Bettina S.

I've eaten dinner at McCormick and Schmick's before and it's a bit expensive, happy hour is a great deal. When the weather is nice, you can sit on their patio which overlooks the river, and boasts great people watching. My server was either distracted, or in need of more training, or in need of more help and was kinda rude. It really surprised me because the service is typically great. But to be honest, he brought us everything we asked for, and rang the check correctly, so I wasn't complaining too much. I had wine, but some of the people in my party who ordered the happy hour specialty drinks said the drinks were watered down. Despite all this, I think it's an okay place for a glass of wine after work and an appetizer.

Mironda R.

This review is based ENTIRELY on the HH Menu and not really the service, lol. Is that bad?! Oh well. Love MS's options for food. It's a great way to nibble or even get food. Keep in mind, EVERYONE knows this and you need to make sure you have someone holding down the fort until you can drag yourself over after a hard day of work, lol. As far as service, I sat at the only seat at the bar and the service was pitiful. Not sure if they were understaffed or overworked, but geez luiz.. Can I get a glass of wine SOMETIME in the next 20 minutes? It worked out because the patron next to me was a hoot and helped pass the time. I'll try it again and update as appropriate. In the interim, would that deter me from coming back.. absolutely not. But if I got the same kind of specials elsewhere with good service.. I am G O N E!

Troy H.

My folks were in town, and they wanted fish. Glenn's Diner is embroiled in backstabbing stupidity, Davis St Fishmarket too far...and on a suggestion, we went here. They loved it. Dad had steelhead trout, Mom the Sizzling Salmon. Our waiter Jesus was able and ready to handle our requests and questions. We ate, drank, and made merry. I'll be back.

Alfreda D.

Great happy hour specials 3:30-6:30pm M-F! Food options priced between $2.95 and $5.95... I mean serious, how can you beat that?! I usually just come for the drink specials but during my last visit I realized that I keep cheating myself out of a great deal so I tried the Cajun Burger for a whopping $3.95! This wasn't a mini slider or something like that... it was a full sized burger WITH fries. It was pretty good too. They have a few $6 wines, $7 cocktails and $9 martinis on the happy hour menu as well so overall it's a nice spot to pop into after work especially on a Friday in the summer if you get off work early.

Sean C.

I got the Steak & Lobster combo. The steak was uncooked, raw on the inside even though I ordered it medium rare. A lot of salt but it still tasted good. Lobster was almost inedible, way way too much salt. My colleague ordered the Filet Mignon and was notified by the waitress 20 minutes afterwards that they no longer had that available. The waitress was not apologetic at all. Just looked at him impatiently after saying 'we're out of the filet mignon.' Very small, tightly packed location but nice overall atmosphere.

Craig E.

Took some customers out for dinner. Everyone was very impressed with the atmosphere, service and product. The food was excellent!

Eames E.

I ventured to sleepy Columbus to see "Sleepy" Dave Attell at the sleepy Easton mall which I may be describing as such due just to the military level of zolpidem I was being prescribed at the time but nonetheless it was at night if that helps. I ordered a decanter of their freshest water after perusing the wine menu and when asked about dinner I ordered the Swordfish Casino ($35) after seeing my family's typical disdain for my dislike of food so I relented. The swordfish casino was excellent and decadent and was artfully cut to look like the new Columbus Hollywood Casino replete with little drunks and broken gamblers made out of pimento which I found a bit garish and unnecessary but food isn't really my thing anyway. I took a bite of the potatoes and got directly to what anyone cares about: the water, agua, aqua, skycum. The water here was carbonated and hoppy and much more filling than most other waters I've had, I felt strangely addicted to it and finished quickly only to order another. After about 7 or 8 waters I lost some equilibrium and began to find other men, women, and animals more attractive than normal which is especially unusual since im a two-spirit asexual. i decided to get a large jug of the water to bring with me to the show but I was told I had enough, which is unusual since I've never been told I've had enough water before but hey they were also serving the water in brown bottles with caps so I guess this place has a lot of unusual practicies. Unfortunately, despite it's great taste I cannot recommend the water here because it made me sick that night as I spewed my delicious swordfish casino onto the ungrateful, unwashed, cackling masses in front of me at the show who looked like none of them had seen so much as a $5000 bill before. However, I'm still awarding 5 stars for the artful construction of my swordfish casino, a beautiful marriage of excess and gluttony.

Eileen W.

The food was average and not that great. Somehow they put one piece of chicken in with two of our parties meals. Then our waiter was not very apologetic and His service was not good. We could not get even a refill on an iced tea. The restaurant was not busy, we were not a loud group and i expected better. I did like the ambience, decor and location of the restaurant. But, I would most likely not go back.

Alex R.

I'd say the average rating is fair. The food was pretty good, but not fantastic. The service was below average. We walked in to make a reservation, and we waited while people stood and spoke behind the bar, finished their conversation and then walked up to ask if we needed anything. Long story short, the person helping us didn't know how to work the system in order to make a reservation, and instead of saying so, she chose to scream...i repeat, scream to her coworker in frustration, before storming off to find help...... It's a good place for a client lunch because the noise level is decent, but expect to be longer than an hour.

Bennett S.

Decent food....You cant go wrong with the crab stuffed salmon or the palm beach mahi mahi. Both dishes the fish was cooked very well. The fish and chips were o just heavy on the breading and not enough tartar sauce. Service was sub par given we were one of only tables left and it took about 40 minutes to get our food. All in all not bad, just appropriately set your expectations.

Yan N.

Came here becasue I was staying at the hotel across the street. Good location but mediocre food. Beef carpaccio and stuffed salmon were not that great, very bland, I have had better.

Ashley S.

DONT GO HERE! I went here with 3 of my coworkers one day for happy hour. We each had 4 drinks. However, when our bill came, I was charged for 6 glasses of wine! I am 110 pounds, it is impossible for me to drink 6 glass of wine and still be coherent, but apparently, to the manager, the waitress could do no wrong. Unless you wait to pay $60 for 4 glasses of wine during happy hour...avoid this place at all cost. Terrible customer service.

Jessica N.

My feelings about this place have gone up and down. When it first opened up it was solid seafood, reasonable prices - a solid place for a business lunch. At times the food has gone done. Strange lunch specials...fish tacos that were so-so, oversalted soups. On my latest trip I feel like it's back on the way up. Lobster cobb salad good, sashimi tuna app was tasty too but the portion sizes are now going downwards. I'll need to come back again to try a few more items before I can put it back at a 4-star status. Either way, they have pretty quick service so ti does make it a good go-to in the middle of the day.

Tim L.

I have been to several McCormick & Schmick's around the country, but had never been to any of the Chicago locations til now. Our server warned us before we ordered that this was his first night, so I guess take that into account for this review. Our appetizer was very late, and he said the kitchen got confused and thought we wanted it with our meal. Of course we did. My meal was a 6 oz filet, ordered medium rare. The steak that came was charred on the outside. I asked the waiter to wait while I cut into the steak and when I did, I told him it was def at least medium if not more. I told him I would try it, but to come back because I was not optimistic i would like it. He said he would come back in a few minutes. That was the last we saw of him until he came back to find out if we wanted dessert. Irrespective of the steak that was only half eaten, and the empty drink glasses, he decided not to come back and check at all. Total fail on both the kitchen AND wait staff. Based on this visit, I would say this was the most overpriced meal I have had in a long time. I would NOT recommend this location.

Ms K.

Ok, McCormick & Schmick's is a chain restaurant, but you'd never know from the quality of food and service provided. We ordered crab dip, shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, king crab claws, and a center cut filet mignon. We should have stopped at the crab dip. It was absolutely delicious, but the serving was huge. It wasn't finished, Boyfriend loved the bisque and we shared the amazing shrimp cocktail. Our mains were fantastic as well. My filet was a perfect medium and his crab claws were fresh and well chilled. There wasn't room for dessert. Our waiter was attentive and friendly and not overbearing.

ning j.

I've been to McCormick & Schmick at other locations but unfortunately this particular one just did not live up to my standards. The service was good, but quite slow even though the restaurant was maybe 1/3 full. But it was the food that left me quite disappointed. All I can say is that the food was pretty bad. The starters such as the shrimp bisque, walnut salad, and calamari were adequate. However, after the appetizers, the meal started to go downhill. The almond crusted trout entree was bland and the rice accompaniment had a weird combination of vegetables inside. We also had the shrimp scampi, which was definitely off. The flavor was extremely sour, my husband said it tasted like it had gone bad! The manager came over and kindly offered me another entree in replacement, but I felt like the food in general was just no good here and we were running short on time because of the slow service. Luckily the creme brulee was alright, but it's pretty hard to mess that up. I felt like it was a waste of $100 and calories. If you're looking for delicious consistent steak and seafood, I would highly recommend that you spend your money at Joe's Seafood.

rebecca k.

I've never reviewed before but my expierence this evening put me over the edge. This is the 2nd time we have been to this location and now I remember why we hadn't been back in so long. The service is horrible. We waited an hour until we finally got our food. Then when we did, my husband's was cold and my mahi mahi was meaty and extremely salty. Our server was never around and when she was it was all about what an awful time she was having that night. Never ever will we be back and we will steer all friends and business associates far away from this place.

Evan S.

Check out the happy hour menu. It's the only experience I've had at M&S, but here are the high level details: M-F 3:30 to 6:30 1. A GREAT range of items (nachos, sliders, mussels, tuna salad, pita/hummus, etc) for under $5 2. An OK range of drinks/cocktails, but nothing too exciting (FYI: you'll pay a $3.50 beverage fee just for sitting, so there's not point in not drinking) 3. Foursquare: check in and you get a free appetizer per table. I had the tuna salad sliders, that came with a side of mixed greens. It was a nice, light meal for a happy hour. Sit outside when the weather's nice. Happy dining, Evan

Elyse C.

I guess I have been spoiled recently since chain resturants are not my favorite anymore. This location was not crowded at all for a saturday at lunch, which was nice cause we had somewhere to be later. We started out with two bloody marys we had a rough night before...they were good, but I really look for ones that do somthing different and it was just plain. The shrimp cocktail was good and I really liked their cocktail sauce, the fish tacos i had for lunch were slightly fishy. All in all I probably wouldnt go back, theres tons of other places in the area far better.

Jeff S.

I had the Sea Bass and shared a filet with a friend. Both of these were tremendous. Very slow service. Nice water who was apologetic about taking so long. The side dishes including the mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus were not very good.

Esther A.

Astonishingly terrible service, from top to bottom. We had a reservation for lunch, but cooled our heels at the front desk, with no explanation, for quite a while before we were seated by a hostess who seemed put out by our presence. Our waitress disappeared after taking our drink order, and then left us sitting with our menus for fifteen minutes before she reappeared to take our food order. Empty, dirty dishes sat on the table without being cleared between courses. We had to ask for bread halfway through the meal. Our drinks were never re-filled. A long wait for entrees ended in some of them coming to the table cold. We finally had to flag our waitress and ask for the check, after sitting for another fifteen minutes after our meal was over. All in all, lunch took an hour and a half, which I could have forgiven if they'd been slammed, but they really weren't. Maybe a delicious meal would have put us in a better frame of mind about the service, but the food was also underwhelming. The creamed spinach was the highlight, but the tuna in my nicoise salad was bland and mushy. As we left, the hostess stared moodily out the front windows, and did not acknowledge us at all. Pretty much summed up the McCormick & Schmick's experience for me.

Rob W.

Went to M&S today with two friends for lunch. All in all, pretty good, here's the details: Food: Of the orders we had, I felt that mine was the lesser of the three. I had whitefish that was served over spaghetti squash in a tomato broth. The portion was kind of small and when they served it, it was skin side up, which I thought was unusual. The taste was good, though maybe a touch overcooked. The other two entrees were almond encrusted brook trout and grilled salmon in salad greens - both my friends were very satisfied. Service: Really good. The waiter was prompt, the service was timely and the manager stopped by to see how we were and even poured some water for us once. Seating was immediate when we arrived around noon. Overall, I would definitely return to this M&S again.

James K.

Great location, Nice servers, Excellent Food We had a party with other families and this was first time to visit this restaurant and better than expected. It was very nice and cozy even though it is little close witb other tables as it is normal in downtown Chicago. The server was very timing and it was good because he was not over or under but perfect for the service. Food is great. I should have tried more seafood than steak but steak was good. I would recommend not to order fillet minong if you are big eat. It was so good but not a big amount. My friend told me tuna was very good and I would like to recommend seafood or combo menu. We had really good time and hope you to enjoy your time in this restaurant if you are looking for a restaurant for families, friends, or a couple. Please check the price range before making reservation to make sure that the price range is within your budget.

Anne T.

Went with my mother in law and husband. They had lobster and steak , I had the entree with salmon shrimp and scallops. I was very satisfied with service and food.

Alisa M.

Came here super early before catching a free screening at the AMC river east theater. We came here because catch 25 didn't open until 5pm and we were in a hurry so we walked into this place to try their 3 course menu for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered the salad, sizzling salmon with asian black pepper sauce and the apple pie for dessert. I ordered the clam chowder soup, sizzling salmon with mushroom truffle broth, and creme brulee. The food and service was good so that's why I bumped it up to a 4 star. The food was good, but nothing special or over the top. I don't have any complaints. The portions were reasonable and I even had leftovers. I would definitely come back to try other things on their menu in the future.

Raquel D.

I LOVE the outdoor patio and downtown location with reasonable prices. Sadly, I didn't love my meal. I got the lemon-butter sole with capers at this specialty seafood place and it was meh - mushy, salty and absolutely not lemony enough. I could do better - correction, I have done better. I bathe in lemon butter capers. BUT, i loved the hubs' kobe burger and fries. LOVED. It was damn good and I almost felt bad for mooching as much as I did. almost. And our waiter was sorta snootie patootie - I mean, he serviced our table and all, but had his nose up in the air the whole time and did not do anything in a timely manner nor have any sort of personality. HeMaybe it's b/c we look younger than the rest of the clientele? but still, don't judge a book by it's cover, buddy. And even if we are/were, proper service need not discriminate (esp since you're a CHAIN!). I'm sure our tip was more in line with your expectations than others. But I will be back - I love the patio and burger - maybe I'll check out the other locations first.

Dan S.

This was perfectly fine restaurant but if you're visiting the city you could do so much better. Went with a group this week and service was strangely uneven. The waiter was certainly eager and one of those steakhouse types who is almost overly familiar. And yet, for a meal where no one ordered dessert and barely an appetizer, it took 2 hours. Oh, and my dish came out lukewarm. Dinner companions enjoyed their dishes but no one was raving about it. It was one of those meals that you think is ok but is soon forgettable afterwards. (The Brussell Sprouts are an exception; deliciously prepared as a side dish). I was hoping for me. We got less.

Van L.

happy hour is the only way to go. -the menu changes, but you can essentially get a burger & fries for $4. (it's just a normal burger, nothing great nothing bad), fish tacos, mussels, and other options for under $6 too. -some locations do $1 oysters sometimes, so make sure to check/ask! -they get you on drinks though, beware! -service is hit and miss -you have to watch like a hawk for a table, people get mean over this ! it's a solid chain - i do love other locations more than this one, but it is what it is. the vibe is older, business people. (especially for dinner) - and sometimes a few dates, and tourists who don't know better. happy hour is more relaxed and truly affordable for all. i'd avoid it for dinner, there are better steaks and seafood dishes around for the same price.

Janet E.

I thought I would come here for the seafood. But the restaurant week menu did not really have what I wanted except for the fried chicken. So we ended up both getting the fried chicken which came with couscous, veggies and gravy. The fried chicken was perfect with a thin crispy crust and the chicken was still moist. The couscous was not anything we've had before. It was soft and round (like little balls). It was really good. The gravy was really good too but there was not a large enough serving of it to eat my chicken. To start the meal off, I had the clam chowder which was jam packed with clams and potatoes. One of the best clam chowders that I've had! Service was very good and attentive. Frank did an excellent job getting us in and out in time.

Allie O.

McCormick & Schmicks: Seafood & Steakhouse By Allie Ontiveros This is a one of a kind restaurant in Chicago that will not let you down. The entire atmosphere was very relaxing and is defiantly the place to unwind after a long day at work. It has a nice 'vintage charm' to it with excellent lighting to go along with it. I was very pleased with the upbeat music and fast service. The lobster bisque was very delicious. Moreover, when the waiter brought out my dish, the lobster was placed in the center of the bowl and the waiter poured the rest of the bisque into the bowl. Also, the pasta was very well made. Furthermore, the flavors of the pesto and the salmon with the pasta blended beautifully. Overall, the layout of the menu was nicely done. Although, I didn't like the typeface that was chosen for the main heading on the menu. The rest of the typeface on the menu was nicely chosen, but I would've liked to see more color.

Doug B.

Food very good. Salmon and Mahi Mahi we had was very nice. Service: Meh...server was spacey, brought wrong app, not knowledgeable about basic menu, wine questions.

Melanie S.

Simply put, this place sucks. Went here with my boss and some vendors today. This was their pick as they probably wanted to select a more upscale spot in order to have us sign with them for another year. First of all: if you're a busy restaurant in the Loop, it behooves you to have at least 2 hostesses working the reservation desk at lunchtime. We waited at least 10 minutes just to check in. The hostess could only check one party in at a time and seat them, so it just seemed inefficient. We were seated and waited at least 10 more minutes for the server to come by to take our drink order. I have no problem waiting as long as there is some acknowledgement by the server that we were not forgotten. There was no such acknowledgement and by the time the server arrived at the table, she was quite harried. I ordered a tuna Niçoise salad and it was bland, bland, bland. Flavorless tuna, anemic tomatoes (grape tomatoes should be substituted as they always seem to be in season), boring lettuce blend, and nary an asparagus spear that initially sold me on ordering this salad. Took at least 45 minutes for our food to arrive and another 30 minutes to close out the check. We were there almost 1.75 hours. What a waste of time. Boring, bland food; horrific service. No reason to come back.

Isabelle L.

I visited McCormick's with a large group of out of towners and it was a complete letdown. The service was some of the worst I'd ever seen... it took over an hour to get our food and when we finally got it, not everyone was served at the same time. We're not talking wait 5 minutes for everyone to get their meals, more like 20-30 minutes. The food itself was nothing spectacular. Honestly, I think I could have made something better at home. Lastly, one person in the group was celebrating her birthday. We asked the server to take a picture of the group for us and he refused. He didn't give us any excuses, just refused to do it. The restaurant wasn't busy at all, so I'm not sure what his problem was. In a nutshell- bad service & bad food, but the decor was nice enough.

Stephanie L.

Ok soooo went here to sit outside and have some cocktails on a Friday lunch/happy hour...service was HORRIBLE! So I meet up with some peeps and I was sitting there for 15 mins before the waitress asked if I wanted anything. I ordered a Stella. Literally 20minutes go by (might I add, this place has maybe 6 tables TOTAL at this point so its not like its crazy busy) and she brings out this amber looking beer. I say....are you sure thats Stella, it looks kind of dark. She had no clue so she took it back in and about 10 minutes came back with a Stella. Another person had ordered Captain and coke....he took a sip and was like...thats not captain...LOL. We flagged her down and told her, she took it back...20 minutes...comes out and says they ran out of captain so the substituted something similar....??? WTF? He then ordered a 7&7. It was just funny...for being a "high end place" their service sucks..... Great people watching spot though...

Hannah P.

Went here for my bday and I love the food. We love Gibson's but my bf said he may like this place just as much. Ordered: seared ahi tuna, seafood trio and lobster mash potatoes. The ahi tuna was delicious...my bf was salivating and wanted more. The seafood trio (stuffed shrimps, grilled shrimps and salmon) came with green beans and red pepper white cheddar mash potatoes which I didn't know otherwise, we would have ordered another vege dish instead of the lobster mash but my bf loves mash potatoes so he didn't mind. Great service would have mentioned mine came with mash potatoes already since I was the one that ordered the lobster mash. But anyway...service wasn't great (the only thing we didn't like). Mojitos were blah...will now only order it Havana.

Adam B.

For downtown, the location is convenient and the interior is what you've come to expect from this chain. The food is not that impressive. The bar is nice though, and they do have a really rocking happy hour with food specials that are clearly priced to keep you drinking. Overall, I would try Catch 35, right down the street before I went here. There are too many other options.

Saira K.

I enjoyed a nice lunch here - the crab cake is loaded with crabmeat - not much bread or whatever else. Service was good.

Thomas L.

I have been a McCormick & Schmick's loyalist for years, and I can say with 100% accuracy that I will continue to frequent every location EXCEPT THIS ONE! You would think that the point of a Happy Hour is to make you happy. You go there, you have a ton of good small food items at a great price, and you then spend more money on drinks because you get to eat resonably. Heck, maybe you even stay for dinner because you're there anyway and you want to go bigger. THIS location wants you to leave and never return based on this experience. My patronage of this chain dates back to 2003, when I first started getting the happy hour specials at the Gold Coast location. That is an A++ staff with great food. Back then the happy hour portions were larger than they are now, but I understand the tough economic times we have and that THIS location is in the Loop and will thusly be more expensive. I also wrote a really positive review of the original under my old Yelp! name years ago. If I can find it, then I will update and repost it because I think highly of the chain...so much so that I even went out of my way to go to Happy Hour when I lived in San Diego. Now for the bad news about THIS location: They do not have Happy Hour; rather, they have UNHAPPY HOUR. You will leave a very unhappy person if you go here. The service yesterday, December 19th was horrid. We arrived at approximately 5:00 P.M. or so, and the happy hour came out piecemeal and incomplete. (My one friend's burger order and the table's order of 2 orders of wings, an order of fries, and the Bavarian pretzel order went in together.) My friends' vodka martinis came watered-down. While my lemonade came with fresh raspberries, the second wing order came short one. That's right! We were missing a wing! The waitress said the order of wings came with 6 wings (again, I assume the portions were downsized at some point in the last few months), and our second wing order only had 5 wings! When we asked her about it, she then said, "5...6, whatever." The waitress almost took offense at asking for the martinis to come a little less watered-down. Now, if you have Happy Hour, shouldn't the bar be getting you GOOD drinks so that you want to stay? Nope, they do not want you to enjoy a good drink. The burger was her next problem. The restaurant's chef is thoughtful in that she/he has ketchup come out separately for a burger, but the little ceramic ketchup bowl was half full. When my friend asked for more ketchup, the waitress had to send another server because she could not be bothered, I guess. In all my years of ordering from restaurants, I had no idea that proper etiquette required that you never ask your own server for more ketchup. Apparently, you go outside, turn around three times on a baseball bat, and tackle any other server for ketchup (although, we did not need to tackle this time.). Next, my other friend had a second burger order, and it was undercooked and otherwise cooked so badly that she had to eat around the center. If I had to guess, the culprit is a frozen patty thrown right onto the grill without thawing. That would produce a "medium" outside with a "rare" inside. I helped with the fries on this order, but the waitress incessantly hounded us to surrender the plate. She asked me if I was "finished" so many times, I began to worry that someone ran me through with a sword, and I hadn't noticed. Yes, I yield. Take the basket forthwith, serving wench. I'm done here. There are way too many GOOD Happy Hour places in the Loop that WANT me to spend money on food and drink.

Jim G.

A small upscale chain from Oregon, they have several Chicago restaurants but I have only been to this one on Wacker in the Loop. The emphasis is on seafood. The food is good, but expensive. It is nice that they are on open table for making reservations. The whole place has that old-style wood and stained glass look. I have only been here for dinner with friends, which is perhaps why I feel it is only average. The service was average when I have been here, and it does not seem like a great place to bring a date or go with friends. If you do bring a date here though, definitely go for one of the booths with the curtains for privacy It really has a more business feel, and I it is a great place to bring clients for lunch dinner or drinks. You will always get a consistent experience, and it is set up well for discussing business But for myself, I would rather walk the two blocks across the river and go to Shaw's for my fresh seafood.

Sonia B.

Sooo aside from the fact that I thought this place was a law firm when I first heard the name, I can honestly say that I am smitten with M&S. I've only been here a couple of times for their Happy Hour, but it is by far one of the best in the Loop! The service, atmosphere, food, and drinks are all phenomenal. The patio is the perfect place to people watch on a warm summer day. The Trump Tower, Marina Towers, Hotel 71, and the Riverwalk are just some of the city sights you can see while enjoying some fabulous food and drinks at fabulous prices. My favorites would have to be the Steamed Mussels $5, Blackened Fish Tacos $4, and the Pinot Grigio $6. I also recommend their cocktails because they are delicious and strongg (that's what Happy Hours are for, right?) All in all, perfect. I can't wait to go back for lunch or dinner sometime. Now, I just have to decide who I am in love with more, McCormick or Schmick?

Vineet S.

MccormickandSchmicks probably has the best happy hour which I came across.Seriously the food is very reasonably priced and it tastes really good.If you have a chance to visit this place on weekdays between 3.30 to 6.30 pm then do that. I ordered Cajun Burger,Chicken Salad Sliders and sweet potato fries. Everything was really good specially the cajun burger and chicken sliders.Definately a place worth while visiting if you wanna have awesome food at a good restaurant.

Roshan S.

Came here during lunch for a holiday lunch from work. The food was unimpressive I had the lobster bisque which wasn't that good, but I had the blackened mahi mahi which was pretty good. The chocolate bag was for dessert and after taking our orders it took them 20 min to come back and say they didn't have enough for the people who ordered. Keep in mind it was not crowded. The food all took a terribly long time. We finished the complete meal in 3 hours and we were waiting for food most of the time. We also did make a reservation they just weren't prepared for 11 people. Won't come here again because I'd rather spend the money somewhere else. Update: I was going to give this at least two starts but now it's one. The next day my co-worker and I had stomach issues, nothing serious, but it definitely was because of the food here. Both of us had the chocolate bag which were the only two available, most likely they weren't fresh. We won't be coming back.

Luke D.

Service is abysmal. My first and last time dining here. We were there for a business lunch and needed some time to talk with each other before looking at the menu. We were 30 seconds into our conversation and instead of waiting for a break, our waiter jumped in and talked over us. Telling him we needed a few minutes to review the menu resulted in him coming back literally 2 minutes later. Nobody was ready to order when he came back a third time within 10 minutes of us being seated. At that point, he didn't ask if we were ready; instead he made an odd demand for our order, like "you will be having what?" His constant hovering annoyed us to the point that we made snap decisions on orders just to get him to stop. I felt like I was ordering with a gun to my head. I had a piece of salmon. I don't know how it was prepared because I didn't get a good look at the menu. I just saw "salmon" and went with it. It was solid, if unspectacular. Had I received even average service, my rating would have been a 3. Of course, this jerk was in a rush to clear the plates ASAP. As soon as you set your fork down the plate was gone. This was really disrespectful to the people who were still eating. Within seconds of clearing the last plate, the waiter put the check down. No offer for coffee or dessert. It turned out we wanted coffee, which seemed to bum him out. On the way back from lunch, everyone talked about how awful the service was. The restaurant was not crowded, so there was no reason for our waiter to try to turn the table as soon as possible. Had I been in different company, I would have spoken to a manager and complained. Instead, I'm taking my complaint to Yelp. Avoid this place.

Helen C.

One star upgrade for my last visit here: Painful feet and an hour or two to kill drew us here, as I promised my visiting friend a decent cocktail and a view of the river. Sadly I didn't catch her name, but the bartender who served us was brilliant. We had two delicious cocktails to start. Then a cheese quesadilla (at $2 it would have been rude not to). My friend was educating me on the joys of gin (I'm still skeptical, I find it largely joyless) and talked up Hendricks. The barlady joined the conversation. Five minutes later - a taster glass of Hendricks and an ice water for me, to try the acceptable side of gin drinking. It's that kind of friendly service that will bring me back here and happily pay a premium for the drinks. Note: the happy hour menu is all day on Sundays. yes that means a $3 cheeseburger and fries, and a very good $2 cheese quesadilla. cheap as chips but twice as good.

Sheron S.

The waiter was extremely knowledgable. I was very impressed with the selections on hand. My friend came in from out of town, a fussy eater with impeccable taste. The chef visited our table . Great experience, impeccable service. Great for a 1st date.

Nick M.

I have been a HUGE fan of McCormick & Schmick's ever since I was treated to a business dinner with all of the higher-ups years ago. These old rich guys knew how to eat and eat well. They actually showed me how to appreciate certain things. Like for example how to really eat mussels, they said "mussels are great but the real flavor is below in the sauce". Take a piece of bread, soak it, and enjoy. They were right!! It was insane, I wanted to drink it, it was so good!! Then sadly I learned that no "sauce" has compared to M&S since. Even worse, I have now learned that each M&S must be different because the "sauce" wasn't as good. I know it's been years but I will NEVER forget that amazing flavor. I stopped in this location for a quick few appetizers with a lady friend who has never been to a M&S. Of course I was raving about the establishment the whole way there. To my surprise a Saturday lunch crowd was not much of a crowd at all, there were maybe 4 tables seated. It kind of made me nervous, then our waitress took forever to come to the table, it was not going well. I was starting to get the "you picked this place" look but then thankfully the service and the quickness of the food picked up. Although the mussels sauce wasn't as explosive in flavor as I described they added claims to the bunch which was a very nice. We also order the Ahi Tuna Tartare, it's tossed at your Table with Capers Chopped Egg, Red Onions and Dijon. That was pretty mind blowing good. I could have easily eaten three of those. M&S may be on the pricy side but the food is excellent. I'm still a fan.

Val B.

Really, strangely fantastic happy hour. I can't say anything for the food or seafood - but trust that when you're in Chicago, you're not in Maine. Don't expect the best. Anyway, back to the happy hour. The drinks aren't amazing, but you can get a $2.50 Budweiser (no thanks) or a $5 cocktail (yes please), or $6 wine (okie dokie). The food specials are what really hit the spot - a $3 hamburger, $2 soft pretzel, $4 hummus... and it's all pretty tasty. I wouldn't recommend the chips & salsa or the quesadilla, but the sweet potato fries were top notch, and I don't even really like sweet potato fries. All in all, the patio was really lovely, with some live ambient jazz music. Our server wasn't so great, but we were also a pretty cheap date (over 3 hours, the 6 of us spent about $100), so whatever. I'd definitely hit it up again.

Mickey A.

Four stars for not being crowded and loud like most places around here during lunch time. I was worried about having to wait and called two hours ahead before meeting a former co-worker for lunch. Whew. It was not as busy I was expecting at 12:30 on a weekday. We had really nice service this particular day. We received a lot of stop-bys from our waitress to, whom I'm guessing as the managers (?), asking if we were having a nice time and enjoying our food. My friend and I wondered (and joked) if we looked like we weren't having a pleasant lunch to be receiving all this attention? Hmmm...far from it. I loved my chicken soup and crab cake appetizer which I asked to be my "main entree." My friend enjoyed her baked salmon and sauteed spinach. Portions were just right for lunch. The menu changes daily, so don't heavily rely on the website. For those on a lunch budget still want to indulge on some delicious seafood and non-seafood options, there's a $10 and under section on the lunch menu.

Andre W.

Had some friends come into town this past Thursday and they were staying at Hotel 71. They wanted to eat close by and I looked over at old faithful' McCormick & Schmicks. We walked in about 5:30 and the bar was packed, so we could not take advantage of my favorite bar menu. We chalked it up and got a table, which was the only option. Our server was superb to the 10th power (I hate I can't remember his name). We started out with drinks and ordered the Bellinis, which was so good we wound up having 5 a piece. Whew!!!!! I ordered the tilapia, which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus, which was delicious as well. To be honest with you, I will go out on a limb and say that was some of the best tilapia I have ever had. If you have not paid this place a visit, I suggest you do. Great food, great place and great service. What more could you want?

Kevin B.

Myself and two other colleagues had dinner one night at McCormick & Schmick's in February. Two of us had the Blackened Mahi Mahi and the other had the Mahi Mahi unblackened. Soon after dinner, the Blackened Mahi Mahi took affect. My colleague was soon duck walking very quickly to his Hotel room. Of course we had a good laugh, until 15 minutes later when I started to experience the same intestinal distress as my colleague. Luckily, our episodes only lasted approximately 10-15 minutes. All three of us compared our experience the next day, that is how I can relate this story to you. We vowed never to eat there again. Be Warned.

Ali B.

Dinner outside on the patio, perfect weather, great view (especially of Trump Tower) and then to top it off the BEST LOBSTER BISQUE I have ever tasted! The service was good. The patio nice, clean, pretty standard for a seafood restaurant. The interior décor, nothing special-I wouldn't take a first date there if you are eating inside. As a seafood lover, I definitely recommend that you go to McCormick & Schmick's. My Menu for the evening consisted of: PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON KUMAMOTO OYSTERS-5 STARS Gulf Shrimp Tempura Garlic-Ginger Aioli (good, but nothing special) Maine Lobster Bisque Sherry Butter (lots of lobster)-5 STARS * Great presentation! GET THE LOBSTER BISQUE! (if you're a girl it is a meal in itself) Bon Appetite!

Nick L.

The ever changing menu depending on what's in season is a treat here. This usually means that they do the harder part for you when you are trying to decide what to have as they already narrow down what should be the best. The seafood here is good. I've always enjoyed my meals here whatever fish or seafood dish I ended up with. The servers are attentive and the place feels a little more high class.

C B.

Came here for Happy Hour on a weeknight... it was nothing special. There's a great deal on food if you order a cocktail, but the bar food is unimpressive. The burger is standard, the fries taste a day old, and the quesadilla is bland, you get what you pay for. Drinks are good though!

Fredrick B.

This was my first time dining at McCormick's, but it certainly will not be my last. Since Nick's Fish Market left the Loop I have been searching for another seafood fine dining establishment. Catch 35 seemed to be alone, but now I know better. (Shaw's is simply too loud, and not at all intimate). The wine list was varied and impressive, and the food was exceptionally fresh and well prepared. The lobster bisque was second to none in Chicago, and the Lobster Cobb Salad was simply put--"SPECTACULAR!" My colleague was delighted with the Cashew Tilapia--recommended by our waiter, and the Salmon was superior. I think I have found a seafood restaurant to compete with Catch 35, and make me miss Nick's Fish Market less. McCormick & Schmick's--YES!

Abby M.

I was disappointed with our lunch here the other day. 1) It took 1 hour and 15 minutes. 2) We had to continually ask for water, refills on soda, etc. 3) Our waiter was MIA the entire time - except to do the expected of taking our order, delivering our food, and bringing our separate checks. I went with some co-workers and we all had debit cards and no cash so we asked, before ordering, if it was okay to split the checks. He was a d*ck about it and rolled his eyes at us. "Well, I guess, but it's going to take me a while." Really? We ordered 3 entrees, 1 soup, 2 waters, and 1 diet coke. How hard is that order to split, honestly. I was a server 6 years ago and it was EASY PEASY to split checks...ESPECIALLY when customers tell you before ordering. I know that computer systems now in the food industry are WAY more savvy then what I dealt with way back when. Our food was good and decently priced. I would've given more stars had our waiter been more friendly and answered our questions better. I've been here for happy hours and they have great deals...so I may have to just stick with that time of going to this restaurant.

Ben B.

My wife and I have eaten at this location twice. The first time was somewhat disappointing, but I think the second chance was much better. I had the salmon saute, which was good, though not exceptional. The standout items were the shrimp cocktail (for the high-quality shrimp) and the chocolate bag dessert. The chocolate bag isn't shown on the dessert tray, why I'll never know. The bag is a bit tough to cut but filled with blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream, and whipped chocolate, and actually excellent all-around. If this were the only time we had eaten there, I would have given them four stars, but I remember being disappointed by the food the first time.

Selena L.

I have long been a fan of McCormick and Schmicks' happy hour. Mussels, oysters, fish tacos...oh my! Great prices, good portions...what more can you ask for?

Nadean D.

Party of 7 (they knew it was a celebration but never mentioned it). Natalia gave us bread for 5. When we pointed out we had "Lunch" menus, she returned with "dinner" menus and handed ALL of them to one guest...I guess she didn't want to walk around the table to pass them out! Drinks and orders taken and we didn't see her again until she brought 2 dessert menus! One person delivered salads/soup - no one returned to ask if anyone wanted pepper/bread/fresh drinks. Another person delivered entrees - again, no one returned! One guess had a whole lobster which she had to crack herself! I finally went to look for ANYONE to help but even the hostess stand was empty. We finally just gobbled down our (mediocre) food. Natalia was visibly SHOCKED we didn't want dessert - just our checks. The tip reflected the service....

Karen T.

Coworkers and I came to the patio for happy hour. We were told they ONLY do happy hour inside at the bar. Oooo-kay. Made a beeline for the bar and proceeded to order 843570287543 dishes and drinks, while looking for a table. They handled us pretty well. The happy hour dishes were great for the price: *Fish Tacos - two decently size tacos. I'm from LA though so let's put it into perspective - they have NOTHING on Rubio's Baja Grill. and this is M&S! *Cheese Duet - nothing bad/good to say about their brie/feta *Lobster Ravioli - awesome *Burger - a regular burger, again, nothing bad, nothing good. fries were delicious, but then again, that could have been because we were starving. *Green Bean Tempura - good lord that sauce is amazing. and I'm picky about japanese food. (Not a HH dish) Sambuca Dome Chocolate Cake - this thing was RIDICULOUS. we had 5 people and had to fight to polish this thing off. I would come back just for this cake. the cake is rich yet light, the filling/frosting is just creamy with a touch sambuca...what more can i say? Also, this place gets another star for the fact that my friend called them out on using peach vodka instead of the Goose on the rocks with a twist like he asked, and they graciously looked into it and acknowledged the new bartender had accidentally used the wrong topper. They then proceeded to give my friend not one, but TWO additional drinks - free of charge. It's right on the river at State and Wacker, so cabs will wait outside to pick you up, which is convenient for when you've had a few too many HH drinks.

Greshka P.

Went here for a business dinner. Everyone had a great time. Atmosphere is great/ relax, even better food. I had the Atlantic Salmon - New Brunswick, Canada: Stuffed with Blue Crab, Bay Shrimp and Brie Cheese. Best Salmon I've had in my life. Perfectly cooked, not dry. Vegetables were fresh, excellent meal. Would definitely like to go again.

Linda B.

Very disappointed in this restaurant. We had the crabcakes, duck potstickers, and chef's recommended salmon. Nothing was bad per se, but it was not good either and for the prices ($12 crabcake, $8 potstickers, $26 salmon) it should have been good. The service was iffy too. I definitely do not recommend; there are much better places in the area let alone in the city.

Timo D.

For a high-end restaurant they sure do know how to ruin a hamburger. I work near McCormick & Schmick's and my co-workers sometimes pick them between Sweet Water, Elephants and Castle and Emerald we frequently visit. Out of the four restaurants, McCormick & Schmick's is the worst at making a hamburger. The first time I asked for medium-well but I got charbroiled. It was so dry and burnt that I gave up after eating less than half. On Weds visit this week, I ordered a burger with american cheese, I got cheddar. They took the burger back and scrapped off the cheddar the best they could and put new cheese on the same burger instead of making me a new one. On top of that, the burger was still dry and over cooked. I had better burgers at McDonald's I will never eat there again. If my co-works decide to go their for lunch again, I will got to Sweet Water, Elephants and Castle or Emerald and order a hamburger there for takeout and take it to McCormick & Schmick's to eat it there. Hopefully they will see how a real hamburger is made.

Jackie H.

This review is based on Happy Hour only. The location is perfect for all the Loop peeps working downtown--close to El stops and Millenium station. Happy Hour is only at the bar area and runs from 3:30-6:30P on weekdays. I headed here with Anne S on a Wednesday--there were quite a few people there around 5:30 when we got there, including a couple of larger groups at the bar tables. Which is why, I imagine, service was a little slower than I would normally like. The Happy Hour menu is great! The $3 Buds didn't really appeal to me, but they had some specialty cocktails for $4.95 that hit the spot. But, the real deal is the food menu for Happy Hour. Hummus and Pita for $1.95 was a steal--even if there wasn't nearly enough pita with the order...No worries, they brought out more when we asked. Also, we had a fry cone of Sweet Potato fries for $3.95--the same amount that would go for at least $7 I imagine at otyher restaurants...The menu had various other tasty-looking selections at price points between $1.95 and $4.95. So, I've never been to McCorminck and Smicks for a regular meal, but for after-work drinks and nibbles, I think it's quite a good deal!

Karen L.

This is the only time I have been to this location and I only sat in the bar for the happy hour special. Really, the deal is a steal! They have a list of apps for $2-$4 each! So cheap! The food is good and the portions are great! The only thing is there is not much seating in the bar area, so we did have to stand a bit at first. What is also great is that they have had this deal for so many years! When I lived in Mpls seven years ago, they had the same kind of cheapie happy hour deal!

Amanda D.

Service was great, food was great. I ordered a fettucini with shrimp and scallops which was delicious. Everybody in my group enjoyed their meal. I'd definitely dine here again.

Paul S.

I've been to McCormick's a number of times. I usually go to the one in River North and have been happy there. However, my recent visit to One E Wacker was the worst experience I've had in over ten years of McCormick meals. The problems all started when the people near our table, who arrived before us, received their food and we had not. It was at least 30 minutes from order to this point. We brought it up to the waiter and was told he would check on it. Ten minutes went by with no follow up with a status from the waiter. We then asked him again what was going on. He said that he had a manager checking on it. He then started making excuses about how we didn't receive our food because some other server took one of our orders. He also blamed the kitchen for having issues. He also mentioned that he's a teacher by training and "this" (being a waiter) isn't what he wanted to be doing. A few things here. First, the waiter should have been aware that all of his tables around us had their food and we didn't. Second, once he knew that someone else took our order he should have immediately come over to offer us bread, soup or SOMETHING. Third, if you're going to do a job then you do it - you don't make excuses about how it's not what you want to be doing. If you don't like what you're doing quit. We eventually received our food almost an hour after ordering. My friend received the wrong salad. I received my salmon and immediately noticed it was raw on the inside. This was not sushi grade fish. The waiter agreed and he took it back. The manager brought the fish out a second time and AGAIN it was raw. The manager agreed and took it back and it was finally correct on the third try. By this time I had to rush to eat my lunch. The Manager, who was very nice and paid for the meal, also made an excuse and said he wasn't the regular manager and was from another location. Again, as a customer, I don't care about that. That's making excuses and trying to make yourself look better. It's one thing to have a service issue on a visit. It's one thing to have a food issue on a visit. But when you have ongoing food and service issues on the same day it makes you think that there could be something wrong at this location. UPDATE: I talked with the General Manager Jason (who was not there that day). Found him to be very understanding and he took full responsibility for what happened on behalf of his store. He mentioned specific measures the company had already taken to address the issues I experienced (which I'm not disclosing) which I was very happy to hear about as a customer. UPDATE 2 10/26/12: No one from the Corp Office has called me back. Jason hasn't called me back. I called the restaurant today and talked with a Manager named Matt. He said he would follow up on what's going on and get back to me. UPDATE 3 10/28/12: I received an apology letter in the mail from the COO with a gift certificate. It was not personalized and not a real signature. None the less, glad to see they followed up with me.

Joe C.

reminds me of a like a big ass bar restaurant with expensive bar food. it was cool, good place for a beer and some food.

Matthew L.

Confession: I'm a regular ...but for good reason. In terms of food, drinks, and service this is the best happy hour in the loop. During Happy Hour you can easily get a meal at $3 or $7 if you want to splurge. And I know this will confuse many of the Chicago socialites out there who are more familiar with drinks that barely contain any alcohol and bars that spend so much on their image they have to water down their soda fountain - but at McCormick's they actually know how drinks should taste and can make a damn good one! Plus you can easily walk up to George, Juan, or Matt (bartenders) and tell them to suprise you and they will do so happily; and with great results. Or stick to your normal guns and just get something a bit classier because the drink is the star of your order - not the waitress when she leans over. As for the dining room it is also pretty damn good. Service has always been great and in terms of fish I've only had two problems in my 100+ visits (yes - this review is long overdue). More often then not I am highly satisfied with my experience. And as for price it is a little lower than just about any other fish place in the city... but people, it is fish so you should be ready to drop $18-$24 on an entree or split a $35 entree and an app. Above all this place prides itself on service. I love chef/owner restaurants mainly for the care into the food and the service and knowledge of the waitstaff. I am not saying this place beats out some great local places, but they definately beat out a few and remind you that the people make the restaurants. You quickly forget McCormick's is a chain because of the level of care in their food and the service their staff shows all their patrons. The Manager Brian, the bartenders (George, Juan, and Matt), and the numerous waitstaff we've had (too many to mention) have always made us feel like valued customers just for dining there... and we didn't have to pay $250 for bottle service for our waitress or the management to notice us and treat us like patrons should be treated. Whenever I'm stuck downtown unexpectedly late and just want a drink or a bite - I'm heading here and you should too.

Guillermo M.

If you are a tourist and have been walking for a long time it is a good place to stop and have fresh seafood. We had a ton of oysters and enjoyed the nice view.

Chantal L.

There was an hour wait, which isn't uncommon on the weekend so we decided to eat at the bar. The server was noticeably busy, which again isn't uncommon, however a little too noticeable. We had to wave her down a couple of times, and she walked off a few times before we were finished with our questions. We ordered the pick your own two combo selections. The food was quite good and portion controlled, which I don't mind at all. Just something to note if you're going in with a large appetite ;).

S E.

The bar menu is a great deal. In fact, I have no complaints about the food or service. My issue is the bathrooms -filthy. I rate establishments based on the cleanliness of the bathrooms. There was virtually no soap in the containers - if I cannot wash my hands, how are the workers washing theirs? The floor was littered with toilet paper. Just nasty. Clean up the bathrooms. You owe it to your customers.

Dana P.

Food was ok, but service was pathetic. Our glasses were empty most of the night and the waitress was rude and surly.

Esther I.

Two of us had dinner at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks on Saturday October 13. We sat in the bar area where only two other tables were taken totalling the number of guest at seven. We waited quite a while to just place the drink order. We also had some food that night. When the food was delivered, the waiter went from one table to next asking the guests if they may have ordered this meal. Well, good thing there were only three tables occupied for him to play his guess work game... Table numbers on a kitchen slip may be an idea or staff knowing the table numbers. Just basics! My husband later ordered another beer when we finally received some service again... The waitress behind the bar seemed beyond stressed out, even though we now were the only customers in the bar area and the restaurant was not full al all either. She served the beer by slamming it on the table, leaving a lake of beer on the table. She saw the mess she made but never bothered taking the few steps to come back with a towel to clean it up. Back at home I realized I left my shawl behind. I have sent an email twice so far, left a note on their Facebook page, and was promised to get a response regarding my inquiry. Needless to say I am still waiting. So all in all I am happy to report that the service at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks is VERY consistent throughout. The food by the way was outstanding. Unfortunately it does not make up for the lousy service. We have spent nine days on vacation in Chicago, eating out three times per day in a vast variety of restaurants. The experience at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks was the only negative impact this city has left on us. Therefore, people if you love to eat out, this is you town. Just don't spend your hard earned money where people don't appreciate it.

Mike S.

For a chain, we expected a certain level of service from McCormick & Schmick's...unfortunately, this location fell short of meeting expectations. We got in quickly via an OpenTable reservation and thought the ambiance in the dining room was very nice. Things were going very well at first...a fantastic menu and a great server. After our salads, our entrees arrived - grilled salmon and a trout dish. The trout (with a bacon-corn hash) was excellence - cooked to perfection. The salmon, however, was cooked on one side but not cooked enough on the other - so it was partially very rare. I pointed this out to the manager as he walked by and he said that was how they normally serve their salmon. Quite frankly, this was completely untrue. I pointed out that if that was the case, the rareness would be in the middle, meaning it would have been cooked evenly on both sides. Instead, it was cooked thoroughly on one side and was rare on the other indicating that they cooked it wrong. He did offer to have it re-done but you know the old adage about never sending food back. I told him I would keep it. Our server stopped by after a minute (I had pushed the food to the side - I just couldn't bring myself to eat it) and she apologized and took it away. Earlier she had told us the kitchen was swamped and was way behind...that explains the undercooked fish and is more plausible than the manager's answer 'we always cook it like that'. I shared the trout and then the server later stopped by to invite us to order dessert, on the house. That was a nice treat. We ordered a dessert for each of us plus a cappuccino. Normally, coffee and the dessert would come relatively together - in this case, they didn't. By the time our dessert arrived, the cappuccino was already cold. Overall, we'll likely go back and try them again - but they have some work to do.

An P.

Pssst. What? McCormick & Schmick's has the best happy hour around. What?! [*Flintstones it to McCormick & Schmicks!*] At 41 E. Chestnut in the middle of Gold Coast, McCormick & Schmick's stands with its famed and acclaimed happy hour menu. Why I had never previously verified the rumor is beyond me, last night I got my first crack at McCormick & Schmick's! Calling ahead a week and a half ahead, I had to organize a meeting of the Association of Loyola Entrepreneurs for a networking event. I had called and left a message for the GM who called me back and went out of his way to set aside seats and room for my group even though the bar is first come first serve. I do not think their happy hour extends to 10pm, but the GM made a special exception for us and allowed us to have a happy hour from 9-10pm! After trekking a few blocks in the cold, I got to McCormick and Schmick's and the hostess politely pointed me the right direction. On getting back to the bar, all the space was reserved for my group with signs, menus, and water ready to go. I ordered a Sam Adams and waited for the crowd to shuffle in. Indeed they did and while you have to order a drink to access their happy hour menu, it can be non-alcoholic which is perfect for friends who do not like drinking! The food took a little while to come out and we had people waiting but that was more a reflection that so many of our party arrived so quickly. Next time, we will be wiser to start ordering a little bit earlier just to make sure the food arrives right when the guests do (which sometimes can be hard to predict). When the food did start coming out of the kitchen it was a non-stop rush. The first wave of hummus and quesadillas arrived and were quickly snatched up by everyone similar to the rush at a UN food drop! For those with patience, the food rush sustained itself until eventually everyone had a bite to eat and relearned civility and manners after some helpings of garlic fries, sliders, bruschetta, more hummus and a few drinks. The food was terrific and everyone remarked how much they liked everything. There was only one server in our area, but she was a hurricane of activity serving up drinks or food one second and politely bobbing and weaving through our crowd to hand individual checks. I really have to give her credit for making sure we were well served with drink and food! Bus boys were also on the hurry, clearing everything when it was done and keeping us well-stocked with napkins, plates, and utensils. McCormick & Schmick's is a perfect after work relief with it's afford drink specials ($3.50 Bud) and appetizing happy hour menu. I will put out the caveat that a Sam Adams is priced at $7.25, but this is downtown after all. I would highly recommend McCormick & Schmick's for group meetings, hanging out with friends, or bringing a friend for happy hour and then hopping to see the rest of Gold Coast. Great job, McCormick & Schmick's!

Jen E.

If you want the freshest high quality seafood in Chicago come here! Plus, they are open later then any other restaurants in the area. I appreciate that they print out menus for every service detailing any questions I have about what is fresh or wild-caught.

Stephanie D.

Note: I have yet to actually eat here, but I wanted to fill everyone in on this special they have: Every Sunday and Monday they have a $18.95 Surf and Turf dinner special. You get rosemary jumbo shrimp, grilled sea scallops, and a sirloin. Could be a nice date idea! YUM!! I'll edit when I go next week -

Amanda Z.

I'm familiar with the McCormick & Schmick's on Chestnut Street thanks to its very wallet-friendly happy hour specials. $1.99 for a burger? When you're broke and in law school, that's music to your ears! I have also enjoyed dinner at M&S on occasion, always enjoying the food as well as the impeccable service. My most recent visit was for lunch with a pal. They have a terrific lunch menu for under $10, but other options priced reasonably at $12.95 for an entree. Not bad at all, especially when you get cloth napkins when you're used to take out sporks. We both started with the crab bisque. The presentation of this dish was marvelous. The bowl is placed in front of you dry, with a pile of steaming crabmeat surrounded by a drizzle of the port wine reduction, and the server add the bisque part of the soup. Stir it all up and it's creamy seafood heaven. Rich and creamy, it was exactly what we both needed to deal with the bout of dreary, wet weather we've encountered lately. Since I'm pretty sure the soup had close to 1,000 calories, I stayed on the lighter side for my lunch, choosing the carribbean shrimp salad. Served in a long platter, it was a refreshing mix of romaine lettuce topped with bits of fruit (pineapples, watermelon) and grilled shrimp, all tossed in a light and vinegary dressing with black sesame seeds. Perfection on a plate. And it was lovely after my rather rich first course. No dessert for us, as we both had to hustle back to work, but a fantastic lunching experience. Reasonably priced entrees given the nicer setting, and fantastic service. Very nice.

Denise D.

I was in Chicago the weekend before New Year's, staying at the Hyatt Regency-Loop. Normally when I hit Chicago (I live in Milwaukee) I try to hit funkier places, or at least something in Old Town or that's not a chain, but the large group of people I was with (10) had already decided. We walked in at 9:30 and only had to wait about 5 minutes for them to set up for us (we hadn't called ahead, but they were very cool about it). The server was terrific, not rushing us or pushing appetizers on us, and was very cool about how almost all of us had to pay separately with credit cards. (Usually it's cool most places if you tell the server right away! They have a "Seat Number" system there, which I've worked with myself and think it works well). The drinks were great-- I ordered a martini with olives but not dirty, and it was perfect. They have some sort of house cocktail with Pimm's that tastes like cucumber and it was AMAZING. My swordfish was cooked perfectly, and my best friend had the grouper. She is from north Florida and asked if she could just have fried grouper as it's her favorite thing in the world, and the server and chefs went with it, much to her delight. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for dessert because we were rushing off to a show at Second City, but since my experience there was surprisingly good, I'd like to go back when I can try the creme brulee.

Jerome P.

Denise our cocktail server was upbeat and on the ball she was very nice and pleasant always had a smile and made me happy I came there trust me ill b back FYI Wednesday 50 cent wings at bar

M B.

I arrived at M&S 10 min before my reservation and I was told that I would only be seated at the time of my reservation. The restaurant was almost completely empty and she made us wait till 10 min after our reservation to seat us. Once seated, our waiter was very nice and attentive and took the time to go through the menu. I had an Ahi Tuna dish which was just ok. The fish was good quality but the preparation wasn't as nice as it should have been. My girlfriend ordered steak, and although this isn't what you would go to M&S for, it should have been a lot better. She ordered medium and she got a charred steak that was tough and flavorless. I have seen better steaks at Applebees! M&S was extremely average and isn't worth the price. You'd be better of spending your money at Catch 35 or another seafood place in the area.

Heather K.

This review is strictly for the happy hour. While I appreciated the large tables on the patio, and the location/people-watching is great... you really get what you pay for in terms of the food. I went with the $2.95 cheeseburger/fries and it had this sort of "old char" taste to it, like the grill hadn't been cleaned in a while. Similar feelings of "mehhhhh" from around the table, and we ordered a variety of items off the Happy Hour menu. And our server... I felt like we were on a hidden camera show! How many strange rules could he throw at us before we cracked?! "I can only bring 5 beers in a bucket, so that's why you're missing one" (after 6 people ordered bottles). Only taking one person's order at the table, then leaving! Having us tally the total number of tacos for the group, instead of each person being able to give their own order. I mean when all was said and done, there weren't any mistakes, but it was just so...weird....

Erika G.

The ONE STAR is for the location. Mon dieu, what terrible service. Great outdoor cafe, but just try to get served. Then, when I was finally informed that no one was taking orders outside, i waited at the bar for an eternity, only to carry my overpriced glass of wine outside myself. The food is lackluster, I miss Nick n' Tony's.

kim s.

Went here for happy hour with a friend last week. I arrived about 4:45 and the bar was almost completely packed. Luckily I scored a table in the back and waited for my friend. I was there for more than 10 minutes before anyone came by to take my order... I get that the waitress is busy, but I saw her talking several times to coworkers before she sauntered over to my table. When she finally did arrive, she seemed really out of it and was actually pretty rude (I've worked in the food service industry, so I understand that it's not always fun, but rudeness is still not cool). Her behavior continued the rest of the evening. She was just spacey and acted like our presence was an annoyance. Irritating! We didn't try the food, but the drink specials were good. I had two cocktails for just over $10. Score. They have great prices on small plates and I would probably try one if I ever went back again - which I would only do since it's super close to work. We'll see.

#NAME?

This is my 3rd time eating here and I think it will be my last-1st time it wasn't that bad, 2nd time I came here for lunch and again not that bad- The 3rd time was bad- I ordered the Lobster Bisque and Crab Cake for my meal-Crab Cake came first and it wasn't that fresh-It tasted a bit fishy, but I was so hungry I ate it- When my bisque came out this was the presentation....rice that was the packed in the middle of the plate, white rice, and some lobster on top of that-Then the "bisque" was poured around the rice and lobster island-Yet when the bisque was being poured it looked like it was sausage and biscuit type of gravy- I took a bite and it tasted like a roux, nothing at ALL like bisque-I took a spoon of the rice and lobster mix and mixed in the bisque and I thought I might puke-It was so gross, by far hands down the worst bisque ever-I took 3 bites total and pushed the bowl away- The waitress came back and asked "did you not like the bisque?" I told her that I didn't, it was horrible- She was nice and took it off the bill, but if you eat here do not order the bisque- I feel this place is like an Olive Garden of seafood places, nice staff but the food is not what it should be at all-

Shyam S.

My wife and I and a close friend had lunch here last week and we couldn't have been happier. We had a nice, slow, comfortable lunch over two hours and the service was first-class. If you like the old school booth feel with uniformed, courteous waiters ( a la the Berghoff) then this is the place for you. Everything we ate - the goat cheese bruschetta, blue crab tower, sweet potato fries, reuben and desserts - were delicious.

Debbie H.

What can you say about their happy hour? It's not bad...... I think that applies! Drink specials, food specials and a neat and clean bar area. Our waitress was not great, but then again, I just needed her to keep the beers coming, it wasn't an interview for a new BFF! Overall, it's worth the walk down the street to partake, but not a must do once a week! IMHO!!

Edward B.

We went to the happy hour here before catching a movie at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The happy hour food specials are GREAT at great prices. I had the $2.95 1/2 lb. cheeseburger and fries. It's the best $3 burger and fries I've EVER had. And $3 or $3.50 beer specials. I'll be back again, no question. Only problem, which is why I can't give five stars, is that the service got really, really bad as 6:00pm approached. When I go back we'll definitely go early (happy hour starts at 3:30pm) so the service doesn't become an issue. Still, a great value in a very nice setting.

Lisa A.

McCormick and Schmick's is a great place for food in general but they have one thing that I truly love...their Happy Hour! During the hours of 3:30-6:30pm you are able to buy some great from that ranges from 1.95-4.95. This selections are starters they are actual meals like a 1/2 lb cheeseburger with fries. The catch..you have to order in the bar area and its a $2.50 drink minimum. If you think about it....that's not only reasonable but you are getting some great food. The service is A++ and the drink specials (if you don't get a soda) are amazing!

Sarah L.

I met a friend here for lunch and we had a great experience! Our waiter was very helpful and attentive. I had the chopped ahi tuna salad. This was the best chopped salad I ever had! It has tiny slices of rare ahi and the salad had green olives, scallions, blue cheese, bacon, Parmesan and tomatoes with mixed baby greens. That salad was truly amazing, just wish there was more ahi. I wasn't sure of the dressing but it was some sort of vinaigrette. My friend had a chicken salad with fruit and poppy seed dressing. Her salad looked very good. We both ended our meals with individual desserts. I had apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream and my friend had an ice cream sandwich made with cookies. Both were small and sweet. The perfect amount for lunch. McCormick & Schmick's also has a $10 lunch menu and everything sounded so good. Great place to meet friends or take clients out to a nice lunch.

Brian A.

McCormick & Schmick's is one of the rare chains that I recommend. This particular spot, located on the Miracle Mile in downtown Chicago, has very nice decor and excellent food. I loved the oyster sampler.

Jason G.

Yes, I know it's a chain. I don't really like seafood in general due to the fact that I lived in coastal Virginia and South Carolina for a combined 8 years and got spoiled on seafood that was caught earlier that day. I was impressed by the flavor, quality and presentation of my meal at this McCormick & Schmick's. Our server was great, the meal was paced just right and every bite was fantastic. For dessert we had the Chocolate Bag. Amazing and enough to share with several people, especially if you all ate as much as we did.

Astrid W.

This location and the Gold Coast location are 5 stars. My husband and I ate here a lot when we were dating and specifically after we tried other restaurants that served raw oysters. Both locations serve fabulous raw oysters and sometimes we'd just stop in to one of the locations just to have a few beers and a dozen or so oysters. The other plus is that although it's known for it's seafood they serve a fantastic Filet Mignon (which I always ordered without fail). Service was always good and that says a lot after eating at both locations randomly for four years.

Jim W.

Solid place to enjoy a late meal outside when it's nice out. Friendly staff, decent service, but watch out for the post-theatre crowd rush! I had never stopped by thinking it was exorbitant, but then someone told me M&S is a chain. Prices are not too bad given the river-facing property. The crab and artichoke dip we started with was great, nice and creamy. The wonton(?) chips that came with it were a bit odd though, deep fried a bit too long? It was like a cracker with the texture of a baby carrot, i.e. tough to chew. I tried some of both the father's day lobster ravioli and the regular halibut and cheese ravioli. The lobster was tasty, but definitely tasted very southeast asian due to the coconut and spices. Had no complaints about the non-special ravioli. The rest of the menu had assorted fresh catches and weren't particularly pricy, from low teens to upper 20s. All in all, it really is mostly about that outdoor seating! I think I'll be back to test that happy hour...

Flo C.

So, in going out to dinner with my brother, the one that spoils his sisters, one should not let him select the restaurant. McCormick and Schmicks? Uh, sure. I would have been happy with a diner, but ok. This is where you go for a nice dinner with the family / co-workers, but not so informal where A1 sauce should ever be requested. We ate later than we would have liked, but we knew some people would not be rushed on a holiday. We sat in the bar for a bit. My brother, who owns a bar and restaurant, is patient as can be with servers, barkeeps, and cooks; but will not hesitate to wrestle a restaurant host. Particularly, when he has a reservation. That said, our service was excellent. We started out with the oysters and crab cake. Both amazing. They brought out this soft and warm fantastic bread with butter. This is the point in the meal your food baby will expand. My brother ordered the NY Strip and King Crab combo. I tried the Tilapia. Our sides were brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes were fine, but the sprouts were the surprise hit of the night. Best I have had. My brother's steak and crab were both perfectly prepared. (He let me try some of his, this is not the norm. In our family of six you got a fork in your hand if you reached for a plate that wasn't yours. ) The tilapia was the one dish that I thought I was a bit overcooked. My brother, the food snob, didn't like it at all. Still, I ate it. The salsa that tops it is actually tasty. It's tempting for yelpers to just vent here without bringing the quality of the meal to their server's attention. When the waiter asked about our experience, I told him the truth. Everything was amazing, but the tilapia wasn't as good as anything else we sampled. I wanted to give the restaurant the opportunity to know something was off so they didn't here from yelp before they heard it from me. The waiter apologized immediately; I guiltily added once more that the meal was still wonderful. To our utter shock and without saying anything, he had it taken off the bill. This is why the restaurant is worth the time and effort. It is the quality of the meal and the service. I only get to come here about once a year, but each time I am reminded that the value is tremendous. They get an extra star for making sure problems were recognized and addressed.

Wendy F.

We had dinner here on a Saturday night - early evening, after seeing a play. We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay - and it was brought to us without being in any kind of chiller/bucket. I had to ask the waiter to bring one (which definitely should NOT have been needed). We ordered the dozen sampler of oysters, which were delicious and very fresh. My husband had the ahi tuna entree - which was wonderful. I had the Coho salmon - which was good, but the fish was a bit overcooked. The prices are reasonable here, particularly for downtown, but if you want top quality in seafood I'd recommend Catch 35 over this place.

Dan B.

The best thing about McCormick & Schmick's is the location - you are sitting in what feels like the very center of downtown Chicago. It's too bad the menu is basic, uninspiring seafood. To me, everything tastes the same here. It's like they sprinkle everything with a secret ingredient that just sort of blands everything down. If it's outside you want and you're in the area, you could do much better at Smith & Wollensky's.

Santi D.

Mixed feelings about this place. Went there on a Thursday night about 6:30. The place is wedged between two buildings and is accessible from the adjacent buildings which is reminiscent of a TGI Fridays or some other deep fried sandwich joint with Olive Garden salads. The bar area's smaller than the Chestnut location and you can see both bar and dining area as soon as you walk in. The dining area booths against the wall have curtains but I can't tell if you can actually pull those closed. Looks like they can but then you don't know if the restaurant will let you. I didn't know Happy Hour (H.H.) was finishing up when I walked in, no seats available, spoke to the hostess-like person who asked if I was there for Happy Hour or dining. She said H.H. had specials so I thought I'd wait for a seat. Hmmm, if you work there and know H.H. is basically over then why would you ask a customer if they want the H.H. specials??? How does that make sense??? So I unknowingly waited another 15min at the door like a snaggle-toothed prom date hoping that cute beer in the corner will ask me to dance as the too-busy-to-make-eye-contact waitresses whisk by in an effort to look too good for their income bracket. After allowing my hunger to force my body to start consuming itself, I approached the hostess again who mentioned that, yes, Happy Hour was indeed over and offered me a dining area seat. How wonderful!! Indeed. Ordered some chowder, the Kobe burger, and some wine. The chowder wasn't as good as the Chestnut location (but at Chestnut, I was offered ground black pepper), burger was good (granted that most Kobe burgers are going to be good anyway), drinks were good. Dining area service was very courteous and helpful which made me wonder why they don't apply this same tactic to people waiting at the door. If it wasn't for my initial impressions at the door, I'd like this place enough to come back and give it a better rating.

Suz T.

I remember walking out of here and felt like I had just wasted my money. The service was great but the food was just lacking. It's probably been about 2 years since I was here (ate here before seeing Wicked. The server knew we had a timetable and the service was great). I ordered clam chowder and a seafood pasta dish. The chowder was a bit watery and not very appetizing. The seafood pasta just seemed plain and boring. Sure these are two basic dishes, but with them being pretty basic/common dishes, I felt that it could and should have been better.

Karen M.

Pretty good seafood for a chain restaurant. My husband and I tried McCormick & Schmicks for the first time last night and enjoyed the fresh seafood, attentive service, and reasonable prices. We were seated in one of the more secluded tables which was romantic. I thought the salmon was very fresh ( a bit on the salty side though) and my husband said he really enjoyed the cashew tilapia- lots of flavor. All in all, I was impressed with the restaurant, although I still prefer Nick's fishmarket when it come to seafood in the city.

Timothy F.

Love the fact that they took over the Nick and Tony's space. The best lunch in the city..well priced with great options....Where else can you find great seafood at reasonable prices like 11-14 dollars. The only drawback is if you need to drive there...they did not have a valet at lunch when I went....

TOM A.

''Well here we go on the resturant roller coaster'' As every one knows this is a chain strike one If the waiter told us one more time how fresh the fish was i could not be responcable for my actions. To me the proof is in the pudding and don't set your self up for a fall. robotic service ''no personality'' I know many people expect to be spoken to like there the king and queen . strike two. When i go out to eat i really don't care what my waitron's personal favroite is. strike three. At this point i think were watching the cub's lose again . I order the marlin . blue marlin , ''that is on the menu they print 3-4 times a day'' my lovely wife get's the salmon . easy fish to prepare .In this time we have to chat and people watch . cool your basic chicago run it into the ground wood and brass b.s. decor . So the server is running his speil to a nother table . bla=bla-bla- . then the server tells the customers at the next table coho is a infusion of trout and some other fish .AHHHHHHHHH. To make a long story short our meal was dry my fish was cold the plates were cold ,how do you serve hot food on cold plates?? any one .. i give them till there lease runs out . I have had better meals at shakepear lock up . and it was cheaper .

Al K.

Came here one night while in Chicago on business - company training. Wanted something a little different, hot - Chi-town was blistering cold that night. And most importantly, I wanted a tasty seafood meal. It took them a while to even get to me to seat me. That pissed me off. The place wasn't even busy! I ordered the Etoufee - never had it before, figured for the price they are charging, I'd get something decent. The good - it had a very nice, tasty crawfish. The bad - everything else. First off, the dish was salty. Very very salty. So salty, any other flavors that they may have added was completely overwhelmed. It was not tasty, not enjoyable. I don't care how it's "supposed" to be - too much salt takes away from anything else. Let the actual spices do the talking! I don't recommend coming to this place - however, I give it a 2 stars only because I tried something different. Maybe this place can't do different - they can only do "traditional" well.

Ingrid G.

This is a review ONLY for the bar at McCormick and Schmick's, and more specifically of the bartender Jason. He is a true mixologist of the Violet Hour variety. Once I observed his mad skills I gave him carte blanch--he could serve us whatever he wanted. A Pisco Sour and a Sazerac were the results--fabulous. Rarely do you get this level of service or expertise behind the bar, even at the finest restaurants. Also the happy hour bar menu is good, especially the burger and fries for $1.50!

Ria A.

I was hoping that the Chicago McCormicks would have the same awesome happy hour deals that they have back home in LA . . . and they do! Who could turn now tasty cheeseburgers for $1.95? Soo good and such a deal! They even have cajun burgers here. I highly recommend checking out McCormick & Schmick's for happy hour. I believe happy hour goes on Monday -Thursday 3:30 - 6:30pm and starts up again at 9pm on the same days. They have a good amount of other appetizers on the happy hour menu for $3.95 and $4.95. We ordered the mahi cakes which were sort of like crab cakes and they were pretty tasty. But really nothing beats the cheeseburgers. The burgers even come with a side of fries. So if you're looking for some drinks and cheap appetizers try this place.

Jeanette S.

We ate here because we had a gift card. It was busy, but not packed. There were walk-ins seated right before us. The food was of poor quality/delivery, the service was beyond slow, our food was not hot when it arrived, and the wine we ordered during our appetizer did not show up until midway through the meal. While the server did apologize for the error and took it off our bill (very nice), by the time it came, we were almost through with what we chose to eat. We each left over 1/2 of our meal because it just wasn't good. I ordered the grilled swordfish and shrimp, both of which were tough and overcooked. My husband ordered the grilled swordfish with portabella mushrooms, bland and overcooked...We will not be eating here again.

Lisa B.

Sat in the bar area last saturday nite around 630p after a show at the Chicago Theatre. Walked right in, there were some people at the bar but still some open spots. Had a great bartender named"Jason". Who was awesome. He was fast, attentive, and hand stuffed my blue cheese olives right in front of me. The drinks were fantastic. I did notice no juices were from a bottle, all were hand pressed with a fruit juicer at the bar. It was a great place to hang out, have a great conversation with my mother and enjoy their awesome cocktails.

Scott C.

This is a really good option for a nicer lunch or dinner in the River North area. It's great seafood and the steaks are a good option too. I've gone here with co-workers and it's not too expensive either. Get the calamari, it really is as fresh as they say it is, and definitely order the flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

K W.

This is a nice place to have a surprisingly reasonably priced more upscale lunch in the loop. I had some sort of seafood chowder (can't quite recall the name. . .) that was very yummy. My friend was pleased with his meal as well. Our bill for two meals and pops came to ~$30 with tax and tip, which was very reasonable for the quality of food. Be warned, this place is significantly more expensive for dinner.

Allie B.

Went for an after-work bar association function a couple weeks back (before it opened to the public). The service was slammed and for a restaurant that hadn't even officially opened they did a great job. Apparently they have a happy hour special of $1.99 appetizers - we sampled several. The crab cakes, mahi mahi cakes, and fish tacos were awesome. Standards like chicken wings looked fine. Apparently they also have a full cheeseburger that several of the guys at our table had and compared to Boston Blackie's ... not bad for $2. Cocktails were good, wine list a little slim. I will be back to see how things are running!

Brian M.

Seafood is life. McCormick and Schmick's is phenomenal. Expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? HECK YES! The menu is printed daily, that shows that their lineup changes daily. The fish is fresh and cooked according to how the fish is to be cooked. It is truly gourmet restaurant. It's a date place alright, reservations are highly recommended. The first floor has private booths, so if you're with your significant other, you can be left alone from wandering eyes and maintain conversations that are privy to the two (or three, whatever floats your boat) of you.

Patty Y.

The disappointing: I went for restaurant week and ended up ordering off the regular menu. They didn't offer the advertised entrees, and the cheap, unappetizing substitutes made it a measly $2 savings if I opted for the prix fixe--a total rip off ploy to bring us in. The redeeming: 6:45 reservations on a Friday night and we were seated immediately. In fact, the place was practically empty. Our waiter suggested a berry cosmos (with a trendy, mopolis name; it was $10)--chilled, fruity and barely alcoholic. Pure refreshment. In contrast, the appletini was sticky & sweet. Smart waiter also suggested the pretzel crusted white fish with a mustard flavored sauce--YUMMY! The fish was perfectly cooked. Crust was neither mushy nor crunchy. It comes with asparagus and small potatoes. And the potatoes are to die for--smothered in butter, textured like butter and yet somehow not at all oily. The best part was the mustard sauce, or perhaps the fact that the meal was so filling I grew immune to the tempting visual of the dessert tray. As a random note, I think this location serves far fresher food than the Old Orchard location. If I had to pick one of the various Chicagoland M&S', this is it.

Kristen F.

We had a group of 9 of us here on a Friday night after work for their happy hour. You have to sit outside or in the bar for these happy hour specials but we had to sit inside because they would not let us push tables together outside on the patio. The happy hour is on their food (how can you beat $1.95 cheeseburger and fries??) but in order to get the special, you have to buy 2 drinks but they can be Cokes if you don't want to drink alcohol. We were just starting out on our evening so we all had 2-3 drinks which is where they get you (minimum $9 per drink). Our bill for 9 people's drinks and food (with tip) was $336. Our waitress was definitely not the best I've ever had. Happy hour runs until 6:30 and at 6:30 somebody asked for more food and they had to really talk her into giving it to them. A good server who had a table who was readily drinking would have had no problem giving them what they asked for. She did however give someone a new drink when they didn't like the one they had ordered so she wasn't all that bad. All drinks are made with fresh squeezed juices. All in all, it was a good start to our evening but it won't be somewhere I go on a regular basis and it can get a bit expensive.

Mindy S.

I've always heard good things about McCormick & Schmick's, so I was disappointed after my friend and I went here last week. It was a beautiful night out, so we grabbed a table outside, just hoping to get some apps before we headed to a play. There was a band playing outside that was so loud my friend and I couldn't even hear each other talk. A little music is nice, but this was just too much. The crab cake appetizer was one little crab cake that was a little burnt. It still tasted good, but again I was disappointed. And don't even mention the crab/artichoke dip - for something that sounded so good on the menu, neither of us liked it. It was very creamy, and very crab tasting with lots of tarter sauce. Just not at all what I was expecting. The pita chips that came with it were great though - covered in cheese almost as if they were nachos. mmm. Maybe I have to go back for dinner as I've heard their entrees are good, but based on the apps, I'm not running back.

elizabeth n.

I was very upset when Nick & Tony's closed, but now that McCormick & Schmick opened up here I am so excited. I went for the first time this weekend and was so impressed that I cannot wait to go back. I went with my boyfriend and another couple, and we had such a great meal. The service was 5 stars- the staff was incredibly friendly and when we were walking to our table, every waiter/waitress we passed said hello and welcome to us. It was very pleasant! And the food was delicious! I had the salmon penne which had salmon, penne pasta, asparagus, and mushrooms in a cream sauce and it was amazing! It was so amazing that my boyfriend kept 'tasting' my dinner! He had the halibut which was good, and the others had the Atlantic salmon and a steak which they said were very good. Then for dessert we couldn't resist the flourless chocolate cake, and it was out of this world- it was thick and heavy and fudge-y and delish! Highly recommended.

Sean R.

This place is great! Awesome dinner date ambience on the inside. Great happy hour, and socialite mixer vibe outside!!! The food is fantastic! The only thing better would be the service!! The wait staff is on point! I'd give 6-7 stars for the wait staff alone. Pure satisfaction.

Crystal C.

So I love fine dining and experiencing new items. I visited the location on wacker and it did not disappoint. I did go during lunch and sat outside so my review is of the entire event. I ordered the lobster Cobb salad, very good but the presentation was awesome. Please see the pic. I had a freshly squeezed blueberry lemonade that was very refreshing. My coworker had the shrimp and lobster roll, we split it and it's great also. Try it if you are walking down wacker in Chicago.

Sheri S.

I am a huge fan of McCormick & Schmick's happy hour! I was looking for an outside spot close to my office to host a summer outing for 70 people. Ashley Mauras helped me put together a fabulous menu with passed and stationed apps and carving station, pasta and salad. She was organized, easy to work with and followed up to make sure everything was ready to go. The day of the event I popped over to discuss patio setup. The weather was a bit chilly and Ashley was more than accommodating. She sent someone out to pick up propane so that we could use outdoor heaters. I went back a couple hours later and the patio looked great, the furniture is summery, the buffet stations and bar were upscale. The bartenders were quick, so there was never a long line and the food was fantastic! I highly recommend the passed app package, the shrimp kisses, chicken skewers and bruschetta were fantastic. Along with kobe beef sliders, chicken quesadillas and hummus bites stationed people were eating like crazy. They also put together a special vegetable pasta for us and along with a beef tenderloin carving station and big salad everyone was stuffed. Every food item was hot when it came out or cold if that is how it was supposed to be. Every person we encountered were accommodating and they were all concerned we had drinks, were comfortable and that we were having a great time. 5 STARS! I have never received so many thank you's, emails and reply-alls thanking me for a great time! Thanks to Ashley and everyone at McCormick & Schmick's for a wonderful evening!

Dustin M.

Great food as expected. I always go for the lobster bisque regardless if it's day or night. Awesome outdoor seating at this location. Highly recommend.

Tiera A.

I'm a huge fan of McCormick & Schmick's so when I found out they were offering a traditional Thanksgiving meal for the holiday I quickly made a reservation. I was visiting Chicago for the holiday and wanted to go out to a nice restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom. As always, we had a great time. Our food was delicious and the service was great!

Asenath N.

My fiance and I went here for our anniversary dinner.Tthe environment was very romantic and cozy. The menu selection was great for everyone. I got the pasta and shrimp and it was amazing!! We really enjoyed the food. The food was a bit pricy but I wasn't surprised. They had a great cocktail menu and the prices were reasonable. The staff was very friendly. I plan to go back again.

Connie Y.

Came here with some friends during the week after work to take advantage of their happy hour specials. We ordered the following: calamari, coconut shrimp, coast to coast, and margherita flatbread. All were pretty good with my favorite being the flatbread and calamari. I really liked the tuna tartar portion of the coast to coast. It paired really well with the crispy wonton chips and avocado. I ordered two cocktails: the agave rita and the talk of the town which wasn't that good - pretty watered down (and that says a lot coming from someone who doesn't drink that much). When the happy hour was over, we ordered the lobster bites which were awesome!...and the shrimp kisses which were pretty good as well. Service was also pretty good as well. Overall, a good place to go to for happy hour if you're in the Loop.

Eileen M.

I dined here the Sunday night before Labor Day. Things started out ok with some excellent sangria but quickly went south. The salads and appetizers came out together and almost immediately. Ok, not so bad I guess. Shortly after that dinner arrived. I was almost out of sangria so my husband and I ordered another one. Dinner was tasty but the portions were small. Maybe that's why we finished before the drinks arrived? Our server came by twice to apologize and say the drinks would be out in a few minutes. He said that the manager had cut everyone because it was slow and they couldn't handle the crowd. This seemed odd to me since the restaurant wasn't full. It took 30 minutes to get our drinks. The server never asked if we wanted dessert or coffee. When we asked for the check, it took another 15 minutes to arrive. It was not a pleasant experience, but I probably wouldn't have bothered writing a negative review until I got an email from OpenTable today asking why we didn't show up for our reservation! I don't think I'll be back to McCormick and Schmicks!

Jenny G.

I went on 5:30 pm on a Wednesday. I was traveling alone and asked to see the happy hour food menu. After I ordered a beer and 2 things off the happy hour menu, my waitress acted like I didn't exist. I got buffalo shrimp and finished it and was waiting for a good 10 minutes before they brought out my bruschetta. The waitress didn't ask how I was doing, if I wanted another drink, or anything. I was more than pleasant. It almost felt that because I was alone and not spending $40 on an entree I didn't even matter. The food was good, beer selection could be better, and the service - at least from my waitress - left much to be desired.

Brian A.

We recently had dinner with ten of our friends for which we were all in town for the Dead concert. First off, we were treated well considering all we had were tshirts and shorts which we were aware was a bit under dressed. I had the shrimp kisses as an appetizer and the ribeye as my entree and both were delicious and cooked to perfection! Our waiters name was Brett and he provided us with great service and a great attitude which made for a great evening. We were all there from different places around the country and wound up hanging out and chatting over a few beverages and never did we feel any pressure to leave. Overall it was a great dinner and time spent with friends. If ever back in the Windy City, we will definitely be back for some more tasty food and friendly service.

Donna R.

Yep.. totally average place. Been to much better steakhouses in the past. Loved our waiter, he was very nice and attentive, as well as knowledgeable about all of the food we ordered. Basically it came down to, was this place worth the price? I don't think so. Food is good, but not that good and the portions are small. I also wanted a salad for a side, and they don't even have a basic side salad, only ones that are around $6.99 or higher. There was a location in Schaumburg and now I can see why it closed.

Kaniesha K.

Wonderful restaurant. Nice place to go to with friends or after work. The food was delicious and the service was nice. Go on a nice day and take advantage of the outdoor seating. You can enjoy your meal while enjoying the view of wonderful downtown Chicago.

Alexander M.

The summer menu was delicious and filling, I order a cucumber dill salad as a starter with the swordfish entree with a Ole Blue cocktail drink. The cucumber salad was delicious and flavorful with a hit of sweetness and heat. The swordfish was a bit on the drier side but the sides made up for it. Overall the experience and friendliness of the staff and waiter were top notch. I'll definitely return.

Kim B.

A consistently good place. Their happy hour is a great choice and great location....try the Fire Cracker Shrimp. Last time I was in I got great service by bartender Tim (hope I got your name right) who was fun and funny and just the right amount of attention.

Kellyann D.

Great meal! Awesome service!!!! Thank you Jimmy!!! You rock! The center cut rib eye steak was cooked too perfection. The lobster mashed potato were ridiculously good!!!! Nice atmosphere. Definitely recommend this place.

Willie W.

My wife and I visited this restaurant around Thanksgiving this year. We had not been aware of it and to be honest we just needed somewhere to get some decent food and a few drinks. I think what I most liked about this restaurant was how it was so Chicago Sports themed. Since I am originally from Chicago, I found pleasure and joy by walking around the restaurant looking at the unique photos and explaining these historic sports events to my wife. The prices were slightly expensive to be a sports bar but, hey, we were downtown in Chicago in a highly upper scale part of the Northside. I order the strip steak which was good for the price and I think my wife ordered a burger. The food turned out to be pretty decent but the main thing I will remember is the beautiful décor of this Northside establishment.

JL S.

Nice outdoor seating are that is far enough from the sidewalk to avoid the walkers but close enough to people watch. The area is naturally shaded by the surrounding buildings and they also block the wind. The service was very good and the food was excellent. Bacon wrapped shrimp for an appetizer... Yummy.. 6 ounce steak was cooked well..we also orders the crusted fish..I forget which but it was also very tasty. The potato with bacon and cheese mixed was soo good but way too rich.. We did it eat all though.

Steven S.

First time to this place and it was so amazing. To first off with the shrimp covered with bacon is probably going to be anyone's best choice. Then for the main course, the blue marlin served with mashed potatoes was just mouth watering. Not to mention there Kentucky smash as a drink option is great!

Mike M.

We agree with the average , 3 stars. We done pre-theater here. Food is usually good, never great. Pricy for average casualness. Drinks are Chicago expensive. All in all , when you get your bill you will be perplexed as to how you spent so much on average food. Service is unmotivated. Seafood is fresh though. Location is great.

Vicky H.

This M&S is way better than the one in Boston at Park Plaza. The ambiance was nicer with a better view, and the wait staff seem to be a lot friendlier too. We ate at the bar while there was a monsoon coming down the Monday my friend and I were in Chicago. Food was very good. We were upset they ran out of mussels however but the rest of the food was decent. The sweet potato fries was yummy. We had sliders that was a bit dry but otherwise had good flavor. The calami was small in terms of portion size but again flavor was there.

CJ G.

Had clam soup and it was good. It tasted different than what we have on the west coast, but it was a good different, not a great different. Then I had the fish and chips, and it was very good, I've had few that were better, and I've had it a number of times in London. Person with me had a chicken salad and liked it quite a bit.

Abbio A.

Calamari was good, but my entrée was not. Food was bland. Overcooked. No flavor. Not even salted. I was excited to try this place but it really was a let down.

Clements J.

We ate here on a Friday to take advantage of the happy hour menu. The burger was tasty and the chicken lettuce wraps were also good. It's a great value spot on the loop. Service was also spot on.

R S.

Not impressed. Service was slow...refills on iced tea were not given unless we asked...we had to ask for our water to be refilled. The Brussels sprouts were hard, the potatoes appeared to be under cooked...The pecan pie l crust was not impressive...the peach cobbler had too much cloves that stayed on my palate for awhile after I ate. This is a place I would be not be running back to...

Jeannie A.

Great Happy Hour Menu! My review is only for the happy hour - which is GREAT! From 4:00 - 6:00, in the bar area, they have an assortment of food items and drink specials (though, I believe the drinks specials run all night, but the food ends at 6:00). I've been here a few times for this deal and it is consistently good. We showed up around 4:15 and there was only one other table occupied in the bar area. The area itself is pretty large and has about 10 tables that can seat 4, and then the bar. The décor is nice and service is always great. For food, we had the chicken sliders, cheeseburger, fish tacos, bruschetta, and wings. The prices are all $5.99 or less and the portions are good. The only item that wasn't good was the sliders. They were dry-dry-dry. I would not recommend. The balsamic on the bruschetta was amazing. Fish tacos were my favorite. The drink specials are decent prices, and the drinks are made very well (strong). We stayed until 6:30 and the bar never filled up, not even 1/2 full. I highly recommend if you are looking for a good after work happy hour.

Donitta E.

Chicago Restaurant Week 2015 here has an amazing menu! A nice way to end this year's feast. See ya'll in 2016

Rachel T.

Best happy hour in the city. Great food, great drink specials, and great value. You do have to sit in the bar - but I like that better anyway. Only downside is that you've got to be quick to get a seat and before they cut off at 6pm!

Chris M.

This place was great. Only reason it doesn't get a 5/5 is due to the fact my steak (albeit great tasting) was a very interestingly sized 8 oz. portion. The waitress was very informative, the atmosphere was not too classy but still had a romantic ambiance and they were very welcoming to out of towers (Toronto). Drink menu was expansive, the Old Fashioned was the best I had over the course of my trip and both my gf and I's meals were very tasty. A side of asparagus is about 12 spears so be careful not to get too full! Thanks you MC's and S, great first dinner experience in the Windy City.

Megan S.

My date made reservations for dinner. The gluten free menu isn't anything to rave about. I'm not a seafood/fish eater but the halibut is delicious. I don't know that I would go back. It was good but I think you're paying for the name, not the food. I did get really sick. I don't think it was food poisoning but maybe I'm allergic to fish.

Jaci Y.

McCormick & Schmick's happy hour was excited to check it out since I haven't dined there in almost 12 years. We sat down outside at first then moved inside to the bar area because it was too cold outside. However, I believe our partying moving from one table to the next doesn't excuse poorly run staff. I am very sad to say McCormick & Schmick's get's 1 star from me because the service was that horribly slow there. I felt they were understaff. The waitress and the waiters servicing us weren't rude or mean but they mind as well have been because you couldn't really get an proper service not even from the buss boy because our waters were never filled. At one point of the friends we were eating with had to go to the bar to ask for glasses of water to get water she was a customer serving herself that is piss poor. For me I had ask the waitress for Mayonnaise at least 5X and each time I was told it was coming by the time we got food and my burgers that I wanted the mayonnaise for it was cold and the mayonnaise never ever came it was sad because I felt the burger needed it. Furthermore, we arrived at the restaurant when it wasn't all the busy in the kitchen, and the food we ordered and drinks came out at snail pace then all of a sudden when we did order a second time the food comes out fast and you know bar tables don't have enough room to hold all of our platters. The food was okay nothing spectacular. I liked the cocktails for the happy hour I had the " Urban Influence" I thought it was fruity and nice for a woman's happy hour drink. I liked their oyster shooters and the sweet potato fries. I believe they offer a lot more food items than most Happy Hour places around the downtown area and other bars north of them. However, I wouldn't return because service was that slow and we left unhappy customers.

Denver J.

The staff here is absolutely amazing. They are insanely knowledgable, and can easily tell you what is in everything on the menu...I'm not sure how they deal with some of the clientele that comes in to the restaurant. The bartenders are fast and efficient. Shout out to Tim for the best manhattan that I've ever had.

Shirley W.

Came here for restaurant week during lunch today. Service was the waiter was good but the food didn't have much taste to it. We started with a chowder, and tomato basil flat bread. It just needed to be more salty or flavor, they didn't have much flavor in them. Both my friend and I thought the same thing. Although the flat bread wasn't that bad, just feel like it's missing something. After we finished the starter, it took about 30 mins for our main entrée to come. There were only about 2 occupied tables in the whole restaurant, not sure why it was taking so long. At the time I was already pass my 1 hour lunch break time. The waiter apologized for the long wait of food (we didn't complain to him, he realized that himself). I got the stuffed salmon, it was okay, just not much taste to it. My friend got the crab cake sandwich, she said there wasn't much flavor. The one thing I liked was the fries, I mean you can't go wrong with that. For dessert we had New York cheese cake. It was funny because we felt like there weren't much taste to that either. We both looked at each other and were just laughing because everything seemed tasteless to us. I don't usually need strong tasting food. I've always walk by this place and wanted to try, I'm not sure if I'm that interested in coming back here, because I don't really want to pay a lot of money for Ok-tasting food.

Laura G.

I would like to update my previous review of McCormick & Schmick's. My previous experience was less than stellar, my girlfriends and I having been waitied on by two less than enthusiastic bartenders who gave very poor service. The restaurant reached out and I spoke with the General Manager who was apologetic and was interested in learning more about our experience and exactly what transpired. This customer service and attention from corporate and the General Manager made me feel better and that my concerns were not only heard and listened to. For that, I am willing to try McCormick & Schmick's again. Plus, as I said, we all thought the gourmet Cheeseburger was delicious and the food I have had there at other times has been very well prepared.

Myranda Z.

Mark the bartender is fantastic. Sat downstairs in bar Mark took great care of us. Appetizers and drinks at the bar

Harold Y.

Been there done that. It was ok. My rib eye was pretty good but my wife's filet was little on the fatty side. Never saw a filet with fat on it.

Timothy D.

Fresh fish flown in daily.. Outstanding Tuna from Hawaii! I substituted asparagus, bad decision over the veggie of the day.. Service was exceptional! I would definitely come back...

Tim O.

I had a pleasant dinner here that was reminiscent of the experiences I had at the location in Baltimore many years ago. The service was fast and our waiter had a vast knowledge of the menu options, and was incredibly personable without being over the top. We each ordered an item off the specials menu and were in agreement regarding the quality, presentation, and value of the dishes- great. Wish I had room for dessert.

Karma K.

It's a chain but hey, it's pretty darn good. Has many others have stated, their happy hour deals are the bomb. But, I think their $14.99 lunch deals are even better. For the price, you can choose a salad or their awesome clam chowder and an entree from a selection of four to five. I've had the salmon with this deal and it was pretty darn good. If you don't do the lunch special, I recommend the mussell's diavlo or the lobster cobb salad. They just redecorated. Nice dining area. Professional servers. I'll keep coming back.

Michelle S.

With 56 reviews, I doubt I can say anything that hasn't been said, but the mahi mahi cakes nd the fish tacos are the Bomb!! Of course every silver-lined cloud has some rain in the middle. The girl I was with got a burger that shit was damn near mooing when it got to the table. there was blood (yes,BLOOD) on the bun and plate. And when the guy brought the cooked new burger back, I swear he tried to put it on the blood from the original burger. Everyone say it with me, "ewwwwwwwwwww". AND they charged her for it. Tacky. But I swear by the fish tacos for happy hour. You don't need to add sour cream or anythign extra to em. Just eat them as is. Yum.

Danielle D.

I must be missing something. Honestly, I don't understand how McCormick & Shcmick's 1) charges exorbitant fees for 2) mediocre food and 3) not only stays in business but has multiple locations. Is it just rich white businessmen with bland taste palettes who like this place and pretend to be refined by choosing a restaurant with nice decor and high prices? Do people really like this place and can someone explain this to me? Seriously. Mediocre is being nice. It has to be some of the most boring and bland food I have ever had, with the wrong ingredient-to-ingredient ratio (ie. too much mayo to cabbage in cole slaw). Many dishes seem like they've been steamed for too long, or microwaved. Worst of all, the food lacks flavor and the slightest bit of creativity in composing the dish. I received a $100 gift card to the place, and so far have tried: Goose Island Beer Battered Cod with Fries & Coleslaw (fish and chips, $16.95); Crab Cake with Orange Fennel and Watercress Salad (one small crab cake, $11.95); Crab Bisque with Tawny Port Reduction ($7.95); side of Wisconsin Mac & Cheese ($4.95); and Asparagus with Lemon Butter ($5.95). Main entrees are between $20-30. Like I said, it is pretty boring, overpriced, and often tastes like frozen food that's been microwaved (or badly deep fried). If I didn't have the gift card, I wouldn't go. I think the only thing McCormick & Schmick has going for it is its appearance. The restaurants are in good locations (Wacker and Chestnut), the decor is nice and professional, and there's often a live band playing. However, you shouldn't be won over by physical appearances; what lies underneath is terribly simple fare.

Eric B.

I stopped in to dine at M&S last night to catch the Bulls game. The bartender George noticed my buddy and I watching the game and asked us if we would like the audio to go with the game. This place definitely pulls out all the stops for its patrons. On top of that the manager was even kind enough to come by to see if it was loud enough for us. We all know M&S has great food, but who would have thought they'd have outstanding service to match.

Tyson T.

Do not waste your time here. With so many great seafood places in Chicago, I was terribly disappointed. My wife and I went here and the oysters were warm, my walleye was dry/flavorless and her scallops were like eating a rubber bouncy ball from the quarter machine at Walmart. I also ordered a seasonal Buttersquash Risotto that tasted like I was eating 20 sticks of butter...they must have forgot to add the squash. I woke up in the morning with a stomach ache and my wife did as well. Needless to say, I was doing the reverse of bowing to the porcelein god. I'm never going there again!!!

Robert B.

My experience here was average - nothing exceptional. The food was fine - the service adequate. The cashew-encrusted talapia was decent, but the sides were disappointing. For dessert I chose the chocolate fudge dome cake. The cake part was dry. I was expecting more.

Theresa K.

If I was just basing my review on the food, I would have probably given 4 stars. We enjoyed our unbelievably cheap appetizers, the sweet potato fries were perfect and our drinks were at least interesting. Where we knock off stars is in customer service. Our actual waitress was nice enough if not enthusiastic, but, we got the impression that since happy hour was over by the time we were ready to order another drink, it was time to go. she brought our check unasked for and generally wrapped us up while we were still eating our food. It wasn't exactly packed in there, it was a Wednesday after work and my friend and her partner of 13 years had just got their civil union on! We were ready to hang out but had to go around the corner to Emerald Loop to get another drink. Then there was the valet. First, we pulled up and were so confused about the valet process that I ended up driving around the block again to make sure it wasn't some where further down. The sign was there but there was no valet present. My husband has a disability, so I let him off on the corner by the cutout, and tried to park the car myself. As I came around again my husband was standing in front looking confused, still no valet, so I asked him if he could go down to ask the host. not seeing any other option, he started down the three stupid stairs in his difficult way, but the angle of the handrail was too steep and he fell. several customers noticed, and I hopped out of the car to help him, at which point the valet magically appeared, apparently not noticing my frantic face, the fact that I was running or my husband collecting himself on the stairs. While I was trying to get to my husband, the valet was shoving a valet card in my hand and disappearing with my car. um hello? can you wait ten seconds to make sure we're ok, since I'm obviously upset? and I have questions for you! Then I was trying to get my husband up, which requires some maneuvering, and several customers stopped to ask if they could help, but the host and waiters just kept walking by like we were invisible. We were RIGHT in front of the host stand and obviously struggling, even if some without a disability had fallen, the staff should have stopped to ask if they were ok or needed help! I finally just grabbed a chair from a nearby table to help him get up. once he was upright again, I realized that they only door we could see was a revolving door, which is hard for my husband. so I stopped there to look around. the host just stood there and stared at me until I said "Is there another, accessible door?" at which point we were directed to the invisible, unmarked accessibility door to the right of the patio. Had there been a sign on this entrance, we would have avoided the entire fiasco. it also would have said "Everyone is welcome here." Given the set up and the attitude of the staff, I'm guessing that's just not the message they are hoping to send. One last final complaint, the sign on the valet was really vague. I asked a waitress as we were leaving whether the valet was cash only or if we had an option to use a credit card, and she didn't know. not only did she not know, but she couldn't have been ruder about telling me she didn't know, and it was clear that she had no interest in finding out. (it's cash only, for the record) Maybe the valet is contracted out, I understand that, but it's a service that's provided to entice people to come to your restaurant. you should know as much about whats going on related your place as you do about the menu. and if you don't know the answer to a question, you should at least offer to find out. I'd love to eat here again, especially for the cheap happy hour, but we'll be sticking to the less chain-y, more friendly places downtown.

Natalie R.

The other McCormick & Schmick's? Fabulous! This one? Ummm... It's not often I get asked by The Hub if I'm 'going to yelp this one'. Even rarer, the 'you ARE going to yelp this one, right?'. The rarest? The 'I know you haven't yelped anything in over a year, but COME ON, we've been sitting here for TWENTY MINUTES WITH A MENU and WTF'. So babes, this is for you. Hey there, Mc & Schmicks? We were ready to celebrate a good week and you failed. When we walked up to the host stand, we saw another couple leaving the patio with a 'wtf' look on their face--perhaps we should have taken that as a hint. Instead we thought 'score--they're leaving--we're bound to get seated soon'. Not that it was busy, mind you--there were several tables open, but whatever. We were seated, we sat down, ready to part with however many dollars. Except: no one, it seemed, wanted our money. When you go to a restaurant that you know is not cheap, when it's not terribly busy, you expect a reasonably professional staff. One that, you know, takes your order. Maybe even...wants your money? I don't know--it could be just me, but I'm pretty sure I'm not spending any money just sitting there if nobody sells me a glass of wine or a lobster or anything. I would think a trained waitstaff (or the hostess that sat us) would know the signs of an unserved table. I learned them when I was in high school: 1st walk by: table has menu, no drinks. no big deal. 2nd walk by: table has menu, still no drinks, find server, ask wtf? 3rd walk by: table still has no drinks? serve them yourself. TWENTY MINUTES. I guess they didn't need our money that night. That's fine. We left. I'm sure no one noticed that either. Or rather--they did, but just didn't care.

Kristi H.

amazing! great food [as expected] but the service is what topped it off. i called for a reservation and they asked if we were celebrating anything special. i said we were having a going away dinner for a friend moving to germany and we showed up to our reservation with a private room and "good luck in germany andrew" written in german on our menus. ABOVE AND BEYOND when it comes to taking care of you. regarding the food, the lobster bisque is one of the best i've ever had.

steven l.

Went here the other night with a friend to check out the patio. We were looking for some al freso dining, but then of course it started raining and we had to move inside to the bar area. The food and wine were definitely up to par. I started with a glass of Wente Riesling and my friend a glass of Pinot Grigio. He felt his wine was a to sweet and that the waitress may have made a mistake (the bill at the end proved him right - however both of us being in the service industry this was not very bothersome). We started with the Portobello/goat cheese brushetta and mussel/clam in white white sauce apps. Both were delicious. Next we split the crab bisque which was just a heaping bowl of deliciousness. A mound of crab in the middle with the bisque poured table side, cute. For entree we opted to split the Sirloin with Bleu cheese served with broccolini (or ripini or something not sure). The meat was nicely cooked for me but my friend was a bit dissapointed. We had added a lobster tail to the steak, however the server said it had "been given to another table by mistake." This could have been the truth but being in the industry myself I've dropped that line a few times when I have forgotten things. No big deal... when the lobster tail did come it seemed to have some slight seasoning on it and was delicicious when dippied in the drawn butter. We also ordered a few sides; the blanched asparagus were very tasty, but skip the horseradish potato. During dinner we each had a cocktail, one was a topshelf cosmo with cointreau and agave nectar, the other was a watermelon margaritatini. Both were very tasty and strong. As for dessert, a platter was presented tableside and we opted for the German Chocolate cake. It was ok, nothing to special. I finished off dinner with a glass of port (unfortunately they have no menu for these items) and my friend had a special chocolate martini that the bartender made up. All in all a great experience, atmosphere and service. I will definitelty go back!

Kevin G.

If you want to spend a lot of money on mediocre food, then by all means this is the restaurant for you. I went here during the early afternoon for a late lunch and there was hardly anyone eating at this time. I expected to have better waiter service, but it took about 10 minutes just to get our drinks. The waiter also seemed to ignore our table, which is pretty hard to do when the restaurant is almost empty. I would suggest going to another seafood restaurant if you want good service.

Ray A.

ITS A CHAIN RESTAURTANT...( thats tells it all ) they say they're a seafood rest, but believe me it isnt.. bad,bad. ( thats my opin )

Brit D.

I've been here many times but mostly because my dad loves it. I always enjoy coming here and sitting outside looking over the chicago river! The workers can be a bit snooty, but overall I've had great experiences! Excellent steaks with great side dishes if you feel like going to a nice steak house on a nice summer night in the chi!

Andrea R.

Edit 6/23/07: I really liked this place when I first tried it last September, but eh....wasn't doing much for me when a friend and I went for happy hour on a recent Thursday evening. It was a gorgeous night so we grabbed a table outside, which probably wasn't a good idea when the extremely loud band started playing music right by our table. So much for us having a conversation! We split the crab cake appetizer and the crab/artichoke dip. The crab cake was so-so...a little burnt on the inside. I loved the crab/artichoke dip the last time I had it, but this time it was pretty gross. I enjoyed the pita chips that came with it (in fact ate them all), but they were better plain than with that nasty creamy dip. Probably a 2 star experience, but I'll just bring it down to 3 since my last meal was very good here...perhaps it was just an off night for McCormick? ________________________________________________ My co-workers and I had a delicious meal at the new location of McCormick & Schmick's this evening. I've been to the McCormick & Schmicks in various cities, but haven't tried it in Chicago until this evening. I did find the service to be a bit slow, but still top notch. We started our meal with an oyster sampler and the artichoke dip. Both were very good- especially the dip! I couldn't resist ordering crab cakes (one of my favorite meals) and although they were not as good as the ones at Hugo's, they were still very tasty. Everyone else at the table seemed happy with their meals as well. We probably would have passed on dessert if the waiter had not brought out an entire tray of sweets that looked way to good to pass up. We ordered the dessert sampler featuring a few different desserts and it was the perfect amount (the bread pudding was the best). I did inquire about the $1.99 happy hour special appetizers...this happens everyday of the week if you are sitting at the bar. I will definitely be going back to McCormick & Schmick's very soon for this special deal!

D C.

My husband and I went here to celebrate my birthday. I was really excited and looking forward to a great meal because I had heard so much about this place. My husband loved his steak, the lobster mashed potatoes were great, however, I ordered the special and it was really fishy. It was expensive and I just didn't feel it was worth it so I talked to the manager and he ultimately comped it. I appreciated that and I would try it again.

Carmella M.

OK whats the point of a fresh fish daily menu when 1/2 the items are out of stock . My Hubby and I went here for dinner and it literally took us 5 times to choose something every time we said may we order this the poor waitress said sorry "we are out tonight of that item". We finally said "TELL us what YOU have available" After total disappointment we finish our drinks paid the bill DID NOT ORDER and left..........Poor waitress we left her a good tip it isnt her fault..she cant make money when they have nothing to sell ... wont be going back

Amy H.

The first time I tried McCormick and Schmick's I left in disgust without tasting any food or drink. It had been a rainy day and at about 3 p.m. the sun came out. I needed to meet a friend someplace before going out so I suggested the patio in front of McCormick and Schmick's, since it used to be my favorite happy hour spot when it was Nick and Tony's. Apparently, the managers thought it would be raining all day so they closed down the patio. At 6:00 when I got there they had put out the tables but there was no service. Ok, no biggie, I'll just go inside to get a beer and come back out. The bar was packed. The bartender was rude (a snippy reply of "I just said that we don't carry that brand of beer!!) I stormed out while talking to my friend on my cell and saying "THIS PLACE SUCKS!!!!" The other day a few co-workers suggested going to McCormick & Schmick's for lunch and I figured I would give it a second chance. I'm so glad that I did, because the food was outstanding! We ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer, which was ok but the dipping marmalade gave it such a punch. I had the fish tacos, which seemed more like a fish fajita to me, and my companions all said that their dishes were delicious. We also sampled some desserts. The key lime pie was great, the bread pudding was to die for, and the creme brulee was so-so. The service was very slow, though. Our server didn't come to our table for 15 minutes after we sat down. We had to flag down the hostess to ask if we had a server or a busboy that could at least bring us some water. ETA: I have been to this restaurant three times since I wrote this review and the service, although the staff is nice and accommodating, is still slow. It's lunch in the loop, people! Pick up the pace!! We all have to get back to work. Plus, I made lunch reservations for 12:30 on a particular day and when I arrived with my guests I was told that there would be a 10 minute wait. Um, isn't that the point of reservations?? So that I don't have to wait?! Not my favorite restaurant.

Max G.

This is a great place to enjoy some really good seafood. I have never bad better tasting fresher oysters anywhere else. So, the wife took me here for my bday this year. On a warm summer day or evening, sitting in the patio is a must. Since it's on Wacker by the river, it has a spectacular view of the city skyline. The only downside is that sitting outside is very very busy so you should not expect outstanding service from your waiter as there are only several to cover the entire patio area. The manager did come by and hand us a card with a table assignment inside in case it started raining since it was overcast outside. This touch made up for our slow waiter that had to be flagged down for beer refills or continuous requests for more lemons. Despite that, their menu as any McCormick frequent guest knows is printed daily, and the quality of outstanding. Try a sampling of their fresh, raw oysters next time. Amazing!

katie h.

Went with clients for lunch today. Bad service and bad food. We had shrimp kisses -- appetizer with shrimp wrapped in bacon and jack cheese. Not tasty. Also had sizzling salmon that was supposed to come with black truffle sauce but came with an Asian sauce. Charged full amount. Check was delayed, 'the system broke.' Grandma and Grandpa's getting the lunch special on a Friday. Not fun. Not cool and Definitely not worth the price. Avoid it.

Kara B.

On the whole, McCormick and Schmick's is decidedly mediocre. They are a corporate restaurant, that is publicly owned strangely enough, run out of Seattle -- and it really shows. They have a beautiful location, with great decor. The booths are cozy and romantic, with curtains to make them more secluded if you desire. They really do get in fresh seafood everyday (I know because I worked for their PR company briefly) and print a new menu everyday. However, it seems like they only know two or three ways to prepare fish, because no matter what kind they get in that day -- they are going to prepare it in one of their standard ways. The food always tastes bland and mass-produced. They have decent sized portions, but nothing to explain why everything costs as much as it does. The happy hour is an alright deal. The quality and size of the $1.95 bar menu varies widely. The hamburger is huge, but the quesadilla is not. You usually can't go wrong with the mussels here though. We sat out on the 1/2 of the outdoor platform that is reserved for the Happy Hour deal last time I was there and it was very pleasant. They take great pride in their hand crafted cocktails -- and you can see why. I highly recommend their caphrinia. When you have a hand muddled drink, you can really taste the difference.

Jenna G.

On a Friday in lent, it was difficult to make a choice where my boyfriend and me were going to out to eat for our anniversary. I have had a lot of seafood in my day, and I expected a lot better from McCormick and Schmick. Our waiter was a little touchy feely towards me. He touched my shoulder and in general made me feel uncomfortable. He barely came to our table. He took a while to get out drinks, and just overall was terrible. I never got the water from the waiter. The food was not bad, but definitely was not great, especially for the price we payed. I have had better seafood at Red Lobster compared to McCormick and Schmicks. The only great part of our meal was the wisconsin mac and cheese. Our creme brulee was frozen. For two people, we payed over $100. It is over priced, and since I am living on my college budget it is definitely not a place I will likely return.

Tina B.

Delicious tilapia!

L P.

I visited McCormick & Schmik's today in hopes of experiencing a great dinner. To my surprise, my meal was horrible. I I ordered the combination dinner which included the salmon, shrimp, and crab cake. The crab cake was delicious, however the very small plank of salmon was very dry and the shrimp were as tough as charcoals. I hate to say for a restaurant that I was so excited about trying and that I had heard such things about, I was highly disappointed. I've had much better seafood at cheaper places. I donnot plan on returning here again.

M.A C.

Best Arnold Palmers anywhere! So why a bad review? My fish tacos were good but the side of beans that come with dish undercooked. Would have given a better review but our waitress was impolite - to put it nicely. She looked visibly annoyed when ladies in our table were not prepared to order and rudely skipped them. When we got our food delivered i thought i should take advantage of her presence and inquire about my 2nd arnold palmer that i had ordered and still had not recd which was talking a while to get. She made it known to me in a very rude tone that I didn't get it yet because she was getting our food. When she did bring my drink it was not the same delicious Arnold Palmer I had enjoyed earlier. I was the one who suggested this place for a business lunch and this interaction embarrassed me tremendously as it caused me to return her bad attitude right back to her face in front of my colleagues. I was looking forward to enjoying a nice and pleasant lunch but her service left bad taste in my mouth.

Captain K.

Delicious seafood, disappointing deserts and slow service.

Nikki L.

I am tempted to give this place two stars for service, however the food was pretty good. Being a first time diner, I didn't know what to expect. When I told friends that I was having dinner to McCormick & Scmick's they "ooowed and ahhed" saying how good the food was. I was excited to see what they had to offer. Their menu is displayed on a large single sheet with today's date on it. I think that's a special touch and it made me feel like they adjust their menu to make sure they are providing customers with fresh quality seafood. Sadly, our server was awkward and aloof. Me and two other people shared two entrees, you would think someone with common sense would know to bring out extra plates right? Um, No. I had to ask for extra plates and steak knives for our surf and turf. She also made the same mistake when we ordered 3 desserts for 8 people to share and didn't bring out any share plates. Ugh! Our host had to go around to the neighboring tables to take their B&B plates, it was pretty funny. Overall, food was good but service needs improvement. I might be back, not likely.

Craig R.

Took my niece and nephew here for a meal during their recent visit to Chicago. The food was goo dand the service was well done. It was a good palce to sit and rest of a couple hours and enjoy some good food during a whirlwind tour of Chicago.

Chester R.

the wild oysters with red beet rissoto was excellent. the mussels were awesome. the food was all pretty damn good. but. the service kind of sucked...and it was pretty empty for 730pm on weds night? which we thought was odd for this location. i would go back, but only on an expense account.

Lauren P.

who knew there were awesome happy hour deals to be found at mccormick & schmick's?! the downside is, it doesn't appear to be much of a secret. we showed up at five o'clock on the dot and the bar area was already packed. many patrons were on the prowl for seats - arrive early (happy hour starts at 3:30 everyday!) all of the food on the happy hour menu is under $5, but the biggest steal has to be the 1/2 pound burger with fries for only $3! add a $2 PBR (who knew a place like m&s would even have PBR on tap?) and i'm a pretty happy camper. no complaints here! however... service was super sloooooooow. it looked like there was only one server in the bar area. now, i used to work at a bar, so i can understand delays when there's tons of people and you're busting your butt - but girlfriend could have moved along a little faster. she was functioning at a snail's pace and kept disappearing from the dining area for 20 minutes at a time. unfriendly to boot. looking past the service, it's a great spot for after work. check out the happy hour menu for yourself here: mccormickandschmicks.com…

Regina L.

Yea, yea...we went to McCormick & Schmick's for happy hour, even though there's a couple of these here in LA...but we knew we weren't going to eat at one for awhile, so we just dropped on by during our vacation. Plus, they had happy hour the whole day on a Sunday and we couldn't possibly resist. Our expectations danced with happy hour priced seafood, drinks, and what not. Compared to the Wilshire Blvd. / Rodeo Dr. location in LA, this place: - made sure we ordered 2 drinks minimum per person instead of 2 drinks per party for our happy hour prices. I guess that's just fair, but in LA, we've gotten away with ordering just 2 drinks per party. Granted, there's always just the two of us anyway.... - had the friendliest yet touchiest waitress ever to me. I wasn't sure if that was just Midwest friendliness that she was demonstrating and I'm just a typical coldblooded Southern Californian not receptive to that friendliness .If someone would care to educate me about the difference between a super touchy waitress vs. a typical waitress with a Midwest friendliness, please let me know. - had a view of the Chicago River. We were actually there while they were filming parts of Batman that time. - Clams that were good, but not as good as they are here in LA. Everything else was pretty delicious and left both of us satisfied. I just generally love McCormick & Schmick's, so I have no other complaints.

food lover t.

First of all, I would love to say my waiter last night was terrible and not doing a very good job serving us. I asked for 12 oz ribeye medium rare but came out dry and well done....took a bite, it was hard and chewy. Second of all, to all raw meat lover, I had kobe beef bruschetta for apperttizer and its the bomb. I would go again on another location of McCormick & Schmick's. Hopefully I will get a better service and good ribeye.

P S.

Four stars for a fantastic dirty martini and from what I was told, a fantastic gin martini. Didn't eat, so I can't comment on that part but the service was friendly, the loo was clean and the bar seats very comfortable. Pricey, but you pay for the view and the zip code.

Rob F.

Great service. The lobster was great, excellent. Superb presentation.

Dane K.

I wasn't overwhelmed... Went to lunch recently with a fairly large group (15) but we had called several days ahead of time to make reservations. When we showed up, our table was set for less than 15--13 or 14 people or so, and that was by packing people in to places they normally wouldn't go. We asked to add a table and somehow this was decided to be too dificult, so after the first 13 people sat down everyone was moved several minutes later to a different room with a larger table. An exercise in stupidity if you ask me. Service was OK but not what I'd expect at a higher end steak house... I felt like everyone was training everyone else. They didn't have the wine we ordered in a section of our table so brought some cheap substitute which wasn't what we ordered at all. The whole thing took far too long. I had a meeting that was to start 1.75 hours after our reservation time. Our office is only 2 minutes away so it didn't seem like a big deal; but I had to take my food to go because it wasn't ready until 10 minutes before I needed to be back in the office. The food itself was kinda "ehh" ..nothing memorable. somewhere around 3.5

Kristin R.

I've been to this restaurant in other locations and know, from previous experiences, that their food is excellent. On this occasion, however, I am only speaking in regards to their happy hour specials. Which are an unbelievable deal. You can get a cheeseburger with any type of cheese and fries for $1.95! Obviously I don't eat any type of burger so I perused the rest of the happy hour special menu and happily settled on the mahi mahi cakes. I had had these before at another location and thought they were quite tasty. Other treats to tempt the tongue include: mushroom raviolis, some dual tuna thing, buffalo wings, mango ceviche with fried plantain chips (yum, this will be my next meal of choice), and a few other things. All ranging from $2-$4. Unbelievable if you ask me. The downer is that there are no happy hour drink specials but the cheap plates make up for it. The drinks seemed to be a little highly priced....$9 for a mojito and $10.75 for an 8 oz. glass of wine, just to give you an idea. I'm not sure if the food happy hour is only on Thursdays but it's worth it. The vibe is nice as well; it wasn't too packed at all, nor too loud. I hate it when I have to shout at my friends during what is meant to be a pleasant outing to consume mid-week beverages and food.

Felicity B.

We showed up here for our 8:45 reservation. We got a table immediately, but NO ONE came by for 20 minutes. Like the other reviewers have said: the world's most incompetent waitstaff. How can a nice restaurant hire such horrible people? When they finally made it over to our table, it was to tell us that there had been a ton of patrons today, so the kitchen was "overwhelmed" and had closed. Not like cooking food is their job or anything. And, according to the posted hours, they continue seating for ANOTHER HOUR. How is this place still in business? Don't waste your time.

Amy R.

Came here the first time for a work holiday party - service was splendid, but the food was so-so. I loved the bruschetta appetizer, but some of the others either looked un-appetizing or were really too big to handle (chicken skewers were huge and a bit hard to chew; quesadillas were tasteless). I'm not sure whether the food I tried at the different tables had been sitting out too long, but everything just seemed...dry. The rolls were difficult to use as a sandwich (which I'm assuming was their purpose, since they sat next to a meat carving station and spreads), and the cookies were definitely not soft, but edible. However, the guy working the bar was very generous with the wine, so I left feeling good about the place. It looks like a nice place to go if you're in the area. I'd give it another shot for a private dinner.

Jennifer A.

I waited 2 months for a response to my email to the manager of this establishment. I have decided to post my review here, as well. I wish I had read the other reviews before visiting this restaurant. Upon arriving we were offered two table choices, a booth directly next to the arrival area or a table slightly off to the left of the arrival area. As the restaurant was nearly empty we asked for another option only for it to be declined. It took nearly 5 minutes to be greeted at the table and offered any beverage, upon ordering dinner and wine, it took until just before the entrée arrived to receive the wine(about 10 minutes). It was clear our Open Table note to the Maitre de was not read, this was a birthday celebration. There was no acknowledgment as such. When the dishes were cleared, and it was obvious that the meal was barely touched, no mention was made by the staff. Overall I was extremely disappointed in the experience and would not recommend. With all the other choices in the area, save yourself the pain and expense of dining here.

Kristen R.

Very pleasant for lunch. I had the lobster ravioli and it was wonderful. The wait staff was great. I would 100% recommend this to a friend.

Daniil V.

You Should: Stay Away Sizzle: Fresh seafood daily, gorgeous stained glass & enormous patio = Blase Juice: Un-knowledgeable, inattentive staff = disappointing. Check Please: $$$

I've been to this location of McCormick and Schmick's a couple of times: once for lunch and once for drinks after work. Both times we sat outside on the large patio in front of the restaurant. I like the patio a lot: it's spacious and set back a decent distance from the street. (I hate sitting outside when you can actually feel the cars whizzing by!) Lunch was fair: I ordered a cheeseburger that was okay, but nothing special (a bit on the dry side, which is interesting because I order mine medium rare). Drinks were also good.we didn't have any food when we visited for drinks, so I can't comment on the happy hour food specials. I give McCormick and Schmick's just three stars for two reasons. First, I think it's a bit pricey for the quality of food. Second, both times I was there our service was just mediocore. In addition to slow service by the waiters, both times we had a wait quite a while for our check after asking for it. This was especially a problem during lunch, when we all had to go back to work. I did enjoy the location, and will probably go back for drinks when the mood and weather is right!

Melissa R.

I went late one night with a friend and there was only one other table that night. Our first batch of bread was cold and stale We constantly had to ask for refills on water. I had the rib eye and it was good but I honestly believe Longhorn Steakhouse is better. They burnt the fat and I ordered it to be cooked 'medium' so I expected it to still have that marbled look not a burnt crust. It came with half a roasted tomato and a few steamed asparagus stalks. My friend ordered mahi mahi and it came with green beans and mashed potatoes. Plating had no pizzaz and the vegetables had no seasoning, they were so bland. I spent $96 for the two of us and it was NOT worth it. I had a coffee after our meal and he had an irish cream. That was the best part except his irish cream was a tiny glass and it was 10 bucks. We were just visiting and I wouldn't recomend this place. I'm sure there are TONS of better places to eat in Chicago than this....

A C.

Took a date their a while back. It was her bday. I called them the day of and made the bday reservations. When we arrived, our menus were specially made with her name printed on top saying "happy birthday ......" That was a shock. Total shock. Then they came around and served us some "new specials." Gave us a little taste test. Made us feel special. Like our thoughts counted. Then came our appetizers, drinks, food, and a big desert! The waitstaff was awesome! I will never forget how they took care of the bday menus.

This is a great spot for after work with $2 hamburgers (3:30 - 6:30) and other great happy hour food specials. The drinks are on the high side, but if you stick to cola or beer - you have a nice little after work meal. The dining area is nice and quiet with good service. You can't beat that flaky, crispy bread with real butter which comes with every meal in the dining area. The roasted pecan and goat cheese salad is a good starter and their buffalo BBQ chicken sandwich was throughly enjoyable. To top it off, the main bar is a really great place to sit and chat. Solid woods and ornate carving with stained glass - puts me back into a great time which I didn't live. I guess I am a sucker for feeling like I'm in the 1930's? Hint: If you are looking for a drink adventure, take a peek at their Antique Cocktail Menu.

Jims L.

I wouldn't come here for anything but Happy Hour - I did once and had a bowl of soup while the rest of my party had their different entrees. The place is too pricey for me. Though if you do come to celebrate someone's birthday, they're kind enough to print out the person's name on the menu's. Anyhow, happy hour is amazing - sure you have to order two drinks, but you really can't beat good sized portions of burgers+fries, fish tacos, and buffalo wings starting at $1.95!

Brian L.

I visited this location (02/26/08) for a MRA event. I arrived early and sat at the bar and yes, the happy hour specials were something to brag about. $1.95 burgers and wings!! (with, of course, the two-drink min) however, since I was there for dinner, I didn't partake in the food options. They had a good variety of tap beers and wine selections. For dinner, (and I don't know if this stuff is on the regular menu, because I was there for a private event in the party room), I had the Michigan Cherry Chicken which was FANTASTIC!! It came with green beans (slightly under cooked) and mashed 'taters (fabulous). The only issue on the night was that they were out of fresh bread. Some excuse about the people who make it left without making some before dinner hour, blah, blah. When it arrived, it was good, but that was just about at desert. All-in-all, not a bad night out. Good location, small bar area, but good service and excellent happy hour specials if you can make it.

Isabella W.

I'm not really a fan of this place, and despise coming here despite their "happy hour" deals. I only come here for biz lunches since it's literally right next to the office. Since they supposedly specialize in seafood, I usually opt for the fish here (have gotten the trout, mahi mahi, scallops), and everything was just blah. Nothing ever stands out here, and the food is pretty bland. Why can't there be better restaurant options in the Loop by my office?

Kristin C.

I struggle with this review because I don't like seafood. At all. Still, when I am with someone who goes out for seafood, I always manage to find something on the menu. I was definitely down to try this McCormick & Schmick's with a Yelp buddy especially since I hadn't been back since Nick & Tony's closed (RIP). Lunches here are very business-y with and there was a sea of suits to complement the white table clothes. Make sure if you do lunch here that you have a large chunk of time - Service is SLOW. SO slow, it made me feel a little anxious. . . Since I don't eat Seafood, my options were limited. I went with the grilled vegetable sandwich and it was OK - kind of dry since I got it mayo-less. I even tried a crab cake (for me this was a huge step). The sauce was good but the crab cake - eh. I did like the cole slaw it came with if that counts at all. The manager came by our table a couple of times. It was kind of random because that didn't make the service any faster at all. He did make a BIG production out of the dessert tray. VERY intense. We split a sundae and that was actually my favorite part of the meal (and I'm not a dessert person). Would I come back here for lunch? Doubtful. I think I MAY swing by here for a post work cocktail - especially to sit on Wacker and people watch.

Lisa L.

I love seafood. I love this restaurant. I hated the server my partner and I had this evening, but loved the blackened catfish and salmon. Basically, you can never have the same thing here twice because they change the menu almost daily to serve whatever is fresh and in season. We'll be back because they have some good specials and very fresh fish, but I hope someone else (who doesn't come off like they rather eat glass than take my order) waits on us!

Zach T.

I went for the happy hour.bar menu Cheeseburger, which has enjoyed a lot of press of late. It's $1.99 with a 2-drink minimum. It was great. It's a half pound, and it's the darling of the menu, because the crab cakes and fish tacos were a hellof a lot less food. The bar staff was all new, so it was bumpy getting my order in, and I was nervous about my Drinks... I orderded the Basil Grape Refresher (that had been written up in Time Out Chicago) and found it to be all three things. However, it is $8. The sliver lining to the bar staff being all new was that they offered anyone seated at the bar a free frink off the mixed drinks menu since they needed to practice. I netted a $10 parisian sidecar for free. It was great. I will definitely be heading back for happy hour.

Jim O.

Food was good, but service was very sub par. My girlfriend and I had first stopped by at the Witt's Roof Top Bar for a drink after work (great place btw 4 stars) Afterwords we walked over to McCormick & Schmick's for dinner on 1 E Wacker. It was a beautiful day so we decided to eat outside. The cocktail menu had no prices and our server didn't even know, he had to find out. My beer arrived 10 minutes after I ordered it and my girlfriend's cocktail came another 10 minutes after that. We ordered a few appetizers which were very good, but they came at least 30 minutes after we ordered them. After waiting 20 minutes we asked the server "what up?" and he explained that the kitchen was slow and always backed up. It didn't seem that crowded to me. We decided not to order an entree because of the anticipated wait. Not sure we experienced some reverse discrimination or not, but the hostess was African-American and we are white. We were dressed business casual. There were 2 tables open adjacent to the sidewalk but she sat us away from them. My girlfriend asked if she could sit us at one the sidewalk tables and she said the server was overloaded and we would have to wait. We decided to sit where she put us but couldn't help notice that 2 minutes later she sat an African-American couple there. I commented to my girlfriend that maybe they didn't mind having an over worked server. But alas, they got prompt service and received their drinks before we did. Hmmmm. The other open table was still open when another white couple asked for it. They were told the same thing we were told and were seated elsewhere. A few minutes later another African-American couple were seated at the open sidewalk table. The entire time we were there, every sidewalk table was occupied by African-Americans. They all received faster service then we did. Her reason for not sitting us there was obviously b.s. Were we slighted? I'd say we probably were.

Esther Y.

I used to go to the one on Chestnut all the time for happy hour. That one over there is still great. I would actually give it more stars than this location. The service here is bad. Let me clarify, everyone EXCEPT the bartenders are awful. I mean there are some mean looking hosts and hostesses that just aren't welcoming, pleasant or at all nice. They are very uppity. On the other hand, the bartenders are awesome. They are quick to take your order, they are friendly, they are nice. The food during the happy hour used to taste better. I think it tasted better when it was not as popular. You have to go there early to get a seat and I would suggest sitting at the bar. They have a good key lime pie, but I don't know if they have it seasonally or they stopped serving it, but if you are there get it!

Justin L.

When did fish become comparable to steak prices but without leaving you satisfied? I have been here many times. First when my friend Jimmy was GM there but many times since. I can say that the place itself is very nice spot. It puts on airs like fine dining but has a very reasonable menu with nothing spectacular but simple and elegant all at the same time. For a sit down meal it is a bit much for lunch. Waiters don white coats and present a daily paper menu with fresh catch. Gives you the feeling that you are eating at a nicer place than a chain restaurant. I usually go with the grouper or something crusted and pan seared so I do think I am not truly tasting the fish to see if it is of good quality or not. But what really makes this place is the happy hour. Several other yelpers have made mention of this. This is the homerun for them. The happy hour menu is unbeatable downtown and you can have at it on the menu all for a 2 drink minimum. The burgers and probably the best buy on the menu and come with near perfect fries. I would pass on the quesadilla, but chicken wings are excellent there as well. Actually for a fish house everything not seafood is really quite good. I would say it beats their seafood offers by a mile. Get their early and stay there late. The damage on your pocket book with be minimal and the strain on your waistband will be maximum. There are enough items to choose from on the happy hour menu (and the regular menu for that matter) that you could go every friday for a month and not get tired. The wait staff is friendly and fast. Recommended for Happy Hour.

D W.

So I just left good ole Mc & Schmick and I gotta say I am not going back anytime soon. I have witnessed the slow decline of this restaurant and today they really broke my heart. They once had a delectable apple pie with cinammon ice cream that was so rich, your taste buds sang as you gobbled it up. But alas, no more! They have switched brands (read cheapened) for the ice cream and the pie is just not the same w/o it and at $7.50 for a dessert, I expect the best! They also got rid of their carrot cake which was one of the best carrot cakes in the city. Needless to say, my sweet tooth is very very upset. *hmph*

Kymberly S.

I went here before a show and even though they were full in the restaurant are with reservations, we were able to sit in the bar area which was great. Menu is very good, however, might be a little to expensive for the quality of the food. The food was delicious and the service was great. I would definitely recommend this place for people who enjoy good seafood.

Nancy H.

I was impressed by how spacious this restaurant is! Our waiter was funny and friendly and very good with our orders for a table of 20. I consider myself a seafood girl, but oddly, there was nothing on the menu that really caught my eye, I only got the mussels appetizer in curry broth and the clam chowder, so I won't be coming back here. On the other hand, I frequent the other McCormick location on Rush St. for the late night $2 appetizers (with a 2 drink minimum). It is always fun and more laidback, and not just seafood!

George K.

When I first moved here, two years ago, oh I can't believe I been here two whole years now. I remember getting a tour of what it's like in downtown Chicago. At my first sight of downtown after going through already got the job "job interview" I was exhausted but I wanted to see what it was like. My neck was hurting for few days looking at so many tall buildings. My favorite view is looking toward the Chicago Board of Trade on LaSalle Street. Anyways, while I was getting a tour, I saw this restaurant from wacker drive, people sitting outside on the patio enjoying lunch. I told myself I will eat here for sure, someday. I got an opportunity to have lunch with one of the yelpers last week. It was on the other side of our work but I didn't mind walking since it's been a dream of mind to go here from my first landing in Chicago. Oh boy I was disappointed. I made reservations for lunch, you must! So, how come you only had few wait staff working? Took forever to get our lunch. Crap cake.. yeah.. I said it, Crab Cake for appetizer wasn't that good, not good as Hugo's. You know this is Seafood place. Right? Neither of us ordered seafood. I think the manager gave us expedited service after we kind of nudged him that we wanted to try dessert. I thought my food was okay, mediocre, not all that. Maybe I should have tried seafood since they are known for it. Maybe next time.

Erik N.

haven't been there to eat off the regular menu, but I've been a bunch of times for the happy hour menu. I LOVE IT!!! $1.95 appetizers. And I'm not talking about a 3-piece chicken tender either. I'm talking about a full on order of food: burgers and fries, wings, etc. all at $1.95 a piece!!!! And some pints for onlly $5?? You can't beat it. 5-stars all the way. Would do 6-stars if I could, because the last time we went it was packed. There weren't any tables around, and they brought one out for us straight-up Goodfellas style.

Matthew S.

I have been here twice now, and for a chain restaurant, have been impressed with the food and (especially) the service. Last night, had honestly one of the best servers I've seen in Chicago, easily up there with Heat or Trotter's. Happily surprised. This is also one of the better places to find a wide variety of fresh seafood in Chicago. Make sure you ask lots of questions! The chef here can handle pretty much any request, which can end up in you getting something better than what the menu may have. Had the calamari and some seared ahi tuna - I left a happy camper.

Zaid A.

So my mom LOVES seafood, and being the good children they are, my sister and brother-in-law took her out to McCormick and Schmicks since she was in town. Being the middle child and inability to procure said funds to sponsor said activity I got the pity invite....which was AWESOME. If you drive too fast on Wacker you may blow by this, but in the heart of Downtown resides the ending place of soooo many good fishies. Atmosphere: M&S has a fun vibe to it. All around are businessmen, couples, and people alike. I would recommend casual dress, I sported a collared shirt and jeans and didn't feel out of place. All around is warm wood paneling, and a kicking glass mock up of the Chicago Skyline, adding to the fun feel. It looks small from the outside, but the interior is fairly spacious with a good portion of round tables for larger groups. Service: Everyone wore white coats, which if you know me has special meaning, so I was cracking my head off....really. Anyways our waiter was excellent, he was very engaging, and helped dish it out and still take it. Definitely earned his 23%. Food: Excellent selection of exotic and stable fishes, I was thoroughly impressed. We had appetizer of Seafood Artichoke Dip, and steamed muscles both which were very good. Everyone at our table got something different from Jumbo Shrimp, to Alaskan King Crab, to a delightful whitefish. Though I am a big fan of the Costa Rican Mahi Mahi, I wussed out and got the Hawaiian Swordfish. I eyed the Mexican Blue Marlin, but I stayed with what I knew. The Swordfish was excellent, on par with some of the best I have had. It was a little on the softer side, but it could be the style of cooking. Presentation of food was well done, and the seasoning and flavor of everything was amazing. Only flaw was that portions were smaller than I think should have been for market price. Mommy Factor: My mom loved this place....so there you go. Going Steady Factor (a.k.a. Date Factor) - If I wasn't broke I would take said significant other here. Its fancy and fun, and just sitting there makes you feel like you are more important than you probably are. There are some booth areas so a small amount of seclusion is possible Bling: This is a little on the price end. Two appetizers were plenty for 4 hungry adults, and ranged about 9-10 for each one. My swordfish ran around $25, with most meals in the 20's. Expensive yes for amount of food (my reluctance for 5 stars), but in hindsight for atmosphere, good service, and top notch food I think this is worth 4.5 stars and my mom's promised to bake us brownies.

Theresa C.

My son is spoiled rotten when it comes to eating out. He had sushi when he was two, prefers a Kansas City Strip over a filet, and his favorite appetizer is shrimp cocktail. He thinks octopus is OK, but he enjoys calamari much more. His favorite cheese isn't American or Velveeta. Nope, he prefers Mediterranean herb encrusted goat cheese, thank you very much. Recently I took my teenage foodie to the new McCormick & Schmick's on Wacker Drive. I'd visited there a couple of months ago and had a less than stellar experience ( thelocaltourist.com/blog… ), so I wanted to revisit in the hopes that they'd gotten some kinks straightened out. Having my son along was also a test to see if the service would suffer due to the inherently lower check that comes with an underage diner. First things first: they did not know who I was. I didn't even pull the notepad out so they would have no idea I was reviewing them. Wow. I have rarely had such perfect service. Besides hitting the standard points, like clearing dirty plates and keeping our water glasses full, our server included all the little touches that make service great. My chair was pulled out for me. He used suggestive selling skillfully. We didn't feel sold to; rather it seemed he was guiding us. He even offered my son an Arnold Palmer. This drink of half-lemonade and half-iced tea would have required more work on his part. When I asked where to find the ladies room I was escorted instead of just given directions. Upon my return to the table I noticed my napkin had been folded. The vast improvement in service wasn't just because we had a different server. A manager came by to check on our experience (and actually stopped and listened), and proceeded to check with every other table. The server for the young couple next to us offered them recommendations for the rest of their evening. Every table was well-maintained. Our appetizers were, of course, jumbo prawns and calamari. The calamari was lightly breaded and tender and served with three great sauces - cocktail, a spicy remoulade, and a pepper jelly. Prawns are hard to mess up, but sauce can be an issue. Theirs is mild with a pool of horseradish in the center so you can spice it up. We split the mixed greens salad with gorgonzola and walnuts, and this time they remembered the gorgonzola and walnuts. They also split it for us. As we were looking over the menu my son said he didn't like tuna, and I realized, to my surprise, that he'd only had the canned version. I had to get the ahi just so he could see what it was like. Seared rare with a coating of cajun spices and served with a cucumber salad, wasabi, and ginger, it was delicious and now he's a fan. He surprised me again by ordering the penne pasta with chicken. Normally this kid wants the most expensive thing on the menu. But, as he put it, he had a "taste for chicken." I love ahi, but after I tried his I had entree-envy. Grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, penne pasta, and a tomato cream sauce served with garlic bread - Mama Mia! With dinner I had a glass of the Louis Jadot Beaujolais ($7). It was versatile enough to work with both dishes. My son said the same thing about his Sprite. For dessert we shared - and I'm being generous here, because he definitely didn't want to give me any - the ice cream sundae with flourless chocolate cake. It was good, but we both agreed it needed some hot fudge. We left happy and full. Since I really don't like giving bad reviews I breathed a sigh of relief, and so did my son. Believe me, it's no fun to have dinner with me when I'm disappointed! Fortunately this dinner was a lot of fun and he can't wait to go back. (Sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself. Why can't I just take him to McDonald's?)

Jessica C.

I was taken there for dinner yesterday for the first time. Even though it was a Monday, it was quite busy, so we waited 15 minutes before being seated. Our waiter was great. He gave us recommendations and visited our table frequently. I ordered a glass of wine and the waiter told me that if I didn't like it, he'd take it back right away. For an appetizer, we ordered Raw Oysters.... not too bad. For an entree, I ordered The Seared/Raw White Tuna seasoned Cajun style....it wasn't too bad. It was served Japanese style, where it came with chopsticks, Soy Sauce, Cucumber Salad, and a few cold hard California Rolls (or some kind of roll that was like bought from Dominick's or something.....blah). Jeff ordered the Crab Cakes for an entree. It was seriously really good! It was very fresh and I think that was the best crab cake I've ever tasted. :) Then for desert, we ordered the Carrot Cake with cream cheese and coconut shavings for the icing....which was the yummiest part of dinner. :P Overall, I had a good time at McCormick & Schmick's. The atmosphere was nice, the waiter was great.....it is a lil pricey here, but I think it's worth it =) Oh!! One more thing, while I was waiting they had a flyer out saying they have specials. It's like $2 for certain entrees or something like that...I just remember it being super cheap. It's only available at certain times of course...but I'll be sure to be back for that! :o)

Allison N.

I was highly anticipating the opening of this restaurant, as it is in my office building and I sort of tracked the progress of it during construction. It also helped that the manager handed out $10 gift certificates like hotcakes preceding the opening. I tried it at lunch and was neither impressed nor completely disappointed. I had an apple gargonzola salad with tomato soup. The salad was bland, but the soup was delicious. My boyfriend got a cod sandwich, which was HUGE, but very blah. The service was outstanding, but almost cultishly great. I think they have a policy where they HAVE to greet customers, because as I was walking to the ladies room I passed a row of servers, each of whom mechanically said "how do you do, how are you, hi, nice to see you" as I walked by. It was very odd, and although I appreciate the hospitality, it felt forced. I think that tends to happen with new restaurants at first, and I will definitely check back in a couple months to see how the well-oiled machine has changed.

t.n. t.

the wine was so good that i really can't say how good the food was or the waitress. i know she was flirting with my date though! I do remember both the clams and oysters being good and fresh. Not for the younger crowd, but who cares right? You will definitely get stared at if you aren't conservative old money! I wish it was in a better location with less traffic, so there weren't so many distractions.

Nancy C.

This location is better than the Chestnut one. It has a warm interior, and it's a nice date place. The staff is friendly and v. polite. Prices are reasonable as well. You should try their oysters and chocolate bag (dessert)! Other than those 2 dishes, I haven't been impressed with the food.

Ed W.

I was really disappointed this last visit. We were seated next to a group of lawyers where were in the process of getting really really drunk. In fact, one lawyer fell over into her raw oysters, AND YET the server continued to serve them drinks. They were loud, obnoxious, and certainly the source of at least 1/2 of the most cheesy lawyer jokes in existence. I was here with my wife, and was totally offended. And yet the server did nothing to mediate the situation, except to give us looks that seemed to say, "I can't do nothing about this..." Maybe he was afraid of being sued, I mean after all the group of five were all lawyers apparently from different firms. The appetizers were great, my steak, a filet, was actually tough -- and so was rather disappointing. My wife's steak was perfect, but her baked potato was undercooked. So all in all, not a great evening, especially considering our meal set us back $200.00.

Leang E.

I've gotten carry-out from here before, but most recently got the chance to dine in. I actually got to have a drink at the bar as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. I liked that the bartender acknowledged me and actually asked for my ID. It's strange to feel slightly embarrassed at my age, but I was because she asked me shouting over and it felt like the entire bar heard her. In any case, our party was seated in a back smaller area where there were more large private parties. I had gotten the clam chowder and the Chef's mahi mahi special. They were both good, but I would have to admit that they were both on the saltier side for my taste. I also had some of my boyfriend's NY strip to try out, and that was a little on the salty side as well. I know I didn't drink enough water to begin with especially with the wine, but I remember being quite thirsty for the remainder of the night. I did finish the evening off with the chocolate box dessert. This is quite unique and pretty good. You can't go wrong with chocolate and fruit. The prices are reasonable. Brandon, our waiter, was really great. I just wasn't floored compared to the many other steak restaurants in the city.

Cassandra M.

The food, once we actually received our entrees, was delicious. We had a 12:30 reservation and did not receive our entrees until after 1:30 and were given excuses and a not so sincere apology. I immediately asked for my food to go as we had waited so long I wasn't even hungry anymore. I get back to the office and my food was dumped upside down in the container. I expected more given some of the reviews. Sadly this was my first visit and will be my last. So disappointed.

Colleen B.

My husband and I stopped in after winterfest for a couple appetizers and drinks. We sat at the bar and Timothy was our bartender. He was extremely attentive, very informative and just such a pleasure to dine with. All of his recommendations were spot on. Would gladly come back to try other entree options but will definitely sit at the bar again. Awesome experience!!

Darlene D.

Awful, and a total rip-off. Went there on a Sunday, had one the first reservations. We didn't order appetizers and it took over ONE hour for our entrees to be served!!!! ordered the shrimp and andouille sausage mac and cheese- the noodles were huge about 3 inches in length and 1 inch diameter, and I had to search for tiny shrimp and tiny pieces of sausage. Bad Chef. Husband ordered the Ultimate Grill- portions very small, served red pepper mashed (OK) and zucchini chunks- terribly prepared. Again Bad Chef. Son ordered the stuffed shrimp- got 5 small-medium shrimp with a tablespoon of basic crab bread dressing (lots of bread). Again Terrible Chef, NOT WORTH THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES You can prepare each meal for under $5 retail (they only paid $3)

Karen N.

Fancy gourmet seafood on a plate at 10:00pm? Yes, please! I love seafood! I especially love fancy white fish on a plate. I don't know what it is, but I've always been particularly fond of fancy plated fish. Needlless to say, I was really stoked to dine here during my visit to Chicago. After a long day of work, we were all thrilled to put food in our systems. We came in on a late Saturday night. Upon arrival, we were seated almost immediately. --- I ordered: Palm Beach Mahi Mahi with Crab Potato Hash - This was made beautifully. Fresh mahi mahi on a bed of warm, crispy potato hash. The fish was cooked just right; fresh, soft, & flakey, with just the right amount of seasoning. The potatoes on the bottom were crispy and oh so delicious. Everything together paired out really well. Sweet Corn Bisque - meh, it tasted like regular corn chowder to me, just fancier. For dessert, we decided to share and ordered the: Double Mousse Cake - the presentation for this dessert was impressive. It tasted even better! The exterior shell was constructed beautifully out of milk chocolate. The inside had this rich, creamy, decadent white choclate mousse that was just unforgettable. It was so good, I could have eaten the whole thing by myself, but I shared. --- I had a wonderful dining experience here! Food was great, service was great. I couldn't have asked for more. There's a McCormick & Schmick's in Anaheim and I can't wait to go. :)

Joe L.

I am writing this review from my phone on a toilet because it is not worthy of being written anywhere else, and I ate at McCormick & Schmick's last night and haven't been able to stop pooping since then. I went to McCormick & Schmick's yesterday (Friday) for an early dinner and some drinks with my girlfriend and her sister. Mc&S has a great special that offers discount appetizers if you order an overpriced drink from 3:30 - 6:30 during the weekdays. We unassumingly stopped in for dinner thinking that we could grab a quick bite and get a a few drinks. The bar area was relatively empty, and appeared to have at least 5 bartenders and a server as you can see in the picture I posted. They sat us in the corner of the bar which I thought was odd, but I didn't complain. After being ignored for the first 30 minutes, I took it upon myself to go up to the bar and ask if we could order some food and drinks. The bartender assured me he would send a server right over. A few minutes later a waitress came over and took our drink and appetizer orders. We figured that we must have slipped under the waitstaff's radar up until that point, but that it would be smooth sailing for the rest of the evening... we thought wrong. The waitress was incredibly slow the rest of the evening. We ordered calamari, fish tacos, a quesadilla and fries. The calamari came without any sauce, the waitress forgot the fish tacos order, and to be brutally honest none of the food was very good. Had the waitress been the least bit apologetic, I wouldn't be writing this review right now, but she wasn't sorry for the terrible service and acted like everything was all hunky-dory. We paid our bill, and tipped the waitress (even though I don't think she was deserving of a tip), and asked the speak to the manager. He too was unapologetic and assured us that they had no problem with their service. He offered to buy us an appetizer or desert on our next visit, but unfortunately this experience put a terrible taste in our mouths and we don't plan on ever visiting a McCormick & Schmick's ever again. The whole experience honestly felt like we were at a really poorly run T.G.I. Friday's. After obviously getting some sort of stomach virus, it makes one wonder if McCormick & Schmick's would be more appropriately named "McCormick & Shits."

Karen M.

Two stars for servicie. Three stars for food. Four stars for ambiance. We went here last night for a business dinner. They seated us at a booth which was lovely. The decor in this place is very nice and lends for a nice ambiance. Started with the blue crab and seafood chowder which was really nice. It could have been hotter but overall the flavor was excellent and it was loaded with crab! For my entree I had the ultimate mixed seafood grill which was grilled shrimp, stuffed shrimp, seared scallops and grilled salmon. The grilled shrimps are tiny, overcooked and chewy. The stuffed shrimps were also very small, and overcooked, but the stuffing was good (not amazing, just good). The salmon and the scallops were nicely done and flavorful. Overall my dinner was okay, but definitely not memorable and overpriced at $34. My husband and his colleague had crab cakes and they were quite good and fairly priced. We also had an excellent wine with dinner, a red blend that was absolutely delicious. In general, I think M&S is overpriced on most items given the quality, they are spot on with others.

Don H.

As an update to my review, I was sent a request by management to discuss the service here. I sent my number and received a response that they would be contacting me within 3 days. That was 7 weeks ago and never heard from them. Looks like they have a lot of break downs in communication.

Rose Anne G.

This is the second year in a row we've had our family Christmas meal here. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is festive. I appreciate the holiday cocktails (did I mention I was with family?) and tried several (did I mention I was with family?) The Ginger Julep was my favorite, followed by the Pomegranate Fizz, and the Kentucky Smash, all made with fresh mint, fruit and juices.The shrimp kisses are my favorite appetizer. The food quality is excellent and reasonably priced for what you get. The desserts are yummy, especially the chocolate bag. A great dining experience, I am planning on making it a holiday tradition to eat (and drink) here!

Michelle L.

This was our 16th anniversary. We had our wedding reception here when it was Nick and Tonys. I was leary to go here, since it is a chain. My husband talked me into trying it. It was so mediocre. My medium steak was well done and dry. Sorry to say we won't go back til it changes owners. BTW the manager Krystal had such an attitude she shouldn't be in the service industry. She offered me a 7.00 dessert instead of comping my 25.00 meal. Pretty pathetic when we dropped 190.00.

AV G.

Weak. i had a $100 coupon (see you Ocenaire review) from my $1000 expense account meal at one of M&S corporate partners. The food was fine--they never even offered bread? Service was nice, but for some reason insanely slow. We were there at 2pm and the only ones in the place. Whatever. Anyone who eats here rather than walk 50 feet to Catch35 which has all the same stuff and the same pricing is making a mistake. This is a giant chain, with a proven concept--it is just not for me.

Duke Sparks S.

One of downtown's best seafood options, featuring exquisitely prepared Great Lakes fish, in a pleasantly sedate atmosphere.

Jeff W.

Although it may be a chain restaurant, it really is a great place. I would highly recommend joining the Landrys Select Club the next time you visit. It's $25.00 to join, but you get a $25.00 credit on your next visit. Along with McCormick and Schmick's you will find several other very well known fine dining establishments.

Susan D.

Came here pre-show after being turned away from several places with 45 minute wait times! Helpful hostess let us know that we could sit at the bar immediately, which we prefer anyway. Received excellent service from the bartenders who despite being crazy busy, kept up with refilling our drinks right away. We each ordered the sirloin and it was cooked perfectly and seasoned nicely. The grilled tomato on the plate was a treat as well. We felt it was exactly as expected for the price. Would have no problem returning in the future!

Cheri H.

Wow great food great price and great service!! Nice atmosphere too!! I'll be back!!

Platon B.

Fancy restaurant with very high prices and ambitions. However, food is average, and personnal is cheap. Our servant didn't even know that champaign must be placed into ice bucket until we demanded to bring it. The only good thing was oysters - big and tasty. That's why 2 stars.

Richard J.

Food was decent but the service was sub-par. The wait staff did their best but the kitchen was clearly not functioning well. Overall was extremely disappointed.

Peter A.

service was not friendly and food was ok. food was luke warm and not prepared as requested. the server blamed the kitchen but did not offer a solution. I have had much better at location in Philadelphia. the atmosphere was nice but not worth the price.

Taylor M.

Went here with my mom while she was working in Chicago... don't think we'll stop in here again. It started off very optimistic we were created quickly and very politely but it took a while for our waitress to come around. Our food seemed to come out a little slow nothing terrible but it was a but if a longer wait. My mom ordered the Parmesan crusted chicken salad and said the chicken tasted more like pork than actual chicken. Although she did enjoy the salad itself. I ordered the the special Alaskan duo and it was very good. Both types of fish were cooked well. But when we were finished again our waitress took awhile to get our check. And it was not because she was busy we saw her standing around talking to other waiters. I would give the food a definite higher rating compared to the service. It was a decent place to eat but nothing really special. I would just make sure you have planned for a bit of a longer meal time.

Anthony M.

The girl at the front desk could not find our 6:30pm reservation. I told her that I made it at OpenTable.com and had a confirmation number. She then told me that maybe I made it at the wrong location. I asked her if there was another location on Wacker? She looked at me and said, "Don't worry I will be able to get you in!" Um considering I have a reservation confirmation...I should be giving you attitude and not you giving me attitude. So we decided to have a nice feast. The food was okay not amazing but okay. We started with the Walnut Mixed Greens Salad with White Balsamic Dressing. I found it funny that the dressing was actually yellow. I really liked the salad because it was simple and tasted it good. Next we went with the Maine Lobster Bisque...the presentation was well done. The issue I had was that the lobster in the middle was cold close to being frozen in temperature. It was a real shock to have a warm soup and ice cold lobster in the middle. The soup was also incredibly salty too...It was almost like drinking salt water...maybe the chef was going for this effect. Finally I decided to go for the Perfect Combination...I choose 3 different fishes. I loved this choice because I was able to get a little of everything. I am going to go in order from best to worst. The Scampi Grilled Gulf Shrimp were really good. It was the highlight of the plate. Next I would say the Lump Blue Crab Cake was okay. It had a lot of mayo in there...it was not the best crab cake I have ever had. On the bottom of the list would be the Grilled Swordfish. It was probably the worse Swordfish I have ever had in my life. It was really fishy...the only way to fix it was to dunk it in the sauce that it came with. I thought I was making the perfect combination but I was not...I have no idea how three of my favorite items could just be this bad. I thought the children's menu was very good...there were a lot of choices to choose from for kids. My little one really liked the Mac and Cheese. I hate to say this but I wish I would have ordered that. The cheese was a white cheddar and it was really really good. I wanna but under 12 again. This also came with ice cream...so we were all able to have a little desert to end the evening. Back to my missing reservation...I received an email during dinner from Opentable.com telling me that I missed my reservation. This just made me mad because if you miss 2 reservations they will put you on probation. I don't want to go to Opentable Jail! As I was walking out of the restaurant, I showed the girl the email and she again didn't seem to care. Another guy who was there when I checked in said, "Hey I can add you in the system. He typed in my name and then all of a sudden it showed up and he put me in at 6:30pm!' Why didn't she just do that to begin with when I came into dinner 2 hours before? Maybe laziness!!! I didn't like the attitude when I walked in and I was not happy with the quality of the fish here. I think I am done eating here...I have been here before and I have walked away feeling less then satisfied. I need to find a seafood restaurant that cares about what they serve and not just stand behind there corporate name!!!

Derek D.

Meeting for business today at noon I had a feeling this 5 person lunch would take about 1.25hours. The fastest service I got was then it was time for the bill. Before that it was a very slow and unimpressive experience overall. When doing a lunch with clients the waiters energy can sometime set the tone for the energy of the business lunch and this was lacking for sure. With so many places to eat in Chicago I am starting to think this one is going to be last on my "re-visit" list. Thanks for the 2 hours lunch. d

Vanessa R.

We were recently here to eat dinner with a friend and his parents from out of town & overall had a great experience! The crowd was mostly older, people on business trips, and tourists. Service The hostess was friendly and allowed us to be seated earlier even though our party was running a little late, despite it being a crowded Saturday night. Our waiter was also very attentive and our food came out very quickly. He also wasn't pushy at all when we declined an appetizer or dessert which was nice. I will say we were seated really close to the kitchen which was at some points distracting because anytime someone came or went from the kitchen they would yell (corner!). Seriously, put up a mirror and it would be much more efficient and quiet! Also, the tables were a bit close together, making navigating to/from your table very difficult and having to have other patrons move their chairs. Food I am not a big seafood person, and I wasn't really feeling eating a big slab of meat, so I compromised and am not ashamed to admit I ordered what would probably go on the kids menu: Buttermilk Fried Shrimp with Chesapeake Fries & Cocktail Sauce. The shrimp were huge and fresh and I loved that they were not too greasy; the fries were seasoned really well and were a very large portion. Everyone else at our table loved their entrees and their portions were also huge. Next time, I'll be sure to try to save some room for dessert: the red velvet cake we spotted at several tables looked amazing! Although I didn't drink, they have a very large selection of various wines, cocktails as well as beers. Overall, a good place to bring the parents out for a nice dinner. Located steps from Michigan Avenue and across the street from the river makes this a great location if you plan on going sight-seeing across the city. Good fresh seafood, steak and pasta options will ensure that everyone finds something on the menu they'll like.

Raphael S.

Palm Beach Mahi Mahi tasted as if a tablespoon of salt was added to the dish. The crab potato hash in which the Mahi Mahi was served on was so salty that it was inedible. I ended up leaving half of the dish uneaten. The dessert was good.

Michelle R.

I had the Salmon here and wow was it good! The green beens were also delicious with garlic infuse. I also had a glass of Merlot wine which cost $8.5 dollars a glass, so not too bad. I will come back and definitely recommend this place to family and friends.

Zita S.

Poor acknowledgment of arriving guests. We were at the bar (with no other patrons) for 5+ minutes with not so much as a 'I'll be right with you'. We were aware they were closing within a half hour, & called ahead to find out whether we could still be accommodated for a quick bite at the var, & were told it was ok. But upon attival, they were obviously focused on being done for the night. Disappointed after being in the city for a few days (after living here for 7 years before), and having excellent service at multiple steakhouses, & then encountering a dismussive attitude at what 'should be' a decent restaurant. We got up after 10 mins, with the hostess looking up just long enough to say "Have a good night".... If she was aware of what was going on in her room, there should've been an embarrassing apology and request to assist us ASAP.

Jeff S.

McCormick & Schmick's has it up and downs. After receiving a gift card for a holiday gift we booked a reservation. We ate here on a Saturday night and it was moderately busy. Service was friendly but slow. The food was hit or miss. The calamari app was well done. The crab legs were great and you got a nice portion, bigger than more expensive crab legs at Shaws. I ordered a ribeye that came out medium-medium well even though I ordered it medium rare. The red pepper mashed potatoes were bland and missed any red pepper flavor. The manager was helpful offering a free dessert since the steak was not well prepared. Overall it's not a bad place but I highly doubt I would eat here again.

Danielle J.

A laughable experience. As a Chicago local, I was completely embarrassed for the service we received last evening. We were a small party of 4 and sat ourselves in the bar high top tables. Our waiter, Jessie, seemed flustered and confused every time he came over. I am not even going to go into detail with the horrible chain of events but he forgot multiple pieces of our order and did not even offer an apology once. He then gave me the wrong drink, once again did not apologize, and then blamed me and walked away swearing under his breath. I will not be back. I would expect a reputable restaurant chain to have certain standards.

Jen T.

From our hotel, we walked here for dinner. What???? It's a chain and we have plenty of these around DC. I know...I got lazy and too hungry to venture to a new place. We sat at a high top bar in the bar area. Our waitress was a huge disappointment. She didn't know what was on the menu and we asked her to replace a side and she said no, the kitchen can't make substitutions since the meals were pre-plated???? What??? All I asked her was to replace vegetables instead of mashed potatoes. I asked her to please double check with the kitchen. Glad she did, since I was bake to get sautéed veggies as a side to my a Ultimate Seafood Grill. BF got shrimp scampi which came in an oil bath and flavorless. Yuck. He loves pasta but tries to limit his carbs. So another disappointment that this dish was not worth and undeserving of the indulgence. My salmon was the most tasty in my grill mix, the shrimps were meh. Plus, my Bloody Mary (it's not Brunch time but it's Brunch time somewhere) was nasty. I could not take more than two sips. The first sip was gross like it was straight V8 and the second sip was a double check attempt on my taste buds. Yup, my taste buds are working. The waitress never came back except when I asked for black pepper three times and the when we asked for the check. She seemed a bit clueless. Lesson learned to avoid the chain restaurants in a Foodie city!!!

Rob W.

Stopped in to meet a friend for a few drinks. Ended up staying for the mussels for an appetizer and the planked Salmon. Had a few Stella Artois' and a shot of Jamesons. What a terrific evening and Tim behind the bar was EXCELLENT. Kept the glasses filled as well as a bit of convo while maintaining his busy rush that was going on. The GM also came by to introduce herself. Quite professional. I had been in the other location and felt that overall I needed to write to let people know how much fun it was.

Michael C.

Classic big city chain overpriced steak house. Everything was as pretty much as expected in terms of food quality. I really liked their crab cake and the sweet corn flavors it had. I also had their lobster mashed potatoes which was basically just topped which a few pieces of lobster and some lobster bisque, good but not spectacular. Our server was definitely not organized. It took quite a bit of time for us to be noticed in the first place. Appetizers came out with long delays between people at the table, causing the awkward moment where you have food in front of you but don't want to dig in as not to be rude. If this was Chili's fine, but this is supposed to be a high end steak house. Lastly, I ordered the petite fillet because I wanted something small. When the server brought me a rib eye instead, which is a lower quality cut of meat, he apologetically said something along the lines of "I got you a rib eye instead, maybe I'll get you a dessert or something later, good news is that it is less expensive" it wasn't...

Paula P.

I had a great experience here. I came as a walk-in and there was no problem accommodating me, but in fairness, I did arrive just as they opened for dinner. The service was more than prompt, my waiter was knowledgeable about all of the dishes and made some wonderful suggestions. In fact, the service went above and beyond; I was waiting for my main meal, then my server came back to me and said the meal didn't come out right; it was overdone. He apologized profusely and told me they were re-making my dish so it would be as it was supposed to be. Not only that, the Manager of the restaurant delivered my meal to me himself. I thought that was very courteous and above-and-beyond service. I thought the prices at this upscale seafood/steakhouse were extremely reasonable! Our meal which consisted of a bottle of wine, an appetizer (shrimp kisses, you must try!) and my main meal came to a total of $75.00. A definite consideration if you're looking for quality food at a fair price.

Allison B.

Had reservations at the wacker location at 730. My boyfriend ordered the mussels for an appetizer and I got the arugula salad. He said the mussels were some of the best he's had. My salad was light, crisp and delicious. I got the baked cod for the entree. The cod was served in a lemon butter sauce with breadcrumbs on top. It was flavorful and not too heavy. My boyfriend got the blackened whitefish which was delicious. They also brought us two 'special occasion' chocolate lava cakes for dessert, free of charge. I'm not sure why, as there was no special occasion, however, they were very gracious to us for making the reservation through the concierge at the trump (where we are staying for the trip). Our waiter was very nice, friendly and profession. Overall it was a great experience. Will definitely be returning!

Rachel T.

Best happy hour in the city. Great food, great drink specials, and great value. You do have to sit in the bar - but I like that better anyway. Only downside is that you've got to be quick to get a seat and before they cut off at 6pm!

Karen N.

Fancy gourmet seafood on a plate at 10:00pm? Yes, please! I love seafood! I especially love fancy white fish on a plate. I don't know what it is, but I've always been particularly fond of fancy plated fish. Needlless to say, I was really stoked to dine here during my visit to Chicago. After a long day of work, we were all thrilled to put food in our systems. We came in on a late Saturday night. Upon arrival, we were seated almost immediately. --- I ordered: Palm Beach Mahi Mahi with Crab Potato Hash - This was made beautifully. Fresh mahi mahi on a bed of warm, crispy potato hash. The fish was cooked just right; fresh, soft, & flakey, with just the right amount of seasoning. The potatoes on the bottom were crispy and oh so delicious. Everything together paired out really well. Sweet Corn Bisque - meh, it tasted like regular corn chowder to me, just fancier. For dessert, we decided to share and ordered the: Double Mousse Cake - the presentation for this dessert was impressive. It tasted even better! The exterior shell was constructed beautifully out of milk chocolate. The inside had this rich, creamy, decadent white choclate mousse that was just unforgettable. It was so good, I could have eaten the whole thing by myself, but I shared. --- I had a wonderful dining experience here! Food was great, service was great. I couldn't have asked for more. There's a McCormick & Schmick's in Anaheim and I can't wait to go. :)

Joe L.

I am writing this review from my phone on a toilet because it is not worthy of being written anywhere else, and I ate at McCormick & Schmick's last night and haven't been able to stop pooping since then. I went to McCormick & Schmick's yesterday (Friday) for an early dinner and some drinks with my girlfriend and her sister. Mc&S has a great special that offers discount appetizers if you order an overpriced drink from 3:30 - 6:30 during the weekdays. We unassumingly stopped in for dinner thinking that we could grab a quick bite and get a a few drinks. The bar area was relatively empty, and appeared to have at least 5 bartenders and a server as you can see in the picture I posted. They sat us in the corner of the bar which I thought was odd, but I didn't complain. After being ignored for the first 30 minutes, I took it upon myself to go up to the bar and ask if we could order some food and drinks. The bartender assured me he would send a server right over. A few minutes later a waitress came over and took our drink and appetizer orders. We figured that we must have slipped under the waitstaff's radar up until that point, but that it would be smooth sailing for the rest of the evening... we thought wrong. The waitress was incredibly slow the rest of the evening. We ordered calamari, fish tacos, a quesadilla and fries. The calamari came without any sauce, the waitress forgot the fish tacos order, and to be brutally honest none of the food was very good. Had the waitress been the least bit apologetic, I wouldn't be writing this review right now, but she wasn't sorry for the terrible service and acted like everything was all hunky-dory. We paid our bill, and tipped the waitress (even though I don't think she was deserving of a tip), and asked the speak to the manager. He too was unapologetic and assured us that they had no problem with their service. He offered to buy us an appetizer or desert on our next visit, but unfortunately this experience put a terrible taste in our mouths and we don't plan on ever visiting a McCormick & Schmick's ever again. The whole experience honestly felt like we were at a really poorly run T.G.I. Friday's. After obviously getting some sort of stomach virus, it makes one wonder if McCormick & Schmick's would be more appropriately named "McCormick & Shits."

Chris M.

This place was great. Only reason it doesn't get a 5/5 is due to the fact my steak (albeit great tasting) was a very interestingly sized 8 oz. portion. The waitress was very informative, the atmosphere was not too classy but still had a romantic ambiance and they were very welcoming to out of towers (Toronto). Drink menu was expansive, the Old Fashioned was the best I had over the course of my trip and both my gf and I's meals were very tasty. A side of asparagus is about 12 spears so be careful not to get too full! Thanks you MC's and S, great first dinner experience in the Windy City.

Megan S.

My date made reservations for dinner. The gluten free menu isn't anything to rave about. I'm not a seafood/fish eater but the halibut is delicious. I don't know that I would go back. It was good but I think you're paying for the name, not the food. I did get really sick. I don't think it was food poisoning but maybe I'm allergic to fish.

Karen M.

Two stars for servicie. Three stars for food. Four stars for ambiance. We went here last night for a business dinner. They seated us at a booth which was lovely. The decor in this place is very nice and lends for a nice ambiance. Started with the blue crab and seafood chowder which was really nice. It could have been hotter but overall the flavor was excellent and it was loaded with crab! For my entree I had the ultimate mixed seafood grill which was grilled shrimp, stuffed shrimp, seared scallops and grilled salmon. The grilled shrimps are tiny, overcooked and chewy. The stuffed shrimps were also very small, and overcooked, but the stuffing was good (not amazing, just good). The salmon and the scallops were nicely done and flavorful. Overall my dinner was okay, but definitely not memorable and overpriced at $34. My husband and his colleague had crab cakes and they were quite good and fairly priced. We also had an excellent wine with dinner, a red blend that was absolutely delicious. In general, I think M&S is overpriced on most items given the quality, they are spot on with others.

Don H.

As an update to my review, I was sent a request by management to discuss the service here. I sent my number and received a response that they would be contacting me within 3 days. That was 7 weeks ago and never heard from them. Looks like they have a lot of break downs in communication.

Rose Anne G.

This is the second year in a row we've had our family Christmas meal here. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is festive. I appreciate the holiday cocktails (did I mention I was with family?) and tried several (did I mention I was with family?) The Ginger Julep was my favorite, followed by the Pomegranate Fizz, and the Kentucky Smash, all made with fresh mint, fruit and juices.The shrimp kisses are my favorite appetizer. The food quality is excellent and reasonably priced for what you get. The desserts are yummy, especially the chocolate bag. A great dining experience, I am planning on making it a holiday tradition to eat (and drink) here!

Michelle L.

This was our 16th anniversary. We had our wedding reception here when it was Nick and Tonys. I was leary to go here, since it is a chain. My husband talked me into trying it. It was so mediocre. My medium steak was well done and dry. Sorry to say we won't go back til it changes owners. BTW the manager Krystal had such an attitude she shouldn't be in the service industry. She offered me a 7.00 dessert instead of comping my 25.00 meal. Pretty pathetic when we dropped 190.00.

AV G.

Weak. i had a $100 coupon (see you Ocenaire review) from my $1000 expense account meal at one of M&S corporate partners. The food was fine--they never even offered bread? Service was nice, but for some reason insanely slow. We were there at 2pm and the only ones in the place. Whatever. Anyone who eats here rather than walk 50 feet to Catch35 which has all the same stuff and the same pricing is making a mistake. This is a giant chain, with a proven concept--it is just not for me.

Duke Sparks S.

One of downtown's best seafood options, featuring exquisitely prepared Great Lakes fish, in a pleasantly sedate atmosphere.

Jeff W.

Although it may be a chain restaurant, it really is a great place. I would highly recommend joining the Landrys Select Club the next time you visit. It's $25.00 to join, but you get a $25.00 credit on your next visit. Along with McCormick and Schmick's you will find several other very well known fine dining establishments.

Susan D.

Came here pre-show after being turned away from several places with 45 minute wait times! Helpful hostess let us know that we could sit at the bar immediately, which we prefer anyway. Received excellent service from the bartenders who despite being crazy busy, kept up with refilling our drinks right away. We each ordered the sirloin and it was cooked perfectly and seasoned nicely. The grilled tomato on the plate was a treat as well. We felt it was exactly as expected for the price. Would have no problem returning in the future!

Cheri H.

Wow great food great price and great service!! Nice atmosphere too!! I'll be back!!

Platon B.

Fancy restaurant with very high prices and ambitions. However, food is average, and personnal is cheap. Our servant didn't even know that champaign must be placed into ice bucket until we demanded to bring it. The only good thing was oysters - big and tasty. That's why 2 stars.

Anthony M.

The girl at the front desk could not find our 6:30pm reservation. I told her that I made it at OpenTable.com and had a confirmation number. She then told me that maybe I made it at the wrong location. I asked her if there was another location on Wacker? She looked at me and said, "Don't worry I will be able to get you in!" Um considering I have a reservation confirmation...I should be giving you attitude and not you giving me attitude. So we decided to have a nice feast. The food was okay not amazing but okay. We started with the Walnut Mixed Greens Salad with White Balsamic Dressing. I found it funny that the dressing was actually yellow. I really liked the salad because it was simple and tasted it good. Next we went with the Maine Lobster Bisque...the presentation was well done. The issue I had was that the lobster in the middle was cold close to being frozen in temperature. It was a real shock to have a warm soup and ice cold lobster in the middle. The soup was also incredibly salty too...It was almost like drinking salt water...maybe the chef was going for this effect. Finally I decided to go for the Perfect Combination...I choose 3 different fishes. I loved this choice because I was able to get a little of everything. I am going to go in order from best to worst. The Scampi Grilled Gulf Shrimp were really good. It was the highlight of the plate. Next I would say the Lump Blue Crab Cake was okay. It had a lot of mayo in there...it was not the best crab cake I have ever had. On the bottom of the list would be the Grilled Swordfish. It was probably the worse Swordfish I have ever had in my life. It was really fishy...the only way to fix it was to dunk it in the sauce that it came with. I thought I was making the perfect combination but I was not...I have no idea how three of my favorite items could just be this bad. I thought the children's menu was very good...there were a lot of choices to choose from for kids. My little one really liked the Mac and Cheese. I hate to say this but I wish I would have ordered that. The cheese was a white cheddar and it was really really good. I wanna but under 12 again. This also came with ice cream...so we were all able to have a little desert to end the evening. Back to my missing reservation...I received an email during dinner from Opentable.com telling me that I missed my reservation. This just made me mad because if you miss 2 reservations they will put you on probation. I don't want to go to Opentable Jail! As I was walking out of the restaurant, I showed the girl the email and she again didn't seem to care. Another guy who was there when I checked in said, "Hey I can add you in the system. He typed in my name and then all of a sudden it showed up and he put me in at 6:30pm!' Why didn't she just do that to begin with when I came into dinner 2 hours before? Maybe laziness!!! I didn't like the attitude when I walked in and I was not happy with the quality of the fish here. I think I am done eating here...I have been here before and I have walked away feeling less then satisfied. I need to find a seafood restaurant that cares about what they serve and not just stand behind there corporate name!!!

Derek D.

Meeting for business today at noon I had a feeling this 5 person lunch would take about 1.25hours. The fastest service I got was then it was time for the bill. Before that it was a very slow and unimpressive experience overall. When doing a lunch with clients the waiters energy can sometime set the tone for the energy of the business lunch and this was lacking for sure. With so many places to eat in Chicago I am starting to think this one is going to be last on my "re-visit" list. Thanks for the 2 hours lunch. d

Richard J.

Food was decent but the service was sub-par. The wait staff did their best but the kitchen was clearly not functioning well. Overall was extremely disappointed.

Peter A.

service was not friendly and food was ok. food was luke warm and not prepared as requested. the server blamed the kitchen but did not offer a solution. I have had much better at location in Philadelphia. the atmosphere was nice but not worth the price.

Taylor M.

Went here with my mom while she was working in Chicago... don't think we'll stop in here again. It started off very optimistic we were created quickly and very politely but it took a while for our waitress to come around. Our food seemed to come out a little slow nothing terrible but it was a but if a longer wait. My mom ordered the Parmesan crusted chicken salad and said the chicken tasted more like pork than actual chicken. Although she did enjoy the salad itself. I ordered the the special Alaskan duo and it was very good. Both types of fish were cooked well. But when we were finished again our waitress took awhile to get our check. And it was not because she was busy we saw her standing around talking to other waiters. I would give the food a definite higher rating compared to the service. It was a decent place to eat but nothing really special. I would just make sure you have planned for a bit of a longer meal time.

Vanessa R.

We were recently here to eat dinner with a friend and his parents from out of town & overall had a great experience! The crowd was mostly older, people on business trips, and tourists. Service The hostess was friendly and allowed us to be seated earlier even though our party was running a little late, despite it being a crowded Saturday night. Our waiter was also very attentive and our food came out very quickly. He also wasn't pushy at all when we declined an appetizer or dessert which was nice. I will say we were seated really close to the kitchen which was at some points distracting because anytime someone came or went from the kitchen they would yell (corner!). Seriously, put up a mirror and it would be much more efficient and quiet! Also, the tables were a bit close together, making navigating to/from your table very difficult and having to have other patrons move their chairs. Food I am not a big seafood person, and I wasn't really feeling eating a big slab of meat, so I compromised and am not ashamed to admit I ordered what would probably go on the kids menu: Buttermilk Fried Shrimp with Chesapeake Fries & Cocktail Sauce. The shrimp were huge and fresh and I loved that they were not too greasy; the fries were seasoned really well and were a very large portion. Everyone else at our table loved their entrees and their portions were also huge. Next time, I'll be sure to try to save some room for dessert: the red velvet cake we spotted at several tables looked amazing! Although I didn't drink, they have a very large selection of various wines, cocktails as well as beers. Overall, a good place to bring the parents out for a nice dinner. Located steps from Michigan Avenue and across the street from the river makes this a great location if you plan on going sight-seeing across the city. Good fresh seafood, steak and pasta options will ensure that everyone finds something on the menu they'll like.

Raphael S.

Palm Beach Mahi Mahi tasted as if a tablespoon of salt was added to the dish. The crab potato hash in which the Mahi Mahi was served on was so salty that it was inedible. I ended up leaving half of the dish uneaten. The dessert was good.

Michelle R.

I had the Salmon here and wow was it good! The green beens were also delicious with garlic infuse. I also had a glass of Merlot wine which cost $8.5 dollars a glass, so not too bad. I will come back and definitely recommend this place to family and friends.

Zita S.

Poor acknowledgment of arriving guests. We were at the bar (with no other patrons) for 5+ minutes with not so much as a 'I'll be right with you'. We were aware they were closing within a half hour, & called ahead to find out whether we could still be accommodated for a quick bite at the var, & were told it was ok. But upon attival, they were obviously focused on being done for the night. Disappointed after being in the city for a few days (after living here for 7 years before), and having excellent service at multiple steakhouses, & then encountering a dismussive attitude at what 'should be' a decent restaurant. We got up after 10 mins, with the hostess looking up just long enough to say "Have a good night".... If she was aware of what was going on in her room, there should've been an embarrassing apology and request to assist us ASAP.

Jeff S.

McCormick & Schmick's has it up and downs. After receiving a gift card for a holiday gift we booked a reservation. We ate here on a Saturday night and it was moderately busy. Service was friendly but slow. The food was hit or miss. The calamari app was well done. The crab legs were great and you got a nice portion, bigger than more expensive crab legs at Shaws. I ordered a ribeye that came out medium-medium well even though I ordered it medium rare. The red pepper mashed potatoes were bland and missed any red pepper flavor. The manager was helpful offering a free dessert since the steak was not well prepared. Overall it's not a bad place but I highly doubt I would eat here again.

Danielle J.

A laughable experience. As a Chicago local, I was completely embarrassed for the service we received last evening. We were a small party of 4 and sat ourselves in the bar high top tables. Our waiter, Jessie, seemed flustered and confused every time he came over. I am not even going to go into detail with the horrible chain of events but he forgot multiple pieces of our order and did not even offer an apology once. He then gave me the wrong drink, once again did not apologize, and then blamed me and walked away swearing under his breath. I will not be back. I would expect a reputable restaurant chain to have certain standards.

Jen T.

From our hotel, we walked here for dinner. What???? It's a chain and we have plenty of these around DC. I know...I got lazy and too hungry to venture to a new place. We sat at a high top bar in the bar area. Our waitress was a huge disappointment. She didn't know what was on the menu and we asked her to replace a side and she said no, the kitchen can't make substitutions since the meals were pre-plated???? What??? All I asked her was to replace vegetables instead of mashed potatoes. I asked her to please double check with the kitchen. Glad she did, since I was bake to get sautéed veggies as a side to my a Ultimate Seafood Grill. BF got shrimp scampi which came in an oil bath and flavorless. Yuck. He loves pasta but tries to limit his carbs. So another disappointment that this dish was not worth and undeserving of the indulgence. My salmon was the most tasty in my grill mix, the shrimps were meh. Plus, my Bloody Mary (it's not Brunch time but it's Brunch time somewhere) was nasty. I could not take more than two sips. The first sip was gross like it was straight V8 and the second sip was a double check attempt on my taste buds. Yup, my taste buds are working. The waitress never came back except when I asked for black pepper three times and the when we asked for the check. She seemed a bit clueless. Lesson learned to avoid the chain restaurants in a Foodie city!!!

Michael C.

Classic big city chain overpriced steak house. Everything was as pretty much as expected in terms of food quality. I really liked their crab cake and the sweet corn flavors it had. I also had their lobster mashed potatoes which was basically just topped which a few pieces of lobster and some lobster bisque, good but not spectacular. Our server was definitely not organized. It took quite a bit of time for us to be noticed in the first place. Appetizers came out with long delays between people at the table, causing the awkward moment where you have food in front of you but don't want to dig in as not to be rude. If this was Chili's fine, but this is supposed to be a high end steak house. Lastly, I ordered the petite fillet because I wanted something small. When the server brought me a rib eye instead, which is a lower quality cut of meat, he apologetically said something along the lines of "I got you a rib eye instead, maybe I'll get you a dessert or something later, good news is that it is less expensive" it wasn't...

Paula P.

I had a great experience here. I came as a walk-in and there was no problem accommodating me, but in fairness, I did arrive just as they opened for dinner. The service was more than prompt, my waiter was knowledgeable about all of the dishes and made some wonderful suggestions. In fact, the service went above and beyond; I was waiting for my main meal, then my server came back to me and said the meal didn't come out right; it was overdone. He apologized profusely and told me they were re-making my dish so it would be as it was supposed to be. Not only that, the Manager of the restaurant delivered my meal to me himself. I thought that was very courteous and above-and-beyond service. I thought the prices at this upscale seafood/steakhouse were extremely reasonable! Our meal which consisted of a bottle of wine, an appetizer (shrimp kisses, you must try!) and my main meal came to a total of $75.00. A definite consideration if you're looking for quality food at a fair price.

Allison B.

Had reservations at the wacker location at 730. My boyfriend ordered the mussels for an appetizer and I got the arugula salad. He said the mussels were some of the best he's had. My salad was light, crisp and delicious. I got the baked cod for the entree. The cod was served in a lemon butter sauce with breadcrumbs on top. It was flavorful and not too heavy. My boyfriend got the blackened whitefish which was delicious. They also brought us two 'special occasion' chocolate lava cakes for dessert, free of charge. I'm not sure why, as there was no special occasion, however, they were very gracious to us for making the reservation through the concierge at the trump (where we are staying for the trip). Our waiter was very nice, friendly and profession. Overall it was a great experience. Will definitely be returning!

Bettina S.

I've eaten dinner at McCormick and Schmick's before and it's a bit expensive, happy hour is a great deal. When the weather is nice, you can sit on their patio which overlooks the river, and boasts great people watching. My server was either distracted, or in need of more training, or in need of more help and was kinda rude. It really surprised me because the service is typically great. But to be honest, he brought us everything we asked for, and rang the check correctly, so I wasn't complaining too much. I had wine, but some of the people in my party who ordered the happy hour specialty drinks said the drinks were watered down. Despite all this, I think it's an okay place for a glass of wine after work and an appetizer.

Mironda R.

This review is based ENTIRELY on the HH Menu and not really the service, lol. Is that bad?! Oh well. Love MS's options for food. It's a great way to nibble or even get food. Keep in mind, EVERYONE knows this and you need to make sure you have someone holding down the fort until you can drag yourself over after a hard day of work, lol. As far as service, I sat at the only seat at the bar and the service was pitiful. Not sure if they were understaffed or overworked, but geez luiz.. Can I get a glass of wine SOMETIME in the next 20 minutes? It worked out because the patron next to me was a hoot and helped pass the time. I'll try it again and update as appropriate. In the interim, would that deter me from coming back.. absolutely not. But if I got the same kind of specials elsewhere with good service.. I am G O N E!

Troy H.

My folks were in town, and they wanted fish. Glenn's Diner is embroiled in backstabbing stupidity, Davis St Fishmarket too far...and on a suggestion, we went here. They loved it. Dad had steelhead trout, Mom the Sizzling Salmon. Our waiter Jesus was able and ready to handle our requests and questions. We ate, drank, and made merry. I'll be back.

Alfreda D.

Great happy hour specials 3:30-6:30pm M-F! Food options priced between $2.95 and $5.95... I mean serious, how can you beat that?! I usually just come for the drink specials but during my last visit I realized that I keep cheating myself out of a great deal so I tried the Cajun Burger for a whopping $3.95! This wasn't a mini slider or something like that... it was a full sized burger WITH fries. It was pretty good too. They have a few $6 wines, $7 cocktails and $9 martinis on the happy hour menu as well so overall it's a nice spot to pop into after work especially on a Friday in the summer if you get off work early.

Eames E.

I ventured to sleepy Columbus to see "Sleepy" Dave Attell at the sleepy Easton mall which I may be describing as such due just to the military level of zolpidem I was being prescribed at the time but nonetheless it was at night if that helps. I ordered a decanter of their freshest water after perusing the wine menu and when asked about dinner I ordered the Swordfish Casino ($35) after seeing my family's typical disdain for my dislike of food so I relented. The swordfish casino was excellent and decadent and was artfully cut to look like the new Columbus Hollywood Casino replete with little drunks and broken gamblers made out of pimento which I found a bit garish and unnecessary but food isn't really my thing anyway. I took a bite of the potatoes and got directly to what anyone cares about: the water, agua, aqua, skycum. The water here was carbonated and hoppy and much more filling than most other waters I've had, I felt strangely addicted to it and finished quickly only to order another. After about 7 or 8 waters I lost some equilibrium and began to find other men, women, and animals more attractive than normal which is especially unusual since im a two-spirit asexual. i decided to get a large jug of the water to bring with me to the show but I was told I had enough, which is unusual since I've never been told I've had enough water before but hey they were also serving the water in brown bottles with caps so I guess this place has a lot of unusual practicies. Unfortunately, despite it's great taste I cannot recommend the water here because it made me sick that night as I spewed my delicious swordfish casino onto the ungrateful, unwashed, cackling masses in front of me at the show who looked like none of them had seen so much as a $5000 bill before. However, I'm still awarding 5 stars for the artful construction of my swordfish casino, a beautiful marriage of excess and gluttony.

Eileen W.

The food was average and not that great. Somehow they put one piece of chicken in with two of our parties meals. Then our waiter was not very apologetic and His service was not good. We could not get even a refill on an iced tea. The restaurant was not busy, we were not a loud group and i expected better. I did like the ambience, decor and location of the restaurant. But, I would most likely not go back.

Alex R.

I'd say the average rating is fair. The food was pretty good, but not fantastic. The service was below average. We walked in to make a reservation, and we waited while people stood and spoke behind the bar, finished their conversation and then walked up to ask if we needed anything. Long story short, the person helping us didn't know how to work the system in order to make a reservation, and instead of saying so, she chose to scream...i repeat, scream to her coworker in frustration, before storming off to find help...... It's a good place for a client lunch because the noise level is decent, but expect to be longer than an hour.

Bennett S.

Decent food....You cant go wrong with the crab stuffed salmon or the palm beach mahi mahi. Both dishes the fish was cooked very well. The fish and chips were o just heavy on the breading and not enough tartar sauce. Service was sub par given we were one of only tables left and it took about 40 minutes to get our food. All in all not bad, just appropriately set your expectations.

Sean C.

I got the Steak & Lobster combo. The steak was uncooked, raw on the inside even though I ordered it medium rare. A lot of salt but it still tasted good. Lobster was almost inedible, way way too much salt. My colleague ordered the Filet Mignon and was notified by the waitress 20 minutes afterwards that they no longer had that available. The waitress was not apologetic at all. Just looked at him impatiently after saying 'we're out of the filet mignon.' Very small, tightly packed location but nice overall atmosphere.

Craig E.

Took some customers out for dinner. Everyone was very impressed with the atmosphere, service and product. The food was excellent!

Rob W.

Stopped in to meet a friend for a few drinks. Ended up staying for the mussels for an appetizer and the planked Salmon. Had a few Stella Artois' and a shot of Jamesons. What a terrific evening and Tim behind the bar was EXCELLENT. Kept the glasses filled as well as a bit of convo while maintaining his busy rush that was going on. The GM also came by to introduce herself. Quite professional. I had been in the other location and felt that overall I needed to write to let people know how much fun it was.

Yan N.

Came here becasue I was staying at the hotel across the street. Good location but mediocre food. Beef carpaccio and stuffed salmon were not that great, very bland, I have had better.

Ashley S.

DONT GO HERE! I went here with 3 of my coworkers one day for happy hour. We each had 4 drinks. However, when our bill came, I was charged for 6 glasses of wine! I am 110 pounds, it is impossible for me to drink 6 glass of wine and still be coherent, but apparently, to the manager, the waitress could do no wrong. Unless you wait to pay $60 for 4 glasses of wine during happy hour...avoid this place at all cost. Terrible customer service.

Jessica N.

My feelings about this place have gone up and down. When it first opened up it was solid seafood, reasonable prices - a solid place for a business lunch. At times the food has gone done. Strange lunch specials...fish tacos that were so-so, oversalted soups. On my latest trip I feel like it's back on the way up. Lobster cobb salad good, sashimi tuna app was tasty too but the portion sizes are now going downwards. I'll need to come back again to try a few more items before I can put it back at a 4-star status. Either way, they have pretty quick service so ti does make it a good go-to in the middle of the day.

Tim L.

I have been to several McCormick & Schmick's around the country, but had never been to any of the Chicago locations til now. Our server warned us before we ordered that this was his first night, so I guess take that into account for this review. Our appetizer was very late, and he said the kitchen got confused and thought we wanted it with our meal. Of course we did. My meal was a 6 oz filet, ordered medium rare. The steak that came was charred on the outside. I asked the waiter to wait while I cut into the steak and when I did, I told him it was def at least medium if not more. I told him I would try it, but to come back because I was not optimistic i would like it. He said he would come back in a few minutes. That was the last we saw of him until he came back to find out if we wanted dessert. Irrespective of the steak that was only half eaten, and the empty drink glasses, he decided not to come back and check at all. Total fail on both the kitchen AND wait staff. Based on this visit, I would say this was the most overpriced meal I have had in a long time. I would NOT recommend this location.

Ms K.

Ok, McCormick & Schmick's is a chain restaurant, but you'd never know from the quality of food and service provided. We ordered crab dip, shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, king crab claws, and a center cut filet mignon. We should have stopped at the crab dip. It was absolutely delicious, but the serving was huge. It wasn't finished, Boyfriend loved the bisque and we shared the amazing shrimp cocktail. Our mains were fantastic as well. My filet was a perfect medium and his crab claws were fresh and well chilled. There wasn't room for dessert. Our waiter was attentive and friendly and not overbearing.

ning j.

I've been to McCormick & Schmick at other locations but unfortunately this particular one just did not live up to my standards. The service was good, but quite slow even though the restaurant was maybe 1/3 full. But it was the food that left me quite disappointed. All I can say is that the food was pretty bad. The starters such as the shrimp bisque, walnut salad, and calamari were adequate. However, after the appetizers, the meal started to go downhill. The almond crusted trout entree was bland and the rice accompaniment had a weird combination of vegetables inside. We also had the shrimp scampi, which was definitely off. The flavor was extremely sour, my husband said it tasted like it had gone bad! The manager came over and kindly offered me another entree in replacement, but I felt like the food in general was just no good here and we were running short on time because of the slow service. Luckily the creme brulee was alright, but it's pretty hard to mess that up. I felt like it was a waste of $100 and calories. If you're looking for delicious consistent steak and seafood, I would highly recommend that you spend your money at Joe's Seafood.

rebecca k.

I've never reviewed before but my expierence this evening put me over the edge. This is the 2nd time we have been to this location and now I remember why we hadn't been back in so long. The service is horrible. We waited an hour until we finally got our food. Then when we did, my husband's was cold and my mahi mahi was meaty and extremely salty. Our server was never around and when she was it was all about what an awful time she was having that night. Never ever will we be back and we will steer all friends and business associates far away from this place.

Evan S.

Check out the happy hour menu. It's the only experience I've had at M&S, but here are the high level details: M-F 3:30 to 6:30 1. A GREAT range of items (nachos, sliders, mussels, tuna salad, pita/hummus, etc) for under $5 2. An OK range of drinks/cocktails, but nothing too exciting (FYI: you'll pay a $3.50 beverage fee just for sitting, so there's not point in not drinking) 3. Foursquare: check in and you get a free appetizer per table. I had the tuna salad sliders, that came with a side of mixed greens. It was a nice, light meal for a happy hour. Sit outside when the weather's nice. Happy dining, Evan

Esther A.

Astonishingly terrible service, from top to bottom. We had a reservation for lunch, but cooled our heels at the front desk, with no explanation, for quite a while before we were seated by a hostess who seemed put out by our presence. Our waitress disappeared after taking our drink order, and then left us sitting with our menus for fifteen minutes before she reappeared to take our food order. Empty, dirty dishes sat on the table without being cleared between courses. We had to ask for bread halfway through the meal. Our drinks were never re-filled. A long wait for entrees ended in some of them coming to the table cold. We finally had to flag our waitress and ask for the check, after sitting for another fifteen minutes after our meal was over. All in all, lunch took an hour and a half, which I could have forgiven if they'd been slammed, but they really weren't. Maybe a delicious meal would have put us in a better frame of mind about the service, but the food was also underwhelming. The creamed spinach was the highlight, but the tuna in my nicoise salad was bland and mushy. As we left, the hostess stared moodily out the front windows, and did not acknowledge us at all. Pretty much summed up the McCormick & Schmick's experience for me.

Rob W.

Went to M&S today with two friends for lunch. All in all, pretty good, here's the details: Food: Of the orders we had, I felt that mine was the lesser of the three. I had whitefish that was served over spaghetti squash in a tomato broth. The portion was kind of small and when they served it, it was skin side up, which I thought was unusual. The taste was good, though maybe a touch overcooked. The other two entrees were almond encrusted brook trout and grilled salmon in salad greens - both my friends were very satisfied. Service: Really good. The waiter was prompt, the service was timely and the manager stopped by to see how we were and even poured some water for us once. Seating was immediate when we arrived around noon. Overall, I would definitely return to this M&S again.

James K.

Great location, Nice servers, Excellent Food We had a party with other families and this was first time to visit this restaurant and better than expected. It was very nice and cozy even though it is little close witb other tables as it is normal in downtown Chicago. The server was very timing and it was good because he was not over or under but perfect for the service. Food is great. I should have tried more seafood than steak but steak was good. I would recommend not to order fillet minong if you are big eat. It was so good but not a big amount. My friend told me tuna was very good and I would like to recommend seafood or combo menu. We had really good time and hope you to enjoy your time in this restaurant if you are looking for a restaurant for families, friends, or a couple. Please check the price range before making reservation to make sure that the price range is within your budget.

Anne T.

Went with my mother in law and husband. They had lobster and steak , I had the entree with salmon shrimp and scallops. I was very satisfied with service and food.

Alisa M.

Came here super early before catching a free screening at the AMC river east theater. We came here because catch 25 didn't open until 5pm and we were in a hurry so we walked into this place to try their 3 course menu for restaurant week. My boyfriend ordered the salad, sizzling salmon with asian black pepper sauce and the apple pie for dessert. I ordered the clam chowder soup, sizzling salmon with mushroom truffle broth, and creme brulee. The food and service was good so that's why I bumped it up to a 4 star. The food was good, but nothing special or over the top. I don't have any complaints. The portions were reasonable and I even had leftovers. I would definitely come back to try other things on their menu in the future.

Raquel D.

I LOVE the outdoor patio and downtown location with reasonable prices. Sadly, I didn't love my meal. I got the lemon-butter sole with capers at this specialty seafood place and it was meh - mushy, salty and absolutely not lemony enough. I could do better - correction, I have done better. I bathe in lemon butter capers. BUT, i loved the hubs' kobe burger and fries. LOVED. It was damn good and I almost felt bad for mooching as much as I did. almost. And our waiter was sorta snootie patootie - I mean, he serviced our table and all, but had his nose up in the air the whole time and did not do anything in a timely manner nor have any sort of personality. HeMaybe it's b/c we look younger than the rest of the clientele? but still, don't judge a book by it's cover, buddy. And even if we are/were, proper service need not discriminate (esp since you're a CHAIN!). I'm sure our tip was more in line with your expectations than others. But I will be back - I love the patio and burger - maybe I'll check out the other locations first.

Dan S.

This was perfectly fine restaurant but if you're visiting the city you could do so much better. Went with a group this week and service was strangely uneven. The waiter was certainly eager and one of those steakhouse types who is almost overly familiar. And yet, for a meal where no one ordered dessert and barely an appetizer, it took 2 hours. Oh, and my dish came out lukewarm. Dinner companions enjoyed their dishes but no one was raving about it. It was one of those meals that you think is ok but is soon forgettable afterwards. (The Brussell Sprouts are an exception; deliciously prepared as a side dish). I was hoping for me. We got less.

Van L.

happy hour is the only way to go. -the menu changes, but you can essentially get a burger & fries for $4. (it's just a normal burger, nothing great nothing bad), fish tacos, mussels, and other options for under $6 too. -some locations do $1 oysters sometimes, so make sure to check/ask! -they get you on drinks though, beware! -service is hit and miss -you have to watch like a hawk for a table, people get mean over this ! it's a solid chain - i do love other locations more than this one, but it is what it is. the vibe is older, business people. (especially for dinner) - and sometimes a few dates, and tourists who don't know better. happy hour is more relaxed and truly affordable for all. i'd avoid it for dinner, there are better steaks and seafood dishes around for the same price.

Janet E.

I thought I would come here for the seafood. But the restaurant week menu did not really have what I wanted except for the fried chicken. So we ended up both getting the fried chicken which came with couscous, veggies and gravy. The fried chicken was perfect with a thin crispy crust and the chicken was still moist. The couscous was not anything we've had before. It was soft and round (like little balls). It was really good. The gravy was really good too but there was not a large enough serving of it to eat my chicken. To start the meal off, I had the clam chowder which was jam packed with clams and potatoes. One of the best clam chowders that I've had! Service was very good and attentive. Frank did an excellent job getting us in and out in time.

Allie O.

McCormick & Schmicks: Seafood & Steakhouse By Allie Ontiveros This is a one of a kind restaurant in Chicago that will not let you down. The entire atmosphere was very relaxing and is defiantly the place to unwind after a long day at work. It has a nice 'vintage charm' to it with excellent lighting to go along with it. I was very pleased with the upbeat music and fast service. The lobster bisque was very delicious. Moreover, when the waiter brought out my dish, the lobster was placed in the center of the bowl and the waiter poured the rest of the bisque into the bowl. Also, the pasta was very well made. Furthermore, the flavors of the pesto and the salmon with the pasta blended beautifully. Overall, the layout of the menu was nicely done. Although, I didn't like the typeface that was chosen for the main heading on the menu. The rest of the typeface on the menu was nicely chosen, but I would've liked to see more color.

Doug B.

Food very good. Salmon and Mahi Mahi we had was very nice. Service: Meh...server was spacey, brought wrong app, not knowledgeable about basic menu, wine questions.

Melanie S.

Simply put, this place sucks. Went here with my boss and some vendors today. This was their pick as they probably wanted to select a more upscale spot in order to have us sign with them for another year. First of all: if you're a busy restaurant in the Loop, it behooves you to have at least 2 hostesses working the reservation desk at lunchtime. We waited at least 10 minutes just to check in. The hostess could only check one party in at a time and seat them, so it just seemed inefficient. We were seated and waited at least 10 more minutes for the server to come by to take our drink order. I have no problem waiting as long as there is some acknowledgement by the server that we were not forgotten. There was no such acknowledgement and by the time the server arrived at the table, she was quite harried. I ordered a tuna Niçoise salad and it was bland, bland, bland. Flavorless tuna, anemic tomatoes (grape tomatoes should be substituted as they always seem to be in season), boring lettuce blend, and nary an asparagus spear that initially sold me on ordering this salad. Took at least 45 minutes for our food to arrive and another 30 minutes to close out the check. We were there almost 1.75 hours. What a waste of time. Boring, bland food; horrific service. No reason to come back.

Isabelle L.

I visited McCormick's with a large group of out of towners and it was a complete letdown. The service was some of the worst I'd ever seen... it took over an hour to get our food and when we finally got it, not everyone was served at the same time. We're not talking wait 5 minutes for everyone to get their meals, more like 20-30 minutes. The food itself was nothing spectacular. Honestly, I think I could have made something better at home. Lastly, one person in the group was celebrating her birthday. We asked the server to take a picture of the group for us and he refused. He didn't give us any excuses, just refused to do it. The restaurant wasn't busy at all, so I'm not sure what his problem was. In a nutshell- bad service & bad food, but the decor was nice enough.

Jeff S.

I had the Sea Bass and shared a filet with a friend. Both of these were tremendous. Very slow service. Nice water who was apologetic about taking so long. The side dishes including the mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus were not very good.

Sheron S.

The waiter was extremely knowledgable. I was very impressed with the selections on hand. My friend came in from out of town, a fussy eater with impeccable taste. The chef visited our table . Great experience, impeccable service. Great for a 1st date.

Robert B.

My experience here was average - nothing exceptional. The food was fine - the service adequate. The cashew-encrusted talapia was decent, but the sides were disappointing. For dessert I chose the chocolate fudge dome cake. The cake part was dry. I was expecting more.

Thomas L.

I have been a McCormick & Schmick's loyalist for years, and I can say with 100% accuracy that I will continue to frequent every location EXCEPT THIS ONE! You would think that the point of a Happy Hour is to make you happy. You go there, you have a ton of good small food items at a great price, and you then spend more money on drinks because you get to eat resonably. Heck, maybe you even stay for dinner because you're there anyway and you want to go bigger. THIS location wants you to leave and never return based on this experience. My patronage of this chain dates back to 2003, when I first started getting the happy hour specials at the Gold Coast location. That is an A++ staff with great food. Back then the happy hour portions were larger than they are now, but I understand the tough economic times we have and that THIS location is in the Loop and will thusly be more expensive. I also wrote a really positive review of the original under my old Yelp! name years ago. If I can find it, then I will update and repost it because I think highly of the chain...so much so that I even went out of my way to go to Happy Hour when I lived in San Diego. Now for the bad news about THIS location: They do not have Happy Hour; rather, they have UNHAPPY HOUR. You will leave a very unhappy person if you go here. The service yesterday, December 19th was horrid. We arrived at approximately 5:00 P.M. or so, and the happy hour came out piecemeal and incomplete. (My one friend's burger order and the table's order of 2 orders of wings, an order of fries, and the Bavarian pretzel order went in together.) My friends' vodka martinis came watered-down. While my lemonade came with fresh raspberries, the second wing order came short one. That's right! We were missing a wing! The waitress said the order of wings came with 6 wings (again, I assume the portions were downsized at some point in the last few months), and our second wing order only had 5 wings! When we asked her about it, she then said, "5...6, whatever." The waitress almost took offense at asking for the martinis to come a little less watered-down. Now, if you have Happy Hour, shouldn't the bar be getting you GOOD drinks so that you want to stay? Nope, they do not want you to enjoy a good drink. The burger was her next problem. The restaurant's chef is thoughtful in that she/he has ketchup come out separately for a burger, but the little ceramic ketchup bowl was half full. When my friend asked for more ketchup, the waitress had to send another server because she could not be bothered, I guess. In all my years of ordering from restaurants, I had no idea that proper etiquette required that you never ask your own server for more ketchup. Apparently, you go outside, turn around three times on a baseball bat, and tackle any other server for ketchup (although, we did not need to tackle this time.). Next, my other friend had a second burger order, and it was undercooked and otherwise cooked so badly that she had to eat around the center. If I had to guess, the culprit is a frozen patty thrown right onto the grill without thawing. That would produce a "medium" outside with a "rare" inside. I helped with the fries on this order, but the waitress incessantly hounded us to surrender the plate. She asked me if I was "finished" so many times, I began to worry that someone ran me through with a sword, and I hadn't noticed. Yes, I yield. Take the basket forthwith, serving wench. I'm done here. There are way too many GOOD Happy Hour places in the Loop that WANT me to spend money on food and drink.

Stephanie L.

Ok soooo went here to sit outside and have some cocktails on a Friday lunch/happy hour...service was HORRIBLE! So I meet up with some peeps and I was sitting there for 15 mins before the waitress asked if I wanted anything. I ordered a Stella. Literally 20minutes go by (might I add, this place has maybe 6 tables TOTAL at this point so its not like its crazy busy) and she brings out this amber looking beer. I say....are you sure thats Stella, it looks kind of dark. She had no clue so she took it back in and about 10 minutes came back with a Stella. Another person had ordered Captain and coke....he took a sip and was like...thats not captain...LOL. We flagged her down and told her, she took it back...20 minutes...comes out and says they ran out of captain so the substituted something similar....??? WTF? He then ordered a 7&7. It was just funny...for being a "high end place" their service sucks..... Great people watching spot though...

Hannah P.

Went here for my bday and I love the food. We love Gibson's but my bf said he may like this place just as much. Ordered: seared ahi tuna, seafood trio and lobster mash potatoes. The ahi tuna was delicious...my bf was salivating and wanted more. The seafood trio (stuffed shrimps, grilled shrimps and salmon) came with green beans and red pepper white cheddar mash potatoes which I didn't know otherwise, we would have ordered another vege dish instead of the lobster mash but my bf loves mash potatoes so he didn't mind. Great service would have mentioned mine came with mash potatoes already since I was the one that ordered the lobster mash. But anyway...service wasn't great (the only thing we didn't like). Mojitos were blah...will now only order it Havana.

Adam B.

For downtown, the location is convenient and the interior is what you've come to expect from this chain. The food is not that impressive. The bar is nice though, and they do have a really rocking happy hour with food specials that are clearly priced to keep you drinking. Overall, I would try Catch 35, right down the street before I went here. There are too many other options.

Saira K.

I enjoyed a nice lunch here - the crab cake is loaded with crabmeat - not much bread or whatever else. Service was good.

Jim G.

A small upscale chain from Oregon, they have several Chicago restaurants but I have only been to this one on Wacker in the Loop. The emphasis is on seafood. The food is good, but expensive. It is nice that they are on open table for making reservations. The whole place has that old-style wood and stained glass look. I have only been here for dinner with friends, which is perhaps why I feel it is only average. The service was average when I have been here, and it does not seem like a great place to bring a date or go with friends. If you do bring a date here though, definitely go for one of the booths with the curtains for privacy It really has a more business feel, and I it is a great place to bring clients for lunch dinner or drinks. You will always get a consistent experience, and it is set up well for discussing business But for myself, I would rather walk the two blocks across the river and go to Shaw's for my fresh seafood.

Sonia B.

Sooo aside from the fact that I thought this place was a law firm when I first heard the name, I can honestly say that I am smitten with M&S. I've only been here a couple of times for their Happy Hour, but it is by far one of the best in the Loop! The service, atmosphere, food, and drinks are all phenomenal. The patio is the perfect place to people watch on a warm summer day. The Trump Tower, Marina Towers, Hotel 71, and the Riverwalk are just some of the city sights you can see while enjoying some fabulous food and drinks at fabulous prices. My favorites would have to be the Steamed Mussels $5, Blackened Fish Tacos $4, and the Pinot Grigio $6. I also recommend their cocktails because they are delicious and strongg (that's what Happy Hours are for, right?) All in all, perfect. I can't wait to go back for lunch or dinner sometime. Now, I just have to decide who I am in love with more, McCormick or Schmick?

Vineet S.

MccormickandSchmicks probably has the best happy hour which I came across.Seriously the food is very reasonably priced and it tastes really good.If you have a chance to visit this place on weekdays between 3.30 to 6.30 pm then do that. I ordered Cajun Burger,Chicken Salad Sliders and sweet potato fries. Everything was really good specially the cajun burger and chicken sliders.Definately a place worth while visiting if you wanna have awesome food at a good restaurant.

Roshan S.

Came here during lunch for a holiday lunch from work. The food was unimpressive I had the lobster bisque which wasn't that good, but I had the blackened mahi mahi which was pretty good. The chocolate bag was for dessert and after taking our orders it took them 20 min to come back and say they didn't have enough for the people who ordered. Keep in mind it was not crowded. The food all took a terribly long time. We finished the complete meal in 3 hours and we were waiting for food most of the time. We also did make a reservation they just weren't prepared for 11 people. Won't come here again because I'd rather spend the money somewhere else. Update: I was going to give this at least two starts but now it's one. The next day my co-worker and I had stomach issues, nothing serious, but it definitely was because of the food here. Both of us had the chocolate bag which were the only two available, most likely they weren't fresh. We won't be coming back.

Kevin G.

If you want to spend a lot of money on mediocre food, then by all means this is the restaurant for you. I went here during the early afternoon for a late lunch and there was hardly anyone eating at this time. I expected to have better waiter service, but it took about 10 minutes just to get our drinks. The waiter also seemed to ignore our table, which is pretty hard to do when the restaurant is almost empty. I would suggest going to another seafood restaurant if you want good service.

Ray A.

ITS A CHAIN RESTAURTANT...( thats tells it all ) they say they're a seafood rest, but believe me it isnt.. bad,bad. ( thats my opin )

Luke D.

Service is abysmal. My first and last time dining here. We were there for a business lunch and needed some time to talk with each other before looking at the menu. We were 30 seconds into our conversation and instead of waiting for a break, our waiter jumped in and talked over us. Telling him we needed a few minutes to review the menu resulted in him coming back literally 2 minutes later. Nobody was ready to order when he came back a third time within 10 minutes of us being seated. At that point, he didn't ask if we were ready; instead he made an odd demand for our order, like "you will be having what?" His constant hovering annoyed us to the point that we made snap decisions on orders just to get him to stop. I felt like I was ordering with a gun to my head. I had a piece of salmon. I don't know how it was prepared because I didn't get a good look at the menu. I just saw "salmon" and went with it. It was solid, if unspectacular. Had I received even average service, my rating would have been a 3. Of course, this jerk was in a rush to clear the plates ASAP. As soon as you set your fork down the plate was gone. This was really disrespectful to the people who were still eating. Within seconds of clearing the last plate, the waiter put the check down. No offer for coffee or dessert. It turned out we wanted coffee, which seemed to bum him out. On the way back from lunch, everyone talked about how awful the service was. The restaurant was not crowded, so there was no reason for our waiter to try to turn the table as soon as possible. Had I been in different company, I would have spoken to a manager and complained. Instead, I'm taking my complaint to Yelp. Avoid this place.

Helen C.

One star upgrade for my last visit here: Painful feet and an hour or two to kill drew us here, as I promised my visiting friend a decent cocktail and a view of the river. Sadly I didn't catch her name, but the bartender who served us was brilliant. We had two delicious cocktails to start. Then a cheese quesadilla (at $2 it would have been rude not to). My friend was educating me on the joys of gin (I'm still skeptical, I find it largely joyless) and talked up Hendricks. The barlady joined the conversation. Five minutes later - a taster glass of Hendricks and an ice water for me, to try the acceptable side of gin drinking. It's that kind of friendly service that will bring me back here and happily pay a premium for the drinks. Note: the happy hour menu is all day on Sundays. yes that means a $3 cheeseburger and fries, and a very good $2 cheese quesadilla. cheap as chips but twice as good.

C B.

Came here for Happy Hour on a weeknight... it was nothing special. There's a great deal on food if you order a cocktail, but the bar food is unimpressive. The burger is standard, the fries taste a day old, and the quesadilla is bland, you get what you pay for. Drinks are good though!

Elyse C.

I guess I have been spoiled recently since chain resturants are not my favorite anymore. This location was not crowded at all for a saturday at lunch, which was nice cause we had somewhere to be later. We started out with two bloody marys we had a rough night before...they were good, but I really look for ones that do somthing different and it was just plain. The shrimp cocktail was good and I really liked their cocktail sauce, the fish tacos i had for lunch were slightly fishy. All in all I probably wouldnt go back, theres tons of other places in the area far better.

Nick M.

I have been a HUGE fan of McCormick & Schmick's ever since I was treated to a business dinner with all of the higher-ups years ago. These old rich guys knew how to eat and eat well. They actually showed me how to appreciate certain things. Like for example how to really eat mussels, they said "mussels are great but the real flavor is below in the sauce". Take a piece of bread, soak it, and enjoy. They were right!! It was insane, I wanted to drink it, it was so good!! Then sadly I learned that no "sauce" has compared to M&S since. Even worse, I have now learned that each M&S must be different because the "sauce" wasn't as good. I know it's been years but I will NEVER forget that amazing flavor. I stopped in this location for a quick few appetizers with a lady friend who has never been to a M&S. Of course I was raving about the establishment the whole way there. To my surprise a Saturday lunch crowd was not much of a crowd at all, there were maybe 4 tables seated. It kind of made me nervous, then our waitress took forever to come to the table, it was not going well. I was starting to get the "you picked this place" look but then thankfully the service and the quickness of the food picked up. Although the mussels sauce wasn't as explosive in flavor as I described they added claims to the bunch which was a very nice. We also order the Ahi Tuna Tartare, it's tossed at your Table with Capers Chopped Egg, Red Onions and Dijon. That was pretty mind blowing good. I could have easily eaten three of those. M&S may be on the pricy side but the food is excellent. I'm still a fan.

Val B.

Really, strangely fantastic happy hour. I can't say anything for the food or seafood - but trust that when you're in Chicago, you're not in Maine. Don't expect the best. Anyway, back to the happy hour. The drinks aren't amazing, but you can get a $2.50 Budweiser (no thanks) or a $5 cocktail (yes please), or $6 wine (okie dokie). The food specials are what really hit the spot - a $3 hamburger, $2 soft pretzel, $4 hummus... and it's all pretty tasty. I wouldn't recommend the chips & salsa or the quesadilla, but the sweet potato fries were top notch, and I don't even really like sweet potato fries. All in all, the patio was really lovely, with some live ambient jazz music. Our server wasn't so great, but we were also a pretty cheap date (over 3 hours, the 6 of us spent about $100), so whatever. I'd definitely hit it up again.

Mickey A.

Four stars for not being crowded and loud like most places around here during lunch time. I was worried about having to wait and called two hours ahead before meeting a former co-worker for lunch. Whew. It was not as busy I was expecting at 12:30 on a weekday. We had really nice service this particular day. We received a lot of stop-bys from our waitress to, whom I'm guessing as the managers (?), asking if we were having a nice time and enjoying our food. My friend and I wondered (and joked) if we looked like we weren't having a pleasant lunch to be receiving all this attention? Hmmm...far from it. I loved my chicken soup and crab cake appetizer which I asked to be my "main entree." My friend enjoyed her baked salmon and sauteed spinach. Portions were just right for lunch. The menu changes daily, so don't heavily rely on the website. For those on a lunch budget still want to indulge on some delicious seafood and non-seafood options, there's a $10 and under section on the lunch menu.

Andre W.

Had some friends come into town this past Thursday and they were staying at Hotel 71. They wanted to eat close by and I looked over at old faithful' McCormick & Schmicks. We walked in about 5:30 and the bar was packed, so we could not take advantage of my favorite bar menu. We chalked it up and got a table, which was the only option. Our server was superb to the 10th power (I hate I can't remember his name). We started out with drinks and ordered the Bellinis, which was so good we wound up having 5 a piece. Whew!!!!! I ordered the tilapia, which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus, which was delicious as well. To be honest with you, I will go out on a limb and say that was some of the best tilapia I have ever had. If you have not paid this place a visit, I suggest you do. Great food, great place and great service. What more could you want?

Kevin B.

Myself and two other colleagues had dinner one night at McCormick & Schmick's in February. Two of us had the Blackened Mahi Mahi and the other had the Mahi Mahi unblackened. Soon after dinner, the Blackened Mahi Mahi took affect. My colleague was soon duck walking very quickly to his Hotel room. Of course we had a good laugh, until 15 minutes later when I started to experience the same intestinal distress as my colleague. Luckily, our episodes only lasted approximately 10-15 minutes. All three of us compared our experience the next day, that is how I can relate this story to you. We vowed never to eat there again. Be Warned.

Ali B.

Dinner outside on the patio, perfect weather, great view (especially of Trump Tower) and then to top it off the BEST LOBSTER BISQUE I have ever tasted! The service was good. The patio nice, clean, pretty standard for a seafood restaurant. The interior décor, nothing special-I wouldn't take a first date there if you are eating inside. As a seafood lover, I definitely recommend that you go to McCormick & Schmick's. My Menu for the evening consisted of: PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON KUMAMOTO OYSTERS-5 STARS Gulf Shrimp Tempura Garlic-Ginger Aioli (good, but nothing special) Maine Lobster Bisque Sherry Butter (lots of lobster)-5 STARS * Great presentation! GET THE LOBSTER BISQUE! (if you're a girl it is a meal in itself) Bon Appetite!

Nick L.

The ever changing menu depending on what's in season is a treat here. This usually means that they do the harder part for you when you are trying to decide what to have as they already narrow down what should be the best. The seafood here is good. I've always enjoyed my meals here whatever fish or seafood dish I ended up with. The servers are attentive and the place feels a little more high class.

Stephanie D.

Note: I have yet to actually eat here, but I wanted to fill everyone in on this special they have: Every Sunday and Monday they have a $18.95 Surf and Turf dinner special. You get rosemary jumbo shrimp, grilled sea scallops, and a sirloin. Could be a nice date idea! YUM!! I'll edit when I go next week -

Fredrick B.

This was my first time dining at McCormick's, but it certainly will not be my last. Since Nick's Fish Market left the Loop I have been searching for another seafood fine dining establishment. Catch 35 seemed to be alone, but now I know better. (Shaw's is simply too loud, and not at all intimate). The wine list was varied and impressive, and the food was exceptionally fresh and well prepared. The lobster bisque was second to none in Chicago, and the Lobster Cobb Salad was simply put--"SPECTACULAR!" My colleague was delighted with the Cashew Tilapia--recommended by our waiter, and the Salmon was superior. I think I have found a seafood restaurant to compete with Catch 35, and make me miss Nick's Fish Market less. McCormick & Schmick's--YES!

Abby M.

I was disappointed with our lunch here the other day. 1) It took 1 hour and 15 minutes. 2) We had to continually ask for water, refills on soda, etc. 3) Our waiter was MIA the entire time - except to do the expected of taking our order, delivering our food, and bringing our separate checks. I went with some co-workers and we all had debit cards and no cash so we asked, before ordering, if it was okay to split the checks. He was a d*ck about it and rolled his eyes at us. "Well, I guess, but it's going to take me a while." Really? We ordered 3 entrees, 1 soup, 2 waters, and 1 diet coke. How hard is that order to split, honestly. I was a server 6 years ago and it was EASY PEASY to split checks...ESPECIALLY when customers tell you before ordering. I know that computer systems now in the food industry are WAY more savvy then what I dealt with way back when. Our food was good and decently priced. I would've given more stars had our waiter been more friendly and answered our questions better. I've been here for happy hours and they have great deals...so I may have to just stick with that time of going to this restaurant.

Ben B.

My wife and I have eaten at this location twice. The first time was somewhat disappointing, but I think the second chance was much better. I had the salmon saute, which was good, though not exceptional. The standout items were the shrimp cocktail (for the high-quality shrimp) and the chocolate bag dessert. The chocolate bag isn't shown on the dessert tray, why I'll never know. The bag is a bit tough to cut but filled with blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream, and whipped chocolate, and actually excellent all-around. If this were the only time we had eaten there, I would have given them four stars, but I remember being disappointed by the food the first time.

Selena L.

I have long been a fan of McCormick and Schmicks' happy hour. Mussels, oysters, fish tacos...oh my! Great prices, good portions...what more can you ask for?

Nadean D.

Party of 7 (they knew it was a celebration but never mentioned it). Natalia gave us bread for 5. When we pointed out we had "Lunch" menus, she returned with "dinner" menus and handed ALL of them to one guest...I guess she didn't want to walk around the table to pass them out! Drinks and orders taken and we didn't see her again until she brought 2 dessert menus! One person delivered salads/soup - no one returned to ask if anyone wanted pepper/bread/fresh drinks. Another person delivered entrees - again, no one returned! One guess had a whole lobster which she had to crack herself! I finally went to look for ANYONE to help but even the hostess stand was empty. We finally just gobbled down our (mediocre) food. Natalia was visibly SHOCKED we didn't want dessert - just our checks. The tip reflected the service....

Karen T.

Coworkers and I came to the patio for happy hour. We were told they ONLY do happy hour inside at the bar. Oooo-kay. Made a beeline for the bar and proceeded to order 843570287543 dishes and drinks, while looking for a table. They handled us pretty well. The happy hour dishes were great for the price: *Fish Tacos - two decently size tacos. I'm from LA though so let's put it into perspective - they have NOTHING on Rubio's Baja Grill. and this is M&S! *Cheese Duet - nothing bad/good to say about their brie/feta *Lobster Ravioli - awesome *Burger - a regular burger, again, nothing bad, nothing good. fries were delicious, but then again, that could have been because we were starving. *Green Bean Tempura - good lord that sauce is amazing. and I'm picky about japanese food. (Not a HH dish) Sambuca Dome Chocolate Cake - this thing was RIDICULOUS. we had 5 people and had to fight to polish this thing off. I would come back just for this cake. the cake is rich yet light, the filling/frosting is just creamy with a touch sambuca...what more can i say? Also, this place gets another star for the fact that my friend called them out on using peach vodka instead of the Goose on the rocks with a twist like he asked, and they graciously looked into it and acknowledged the new bartender had accidentally used the wrong topper. They then proceeded to give my friend not one, but TWO additional drinks - free of charge. It's right on the river at State and Wacker, so cabs will wait outside to pick you up, which is convenient for when you've had a few too many HH drinks.

Greshka P.

Went here for a business dinner. Everyone had a great time. Atmosphere is great/ relax, even better food. I had the Atlantic Salmon - New Brunswick, Canada: Stuffed with Blue Crab, Bay Shrimp and Brie Cheese. Best Salmon I've had in my life. Perfectly cooked, not dry. Vegetables were fresh, excellent meal. Would definitely like to go again.

Linda B.

Very disappointed in this restaurant. We had the crabcakes, duck potstickers, and chef's recommended salmon. Nothing was bad per se, but it was not good either and for the prices ($12 crabcake, $8 potstickers, $26 salmon) it should have been good. The service was iffy too. I definitely do not recommend; there are much better places in the area let alone in the city.

Timo D.

For a high-end restaurant they sure do know how to ruin a hamburger. I work near McCormick & Schmick's and my co-workers sometimes pick them between Sweet Water, Elephants and Castle and Emerald we frequently visit. Out of the four restaurants, McCormick & Schmick's is the worst at making a hamburger. The first time I asked for medium-well but I got charbroiled. It was so dry and burnt that I gave up after eating less than half. On Weds visit this week, I ordered a burger with american cheese, I got cheddar. They took the burger back and scrapped off the cheddar the best they could and put new cheese on the same burger instead of making me a new one. On top of that, the burger was still dry and over cooked. I had better burgers at McDonald's I will never eat there again. If my co-works decide to go their for lunch again, I will got to Sweet Water, Elephants and Castle or Emerald and order a hamburger there for takeout and take it to McCormick & Schmick's to eat it there. Hopefully they will see how a real hamburger is made.

Jackie H.

This review is based on Happy Hour only. The location is perfect for all the Loop peeps working downtown--close to El stops and Millenium station. Happy Hour is only at the bar area and runs from 3:30-6:30P on weekdays. I headed here with Anne S on a Wednesday--there were quite a few people there around 5:30 when we got there, including a couple of larger groups at the bar tables. Which is why, I imagine, service was a little slower than I would normally like. The Happy Hour menu is great! The $3 Buds didn't really appeal to me, but they had some specialty cocktails for $4.95 that hit the spot. But, the real deal is the food menu for Happy Hour. Hummus and Pita for $1.95 was a steal--even if there wasn't nearly enough pita with the order...No worries, they brought out more when we asked. Also, we had a fry cone of Sweet Potato fries for $3.95--the same amount that would go for at least $7 I imagine at otyher restaurants...The menu had various other tasty-looking selections at price points between $1.95 and $4.95. So, I've never been to McCorminck and Smicks for a regular meal, but for after-work drinks and nibbles, I think it's quite a good deal!

Chantal L.

There was an hour wait, which isn't uncommon on the weekend so we decided to eat at the bar. The server was noticeably busy, which again isn't uncommon, however a little too noticeable. We had to wave her down a couple of times, and she walked off a few times before we were finished with our questions. We ordered the pick your own two combo selections. The food was quite good and portion controlled, which I don't mind at all. Just something to note if you're going in with a large appetite ;).

S E.

The bar menu is a great deal. In fact, I have no complaints about the food or service. My issue is the bathrooms -filthy. I rate establishments based on the cleanliness of the bathrooms. There was virtually no soap in the containers - if I cannot wash my hands, how are the workers washing theirs? The floor was littered with toilet paper. Just nasty. Clean up the bathrooms. You owe it to your customers.

Dana P.

Food was ok, but service was pathetic. Our glasses were empty most of the night and the waitress was rude and surly.

Paul S.

I've been to McCormick's a number of times. I usually go to the one in River North and have been happy there. However, my recent visit to One E Wacker was the worst experience I've had in over ten years of McCormick meals. The problems all started when the people near our table, who arrived before us, received their food and we had not. It was at least 30 minutes from order to this point. We brought it up to the waiter and was told he would check on it. Ten minutes went by with no follow up with a status from the waiter. We then asked him again what was going on. He said that he had a manager checking on it. He then started making excuses about how we didn't receive our food because some other server took one of our orders. He also blamed the kitchen for having issues. He also mentioned that he's a teacher by training and "this" (being a waiter) isn't what he wanted to be doing. A few things here. First, the waiter should have been aware that all of his tables around us had their food and we didn't. Second, once he knew that someone else took our order he should have immediately come over to offer us bread, soup or SOMETHING. Third, if you're going to do a job then you do it - you don't make excuses about how it's not what you want to be doing. If you don't like what you're doing quit. We eventually received our food almost an hour after ordering. My friend received the wrong salad. I received my salmon and immediately noticed it was raw on the inside. This was not sushi grade fish. The waiter agreed and he took it back. The manager brought the fish out a second time and AGAIN it was raw. The manager agreed and took it back and it was finally correct on the third try. By this time I had to rush to eat my lunch. The Manager, who was very nice and paid for the meal, also made an excuse and said he wasn't the regular manager and was from another location. Again, as a customer, I don't care about that. That's making excuses and trying to make yourself look better. It's one thing to have a service issue on a visit. It's one thing to have a food issue on a visit. But when you have ongoing food and service issues on the same day it makes you think that there could be something wrong at this location. UPDATE: I talked with the General Manager Jason (who was not there that day). Found him to be very understanding and he took full responsibility for what happened on behalf of his store. He mentioned specific measures the company had already taken to address the issues I experienced (which I'm not disclosing) which I was very happy to hear about as a customer. UPDATE 2 10/26/12: No one from the Corp Office has called me back. Jason hasn't called me back. I called the restaurant today and talked with a Manager named Matt. He said he would follow up on what's going on and get back to me. UPDATE 3 10/28/12: I received an apology letter in the mail from the COO with a gift certificate. It was not personalized and not a real signature. None the less, glad to see they followed up with me.

Guillermo M.

If you are a tourist and have been walking for a long time it is a good place to stop and have fresh seafood. We had a ton of oysters and enjoyed the nice view.

Matthew L.

Confession: I'm a regular ...but for good reason. In terms of food, drinks, and service this is the best happy hour in the loop. During Happy Hour you can easily get a meal at $3 or $7 if you want to splurge. And I know this will confuse many of the Chicago socialites out there who are more familiar with drinks that barely contain any alcohol and bars that spend so much on their image they have to water down their soda fountain - but at McCormick's they actually know how drinks should taste and can make a damn good one! Plus you can easily walk up to George, Juan, or Matt (bartenders) and tell them to suprise you and they will do so happily; and with great results. Or stick to your normal guns and just get something a bit classier because the drink is the star of your order - not the waitress when she leans over. As for the dining room it is also pretty damn good. Service has always been great and in terms of fish I've only had two problems in my 100+ visits (yes - this review is long overdue). More often then not I am highly satisfied with my experience. And as for price it is a little lower than just about any other fish place in the city... but people, it is fish so you should be ready to drop $18-$24 on an entree or split a $35 entree and an app. Above all this place prides itself on service. I love chef/owner restaurants mainly for the care into the food and the service and knowledge of the waitstaff. I am not saying this place beats out some great local places, but they definately beat out a few and remind you that the people make the restaurants. You quickly forget McCormick's is a chain because of the level of care in their food and the service their staff shows all their patrons. The Manager Brian, the bartenders (George, Juan, and Matt), and the numerous waitstaff we've had (too many to mention) have always made us feel like valued customers just for dining there... and we didn't have to pay $250 for bottle service for our waitress or the management to notice us and treat us like patrons should be treated. Whenever I'm stuck downtown unexpectedly late and just want a drink or a bite - I'm heading here and you should too.

Kristi H.

amazing! great food [as expected] but the service is what topped it off. i called for a reservation and they asked if we were celebrating anything special. i said we were having a going away dinner for a friend moving to germany and we showed up to our reservation with a private room and "good luck in germany andrew" written in german on our menus. ABOVE AND BEYOND when it comes to taking care of you. regarding the food, the lobster bisque is one of the best i've ever had.

Tyson T.

Do not waste your time here. With so many great seafood places in Chicago, I was terribly disappointed. My wife and I went here and the oysters were warm, my walleye was dry/flavorless and her scallops were like eating a rubber bouncy ball from the quarter machine at Walmart. I also ordered a seasonal Buttersquash Risotto that tasted like I was eating 20 sticks of butter...they must have forgot to add the squash. I woke up in the morning with a stomach ache and my wife did as well. Needless to say, I was doing the reverse of bowing to the porcelein god. I'm never going there again!!!

Esther I.

Two of us had dinner at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks on Saturday October 13. We sat in the bar area where only two other tables were taken totalling the number of guest at seven. We waited quite a while to just place the drink order. We also had some food that night. When the food was delivered, the waiter went from one table to next asking the guests if they may have ordered this meal. Well, good thing there were only three tables occupied for him to play his guess work game... Table numbers on a kitchen slip may be an idea or staff knowing the table numbers. Just basics! My husband later ordered another beer when we finally received some service again... The waitress behind the bar seemed beyond stressed out, even though we now were the only customers in the bar area and the restaurant was not full al all either. She served the beer by slamming it on the table, leaving a lake of beer on the table. She saw the mess she made but never bothered taking the few steps to come back with a towel to clean it up. Back at home I realized I left my shawl behind. I have sent an email twice so far, left a note on their Facebook page, and was promised to get a response regarding my inquiry. Needless to say I am still waiting. So all in all I am happy to report that the service at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks is VERY consistent throughout. The food by the way was outstanding. Unfortunately it does not make up for the lousy service. We have spent nine days on vacation in Chicago, eating out three times per day in a vast variety of restaurants. The experience at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks was the only negative impact this city has left on us. Therefore, people if you love to eat out, this is you town. Just don't spend your hard earned money where people don't appreciate it.

Mike S.

For a chain, we expected a certain level of service from McCormick & Schmick's...unfortunately, this location fell short of meeting expectations. We got in quickly via an OpenTable reservation and thought the ambiance in the dining room was very nice. Things were going very well at first...a fantastic menu and a great server. After our salads, our entrees arrived - grilled salmon and a trout dish. The trout (with a bacon-corn hash) was excellence - cooked to perfection. The salmon, however, was cooked on one side but not cooked enough on the other - so it was partially very rare. I pointed this out to the manager as he walked by and he said that was how they normally serve their salmon. Quite frankly, this was completely untrue. I pointed out that if that was the case, the rareness would be in the middle, meaning it would have been cooked evenly on both sides. Instead, it was cooked thoroughly on one side and was rare on the other indicating that they cooked it wrong. He did offer to have it re-done but you know the old adage about never sending food back. I told him I would keep it. Our server stopped by after a minute (I had pushed the food to the side - I just couldn't bring myself to eat it) and she apologized and took it away. Earlier she had told us the kitchen was swamped and was way behind...that explains the undercooked fish and is more plausible than the manager's answer 'we always cook it like that'. I shared the trout and then the server later stopped by to invite us to order dessert, on the house. That was a nice treat. We ordered a dessert for each of us plus a cappuccino. Normally, coffee and the dessert would come relatively together - in this case, they didn't. By the time our dessert arrived, the cappuccino was already cold. Overall, we'll likely go back and try them again - but they have some work to do.

An P.

Pssst. What? McCormick & Schmick's has the best happy hour around. What?! [*Flintstones it to McCormick & Schmicks!*] At 41 E. Chestnut in the middle of Gold Coast, McCormick & Schmick's stands with its famed and acclaimed happy hour menu. Why I had never previously verified the rumor is beyond me, last night I got my first crack at McCormick & Schmick's! Calling ahead a week and a half ahead, I had to organize a meeting of the Association of Loyola Entrepreneurs for a networking event. I had called and left a message for the GM who called me back and went out of his way to set aside seats and room for my group even though the bar is first come first serve. I do not think their happy hour extends to 10pm, but the GM made a special exception for us and allowed us to have a happy hour from 9-10pm! After trekking a few blocks in the cold, I got to McCormick and Schmick's and the hostess politely pointed me the right direction. On getting back to the bar, all the space was reserved for my group with signs, menus, and water ready to go. I ordered a Sam Adams and waited for the crowd to shuffle in. Indeed they did and while you have to order a drink to access their happy hour menu, it can be non-alcoholic which is perfect for friends who do not like drinking! The food took a little while to come out and we had people waiting but that was more a reflection that so many of our party arrived so quickly. Next time, we will be wiser to start ordering a little bit earlier just to make sure the food arrives right when the guests do (which sometimes can be hard to predict). When the food did start coming out of the kitchen it was a non-stop rush. The first wave of hummus and quesadillas arrived and were quickly snatched up by everyone similar to the rush at a UN food drop! For those with patience, the food rush sustained itself until eventually everyone had a bite to eat and relearned civility and manners after some helpings of garlic fries, sliders, bruschetta, more hummus and a few drinks. The food was terrific and everyone remarked how much they liked everything. There was only one server in our area, but she was a hurricane of activity serving up drinks or food one second and politely bobbing and weaving through our crowd to hand individual checks. I really have to give her credit for making sure we were well served with drink and food! Bus boys were also on the hurry, clearing everything when it was done and keeping us well-stocked with napkins, plates, and utensils. McCormick & Schmick's is a perfect after work relief with it's afford drink specials ($3.50 Bud) and appetizing happy hour menu. I will put out the caveat that a Sam Adams is priced at $7.25, but this is downtown after all. I would highly recommend McCormick & Schmick's for group meetings, hanging out with friends, or bringing a friend for happy hour and then hopping to see the rest of Gold Coast. Great job, McCormick & Schmick's!

Timothy F.

Love the fact that they took over the Nick and Tony's space. The best lunch in the city..well priced with great options....Where else can you find great seafood at reasonable prices like 11-14 dollars. The only drawback is if you need to drive there...they did not have a valet at lunch when I went....

Amanda Z.

I'm familiar with the McCormick & Schmick's on Chestnut Street thanks to its very wallet-friendly happy hour specials. $1.99 for a burger? When you're broke and in law school, that's music to your ears! I have also enjoyed dinner at M&S on occasion, always enjoying the food as well as the impeccable service. My most recent visit was for lunch with a pal. They have a terrific lunch menu for under $10, but other options priced reasonably at $12.95 for an entree. Not bad at all, especially when you get cloth napkins when you're used to take out sporks. We both started with the crab bisque. The presentation of this dish was marvelous. The bowl is placed in front of you dry, with a pile of steaming crabmeat surrounded by a drizzle of the port wine reduction, and the server add the bisque part of the soup. Stir it all up and it's creamy seafood heaven. Rich and creamy, it was exactly what we both needed to deal with the bout of dreary, wet weather we've encountered lately. Since I'm pretty sure the soup had close to 1,000 calories, I stayed on the lighter side for my lunch, choosing the carribbean shrimp salad. Served in a long platter, it was a refreshing mix of romaine lettuce topped with bits of fruit (pineapples, watermelon) and grilled shrimp, all tossed in a light and vinegary dressing with black sesame seeds. Perfection on a plate. And it was lovely after my rather rich first course. No dessert for us, as we both had to hustle back to work, but a fantastic lunching experience. Reasonably priced entrees given the nicer setting, and fantastic service. Very nice.

Denise D.

I was in Chicago the weekend before New Year's, staying at the Hyatt Regency-Loop. Normally when I hit Chicago (I live in Milwaukee) I try to hit funkier places, or at least something in Old Town or that's not a chain, but the large group of people I was with (10) had already decided. We walked in at 9:30 and only had to wait about 5 minutes for them to set up for us (we hadn't called ahead, but they were very cool about it). The server was terrific, not rushing us or pushing appetizers on us, and was very cool about how almost all of us had to pay separately with credit cards. (Usually it's cool most places if you tell the server right away! They have a "Seat Number" system there, which I've worked with myself and think it works well). The drinks were great-- I ordered a martini with olives but not dirty, and it was perfect. They have some sort of house cocktail with Pimm's that tastes like cucumber and it was AMAZING. My swordfish was cooked perfectly, and my best friend had the grouper. She is from north Florida and asked if she could just have fried grouper as it's her favorite thing in the world, and the server and chefs went with it, much to her delight. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for dessert because we were rushing off to a show at Second City, but since my experience there was surprisingly good, I'd like to go back when I can try the creme brulee.

Jerome P.

Denise our cocktail server was upbeat and on the ball she was very nice and pleasant always had a smile and made me happy I came there trust me ill b back FYI Wednesday 50 cent wings at bar

M B.

I arrived at M&S 10 min before my reservation and I was told that I would only be seated at the time of my reservation. The restaurant was almost completely empty and she made us wait till 10 min after our reservation to seat us. Once seated, our waiter was very nice and attentive and took the time to go through the menu. I had an Ahi Tuna dish which was just ok. The fish was good quality but the preparation wasn't as nice as it should have been. My girlfriend ordered steak, and although this isn't what you would go to M&S for, it should have been a lot better. She ordered medium and she got a charred steak that was tough and flavorless. I have seen better steaks at Applebees! M&S was extremely average and isn't worth the price. You'd be better of spending your money at Catch 35 or another seafood place in the area.

Heather K.

This review is strictly for the happy hour. While I appreciated the large tables on the patio, and the location/people-watching is great... you really get what you pay for in terms of the food. I went with the $2.95 cheeseburger/fries and it had this sort of "old char" taste to it, like the grill hadn't been cleaned in a while. Similar feelings of "mehhhhh" from around the table, and we ordered a variety of items off the Happy Hour menu. And our server... I felt like we were on a hidden camera show! How many strange rules could he throw at us before we cracked?! "I can only bring 5 beers in a bucket, so that's why you're missing one" (after 6 people ordered bottles). Only taking one person's order at the table, then leaving! Having us tally the total number of tacos for the group, instead of each person being able to give their own order. I mean when all was said and done, there weren't any mistakes, but it was just so...weird....

Erika G.

The ONE STAR is for the location. Mon dieu, what terrible service. Great outdoor cafe, but just try to get served. Then, when I was finally informed that no one was taking orders outside, i waited at the bar for an eternity, only to carry my overpriced glass of wine outside myself. The food is lackluster, I miss Nick n' Tony's.

kim s.

Went here for happy hour with a friend last week. I arrived about 4:45 and the bar was almost completely packed. Luckily I scored a table in the back and waited for my friend. I was there for more than 10 minutes before anyone came by to take my order... I get that the waitress is busy, but I saw her talking several times to coworkers before she sauntered over to my table. When she finally did arrive, she seemed really out of it and was actually pretty rude (I've worked in the food service industry, so I understand that it's not always fun, but rudeness is still not cool). Her behavior continued the rest of the evening. She was just spacey and acted like our presence was an annoyance. Irritating! We didn't try the food, but the drink specials were good. I had two cocktails for just over $10. Score. They have great prices on small plates and I would probably try one if I ever went back again - which I would only do since it's super close to work. We'll see.

#NAME?

This is my 3rd time eating here and I think it will be my last-1st time it wasn't that bad, 2nd time I came here for lunch and again not that bad- The 3rd time was bad- I ordered the Lobster Bisque and Crab Cake for my meal-Crab Cake came first and it wasn't that fresh-It tasted a bit fishy, but I was so hungry I ate it- When my bisque came out this was the presentation....rice that was the packed in the middle of the plate, white rice, and some lobster on top of that-Then the "bisque" was poured around the rice and lobster island-Yet when the bisque was being poured it looked like it was sausage and biscuit type of gravy- I took a bite and it tasted like a roux, nothing at ALL like bisque-I took a spoon of the rice and lobster mix and mixed in the bisque and I thought I might puke-It was so gross, by far hands down the worst bisque ever-I took 3 bites total and pushed the bowl away- The waitress came back and asked "did you not like the bisque?" I told her that I didn't, it was horrible- She was nice and took it off the bill, but if you eat here do not order the bisque- I feel this place is like an Olive Garden of seafood places, nice staff but the food is not what it should be at all-

Shyam S.

My wife and I and a close friend had lunch here last week and we couldn't have been happier. We had a nice, slow, comfortable lunch over two hours and the service was first-class. If you like the old school booth feel with uniformed, courteous waiters ( a la the Berghoff) then this is the place for you. Everything we ate - the goat cheese bruschetta, blue crab tower, sweet potato fries, reuben and desserts - were delicious.

Debbie H.

What can you say about their happy hour? It's not bad...... I think that applies! Drink specials, food specials and a neat and clean bar area. Our waitress was not great, but then again, I just needed her to keep the beers coming, it wasn't an interview for a new BFF! Overall, it's worth the walk down the street to partake, but not a must do once a week! IMHO!!

Edward B.

We went to the happy hour here before catching a movie at the Gene Siskel Film Center. The happy hour food specials are GREAT at great prices. I had the $2.95 1/2 lb. cheeseburger and fries. It's the best $3 burger and fries I've EVER had. And $3 or $3.50 beer specials. I'll be back again, no question. Only problem, which is why I can't give five stars, is that the service got really, really bad as 6:00pm approached. When I go back we'll definitely go early (happy hour starts at 3:30pm) so the service doesn't become an issue. Still, a great value in a very nice setting.

Eric B.

I stopped in to dine at M&S last night to catch the Bulls game. The bartender George noticed my buddy and I watching the game and asked us if we would like the audio to go with the game. This place definitely pulls out all the stops for its patrons. On top of that the manager was even kind enough to come by to see if it was loud enough for us. We all know M&S has great food, but who would have thought they'd have outstanding service to match.

Sarah L.

I met a friend here for lunch and we had a great experience! Our waiter was very helpful and attentive. I had the chopped ahi tuna salad. This was the best chopped salad I ever had! It has tiny slices of rare ahi and the salad had green olives, scallions, blue cheese, bacon, Parmesan and tomatoes with mixed baby greens. That salad was truly amazing, just wish there was more ahi. I wasn't sure of the dressing but it was some sort of vinaigrette. My friend had a chicken salad with fruit and poppy seed dressing. Her salad looked very good. We both ended our meals with individual desserts. I had apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream and my friend had an ice cream sandwich made with cookies. Both were small and sweet. The perfect amount for lunch. McCormick & Schmick's also has a $10 lunch menu and everything sounded so good. Great place to meet friends or take clients out to a nice lunch.

Brian A.

McCormick & Schmick's is one of the rare chains that I recommend. This particular spot, located on the Miracle Mile in downtown Chicago, has very nice decor and excellent food. I loved the oyster sampler.

Jason G.

Yes, I know it's a chain. I don't really like seafood in general due to the fact that I lived in coastal Virginia and South Carolina for a combined 8 years and got spoiled on seafood that was caught earlier that day. I was impressed by the flavor, quality and presentation of my meal at this McCormick & Schmick's. Our server was great, the meal was paced just right and every bite was fantastic. For dessert we had the Chocolate Bag. Amazing and enough to share with several people, especially if you all ate as much as we did.

Astrid W.

This location and the Gold Coast location are 5 stars. My husband and I ate here a lot when we were dating and specifically after we tried other restaurants that served raw oysters. Both locations serve fabulous raw oysters and sometimes we'd just stop in to one of the locations just to have a few beers and a dozen or so oysters. The other plus is that although it's known for it's seafood they serve a fantastic Filet Mignon (which I always ordered without fail). Service was always good and that says a lot after eating at both locations randomly for four years.

Jim W.

Solid place to enjoy a late meal outside when it's nice out. Friendly staff, decent service, but watch out for the post-theatre crowd rush! I had never stopped by thinking it was exorbitant, but then someone told me M&S is a chain. Prices are not too bad given the river-facing property. The crab and artichoke dip we started with was great, nice and creamy. The wonton(?) chips that came with it were a bit odd though, deep fried a bit too long? It was like a cracker with the texture of a baby carrot, i.e. tough to chew. I tried some of both the father's day lobster ravioli and the regular halibut and cheese ravioli. The lobster was tasty, but definitely tasted very southeast asian due to the coconut and spices. Had no complaints about the non-special ravioli. The rest of the menu had assorted fresh catches and weren't particularly pricy, from low teens to upper 20s. All in all, it really is mostly about that outdoor seating! I think I'll be back to test that happy hour...

Flo C.

So, in going out to dinner with my brother, the one that spoils his sisters, one should not let him select the restaurant. McCormick and Schmicks? Uh, sure. I would have been happy with a diner, but ok. This is where you go for a nice dinner with the family / co-workers, but not so informal where A1 sauce should ever be requested. We ate later than we would have liked, but we knew some people would not be rushed on a holiday. We sat in the bar for a bit. My brother, who owns a bar and restaurant, is patient as can be with servers, barkeeps, and cooks; but will not hesitate to wrestle a restaurant host. Particularly, when he has a reservation. That said, our service was excellent. We started out with the oysters and crab cake. Both amazing. They brought out this soft and warm fantastic bread with butter. This is the point in the meal your food baby will expand. My brother ordered the NY Strip and King Crab combo. I tried the Tilapia. Our sides were brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes were fine, but the sprouts were the surprise hit of the night. Best I have had. My brother's steak and crab were both perfectly prepared. (He let me try some of his, this is not the norm. In our family of six you got a fork in your hand if you reached for a plate that wasn't yours. ) The tilapia was the one dish that I thought I was a bit overcooked. My brother, the food snob, didn't like it at all. Still, I ate it. The salsa that tops it is actually tasty. It's tempting for yelpers to just vent here without bringing the quality of the meal to their server's attention. When the waiter asked about our experience, I told him the truth. Everything was amazing, but the tilapia wasn't as good as anything else we sampled. I wanted to give the restaurant the opportunity to know something was off so they didn't here from yelp before they heard it from me. The waiter apologized immediately; I guiltily added once more that the meal was still wonderful. To our utter shock and without saying anything, he had it taken off the bill. This is why the restaurant is worth the time and effort. It is the quality of the meal and the service. I only get to come here about once a year, but each time I am reminded that the value is tremendous. They get an extra star for making sure problems were recognized and addressed.

Michelle S.

With 56 reviews, I doubt I can say anything that hasn't been said, but the mahi mahi cakes nd the fish tacos are the Bomb!! Of course every silver-lined cloud has some rain in the middle. The girl I was with got a burger that shit was damn near mooing when it got to the table. there was blood (yes,BLOOD) on the bun and plate. And when the guy brought the cooked new burger back, I swear he tried to put it on the blood from the original burger. Everyone say it with me, "ewwwwwwwwwww". AND they charged her for it. Tacky. But I swear by the fish tacos for happy hour. You don't need to add sour cream or anythign extra to em. Just eat them as is. Yum.

Danielle D.

I must be missing something. Honestly, I don't understand how McCormick & Shcmick's 1) charges exorbitant fees for 2) mediocre food and 3) not only stays in business but has multiple locations. Is it just rich white businessmen with bland taste palettes who like this place and pretend to be refined by choosing a restaurant with nice decor and high prices? Do people really like this place and can someone explain this to me? Seriously. Mediocre is being nice. It has to be some of the most boring and bland food I have ever had, with the wrong ingredient-to-ingredient ratio (ie. too much mayo to cabbage in cole slaw). Many dishes seem like they've been steamed for too long, or microwaved. Worst of all, the food lacks flavor and the slightest bit of creativity in composing the dish. I received a $100 gift card to the place, and so far have tried: Goose Island Beer Battered Cod with Fries & Coleslaw (fish and chips, $16.95); Crab Cake with Orange Fennel and Watercress Salad (one small crab cake, $11.95); Crab Bisque with Tawny Port Reduction ($7.95); side of Wisconsin Mac & Cheese ($4.95); and Asparagus with Lemon Butter ($5.95). Main entrees are between $20-30. Like I said, it is pretty boring, overpriced, and often tastes like frozen food that's been microwaved (or badly deep fried). If I didn't have the gift card, I wouldn't go. I think the only thing McCormick & Schmick has going for it is its appearance. The restaurants are in good locations (Wacker and Chestnut), the decor is nice and professional, and there's often a live band playing. However, you shouldn't be won over by physical appearances; what lies underneath is terribly simple fare.

Natalie R.

The other McCormick & Schmick's? Fabulous! This one? Ummm... It's not often I get asked by The Hub if I'm 'going to yelp this one'. Even rarer, the 'you ARE going to yelp this one, right?'. The rarest? The 'I know you haven't yelped anything in over a year, but COME ON, we've been sitting here for TWENTY MINUTES WITH A MENU and WTF'. So babes, this is for you. Hey there, Mc & Schmicks? We were ready to celebrate a good week and you failed. When we walked up to the host stand, we saw another couple leaving the patio with a 'wtf' look on their face--perhaps we should have taken that as a hint. Instead we thought 'score--they're leaving--we're bound to get seated soon'. Not that it was busy, mind you--there were several tables open, but whatever. We were seated, we sat down, ready to part with however many dollars. Except: no one, it seemed, wanted our money. When you go to a restaurant that you know is not cheap, when it's not terribly busy, you expect a reasonably professional staff. One that, you know, takes your order. Maybe even...wants your money? I don't know--it could be just me, but I'm pretty sure I'm not spending any money just sitting there if nobody sells me a glass of wine or a lobster or anything. I would think a trained waitstaff (or the hostess that sat us) would know the signs of an unserved table. I learned them when I was in high school: 1st walk by: table has menu, no drinks. no big deal. 2nd walk by: table has menu, still no drinks, find server, ask wtf? 3rd walk by: table still has no drinks? serve them yourself. TWENTY MINUTES. I guess they didn't need our money that night. That's fine. We left. I'm sure no one noticed that either. Or rather--they did, but just didn't care.

Theresa K.

If I was just basing my review on the food, I would have probably given 4 stars. We enjoyed our unbelievably cheap appetizers, the sweet potato fries were perfect and our drinks were at least interesting. Where we knock off stars is in customer service. Our actual waitress was nice enough if not enthusiastic, but, we got the impression that since happy hour was over by the time we were ready to order another drink, it was time to go. she brought our check unasked for and generally wrapped us up while we were still eating our food. It wasn't exactly packed in there, it was a Wednesday after work and my friend and her partner of 13 years had just got their civil union on! We were ready to hang out but had to go around the corner to Emerald Loop to get another drink. Then there was the valet. First, we pulled up and were so confused about the valet process that I ended up driving around the block again to make sure it wasn't some where further down. The sign was there but there was no valet present. My husband has a disability, so I let him off on the corner by the cutout, and tried to park the car myself. As I came around again my husband was standing in front looking confused, still no valet, so I asked him if he could go down to ask the host. not seeing any other option, he started down the three stupid stairs in his difficult way, but the angle of the handrail was too steep and he fell. several customers noticed, and I hopped out of the car to help him, at which point the valet magically appeared, apparently not noticing my frantic face, the fact that I was running or my husband collecting himself on the stairs. While I was trying to get to my husband, the valet was shoving a valet card in my hand and disappearing with my car. um hello? can you wait ten seconds to make sure we're ok, since I'm obviously upset? and I have questions for you! Then I was trying to get my husband up, which requires some maneuvering, and several customers stopped to ask if they could help, but the host and waiters just kept walking by like we were invisible. We were RIGHT in front of the host stand and obviously struggling, even if some without a disability had fallen, the staff should have stopped to ask if they were ok or needed help! I finally just grabbed a chair from a nearby table to help him get up. once he was upright again, I realized that they only door we could see was a revolving door, which is hard for my husband. so I stopped there to look around. the host just stood there and stared at me until I said "Is there another, accessible door?" at which point we were directed to the invisible, unmarked accessibility door to the right of the patio. Had there been a sign on this entrance, we would have avoided the entire fiasco. it also would have said "Everyone is welcome here." Given the set up and the attitude of the staff, I'm guessing that's just not the message they are hoping to send. One last final complaint, the sign on the valet was really vague. I asked a waitress as we were leaving whether the valet was cash only or if we had an option to use a credit card, and she didn't know. not only did she not know, but she couldn't have been ruder about telling me she didn't know, and it was clear that she had no interest in finding out. (it's cash only, for the record) Maybe the valet is contracted out, I understand that, but it's a service that's provided to entice people to come to your restaurant. you should know as much about whats going on related your place as you do about the menu. and if you don't know the answer to a question, you should at least offer to find out. I'd love to eat here again, especially for the cheap happy hour, but we'll be sticking to the less chain-y, more friendly places downtown.

steven l.

Went here the other night with a friend to check out the patio. We were looking for some al freso dining, but then of course it started raining and we had to move inside to the bar area. The food and wine were definitely up to par. I started with a glass of Wente Riesling and my friend a glass of Pinot Grigio. He felt his wine was a to sweet and that the waitress may have made a mistake (the bill at the end proved him right - however both of us being in the service industry this was not very bothersome). We started with the Portobello/goat cheese brushetta and mussel/clam in white white sauce apps. Both were delicious. Next we split the crab bisque which was just a heaping bowl of deliciousness. A mound of crab in the middle with the bisque poured table side, cute. For entree we opted to split the Sirloin with Bleu cheese served with broccolini (or ripini or something not sure). The meat was nicely cooked for me but my friend was a bit dissapointed. We had added a lobster tail to the steak, however the server said it had "been given to another table by mistake." This could have been the truth but being in the industry myself I've dropped that line a few times when I have forgotten things. No big deal... when the lobster tail did come it seemed to have some slight seasoning on it and was delicicious when dippied in the drawn butter. We also ordered a few sides; the blanched asparagus were very tasty, but skip the horseradish potato. During dinner we each had a cocktail, one was a topshelf cosmo with cointreau and agave nectar, the other was a watermelon margaritatini. Both were very tasty and strong. As for dessert, a platter was presented tableside and we opted for the German Chocolate cake. It was ok, nothing to special. I finished off dinner with a glass of port (unfortunately they have no menu for these items) and my friend had a special chocolate martini that the bartender made up. All in all a great experience, atmosphere and service. I will definitelty go back!

Karen L.

This is the only time I have been to this location and I only sat in the bar for the happy hour special. Really, the deal is a steal! They have a list of apps for $2-$4 each! So cheap! The food is good and the portions are great! The only thing is there is not much seating in the bar area, so we did have to stand a bit at first. What is also great is that they have had this deal for so many years! When I lived in Mpls seven years ago, they had the same kind of cheapie happy hour deal!

Amanda D.

Service was great, food was great. I ordered a fettucini with shrimp and scallops which was delicious. Everybody in my group enjoyed their meal. I'd definitely dine here again.

Karen M.

Pretty good seafood for a chain restaurant. My husband and I tried McCormick & Schmicks for the first time last night and enjoyed the fresh seafood, attentive service, and reasonable prices. We were seated in one of the more secluded tables which was romantic. I thought the salmon was very fresh ( a bit on the salty side though) and my husband said he really enjoyed the cashew tilapia- lots of flavor. All in all, I was impressed with the restaurant, although I still prefer Nick's fishmarket when it come to seafood in the city.

Andrea R.

Edit 6/23/07: I really liked this place when I first tried it last September, but eh....wasn't doing much for me when a friend and I went for happy hour on a recent Thursday evening. It was a gorgeous night so we grabbed a table outside, which probably wasn't a good idea when the extremely loud band started playing music right by our table. So much for us having a conversation! We split the crab cake appetizer and the crab/artichoke dip. The crab cake was so-so...a little burnt on the inside. I loved the crab/artichoke dip the last time I had it, but this time it was pretty gross. I enjoyed the pita chips that came with it (in fact ate them all), but they were better plain than with that nasty creamy dip. Probably a 2 star experience, but I'll just bring it down to 3 since my last meal was very good here...perhaps it was just an off night for McCormick? ________________________________________________ My co-workers and I had a delicious meal at the new location of McCormick & Schmick's this evening. I've been to the McCormick & Schmicks in various cities, but haven't tried it in Chicago until this evening. I did find the service to be a bit slow, but still top notch. We started our meal with an oyster sampler and the artichoke dip. Both were very good- especially the dip! I couldn't resist ordering crab cakes (one of my favorite meals) and although they were not as good as the ones at Hugo's, they were still very tasty. Everyone else at the table seemed happy with their meals as well. We probably would have passed on dessert if the waiter had not brought out an entire tray of sweets that looked way to good to pass up. We ordered the dessert sampler featuring a few different desserts and it was the perfect amount (the bread pudding was the best). I did inquire about the $1.99 happy hour special appetizers...this happens everyday of the week if you are sitting at the bar. I will definitely be going back to McCormick & Schmick's very soon for this special deal!

D C.

My husband and I went here to celebrate my birthday. I was really excited and looking forward to a great meal because I had heard so much about this place. My husband loved his steak, the lobster mashed potatoes were great, however, I ordered the special and it was really fishy. It was expensive and I just didn't feel it was worth it so I talked to the manager and he ultimately comped it. I appreciated that and I would try it again.

Carmella M.

OK whats the point of a fresh fish daily menu when 1/2 the items are out of stock . My Hubby and I went here for dinner and it literally took us 5 times to choose something every time we said may we order this the poor waitress said sorry "we are out tonight of that item". We finally said "TELL us what YOU have available" After total disappointment we finish our drinks paid the bill DID NOT ORDER and left..........Poor waitress we left her a good tip it isnt her fault..she cant make money when they have nothing to sell ... wont be going back

Amy H.

The first time I tried McCormick and Schmick's I left in disgust without tasting any food or drink. It had been a rainy day and at about 3 p.m. the sun came out. I needed to meet a friend someplace before going out so I suggested the patio in front of McCormick and Schmick's, since it used to be my favorite happy hour spot when it was Nick and Tony's. Apparently, the managers thought it would be raining all day so they closed down the patio. At 6:00 when I got there they had put out the tables but there was no service. Ok, no biggie, I'll just go inside to get a beer and come back out. The bar was packed. The bartender was rude (a snippy reply of "I just said that we don't carry that brand of beer!!) I stormed out while talking to my friend on my cell and saying "THIS PLACE SUCKS!!!!" The other day a few co-workers suggested going to McCormick & Schmick's for lunch and I figured I would give it a second chance. I'm so glad that I did, because the food was outstanding! We ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer, which was ok but the dipping marmalade gave it such a punch. I had the fish tacos, which seemed more like a fish fajita to me, and my companions all said that their dishes were delicious. We also sampled some desserts. The key lime pie was great, the bread pudding was to die for, and the creme brulee was so-so. The service was very slow, though. Our server didn't come to our table for 15 minutes after we sat down. We had to flag down the hostess to ask if we had a server or a busboy that could at least bring us some water. ETA: I have been to this restaurant three times since I wrote this review and the service, although the staff is nice and accommodating, is still slow. It's lunch in the loop, people! Pick up the pace!! We all have to get back to work. Plus, I made lunch reservations for 12:30 on a particular day and when I arrived with my guests I was told that there would be a 10 minute wait. Um, isn't that the point of reservations?? So that I don't have to wait?! Not my favorite restaurant.

Max G.

This is a great place to enjoy some really good seafood. I have never bad better tasting fresher oysters anywhere else. So, the wife took me here for my bday this year. On a warm summer day or evening, sitting in the patio is a must. Since it's on Wacker by the river, it has a spectacular view of the city skyline. The only downside is that sitting outside is very very busy so you should not expect outstanding service from your waiter as there are only several to cover the entire patio area. The manager did come by and hand us a card with a table assignment inside in case it started raining since it was overcast outside. This touch made up for our slow waiter that had to be flagged down for beer refills or continuous requests for more lemons. Despite that, their menu as any McCormick frequent guest knows is printed daily, and the quality of outstanding. Try a sampling of their fresh, raw oysters next time. Amazing!

food lover t.

First of all, I would love to say my waiter last night was terrible and not doing a very good job serving us. I asked for 12 oz ribeye medium rare but came out dry and well done....took a bite, it was hard and chewy. Second of all, to all raw meat lover, I had kobe beef bruschetta for apperttizer and its the bomb. I would go again on another location of McCormick & Schmick's. Hopefully I will get a better service and good ribeye.

Kara B.

On the whole, McCormick and Schmick's is decidedly mediocre. They are a corporate restaurant, that is publicly owned strangely enough, run out of Seattle -- and it really shows. They have a beautiful location, with great decor. The booths are cozy and romantic, with curtains to make them more secluded if you desire. They really do get in fresh seafood everyday (I know because I worked for their PR company briefly) and print a new menu everyday. However, it seems like they only know two or three ways to prepare fish, because no matter what kind they get in that day -- they are going to prepare it in one of their standard ways. The food always tastes bland and mass-produced. They have decent sized portions, but nothing to explain why everything costs as much as it does. The happy hour is an alright deal. The quality and size of the $1.95 bar menu varies widely. The hamburger is huge, but the quesadilla is not. You usually can't go wrong with the mussels here though. We sat out on the 1/2 of the outdoor platform that is reserved for the Happy Hour deal last time I was there and it was very pleasant. They take great pride in their hand crafted cocktails -- and you can see why. I highly recommend their caphrinia. When you have a hand muddled drink, you can really taste the difference.

Jenna G.

On a Friday in lent, it was difficult to make a choice where my boyfriend and me were going to out to eat for our anniversary. I have had a lot of seafood in my day, and I expected a lot better from McCormick and Schmick. Our waiter was a little touchy feely towards me. He touched my shoulder and in general made me feel uncomfortable. He barely came to our table. He took a while to get out drinks, and just overall was terrible. I never got the water from the waiter. The food was not bad, but definitely was not great, especially for the price we payed. I have had better seafood at Red Lobster compared to McCormick and Schmicks. The only great part of our meal was the wisconsin mac and cheese. Our creme brulee was frozen. For two people, we payed over $100. It is over priced, and since I am living on my college budget it is definitely not a place I will likely return.

Tina B.

Delicious tilapia!

L P.

I visited McCormick & Schmik's today in hopes of experiencing a great dinner. To my surprise, my meal was horrible. I I ordered the combination dinner which included the salmon, shrimp, and crab cake. The crab cake was delicious, however the very small plank of salmon was very dry and the shrimp were as tough as charcoals. I hate to say for a restaurant that I was so excited about trying and that I had heard such things about, I was highly disappointed. I've had much better seafood at cheaper places. I donnot plan on returning here again.

M.A C.

Best Arnold Palmers anywhere! So why a bad review? My fish tacos were good but the side of beans that come with dish undercooked. Would have given a better review but our waitress was impolite - to put it nicely. She looked visibly annoyed when ladies in our table were not prepared to order and rudely skipped them. When we got our food delivered i thought i should take advantage of her presence and inquire about my 2nd arnold palmer that i had ordered and still had not recd which was talking a while to get. She made it known to me in a very rude tone that I didn't get it yet because she was getting our food. When she did bring my drink it was not the same delicious Arnold Palmer I had enjoyed earlier. I was the one who suggested this place for a business lunch and this interaction embarrassed me tremendously as it caused me to return her bad attitude right back to her face in front of my colleagues. I was looking forward to enjoying a nice and pleasant lunch but her service left bad taste in my mouth.

Captain K.

Delicious seafood, disappointing deserts and slow service.

Nikki L.

I am tempted to give this place two stars for service, however the food was pretty good. Being a first time diner, I didn't know what to expect. When I told friends that I was having dinner to McCormick & Scmick's they "ooowed and ahhed" saying how good the food was. I was excited to see what they had to offer. Their menu is displayed on a large single sheet with today's date on it. I think that's a special touch and it made me feel like they adjust their menu to make sure they are providing customers with fresh quality seafood. Sadly, our server was awkward and aloof. Me and two other people shared two entrees, you would think someone with common sense would know to bring out extra plates right? Um, No. I had to ask for extra plates and steak knives for our surf and turf. She also made the same mistake when we ordered 3 desserts for 8 people to share and didn't bring out any share plates. Ugh! Our host had to go around to the neighboring tables to take their B&B plates, it was pretty funny. Overall, food was good but service needs improvement. I might be back, not likely.

Craig R.

Took my niece and nephew here for a meal during their recent visit to Chicago. The food was goo dand the service was well done. It was a good palce to sit and rest of a couple hours and enjoy some good food during a whirlwind tour of Chicago.

Chester R.

the wild oysters with red beet rissoto was excellent. the mussels were awesome. the food was all pretty damn good. but. the service kind of sucked...and it was pretty empty for 730pm on weds night? which we thought was odd for this location. i would go back, but only on an expense account.

Lauren P.

who knew there were awesome happy hour deals to be found at mccormick & schmick's?! the downside is, it doesn't appear to be much of a secret. we showed up at five o'clock on the dot and the bar area was already packed. many patrons were on the prowl for seats - arrive early (happy hour starts at 3:30 everyday!) all of the food on the happy hour menu is under $5, but the biggest steal has to be the 1/2 pound burger with fries for only $3! add a $2 PBR (who knew a place like m&s would even have PBR on tap?) and i'm a pretty happy camper. no complaints here! however... service was super sloooooooow. it looked like there was only one server in the bar area. now, i used to work at a bar, so i can understand delays when there's tons of people and you're busting your butt - but girlfriend could have moved along a little faster. she was functioning at a snail's pace and kept disappearing from the dining area for 20 minutes at a time. unfriendly to boot. looking past the service, it's a great spot for after work. check out the happy hour menu for yourself here: mccormickandschmicks.com…

Regina L.

Yea, yea...we went to McCormick & Schmick's for happy hour, even though there's a couple of these here in LA...but we knew we weren't going to eat at one for awhile, so we just dropped on by during our vacation. Plus, they had happy hour the whole day on a Sunday and we couldn't possibly resist. Our expectations danced with happy hour priced seafood, drinks, and what not. Compared to the Wilshire Blvd. / Rodeo Dr. location in LA, this place: - made sure we ordered 2 drinks minimum per person instead of 2 drinks per party for our happy hour prices. I guess that's just fair, but in LA, we've gotten away with ordering just 2 drinks per party. Granted, there's always just the two of us anyway.... - had the friendliest yet touchiest waitress ever to me. I wasn't sure if that was just Midwest friendliness that she was demonstrating and I'm just a typical coldblooded Southern Californian not receptive to that friendliness .If someone would care to educate me about the difference between a super touchy waitress vs. a typical waitress with a Midwest friendliness, please let me know. - had a view of the Chicago River. We were actually there while they were filming parts of Batman that time. - Clams that were good, but not as good as they are here in LA. Everything else was pretty delicious and left both of us satisfied. I just generally love McCormick & Schmick's, so I have no other complaints.

P S.

Four stars for a fantastic dirty martini and from what I was told, a fantastic gin martini. Didn't eat, so I can't comment on that part but the service was friendly, the loo was clean and the bar seats very comfortable. Pricey, but you pay for the view and the zip code.

Rob F.

Great service. The lobster was great, excellent. Superb presentation.

katie h.

Went with clients for lunch today. Bad service and bad food. We had shrimp kisses -- appetizer with shrimp wrapped in bacon and jack cheese. Not tasty. Also had sizzling salmon that was supposed to come with black truffle sauce but came with an Asian sauce. Charged full amount. Check was delayed, 'the system broke.' Grandma and Grandpa's getting the lunch special on a Friday. Not fun. Not cool and Definitely not worth the price. Avoid it.

Dane K.

I wasn't overwhelmed... Went to lunch recently with a fairly large group (15) but we had called several days ahead of time to make reservations. When we showed up, our table was set for less than 15--13 or 14 people or so, and that was by packing people in to places they normally wouldn't go. We asked to add a table and somehow this was decided to be too dificult, so after the first 13 people sat down everyone was moved several minutes later to a different room with a larger table. An exercise in stupidity if you ask me. Service was OK but not what I'd expect at a higher end steak house... I felt like everyone was training everyone else. They didn't have the wine we ordered in a section of our table so brought some cheap substitute which wasn't what we ordered at all. The whole thing took far too long. I had a meeting that was to start 1.75 hours after our reservation time. Our office is only 2 minutes away so it didn't seem like a big deal; but I had to take my food to go because it wasn't ready until 10 minutes before I needed to be back in the office. The food itself was kinda "ehh" ..nothing memorable. somewhere around 3.5

Kristin R.

I've been to this restaurant in other locations and know, from previous experiences, that their food is excellent. On this occasion, however, I am only speaking in regards to their happy hour specials. Which are an unbelievable deal. You can get a cheeseburger with any type of cheese and fries for $1.95! Obviously I don't eat any type of burger so I perused the rest of the happy hour special menu and happily settled on the mahi mahi cakes. I had had these before at another location and thought they were quite tasty. Other treats to tempt the tongue include: mushroom raviolis, some dual tuna thing, buffalo wings, mango ceviche with fried plantain chips (yum, this will be my next meal of choice), and a few other things. All ranging from $2-$4. Unbelievable if you ask me. The downer is that there are no happy hour drink specials but the cheap plates make up for it. The drinks seemed to be a little highly priced....$9 for a mojito and $10.75 for an 8 oz. glass of wine, just to give you an idea. I'm not sure if the food happy hour is only on Thursdays but it's worth it. The vibe is nice as well; it wasn't too packed at all, nor too loud. I hate it when I have to shout at my friends during what is meant to be a pleasant outing to consume mid-week beverages and food.

Felicity B.

We showed up here for our 8:45 reservation. We got a table immediately, but NO ONE came by for 20 minutes. Like the other reviewers have said: the world's most incompetent waitstaff. How can a nice restaurant hire such horrible people? When they finally made it over to our table, it was to tell us that there had been a ton of patrons today, so the kitchen was "overwhelmed" and had closed. Not like cooking food is their job or anything. And, according to the posted hours, they continue seating for ANOTHER HOUR. How is this place still in business? Don't waste your time.

Amy R.

Came here the first time for a work holiday party - service was splendid, but the food was so-so. I loved the bruschetta appetizer, but some of the others either looked un-appetizing or were really too big to handle (chicken skewers were huge and a bit hard to chew; quesadillas were tasteless). I'm not sure whether the food I tried at the different tables had been sitting out too long, but everything just seemed...dry. The rolls were difficult to use as a sandwich (which I'm assuming was their purpose, since they sat next to a meat carving station and spreads), and the cookies were definitely not soft, but edible. However, the guy working the bar was very generous with the wine, so I left feeling good about the place. It looks like a nice place to go if you're in the area. I'd give it another shot for a private dinner.

Jennifer A.

I waited 2 months for a response to my email to the manager of this establishment. I have decided to post my review here, as well. I wish I had read the other reviews before visiting this restaurant. Upon arriving we were offered two table choices, a booth directly next to the arrival area or a table slightly off to the left of the arrival area. As the restaurant was nearly empty we asked for another option only for it to be declined. It took nearly 5 minutes to be greeted at the table and offered any beverage, upon ordering dinner and wine, it took until just before the entrée arrived to receive the wine(about 10 minutes). It was clear our Open Table note to the Maitre de was not read, this was a birthday celebration. There was no acknowledgment as such. When the dishes were cleared, and it was obvious that the meal was barely touched, no mention was made by the staff. Overall I was extremely disappointed in the experience and would not recommend. With all the other choices in the area, save yourself the pain and expense of dining here.

Kristen R.

Very pleasant for lunch. I had the lobster ravioli and it was wonderful. The wait staff was great. I would 100% recommend this to a friend.

Daniil V.

You Should: Stay Away Sizzle: Fresh seafood daily, gorgeous stained glass & enormous patio = Blase Juice: Un-knowledgeable, inattentive staff = disappointing. Check Please: $$$

I've been to this location of McCormick and Schmick's a couple of times: once for lunch and once for drinks after work. Both times we sat outside on the large patio in front of the restaurant. I like the patio a lot: it's spacious and set back a decent distance from the street. (I hate sitting outside when you can actually feel the cars whizzing by!) Lunch was fair: I ordered a cheeseburger that was okay, but nothing special (a bit on the dry side, which is interesting because I order mine medium rare). Drinks were also good.we didn't have any food when we visited for drinks, so I can't comment on the happy hour food specials. I give McCormick and Schmick's just three stars for two reasons. First, I think it's a bit pricey for the quality of food. Second, both times I was there our service was just mediocore. In addition to slow service by the waiters, both times we had a wait quite a while for our check after asking for it. This was especially a problem during lunch, when we all had to go back to work. I did enjoy the location, and will probably go back for drinks when the mood and weather is right!

Melissa R.

I went late one night with a friend and there was only one other table that night. Our first batch of bread was cold and stale We constantly had to ask for refills on water. I had the rib eye and it was good but I honestly believe Longhorn Steakhouse is better. They burnt the fat and I ordered it to be cooked 'medium' so I expected it to still have that marbled look not a burnt crust. It came with half a roasted tomato and a few steamed asparagus stalks. My friend ordered mahi mahi and it came with green beans and mashed potatoes. Plating had no pizzaz and the vegetables had no seasoning, they were so bland. I spent $96 for the two of us and it was NOT worth it. I had a coffee after our meal and he had an irish cream. That was the best part except his irish cream was a tiny glass and it was 10 bucks. We were just visiting and I wouldn't recomend this place. I'm sure there are TONS of better places to eat in Chicago than this....

A C.

Took a date their a while back. It was her bday. I called them the day of and made the bday reservations. When we arrived, our menus were specially made with her name printed on top saying "happy birthday ......" That was a shock. Total shock. Then they came around and served us some "new specials." Gave us a little taste test. Made us feel special. Like our thoughts counted. Then came our appetizers, drinks, food, and a big desert! The waitstaff was awesome! I will never forget how they took care of the bday menus.

This is a great spot for after work with $2 hamburgers (3:30 - 6:30) and other great happy hour food specials. The drinks are on the high side, but if you stick to cola or beer - you have a nice little after work meal. The dining area is nice and quiet with good service. You can't beat that flaky, crispy bread with real butter which comes with every meal in the dining area. The roasted pecan and goat cheese salad is a good starter and their buffalo BBQ chicken sandwich was throughly enjoyable. To top it off, the main bar is a really great place to sit and chat. Solid woods and ornate carving with stained glass - puts me back into a great time which I didn't live. I guess I am a sucker for feeling like I'm in the 1930's? Hint: If you are looking for a drink adventure, take a peek at their Antique Cocktail Menu.

Jims L.

I wouldn't come here for anything but Happy Hour - I did once and had a bowl of soup while the rest of my party had their different entrees. The place is too pricey for me. Though if you do come to celebrate someone's birthday, they're kind enough to print out the person's name on the menu's. Anyhow, happy hour is amazing - sure you have to order two drinks, but you really can't beat good sized portions of burgers+fries, fish tacos, and buffalo wings starting at $1.95!

Brian L.

I visited this location (02/26/08) for a MRA event. I arrived early and sat at the bar and yes, the happy hour specials were something to brag about. $1.95 burgers and wings!! (with, of course, the two-drink min) however, since I was there for dinner, I didn't partake in the food options. They had a good variety of tap beers and wine selections. For dinner, (and I don't know if this stuff is on the regular menu, because I was there for a private event in the party room), I had the Michigan Cherry Chicken which was FANTASTIC!! It came with green beans (slightly under cooked) and mashed 'taters (fabulous). The only issue on the night was that they were out of fresh bread. Some excuse about the people who make it left without making some before dinner hour, blah, blah. When it arrived, it was good, but that was just about at desert. All-in-all, not a bad night out. Good location, small bar area, but good service and excellent happy hour specials if you can make it.

Isabella W.

I'm not really a fan of this place, and despise coming here despite their "happy hour" deals. I only come here for biz lunches since it's literally right next to the office. Since they supposedly specialize in seafood, I usually opt for the fish here (have gotten the trout, mahi mahi, scallops), and everything was just blah. Nothing ever stands out here, and the food is pretty bland. Why can't there be better restaurant options in the Loop by my office?

Kristin C.

I struggle with this review because I don't like seafood. At all. Still, when I am with someone who goes out for seafood, I always manage to find something on the menu. I was definitely down to try this McCormick & Schmick's with a Yelp buddy especially since I hadn't been back since Nick & Tony's closed (RIP). Lunches here are very business-y with and there was a sea of suits to complement the white table clothes. Make sure if you do lunch here that you have a large chunk of time - Service is SLOW. SO slow, it made me feel a little anxious. . . Since I don't eat Seafood, my options were limited. I went with the grilled vegetable sandwich and it was OK - kind of dry since I got it mayo-less. I even tried a crab cake (for me this was a huge step). The sauce was good but the crab cake - eh. I did like the cole slaw it came with if that counts at all. The manager came by our table a couple of times. It was kind of random because that didn't make the service any faster at all. He did make a BIG production out of the dessert tray. VERY intense. We split a sundae and that was actually my favorite part of the meal (and I'm not a dessert person). Would I come back here for lunch? Doubtful. I think I MAY swing by here for a post work cocktail - especially to sit on Wacker and people watch.

Lisa L.

I love seafood. I love this restaurant. I hated the server my partner and I had this evening, but loved the blackened catfish and salmon. Basically, you can never have the same thing here twice because they change the menu almost daily to serve whatever is fresh and in season. We'll be back because they have some good specials and very fresh fish, but I hope someone else (who doesn't come off like they rather eat glass than take my order) waits on us!

Zach T.

I went for the happy hour.bar menu Cheeseburger, which has enjoyed a lot of press of late. It's $1.99 with a 2-drink minimum. It was great. It's a half pound, and it's the darling of the menu, because the crab cakes and fish tacos were a hellof a lot less food. The bar staff was all new, so it was bumpy getting my order in, and I was nervous about my Drinks... I orderded the Basil Grape Refresher (that had been written up in Time Out Chicago) and found it to be all three things. However, it is $8. The sliver lining to the bar staff being all new was that they offered anyone seated at the bar a free frink off the mixed drinks menu since they needed to practice. I netted a $10 parisian sidecar for free. It was great. I will definitely be heading back for happy hour.

Jim O.

Food was good, but service was very sub par. My girlfriend and I had first stopped by at the Witt's Roof Top Bar for a drink after work (great place btw 4 stars) Afterwords we walked over to McCormick & Schmick's for dinner on 1 E Wacker. It was a beautiful day so we decided to eat outside. The cocktail menu had no prices and our server didn't even know, he had to find out. My beer arrived 10 minutes after I ordered it and my girlfriend's cocktail came another 10 minutes after that. We ordered a few appetizers which were very good, but they came at least 30 minutes after we ordered them. After waiting 20 minutes we asked the server "what up?" and he explained that the kitchen was slow and always backed up. It didn't seem that crowded to me. We decided not to order an entree because of the anticipated wait. Not sure we experienced some reverse discrimination or not, but the hostess was African-American and we are white. We were dressed business casual. There were 2 tables open adjacent to the sidewalk but she sat us away from them. My girlfriend asked if she could sit us at one the sidewalk tables and she said the server was overloaded and we would have to wait. We decided to sit where she put us but couldn't help notice that 2 minutes later she sat an African-American couple there. I commented to my girlfriend that maybe they didn't mind having an over worked server. But alas, they got prompt service and received their drinks before we did. Hmmmm. The other open table was still open when another white couple asked for it. They were told the same thing we were told and were seated elsewhere. A few minutes later another African-American couple were seated at the open sidewalk table. The entire time we were there, every sidewalk table was occupied by African-Americans. They all received faster service then we did. Her reason for not sitting us there was obviously b.s. Were we slighted? I'd say we probably were.

Esther Y.

I used to go to the one on Chestnut all the time for happy hour. That one over there is still great. I would actually give it more stars than this location. The service here is bad. Let me clarify, everyone EXCEPT the bartenders are awful. I mean there are some mean looking hosts and hostesses that just aren't welcoming, pleasant or at all nice. They are very uppity. On the other hand, the bartenders are awesome. They are quick to take your order, they are friendly, they are nice. The food during the happy hour used to taste better. I think it tasted better when it was not as popular. You have to go there early to get a seat and I would suggest sitting at the bar. They have a good key lime pie, but I don't know if they have it seasonally or they stopped serving it, but if you are there get it!

Justin L.

When did fish become comparable to steak prices but without leaving you satisfied? I have been here many times. First when my friend Jimmy was GM there but many times since. I can say that the place itself is very nice spot. It puts on airs like fine dining but has a very reasonable menu with nothing spectacular but simple and elegant all at the same time. For a sit down meal it is a bit much for lunch. Waiters don white coats and present a daily paper menu with fresh catch. Gives you the feeling that you are eating at a nicer place than a chain restaurant. I usually go with the grouper or something crusted and pan seared so I do think I am not truly tasting the fish to see if it is of good quality or not. But what really makes this place is the happy hour. Several other yelpers have made mention of this. This is the homerun for them. The happy hour menu is unbeatable downtown and you can have at it on the menu all for a 2 drink minimum. The burgers and probably the best buy on the menu and come with near perfect fries. I would pass on the quesadilla, but chicken wings are excellent there as well. Actually for a fish house everything not seafood is really quite good. I would say it beats their seafood offers by a mile. Get their early and stay there late. The damage on your pocket book with be minimal and the strain on your waistband will be maximum. There are enough items to choose from on the happy hour menu (and the regular menu for that matter) that you could go every friday for a month and not get tired. The wait staff is friendly and fast. Recommended for Happy Hour.

D W.

So I just left good ole Mc & Schmick and I gotta say I am not going back anytime soon. I have witnessed the slow decline of this restaurant and today they really broke my heart. They once had a delectable apple pie with cinammon ice cream that was so rich, your taste buds sang as you gobbled it up. But alas, no more! They have switched brands (read cheapened) for the ice cream and the pie is just not the same w/o it and at $7.50 for a dessert, I expect the best! They also got rid of their carrot cake which was one of the best carrot cakes in the city. Needless to say, my sweet tooth is very very upset. *hmph*

Kymberly S.

I went here before a show and even though they were full in the restaurant are with reservations, we were able to sit in the bar area which was great. Menu is very good, however, might be a little to expensive for the quality of the food. The food was delicious and the service was great. I would definitely recommend this place for people who enjoy good seafood.

Nancy H.

I was impressed by how spacious this restaurant is! Our waiter was funny and friendly and very good with our orders for a table of 20. I consider myself a seafood girl, but oddly, there was nothing on the menu that really caught my eye, I only got the mussels appetizer in curry broth and the clam chowder, so I won't be coming back here. On the other hand, I frequent the other McCormick location on Rush St. for the late night $2 appetizers (with a 2 drink minimum). It is always fun and more laidback, and not just seafood!

George K.

When I first moved here, two years ago, oh I can't believe I been here two whole years now. I remember getting a tour of what it's like in downtown Chicago. At my first sight of downtown after going through already got the job "job interview" I was exhausted but I wanted to see what it was like. My neck was hurting for few days looking at so many tall buildings. My favorite view is looking toward the Chicago Board of Trade on LaSalle Street. Anyways, while I was getting a tour, I saw this restaurant from wacker drive, people sitting outside on the patio enjoying lunch. I told myself I will eat here for sure, someday. I got an opportunity to have lunch with one of the yelpers last week. It was on the other side of our work but I didn't mind walking since it's been a dream of mind to go here from my first landing in Chicago. Oh boy I was disappointed. I made reservations for lunch, you must! So, how come you only had few wait staff working? Took forever to get our lunch. Crap cake.. yeah.. I said it, Crab Cake for appetizer wasn't that good, not good as Hugo's. You know this is Seafood place. Right? Neither of us ordered seafood. I think the manager gave us expedited service after we kind of nudged him that we wanted to try dessert. I thought my food was okay, mediocre, not all that. Maybe I should have tried seafood since they are known for it. Maybe next time.

Erik N.

haven't been there to eat off the regular menu, but I've been a bunch of times for the happy hour menu. I LOVE IT!!! $1.95 appetizers. And I'm not talking about a 3-piece chicken tender either. I'm talking about a full on order of food: burgers and fries, wings, etc. all at $1.95 a piece!!!! And some pints for onlly $5?? You can't beat it. 5-stars all the way. Would do 6-stars if I could, because the last time we went it was packed. There weren't any tables around, and they brought one out for us straight-up Goodfellas style.

Matthew S.

I have been here twice now, and for a chain restaurant, have been impressed with the food and (especially) the service. Last night, had honestly one of the best servers I've seen in Chicago, easily up there with Heat or Trotter's. Happily surprised. This is also one of the better places to find a wide variety of fresh seafood in Chicago. Make sure you ask lots of questions! The chef here can handle pretty much any request, which can end up in you getting something better than what the menu may have. Had the calamari and some seared ahi tuna - I left a happy camper.

Dan B.

The best thing about McCormick & Schmick's is the location - you are sitting in what feels like the very center of downtown Chicago. It's too bad the menu is basic, uninspiring seafood. To me, everything tastes the same here. It's like they sprinkle everything with a secret ingredient that just sort of blands everything down. If it's outside you want and you're in the area, you could do much better at Smith & Wollensky's.

Jen E.

If you want the freshest high quality seafood in Chicago come here! Plus, they are open later then any other restaurants in the area. I appreciate that they print out menus for every service detailing any questions I have about what is fresh or wild-caught.

Zaid A.

So my mom LOVES seafood, and being the good children they are, my sister and brother-in-law took her out to McCormick and Schmicks since she was in town. Being the middle child and inability to procure said funds to sponsor said activity I got the pity invite....which was AWESOME. If you drive too fast on Wacker you may blow by this, but in the heart of Downtown resides the ending place of soooo many good fishies. Atmosphere: M&S has a fun vibe to it. All around are businessmen, couples, and people alike. I would recommend casual dress, I sported a collared shirt and jeans and didn't feel out of place. All around is warm wood paneling, and a kicking glass mock up of the Chicago Skyline, adding to the fun feel. It looks small from the outside, but the interior is fairly spacious with a good portion of round tables for larger groups. Service: Everyone wore white coats, which if you know me has special meaning, so I was cracking my head off....really. Anyways our waiter was excellent, he was very engaging, and helped dish it out and still take it. Definitely earned his 23%. Food: Excellent selection of exotic and stable fishes, I was thoroughly impressed. We had appetizer of Seafood Artichoke Dip, and steamed muscles both which were very good. Everyone at our table got something different from Jumbo Shrimp, to Alaskan King Crab, to a delightful whitefish. Though I am a big fan of the Costa Rican Mahi Mahi, I wussed out and got the Hawaiian Swordfish. I eyed the Mexican Blue Marlin, but I stayed with what I knew. The Swordfish was excellent, on par with some of the best I have had. It was a little on the softer side, but it could be the style of cooking. Presentation of food was well done, and the seasoning and flavor of everything was amazing. Only flaw was that portions were smaller than I think should have been for market price. Mommy Factor: My mom loved this place....so there you go. Going Steady Factor (a.k.a. Date Factor) - If I wasn't broke I would take said significant other here. Its fancy and fun, and just sitting there makes you feel like you are more important than you probably are. There are some booth areas so a small amount of seclusion is possible Bling: This is a little on the price end. Two appetizers were plenty for 4 hungry adults, and ranged about 9-10 for each one. My swordfish ran around $25, with most meals in the 20's. Expensive yes for amount of food (my reluctance for 5 stars), but in hindsight for atmosphere, good service, and top notch food I think this is worth 4.5 stars and my mom's promised to bake us brownies.

Brit D.

I've been here many times but mostly because my dad loves it. I always enjoy coming here and sitting outside looking over the chicago river! The workers can be a bit snooty, but overall I've had great experiences! Excellent steaks with great side dishes if you feel like going to a nice steak house on a nice summer night in the chi!

Lisa A.

McCormick and Schmick's is a great place for food in general but they have one thing that I truly love...their Happy Hour! During the hours of 3:30-6:30pm you are able to buy some great from that ranges from 1.95-4.95. This selections are starters they are actual meals like a 1/2 lb cheeseburger with fries. The catch..you have to order in the bar area and its a $2.50 drink minimum. If you think about it....that's not only reasonable but you are getting some great food. The service is A++ and the drink specials (if you don't get a soda) are amazing!

Theresa C.

My son is spoiled rotten when it comes to eating out. He had sushi when he was two, prefers a Kansas City Strip over a filet, and his favorite appetizer is shrimp cocktail. He thinks octopus is OK, but he enjoys calamari much more. His favorite cheese isn't American or Velveeta. Nope, he prefers Mediterranean herb encrusted goat cheese, thank you very much. Recently I took my teenage foodie to the new McCormick & Schmick's on Wacker Drive. I'd visited there a couple of months ago and had a less than stellar experience ( thelocaltourist.com/blog… ), so I wanted to revisit in the hopes that they'd gotten some kinks straightened out. Having my son along was also a test to see if the service would suffer due to the inherently lower check that comes with an underage diner. First things first: they did not know who I was. I didn't even pull the notepad out so they would have no idea I was reviewing them. Wow. I have rarely had such perfect service. Besides hitting the standard points, like clearing dirty plates and keeping our water glasses full, our server included all the little touches that make service great. My chair was pulled out for me. He used suggestive selling skillfully. We didn't feel sold to; rather it seemed he was guiding us. He even offered my son an Arnold Palmer. This drink of half-lemonade and half-iced tea would have required more work on his part. When I asked where to find the ladies room I was escorted instead of just given directions. Upon my return to the table I noticed my napkin had been folded. The vast improvement in service wasn't just because we had a different server. A manager came by to check on our experience (and actually stopped and listened), and proceeded to check with every other table. The server for the young couple next to us offered them recommendations for the rest of their evening. Every table was well-maintained. Our appetizers were, of course, jumbo prawns and calamari. The calamari was lightly breaded and tender and served with three great sauces - cocktail, a spicy remoulade, and a pepper jelly. Prawns are hard to mess up, but sauce can be an issue. Theirs is mild with a pool of horseradish in the center so you can spice it up. We split the mixed greens salad with gorgonzola and walnuts, and this time they remembered the gorgonzola and walnuts. They also split it for us. As we were looking over the menu my son said he didn't like tuna, and I realized, to my surprise, that he'd only had the canned version. I had to get the ahi just so he could see what it was like. Seared rare with a coating of cajun spices and served with a cucumber salad, wasabi, and ginger, it was delicious and now he's a fan. He surprised me again by ordering the penne pasta with chicken. Normally this kid wants the most expensive thing on the menu. But, as he put it, he had a "taste for chicken." I love ahi, but after I tried his I had entree-envy. Grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, penne pasta, and a tomato cream sauce served with garlic bread - Mama Mia! With dinner I had a glass of the Louis Jadot Beaujolais ($7). It was versatile enough to work with both dishes. My son said the same thing about his Sprite. For dessert we shared - and I'm being generous here, because he definitely didn't want to give me any - the ice cream sundae with flourless chocolate cake. It was good, but we both agreed it needed some hot fudge. We left happy and full. Since I really don't like giving bad reviews I breathed a sigh of relief, and so did my son. Believe me, it's no fun to have dinner with me when I'm disappointed! Fortunately this dinner was a lot of fun and he can't wait to go back. (Sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself. Why can't I just take him to McDonald's?)

Jessica C.

I was taken there for dinner yesterday for the first time. Even though it was a Monday, it was quite busy, so we waited 15 minutes before being seated. Our waiter was great. He gave us recommendations and visited our table frequently. I ordered a glass of wine and the waiter told me that if I didn't like it, he'd take it back right away. For an appetizer, we ordered Raw Oysters.... not too bad. For an entree, I ordered The Seared/Raw White Tuna seasoned Cajun style....it wasn't too bad. It was served Japanese style, where it came with chopsticks, Soy Sauce, Cucumber Salad, and a few cold hard California Rolls (or some kind of roll that was like bought from Dominick's or something.....blah). Jeff ordered the Crab Cakes for an entree. It was seriously really good! It was very fresh and I think that was the best crab cake I've ever tasted. :) Then for desert, we ordered the Carrot Cake with cream cheese and coconut shavings for the icing....which was the yummiest part of dinner. :P Overall, I had a good time at McCormick & Schmick's. The atmosphere was nice, the waiter was great.....it is a lil pricey here, but I think it's worth it =) Oh!! One more thing, while I was waiting they had a flyer out saying they have specials. It's like $2 for certain entrees or something like that...I just remember it being super cheap. It's only available at certain times of course...but I'll be sure to be back for that! :o)

Allison N.

I was highly anticipating the opening of this restaurant, as it is in my office building and I sort of tracked the progress of it during construction. It also helped that the manager handed out $10 gift certificates like hotcakes preceding the opening. I tried it at lunch and was neither impressed nor completely disappointed. I had an apple gargonzola salad with tomato soup. The salad was bland, but the soup was delicious. My boyfriend got a cod sandwich, which was HUGE, but very blah. The service was outstanding, but almost cultishly great. I think they have a policy where they HAVE to greet customers, because as I was walking to the ladies room I passed a row of servers, each of whom mechanically said "how do you do, how are you, hi, nice to see you" as I walked by. It was very odd, and although I appreciate the hospitality, it felt forced. I think that tends to happen with new restaurants at first, and I will definitely check back in a couple months to see how the well-oiled machine has changed.

t.n. t.

the wine was so good that i really can't say how good the food was or the waitress. i know she was flirting with my date though! I do remember both the clams and oysters being good and fresh. Not for the younger crowd, but who cares right? You will definitely get stared at if you aren't conservative old money! I wish it was in a better location with less traffic, so there weren't so many distractions.

Nancy C.

This location is better than the Chestnut one. It has a warm interior, and it's a nice date place. The staff is friendly and v. polite. Prices are reasonable as well. You should try their oysters and chocolate bag (dessert)! Other than those 2 dishes, I haven't been impressed with the food.

Santi D.

Mixed feelings about this place. Went there on a Thursday night about 6:30. The place is wedged between two buildings and is accessible from the adjacent buildings which is reminiscent of a TGI Fridays or some other deep fried sandwich joint with Olive Garden salads. The bar area's smaller than the Chestnut location and you can see both bar and dining area as soon as you walk in. The dining area booths against the wall have curtains but I can't tell if you can actually pull those closed. Looks like they can but then you don't know if the restaurant will let you. I didn't know Happy Hour (H.H.) was finishing up when I walked in, no seats available, spoke to the hostess-like person who asked if I was there for Happy Hour or dining. She said H.H. had specials so I thought I'd wait for a seat. Hmmm, if you work there and know H.H. is basically over then why would you ask a customer if they want the H.H. specials??? How does that make sense??? So I unknowingly waited another 15min at the door like a snaggle-toothed prom date hoping that cute beer in the corner will ask me to dance as the too-busy-to-make-eye-contact waitresses whisk by in an effort to look too good for their income bracket. After allowing my hunger to force my body to start consuming itself, I approached the hostess again who mentioned that, yes, Happy Hour was indeed over and offered me a dining area seat. How wonderful!! Indeed. Ordered some chowder, the Kobe burger, and some wine. The chowder wasn't as good as the Chestnut location (but at Chestnut, I was offered ground black pepper), burger was good (granted that most Kobe burgers are going to be good anyway), drinks were good. Dining area service was very courteous and helpful which made me wonder why they don't apply this same tactic to people waiting at the door. If it wasn't for my initial impressions at the door, I'd like this place enough to come back and give it a better rating.

Suz T.

I remember walking out of here and felt like I had just wasted my money. The service was great but the food was just lacking. It's probably been about 2 years since I was here (ate here before seeing Wicked. The server knew we had a timetable and the service was great). I ordered clam chowder and a seafood pasta dish. The chowder was a bit watery and not very appetizing. The seafood pasta just seemed plain and boring. Sure these are two basic dishes, but with them being pretty basic/common dishes, I felt that it could and should have been better.

Wendy F.

We had dinner here on a Saturday night - early evening, after seeing a play. We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay - and it was brought to us without being in any kind of chiller/bucket. I had to ask the waiter to bring one (which definitely should NOT have been needed). We ordered the dozen sampler of oysters, which were delicious and very fresh. My husband had the ahi tuna entree - which was wonderful. I had the Coho salmon - which was good, but the fish was a bit overcooked. The prices are reasonable here, particularly for downtown, but if you want top quality in seafood I'd recommend Catch 35 over this place.

TOM A.

''Well here we go on the resturant roller coaster'' As every one knows this is a chain strike one If the waiter told us one more time how fresh the fish was i could not be responcable for my actions. To me the proof is in the pudding and don't set your self up for a fall. robotic service ''no personality'' I know many people expect to be spoken to like there the king and queen . strike two. When i go out to eat i really don't care what my waitron's personal favroite is. strike three. At this point i think were watching the cub's lose again . I order the marlin . blue marlin , ''that is on the menu they print 3-4 times a day'' my lovely wife get's the salmon . easy fish to prepare .In this time we have to chat and people watch . cool your basic chicago run it into the ground wood and brass b.s. decor . So the server is running his speil to a nother table . bla=bla-bla- . then the server tells the customers at the next table coho is a infusion of trout and some other fish .AHHHHHHHHH. To make a long story short our meal was dry my fish was cold the plates were cold ,how do you serve hot food on cold plates?? any one .. i give them till there lease runs out . I have had better meals at shakepear lock up . and it was cheaper .

Al K.

Came here one night while in Chicago on business - company training. Wanted something a little different, hot - Chi-town was blistering cold that night. And most importantly, I wanted a tasty seafood meal. It took them a while to even get to me to seat me. That pissed me off. The place wasn't even busy! I ordered the Etoufee - never had it before, figured for the price they are charging, I'd get something decent. The good - it had a very nice, tasty crawfish. The bad - everything else. First off, the dish was salty. Very very salty. So salty, any other flavors that they may have added was completely overwhelmed. It was not tasty, not enjoyable. I don't care how it's "supposed" to be - too much salt takes away from anything else. Let the actual spices do the talking! I don't recommend coming to this place - however, I give it a 2 stars only because I tried something different. Maybe this place can't do different - they can only do "traditional" well.

Ingrid G.

This is a review ONLY for the bar at McCormick and Schmick's, and more specifically of the bartender Jason. He is a true mixologist of the Violet Hour variety. Once I observed his mad skills I gave him carte blanch--he could serve us whatever he wanted. A Pisco Sour and a Sazerac were the results--fabulous. Rarely do you get this level of service or expertise behind the bar, even at the finest restaurants. Also the happy hour bar menu is good, especially the burger and fries for $1.50!

Ria A.

I was hoping that the Chicago McCormicks would have the same awesome happy hour deals that they have back home in LA . . . and they do! Who could turn now tasty cheeseburgers for $1.95? Soo good and such a deal! They even have cajun burgers here. I highly recommend checking out McCormick & Schmick's for happy hour. I believe happy hour goes on Monday -Thursday 3:30 - 6:30pm and starts up again at 9pm on the same days. They have a good amount of other appetizers on the happy hour menu for $3.95 and $4.95. We ordered the mahi cakes which were sort of like crab cakes and they were pretty tasty. But really nothing beats the cheeseburgers. The burgers even come with a side of fries. So if you're looking for some drinks and cheap appetizers try this place.

Jeanette S.

We ate here because we had a gift card. It was busy, but not packed. There were walk-ins seated right before us. The food was of poor quality/delivery, the service was beyond slow, our food was not hot when it arrived, and the wine we ordered during our appetizer did not show up until midway through the meal. While the server did apologize for the error and took it off our bill (very nice), by the time it came, we were almost through with what we chose to eat. We each left over 1/2 of our meal because it just wasn't good. I ordered the grilled swordfish and shrimp, both of which were tough and overcooked. My husband ordered the grilled swordfish with portabella mushrooms, bland and overcooked...We will not be eating here again.

Lisa B.

Sat in the bar area last saturday nite around 630p after a show at the Chicago Theatre. Walked right in, there were some people at the bar but still some open spots. Had a great bartender named"Jason". Who was awesome. He was fast, attentive, and hand stuffed my blue cheese olives right in front of me. The drinks were fantastic. I did notice no juices were from a bottle, all were hand pressed with a fruit juicer at the bar. It was a great place to hang out, have a great conversation with my mother and enjoy their awesome cocktails.

Scott C.

This is a really good option for a nicer lunch or dinner in the River North area. It's great seafood and the steaks are a good option too. I've gone here with co-workers and it's not too expensive either. Get the calamari, it really is as fresh as they say it is, and definitely order the flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

K W.

This is a nice place to have a surprisingly reasonably priced more upscale lunch in the loop. I had some sort of seafood chowder (can't quite recall the name. . .) that was very yummy. My friend was pleased with his meal as well. Our bill for two meals and pops came to ~$30 with tax and tip, which was very reasonable for the quality of food. Be warned, this place is significantly more expensive for dinner.

Allie B.

Went for an after-work bar association function a couple weeks back (before it opened to the public). The service was slammed and for a restaurant that hadn't even officially opened they did a great job. Apparently they have a happy hour special of $1.99 appetizers - we sampled several. The crab cakes, mahi mahi cakes, and fish tacos were awesome. Standards like chicken wings looked fine. Apparently they also have a full cheeseburger that several of the guys at our table had and compared to Boston Blackie's ... not bad for $2. Cocktails were good, wine list a little slim. I will be back to see how things are running!

Brian M.

Seafood is life. McCormick and Schmick's is phenomenal. Expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? HECK YES! The menu is printed daily, that shows that their lineup changes daily. The fish is fresh and cooked according to how the fish is to be cooked. It is truly gourmet restaurant. It's a date place alright, reservations are highly recommended. The first floor has private booths, so if you're with your significant other, you can be left alone from wandering eyes and maintain conversations that are privy to the two (or three, whatever floats your boat) of you.

Joe C.

reminds me of a like a big ass bar restaurant with expensive bar food. it was cool, good place for a beer and some food.

Patty Y.

The disappointing: I went for restaurant week and ended up ordering off the regular menu. They didn't offer the advertised entrees, and the cheap, unappetizing substitutes made it a measly $2 savings if I opted for the prix fixe--a total rip off ploy to bring us in. The redeeming: 6:45 reservations on a Friday night and we were seated immediately. In fact, the place was practically empty. Our waiter suggested a berry cosmos (with a trendy, mopolis name; it was $10)--chilled, fruity and barely alcoholic. Pure refreshment. In contrast, the appletini was sticky & sweet. Smart waiter also suggested the pretzel crusted white fish with a mustard flavored sauce--YUMMY! The fish was perfectly cooked. Crust was neither mushy nor crunchy. It comes with asparagus and small potatoes. And the potatoes are to die for--smothered in butter, textured like butter and yet somehow not at all oily. The best part was the mustard sauce, or perhaps the fact that the meal was so filling I grew immune to the tempting visual of the dessert tray. As a random note, I think this location serves far fresher food than the Old Orchard location. If I had to pick one of the various Chicagoland M&S', this is it.

Kristen F.

We had a group of 9 of us here on a Friday night after work for their happy hour. You have to sit outside or in the bar for these happy hour specials but we had to sit inside because they would not let us push tables together outside on the patio. The happy hour is on their food (how can you beat $1.95 cheeseburger and fries??) but in order to get the special, you have to buy 2 drinks but they can be Cokes if you don't want to drink alcohol. We were just starting out on our evening so we all had 2-3 drinks which is where they get you (minimum $9 per drink). Our bill for 9 people's drinks and food (with tip) was $336. Our waitress was definitely not the best I've ever had. Happy hour runs until 6:30 and at 6:30 somebody asked for more food and they had to really talk her into giving it to them. A good server who had a table who was readily drinking would have had no problem giving them what they asked for. She did however give someone a new drink when they didn't like the one they had ordered so she wasn't all that bad. All drinks are made with fresh squeezed juices. All in all, it was a good start to our evening but it won't be somewhere I go on a regular basis and it can get a bit expensive.

Dustin M.

Great food as expected. I always go for the lobster bisque regardless if it's day or night. Awesome outdoor seating at this location. Highly recommend.

Sean R.

This place is great! Awesome dinner date ambience on the inside. Great happy hour, and socialite mixer vibe outside!!! The food is fantastic! The only thing better would be the service!! The wait staff is on point! I'd give 6-7 stars for the wait staff alone. Pure satisfaction.

Mindy S.

I've always heard good things about McCormick & Schmick's, so I was disappointed after my friend and I went here last week. It was a beautiful night out, so we grabbed a table outside, just hoping to get some apps before we headed to a play. There was a band playing outside that was so loud my friend and I couldn't even hear each other talk. A little music is nice, but this was just too much. The crab cake appetizer was one little crab cake that was a little burnt. It still tasted good, but again I was disappointed. And don't even mention the crab/artichoke dip - for something that sounded so good on the menu, neither of us liked it. It was very creamy, and very crab tasting with lots of tarter sauce. Just not at all what I was expecting. The pita chips that came with it were great though - covered in cheese almost as if they were nachos. mmm. Maybe I have to go back for dinner as I've heard their entrees are good, but based on the apps, I'm not running back.

elizabeth n.

I was very upset when Nick & Tony's closed, but now that McCormick & Schmick opened up here I am so excited. I went for the first time this weekend and was so impressed that I cannot wait to go back. I went with my boyfriend and another couple, and we had such a great meal. The service was 5 stars- the staff was incredibly friendly and when we were walking to our table, every waiter/waitress we passed said hello and welcome to us. It was very pleasant! And the food was delicious! I had the salmon penne which had salmon, penne pasta, asparagus, and mushrooms in a cream sauce and it was amazing! It was so amazing that my boyfriend kept 'tasting' my dinner! He had the halibut which was good, and the others had the Atlantic salmon and a steak which they said were very good. Then for dessert we couldn't resist the flourless chocolate cake, and it was out of this world- it was thick and heavy and fudge-y and delish! Highly recommended.

Sheri S.

I am a huge fan of McCormick & Schmick's happy hour! I was looking for an outside spot close to my office to host a summer outing for 70 people. Ashley Mauras helped me put together a fabulous menu with passed and stationed apps and carving station, pasta and salad. She was organized, easy to work with and followed up to make sure everything was ready to go. The day of the event I popped over to discuss patio setup. The weather was a bit chilly and Ashley was more than accommodating. She sent someone out to pick up propane so that we could use outdoor heaters. I went back a couple hours later and the patio looked great, the furniture is summery, the buffet stations and bar were upscale. The bartenders were quick, so there was never a long line and the food was fantastic! I highly recommend the passed app package, the shrimp kisses, chicken skewers and bruschetta were fantastic. Along with kobe beef sliders, chicken quesadillas and hummus bites stationed people were eating like crazy. They also put together a special vegetable pasta for us and along with a beef tenderloin carving station and big salad everyone was stuffed. Every food item was hot when it came out or cold if that is how it was supposed to be. Every person we encountered were accommodating and they were all concerned we had drinks, were comfortable and that we were having a great time. 5 STARS! I have never received so many thank you's, emails and reply-alls thanking me for a great time! Thanks to Ashley and everyone at McCormick & Schmick's for a wonderful evening!

Crystal C.

So I love fine dining and experiencing new items. I visited the location on wacker and it did not disappoint. I did go during lunch and sat outside so my review is of the entire event. I ordered the lobster Cobb salad, very good but the presentation was awesome. Please see the pic. I had a freshly squeezed blueberry lemonade that was very refreshing. My coworker had the shrimp and lobster roll, we split it and it's great also. Try it if you are walking down wacker in Chicago.

Tiera A.

I'm a huge fan of McCormick & Schmick's so when I found out they were offering a traditional Thanksgiving meal for the holiday I quickly made a reservation. I was visiting Chicago for the holiday and wanted to go out to a nice restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom. As always, we had a great time. Our food was delicious and the service was great!

Asenath N.

My fiance and I went here for our anniversary dinner.Tthe environment was very romantic and cozy. The menu selection was great for everyone. I got the pasta and shrimp and it was amazing!! We really enjoyed the food. The food was a bit pricy but I wasn't surprised. They had a great cocktail menu and the prices were reasonable. The staff was very friendly. I plan to go back again.

Connie Y.

Came here with some friends during the week after work to take advantage of their happy hour specials. We ordered the following: calamari, coconut shrimp, coast to coast, and margherita flatbread. All were pretty good with my favorite being the flatbread and calamari. I really liked the tuna tartar portion of the coast to coast. It paired really well with the crispy wonton chips and avocado. I ordered two cocktails: the agave rita and the talk of the town which wasn't that good - pretty watered down (and that says a lot coming from someone who doesn't drink that much). When the happy hour was over, we ordered the lobster bites which were awesome!...and the shrimp kisses which were pretty good as well. Service was also pretty good as well. Overall, a good place to go to for happy hour if you're in the Loop.

Eileen M.

I dined here the Sunday night before Labor Day. Things started out ok with some excellent sangria but quickly went south. The salads and appetizers came out together and almost immediately. Ok, not so bad I guess. Shortly after that dinner arrived. I was almost out of sangria so my husband and I ordered another one. Dinner was tasty but the portions were small. Maybe that's why we finished before the drinks arrived? Our server came by twice to apologize and say the drinks would be out in a few minutes. He said that the manager had cut everyone because it was slow and they couldn't handle the crowd. This seemed odd to me since the restaurant wasn't full. It took 30 minutes to get our drinks. The server never asked if we wanted dessert or coffee. When we asked for the check, it took another 15 minutes to arrive. It was not a pleasant experience, but I probably wouldn't have bothered writing a negative review until I got an email from OpenTable today asking why we didn't show up for our reservation! I don't think I'll be back to McCormick and Schmicks!

Brian A.

We recently had dinner with ten of our friends for which we were all in town for the Dead concert. First off, we were treated well considering all we had were tshirts and shorts which we were aware was a bit under dressed. I had the shrimp kisses as an appetizer and the ribeye as my entree and both were delicious and cooked to perfection! Our waiters name was Brett and he provided us with great service and a great attitude which made for a great evening. We were all there from different places around the country and wound up hanging out and chatting over a few beverages and never did we feel any pressure to leave. Overall it was a great dinner and time spent with friends. If ever back in the Windy City, we will definitely be back for some more tasty food and friendly service.

Donna R.

Yep.. totally average place. Been to much better steakhouses in the past. Loved our waiter, he was very nice and attentive, as well as knowledgeable about all of the food we ordered. Basically it came down to, was this place worth the price? I don't think so. Food is good, but not that good and the portions are small. I also wanted a salad for a side, and they don't even have a basic side salad, only ones that are around $6.99 or higher. There was a location in Schaumburg and now I can see why it closed.

Kaniesha K.

Wonderful restaurant. Nice place to go to with friends or after work. The food was delicious and the service was nice. Go on a nice day and take advantage of the outdoor seating. You can enjoy your meal while enjoying the view of wonderful downtown Chicago.

Alexander M.

The summer menu was delicious and filling, I order a cucumber dill salad as a starter with the swordfish entree with a Ole Blue cocktail drink. The cucumber salad was delicious and flavorful with a hit of sweetness and heat. The swordfish was a bit on the drier side but the sides made up for it. Overall the experience and friendliness of the staff and waiter were top notch. I'll definitely return.

Kim B.

A consistently good place. Their happy hour is a great choice and great location....try the Fire Cracker Shrimp. Last time I was in I got great service by bartender Tim (hope I got your name right) who was fun and funny and just the right amount of attention.

Kellyann D.

Great meal! Awesome service!!!! Thank you Jimmy!!! You rock! The center cut rib eye steak was cooked too perfection. The lobster mashed potato were ridiculously good!!!! Nice atmosphere. Definitely recommend this place.

Willie W.

My wife and I visited this restaurant around Thanksgiving this year. We had not been aware of it and to be honest we just needed somewhere to get some decent food and a few drinks. I think what I most liked about this restaurant was how it was so Chicago Sports themed. Since I am originally from Chicago, I found pleasure and joy by walking around the restaurant looking at the unique photos and explaining these historic sports events to my wife. The prices were slightly expensive to be a sports bar but, hey, we were downtown in Chicago in a highly upper scale part of the Northside. I order the strip steak which was good for the price and I think my wife ordered a burger. The food turned out to be pretty decent but the main thing I will remember is the beautiful décor of this Northside establishment.

JL S.

Nice outdoor seating are that is far enough from the sidewalk to avoid the walkers but close enough to people watch. The area is naturally shaded by the surrounding buildings and they also block the wind. The service was very good and the food was excellent. Bacon wrapped shrimp for an appetizer... Yummy.. 6 ounce steak was cooked well..we also orders the crusted fish..I forget which but it was also very tasty. The potato with bacon and cheese mixed was soo good but way too rich.. We did it eat all though.

Steven S.

First time to this place and it was so amazing. To first off with the shrimp covered with bacon is probably going to be anyone's best choice. Then for the main course, the blue marlin served with mashed potatoes was just mouth watering. Not to mention there Kentucky smash as a drink option is great!

Mike M.

We agree with the average , 3 stars. We done pre-theater here. Food is usually good, never great. Pricy for average casualness. Drinks are Chicago expensive. All in all , when you get your bill you will be perplexed as to how you spent so much on average food. Service is unmotivated. Seafood is fresh though. Location is great.

Vicky H.

This M&S is way better than the one in Boston at Park Plaza. The ambiance was nicer with a better view, and the wait staff seem to be a lot friendlier too. We ate at the bar while there was a monsoon coming down the Monday my friend and I were in Chicago. Food was very good. We were upset they ran out of mussels however but the rest of the food was decent. The sweet potato fries was yummy. We had sliders that was a bit dry but otherwise had good flavor. The calami was small in terms of portion size but again flavor was there.

CJ G.

Had clam soup and it was good. It tasted different than what we have on the west coast, but it was a good different, not a great different. Then I had the fish and chips, and it was very good, I've had few that were better, and I've had it a number of times in London. Person with me had a chicken salad and liked it quite a bit.

Abbio A.

Calamari was good, but my entrée was not. Food was bland. Overcooked. No flavor. Not even salted. I was excited to try this place but it really was a let down.

Jenny G.

I went on 5:30 pm on a Wednesday. I was traveling alone and asked to see the happy hour food menu. After I ordered a beer and 2 things off the happy hour menu, my waitress acted like I didn't exist. I got buffalo shrimp and finished it and was waiting for a good 10 minutes before they brought out my bruschetta. The waitress didn't ask how I was doing, if I wanted another drink, or anything. I was more than pleasant. It almost felt that because I was alone and not spending $40 on an entree I didn't even matter. The food was good, beer selection could be better, and the service - at least from my waitress - left much to be desired.

Clements J.

We ate here on a Friday to take advantage of the happy hour menu. The burger was tasty and the chicken lettuce wraps were also good. It's a great value spot on the loop. Service was also spot on.

R S.

Not impressed. Service was slow...refills on iced tea were not given unless we asked...we had to ask for our water to be refilled. The Brussels sprouts were hard, the potatoes appeared to be under cooked...The pecan pie l crust was not impressive...the peach cobbler had too much cloves that stayed on my palate for awhile after I ate. This is a place I would be not be running back to...

Jeannie A.

Great Happy Hour Menu! My review is only for the happy hour - which is GREAT! From 4:00 - 6:00, in the bar area, they have an assortment of food items and drink specials (though, I believe the drinks specials run all night, but the food ends at 6:00). I've been here a few times for this deal and it is consistently good. We showed up around 4:15 and there was only one other table occupied in the bar area. The area itself is pretty large and has about 10 tables that can seat 4, and then the bar. The décor is nice and service is always great. For food, we had the chicken sliders, cheeseburger, fish tacos, bruschetta, and wings. The prices are all $5.99 or less and the portions are good. The only item that wasn't good was the sliders. They were dry-dry-dry. I would not recommend. The balsamic on the bruschetta was amazing. Fish tacos were my favorite. The drink specials are decent prices, and the drinks are made very well (strong). We stayed until 6:30 and the bar never filled up, not even 1/2 full. I highly recommend if you are looking for a good after work happy hour.

Donitta E.

Chicago Restaurant Week 2015 here has an amazing menu! A nice way to end this year's feast. See ya'll in 2016

Jaci Y.

McCormick & Schmick's happy hour was excited to check it out since I haven't dined there in almost 12 years. We sat down outside at first then moved inside to the bar area because it was too cold outside. However, I believe our partying moving from one table to the next doesn't excuse poorly run staff. I am very sad to say McCormick & Schmick's get's 1 star from me because the service was that horribly slow there. I felt they were understaff. The waitress and the waiters servicing us weren't rude or mean but they mind as well have been because you couldn't really get an proper service not even from the buss boy because our waters were never filled. At one point of the friends we were eating with had to go to the bar to ask for glasses of water to get water she was a customer serving herself that is piss poor. For me I had ask the waitress for Mayonnaise at least 5X and each time I was told it was coming by the time we got food and my burgers that I wanted the mayonnaise for it was cold and the mayonnaise never ever came it was sad because I felt the burger needed it. Furthermore, we arrived at the restaurant when it wasn't all the busy in the kitchen, and the food we ordered and drinks came out at snail pace then all of a sudden when we did order a second time the food comes out fast and you know bar tables don't have enough room to hold all of our platters. The food was okay nothing spectacular. I liked the cocktails for the happy hour I had the " Urban Influence" I thought it was fruity and nice for a woman's happy hour drink. I liked their oyster shooters and the sweet potato fries. I believe they offer a lot more food items than most Happy Hour places around the downtown area and other bars north of them. However, I wouldn't return because service was that slow and we left unhappy customers.

Denver J.

The staff here is absolutely amazing. They are insanely knowledgable, and can easily tell you what is in everything on the menu...I'm not sure how they deal with some of the clientele that comes in to the restaurant. The bartenders are fast and efficient. Shout out to Tim for the best manhattan that I've ever had.

Shirley W.

Came here for restaurant week during lunch today. Service was the waiter was good but the food didn't have much taste to it. We started with a chowder, and tomato basil flat bread. It just needed to be more salty or flavor, they didn't have much flavor in them. Both my friend and I thought the same thing. Although the flat bread wasn't that bad, just feel like it's missing something. After we finished the starter, it took about 30 mins for our main entrée to come. There were only about 2 occupied tables in the whole restaurant, not sure why it was taking so long. At the time I was already pass my 1 hour lunch break time. The waiter apologized for the long wait of food (we didn't complain to him, he realized that himself). I got the stuffed salmon, it was okay, just not much taste to it. My friend got the crab cake sandwich, she said there wasn't much flavor. The one thing I liked was the fries, I mean you can't go wrong with that. For dessert we had New York cheese cake. It was funny because we felt like there weren't much taste to that either. We both looked at each other and were just laughing because everything seemed tasteless to us. I don't usually need strong tasting food. I've always walk by this place and wanted to try, I'm not sure if I'm that interested in coming back here, because I don't really want to pay a lot of money for Ok-tasting food.

Laura G.

I would like to update my previous review of McCormick & Schmick's. My previous experience was less than stellar, my girlfriends and I having been waitied on by two less than enthusiastic bartenders who gave very poor service. The restaurant reached out and I spoke with the General Manager who was apologetic and was interested in learning more about our experience and exactly what transpired. This customer service and attention from corporate and the General Manager made me feel better and that my concerns were not only heard and listened to. For that, I am willing to try McCormick & Schmick's again. Plus, as I said, we all thought the gourmet Cheeseburger was delicious and the food I have had there at other times has been very well prepared.

Myranda Z.

Mark the bartender is fantastic. Sat downstairs in bar Mark took great care of us. Appetizers and drinks at the bar

Harold Y.

Been there done that. It was ok. My rib eye was pretty good but my wife's filet was little on the fatty side. Never saw a filet with fat on it.

Timothy D.

Fresh fish flown in daily.. Outstanding Tuna from Hawaii! I substituted asparagus, bad decision over the veggie of the day.. Service was exceptional! I would definitely come back...

Tim O.

I had a pleasant dinner here that was reminiscent of the experiences I had at the location in Baltimore many years ago. The service was fast and our waiter had a vast knowledge of the menu options, and was incredibly personable without being over the top. We each ordered an item off the specials menu and were in agreement regarding the quality, presentation, and value of the dishes- great. Wish I had room for dessert.

Karma K.

It's a chain but hey, it's pretty darn good. Has many others have stated, their happy hour deals are the bomb. But, I think their $14.99 lunch deals are even better. For the price, you can choose a salad or their awesome clam chowder and an entree from a selection of four to five. I've had the salmon with this deal and it was pretty darn good. If you don't do the lunch special, I recommend the mussell's diavlo or the lobster cobb salad. They just redecorated. Nice dining area. Professional servers. I'll keep coming back.

Ed W.

I was really disappointed this last visit. We were seated next to a group of lawyers where were in the process of getting really really drunk. In fact, one lawyer fell over into her raw oysters, AND YET the server continued to serve them drinks. They were loud, obnoxious, and certainly the source of at least 1/2 of the most cheesy lawyer jokes in existence. I was here with my wife, and was totally offended. And yet the server did nothing to mediate the situation, except to give us looks that seemed to say, "I can't do nothing about this..." Maybe he was afraid of being sued, I mean after all the group of five were all lawyers apparently from different firms. The appetizers were great, my steak, a filet, was actually tough -- and so was rather disappointing. My wife's steak was perfect, but her baked potato was undercooked. So all in all, not a great evening, especially considering our meal set us back $200.00.

Leang E.

I've gotten carry-out from here before, but most recently got the chance to dine in. I actually got to have a drink at the bar as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. I liked that the bartender acknowledged me and actually asked for my ID. It's strange to feel slightly embarrassed at my age, but I was because she asked me shouting over and it felt like the entire bar heard her. In any case, our party was seated in a back smaller area where there were more large private parties. I had gotten the clam chowder and the Chef's mahi mahi special. They were both good, but I would have to admit that they were both on the saltier side for my taste. I also had some of my boyfriend's NY strip to try out, and that was a little on the salty side as well. I know I didn't drink enough water to begin with especially with the wine, but I remember being quite thirsty for the remainder of the night. I did finish the evening off with the chocolate box dessert. This is quite unique and pretty good. You can't go wrong with chocolate and fruit. The prices are reasonable. Brandon, our waiter, was really great. I just wasn't floored compared to the many other steak restaurants in the city.

Cassandra M.

The food, once we actually received our entrees, was delicious. We had a 12:30 reservation and did not receive our entrees until after 1:30 and were given excuses and a not so sincere apology. I immediately asked for my food to go as we had waited so long I wasn't even hungry anymore. I get back to the office and my food was dumped upside down in the container. I expected more given some of the reviews. Sadly this was my first visit and will be my last. So disappointed.

Colleen B.

My husband and I stopped in after winterfest for a couple appetizers and drinks. We sat at the bar and Timothy was our bartender. He was extremely attentive, very informative and just such a pleasure to dine with. All of his recommendations were spot on. Would gladly come back to try other entree options but will definitely sit at the bar again. Awesome experience!!

Darlene D.

Awful, and a total rip-off. Went there on a Sunday, had one the first reservations. We didn't order appetizers and it took over ONE hour for our entrees to be served!!!! ordered the shrimp and andouille sausage mac and cheese- the noodles were huge about 3 inches in length and 1 inch diameter, and I had to search for tiny shrimp and tiny pieces of sausage. Bad Chef. Husband ordered the Ultimate Grill- portions very small, served red pepper mashed (OK) and zucchini chunks- terribly prepared. Again Bad Chef. Son ordered the stuffed shrimp- got 5 small-medium shrimp with a tablespoon of basic crab bread dressing (lots of bread). Again Terrible Chef, NOT WORTH THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICES You can prepare each meal for under $5 retail (they only paid $3)