pricey for a restaurant of this caliber. I had to get the stone crab while I was there and it was a good experience but also a lot of work to get to the meat and next time I'd rather do the king crab legs. The halibut was amazing. DO NOT MISS the peanut butter pie! Thank me later.
(5)Mad I.
Not worth the money to me.... Great service, fancy feel but.... Went there on hubby's gift card for $100 and we still had to leave $40, thats drinking water! What we ate: He had the revered bone in filet, $50 bucks for that alone.... not the best I've ever had.... I had the 7 medium stone crabs, with mustard sauce (??)....meh. Where is the butter?? Lots of work and money for a few morsels. Mac and Cheese, yum. Key lime pie: blech!!! Sub par P.s-no one told us but you can get half orders!!!!!!!!!
(3)Kyle P.
Had and have always had great meals here. I have been coming for lunch for years and have had good service. Have had mike burch or birch the last few times and really like his attentiveness and ability to know when we are having a business meeting. Get everything here!
(5)eugene b.
The good: The Alaskan Crab legs are just spectacular. In fact, all the food is excellent. No complaints there. The crab cakes were absolutely the best I have ever had. Service is good. Wait staff, at least in our experience was helpful and attentive. The bad: 8pm reservation, but actually seated at 830. Although we did get a very nice booth table. It is extremely bus, at least on Friday evening.. Even waiting to get our table there were so many people in the bar, it was tough to get a drink unless you could find an empty seat in the bar. Overall, excellent if you don't mind a very busy, very Chicago atmosphere. I would not go there for a quiet romantic evening.
(5)Kristan H.
Often when a place has this many reviews, I don't bother to add my 2 cents. In this case, however, I need to make an exception. My boyfriend and I took his parents and younger brother to Joe's over Labor Day weekend. My boyfriend's brother had just completed his first tour of duty as a Marine in Afghanistan, and we were celebrating his safe return. After making reservations at Joe's (several weeks in advance) my boyfriend emailed them to ask if they could do anything for his brother - he specified that we weren't looking for freebies, we just wanted a special night. The manager suggested that there wasn't much they could do besides give us their best server, which was an offer we happily accepted. Best server indeed. Our server was fantastic - attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and funny. We had a lovely evening, and he made several key recommendations. (He also allowed me to get a plate of mixed scallops when I couldn't decide between their two kinds.) At the end of the night, we decided to order a couple desserts to share. Our server got a twinkle in his eye and said he knew just the thing. We were a little confused, seeing as we had just told him which desserts we wanted, but the rest of the night had been great so we weren't too concerned. A few minutes later, he carted out a tray of desserts, which we figured were for us and the table behind us. No. Every single dessert on that tray was for us (8 or 9 total) and they were all free. My boyfriend's brother was embarrassed, but his mother and I both got tears in our eyes (and I'm getting them again now) as our server and the manager came over to thank him for his service. Again, the whole evening was a wonderful dining experience, but that put it over the top. Things like that are what make a place stand out above the rest. And if you think I'm just talking about getting something for free, then you've missed the point entirely.
(5)Chris C.
Went there with a big group and had a wonderful experience. Anita led a tremendous effort by the wait staff and every person in our group left very happy. Too many good things to list but the most popular items consumed by our group were the 16 oz bone in filet, crab legs, and key lime pie. This place is pricey, but is as good as it gets!
(5)Kathleen C.
Aside from the fact that I've been getting crap all day for not having crab legs...I really liked this spot. And seriously, it's not all about crab legs! I happen to really enjoy crab cakes - and these were perfection! The crab cakes were about 99.9% crab - and huge chunks of it. They were delictable. I almost got the appetizer size, but instead stuck with the entree - and I'm glad I did because they were wonderful and I ate every bite. I also tried some appetizers - which were all tasty (mussels, shrimp, stuffed mushrooms....). The wine selection was quite nice as well. Overall, this is definitely a special occasion spot due to prices ($60 entrees anyone??). However, the quality is high, the service is superb and the food is phenominal. I'll be back if I can squeeze it in my budget.
(5)Janet C.
My first time at Joe's and it was great. We were seated right away, and our waitress was delightful. Quality service, a pleasant dinning experience. Steaks were done just right, and the Shrimp & Scallop Ceviche was amazing. I would come back just for that. I also enjoyed the small pot of coffee and 1/2 slices of pie offered.
(4)Derrick T.
People have always raved about Joe's Stone Crab and their exemplary food and service, so I was excited to have the opportunity to go. (Not to be confused with Joe's Crab Shack, which is a chain that serves food on par with Olive Garden and Red Lobster.) Joes Stone Crab only has three restaurants I'm told - Chicago, Las Vegas, and Miami. Due to one of my clients being a fairly big spender at the place, we were able to get reservations 10 minutes before we arrived and seated immediately upon arrival. This is definitely one of the restaurants where your loyalty and high spending is rewarded. (And when I mean high spending, I mean along the lines of $20,000 a year). We ordered up the following items: Bisque- Smooth and creamy, with excellent flavor in every sip. I'm not typically one to order soups in a restaurant (as I like better bang for my buck) but the bisque was an excellent choice and very flavorful. Crab Legs - The clear winner of the bunch... King crab legs, split open nicely for you, served cold with drawn butter and mustard on the side. But to be honest, the crab was so good that you didn't even need the butter or mustard. Tender and meaty, every bite was an opportunity to revel in the perfect amount of sweetness that signified just how fresh this crab was. Get this. Every single time. Bone In Rib Eye - Excellent flavor, nice big portion, this was delicious. To be fair, I've had a good amount of steak in Chicago with all the excellent choices of restaurants. This ranks up in the top five for how nicely the outside was caramelized, the flavors, and the perfect temperature inside for my medium rare order. Filet Mignon - The guest ordered is medium well, so I'm not much of a fan. Personally, filet mignon is definitely a more tender cut, but lacks in the ability to compare to a well marbled rib eye in flavor. But this is often the preference of women (petite filet) or men who want something less fatty and more tender. While there was a point in my life I marveled at a perfectly tender steak, I'm finding more and more that flavor is just as important, which means filet is going to lose a lot more often nowadays. Sweet Corn Side - Sweet corn in season, cut off the cob, lightly grilled in lime and butter. Delicious. Clear winner of the side dishes for me. Mashed Potatoes - A very well made mashed potato with a good balance of smoothness and thickness. Creamed Spinach - Excellent cream spinach. Very well made, but just couldn't compare to the corn. Key Lime Pie - Wow. I'm blown away by the key lime pie. The filling itself was perfect, but I've had perfect filling before. What blew me away was the crust... Their crust was made without over packing the graham cracker crumbs, and in large enough pieces that still gave it an excellent texture and taste. The combination of crust and filling made this an excellent ending course. Others: Customer service was excellent. Which it should be, considering I was with a big spender that was recognized by staff members, and that it's a high end restaurant with high prices. Our server's confidence was nearing a level of cockiness that I found somewhat off putting, but his knowledge of the food and recommendations were on point. Verdict: This is indeed a five star quality restaurant from a food perspective, as well as a service perspective. That being said, it isn't cheap so there's a definite balance to be considered. In terms of price, it's likely on par with some of the finer steak houses you would eat at in the city, but with a few items that really make it stand out. (King Crab and Key Lime pie). I have every intention of coming back with my wife, and perhaps some more family members... when I get a promotion at work to help cover these costs.
(5)Stephanie G.
I went here for a technical dinner for work, there were about 60 people in our group. We had the entire back room. This place has the best seafood! For appetizers we had shrimp and stone crab, their mustard sauce is delicious! There were two salads that were brought out, and I had the Mahi Mahi. The fish was cooked perfectly, it was so good I wish I had some more right now. For dessert, I went out on a limb and got the Havana Pie, which was to die for!!! I ate the entire (large) piece! I would go back just for the dessert! It's difficult to park down in this area, but the restaurant has valet (and the guys running it were super nice!) This was an all around great dining experience!
(5)Kevin C.
Excellent food and service. The Alaskan King Crab was cooked perfectly and was extremely easy to eat as they were already cracked and scored. The Dover Sole was filleted table side and was outstanding. Even if you are full, you should still make room for the Key Lime Pie. All in all an excellent meal. Joe's is definitely the bomb.com .
(5)Samantha S.
Beyond amazing... Every Single Time! This is dining done right: consistently superior food, excellent service, classic decor. Love this place, everything on the menu is great. My faves--other than the steak and seafood--the beef tenderloin sandwich, BloodyMary's and key lime pie. Best bread basket anywhere!
(5)Sonia A.
Best. Restaurant. Ever. Seriously. I love this place. It's been my go-to place for almost a decade now. Everything is great here. Great atmosphere, great service, awesome food. Get the bone-in filet and the Madagascar shrimp and of course the stone crab. Delicious. They are willing to accommodate here so if there is something you want modified on the menu, just ask. I always get a brownie sundae with peppermint ice cream with the hot chocolate sauce. It's not on the menu, but of course they will make it for you. They even have a good kids' menu here. I've been probably more than 100 times and have only had bad service/experience once, so I'll let that time slide. The only problem with this place is that it can be hard to get a reservation less than a month in advance because it is so popular. It is pricey, but totally worth it.
(5)Madison B.
Went here on my birthday. Since we didn't have a reservation, and didn't want to wait til about 9 pm to eat, we ate in the bar area. This place was packed the entire time (on a Sunday night). Anyway, I ordered the filet and lobster tail. We also had oysters rockefeller, stuffed mushrooms and a side of creamed spinach. My dinner was spectacular. Everything was cooked to perfection, with the exception of th spinach (too heavy on the nutmeg). I will definitely be back to try the crab!
(4)Rodney H.
I was in the mood for something good, but not sure what, so I yelped the best restaurant in walking distance of my hotel. A steakhouse/ seafood place seemed as if it would have everything, and this place ft the bill - the look was classic steakhouse, and it was packed on a Tuesday at 10. Short review: great service, great food. Go ahead and enjoy yourself. More details below. The shrimp cocktail was so good that I almost had a Blues Brothers flashback and ordered two of them. However, I needed to save room for dinner. I settled on a pork chop - a dish that just felt right here. The knife that they gave me was perfectly weighted, but seemed big and heavy enough to cut through an entire side of meat. Then out came the three-inch thick pork chop and I understood why such an implement was needed. This thing was thick, juicy, delicious, and appetite-killing, and that knife and I took it out quicker than Clubber Lang took out Rocky in their first fight. Any plans of ordering dessert were ended, and I tried to think of another 80s movie to throw into the review. Then I realized that Joe's is like an 80s throwback itself - classic, no extra frills, really popular and I'll remember it fondly. (I guess that I'll have to find somewhere else to use that Ferris Bueller reference)
(5)Caroline M.
Great place and service. Delicious seafood and steaks.
(4)Alex C.
This place is ok. I did enjoy the ambiance but the food was something that i won't remember. Everything was good, but i was expecting much more and maybe that is the reason for the unfair assessment. It is overpriced for what it has to offer and there are many other seafood joints that have more to offer. Probably won't return anytime soon.
(3)J P.
Wow. Very nice. Of course, we were a party of 40 in a private room, but I am sure that the service and food is as consistent on the other side.Very nice and very busy. Make a reservation or you will be standing for a few hours.
(5)Kristen K.
I don't consider myself a meat person, but when I ate here I thought I had died and somehow ended up in the best meat heaven ever. Weeks later I am still dreaming about the pork chop I had. BEST PORK CHOP EVER. They put it on top of cabbage, apples, and onions....ohhh it's so good. I also had the crab cake appetizers and loved it as well. Service is insanely good. I felt like we had our own personal waiter that was at our immediate beck and call. Surprisingly the bill didn't come out to as high as expected. If you don't get the steak or king crabs (yes, I know both are in their name and what they are known for blah blah) it doesn't end up being that bad for the wallet.
(5)Rob E.
This is the best meal I've had in a couple years. The King crab was amazing, the filet, juicy and tender. The deserts were light and sweet. Finally the service was superb. I will definitely come back and would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)JA Y.
Given all of the amazing restaurants in Chicago I don't understand the draw of this place at all unless you are a tourist looking for an overpriced dinner close to your hotel. I was surprised to see 4.5 stars on this place until I realized yelpers have also given Fago the same. Enough said. My date was staying at a hotel close by on business so we made reservation for a nice dinner out (and dressed appropriately for such). When we arrived the entry bar was a mass chaos of what appeared to be tourists and families in various levels of casual dress sardined into a small area waiting for their names to be called over a large speaker like we were at Chili's. Once seated the situation did not improve much since the tables are also crammed into the dining room with the noise level and ambiance reminding me more of a a school cafeteria then a fine dining experience with children and adults around us wearing jeans and t-shirts. The food was ok but nothing particularly memorable, definitely not something i would travel back for. The part of the evening that bothered me most was the servers attitude. For the first 20 minutes of sitting at the table we could not get his attention and were treated as if we were lucky to be there. After my date ordered (what I can only assume) was a very expensive bottle of wine we were all of a sudden worth some attention. At the end of the night after my date paid and provided him (what I can only assume) was a very generous tip considering the service (he's owned restaurants for 20 yrs) the waiter all of a sudden was gushing over us to the exclusion of his other tables thanking my date repeatedly. It was embarrassing. Part of a fine dining experience should be consistent "fine dining" service for all guests not just those you think are going to give you a big tip.
(2)Bill W.
My fiance and I went here on 4/8 for my birthday. We have been here a couple times in the past and we are constantly impressed with the quality of food and service. We arrived a little early and had a couple of cocktails in the bar. The manhattan I had was perfect. After being seated we ordered a couple glasses of wine and ordered the 2nd mortgage appetizer. It was fantastic. Stone crab, giant shrimp, lobster, ceviche, and whatever else came with it were great. Kind of expensive, but worth trying. I ordered a bone-in ribeye, medium rare, and she had a filet. We split the mushroom mac and cheese that was on special as well. Everything was cooked perfectly. We decided to split a slice of key lime pie which is an absolute must. It is by far the best pie I've ever had. Tastes like you're biting into a fresh lime. So good. Joe's continues to be one of our go-tos anytime we want an upscale dining experience in Chicago.
(5)Heidi S.
Came here for lunch in January and had a really excellent experience. Waiter was outstanding, seafood was super fresh and steaks were excellently prepared. Really enjoyed the mashed potatoes and the potatoes lyonnaise were rich and full of caramelized onions. Dessert and drinks were also excellent. Describing this place really doesn't do it justice -- go there for a complete, classic dining experience.
(5)Chris W.
What a comedy of errors: 1. Waiter criticized my sparking wine choice. 2. I requested a rare preparation for my steak and received medium-well. 3. Another in our party had a substantially under-cooked steak. Was it confused with mine? I doubt it because it was a completely different cut. 4. I had to ask for a steak knife. Not a big deal, but when considered with all of the other challenges, disappointing. 5. At the end of dinner, the waiter placed five deserts on the table. We said we weren't really interested in desert. But he insisted we at least try them. So, we thought maybe they were in part an apology for the steak preparation fiasco, so we obliged. When the tab was presented, all five were listed with line item charges for whipped cream. The stone crab was pretty good. We should have stuck with that and some martinis. Won't be back.
(1)Kim M.
Went to Joe's on the recommendation of the hotel. I was seated right away, in the bar area. Service was good. I ordered the grilled seafood platter. All of the seafood was completely overcooked. The shrimp was somewhat charred and very tough. The fish was tough also. For the price, I don't think I would consider going back.
(1)Julie L.
This place is way over rated. They are too busy they can't handle quality food. Steak over cooked and tough. The stone crab is not worth the price. Doesn't even taste fresh. Won't ever be back. This place is not better than Miami one
(2)Odranre B.
good flavored foods...price getting higher, food portion getting smaller...the grilled pork chops is to die for (big, fat, and juicy) everyone deserves chances so i will occasionally re-visit establishments that did not get favorable reviews from me in hope that they have addressed the issues and will revise my views accordingly
(3)Danielle M.
This place is consistantly awesome! Its normally pretty crowded but I always seem to be able to get a seat at the bar. The service is always just right...not too attentive and not too neglectful. Also, its great to be able to get stone crabs in the dead of winter!
(5)Tracey M.
My recent visit to Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab was my first time there. My food was excellent, just like the service Darren provided us. The Salmon was tasty and I enjoyed the various sides I got to sample too. There old fashion apple dessert was divine. I'm a apple pie/apple dessert snob and this definitely lived up to my standards. Overall, a great experience and surely one I'd like to repeat again.
(4)Lisa T.
This was our first time here. I always hear great reviews about the food here, but I was simply blow away by the great service that was provided. I made reservations at 6:30pm on the Sunday after the air and water show. I couldn't believe how packed it was, as packed as a Friday/Saturday night! Because it was so packed, I expected us to wait even with a reservation, but behold, we were seated immediately! Definite thumbs up. When we were seated, we were greeted right away. Our server, James, told us about the main menu and gave us the seasonal menu. He then gave us a couple of minutes to look over everything. We decided to go with the medium stone crab claws as an opener. My boyfriend opted for the 12 oz filet mignon and I decided to go with the Alaska halibut with peas on the seasonal menu. For drinks, we both decided to go with the malbec. After James took our order, they came out with bread and the wine. My boyfriend and I settled in our seats as we waited for our food. I was surprised with the ambiance. Because of the "business casual" attire and the price point of the menu, I expected this place to be quiet and stuffy. I was absolutely wrong. It was loud and cozy. I was so comfortable and relaxed. You would not expect this from an upscale, expensive restaurant. I'm a loud speaker in general and it was nice to see that the table next to us was even louder =) Also, I really appreciate that this place not only caters to couples, but families/large groups as well. However, I would suggest the tween years as the minimum age as the tables are really close together and there is very little space between tables. Its a relaxed environment, but I don't think the guy at the next table would appreciate a toddler throwing food at him. On to the food: --I've had stone crab claws before down in Key West. They were delicious, but not as sweet as the claws in Key West. The mustard dipping sauce was to die for though. --The Alaskan halibut was cooked to perfection. I love white, flaky fish and just could not get enough of it. The pea puree that the fish sat on top of was delicious, which just a hint of lemon. --The filet could have been a disaster. He ordered the steak to be cooked at a medium temperature. When he received it, it was well over done. A perfectly nice portion of meat cooked so dry, I initially thought it was a joke. Our server came back to check on us and we advise him of this travesty. He immediately took the steak away and ordered another one. Within 15 minutes, the manager personally came over to serve a new filet. My boyfriend cut down the middle to check the temperature and it was a beautiful shade of deep pink. The steak itself was perfectly seasoned. Nice sear on the outside and wonderfully tender and juicy. --For sides, we ordered sauteed garlic spinach and baked potato. The baked potato tasted like any other baked potato... nothing really special. However, I couldn't believe how delicious the sauteed garlic spinach was. I was in complete awe of it. As we were finishing up with our meal, James came back to check up on us with the dessert menu. He told us because of the disaster with the steak, the dessert was on him. We ended up ordering the chocolate fudge pie. OMG IF YOU ARE A CHOCOLATE LOVER, THIS IS THE DESSERT FOR YOU. Oreo cookie crust, chocolate moose, a layer of whipped cream, chocolate shavings on top AND there was a side of hot fudge. MMMMM MMM.. I'm salivating thinking about it. I hate whipped cream, but the whipped cream on this pie made me rethink why I hate whipped cream in the first place. HUGE slice... definitely to share. Overall, I had such a great experience here. It far exceeded my expectations and we'll definitely be making another visit. Heck, I already have an idea of what I want to have for the next visit ;)
(5)Jessica I.
I wish I had one of these near my house instead of the awful chain with the similar name. That was the only Joe's I knew before I was introduced to this place, so I can be forgiven for looking at my husband like he was crazy when he suggested a trip here for lunch. It was immediately apparent that the two have nothing in common. For starters, I was really excited to find stone crab, which I can never seem to find in season when I'm in Florida. Our excellent server walked us through the menu and patiently answered our questions. We stuck to seafood and were happy with everything we ordered. Naturally, I had to have some key lime pie to round off the meal. Aside from being so dense we practically needed a bandsaw to get through it, it was pretty fantastic. The topper? Our server comped the pie because we were first-timers. Nice touch.
(4)Al R.
I love seafood, and I'm also a meat and potatoes kind of guy. With that being said Joe's does these two things wonderfully. It is an upscale place so the price is on the higher side, but the service and ambiance really make it worth every penny. (*Halibut filet*)
(5)Karen D.
I have a new favorite seafood restaurant! My family and I had a memorable dinner at Joe's during the holiday week We were a 1/2 hour early, and despite the Friday night bustle, were quickly accommodated. The main dining area is large, bustling with wait staff and obviously happy diners. We were seated at a lovely table in the back, as I had requested a "quieter" spot in the reservation. While we still felt we were part of the dining room, our table location was much more intimate. Our waitress took time to explain the menu, offered a few off-menu suggestions, and happily answered a lot of questions. Picking up on our quandary as to what appetizer(s) to share among the 5 of us, she suggested one large-ish stone crab claw and a Madagascan shrimp for each. They were perfectly prepared and presented - and we all were wow-ed with the choice. Our entrees, ranging from large seared scallops, Nantucket Cape (much smaller) scallops, stuffed flounder, and a rib eye steak were outstanding and complimented by our choice of three delicious shared "sides": Jennie's mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, and creamed spinach. Everyone was happy with their dinner choice. No one could manage dessert, so we shared a piece of key lime pie - - - which was just enough. And deliciously tangy - - - the real deal! In sum, while the food and wine selections were delicious and enough to put Joe's right up there with the best, it is the gracious service that really makes dining there a stand-out..........and makes the hefty bill so gladly paid!
(5)Nikki S.
Everything was delicious and impeccable. I would definitely recommend the peanut butter pie for dessert. Also the appetizer or the big whale is a must have and gives you a taste of everything. However, if making reservations I would definitely ask not to be seated near the coat rack or restroom.
(5)Yang Q.
With servers dressed to the nines in tuxes cleaning off the tablecloth with a crumber between courses and offering you fresh squeezed lemon juice and warm towel hand washes, Joe's offers the ultimate fine dining experience. But unlike the typical tiny food on a large plate experience, you won't leave Joe's to head over to the nearest McDonalds. The boyfriend and I came here for my birthday dinner and split an appetizer of stone crab claws. While the wasabi/dijon dipping sauce was delicious, the crab itself didn't taste much different from dungeness or anything I could have gotten back at home. The claws were decently sized and conveniently pre-cracked (this isn't Boiling Crab after all) though. The rib-eye steak and 16 oz. grilled lobster tail we got for entrees were AMAZING though. Topped with sides of cilantro grilled corn and sauteed garlic spinach and a slice of key lime pie, we left very full and very happy. DONT skip dessert--they do half slices and DO make a reservation as it was still very packed even when we went at 10:30.
(5)Gary B.
Went to Joes for a gathering of old friends, having never been there I wasn't sure what to expect. The place was very busy and seemed to be manages appropriately. Reservations were for 8:00 and they actually sat us at 8:00. We were a party of 12 so they sat us upstairs which over looks the main dining area. Our server was very attentive and really took care of us. I had the filet which was perfectly cooked and I had numerous sides which are ordered family style. An all around enjoyable time; I typically try and avoid dining with large groups due to some restaurants not being able to manage larger parties but Joes was spot on.
(4)Lisa L.
What fresh seafood. We had the bisque and it's hand poured at your table out of a metal carafe. Crab was excellent, desert excellent. Pricey but worth it for a special occasion or just to get some of the freshest seafood around.
(5)Alejandro G.
Lights out- crab, crab and more crab- stone crabs are excellent and the king crab is plentiful and they are huge and tasty- my gf always gets the filet and says its the best she's ever had- my top 3 places to go in Chicago
(5)Pete F.
$45 for 6 stone crab claws? I can buy stone crabs for $3.99 per pound back home! I just don't get the pricing but apparently they can get away with it. It was good - no argument, but maybe for half the price.
(3)Shekky G.
typical chicago-hype restaurant- pay a lot of $ and food is average. first time back here in 10 years- exactly the same. went for weekday lunch with wife- I got a couple of so-so crab cakes for $30 and scalloped potatoes for $10. clam chowder was just ok. wait staff was understaffed- although there seemed to be about 5 managers walking around doing nothing. took forever to get our food. waiter was always busy chatting away with other diners. wife's steak was okay. she got a dessert with her meal, asked for it "to-go" and we waited 15 minutes for the piece of (ok) banana cream pie after we had paid the bill to finally get it- waiter kind of disappeared. not worth it- plenty of other good restaurants nearby.
(1)Sejal P.
Great food! this place is best for stone crabs! you can read all their reviews, i agree with most of them. I've been here few times, and no doubt excellent service and great taste always. Minus one start for the few broken glasses around our table, and although i ordered stone crabs, i didn't get their usual warm towel and lemon for cleaning my hands after. I guess we went at a really busy time during restaurant week, so i can understand. I'll be back!
(4)Jason H.
Having spent the better (early) part of my 20's suggesting this restaurant, behind the front desk of a 5-star hotel, to guest upon guest - I thought it was time that I actually dine here. Yea, that's right! I've suggested Joe's numerous times without experiencing it from the perspective of an actual patron. It's an ongoing secret amongst young hoteliers - act as if you know it all and have done it all without really having done anything at all. No one takes suggestions/advice from a novice - so in the best interest of continued employment in the hotel industry - it's best not to be a novice in any capacity. On to my restaurant review... SEATING: I was seated at a table that was so close to the couple seated next to me, I could have put my fork into their baked macaroni dish - without extending all 22" of my left arm. So the cacophony in the dining room was heightened due to the close proximity of the tables. FOOD: The seafood salad was unbelievable - I thought Cafe Iberico had the best seafood salad - but I was wrong! The Mahi Mahi was extremely fresh, as if it was plucked from a salt water tank an hour before it was served to me. The Jennie's Mashed Potatoes were a great complement to the dish, and delighfully treaded the line of smooth yet not too thick. Nothing like protein and carbs with a glass of Monte Bello for an alcoholic finish. Overall, my experience here was GREAT- it really was! The only thing I would change is the close arrangement of some tables. That is unless partaking in your neighbors dish, without invite, is strongly encouraged here.
(4)Karmin A.
love this place!!! truly madly deeply!!! i've had the bone in rib eye, the crab legs, the spinach appetizer and corn. soooo good!!! we had the best server ever!!! he had the coolest glasses with forks on the tmeples, by jean paul gaultier. :) i'll be back....fo sho!!!
(5)edward k.
Seriously this is some of the best steak I've ever had in my life! In case you don't know, the midwest is known for red meat and this place knows how to prepare it to a tee. My friends and I came here for a special dinner during our visit. For appetizer we got some crab cakes and they were AWESEOME!. Full of crab and clearly fresh. For entrees, we shared the fliet and ribeye on the bone with some creamed spinach and roasted corn. Everything was absolutely amazing and I would come back here in a heart beat. The waiter was very good at helping us order and then also getting the chef to cut up our steaks so that we could share it.
(4)Eileen H.
I've been to Joe's three times in the past year. Each time, I expect that something will let me down--after all, how can Joe's repeatedly deliver the same quality food and service all the time? Well, they did and I'm a happy fan of this establishment and will doubt no more! Stone crab claws are definitely worth it, although be wary that you don't order too many (if that's possible). While they look small, the claw meat is quite dense and filling. Also love their filet and the steak rub--best steak I've had in Chicago in a long time! Definitely try their peppermint ice cream--it is out of this world. My friend loves their pies (she's a pie fanatic), and the one I've tried (seasonal blackberry and peach) was amazing, even though I don't usually like pies. One great thing about Joe's is that you can get half orders of sides and desserts. Each time I've over ordered, the waiter has asked, would you like to make that a half order? Yes, sir! Bring on the drinks, the stone crab claws, steak, sides, and dessert, and I will roll out of Joe's a fulfilled happy camper. Service is consistently great, too--I've gone in sometimes dressed up and sometimes dressed down (right after the second day of the IL bar exam), and had a great time each visit. However, I would recommend Joe's more for the occasional special treat, as it's hard to stomach down the hefty tab on just a regular night!
(5)Kathleen M.
On a normal day, this restaurant is perfect. On the day before Valentine's day when they were swamped, they weren't immediately perfect but they corrected every little glitch. That's why I love this place. That and the food that I eat like it's my last meal on earth. The problem with their food is that it spoils you - Crab Cakes anywhere else are nearly ruined for me. The Stone Crab bisque? Divine! Their Caesar Salad has the lightest dressing I have ever tasted, it's superb. Another problem is that the appetizers etc are so delicious that I can hardly eat my entree if I want room for dessert! I had the Parmesan crusted Flounder and nearly cried when I was so full I couldn't finish it. Did I mention Jennie's potatoes, heaven in a casserole dish? I could however, find a place for a Cappuccino and half slice of chocolate raspberry pie. Even the beverages here are sinfully delicious - Joe's limeade is great and it doesn't even have booze. This is our favorite date restaurant. We save all our Lettuce rewards to come here and it is such a pleasure - fabulous food and service. Ahh, I am still in the Afterglow of the perfect Valentine's lunch.
(5)Irene G.
I've always wanted to try Joe's, so when I got invited to a free roundtable lunch discussion for favorite clients of LEYE, naturally I said YESSS!! :) We dined in a private room called the Boardroom. I gave my input during the presentation but was distracted with how delicious everything was for the majority of the lunch hour. Calamari A+, shrimp A+, and my salmon was as good as salmon gets but better. I wasn't too impressed with the mashed potatoes, however. Service was impeccable! I had to leave before my key lime pie arrived to get back to work (completely forgot I ordered it!), but I can only imagine how super happy it made the person sitting next to me feel!
(4)Lyndsey C.
Can't got wrong here. Great food and service.
(5)Aaron T.
Food: Awesome in every aspect, great Crab, great Shrimp, and a very good Filet, one of my favorites of Chicago. Atmosphere: This place was fairly crowded at our table, however that is really a small inconvenience because it was bearable. Wine list was great as well, including Silver Oak NV, a personal favorite and nice to see on the menu.
(5)Jason E.
Let me preface this review by stating that my wife and I dine out over 100 times a year. With that said, Joe's had the greatest New York strip I've had in three years. I had the sweet potato fries as well, they were excellent. My wife tried the lamb chops and gave them the seal of approval. Service was tremendous, the atmosphere was for the most part par for the course, most people wore appropriate attire but some felt it okay to wear track pants and hats, I would have like to see a bit nicer dress. For desert, I had the key lime pie and it was comparable to that you would get in the Fl Keys. Not too creamy, not too tart. The highlight of the night was the rye Manhattan, it was stellar.
(5)Julia J.
I have an issue with this place. EVERY TIME I make a reservation it doesn't seem to matter. It STILL takes between 45 min to an hour until we sit our tired hungry behinds at our table. This has happened literally EVERY time we have gone there. Of course they offer a seat at their STUFFED bar as a consolation. Thanks guys. How thoughtful. There isn't a comfortable place to wait as there usually aren't actual seats open at the bar. I'm just saying---If waiting for your table is their 'schtick' then they need to make it a more pleasurable experience and provide some seats or something. If you are a girl and like wearing heels, this info is crucial! Sadly, Joe's used to be my husband's favorite steak restaurant. We would go there every year for his birthday. But, after the last time we figured there are just too many amazing steakhouses in Chicago to deal with this kind of reservation drama. So, our relationship with Joe's has fizzled. Now we just wave to the hungry people standing by the bar as we hoof it over to Mastero's. Oh...wait....so you want to know about the food? It's good. The service is great when you actually sit down. They are very friendly and accommodating to special needs and orders. But....so is Mastro's! Do the math.
(5)Elise P.
Best steak I've ever had in my life! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. It's my favorite restaurant in Chicago.
(5)David S.
The food was very good. Not great but very good. The wine list was overpriced. The service was also very good but not exceptional compared to its peers. The ambiance was fine but the temperature inside was far too hot -- so much so that three people in our party were ill. That ruined a $1100 meal, to be honest. All in all? This is a very good restaurant by ordinary standards in most cities. But this is Chicago, and Joe's is certainly not, in my opinion, in the first tier of Chicago restaurants.
(3)Linda H.
The chilean seabass, roasted corn and crab legs and crab cakes were all extraordinarily fresh and amazing. Its hard to get a reservation...likely because the food is unbelievable but if you can grab a spot in the bar area at the last minute you won't even care about not being in the dining room since you'll be so busy enjoying your food. They have great service as well.
(5)Christine H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants, I've been to in Chicago. My husband and I went for the first time in June for our anniversary. We ordered appetizers for starters. I had the colossal lump crab cake and my husband got the Shrimp de Jonghe; both were excellent. For our entrees we both ordered the Surf n' Turf; which included an 8oz filet mignon with a butter poached lobster tail. The steak was cooked to perfection and the lobster tail was absolutely one of the best I've ever had. We also ordered the Jennie's mashed potatoes, they were good as well but we prefer them without the crumble on top, the cheese mixed in the potatoes was a good addition. We knew we would order the Surf n' Turf before we arrived but after looking at the daily specials we decided to order an additional entree to share. We ordered the grilled Alaskan Halibut; we both love seafood but have never had halibut before. Although we have nothing to compare the halibut too, it was super flaky and flavorful and paired well with the rest of our food. Since we ordered so much food, of course we took a doggy bag home. But I still wanted to try the Key Lime pie that everyone was raving about. The key lime pie was great as well and they weren't stingy with the slice that they gave us either. This is my favorite restaurant now, I can't wait to go back!!
(5)Samantha H.
This is definitely a business dinner type of place, not a date place. I have to say, I had high expectations for the steak considering many people have raved about it to me. I was definitely underwhelmed. It wasn't bad, but just average. I do have to say it was prepared perfectly and the medium rare was dead on. But the meat itself was just bland. Nothing special. They wet age all of their meats except the specials, but I'm not sure if this alone would've done it. I think I should've gone with seafood and, when I go back and try it, I will update my review. The stone crab is tasty, but it's a fight to eat. You have to work for that meat! It's meatier than Alaskan King or other types of crab but not a whole lot of meat. They do come pre-cracked though, which is key. The sides were also average. People were raving about the Jennie's potatoes but I found them average. Nothing bad again, just nothing great. At this price point you really have to be outstanding to shine. Now let's talk about what was outstanding: the service. They know they're a business dinner place and when people are expensing they're more liberal on the tip! Tim was our waiter and he was amazing. Honestly some of the best service I've ever had. Their wine list is also very, very good; however they have more than a 100% markup. Not that this is unique to them of course, but whenever I find a restaurant with say a 50% markup it's worth mentioning. The desserts were also excellent. Key lime pie, which I'm not normally a huge fan of, was the star. Service and desserts: outstanding! Steak and sides: average. I will definitely be getting seafood next time and hopefully adding a star!
(3)Melinda C.
I was lucky enough to have been taken here by a vendor (i.e. not my wallet), and thoroughly enjoyed an orgasmicly delicious dinner full of spectacular food and unbelievable service. Having been to their egh sister restaurant in Miami, I was shocked to see the reviews on Yelp on the cab ride over to this place. Appetizer: stone crabs, giant shrimp, king crab (probably the best I've had in my life), served French style. So this means that as food is put in my mouth, more food is put on my plate. Served with delicious dipping sauces (clarified butter, dijonaise, and I think it was key lime sauce for the Madagascar grilled shrimp). Segue: totally luxuriously, I didn't have to get up to wash my hands after pawing through the seafood because they bring a chafing dish that you hold your hands over, and the waitress squeezes lemon and water and gives you a hot steamy towel. Leaves you with that fresh feeling and gets you ready for your main dish. Main course: bone-in ribeye steak. Absolutely delicious but was a pricey $45 and change. I think that Morton's has a better steak, but honestly I couldn't get over the appetizers and focus on the steak solely. It was just overload of goodness. Sides: they had a mushroom macaroni and cheese that unfortunately I did not get to try. Their mashed potatoes were great. But their star were the mushrooms. Honestly I'm not even sure how they made it, but each mushroom was quartered and sauteed in butter then grilled or something. They were honestly the best mushrooms (and therefore side for steak) I have ever had in my entire life. Dessert: as much as I was dying to try something based on what other yelpers have said, I honestly couldn't fit another bite and we were getting kicked out of that room (we had gotten there late). But at a steak joint of this caliber, I don't know when I'll ever have the chance of fitting in dessert. I'm curious to see if this is all normal events for this restaurant, or if this was the 'pull out all the stops for renting the back room' type of thing. I can't wait until I am back in Chicago to eat here again. The only thing bad was their mojito which was kind of 7-uppy but that's really all that I can say.
(5)Angela D.
The joes scallops were good and the service was good. I have had much better king crab for a much lower price elseware. Wine selection also rather limited for this type of restaurant.
(3)Lily R.
I've been dying to try Joe's stone crabs since my last visit to Miami. It didn't end up happening. Enter Chicago! I was so happy to see a Joe's out here so after a long day of shopping, we took the last reservation (10:30pm) and made our way to dinner. Nice atmosphere. Historic, Snazzy, all that jazz. We started with the stone crab claws & chardonnay. A+++ a total must if you visit this restaurant. Next time I visit, I will have an appetizer portion all to myself. Our wine paired perfectly with the crab meat and mustard sauce. We also shared the bone in Filet Mignon. B- as I like my steaks to have a little bit more seasoning. (think ruths chris) They brought us a little side portion of seasoning to add to taste..next time, I'll have them add it when they cook it. Cheesy potatoes were a little dry..I can imagine them being yummy if they were moist. C+ Our waiter was awesome. We weren't in a big wine drinking mood so he let us split a glass of Cab to go with our steaks. Everything went smoothly and we were very happy with dinner. Service here is top notch. Our coat check attendant even mapped our night club destination and helped us find our way!
(4)Alison C.
I had just landed in Chicago on a business trip and needed to find a restaurant close to my hotel, which would serve a great lunch in an atmosphere where I could feel secure dining on my own. Though I was hailing from another big city, I had realized I rarely dined by myself, except in a fast food environment. However, I was traveling on business and deserved something substantial. I read some terrific reviews on Joe's and figured it had to possess a crowded bar scene, perfect for my solo meal. I found my way over the restaurant and was disappointed to find several patrons waiting outside for a table. My frown quickly turned upside down when I remembered that I was only in need of a mere bar stool. I strolled inside and approached the hostess stand to confirm that I was able to seat myself in the busy bar area. My naivete received some odd glances in response, so I scurried away, embarrassed by my true inexperience. I hopped up on a stool and sat myself amongst the other loners. I tried to study their behavior - playing with their cell phones, chatting up the bartender, reading a book. "I can do this!" I told myself. I exchanged pleasantries with the delightful mixologist, Dan, and perused the lengthy menu. I ordered the Seafood Chopped Salad and leaned back to watch the happenings behind the bar. I observed as Dan created Joe's signature Bloody Mary, complete with jumbo shrimp garnish. I took in the tourists, businessmen, and sports on the television, slowly feeling more comfortable. I was offered my own stuffed bread basket to keep my mouth entertained while I awaited my salad. I was soothed by sweet onion rolls, hearty raisin pumpernickel bread, and cheesy toast. My salad quickly arrived, and I was hooked from the first bite. The large platter of tender greens and crisp market vegetables was topped with plump shrimp, tender lobster claw meat, and chunky Alaskan King Crab. The shellfish was some of the freshest I have ever had. The house vinaigrette was light and full of well-balanced seasoning. It was definitely a five-star salad. I sadly completed my meal and settled the affordable bill. Though I did not want to walk away from the few remaining scraps on my plate, I did enjoy a certain pride in my first successful solo fine dining excursion. While the name invokes shutter-worthy images of chain steakhouses, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab far surpasses all others with its fresh ingredients and courteous atmosphere. This multi-location spot is not to be dismissed.
(5)Jim K.
An absolutely wonderful dining experience. Our server, Tim, was the best! I highly recommend Joe's. The food and atmosphere were outstanding.
(5)Anthony G.
Came here for a business trip. I kept hearing about how great it was from my Business Partners who had gone the previous year. Fantastic restaurant. The old school vibe and pictures of the old jazz singers hanging on the wall. It really makes you feel like you may have time traveled back. We showed up without reservations and luckily snagged some seats around the bar area. Very loud around this area, but what do you expect?! Inside the actual dining area, the noise level is much more tolerable. Food and drinks were outstanding. The waitress was very helpful in making sure that all of our steaks were cooked to our liking. Definitely going to be coming back when I am in the windy city again!
(4)B J.
We went to Joe's on an overnight stopover in Chicago on a flight back from Rome to the west coast and decided to try Joe's based on the excellent reviews. Joe's is definitely an old school classic, dimly lit, waiters in classic black bow ties and jackets. Expensive, we knew this prior to coming. I have no problem with pricey restaurants as I've eaten at some of the world's best but you have to be worth it. We had a scallop entree and a mixed seafood grill and the stone crab appetizer. Sadly the seafood was overcooked (calamari was charred and rubbery) on both dishes although the stone crab was good, not great just good. The highlight was pie. We ordered half slices of the peanut butter pie and the hot fudge pie and the waiter was nice enough to bring a complimentary slice of key lime as it is a "must try". Best peanut butter pie I've had in a long time and the key lime pie and hot fudge were good too. I'd go back just for the peanut butter pie...but then again it's a long flight from California! Joe's definitely has some good points and is A-OK but does not come close to 5 stars, with the exception of the pie!
(3)Ashley S.
I was so excited to come here and the food did not disappoint but unfortunately our waiter did. I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance for an anniversary dinner at 10PM which is the earliest I could get for dinner. I ordered joes green salad, for starters which was really good the lettuce was crisp and fresh. For my entree I had the filet and Alaskan king crab legs the date ordered the crab cakes and we shared the mashed potatoes. Every single mouthful of both entrees were delicious! The only reason that I'm not giving this 4 stars is because our waiter for lack of a better word...sucked. Chas H (I only know his name from looking at the bill because he never introduced himself) was not friendly and not helpful. This was our first visit here and after reading the reviews we were expecting great service. It seemed like he just did not want to wait on us. It took about 15 min for him to even come over and let us know that he was our waiter. He would disappear for periods of time throughout the meal. He wasn't rude or mean but when I spend $130 on a meal I want to be treated like a valued customer. If I come back, hopefully ill get to experience some of this great service that other yelpers are talking about.
(3)Katy O.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing, but here I go. - I may have had service as good as this in my life, but never better. Our waiter helped us to make great decisions for a flawless meal and also helped me to wrangle my stone crab meat out of the claw without making me feel like a spaz. - The stone crab claw appetizer is expensive but so delicious. - Best lobster I have ever eaten. - My husband's favorite dessert might be key lime pie. This is the best key lime pie either of us has ever tasted. AMAZING. This is going on my list of all-time favorite restaurants.
(5)Janet E.
We came here for restaurant week and had a great time! Comfortable booth seating, excellent service by Jeff, and the food was delicious! For $22 it was a steal! There were two options on the restaurant week menu and we ordered one of each. Why does it lose a star? Well, there were a couple of accidents during our meal so lots of plates and glass cups breaking. Plus, the Manhattan clam chowder was missing the clams! It was more like vegetable soup. I wonder how the lobster bisque would have been.... Other than that, everything was great! The restaurant was crazy busy, even at around 3pm people were still funneling in to be seated for a meal! For those that missed out, you are in luck because the restaurant extended their restaurant week menu for another week!
(4)JR W.
The food was great - Alaskan King Crab Legs and stone crab claws tasted so fresh and juicy. Dry aged bone in sirloin was probably the best my fiance's ever had, and we both agreed that the key lime pie, from the crust to the texture/flavor of the filling, was hands down the best (free slice for newcomers). Mac 'n cheese might've been the only letdown, wasn't bad, just average. I really liked Gabriel, the server that snapped and snipped the AKCL in front of us - sometimes he'll do 50 a night! I also really liked the other server who squeezed lemon juice and patted hot towels on our hands. The only server I did not like was the main waiter who seemed a little bored. I think his only duty was to recite a few things - other than that I did not see him lift one finger. Valet parking is only 11.99 at Joe's - the surrounding places are about 12-15.
(4)Stacy S.
We were visiting from Chicago and made a reservation for 9 people. The service and food were excellent. Everyone loved their meals: steak, fish and crab. You can't go wrong no matter what you order.
(5)C D.
the best high class seafood dining restaurant in the city. I love the food and the service was excellent!
(5)Dana K.
This is quality seafood. I can't wait to go back. The lobster was absolutely incredible. And it's nice to know the non-seafood fans can get a perfectly cooked and charred steak. Wonderful experience.
(5)X B.
Yummy! Crab claws are yummy, we order the jumbo size ones, must order but PRICEY! I had the bone in filet mignon, cooked to medium rare, it was dry aged. Fantastically well done. So why the four stars? I ordered sauteed spinach and it was toooooooo salty. Key lime pie was a great disappointment. We saw the reviews on yelp and had to get it. It was average. So far, the best tasting one we had was at Morton's steakhouse. Service is excellent! They scraped the table multiple times and asked if they could clear dishes away before doing so. It has better service than Providence.
(4)Timothy L.
The second mortgage was good...but I wish we would have just got more stone crab. Service was incredible. Next time, I will eat in the bar.
(5)Thomas B.
Wonderful place and wonderful atmosphere to share with friends and family. Staff was personable, professional, and efficient. The food was very good and worth the price. The place reminded my of authentic class without trying to be trendy chic.
(5)Katie C.
My family and I loved our experience here. We were running a bit late for a show and told our server, who expedited our entire meal so that we were able to make it on time - super nice of him, and helpful for us. I got the scallops and pork belly and it was awesome. We had quite a mixture of items off the menu among the 7 of us, and everyone was in love w/everything ordered. Would definitely go back!
(5)Lindsey E.
Firstly, we went at 4:30 because it was the only time that was available for reservations. We got seated right away. Our server Frankie was AMAZING!!! Really, we left him a 25% tip because he was so good. Every server in every restaurant needs to take lessons from Frankie. We had never been to a crab house so he explained to us about the history of Joe's in Miami and Las Vegas, as well as all about their menu offerings and specials. I've never tried crab meat cold, but since it was the house specialty we ordered the King Crab legs as an appetizer on Frankie's suggestion. WOW!! How awesome! Plus the mustard sauce was the BEST! From the time we ordered til we got our main course was literally only 15 minutes! And everything came in the right order (bread, appetizer, meal) My husband had the New York Strip and I had Mahi-Mahi. It's been a LONG time since I've had good Mahi (I mean like 7 years ago in Hawaii long time). But this was spot on! My husband's NYS was cooked perfectly. We split a side of Jenny's Mashed Potatos. Which were hopped up on cheese (great!). As an added surprise since we were from out of town and it was our first visit Frankie gave us a complimentary piece of Key Lime Pie. It was TO DIE FOR!!! Just as Key Lime should be - light yellow in color and not too tart. What a perfect ending to a perfect meal! I HIGHLY recommend Joe's as a romantic evening. Only one note - if you have small children under say...10 years old - just go somewhere else. I'd like to have a nice dinner with my husband without children in the restuarant. I personally wouldn't take my own children out of respect for the other patrons For a $100 check without gratuity I don't really want to hear your kids talking anywhere near my earshot.
(5)Alex V.
My first time at Joe's, and I walked away very impressed. I started off the 2nd mortgage seafood appetizer selection, which was insanely fresh. My main course was their standard 12oz filet, which was cooked to perfection. The outside of the steak was crisp, but not charred, while inside was like butter. The sides were amazing as well, but my peanut butter pie desert was the most memorable item. The service was outstanding, and I really enjoyed the ambiance. The place was upscale without being pretentious or stuffy. The pricing was also reasonable considering the quality of the fare.
(5)Nancy D.
Went here for the first time for the fiance's birthday about a year ago. very fancy shmancy, but well worth it. I was so impressed with everything that I tried lobster, crab, and shrimp for the first time! For my budget, it's a once-a-year place, but definitely worthy it.
(5)Liang H.
This place is amazing. This was a treat and I got the 20 oz bone in ribeye, while my dinner companion got the 16 oz bone in filet mignon, we shared the onion straws and steak fries sides, and for dessert I had coconut cream pie while they had the key lime pie. My 20 oz bone in ribeye came with a beautiful crust, cooked perfectly medium, juicy, with a generous amount of fat marbling.. Yum. I ate the entire thing in one sitting. The companion said the filet mignon was good, and the sides were plentiful for two people. Tip: Get a half order of the onion straws, a full order is giant and the half order could easily feed three people. The coconut cream pie was made with fresh whipped cream and was very decadent. I tried a bite of my companion's key lime pie and it was perfectly tart, with fresh lime flavor, a nice crust, and tasted quite refreshing. There is a complimentary bread basket with an assortment of goods, like onion bread, sesame parmesan wafers, and sweet raisin biscotti- like crisp bread. Yum. This restaurant is very expensive, but the food quality and service is top notch. During our one hour stay here, my water glass was filled about eight times, such that every few sips I took, it was refilled. Very fast and efficient service also, we waited maybe ten minutes for our steaks.
(5)Gabriela M.
Food is great. The Whiskey Smash @nd Havana Dream Pie are a must! New on their menu... Seared Sea Scalops are amazing!
(4)Tom G.
Having their bone in filet has ruined me. No steak will ever compare.
(5)Kristina K.
Solid service and solid food. A lot of people ask what they should do with their Lettuce gift card and more often than not, Chicagoans will recommend Joe's Seafood. I don't know why I was surprised by this, but surprisingly, their fillet mignon was flawlessly executed. I thought it was one of those places that tacked on "Prime Steak" to their name even though, they were only good at seafood. Joe's is not the case; they make excellent seafood and flawless steak. I don't know what's the big deal about stone crabs, maybe I need to have more to understand the rave. Don't worry if you're in shorts. Summers in Chicago can be a scorcher. Because Joe's is approximately close to over 7 hotels, they waitstaff accommodates a lot of tourists and understandably those in shorts. Often they seat the less formal diners upstairs, above the bar/entry.
(4)Chase D.
Scallops & Pork Belly were something special. I've worked in the restaurant business for 10 yrs. and these little gems brought me to my knees.
(5)Char Y.
We came for lunch on a week day for restaurant week, and were seated immediately. The restaurant itself was super crowded for lunch and we ordered lobster bisque - ok, unremarkable. Manhattan clam chowder - we were confused because it tasted like vegetable food with little bits of clams. 4 stone crab claws - ok, they are sweet but i don't get what they are so expensive steak - yum. very well seasoned. key lime pie - i never had so many key lime pies in my life within 1 week, but this is just ok. Not tart enough nor big enough. boston cream pie - very good. loved the banana pieces inside. Our server, Monique, was good, until the dessert round. We were lost in the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, and we waited 20 minutes for dessert!
(3)Amaris B.
One of the best meals I've had in downtown Chicago. The chops were delicious and cooked properly and the stone crab was to die for. Not to mention the PIE!! Homemade deliciousness, they're famous for it. The sides are all shared and some of them were good, the vegetables were kind of lacking and I didn't much care for the salad. What really stood out for me is the service. Our server was sensational. She helped us with everything, wine pairings and how much to order for our party (since the sides are all separate and family style). It was also a birthday celebration so they were extra accommodating!!! When we arrived for our 8:30 reservation they were a little overbooked. But the manager, Ryan, came right over and explained to us the situation and asked if we'd be willing to wait another half an hour or so. He offered a round of drinks if we were willing to wait. Right then and there he took our drink orders (all 10 of us) and brought out the drinks himself since he couldn't get a cocktail server right away. And if that wasn't reward enough, we had appetizers awaiting us at the table along with desert all comped by Joe's for our troubles. I can't wait to go! This place is definitely a spot to visit at least twice a year if you like dining out! Valet is worth it and cheap, only $12 bucks. If you got it, Valet it.
(5)Kelly S.
Any place that's good enough for Hugh Hefner is good enough for me. ... he dined three tables away from me when I was here. I enjoyed a meal here after a long day with very important people from the company I work for (no, not Playboy). I am going to get this part out of the way... the ONLY downside to my experience here was the service. It was rushed, impersonal, and felt contrived. They are focused on turning tables as quickly as possible (while attempting to make the guests feel like they are having a nice, leisurely dinner). Okay. Negative aspect done. The food. OHHHHHH the food. - Of course we had the crab. Cold. Because the chef recommends it that way to best enhance the flavor. - Petite fillet. That I cut with my BUTTER knife. Melted in my mouth. - Bacon wrapped scallops. BIG ones. Three of them. A very sweet dish. - Mac n cheese. This aint Kraft. Brown and crunchy on top, oooey goeey inside. - Creamed spinach. - Onion strings. - and perfectly blanched broccoli with lemon. This Joe's has an old worldy feel that takes you back to a time when business men would take long lunches, enjoy a few cocktails, make plans to knock off their neighbor, and return to work at city hall. It's warm and seductive. It's mature and structured. It's Heff's choice. I could have lingered over my pino noir a lot longer... had the next reservation not been waiting for my table.
(4)Arleen E.
We have pretty much tried most varieties of crab, however, we've never had stone crab. We tried to walk in at 5pm on Monday thinking the restaurant would be able to accommodate a small party of three. Well, the earliest they could do was 9:30 pm so we opted for a Wednesday night reservation instead. Love the interiors of this Chicago restaurant. The bar, host stand, coat check/reservations counter are all located as you walk in. Lots of details, dark wood, leather, wrought iron chandeliers, tile ceilings - love it! The dining room is huge - again lots of the same details. Black and white photos from the 30s through 50s (?) adorn the walls. The atmosphere is vibrant and loud - like a huge family gathering. Plates and platters find their way through the dining room giving you a peek of what looks good. The service is impeccable and spot on. I cannot find one thing to complain about. Now for the food... first bad news - no Stone Crab. Bummer. So we went ahead and ordered Calamari and Oysters Rockefeller to start. Both were very good. Calamari was nicely seasoned and fried. I ordered the 16oz Rib Eye medium rare with 3 sides to share - Crispy Onion Strings, Green Beans Amandine and Roasted Sweet Corn. My steak came to the table medium (instead of medium rare). Our server apologized and tookit back. The second one was delivered by the manager who asked me to cut through the center - medium plus. Oh dear. This time, more apologies and a round of desserts were offered with their compliments. They did ask me if there was something they could offer for the overdone steaks... Ah, Stone Crab, perhaps? :-) It would usually upset me when this happens, but the dining experience other than the entree was pretty amazing. The staff seemed very sincere and extremely apologetic that I didn't mind at all. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the windy city. Maybe they'll have Stone Crab next time!
(4)Saira K.
The Havana Dream Pie was warmth and comfort in otherwise cold, dreary, gray Chicago (memories of the Monster Storm).
(5)A. N.
They have a great lunch menu that combines some of the restaurant's highlights like key lime pie and the crab claws. I got the crab bisque, which I highly recommend! It was creamy and delicious. My sister got the peanut butter pie for dessert, which was rather heavy so I would only suggest that if you are in the mood for rich, heavy food! They make the cole slaw at the table. I'm not a fan of cole slaw, but I appreciated that this was very fresh. The small sides are large enough to share. We tried the (au gratin?) potatoes, which were yummy but had difficultly competing with the claws! Our waitress was helpful and the atmosphere is upscale and refined.
(4)M. F.
Amazing food, pretty pricey, but worth it if you're willing to splurge. SUPER loud, crowded and crazy, but, fortunately I was in a private party in a quiet backroom. I had the stuffed mushrooms, calamari, shrimp de jonghe, petite filet, mashed potatoes, and a boston cream pie for dessert. wha-whaaaaat??? Yeah, I lived it up. What's up?
(5)Nicole M.
***Restaurant week*** Tried both options Crab was good and done to perfection taste wise, but too difficult to eat bc so small. The hash browns were really just a huge lump of flavorless dry potatoes browned on each side. The cole slaw was okay, but comes unmixed. The server didn't tell us anything about the food until we asked, they just threw it on the table and left. However the cheesy mashed potatoes were creamy and well seasoned...yum! The grilled tomato was surprisingly delicious. I am not a fan of tomatoes, but Joe's really perfected this dish! The filet lived up to the expectations of a typical steakhouse, no complaints there. Only tried the banana cream pie for dessert. Wow! It was very good but what was more impressive was the very generous portion. I could have just ate pie for dinner. Very diverse wine list as well. Should meet every budget and taste. Atmosphere was kind of plain, too bright, and way too loud! Next time I'll request a booth. Overall - food 4 stars, portions 5 stars, Service 3.5 stars, atmosphere 3 stars. This was our first time there and the verdict is we'd go back.
(4)louis t.
Ohh Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. How I love thee... One of THE BEST steak, seafood, creamed spinach, and nummy nums (dessert). Classy, tasteful, and extraordinary service. I come here every time I'm in town. As well as Miami's location, of course.
(5)lynda r.
Went to Joes and our meals are always the best from the steaks to the seafood, they tried different vegetables and they had a broccoli/cauliflower combination which was terrible, had a burnt flavor ,it was terrible,with the best food in town, they have to take this dish off the menu!!!
(5)Chris C.
One of my top five places to eat in the downtown Chicago area. When I was working all the time, one of the benefits was food that was paid for and delivered by a place like DiningIn. Working on the weekend, we'd get about a $50 daily allowance for food. And if some people in the group weren't working that weekend, it was practice to include them in our food budget. Whenever DiningIn added Joe's and I could scrounge up a $200 budget, I'd make sure to order a feast for the (now ex-) girlfriend and I from Joe's. Even delivered, the food is phenomenal. I highly recommend the stone crab (best in late summer / early fall for some reason) in a size larger than their smallest offering (too much shell removal work for those small crabs). One time I splurged on the bone-in filet and it was the 2nd best bone-in filet I've ever had (David Burke's Primehouse is still better). Desserts here are unreal as well. The apple pie is huge and delicious. The peanut butter pie doesn't fail, either. They have a very diverse menu that will likely be able to satisfy a large party with different tastes.
(5)Silvia J.
I was finally able to get a reservation. There was an opening for Easter brunch, and since it was my birthday and I always wanted to try this place out, I booked it. Boy! Now I know why they are constantly highly rated! It has been a very long time where BOTH the food AND the service were excellent. The stone crab was sweet like the sea it came from which indicates that it is very fresh. The key lime pie was exactly the way it is in Florida (I am very discerning with my key lime pie having eaten it there when my Sister lived in Miami). Our server was extremely personable. He was genuine and even had a sense of humor. Definitely not pretentious. Even though this is a high end restaurant, I never felt snubbed nor restricted. It was a very positive and relaxing environment. I will definitely be back at Joe's!
(5)Sam R.
I went to Joe's three times in three days while in Chicago. It's that good! Make sure you get the stone crab lunch special. Highlights includes or $28, you get a sampling of stone crab, soup, cole slaw, potatoes and key lime pie. The bone in filet is the best filet in the country and save room for the key lime pie.
(5)Timothy M.
I am a former Lettuce employee and this place still doesn't disappoint. Went for a quiet lunch. Oysters were great. Stone crab soup great. Seafood platter was the only disappointing part of the meal. Cod was dry. Scallops were not seared properly. Service was good. Our waiter was attentive but seemed to be a bit confused with the menu and offered little help with our wine selection. I will return of course.
(3)Victoria R.
Well we're not in Miami... but it tastes just as good! Stone crabs, fried green tomatoes, hash browns, key lime pie... you just can't go wrong with Joe's. Went on Sunday with my family, had great corner both and great service. Certainly look forward to going again.
(4)Becca S.
I love Joe's and can't say anything bad about it. I've been several times. The service is impeccable, the food is delicious, and I don't mind having to wait because to me it's another sign it's so good. However... I went Monday night for my Uncle's birthday. We had a reservation for 4 people at 7:30 and didn't get seated until almost 9:00 PM. I thought this was a little extreme, even for Joe's. The dining room was full of tables of men in suits, so perhaps they were all business meetings that ran long. Joe's comped our appetizers and dessert, and I know the extreme wait is not commonplace but I still ended up not getting home until after 11 PM on a Monday! Past my bedtime. The first several times I went I got the glazed black cod. I tried it once on a recommendation and it was so good it's all I ever ordered. Apparently cod is becoming harder to come by (??) so they no longer offer my favorite entree. I had the Chilean sea bass with a miso glaze which was quite delicious, but I will miss my cod!
(4)Leslie P.
Although I hesitate to choose the best place for steak in Chicago, this may be it. You can't go wrong, but the bone-in filet is absolutely amazing. The seafood is wonderful too, if you're not a red meater (crab legs, crab legs, crab legs!). This is place is expensive, but I don't feel bad about it after having a meal like that. I have been a few times over the past couple of years or so, and it's always perfection.
(5)Brian S.
Another 5 star review for Joe's!! *Please* don't confuse it with Joe's Crab Shack. I just got back from lunch at Joe's a few minutes ago; it was probably my 5th or 6th time there, once for dinner and the rest for lunch. It was, as always, fantastic. I've had fair to poor experiences at other restaurants in the same stratum, but Joe's is batting 1.000 thus far. In fact, I've neither been disappointed in a single menu item nor the service each time I've dined there. The stone crab claws are good, par for the course. The mustard sauce that accompanies the claws set them apart. I don't even care much for most mustards, but this sauce is fantastic. The steaks are upper-echelon and are comparable to any of the usual suspects for "best steak in Chicago". I've had the King Crab legs and lobster tail once each and each item was fantastic. A few more things: - The menu is a la carte, as opposed to table d'hote/prix fixe. If you are price-sensitive, be careful what you order - The sides are large and meant to be shared almost like tapas. If you were to order an entree and two sides, it'd be too much. - The atmosphere is "Rat-Packish" and the crowd is a little more mature than you might find at some other places. Don't be surprised if you hear the Chairman of the Board crooning over the sound system. - Get a reservation. - This is definitely not fast food. If you have something planned afterward, such as an opera or a movie, plan for 2-3 hours spent in the restaurant.
(5)Joe M.
Delicious! They crack the crab legs open for you so you can eat them cleanly. All the sides were good. Top of the line!
(5)Chris R.
OK, so you all know about the Stone Crab Claws...or at least I'd hope so.....but here is where it's really at....Crab Bisque; the friend chicken (order an entree as an app for the table); King Crab Legs (cut tableside...no mess!!!), and Apple Pie. The steaks are very good too, but that's not why you go to Joe's it's all about the crab and friend chicken!
(5)Jacob A.
David Major at Joe's Seafood offers the best service paired with best food. Most attentive, friendly first class service. Thanks David for making it an awesome first visit! We'll be back soon. (Extra: David said he went to school with Michelle Obama.)
(5)Peter S.
The food and service were outstanding once again. Our captain Oz S guided us through the evening to a perfect voyage, A perfect way to celebrate a special birthday. Try thr crab legs and the oysters rockefeller.
(5)Kathryn T.
Go to Joe's, sit at the bar and order a martini. And NOT one of those fruity ones! A classic martini, maybe a little dirty. Go ahead, order a second martini; you put in a hard day of work. For dinner, start off with the stone crab, and then order your favorite cut of steak and a side of fried green tomatoes. Don't forget a robust red wine to go with the steak. You're stuffed. But what the hell, order dessert. After all, Joe's specializes in amazing pie and the Boston cream pie is delicious. And that, my friends, is how you dine on a corporate credit card.
(4)Emily C.
What a great find! I ordered the Madagascar shrimps and they were incredibly juicy and had the perfect level of firmness. The buttery dipping sauce and zesty lemon made for a great blend of flavors. I tried the bacon wrapped scallop dish as well and it was pretty decent. However, the shrimps definitely surpassed the scallops. Macaroni and cheese was pretty good as well. Loved the crunchy grated cheese sprinkles on top.
(4)marc r.
The food is good, the service is good. Its just the type of people that go there. Its a little stuffy for my taste, and the price did not match the experience. One weird thing that happened, though, is that after my girlfriend and I ordered our drinks and food, we noticed that the couple two tables down ordered the exact same thing before us! Ha!
(3)Donna S.
Joe's is consistently PHENOMENAL! We had eaten at the one in Vegas quite a few times and enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere. Tried the one in Chicago and it was just as perfect! If you're in Chicago in January try their Butterscotch pie. They only have it in January!
(5)Amy H.
THE BEST CRAB LEGS EVER!!! I dined here on the company dime. We went all out that night ordering seafood platters, steaks, and wine galore!! I couldn't believe how much I ate that night! Everything was fantabulous! The crab legs were the best part of the meal for me. So incredibly fresh that I thought I might see a little crab on crutches hobble out of the kitchen.
(5)Melissa K.
I think Joe's has excellent food each time I go there but that's not why they get my five stars. I experienced what I felt to be a service irregularity (not bad, mind you, just different than what I'd expected) when I was there a couple weeks ago and after a few days decided to write them an email through their corporate website, expecting to get some form email back. When I say their response was immediate, I'm talking Superman swift. Not only did I get a phone call right away from the general manager (which I missed and got a very nice voice mail), I got a follow up email, an invitation to him call back any time and a better explain of what happened and during the call got my issue shored up. I had a great conversation with the manager Eric and have so much more respect for the operation they run just by way of how they handled my problem. I'll be returning not just for the food, but also due to their total appreciation for their customers.
(5)Beverly W.
We were in town for Steve Martin @ the Chicago Theatre. We stayed over night and we always go to Joe's. At this time Copper River salmon in key lime butter is in season. I cannot describe in words how WONDERFUL this entrée is. Not only for the health benefits, this is like eating the perfect candy. The salmon is so red and is cooked as close to rare. The flavor is perfect. The roasted corn is another wonderful choice. We order a large portion for the 2 of us and we eat that like it was candy. The service is always great. We came back the next day for lunch and I had the exact meal. Again unbelievable. Join the Let Us Entertain you club. We received a promotion with scratch off to get double or triple points to get dollars posted to your card. It is well worth it. Don't forget the KEY LIME PIE to complete your meal.
(5)Lisa T.
Try the key lime martini!
(5)